Turn I can't...into I can and dreams into plans!

I not only have a laundry list of whatever clothing a husband, wife and 16 year old teenage boy can wear day to day....but I also have a laundry list of items I like to make, craft, hammer, sew and so on.

I can honestly say I enjoy each and every one of them.  It just depends on the creative mojo that's moving around at the time.

Pillowcase dress

I started sewing around 7th grade and love it.  I do tend to like more of the freestyle of sewing which is why I enjoy quilting, creating pillows, etc. However, I do love sewing for my grand-babies. And yes, I do dream about ideas in my sleep!  I'm weird, I know!

Very very simple kitchen curtain (backing is burlap)

Apron made from a pair of Stephen's jeans and scrap fabric

Allow me to shift gears from the sewing machine...to a hook! I probably learned to crochet before I learned how to sew. Thank you Grandma Susie, Nannie and Mom for keeping that handcraft moving.  Can I knit?  Ummm, let's just say it's easier to fix your mistakes when crocheting.  You might have to pull it out, but with knitting mistakes (trust me, there were plenty) I'd pout because I'd done all that work and couldn't figure out why it was 20 stitches on one side and 6 on the other. Not pretty.

Avery is wearing a Grammie crafted crocheted sweater!

Shifting gears again......this is probably the messiest handcrafting I do. (Stephen is probably shaking his head right about now - Love you Babe!) There are just so many pieces to crafting a unique piece of jewelry.  Over the years, I've collected a few (10) containers of beads, wires, findings, vintage baubles turned into charms, etc. and let's not forget my stump, torch, hammers and other necessary tools.

And, sometimes I just like to wing-it and see what I come up with.  I saw a picture of a beautiful bouquet on Pinterest (love it) and decided to make my own bouquet using handmade 'flowers' made of ribbon, muslin, lace and of course the locket you see below that holds a picture of Dad in it.

Where am I going with all this?  I've added to my 50 Fab Bucket List....to market my handcrafted items.  I have yet another laundry list.....many ideas of how to make this happen, but I need to focus on turning the ...I can't into I can and dreams into plans! 

Plan #1 - This year, I'm going to host a Red Fifty Six....Girls Gone Crafty day of learning how to make one handcrafted item.  I love to teach and you'll go home with a masterpiece....I promise!

Plan #2 - I will have a Red Fifty Six launch show.  Details of course need to be finalized and I do welcome feedback because I can't showcase all my handcrafted items....Oops!  I said it.....maybe I can......sure I can!  

Stay tuned..........

She took a deep breath & let it go!

Do you have luggage?  I do.

Do you have tote bags?  I do....lots of them.

Do you have a bag for just about anything?  I do....even more.

Are they crammed full of nonsense?  No.  But at the drop of the statement, "I need a bag for that!".....I'm on it like peanut butter on jelly!

Now how about that noggin' of yours. Do you have nonsense up there?  I do!

And this is the year (and years to follow) where that nonsense will NOT take up residence between my ears - OR - take up valuable space in my heart! There's just not room for it.

Speaking for myself here....I'll bet I've heard a million times...Don't sweat the small stuff!  As human beings we tend to not only sweat it, but we drench ourselves in it.  Eat a bag of sour cream and cheddar ruffled chips.....cry rivers....clean like crazy women, or worry ourselves into nail biting frenzies or sleepless nights. You know I'm right!

I will say I am getting better and thank goodness my parents taught me where to find all the answers to life (yep, the answers are really there), but needing to handle things MY way, I didn't always turn to prayer or my Bible first.  Mom's immediate response, "Have you prayed about it?"  I'm learning that if I set aside quite time every day, I pray about err'thing! (and that includes all of you!).

Two scriptures came across my desk this morning and from two completely different sources....

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for YOUR life.  I will advise you and watch over you." - Psalm 32:8

And...

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

Those valuable words bring me to the next item on my bucket list.....

When someone steals the parking space.....Let it go! When it's hard to tell the tone of an email....Let it go!  When people wear open-toe shoes and their toes hang over the end....Let it go! Those little nuances that drive a woman crazy....Let it go!  Divorce drama...Let it go! When people don't yield....Let it go!....When you ask the waitress with a smile...How was your day?  And she proceeds to tell you ......sucking air through her teeth, rolling her eyes and hand propped on her hip......I'll be glad when I get off I can tell you that much.  I've worked a double and will leave here in about 15 minutes to go home to my second job where I'm sure the kids have torn't (yes that's apparently a word) up the house.....Let it go!  I want to tell her Honey child, Let it go!

For only 3 little words...this might be a challenge but another 3 words I've learned to use....I've got this!

 Love you all!

K.I.S.S.

Keep. It. Simple. Silly. (I know that's not the original word there, but I don't like the word stupid and it's my blog so I can use any word I want to! Silly...Sassy...Sport...Sam...)

When I scroll down my list...there are a few simple items on the list that although wouldn't take a lot of effort, I still have yet to tackle them. And really, sometimes they are the hardest to achieve.  Why?

Someone asked me recently...Have you ever eaten a raw oyster?  When I answered...NO! I thought to myself, maybe I should add it to my bucket list! I'm thinking not.  Why in the world would I want to even try to eat something that looks like snot?  Dad used to say it was a waste of money to buy more than one oyster because all you had to do was tie a string to one, swallow it and then pull it back up again.  N-a-s-t-y!  Ya'll go right ahead and enjoy them while I slip on down to Golden Skillet and enjoy me some fried chicken gizzards!  Now that's some good eatin'!

Shell-O-Snot!

OK, here goes and don't judge....

• Cut the grass
• Pay the bill for a military service man/woman (I've paid the lunch bill for a local fire fighter before without them knowing who paid - gave my heart a big ol' smile), but never anyone in the military.
• Get back in the batting cage
• Canning! (especially salsa and jam/jellies)
• Lead someone to Christ

I've picked up many sticks so that Dad could cut the grass, but we weren't allowed to cut the grass.  I never could figure that out.  It shouldn't have been because we were girls because growing up we had go-karts, mini-bikes and learned how to get down and dirty on the softball field.  "If you don't come home dirty, you didn't play".  And, it wasn't just Kathy and I, Mom couldn't do it either.  I often wonder if Dad sneaks a peek through the clouds as Mom is on the riding mower and guides her along somehow.

Have you ever paid the bill for someone behind you at a drive-thru?  I challenge you to do it.  I challenged my Sunday School class to do it several years ago, but I'd never done it myself.  I was at Hardee's one Sunday morning and when I told the cashier I wanted to pay for the woman behind me, her eyes got big and she said, "Really? What shall I say?"  Well, you just tell her to have a blessed day and that somebody loves her.  The excited cashier replied...."Git on outta here then, so I can tell her!"  I drove off and smiled the entire drive to Church.  

I don't need to hit anything with blazin' speed.  Ha - don't know that I even could.  Well, if I follow the instructions I've heard a gazillion times...eye on the ball...see the ball hit the bat.....I might be able to hold my own.  There is a batting cage right around the corner from work so I'm thinking I need to gather up a few former players and make it a Girl's Night!  Who's in? 

Canning!  I know a handful of women who are canners.  Is that the right term? All I know is they work up a sweat putting fresh veggies, salsa, and jams into jars to save for a rainy day.  I want to do that! 

You are probably wondering why I have this last on my list, when it's the most important.  Well, if I'm speaking honestly....when reading something we most often remember the first and the last thing we read.  If we meet and you forget me, you've lost nothing.  If you meet Christ and forget Him....you've lost everything! Everything sure is a lot to lose!

I love you all!

Travel....It's The Year of Stopping!

Travel!  I had the chance once (for a quick minute) to join some friends and take a one month photography course.  The kicker was...the course was in Italy.  This is one of those 'shouldacouldawoulda' moments where I coulda kicka myselfa!  Once again....Silly girl!

Yes, I'd still LOVE to go to Italy!  But you know, there are a lot of places here in the good ol' USA that I'd like to visit.  I checked one off a few years ago...California!  I booked it and off I went....thanking my intuition to bring a hoodie for the flight!  People....shower before you travel!  Please!  I think I sprinted off that airplane as soon as I possibly could.

Of course, I wanted to see the beautiful streets lined with palm trees and of course dip my toes in the ocean!  But this was the ticket...Thom did the teachin' and I did the learnin' with the Dremel and wooden stump!  Oh and don't forget the hammer and the In and Out Burgers!

 With California checked off, there are a few others I'd like to add to the list...

• Nashville, TN (maybe wait until the pickin' is better!)
• New Mexico to see the Hot Air Balloon Festival
• Spend the weekend at a Bed & Breakfast
• Martha's Vineyard
• Coast of Maine
• Christmas in New York (I've been to NY, but not for Christmas)
• And...wherever the Country Living Market,The Vintage Farmhouse Market or HobKnob Market is being held!

Now...don't get me wrong, I'll get in the car and go just about anywhere for a day trip too! Stephen and I are a perfect pair for traveling because he likes to drive and I like to ride. This year honey, you won't get off the hook so easy because it's the year of 'stopping'.  If I see a hole in the wall shop or conveniently placed thrift store off the beaten path.....loaded to the ceiling with STUFF....I'm stopping!

Obviously, with both of us working full-time jobs the chance of me completing that entire list is pretty slim.  However, I'd be happy with one! Babe, fill up the car and let's hit the highway!  There's memories out there just waitin' to happen!

MUSIC....No Sappy-Sad-I Can't Live Without You Songs!

I need to learn how to count.  Oh my!

My birthday is the 6th (I didn't forget that), but I should have started today if I truly wanted 10 days! Silly girl!

I pulled out my Bucket List and found that I have more than 10 items on there! Soooooooooooo... some days will have more than one item, which is fine with me.  I like to be busy anyway.

Since I started with the banjo, I'll keep with the music theme and list a few others in no specific order:

• Write my own song 
• Sing in a full blown, pew rockin' gospel choir
• Catch a citation bass

How does catching a citation bass relate to music?  Darlin'...when I catch Bubba, you'll hear me singing all the way across the rivah and you'll say to yourself.....Robin caught Bubba....Check!

I've always loved to write poetry and if it weren't for going back in time and reading about heartaches and broken hearts, I probably have the making for a song.  No thanks.  I'd rather come up with something new.  I'd thought of a ballad of sorts, but I always go back to how wonderful it felt to drive that red fifty six and there were no sappy-sad-I can't live without you songs on the radio - so it needs to be a song that will generate smiles.  I'll get to work on it!

THE truck!  The lawnmower I wasn't allowed to use and the lawn chair used frequently at Yorktown Beach! (Off to the side was my first car - a red maverick.  As you can see the truck was still my preference!

When Stephen proposed, I wanted to have a full blown, pew rockin' gospel choir sing at our wedding.  However, once the date was set for Christmas Day and at Mom & Dad's, I knew that probably wouldn't happen.  No worries, I'll just add it to my BL.  And just so you know...I'm not looking to do a solo or anything h-o-w-e-v-e-r...I'm amazed how much I sound like Aretha when I'm singing along....in my car.....alone!  

I just knew tagging along with Nannie to all those BINGO games, Cindy and I would get our big break and they'd ask us to provide the entertainment. We just KNEW we'd be discovered! We had to settle for backyard recitals charging 25 cents/person.  With loot in hand (maybe $1.00) we'd sing and step-ball-change all the way to Minor's Store to get a bag full of candy.  

Good times and more to come!

Fab 50? Nifty 50? FANTABULOUS 50!

In ten days (what will more than likely be ten quick days)....I'll be 50!

I know as women we don't often like for our ages to be announced, but who am I kidding?  Most of  my friends are the same age(ish) and even if they aren't they already know how old I am.  

"Are you sad that you are turning 50?".....Not at all!

Do I wish I'd done anything different?  Well of course, I COULD say yes to that question.  Wouldn't we all like to push the replay button a time or two...or three?

There are a few things that I hope to accomplish this year.....I guess the latest craze is calling it a Bucket List!  What's on that list?  What do I hope to achieve that I haven't been able to do in FIFTY YEARS?  D' Lawd that makes me sound old!  The first step as I prepare for this ten day countdown is to put aside...the What if's.  I've been thinking a lot lately of a quote I read.....What would you try to do, if you knew you would not fail?

Today, I'm launching my Countdown to Being Fantabulous 50....and we'll see where it goes.

Day #1 - I started this last year and set it aside because the instruction I was receiving....quit on me!  Even though my dear friend Tommy Nelson was supportive and kept saying....Everyday!  Everyday!  Pick it up and play it EVERYDAY!  I allowed the craziness of life to stand in the way of me and my banjo.  I may not be Earl Scruggs by June 6, 2015, but I'll be playing better than I am now. Tommy...I made you a promise and I plan to keep it! If I learn to play with half the passion you play with, I'll be a happy woman!  Thank you for having faith in me.

For those of you just seeing this photo for the first time.  This is NOT my Dad.  I know it looks just like him but it's Tommy giving me my very first lesson on the banjo.

Here we go.......