Create for a Cause

I had the wonderful opportunity to support my favorite organization Lifeline of Ohio last month. Sponsored by King Business Interiors, Create for a Cause is their annual holiday party which benefits a different organization each year, this year Lifeline. Local artists design plates which are then part of a silent auction. Along with the real artists about a dozen Lifeline volunteers were asked to design a plate.
No pressure having your non-artist skills on display right next to extremely talented people! I had a vision for what I wanted to do and with a little help from my Cricut die cut machine for some templates, I was set. It still took me 3 1/2 hours to get it done, I was really being a perfectionist. The last thing I wanted was for my plate not to have any bids (of course I was prepared with my checkbook to be sure that wouldn't happen!) I wanted to do something that represented me since my surgery and dance seemed like the perfect thing.
My plate did sell and for more than the minimum bid so I was thrilled and very happy I could help contribute to Lifeline.
My date for the evening was my sister since Bill was busy with a Boy Scout event. We had a great time volunteering at the Lifeline information station and then got to enjoy the evening. Tons of great food and looking around COSI which was where the party was held.
Thanks Gretchen for going with me!

Paint Roller Snowmen

Every year we make an ornament to give our family at Thanksgiving. This will be the 11th year so I have to look for ideas since we have used many of the basics, salt dough ornaments, etc. This year I saw one in Lowe's craft magazine and the girls HAD to make it.
The snowman's body is a little trim paint roller with a conduit piece for the hat. Can't remember the size but I just held different sizes up to see what fit best. Once the hat was hot glued on we tied jute around the body and left plenty to stick out for arms.
The girls personalized their snowman with a ribbon scarf and buttons. We painted eyes and hot glued a string hanger. Everyone LOVED them! I have to say they are one of my favorites!

"Kitty"

No "Kitty" is not our new pet or Christmas present! When we took Quincy in last week to have a cyst removed, our vet had 4 six week old kittens in the waiting room. Someone had left them in a box on her door step.We just happened to have a good friend who was looking for a kitten for her daughter who is also friends with the girls.
It worked out perfect and "Kitty" was selected. When we went in to pick up Quincy we brought home "Kitty" to pet sit until Christmas Eve. She is so cute and tiny but also a little ball of fire, tearing through the family room where she camped out from the safety of two very enthusiastic pugs!
The girls set up a crate for her with everything she would need and loved her so much. I didn't have to do hardly anything for the three days she was here. The boys and Bill even spent time holding her and loving on her.
On Christmas Eve, we ran out of church to get home and get "Kitty" ready for her new family. We put a tag for the girls friend and added a bow to the carrier. Then we blinged "Kitty" up with a sparkly pink bow. Her new owner Daddy arrived at 8pm to take her home. Erin was a bit teary seeing her go, she had really bonded and basically spent three days in the family room only coming up to eat!
Within 30 minutes we received pictures and texts from her new family and "Kitty" looked so happy!
Most importantly, my girls were thrilled to be able to participate in the magic of Christmas for their friend. They loved helping and being a part of such a special gift for such a special friend. It was so sweet to hear them talk about "Grace's" kitty and how excited and happy she would be. Oh they were so happy for her!
"Kitty" is now known as Vanilla "Nilla" Paws Angel, a perfect Christmas present!

Merry Christmas Grace! We love you!

Glasses!

Paige has glasses! Really cute, sophisticated glasses! She has been complaining of headaches daily for quite awhile. She already has migraines but these were headaches that with some Motrin would go away. With her eye history she was long overdue for an exam so off we headed to Children's 10 days ago where it was determined that yes indeed, she did need glasses.
We did have fun choosing frames, what a huge selection for kids today. Her one requirement - no pink! That was definitely the most challenging part of the experience since about 90% of the frames have pink somewhere on them. But they can order anything, so after trying on about 15 pairs she settled on a style and ordered the color she wanted. I think she made a fantastic choice!
She doesn't need to wear them all the time; reading, TV, computer. Enough that she will be hauling them around the house, hopefully not losing them!
She was most excited about the cute Vera Bradley case I gave her for Christmas, pictures of that to follow soon.
I know she is kinda proud since she was willing to pose for a quick photo shoot....

Paige and Daddy with his" readers". The only 2 in the family who need glasses!

4 Paws & a Girl

Lindy LOVES to dance. Since she was 4 years old she has always taken some kind of dance and as she has gotten older kept adding classes. Two years ago she started the competition team and really took off! It has been the most wonderful experience for her, giving her a huge self esteem boost which every girl needs.
This year her list was long..Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Classical Ballet, Acrobatics, Technique, and a Solo Class, whew! She is at the studio 2 nights a week and Saturday morning and if she could go more she would.
In an effort to teach the life lesson that things cost lots of money, Lindy was looking for ways to contribute to her dance classes. She took on the responsibility of paying for her Solo classes which are $20 a piece and she usually does 2 per month until spring when they will be weekly.
Paige has a paper route and Lindy wanted a "job". The first "job" I gave her was coupons. She is in charge of cutting coupons and organizing them. Whatever the total coupons I have saved with on a shopping trip she adds that to her list of earned income. She's doing so well saving money at the grocery store she is usually ahead of her payments by a month!
But she still wanted a job outside the home. We brainstormed what the possibilities would be for a 10 year old and came up with pet sitting. She loves pets so it seemed like a good fit.
Bill and Lindy spent an evening on the computer designing a flyer to pass out in the neighborhood and so "4 Paws & a Girl" was born!
Her best customer has been 2 dogs that she takes care of and she loves it! She wanted to make them a little Christmas treat and dogs love treats! We had so much fun filling treat bags and making cute tags for them. Her furry customers and their owner were thrilled that she thought of them.
She's definitely learning good customer service!

Santa Day!

 It's a HUGE, much anticipated event here in our home when Santa arrives! As the kids have gotten older our party has grown and changed. Everyone has a say in the guest list, pretty much anyone you can think of gets an invitation so that's easy! Kids willingly get dressed up and clean and the overall joy and excitement in our house all week is priceless. It is by far my most favorite week of the holiday season. There is not another time, maybe even all year, where we are home for a week, everyday, spending all day together.
This year I had more help than ever which was a good thing since Bill was recovering from a scary, nasty pneumonia bug! I came down in the morning to a preheated over (thank you Paige) and recipes waiting. Paige ran the mixer non stop all week making dough after dough. Lindy and Erin rolled, sprinkled, cut out, and iced hundreds of cookies.
I am always so grateful for my wonderful family and after the month of November even more so!

Merry Christmas!

The Millers

 My baby is not really a baby anymore but she wanted to be 1st on Santa's lap and that I can make happen!

 Erin and one of her BFF's Megan.

 Paige and Rachel

 Dance Girls - what a great team these girls are!

 What do you think Grace is trying to talk Santa into?

 Friends I haven't seen FOREVER! Can you believe Lindsey was our flower girl? Wow, we are old!

 Julia & Santa

 Bill "stole" Mary's new little one, Luke. He has a think for babies (obviously!)

 No matter what your age, everyone loves Santa!

We all wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!