Thanksgiving Centerpiece

With my mom's help, last week, I was able to deck my halls for Christmas. I wasn't too concerned that Thanksgiving hadn't arrived yet. The day was going to be spent just the 4 of us. So, we simply bought a 6 lb turkey breast and I halved all my recipes for a small celebration of Thanksgiving.

As it turns out, a neighbor of mine, who lives alone had no plans for Thanksgiving. So, I jumped at the chance to invite her to celebrate with us. I looked around my house and realized it was going to look a lot like Christmas feast instead of Thanksgiving if I didn't make a few changes.

I still had our Pumpkin from Halloween that was never carved. Bryson didn't want ours to have a face. I asked him so many times and he denied wanting to do it just as many times. I started with that. I then printed out some leaves onto construction paper and had him color them fallish colors. We wrote out what we were thankful for on the leaves and poked them into the pumpkin. I even left a few out so my guest can add somethings she is thankful for if she so desires. I am pleased with my ever so cheap Thanksgiving decorations.


I then used my wreath from the front door to spruce it up a bit, along with my cornucopia. Voila! Instant Thanksgiving Decor!

Today is Day One - Day by Day with ADD

A while back, I wrote about having ADD. I have been off medication for a while now, since before I had Bryson. Lately, especially since I completly have my body to myself, I have been considering talking to my Dr. about taking medication again. I have honestly forgotten what it feels like to be in focus, not in a cloud, and able to finish a task, any task without ditractions. The time is right. I have two kids now, all the more reason for some help. Recently, it took me 3 hours to clean out the dishwasher and the longer it took me the more anxiety I felt about it. I would put one dish away and turn to take shoes to my closet or pick up a toy to put away or check my email, only to walk back to the kitchen and be frustrated that the job was left undone. I would think to myself, "GOLLY HOLLY! This is not hard, just one dish and then the next, FOCUS!" This went on all morning. So frustrating.

I made an appointment with my primary care. I went over my script in my head for days and days about what I wanted to say. For example: I feel like I am in a fog, I am unable to complete tasks before moving to the next. I have been unable to read and finish a book for the longest time. I am forgetful, frustrated, and have anxiety. I find myself checking email all day long or eating, because those are tasks that require NO thought whatsoever. It is a way to shut out all the out of focus feelings I have.

Did I say ANY of that to my Dr? Of course not. I didn't write them down. Instead, she asked me what my symptoms were and I couldn't answer her in a cohesive thought. All my words came out in a jumbled mess. I felt so dumb! I am no stranger to this feeling, but it is never a fun way to feel. All in all, I was an absolute "Poster Child" for Adult ADD. If she couldn't tell I had ADD, then she shouldn't be in medicine. She prescribe ritalin 15mg to start.

Today is the first day on my medication. I hope to keep an online journal of my journey as a mommy being medicated for Adult ADD.

I could hardly wait to take my first dose this morning. I took my pills at 7:30 and proceded to get ready for the day. I got Bryson off to school came home and got several chores done. COMPLETED without bouncing from chore to chore. I even had time to spare before I needed to leave again. My head feels clear...it is amazing.

As I am typing this now, I do have a bit of a headache...I am going to take some Ibuprophin and see how that goes. I am hopeful, prayerful, and excited to be the best wife/mommy I can be. We shall see how it all unfolds.

Beauty and the Branch

A dead tree fell into my backyard not long ago, and it was love at first sight. I saw potential in this gigantic tree. It was about 20 feet long, but it was the top 6 feet that called to me. I (by myself) got a hand saw and chopped that baby right off, hauled it into the garage and waited for inspiration to strike. Would you like to see what happened next? Check it out:

I spray painted it white, used plaster of paris in a milk jug to hold it up (my mom helped with this part, thanks Momma!)Wrapped white lights around some feather boas I had and added red Christmas balls. I love it. It is fun, whimsical and just what I needed. I have been wanting a second Christmas tree to sit in my living room and now I have one.

I also love that God sees this same sort of potential in us. I too was once dead and lifeless, and now made new because of His great gift.

Countdown to Christmas an Advent Calendar How To

I have been wanting an Advent Calendar for a while. After browsing many catalogs and online stores I decided to just make one. They are just so expensive. I came across one on etsy.com that I thought was adorable and doable. The one on etsy sells for $40. I have made 2 this week and I love them. The cost for 2 was about $30.

Here are the supplies needed:

You will also need one 24 count muffin tin. Preferably NOT coated with teflon. I had to sand all the teflon off in order to paint mine.

Use a drill to make 2 holes in the top of the muffin tin for a ribbon hanger.

I sanded and painted one red and left the other silver. (The one that was for sale on etsy was not painted.)
I let that dry then coated it with Polyurathain.

See the blue lid in the supply picture? That was the perfect size lid off a Cleaning Spray Bottle. You will need to find something about 2 inches in diameter to make your magnet and paper circles.

I hot glued the papers to the magnets.

Laid out the paper circles to find the best order. I didn't want two greens together or two similar patterns together.

I then stuck on the number stickers, then used the red and green glitter glue to enhance the papers.

Last, I put my ribbon through the holes on top to hang.

Put candy behind each magnet for your little one to find each day of December. I am thinking of using the red and green Hershey's Kisses. In addition to the candy, I would like to find a Bible verse about giving or Jesus' birth to include with the candy.