MaeLyn's Musings

A week or so I wrote about my search for my style ( Click here to see ) and mentioned that I have been wanting to learn how to make jewelry with beads, but didn't have the resources to get the supplies necessary to get started. A friend of mine saw the post and offered to send me her beads and tools that she didn't want anymore. (Thanks a ton Melissa!!!) I took her up on the offer, and the package arrived in the mail Monday afternoon. I was thrilled to see how much she had sent me - not just a case full of beads, but several tools, spools of wire, rulers, files, and books that explained how to do it! Tuesday morning I waited until all the kids were out the door, then hurried to pull out the box she sent. (Remember in Bedknobs and Broomsticks when Angela Lansbury's character waited until all the kids appeared to be asleep before she ran to her workshop to unwrap her first broom? It was something like that.) I spent the rest of the morning reading books, playing with the wire

Today begins the second complete week of having my entire family in school most of the day. I thought I'd give an update on how I've been keeping myself busy during my alone time. Monday : Cleaned out the laundry room, everything from organizing the cupboards above the washer and dryer to vacuuming up kitty litter that had spilled under the shelves. Prepared a crockpot dinner, made refreshments for FHE. Washed a load of laundry, paid bills, wrote a blog. Tuesday : Cleaned out the linen closet, even labeled the shelves with what should go on each one. Washed a load of laundry. Went to the library. Started a digital scrapbook of clothes that I like as part of my quest to find my style. Had a meeting with our new Primary chorister. Wednesday : Presidency Meeting in the morning. Went to Goodwill for some pants for Hannah and a belt for myself. (This was the kids minimum day so they got home early.) Cooked pinto beans from scratch for dinner. Thursday : Went visiting teaching. H

This is it! The boys are at elementary school for the next five hours or so, Hannah is at the middle school for the next six hours or so, and Steven is downtown at UC Denver for the next seven hours or so. I have the house to myself!!! Woohoo!!! After looking forward to this for so long, I'm having trouble figuring out what I want to do first. There are so many things that I want to do, that I should do. Where do I start? Actually, I've already walked the boys to school so I can check off exercise for the day. I've checked my email and paid bills. Breakfast has been cleaned up. (Steven helped with that before he left. Isn't he wonderful?) The cats have been fed and watered and their litter boxes have been cleaned out. I should get some laundry washing, and maybe I'll clean out the cupboards in my laundry room today. I'll make something for dessert for FHE tonight, and maybe fill the crockpot with something for dinner. I've got a book to read (I've alwa

Today I went for a walk to find my style. I promised Steven I wouldn't spend any money, drove to a local shopping center, and spent a long while wandering through stores. I started with a Lowe's. I meandered up and down the aisles, looking at doors, lighting fixtures and water faucets. I examined shelves, rugs and storage bins, assuring the solicitous salespeople that I didn't need help, that I was just browsing. I wasn't sure exactly what I was searching for, but I hoped that I would figure it out when I saw it. In the process I learned a few things about myself. I like oil rubbed bronze finishes better than nickel chrome. I like cranberry colored front doors. I would love to have a lamp post in my front yard. I left Lowe's and walked to a Jo-Ann store. There I ignored the cloth and concentrated on the craft supplies. It didn't take me long to gravitate toward the beading supplies. For the last little while I have wanted to learn how to make jewelry using bead