New Year's Resolutions

It is that time of the year to decide on my New Years resolutions. Yes, every year I make them. Do I Keep them? Mostly NOT, but this year I hope to. Of course there is the Lose weight, organize my home, read that book, clean my closets, lose weight, make to do lists etc....

However this year my resolution list will instead say "get healthy", allow time for me, "enjoy my home", "git er dun" at work and really enjoy all the blessings God has given me.

Maybe with this reevaluated resolution list, I will keep most of my resolutions this year. Oh well I hope so!

Hope you have a HAPPY NEW YEAR Filled With Many Blessings!

Simple Words

Very Simply Put.......

Have A Very 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And A Very

 BLESSED NEW YEAR

With Love To You All!

Mary Lou

A very busy day!

Have you ever really felt you were honestly nuts? I think I did today.

As I attempted to complete my Christmas shopping on the final Sunday before the big day, I really felt that I must be nuts! People everywhere!

I do not like crowds and rudeness, much of what I ran into today. However people watching was a blast, thankfully. There was one man ( I think) who seemed to be in every store I was, he was very interesting looking. Then we were at another store and Hubby said to catch the lady in the next aisle, well I am so glad he was not around as I took a peak at her, I think she took the wrong flight, with her attire she should live in Sweden or some Nordic country. She was dressed head to toe for very cold weather and we were inside too! If I had met hubby's eyes as I observed her, I would have become one of the rude people due to my uncontrollable laughter.

The young people were fun to watch, at least I did not feel I had to run after them and help pull up their britches this year. :) But of course observing their DRAMA was fun.

But still whatever happened to pride in your appearance? We are most certainly a dress DOWN society now. Perhaps that is why the world is so down, I don't know, just a thought. I have to say I did not finish my shopping but there is still time. I hope. Tis the season, fa la la la la la la!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Do You prefer white or colored Christmas lights? My preference is colored, after all aren't there many colors in Christmas? However many prefer white. To me the white lights make a simple statement.

Pristine and calm, yes, as the light that the first Christmas had  from the star, it was white and guiding the Shepherds and Wise men to the  Baby Jesus.

Yet, don't you imagine the multitudes of Angels and humans on earth celebrating the birth of our Lord would have preferred color? That Glorious time of celebration was very colorful I am sure.

So simply put, do you prefer white, pristine lights or do you prefer colorful, festive celebration lights?

No matter, the lights of Christmas are all very beautiful, just as the Birth of Our Lord was on the First Christmas.

SEEING The Light At The End Of The Tunnel!

It is dim, but yes I can see it....it's the light at the end of the tunnel. What tunnel you ask?

Well for over two very long years we have been in the process of renovating our 1872 Italianate Victorian Home. Of course we are the providers of the home and we pay the bills but we have a wonderful contractor who may seem slow but he is very involved in making this renovation as close to original as possible. I have put two pictures on this blog of the house and it's beautiful outside.

Now comes the detail interior work. The woodwork is all stripped, the floors are sanded and the drywall is being primed. Colors for each of the rooms have been selected, stain is established for the now beautiful walnut woodwork upstairs and the tile for the bathrooms is on the agenda. We are lucky that the woodwork downstairs is in great condition. After being talked into a complete kitchen renovation and having the cabinets ordered and at the lumber yard in storage I am ready to "git er dun". However furniture has to be acquired, window treatments selected and light fixtures ordered. And then all the linens, towels and dishes have to be purchased.

Did I say I can see the light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, but it is dim. Our Victorian Guest House will be everything I have ever dreamed of and I can not wait to share it with our town.

Perhaps a step back in time is what we all will need to get through the unforeseeable future. I can not wait to step back in time, how about you?

We will introduce The McClure Guesthouse to our community with a VICTORIAN TEA in the springtime. Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

RESTORATION

A little peak, for a look back in time.......

Built in 1872, revitalized early 1900's, remodeled late 1970's and now 2006-2009 restored to almost its beginning, with some upgrades, after all it is 135 years old, doesn't it deserve it?

Yes I am referring to what I once thought was the never ending renovation of the Dr. Samuel B. McClure home, the Mrs. N.E. Orton residence & boarding facility, the Carl Goedeke Home, the Frank Goedeke home and finally the Michael & Mary Lou Spieth home.

In 2009 it will become The McClure Guesthouse, your home away from home.

See Photograph On This Blog Page and watch for more to come.

COUNTDOWN

10,9,8,7,6...... you know what it is like.

Time in, time out, in time, out of time. Wouldn't it be great if we were able to control time? Just imagine it, everything could be done in due time and would be on time! What a stress reliever for all! Never to be late. But also nothing would be finished just in the nick of time, what a relief!

Perhaps it would end moodiness, depression and impatience!

I want to live in this world!!!

And now it is countdown to Christmas time, talk about pressure. Perhaps we all should "take time to smell the roses or gingerbread or pine trees" ....aah wouldn't that make Christmas for sure the most wonderful time of the year?

Oh well, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!