Sunday Morning

Life has been so hectic lately.  Work, end of the year school wrap-up, graduation activities and summer anticipation have left me feeling depleted of energy. 
I decided to get up early today and slip out for my pedicure and manicure. It feels so good to just sick, relax and be able to clear my head of all the noise.
I am truly blessed to be able to have this time to re-energize. 

End-of-the-year-Jitters

Spring has come and is almost gone. I can almost smell the sweet smells of summer, with the fresh cut grass and the succulent fruit that goes with the season. It's that time of year again, when everyone is rushing around trying to finish up school activities and school work and the anticipation of summer vacation is upon us. Normally, I would be waiting for summer with bated breath but this year is different. This is Alyssa's last year in high school. Another graduation to plan. It's not like I haven't known all along that she would be graduating this year, but I guess I figured there would be more time. Now, I realize that along with planning a graduation party, I also have to fit running around for prom, finish up with Patrick's home school assignments, CIF games (yes, Troy made the CIF's again this year), do favors for the end-of-the-year sports banquet and everything else that goes in-between. I'm a little overwhelmed. It just seems like there is more than usual going on this year.

Maybe it's the fact that I'm a little more emotional about this graduation because I feel like the end of seeing my girls experience the high school "life". No more formal dances, sleepovers, sports and the usual activities that go with it. I know that Neecy will be starting high school but it will not be the same for her or us. There won't be formals and softball games and all the things we've come to know with Amber and Alyssa.

It'll be awhile before Patrick gets to high school (3 years) and then it'll be a whole new experience. No more mom and daughter shopping for dresses, hanging out with the "girls" and getting hair done etc. I am sad but excited that I still have my girls at home.....for now. Alyssa will be at the college and playing softball.

I need to just push through and get the ball rolling. There's food to order, decorations to buy, favors to make, shopping to do and invitations to make. I guess I better get to it....Graduation won't wait!

Out of Sync

I hate the feeling of being out of sync.  I left work Friday, looking forward to the week-end.  I came home and mentioned to my husband that I felt like something was biting me.  We have a cat so perhaps a flea.  I was going crazy scratching and finally my husband checked to see all the bites but there were none.

I was so uncomfortable that he gave me 2 benedryl.  I took them and was knocked out by 9:30pm.  I woke up yesterday (Saturday) at noon feeling achy and sleepy so I went back to bed.  I slept all day and nite.

It's now Sunday morning and I feel out of sorts.  I need to get moving but my body doesn't want to cooperate.  I haven't felt like this in such a long time.  I wish I could just learn to rest and not feel so guilty about doing nothing.

I guess I'll get ready and take the day one baby step at a time.

On the Job Again!

Well, after 11 years as a stay-at-home mom, I'm once again working.  I don't really know how I feel about this.  I spent many years working at an oil company, before I had my daughter, and really loved it but after my daughter was born, I realized I needed a more stable job.  My friend convinced me to apply at Fullerton College, for her previous position, because she was transferring to another department.  I gave her lots of excuses why I didn't want to, but in reality I was afraid to make a change.  I was comfortable where I was and really enjoyed the people I worked with.  A co-worker sat me down one day and set me straight about what I needed to do.  I remember he said that change was scary but if I ever wanted to move forward, I needed to take risks and feel that uncomfortable feeling that comes with the fear of the unknown.  I applied for the job and got it!

I worked as the secretary and really enjoyed my job and the people I worked with (well most of them anyway - lol!)  After a few years, my supervisor, who was the Administrative Secretary to the Dean of Student Support Services, decided to transfer to another department.   I loved our Dean and even though the position required a lot more responsibility and included duties that I was not knowledgeable in, I decided to apply for her position.  Thankfully, I got the position and learned a lot about the job, through the help of lots of great people around campus and the district. 

During all of this time, many things changed for me.  I got married, had 2 more children and was longing to be more involved in their school activities.  I hated the fact that when they were small, they were with a babysitter and I was missing out on many of their firsts.  As time went on, the stress of work mixed with family illnesses was really taking it's tole.  The last couple of  years I was working, I wasn't really enjoying it at all.  My body was there but my heart was at home.  I had always wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom.  I was pregnant with our 3rd child, working full-time, had just lost my grandmother the year before and now was taking care of my dad who had terminal cancer.  I was tired and worn out and developed Meningitis for the 2nd time in 3 years.  I was hospitalized and then put on bed rest for a month.  It was during this time that I sat in bed and hated the fact that I was going to have to go back to work.  I told my husband how I felt and even though I was bringing home really good money, we decided that after our son was born, I would quit. 

I did just that and for the last 11 years have been home.  I watched my son grow and we've shared many great times!  I was able to be the room mom for my daughter's classes and attend all their field trips!  I volunteered and was part of their elementary and Jr. High years.  I've home schooled my son for the last 6 years.   I have enjoyed every minute of my time at home.  Unfortunately, my husband has been out of work for a year now and even though I don't want to go back to work, I know that the need is there.

Once again, my friend, my angel, has provided me with the opportunity to return to the college.  It's only part-time and it's temporary which, for me, is a good thing because it gives me time to see if this is what I want to do.  My daughters are in college, graduating high school and going into high school and my son is older now too.  He can get his schoolwork done without me being there by his side.  I don't really know how I feel about working again.  There are still things I want to do but without the financial means, I can't do them.  I really like the freedom to come and go as I want, get things done at home and just be with my son.   I must admit that I know in my heart I was beginning to take staying home for granted so this might be just what I need to make me appreciate the gift all the more.  For now, I am grateful that I have a friend who loves me enough to share opportunities like this with me and for the feeling I get going to work at the college every day.  It's like going home to your family after a long time away.    

Wrong Car!

Today was a beautiful day after last nights rain.  So clear and slightly warm.  Robert took Patrick to my brother's church for an Easter egg hunt and I stayed behind so I could take Amber to work.  After dropping her off, I decided I wanted to do some cardmaking and make some cake pops so I stopped at JoAnn Fabric to pick up a few supplies.  I paid for my items and got back in the car, started it up and before taking off, decided to check my phone to see if there were any messages.  When I decided to leave, I noticed an older lady casually walking out of the store.  I put the car in reverse and started to back out and the lady was walking toward the front of my car.  As I backed out and started to put the car in drive, the lady was now at the passenger side of my car.  I wondered what she was doing so close when she reached for the locked door.  I looked at her and nodded to let her know it was the wrong car and she kept pulling on the handle.  Then she looked up at me with a look like why aren't you opening the door?  I nodded to her and was going to roll down the window when she suddenly realized I wasn't who she thought I was and apologized.  I couldn't help but giggle as I watched her walk to another car that was parked two cars away from where I was.  It was an SUV the same color as mine. 

SANTA'S HOUSE

This morning I got to see Santa's house and workshop!  Not in the North Pole but in my own little town of Fullerton, CA.  You see, today is Thursday and that means I was out shopping Estate Sales.  Today one of the sales happened to be at a home in Fullerton that was owned by Mr. Bob Von Fliss aka Santa Bob!

The house was full of treasures.  There were the usual kitchen items, books and crafts but there was also the bedroom full of his clothes and costumes.  His Santa suit, black boots with the white fur cuff on top, not to mention Mrs. Santa's outfit!  There was a room full of Christmas dolls and ornaments and miniatures for doll houses.  Even the carpet throughout the house was Santa red!  There were ornaments and garland still decorating the living and dining rooms.  I walked around to the back yard and there was a small workshop behind the house.  This must have been where "Santa" did all his work. 

The house belonged to Bob and Dottie Von Fliss.  These 2 have quite a history!  Dottie worked as a carhop at the famous Simons Drive-In on  Wilshire Blvd.in Los Angeles, CA.  Bob was the co-founder of The National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts.  Together they owned an antique shop that specialized in dollhouse miniatures called the High Button Shoe.

An article in the Orange County Register dated November 24, 2005, gave this account of how the Von  Fliss' started their Santa careers:

      "One day, when Bob was out shopping, the woman who owned Dixie Doodle Entertainment approached him and said what a great Santa he'd make. He was rather portly and had a magnificent, flowing white beard. (Real-beard Santas, he says, are hard to find.)   She then asked if he'd be willing to work a party that night. She was in a bind. He agreed and said he'd bring his own Mrs. Claus.   A jolly new career was born for Bob and Dottie.   They didn't do malls, but could be found at plenty of posh parties from Beverly Hills to Newport Beach. In later years, a Beverly Hills agent began booking their appearances.   Dottie was adorable in her fur-trimmed, red-velvet jacket, fitted at the waist with a flared peplum, red skirt and red suede boots.

Bob even played Santa in a TV program called "Ferbus' First Christmas" on December 12th 1995. It was part of the "Masked Rider" series. He also played Santa in the "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" in a TV episode called "I'm Dreaming of a White Ranger" and also in "V.R.Troopers" in an episode called "Santa's Secret Trooper".

I've shopped at the home of Mr. Wendell "Bud" Hurlburt who worked for Mr. Knott of Knotts Berry Farm.  He is the man who designed and built the Calico Mine Ride and the Timber Mountain Log Ride.  He also established Castle Theme Park in Riverside, CA.

I love to go to these Estate Sales and get lost in time looking at all the things of the past.  You can almost feel the presence of these people and see what their life used to be.  

Easter Cans

Easter's just around the corner and I'm getting ready to make Easter Baskets made from empty paint cans.  These are gallon paint cans that are decorated with paper and embelishments and ribbon.  The lids can be sealed (there's a key that opens the can) or they can be left open.  Just fill with grass and goodies!  These are so fun to make and so cute!  I love how each one is different and unique.  If you wouuld like to order one, let me know.  There's still time to get an order in.  They can also be personalized.  I've attached a picture of a birthday can I did that was personalized so you can get an idea of what it looks like with a name on it.

Perfect Saturday

Yesterday Alyssa's softball games got rained out so Robert and I decided to take advantage of the day and spend it together.  All  Day!  We got up and got ready.  It was raining pretty hard but we weren't gonna let that keep us in.  We took Amber to work and then drove to Orange and started hitting the thrift stores.  Normally, I shop estate sales on Thursday and Fridays but this week there weren't any listed.  We needed to find merchandise for Ebay so to the stores we went.  Apparently, alot of other people decided to hit the stores as well.  They were crowded!

We shopped at 6 before heading home.  We stopped for lunch at a dive cafe in Fullerton and had a really good breakfast.  With the cold and rain, I suggested to Robert that we go to church at 5pm instead of getting up on Sunday and going out in the cold and rain.  I convinced him by telling him we could sleep in and have a nice breakfast in our warm house. 

Our thrift store finds

We got ready and made the 5pm mass.  I swear, mass is getting longer and longer.  We didn't get out until 6:20, then went to the store to pick something up for dinner.  We went home and we both hung out in the kitchen, putting groceries away and getting dinner ready.  (Usually when the cooking starts, my husband leaves the kitchen)  All in all we had a great day and best of all, we didn't have to get up and brave the cold this morning for church.

My Other Blogs

Live-Learn-Love is the blog I created for family and friends to keep in touch and see what we are up to.  I soon realized that there were other things I wanted to share that somehow didn't quite fit into this place, so I created another blog - "4 Angels Creations" where I could share the crafts and creations that I make.  I wanted that blog to be specifically for that purpose but soon realized that I wanted to share the creations I make in the kitchen too, so I created another blog - "Sugar n Spice"  This blog is for my cooking creations and mishaps and at times I might throw in a tip or two.  I'm not sure if this is really the road I want to take or if I want to combine everything into one blog. 

I guess that's the organization in me thinking that everything has to have it's place.  I hope that you'll visit my other blogs.  The links to those blogs are on the left and please let me know what you think.  Should I continue with these or just lump everything onto one blog?

Griswold Cast Iron Skillet Makeover

I've been doing Ebay now for 3-1/2 years and I'm still learning so much.  I recently bought a cast iron skillet that I was excited to get my hands on.  I've sold many Wagner Ware cast irons before but this is the first time I've found a Griswold.  These are the two most collectible names in Cast Iron.  It was at an estate sale and the price was right.  What wasn't right was all the caked on food and seasonings.  I wanted my pan to look great so I did some research on the internet.  I love the internet.  I can find just about anything I need, just with a click of a mouse.  I found a site that explains how to bring a cast iron pan back to it's original state to be reseasoned. 

 

The process really takes alot of patience.  First I sprayed the pan all over with oven cleaner as stated in the instructions and placed the pan in a clean garbage bag, tied the bag shut and left it outside overnight.  Being the impatient person that I am, I checked it the next morning and some of the crud came off.  I resprayed and repeated the process for another day.  Again, some more of the old caked on junk came off.  I then resprayed and repeated the process but forgot about the skillet for almost 3 days.  When I finally remembered, I took the skillet out of the bag and began to scrape the black junk off and it came off nice and easy.  (Again, patience is the key!)  I did this for about a week and a half and then washed the pan in hot water.  There was just a small area on the back side of the pan that would not come off.

The next step was to let the pan soak in a solution of very hot water and vinegar for about 30-60 minutes.  I actually left it for 2 hours and when I returned home, I used a steel wool pad to remove all the excess rust that had accumulated on the pan.  (You will see significant rust but it's really only on the surface)  I turned on my oven to 250º and placed the pan in there for 15 minutes.  After the time was up, I raised the temperature of the oven to 500º and left the pan in there for an additional 45 minutes. 

When the time was up, I turned off the oven and removed the pan, wiped it inside and out with shortening, and put it back in the oven.  I left the pan in the oven while the oven cooled and made sure to check and wipe the pan every 10-15 minutes.  This will ensure the oil is evenly distributed on the pan and doesn't pool or thicken in one area.

Voila! The pan looks great and is now ready to list on Ebay!  I am confident the pan will sell quickly.