Her name is Susan. She's been living with my mom the past 25 years or so. Before that, she was mine. The past 3 three years my mom took great delight in displaying her right outside her apartment door. The doll stood on a table and all the young grandkids coming to visit their grandparents loved coming to visit at my mom's place. Mom's friends who sewed loved making outfits for Susie. I have 3 bags filled with outfits for all the seasons. If it would just stop snowing outside we could get her into something a little more spring like.
In the meantime, she sits keeping watch, and freaking Crosby out, whenever she slides a bit, or leans over accidentally. I'm afraid my nieces are too old for Susan to go down a generation. I'm waiting for the right girl, the right treasure keeper, the right moment to be able to find Susie a new home. For now we wait…
Thank you to all who snail mail warm wishes, gifts, and messages my way. I am fairly close to having my thank you's all done!
Still sorting. You never know what I may find hidden amongst mom's things.
This last treasure I found is another one made over 40 years ago by my mom. The wink pretty much says it all.
I'm riding the wave right now of a lull in an otherwise busy schedule. Our weekends have been hockey free for a bit. We find ourselves enjoying being anchored at home, with the rare treat of starting and finishing projects.
The hockey gear has all been cleaned. In fact, so has the washing machine, an dryer. The seals, the dispensers, the doors, the knobs, all de-gunked and any traces of mold bleached into oblivion. The floors are scrubbed, vacuumed and dog-hair free. The… well you get the idea. I marvel at how long I was truly knocked down and out of commission… months. But I never mentally tried to keep track.
Instead, I've learned a long time ago to have a "done," list. And instead of crossing things off the never-ending "to do" list, I happily sit down and make out a "what I got done list" for the day. I'm happy to say they've grown long! And I never thought a long list of chores that I've completed would ever bring such fulfillment, but they do.
Hello! I celebrating having WiFi in our flat as of today :-) And my "done" list isn't as long as it should be! You are absolutely right, it is better to be happy about what has been accomplished than get frustrated over what is yet to be done. Tomorrow is another day :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great week, and as always, thanks for blogging. Sending love and prayers, Susan
Yayyyy for WiFi! I enjoy my quiet times, but also like knowing I can connect at will. I pray this new adventure will truly go well for you and that it feels more and more like a new "home" of sorts soon. Hugs and love to you friend.
DeleteMy two youngest daughters each have a doll made by my aunt made especially for them when they were younger. These dolls are treasured very much as that same aunt who was so very talented now suffers from Alzheimers. I'm sure you will know when you find that "right" girl.
ReplyDeleteIt is so much smarter to have a done list! You can look at and really see that you have accomplished so much! I really like that idea.
Enjoy this time of quiet weekends and togetherness. You are always in my thoughts and prayers, dear friend.
Eileen xxoo
Thank you Eileen- I am blessed with 3 nieces but they all live on the other side of the country from me and by now just too old to want a doll. I had always dreamed of having that relationship with them, but we do the best we can. I will find someone- she will afford someone hours of entertainment and love- I have no doubt. You continue to be in my thought and prayers as well Eileen- love and blessings to you~
DeleteOh my gosh, a done list. That is GENIUS. My to-do list always morphs and I do things not on it so don't have the satisfaction of crossing it off. I like your idea SO much better, Vicky.
ReplyDeleteGlad for a lull for you to do the things that make the world feel a little more ordered. As you know, I have an ordered fridge. The End. haha Glad you're finding treasures from your mom and hope you get to dress that doll in spring clothes VERY SOON! Love you!
Oh Robynn, you crack me up! Loved the photo of your fridge- that was no small feat and I love how healthy it all is. And now I am about to join you in "the end" part as we gear up for a weekend of hockey- hehe!
DeleteYou have a "Done" list... how wonderful! I need to accomplish something, anything. Everything is pending my attention and I'm doing a good job at ignoring it.
ReplyDeleteI did for so long as well- you are doing such important work- how else could it possibly be any different right now? You will be like me- one day- you will go back to doing this as well- for now- do what is most pressing-
DeleteHello gorgeous. I am loving your new header, and it's big welcome to a new season. I have been reading your blog on my phone regularly but having so much trouble with internet in the country that I do not get to comment as much as I would like. That is why Instagram suits me of late because it only takes a couple of seconds, lol. Anyway, I think of you often and you are always in my prayers. .
ReplyDeleteI really like how you turn everything on its head. A done list. How much better would we feel about ourselves if we did that every day. I am going to give that a go as I always feel down that my to do list is so long and do not achieve much at all.
Oh how I love dolls and isn't yours a beauty. Do you know I still have all my dolls? I just cant part with them. They are all tucked away and not on show either. My first teddy bear which looks a bit rough, dolls made by my mother and so many other toys. I was so excited when I had a daughter as I thought I would be able to pass them down the line. Alas, she was just not interested. Her first Santa request was for a red racing car. So, I am going to have to find a home for mine too.
I hope the days are gradually getting warmer. And hope the sorting is soon finished. Lots of memories are being uncovered at your place I think. You amaze me with your resilience, strength and faith. You are inspiring women all round the world with your big heart and well crafted words of wisdom. A journey so many of us will share. I hope you do know the power of your words. They are breathtaking at times. I still am hanging out for that book. xxxxx
You are too kind friend- and I feel like so much of what you say about me- is just as easily said about you as well. I hope you are enjoying your time in the country. I pray the peaceful life is soothing to you and that after all you've been through- this time is meant to restore and replenish yourself. You know we'll be here when the WiFi is in place and you post to your heart's content- in the meantime- know we think of you and think the world of you!! That book- that book- is being talked about all the time- but I am still patiently waiting for Superman's help to get it going for real :) xooo
Delete:) Hugs and hoping you guys get some good consistent spring soon!!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI wish- I wish!! The wind is howling today and its freezing outside once again… fingers crossed- soon!! Hope you are still doing well sweet friend- love to you!
DeleteMy sweet friend, Vicky,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post filled with old memories, descriptions of spring cleaning, and inventive "tips" on making lists. But first, did you actually say, "if it would just stop snowing outside"? It is still snowing there? Yikes! It is fairly cold in Spokane, and the ground is still completely frozen, but at least the snow has mostly melted. Come on SPRING! It's time to give Moorhead a visit!!
Some random thoughts after reading your post:
* I loved meeting Susan and hearing about the hand-made outfits she has...three bags worth. What a welcoming committee of one she made at your Mom's door for all those years. She will light up some little girl's heart.
*What a joy it is to do some spring cleaning. Get out the gunk from winter activities and get the floors in shape and the remote corners cleaned out. Spring cleaning reminds me a bit of Lent...cleaning out my heart to make more room for God. Ah, now there's a title for a new post
on my blog :)
*What a brilliant, yes brilliant, idea to have a "Done List" instead of the pressure and stress of a "To Do" list. I am a huge list maker and love crossing things off. However, I might just keep a "done list" in my journal to make me smile.
And finally, from today's Jesus Calling..."In a world of unrelenting changes, I am the One who never changes....in my Presence you can face uncertainty with perfect Peace." Love that and I hold on to that promise with both hands.
God Bless, my sweet friend. You are always and forever in my prayers.
Love you to the moon and back!
Linda
Yes- spring cleaning also reminds me of lent- I definitely feel like I am preparing for Easter… and I love your title- "cleaning out my heart to make more room for God." Amen- I'll be excited to see what you have to say. My done list parallels my gratitude list in some ways- and when I spend the time reflecting its amazing to see all that we do.
DeleteHi!! Oh, I love the idea of a done list - that is great!! You are so right the To Do list is never ending and feels defeating at times - but a Done list - yes!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling good and having some time at home. With my move coming this weekend I know I will be busy for a while and do look forward to some time at home with just my kids!
Love you!
xo
Tiffany! So excited to be thinking about you moving- you know I will be praying for an easy transition for you all. What a great way to really celebrate this new journey of you and the kids- a new place all your own to call home!! Love to you sweet friend- happy moving!
DeleteYour post made my heart smile! I have been busy working on a one of a kind wedding dress..but stopped to take a quick peak to see if you had posted :) does that make me a blog stalker? lol I love your treasures! Maybe you will have the perfect daughter in-law to pass your beautiful doll down to someday :) I love your thoughts at the end...to be so pleased with all that you have gotten done...and how you never thought getting chores done would make you feel so happy! That is a blessing isn't it. A new perspective for me!!! Thank you beautiful lady for that! Much love, many prayers dear Friend.
ReplyDeleteThere is a simplicity in my days that really strikes a chord with me currently- at some point I would get tired of it I think- but it hasn't gotten there yet :) Much love to you and I hope we get to see pics of this new dress!!
DeleteHow inspiring, Vicky...a DONE list. Wow, that's gonna change my thinking, big time. Love your Susan and what she means. I can't look at her without smiling.
ReplyDeleteThanks again, for letting us peek into your real world.
Julie- thanks for coming here to peek- I got so much out of your post yesterday- I am truly working on thinking about my word and what I've learned. Hugs to you!
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