The Bachtel's, saying goodbye

     I am part of a large family and in my late 40's. I never realized how we all say good-bye, until my husband brought it to my attention that when everyone goes to leave, we take foreverrrrrrrr to say good-bye to each other. I always thought that was normal and just the way it is. Then a few weeks ago, I caught an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond and the focus was on people/woman always being late and Amy looked at Rob and told him that she is never late! He said "No, you're never late, you just take a long time to leave. I'm standing at the door waiting, and you are on your good-bye tour"!! Hahaha Yeah, that's us.

Crocheting An Infinity Scarf ....well, more like going to try

   This is a picture of an infinity scarf. (not mine) However, I am going to run to town to get some yarn and see if I can do something like it. I have no idea what I am doing really. I know very little about crocheting so basically it will be done with a little know-how and a whole lot of winging it! I will post a picture when I am done. I will either be 'okay' with it or it will be a big fail !!! To be continued.....

Moose (our oldest Chihuahua)...off to the vet.

                  This here is Moose. He is our oldest Chihuahua and the only male dog that we have. Out of all the dogs that we have, he also seems to be the one that requires the most attention. He has his business into everything that goes on around here.

Today, we had to take him to the vet. We noticed about a week ago that he had a small lump on his right shoulder and then a few days later, it appeared to have grown a little more. After getting his shots updated and his nails trimmed, they examined the lump and diagnosed it as a benign cyst. So, we will be taking him back next month to have it removed and also his teeth need cleaned. I know some people brush their own dogs' teeth, but I can't get him to do that. It makes him cranky! So, if anyone knows of an easy way, I hope you share!!

Well, that is our latest news today on Moose. It is time for me to get some rest and I know that my side of the bed will be warm because he is already there. Life with pets.........worth it!  <3

Work at Home w/ EveVenture

      I just love making these memes for my business. So cute and fun to do. That is what working from home is like. It spoils you to do what you want and when you want!  :}

Work At Home .. Plan Your Work

It is most definitely an adventure to get to work from home.

For those that have not yet taken the steps to work from home, you will want to begin
with a plan.

When I first began working from home a little over eight years ago, I was excited and ready to go. However, I was not fully prepared in some areas, and so I want to share with you some tips to help you be better organized, for your own business adventure.

First, share your excitement, thoughts, feelings and plans with your family. My girls were 18 and 13 years old at the time that I got started. It is important to share with your children that you are starting a new career working at home so that you can bring in income for the family. You can also make them feel included in helping with some tasks or helping with chores around the home and reward yourselves with movie or treat for the team effort!

They will need to understand that if you are on the phone, it is not really the time to come screaming for you because one looked at the other the wrong way. ("she touched me, not she started it"). You get the idea.  Teach them the importance of your work time and also let them know that there will be individual time with them. Build and plan your new work at home foundation.

Second, be organized. You will want a calendar to be the first office supply that you purchase. Purposely write down the days and hours that you are willing to work and also be sure to include any other activities... from your kids appointments to catching up with the laundry. Write it all down. You will be much more successful planning your time and having your to-do list wrote out for you.

Lastly, desire, dedication and determination. You will want to have these three qualities to stay on your path and keep you focused. You do not have a time card to punch, or a boss looking over your shoulder telling you what to do and when. Be excited and passionate about the choice you have made, and be dedicated and determined to make it happen!

With these simple yet important steps, you can have a life with balance, accomplishments, and choices that will benefit you and your family for years to come.

Texas Roadhouse Butter Recipe YUM!

Texas Roadhouse Butter

                                                                                                                                                  

In a medium bowl, combine butter, confectioners' sugar honey and cinnamon. Beat until light and fluffy. This is soooo yummy on bread, toast, biscuits and more. This will make about a cup. I put mine into baby food jars.

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Hang Your Hat Here

      This picture makes this look really small, but the idea is very nice! Using a shed or building a small guest room outside the house for their privacy. I bet kids would love it too. It has 2 bunk beds in the back and side shelves and a table for sitting. Add heat, air and electricity and anyone can enjoy a night over. (Or maybe a place for you to hide)   :}

Dog Cat Sweaters and Shirts

     I just stumbled across this and thought it was excellent! What a very easy and inexpensive way to make your own dog or cat sweater or shirt to keep your pets warm. Clothing for pets can be expensive and this is a great solution!

A Goal Without A Plan is ...........

A Goal without a Plan is just a wish.

You can NOT possibly get to where you are going, if you do not know HOW you are going to get there!

Arthritis, Upside Down You Turn Me

         It's been a busy day. I took my mom to town to the doctor and then we hit some thrift stores after, came home, did dishes, put them away, done a couple loads of laundry, swept all the floors and changed the dinning room around, cleaned out where I keep all the pots and pans, answered emails, caught up on facebook messages and touched base with some of the people that I work from home with, then finally had some dinner with my husband and oldest daughter.

I shouldn't have moved the dinning room around, I am already hurting from doing so. I have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Psoriatic arthritis. When I am having a good day, I feel like superwoman and try to do as much as I can. Then the pain reminds me later as if it's tapping me on the shoulder trying to tell me "I own you". It makes me so angry. It really makes me angry that it hit me out of nowhere about a year ago. I really didn't feel any warnings, then one day I could barely lift my arm up, then the next day something else and well, it kinda took off from there. I wasn't ready for it. Then on top of all of that, I have been getting hives on a weekly bases for a year as well and we can't seem to pin down what is causing them. Life continues to challenge me! I thought my 20's were tough, 30's a little rougher and now into my 40's, wondering what in the world will my 50's be like! I'm not whining. Just venting my thoughts and how my day started off great and quickly got turned upside down. Tomorrow is another day and I will roll back over!

Seven Things That I Have Learned Lately

1. No matter how old you are, never stop learning. (You might not remember it, but do it anyway)

2. You can never take enough pictures. (Unless you are my dad, he has a LOT of turkey pictures)

3. You may always feel guilty about something, don't be so hard on yourself. (I walk by one of my dogs and they act like they have not been petted for hours and hours. Guilt wins, you stop and pet them.)

4. The house will never be completely clean.  (The house will NEVER be completely clean)

5. Being around little kids when yours are grown, really makes you want to go back and do it again. (For a minute)

6. When I send my husband to the store, I assume he will get everything on the list. (Never assume)

7. From New Years Day until approximately the following 5 days, football will  always be on. (I could clean the house)

Tissue Box Storage Bags

Use a tissue box to store grocery bags

Love this idea!

Cotton Balls Fire Starter for Camping or Fire Pits

If you're camping...Rub petroleum jelly over a bunch of cotton balls, then store in ziplock bag.
Then when you're ready to make a fire, pull a few cotton strands out and place under your wood.
Light your cotton ball..instant fire starter!

Wallah!

Holiday Express Train

             

      I feel like we are rushed through everything.
Two days after Christmas I ran to the store to get a few things that we were out of and
they already have Valentine candy and decorations out. Two days after Christmas, Valentine's
Day is the last thing that is on my mind!!!

Life with today's technology makes life easier than ever. I get it. I appreciate it. Email is instant.
Instant messaging, obviously, instant, chat boxes, instant. Microwaves, popcorn in 3 minutes. The
Keurig, (which I have), coffee in about 45 seconds. Facebook, Twitter, etc.... quick! Need info?
Google has answers in seconds!

Sometimes I feel like we can never settle for very long in our thoughts, our events, activities, and so
forth. Everything is hurry up, act fast, do it now, and move on to the next thing.

There have actually been times over the years that when the power has gone out, it sort of felt like
a little blessing. We were put on pause. Things stopped. Had a chance to look around. Enjoyed the
peace and quite. Nice. Then as soon as the power kicks back on, the tv is back on, computers up and
running and off to the races again.

I feel like I am on the Express train!

This is just my two cents at the moment and I just had to be honest that when the power goes out,
it's not the worst thing that could happen.

Differences Between the Habits of the Rich and the Poor

According to another website ....................

Tom Corley, on his website RichHabitsInstitute.com, outlines a few of the differences between the habits of the rich and the poor.

1. 70% of wealthy eat less than 300 junk food calories per day. 97% of poor people eat more than 300 junk food calories per day. 23% of wealthy gamble. 52% of poor people gamble.

2. 80% of wealthy are focused on accomplishing some single goal. Only 12% of the poor do this.

3. 76% of wealthy exercise aerobically four days a week. 23% of poor do this.

4. 63% of wealthy listen to audio books during commute to work vs. 5% of poor people.

5. 81% of wealthy maintain a to-do list vs. 19% of poor.

6. 63% of wealthy parents make their children read two or more non-fiction books a month vs. 3% of poor.

7. 70% of wealthy parents make their children volunteer 10 hours or more a month vs. 3% of poor.

8. 80% of wealthy make Happy Birthday calls vs. 11% of poor.

9. 67% of wealthy write down their goals vs. 17% of poor.

10. 88% of wealthy read 30 minutes or more each day for education or career reasons vs. 2% of poor.

11. 6% of wealthy say what’s on their mind vs. 69% of poor.

12. 79% of wealthy network five hours or more each month vs. 16% of poor.

13. 67% of wealthy watch one hour or less of TV every day vs. 23% of poor.

14. 6% of wealthy watch reality TV vs. 78% of poor.

15. 44% of wealthy wake up three hours before work starts vs. 3% of poor.

16. 74% of wealthy teach good daily success habits to their children vs. 1% of poor.

17. 84% of wealthy believe good habits create opportunity luck vs. 4% of poor.

18. 76% of wealthy believe bad habits create detrimental luck vs. 9% of poor.

19. 86% of wealthy believe in lifelong educational self-improvement vs. 5% of poor.

20. 86% of wealthy love to read vs. 26% of poor.

Doubt Kills Dreams

Love this quote.

What would you do if you knew you would NOT fail?

Being Strong

You must keep going.

I read not long ago that when life is going great, 

give it time, that will change. And when life is feeling

really hard, give it time, that will change too.

Lamp Shade Made From Paint Sticks

You can make a lampshade from about 50 paint sticks (depending on the size of your shade) and a simple cheap lampshade frame using hot glue and stain. 

The cool thing about these lampshades are that it looks great, but costs almost nothing to make. All you need to have is glue, paint sticks,  lampshade frame, and then cover them with a coat of stain or paint. 

( I would stain the sticks first)

Cheap, easy craft, and something to make a little change in a room!

Little Ivey Saying Her Prayers

Here is our little Ivey saying her prayers.

She was my gift 3 years ago and within a couple of weeks became very sick. We almost lost her.

My little angel. Actually, her name is Ivey Halo. We just love her!

It's Not About The Money or Presents at Christmas

              I have had money and then there were times, that we didn't have the money.
I ran to town earlier to pick up just a few things that we had needed, and the store parking lots were packed with last minute Christmas shoppers.

It really got me to thinking of years past when we would have just a truck load of presents under the tree and then going from house to house to unwrap more and more presents.  I just wonder if my kids remember all the hundreds of gifts that they have received over the years. I know that I sure do not remember. A few gifts stick out in my mind. Maybe it's because we have pictures of those gifts at the time, but, what I remember most is the people that were always around me.

All the years of growing up and up to the very recent holiday, my best memories are being with the family. The parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and our own children. That is what matters. That is what means the most. If I woke up Christmas morning with a hundred gifts around the tree and if I was the only person here, it just wouldn't mean much of anything.

People spend so much money during the holidays on gifts. Some go broke or further in debt in doing so.

I truly think if you want to really have a Merry Little Christmas, just surround yourself with those that you love. Those are the precious times that you remember. The laughs, the stories, the hugs....just being together will always mean more than money and presents, and those are the things that will last a lifetime.