As The Snow Fell

Snowfall in NC brings about the same excitement as Christmas or Spring break. The anticipation of the skies sending it's white splendor is unbearable. The only thing that makes it better is seeing 'Stanly County Schools' listed in the closings that flash across the bottom of the tv screen.

Until this year, snow at the Story house meant piles of coats, mismatched gloves, hats, and scarves all piled at the back door waiting for the next big adventure outside. It was cups of hot chocolate and the board games taken from their spot in the cabinet above the bathtub. (Yeah, how many can say they keep the boardgames over the bathtub?) It was extra blankets piled on the beds for both people and pups.

The winter storm of January 2010 brought less coats and paraphernalia at the back door, the excitement of our pups as they felt the icy coldness on their noses for the first time, and the loneliness of the undisturbed snow in the backyard. As I looked out today, I remembered a time when every square inch of it would have been churned up by our three Short Storys and our brown girls, Moses and Maezelle. Our prayers for many years for our children to someday grow to be happy, healthy, and good adults was granted. For that I am truly thankful, but in my heart I miss that pile of 'stuff' at the back door and the excitement of snow.

For the past couple of days, JW and I have had lots of time here by ourselves. We've enjoyed it, but even more enjoyed having The Boy home(when he's not in the kitchen at Harmanco's) for the weekend. As Sunday draws to an end, we'll see him pack up the 'Snot Rocket' and head back to G'boro. That's always quite bittersweet, but today will be a bit more unnerving until we get a text or call saying he's there and safe. I guess at that point I'll resume my position in my chocolate strawberry room with my crocheting or sewing and dreams of Story Tyme while JW mans the tv and makes sure it is thoroughly supervised.

Just When You Think

In this venture I have gone back and forth about leaving my job with a steady paycheck. So many times I have these moments of panic and think we can't live without that little money I bring home. I then have to step back and realize I'm not the one in charge. God has great plans for all of us. He saw me through several hard years while in school and He'll see me through this. He made sure my dream of that degree was earned.

Just when I think, "Kelly, you've lost your mind". He sends something to remind me He's the one driving. I am so thankful for every word of encouragement, every friend, every family member, and every word of advice I have been given.

The other night when JW and I were going to bed, we were talking about this crazy scheme. JW, as always, supports whatever my crazy mind thinks up. I told him that I just believe that God gave us talents for many reasons, but the main reason being that we should use them to support ourselves and help others. It's taken me 45 years to figure this out. At one point I thought that my talents were for pure pleasure. Now I know differently. I pray He will keep stepping in to remind me who's in charge. I tend to be a 'little' hardheaded....well, a 'lot' hardheaded.

The First of Hopefully Many, Many, Many

Here's the first item for Story Tyme 4 Piggies. It a size 4/5 peasant blouse. It's made of 100% cotton and is pink, orange, green, and light blue. The front and back both have gathers. It has long full sleeves that are gathered at the wrist. On the front are 2 gathered pockets for those extra treasures that little girls carry. I have this listed on Ebay. Give me some feedback on what you think. The address for it is http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320478553366&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

Welcome Aubrey & McCall...Well almost!

Why just stick with the clothes for kids? Why not make something before they arrive? This flag is to announce the arrival of 2 very special little ladies. They are due any day now. They are the daughters of Monty & Genny Fast. I've known Genny since she was a little girl. She and our daughter, Madison, were very close in age. It's hard to believe that she will soon be the mommy to little Aubrey & McCall. She wanted something unique, like her girls. Since they are coming as a a pair and she loves ladybugs, what better way to announce their arrival. I built the flag with our collaborated ideas. Since the girls have a sign in their nursery with the saying 'They came 2 by 2' we went with that. I think it works great. With each stitch, I added a wish for their healthy arrival and happy life full of giggles. Congrats to the family.

Lord, lead me as I venture..

It is my dream to use the talents that God has given me to make the clothes I wish I could have worn as a child. I love comfy, loose-fitting, mis-matched things that speak for themselves. It is my hope to be able to build these clothes and to sell them at reasonable prices.

It is my belief that God gives us talents. You may have to search for a long time to find them, but they are there. Mine began as a skinny little girl with big eyes and a hunger for watching my grandmother as she sat at her sewing machine. As I watched her make the clothes that we wore, I somehow absorbed some things. Those things have stayed inside of me for many years. I have shared them with my children in the clothes that I made for them, the book bags they carried to school, and the unbelievable costumes they wore at Halloween.

Story Tyme 4 Piggies is a dream in the making...literally. As I write this, the first articles are in the sewing room on the cutting table. Story Tyme 4 Piggies is born from my love of a favorite time I always shared with my own children. The time when they would bring their favorite book, their Woobee, Bobo, or Doogie Dog and crawl up on my lap and we would share a story. (It also helps to have Story as a last name.) The number 4 is for the four most special people in my life, and Piggies is for the best Christmas we have ever had. It was the Christmas that Santa delivered a white pig with pink ears to our youngest daughter who was 4 at the time.

Now with the help of God, the knowledge of what my Grandmother and Mother taught me, and my trusty camera in hand, I will set out on this adventure. With Him in charge, great things will happen.

Check back in often because just like any good book, it gets better the farther we go into the Story.

~Kelly