My Honey's doing my Honey-do list!

Okay, so I am so behind on everything in the blogosphere.

It's been so busy around here.

My Christmas pics are not uploaded.

Everyone is home and needing me, of course, which I love!

 I did want to show you that before we got the HUGE snow over Christmas we had a little snow the week before and I had so many creatures on my porch.

I wouldn't have known, about the social event on the porch, but they left their tracks.

I would have liked an invite!

It makes me smile.

I'll catch everyone up as soon as I can, but we are getting so many "Honey-do-lists" done during the day that I can't knock the system we've got going.

Today, I actually don't have to share the potty with anyone in the house!

The other bathroom is done and totally operational!

I am thrilled to death!

It's been way too long!

These are huge strides for me!

Yes, the completion of the bathroom makes me this ridiculously excited.

I have issues-I am a aware!

(Wink)

We are making lots and lots of progress on the house!

By the way Ace Hardware is having HUGE  price cuts of like 75% off of Christmas decorations, too, if you've got a little extra cash.

I bought a couple of cute non-Christmas rugs for 5$ a piece, and they were generally like $12.95 or so.

One had some really artsy fartsy funky trees on them and the other was a enormous red daisy with a lime green center. Just perfect for my visitors to look at when they come to my doors.

 I looked at these outside rugs in the clearance bin and thought,

 "These outside rugs say that this house is really fun & funky inside and I want to see what's in there"

Seriously, that was my thought-sad, but true!

I'm just sayin'

Anyways..........

I've missed you all and hope your holidays were as fabulous, as you all are!

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh 

and her "Honey-do...........list"

A Christmas Story in the Midwest

Merry Christmas to all!

We have so much going on this this weekend.

Christmas Eve is jam packed and I am so excited!

So Christmas Eve morning, Charlie's Daughter Amber & her husband and the grandkids will be arriving!

We're very excited to see them!

We haven't seen them since before Thanksgiving which was a long time ago it seems.

So for lunch we're having.......

Chilli, cheese soup, lil' smokies baked in crescent rolls, ham & cheese sandwiches, appetizer platters with summer sausages, crackers, dips, chips, olives, & decorated Christmas cookies, of course.

Then we will be exchanging gifts!

(By the way that free 16x20 family photo arrived today and turned out fabulous-It's on our wall, now!)

Yippee!!!!!

I can't wait for everyone to see what we got them.

 Isn't that just the best part of of it all?

Okay, so they will be leaving and then we'll exchange gifts with my Aunt Mary's family. Did I ever mention that she has nine kids and is only fifteen years older than I am-An amazing lady!

Great bunch of kids!

  We laugh & visit & enjoy!!!!

Then we always go to Christmas Eve Mass.

We can't forget that "It's a Wonderful Life" is on NBC and then "A Christmas Story" plays nonstop for 24 hours and stays on the entire 24 hours on one of our televisions in our house-

-it's a weird, but true tradition!

Then the business of the night, takes over, as Santa works his magic.

Oh, those magical nights!

For Christmas morning I always prepare an egg, sausage & cheese breakfast casserole the day before Christmas and have it baking while we open presents and play with the kids. I'll also be baking cinnamon rolls, as well.

Then we just let the day be what it is and enjoy one another and our goodies and people stop in and visit us.

That's always nice.

____________________

While it's going through my mind, and on a totally different subject, too. I have had enough and seriously took a razor and shaved my chin last night. I really wanted to shave like a man would and do my entire face because I am sick to death of plucking in my van all the time in the natural light. I needed the instant gratification of the smoothness on my chin instead of feeling the frustration of plucking and then feeling one I missed. I am using my chin as my test plot to see what happens. It's a small spot and I figured a great experimental plot even if it goes wrong. I feel like I have a tiny bit of control, now, for some odd reason.

 I'll keep you all posted as I am sure you are just hanging on by a thread. I just couldn't take it anymore. I am a woman, darnit, and a girly girl woman at that and I have been wanting and wanting to just shave it and I did! I didn't plan it-it just happened.

 I did it and my chin is so smooth.........like silk or buttaaaa-HA!

____________________

Sorry for the above interruption, but normal life happens during the holidays, as well-right?

Had to share it cause that's just how I am.

(wink)

CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER

Then for a mid-afternoon Christmas dinner I will be baking a huge ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, noodles, and rolls-Yum!

And we will be spending Christmas again, back in our home, and I can't believe it's real.

It's really happening!

So blessed.

______________

Thank you all for coming to my blog and taking an interest in my life and sharing your sweet words day after day, month after month, and year after year.

I love you all and I want to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas!

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh

Yard of Sweets

So my Aunt Mary, who is as cute as a button, loves to shower my kiddos and family with gifts all year long.

Not just at Christmas and birthdays  either.

It's a pretty cool thing.

We're pretty lucky to have her!

She picks up neato things here and there.

You know, the things, only an aunt buys.

Things that I generally have never seen or heard of.

It trips my trigger when she says, "I've got something for ya"

(smile)

Like the other day she showed up with funky candy canes with Santa's climbing off of them and also a Santa hat with a battery in it that makes the top of the hat look like it's dancing while playing Christmas songs.

Fun & eccentric gifts like that.

Many are gifts that I've never heard of.

For example.......

Yard of Sweets

One yard of sweets that contains the yummiest gummy filled candies.

You know the ones....

Like the orange slices rolled in sugar.

The yard of tubed goodies was filled with every flavor or these fruity treats.

I mean they were delish!

This just makes me laugh when I think of three feet of candy.

I remembered to take the pic after the tube had been half eaten.

(which was only the next day)

I love crazy cool gifts like that!

So moving on.....

 Today we baked and baked and baked.........

I am not a lover of baking, but I do it, more than anything to keep up traditions in this home.

You've got to make those memories and traditions with the kiddos.

It's a must!

So we have all the cookies decorated and put on different holiday trays and covered.

I told everyone they could have the three that they wanted tonight, but the rest needed to stay covered, because they are for the company and family coming over and everyone will get to munch on them starting tomorrow.

Fair enough?

I thought so.

Well, I was passing through the kitchen on my way to bed and saw this.......

Are you kidding me?

They forgot to put the aluminum foil back down.

Busted!

Little sneaks!

Oh, well, isn't that half the fun of being a kid?

Thinking that you got away with something.

Merry Christmas to all of my followers and readers!

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh

Red lipstick, winter meals, & names

Let's just say I made a huge and ridiculous mistake at the end of this super perfect weekend!

Charlie spun the wheel at Walmart and won a free 16x20 portrait a few weeks ago. So Saturday we all cleaned up from the hunting season look. All, but me, got hair cuts and looked like presentable humans, again, and we went and got the best family portrait taken. Such a great pic of our bunch. We had so much fun and we had such a fun spirited photographer, not one of those, grouchy non smiling photographers, but one that really enjoyed snappin' shots.

Doesn't that just make all the difference?

Well, being the lipstick mama that I am I tucked a beautiful winter red lipstick in my jeans pocket so I could touch up my lips when needed for out portrait.

Everything sounds pretty normal, right?

So when I was switching laundry out I opened my dryer to find that my beautiful red lipstick became a tornadic red nightmarish mess all over a whole load of dried clothing.

Sob.....

Sob.....

Sob....

and....
A big girl temper tantrum all by myself!

I can't talk anymore about it, because I am just that disgusted with myself, but I have cleaned my dryer and am I Googling solutions to my problem.

Before all of this stupid laundry crapola happened we had a busy family filled weekend!

Let's just say.....

I sure enjoy.....

When I wake up from a little nappy-poo, on the weekends, to have these goodies waiting for me!

As you can tell, I remembered to grab my camera after everyone else in the house realized these treats had been made.

See my big cookie Charlie made for me?

I had already started picking it apart because I am a picker like that!

Homemade chocolate chip cookies & brownies

and..............

Homemade vegetable soup!

Everything straight from the garden except the potatoes!

I wish soup photographed better....

But then all of you would just my try to eat your computer monitor screens.

 We wouldn't want that to happen, now, would we?

So maybe it's good that it photograph's this way.

It was super yum!

I'm just sayin'

We also attended my husbands company party at a very fancy shmancy lakeside restaraunt.

It's always nice to go out to a very expensive restaraunt knowing that the bills not going to you.

Am I right or am I right?

We began all of our Christmas shopping this weekend, too.

 In three hours we did it all and we were done!

My cousin had some gift cards she didn't want from Applebees and gave them to us so we went to Applebees for a free din-din! Crappy service, but free meal and I didn't have to cook or do dishes.

 Did I mention my Christmas shopping is finished?

What a relief on my brain.

We also saw the big man in the red suit Friday night.

Because we live in a village and everyone knows everyone Santa told our youngest that when I was a little girl that I climbed on Santa and peed on his lap, seriously, I am not kidding!

You can't make this jazz up!

I gasped out loud and then turned into my nine year old self, as if I were, on the playground that "Santa" and I played on ourselves when we were children together a grade apart-if you get my drift!

Ya, I'm not kidding. Everyone was dying laughing and had to give the evil eye to the Santa that has known me all of my life. I spent the rest of the evening totally denying the untruth to our youngest, because he truly believed Santa, because, "Santa, doesn't lie, mom!"

Small towns-I'll tell ya!

HA!

This next tidbit of info pertains to nothing above, but I found it interesting so just think about this.

Think about how many names their are in the world

Okay.....

Well, Charlie was coming home from work the other day and saw a sign that said,

"Congratulations Charlie & Nikki"

(This sign wasn't for us-not that we know of anyways.)

HA!

Spelled just that way, too.

I very seldom see "Nikki" spelled with two "K's"

Anyway, so tonight he was telling me how funny he thought this was, because very seldom do you know married couples of the same name.

Hmmmmmm....

I had never thought about this either.

But if you think about it............

How many "Nikki & Charlie's" do you know?

How many "Donny & Mary's do you know?

How many "Dan & Linda's" do you know?

How many "Ralph & Helen's" do you know?

How many "Becky & Andy's" do you know?

Now, really think about this....

Kind of thought provoking wouldn't you agree?

With all the people that you know can you name two sets of couples with the same first names?

After several miles of highway and deep grey matter efforts-

We actually were able to name two sets.

Two "Jim & Marsha's" & two "Betty & Dale's"

We just found it interesting.

Just a little somethin' to make you think about-if you want too.

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh

Tatortot Smile

Charlie's not always home for dinner on time, but our bunch eats at 5 o'clock sharp or their world crumbles and if their world crumbles mines not to far behind-right?

So dinner is at five!

Often times, we just go ahead and set Charlies plate out, just by chance, he shows up at the five o'clock dinnertime.

On this particular night I made sloppy joes, homemade mac-n-cheese, and tatortots.

Well, Charlie was running a bit late this night and if I don't snag the tatortots off the cookie sheet and put them on his plate they get quickly eaten.

Well, I also went ahead and put his bun on his plate.

We all finished dinner, did the dishes, and went into the livingroom.

When Charlie got home I went to the kitchen, asked Chas how his day went, and he started laughing when he sat down at our kitchen table and saw this.

It cracks me up just looking at it!

How flippin' hilarious is this?

No, I didn't do this either.

Although, I wish I would have thought of it.....

What a nice little surprise.

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Yep, in my kitchen)

So, I have been having smudges and smears on my camera lens, lately, and my camera just hasn't been right.

I found out why this morning.

Well, I was unloading all my pics into my computer and I watched an interesting little story play out.

Pictures that I, most certainly, didn't take.

I about deleted them until I started really looking at them.

I found them not only interesting, but noticed a little story had taken place in my camera.

In case you're not aware, the books about this wimpy kid, which have also been made into a movie, are a huge hit with kids, right now.

The stories all coming from the book,

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid"

Written by Jeff Kinney

Their are several of these books for kids to read, now!

The stories are hilarious, gross, and all of the insecurities of being a school age child and it takes you back to  the little thoughts you might have had as a child.

Well, maybe an exaggerated version of your thoughts and memories of being a school kid or of other school kids.

To sum up the main character, let's just say that, often his life, is always going the wrong way an he has so many stories to tell.

Here's a typical quote, from around my house, that has been said 1000 times with giggles every single time it's spoken.

It's been said so often that I have memorized it, see.

I'm not proud that I have it memorized, but these things happen when your a mom.

Am I right or what?

Here goes:

"Whatcha' eatin'?" 

"A piece of chocolate"

"Where'd ya get it?"

"A doggie dropped it."

Now, do you understand the Wimpy Kid's life?

That just says it all if you ask me.

So anyway, when I was unloading my camera and this story was born in my pictures I felt the urge to immediately share with you.

I'm glad I didn't hit the delete tab, now.

Here's the pics that were on my camera this morning.

Enjoy!

(This is a key chain of the Wimpy Kid)

Doesn't he just look pathetic?

It looks as if he may be taking a trip on our kitchen table.

Wonder where he's going?

Maybe he'll stop to grab a bite to eat.

He, obviously, has a sweet tooth and  must have stopped for some pie.

After her finishes his dessert he hits the road again with his backpack on.

.......and takes a break by the fresh water.

Thinking, thinking, thinking.....

Wondering where his travels will take him next?

I'm glad he stopped by and hope he stops by again, because the camera crew that took these pics wont always find him as fascinating and funny as they do, right now.

I love my little camera crew!

The Wimpy Kid was a surprise guest and made me smile

The End

(I guess it's the end, unless, their is a surprise sequel.)

You just never know in this house!

(Smile)

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh

Bundles of Blossoms "A Blog with Substance Award"

1. Thank the blogger's who gave you this award

I was so touched when Bursts of Bubbles honored me with this super sweet "Blog of Substance" award!

It was sweet of her to think that my blog had substance-heeheehee!



2. Sum up your blogging philosophy, motivation, and experiences using five words

 (I'm going to use sentences)

Blogging Philosophy

To be real. To be so real that it feels like we have known each other all of our lives. To be so real that I am able to write and convey stories, so much so, that you think of me as a real person at the other end of the computer. Forget being politically correct all the time (everyone else does that, right?) The lack of humanity is almost extinct. I want to be a leader, or atleast one in the forefront, of  bringing back humanity, passion, compassion kindness, and real conversation.



The Motivation

First of all what a rush when you see people marking you to their favorites! What a rush when people publicly follow you! What a rush when these same people comment and take the time to actually sit down and involve themselves and their thoughts in your writings! What a super duper unbelievable rush it is to actually have your own supportive, thoughtful, considerate group of friends in which you are all involved in one anothers lives, yet, you'll never meet face to face, but you feel like they are your own little private world outside of reality, but so much a huge part of your real life reality. It's a crazy kind of cool fabulous rush!

The Experience

My experience has been nothing short of fabulous! Sometimes I frustrate myself with blogging because so much of me cannot be an open book when I blog online because of creeps and weirdo's in this big ol' world. In my day to day life I am a total open book, a here it is take it or leave it, tell it like it is, upfront, stand up kind of chick.

 So many times, when I blog I have to omit so much and it drives me wacko! I can't or should I say wont show pics or talk about our kids/family life, which you know is a HUGE part of my world, because simply of the crazies out there. This is my protective personal choice and not really that you want to hear it, but funny crazy things do happen in this house daily!  Also,Which I guess makes me dig deeper within myself to produce decent blogs, (cause you all are still here and reading so I guess I still have substance, right?) but it's harder than heck sometimes blog about everything excluding family and how I deal with panic/anxiety attacks & depression, which are pretty much under control, but still are right below the surface since the fire and multiple other tragedy's that followed and it makes me so angry that I can't fully shake them away. Someday, I will. I have faith that I will! No doubt.  It's a conscious effort, everyday to not have these terrible things take me down, but I try my best every single day, and blogging absolutely helps me.

There are also many other things, but those are the top ones. I have set these limitations myself, so I need to quit whining about it, but there's so much more of me I'd love for you to get to know. I depend on my writings, as part of my creative outlet, as well as, reading all of yours.

The experiences from meeting all of you and learning about your lives, family lives, hobbies, personal issues, and day to day living intrigues me. You are all such talented and exquisite writers and you always make me feel like I know you inside and out just from the detail in all of your stories and pictures. The recipes you all share are added bonus's, of course, as I love anything having to do with cooking and entertaining (wink). Thank you for letting me become a part of your heart, body and soul. What a lucky connection for all of us!



3. Pass on to other bloggers that you feel are very deserving. It's so nice to be noticed!

I pass this fabulous award on to several peeps.

Click on their names below to go read their blogs!

They're amazingly cool chicks!

Burst of Bubbles

Lanyardlady

Pickles on Pizza

Life on Pine Street

Consider the Lillies

Pretty Things

Celebrate the Journey

Flowermouse Design

Chinamommy

I'll Tell Ya What...

Fleur Fatale

Finding Forty

Freckled Laundry

Tatertots & Jello

All Things Nice

A.K.A. Gramma

Young and Crafty

Billie Monster

Stomper Girl

Be sure and pick up your deserving award and place it in your sidebar or write a post about it!

Congratulations to all of you from Bundles of Blossoms Blog!!!!!

Toodle-loo
Nikki Pugh

Aunt Clara on Bewitched

Just a quick thought on the Sunday night blizzard-y evening!

Yes, we are having a blizzard and it is crazy windy, snowy, & cold!

I just ran outside to the studio and I was getting smacked in the face with snow.

It was almost blinding!

I made it back into the house so don't fret my pets!

(Giggle Giggle Giggle)

Winter is here, for sure, and with an ATTITUDE!

********************

As I am getting ready to watch Sarah Palin and Kate Gosselin camp together on TLC, which I can hardly stand the anticipation, I had a thought.

Hmmmmm.......imagine that???

I reference my Aunt Bernadine (aka Bun) so often in my blog, because I have never met another soul like her.

I know many many people and so I find this quite interesting.

But I want you to have more of an idea of who she was and I always thought Aunt Clara form the t.v. sitcom "Bewitched" not only somewhat looked like her, but acted like her, dressed like her in her fancy furs, and jewels, but her mannerism's are so like her that it's uncanny.

I happened to catch a "Bewitched" episode yesterday on WGN and it all came back to me.

There was Aunt Clara-my Aunt Bernadine (Bun) all over again!

Although, I have thought this for years, I never thought to blog a post about it.

It's so strange that even the way Aunt Clara speaks with her eyes closed is just like Bun did.

The way she stutters and stammers when she speaks reminded me of such great stories, memories and situations that Bun would share with everyone.

People might say television is bad for you, but yesterday it brought back such visuals of such an influential person in my upbringing.

So if you catch an episode of the classic "Bewitched" I hope you think of Bun.

Every one should have an Aunt Clara or Aunt Bernadine in their lives, at some point.

It makes life interesting!

I'm just sayin'.

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh

My very first Blog in 2005 and how Education = Future

Wow, I was going through my archives today and seeing how many blog posts I deleted through the years, which I will never do that again to my online diary-EVER!

I was looking at all the gaps in years and months from my rampage of clicking the "delete" button.

(I deleted them, because sometimes they weren't the happiest of posts and I simply didn't want them to be read anymore by you or me.)

Hundreds.......deleted.......and I am so glad.

But,

But,

But,

I never deleted my very first post on blogger.

Why did I save it?

I think because it was such an "optimistic me" kind of post.

My life was good.

Our family was great.

My business was absolutely soaring to the moon.

I read that post last night and I could feel the innocence, excitement, and pride of the girl that typed that in May 2005 and clicked the "Publish" button on her first blog which was just kind of hitting the internet, at that time

. You have to remember that, back then, blogging was a new niche community and I was, of course, eager to participate.

As, I always have been a "Niche" kind of chick.

I was reading it last night and thinking how when I sat down to type my first post I was a totally different person back then.

 My life, our whole family life, my business life was totally and completely different than what my life, our family life, and what my business life is today.

Night & day.

Black & white.

Republican & democrat.

Oprah & Jerry Springer

Do ya catch my drift?

After much thought and many memories flashing through my mind last night, as well as, today, I have decided that I much prefer my life today, our family life, and my business life, now.

I never thought I'd ever reach that point in which I could comfortably say that.

...........and comfortably say that and well...........mean it.

It was such a glimmer of the "old me" when I read that post.

Almost like it was someone else writing it.

It was kind of shocking, actually.

Who would have ever, in one bazillion gazillion katrillion years, thought what the next several chapters of that girls life would have taken?

Not this chick.

Not this chick, for sure.......

All I can say is that I am thankful of how these rough chapters have molded me, my family, & my business.

Not that I could have always been able to say or acknowledge this, but it's nice to reflect on how much I had to grow as a person.

Emphasis on the words, "Had to grow as a person."

Trust me-I was quite fine with NOT having to grow, anymore and so quickly!

The choice was not mine.

But, what came from all that was that I learned................

That I am a survivor.

That I am strong.

That I held on tightly.

(Even when I could barely some days pull myself through an hour at a time for several years)

What I did was I took  PhD. classes in life, when I was only a goofball freshman.

But what I learned didn't come from the books.

Pardon the expression, but I took classes from The School of Hard Knocks.

So cliche'

You know.....me mentioning......My ol' Alma Mater.

I never really understood that school, before.

I never had, too.

Nor, did I want too.

Learning isn't always interesting and fun.

Learning is hard and often times with struggles.

Learning makes you more knowledgeable and often in subjects that you think you'll never use ever in your life.

Learning creates diversities for you in many social and business worlds.

Learning, the way I did, was an education I never thought I would receive.

But, I did.

I am thankful, now, to some degree that I was forced to enroll.

Although, I miss the enthusiasm & the naive person that I once was, I much prefer the shoes that I walk in now and today.

  An event, that happened this morning, just really made me take into consideration all that I have learned and how I can and will  take on the rest of my life with faith, love, pride, dignity, intelligence, grace, honor, compassion, creativity, and resilience.

No one and nothing can take away your education.

Your education is all yours to do with what you want to do with it.

Education is key-no matter how it is obtained or utilized.

Trust me- if I can do it then anyone can.

If you want to read the very first blog I ever wrote click on the link below.

CLICK HERE

It sounds like the little girl in me and that's okay, too.

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh

Creating & designing used to be so easy for me-What happened? Help!

Today's blog is dedicated to (what used to be)  my creativity.

+

R.I.P.

+

(Those plus signs above are suppose to look like a crosses-in case you were wondering)

Do you like my dramatic effects?

HA!

Today's post about is solely about my frustration over this creative block that I can't shake.

You know the one.

The one that I've been whining about............for........... forever, now.

Well, what's seems like forever, anyhow.

It's not coming back.

It's really not.

My "IT' has left and seriously is not returning.

This Christmas, will be the first Christmas, in a very long time, that I haven't made anyone handmade gifts.

I've been dodging lightning bolts that could possibly strike me down-Eeeeek!

Did you hear what I said?

Me!

Nikki Pugh!

Not making handmade gifts!

Aahhhhhhhhhhhh!

I can't believe it myself.

I simply don't know how to make anything any more, it seems like.

But more than that, I can't "THINK" of anything to make anymore.

Even simple projects are either disastrous or I can't even come up with a simple idea for it to be disastrous.

Seriously, I cannot shake this creative-blankness.

Charlie thinks my mind was on overload for so long and I am mentally zapped. He also thinks by renovating this entire house the way that I did which was so much physical and mental work in such a minimal amount of time, and all that that entailed, that it could have drained my creative juices, too. I don't know what has happened.

I get aggravated when he tells me that only because I am pretty sure he is right and when he calls me out on it I get quite cantankerous.

(although, I do ask for his thoughts on this matter and sometimes daily)

Maybe he's right?

Maybe I just don't want to hear the truth?

All I do know is it is NOT coming back.

Will it ever? 

This bothers me so much more that you can even imagine.

So much so that it's tough for me to formulate the words to even try to describe how bad it bothers me.

Am I going to go through the rest of my life glancing at pictures in the Anthropolie catalogue hoping for a spark?

Am I going to see something in my InStyle magazine that might give me an idea?

Am I going to never create, again.....

I just don't know.

I don't.

I don't.

I don't know!

I know that people, who I have discussed this with don't seem to take it seriously, at all, which frankly leaves me quite sad.

It's kind of just swept under the rug,

 Ya know what I mean?

If I might be having one of those "Blah" days.

and......

Someone, drops in or calls and asks me what's wrong and I will try to explain this issue I am having and it gets sort of passed over.

Then I will be quickly appeased that I have talent and that it will return

Just to shut me up of course.

 This is the standard general sentence as what I'm always told.

THE END

I will bring it up, again, and then a few more words will be added to the generic statement.

 The general statement again being that I have talent and it will return.

THE END, AGAIN.

So, I go on with the conversations/visits and when left alone with my own thoughts again, I can't stop thinking about why all of my ideas, creativeness, and my hands quit on me.

It all left.

I can't even cut fabric right, any more-seriously!

My creativity was not only my outlet for stress and anxiety, but was my income, as well, and no one seems to get this.

Creating is who I am.

Designing is what I do.

Making something completely different than everyone else is my drug.

Creating was my addiction that was healthy for me.

If I was a runner then it would be my run.

If I was a hiker it would be my hike.

If I were a pianist it would be my piano keys and music.

(Please, don't make me make any more comparisons)

I am also a niche designer.

At this point and time though.........

I wish I could do anything, even, basic.

I can't even seem to sew a  patch on the knee of my jeans the right way.

I made a bookmark the other day and it was at preschool art level and so embarrassing that I cut it up and threw it away. It was so ugly and I got mad because I had just wasted such cute paper and my time and I still didn't have a cute bookmark.

I kidd you not.

It was horrible.

Just a simple freakin' bookmark.

The ideas are gone and seriously feel like they'll never return.

And I don't get why it's gone!!!

Then to compound this problem.

I still wonder if I have untapped talents?

How does one discover these untapped talents.

Maybe I am a knitting extraordinaire?

Maybe I am a fabulous glass blower?

Maybe I am a polymer clay artist?

Maybe I am an intricate beader?

Maybe I am a painter of tiny people, with the tallest tiny person being only 3/4 of an inch high and they all live on huge white canvas's with stories revealed from painting to painting and my paintings will sell for millions?

Maybe I am one of those people that can take a big phonebook and somehow transform it into a vase or abstract art of some sort?

Maybe I am a really good costume designer?

Maybe I am a seashell painter?

Maybe I am someone who builds sculptures out of spray painted pasta noodles?

What is my niche'

What is my talent?

How do people discover new talents?

(without wasting lots of money in supplies, too)

We must keep the money factor in mind, right?

I see all of the new artists/designers/crafters popping up all over the place with fabulous items and I am so incredibly envious, sad, and excited all at once.

I miss that part the most.

The new-ness of one of my new designs.

Something that my mind thought up.

Something that my hands made.

Something that came from my heart.

Something that my customers cherished.

I miss it all.

Again, that was my identity.

Tell me how to discover or rediscover what my talents are!

I honestly need to know if any of you incredibly gifted, talented, artistic, people that I visit with here in the blogosphere have ever dealt with this for such a painfully long time?

I mean seriously this has been a very very long frustrating time.

Honestly, I have been battling this for four years or so, with intermittent sparks, in between, but slowly fizzle out.

How did you get through it?

Did you get through it?

Are you suffering with it now.

Please, please, please share with me any and all suggestions, advice, solutions.

Tell me your specialities in creating and why.

I am up for ideas of any kind-trust me, people.

My mind needs to be consumed, once again, with the arts/crafts/design world.

I am consumed with it "not" being in my world.

I miss it.

I need it.

I mourn for it.

Tell me for sure why it WILL come back.

Next to my family/loved ones it's who I am.

It's such a huge void in me, now.

*Please, don't feel overwhelmed or intimidated by all my questions listed above so much so that you don't leave a comment or feedback I beg of you*

I need you to think for me.

I need anything you can offer me on this particular topic and in advance-

Thank you!

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh

A Pickle Ornament in a Christmas Tree with so Much Personality

Have you ever realized how much the ornaments, on your Christmas tree, say about you?

I never realized this until this past weekend.

Maybe, because I have had it up for some time now or maybe it's because I haven't seen so many of these ornaments for such a long time.

I'm not sure why, but when I was looking at our Christmas tree, recently, I was shocked to discover it's personality.

Yes, my main tree, the living room tree, the macdaddy of all of my trees has personality just exploding all over it.

So I grabbed my camera and started snapping , not the best of pics, but a small handful of my favorite ornaments.

My tree has my personality.

It sounds crazy I know.

Divisions of my personality are spread throughout the branches.

Again, I had never noticed this before.

It was kind of a pleasant revelation.

So take a look below and see if this is how you would sum me up.

Category 1

Family Heirloom Ornaments

Birds. These old birds are undoubtedly my absolute favorite ornaments. They, not only, remind me of my very own childhood Christmas trees, but they boldly display their ages.

This particular bird was my mother & father in laws. Their trees always had these birds on them. My grandma, who recently was told that several of my Christmas birds had been ruined on all of our travels over the last few years, gave me a bunch of old ornaments. Within the boxes, she had packed, a bird ornament which was my great great grandmothers. I was touched.

Here's today version of the bird ornaments. I picked a set of these up at a store a couple of years ago, because I just love them so much. Wonder if my great great grandkids will cherish this particular ornament on their trees someday?

I sure do hope so.

That's my goal.

Now, remember in the seventies when painting ornaments was a huge?

My great grandpa painted so many of them and they were perfect.

I would just stand in awe of them watching them dry to perfection.

I was about three and just simply asked if I could paint an ornament with him.

Here's my little treasure that I painted thirty-three years ago.

The same great grandpa, who let me paint the above ornament, also would make his own ornaments.

Check out this little red stocking that sits in the tree.

I always find the perfect branch to place it in.

This ornament has such a classic look, too. The colors are so different than what they are today.

This is a basic ball, but the colors and design just draw me in.

Now, this ornament,  when the light hits its looks fabulous. I remember my great grandma had so many of these in her tree. As a matter of fact this is one of the originals. I can't believe I have it.

I love when the light hits it.

This is another type of these ornaments that genuinely reflect the era.

It's a tad smaller than the standard size ball ornament, but again look at the different shade of pink and pearl that is?

Then their an iridescent color that reflect like a crystal.

Category 2

Campbell's Soup Kids Ornaments

My mother in law collected many items throughout her life.

My sister in law started my mother in law a collection of the Campbell's Soup Kids many years ago, as well.

So, obviously, within the collection were the Campbell's Soup Kids ornaments.

These remind me of my in laws trees.

I am so thankful to have them on our tree.

Those soup kids are so cute, too.

Great family memories.

Category 3

Our first year of marriage ornaments.

Wow, Precious Moments!

These will take you back in time.

"Back in the day"

So to say.....

This was one of the first ornaments that I ever bought.

This ornament, here, was one my grandma had engraved for us.

I felt like such an adult and so really married-HA!

Grandma also bought us this one.

Again, made me feel like a big ol' married girl!

Category 4

Children's Ornaments.

I have way too many of these, but here's just a glimmer of what I have.

I love this, particular one, because it represents all babies.

 It's hanging below a little acorn.

See the acorn at the top of the picture?

Don't all babies look like this?

So snuggly, sweet, and warm!

Pooh Bear, especially Classic Pooh was huge in our house for many many years.

This makes me wish for the days when they were little.

(Having a mom, moment on this one)

-Sigh......

Category 5

Handmade Ornaments

Really, do I need to say anymore about handmade or hand painted ornaments?

My absolute favorites!

Hands down!

My trees are filled with handmade ornaments from the very tiniest of people to the very oldest of people.

I love, cherish, and become giddy over these kinds of ornaments.

They ultimately are the warmth, soul, and love in a tree.

Category 6

Hunting & Nature Santa Ornaments

Because hunting and nature is a huge part of our family home life could we really not have nature Santa's on our tree?

........and sweet baby deer?

.......And a snug Santa in his sleeping bag.

Category 7

Food Ornaments

Doesn't everyone have a big yellow banana in their tree?

Probably not.....

But Nikki Pugh sure does!

I was so attracted to these fruit and vegetable ornaments the minute my eyes saw them.

I had to have them.

Food & cooking is such a huge part of our lives.

How funny is it to have a carrot in a Christmas tree?

Quite odd, but I love odd.

I have self titled myself-

"The Queen of Odd"

How many of you have a watermelon in your tree?

This strawberry just sparkles when the lights hit it.

It has an antique-ish look, but is only a couple of years old.

Then, of course, everyone should have a pickle in their tree.

You know.....

because of the story of a pickle in a tree...

The short version of the story is that whomever finds the pickle in the tree first, on Christmas morning, gets a special gift.

It's an old story out of Germany.

Google it.

It's quite interesting.

Plus, seeing a big green pickle in a tree is funny.

Here's one of my little Christmas candy ornaments.

They're so tiny and delicate

Category 8

Weird Ornaments

I have an array of just simply beautifully strange ornaments that aren't typically on a tree.

I fell in love with these big green sparkly frog and had to have it.

I don't like frogs, but something about this frog made me want it to have it's permanent residency on my tree for many years to come.

How could I not?

This sparkly frog belongs in my tree for generations, as far as I'm concerned.

Category 9

International Santa Ornament

Oh, my Irish heritage that I am so proud of!

As soon as I laid my eyes upon this Irish Santa a "thinking bubble" sprouted up above my head that said,

"Sold to Nikki Pugh"

(Not such a good camera shot, but you clearly get the idea)

Category 10

Sassy Diva Fashionista Wannabee Ornaments

Oh my gosh the boots and purses!

I have many more, but these fashion items on the tree are so funny to me!

The faux fur and feathers just add just that extra

......you know.....

"Va Va Va Voom!"

Can you tell I love boots and handbags?

Not necessarily these styles.

These are an exaggerated version of them, but I do love fashion!

I love having fashion on  my tree!

So do you think, from what you know of me from my blog, that my Christmas tree totally captures my personality?

If you've been a reader for awhile, then I'm sure you'll find this all as funny as I did.

What a discovery I made.

Again, this is what makes our house a home!

It's always the personal touch that means so much!

Especially, the big green pickle in our tree.

It's just so.....

well.........

Me!

Take a look in your own tree and let me know what you see!

Toodle-loo

Nikki Pugh