Good morning. Foggy Sunday here in Iowa. With storms possible all day and overnight.

Wow! I haven't posted on my blog for such a long time.

Here is an update on our life.

We sold our 100+ year old house in April of 2021. Moved closed to family in Waukee. It has been a great move. We live in townhouse that actually has more living space than our old house did. It consists of two bedroom (we have made one a den) open concept living room/kitchen and a office/craft room for me. We, also have a attached two car garage and a patio off my office.  We are so blessed to be close to family and in a very friendly neighborhood. Have a made many new friends in the two years we have been including a group of us ladies that have coffee hour every Friday morning. Our neighborhood gives us the small town feeling.

And speaking of FAMILY. Boy have we had changes there. Out of 13 grandchildren, 7 are married, 3 engaged with a wedding Labor day weekend and 6 great grandkids, 3 girls and 3 boys. It is so fun to be closer to all them. 

I am still making products on TPT but during the pandemic I attained a new hobby, making greeting cards. I started out making them for family and friends because you couldn't go out to buy any. I had been thinking about it for a while anyway because I thought the cost on a card was crazy plus I hated standing there forever, or at least it seemed like it to me, picking out just the right card for a lot of people. There are 35 in our immediate family plus family and friends. A lot of cards a year plus I enjoy creating.

We are still going to church from our living room. Both of us have physical issues with walking etc. Would love to go in person but for now this works. Thankful for technology for making this possible.

Our days are full and time flies. Very thankful for  a wonderful move and supportive family.

Have a good week.

Rose

                                       Another view of Iowa on April 17,2020

Stunning photo of Iowa State Capitol in April snow by the amazing Mirza Kudic! 

♡

Just "WOW!!!!" Winter just won't go away.

Winter Wonderland In Iowa on April 17,2020

2020

 This came across my FB feed this afternoon. A lot of us adults are having a hard time with social distancing and working from home etc. This little article makes us realize that it is hard on all of us humans.

Hello everyone. Nice snowy day here in Iowa. So ready for deck weather. Being outside sure helps during this Covid 29 pandemic and its stay at home and social distancing. Spring flowers are under snow today.

View out our Bay window April, 16 2020

So glad our little grocery store 6 miles away is doing curbside pickup. Fareway, 20 miles away, is where we do our major shopping, also, is having curbside pickup. You call your order in and you pick it up two days later. Gets us out of the house for a bit. And our Pharmacy brings it to your car, too. So on we go.

Just being thankful that all of our family, so far, is doing well. Everyone is now working from home except the Granddaughter working in a long term care facility. We did our Easter gathering via Zoom. It was fun to see everyone and visit a bit. 30 people do make for a large zoom gathering. lol. So glad for technology that lets stay in touch with family and friends.

Praying for a sunshiny day soon. That always make everyone feel.

Take care and stay safe.

Rose.

Hi everyone. Hope this is finding all of you safe and sound. Been just a bit over a week since I blogged. Boy, hasn’t things changed in that time. Our state isn’t in a lock down yet but it looks to me like it is coming. Two son in laws have documents to keep in their glove compartments for proof that they can be out and around. Most of the grandkids are working from home. Thankful for that. One granddaughter works at a nursing home. We worry and pray for her. Another is on two week paid leave,a Covid case in her building. Another worry. Another one has to meet with her clients, mostly by video, but not always. They are working now for her to do videos from her home. Hoping that is up and running real soon.

The weather was so nice for a few days. We were able to walk the trail. Felt good to get out of the house and feel the sunshine and hear the birds. Spring was here, or so we thought. Two mornings ago heavy freezing rain woke us. 

I managed to safe these gals from the freeze that was coming. And was rewarded in the morning with blooming daffodils. A ray of sunshine.

Spring left and hasn’t returned yet. Back indoors with the fireplace going. Sounds like spring will make a return for a couple of days next week before rainy and cooler weather gets here. Plan on taking advantage of the couple of days we get.

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. It will seem so strange to go to Mass sitting in my easy chair. And Easter will be on the sad side this year. For many years, over thirty, our family has gotten together on Holy Saturday. Started when the girls were in college and we have gone from the six of us to over 30 last year. It won’t seem like Easter this year. But we are thankful that we are all well and hope and pray that continues.

Have a good week. Stay in, Stay safe.

Rose.

Boredom will be setting in for a lot of us. Especially the kids. They are used to being around friends and having a structured routine during the day. With schools closed and most working from home, “cabin fever” can be real.

Here are some sites for all ages that might help pass the time and still be educational.

20 VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS TO TAKE WITH YOUR KIDS

https://adventuresinfamilyhood.com/20-virtual-field-trips-to-take-with-your-kids.html?fbclid=IwAR3izPIdm63NOha6KFkeY1IZZMhI8ihFBQBeLj_2zC191baJPVPmZZXKKGo

Virtual School Activities for all ages

https://virtualschoolactivities.com/

Virtual Disney World rides-scroll down for links to rides.

https://www.ketv.com/article/virtual-disney-world-rides/31788233

Check out more ideas on these sites.

https://www.facebook.com/Smalltowngiggles/

https://www.facebook.com/promotingsuccess/

https://www.facebook.com/RosaMauerTeachingTools/

https://freewritingpromptsforall.blogspot.com/

Good morning,

Hope this finds all of you in good health during this horrible time for our country and the whole world. We have chosen to stay in as much as possible. A good time to catch up a few things, like this blog. Sad that something like the COVID19 makes us all realize what is important and life.

Hubby and I have played some games. Something we did in the beginning of our marriage because we had no money for anything else and moving to a new town, no friends. lol

In the year since I have updated a lot has changed in our family.

We have two great grandkids, William 1, and Lucy 2 and a third boy due in July.

We had one more grandson get married, another getting married in October.

Seven grandkids are now home owners.

All 13 grandkids and spouse/ significant others are employed. Only one so far isn’t at the moment. She worked in the office of the college she attends which is now on line.

We are all very fortunate at this time, that a family and friends are safe and healthy.

Hubby has the Yahtzee out, so it must be time for our morning Dr. Pepper and a game of Yahtzee.

Take care all of you. Enjoy this time with your families. And remember to practice social distancing if you go out and hand washing.  Stay safe.

Rose

Good morning. Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday weekend. We had a long but fun time celebrating one granddaughter's wedding and the high school graduation of another granddaughter the next day. It was the last of our thirteen grandkids to graduate high school. So far four of the girls are married and our first grandson's wedding is this fall. Looks like a few more in the near future. We buy each grandchild a set of luggage for graduation. You don't know how glad I am that I am done picking our luggage. And you would be surprised how much luggage has changed over the years.

Today is back to work day. Basically didn't do a whole lot last week. Amazing the extra things you have to do when you are leaving town for a few days.
So today is catch up day. Not counting laundry. 

I came across this school related idea. Would be fun in summer school and a great idea for fall. 

Have a great Monday. Hope you can dodge the raindrops.
Take care,
Rose

Reading in our Kindergarten Book Boats...such a fun idea!
via: https://www.facebook.com/joyce.h.acton

Happy Mother’s day to all you mothers out there.

Here in Iowa it is another cloudy, cool day. We had rain over night and more chances today and during the week. Still waiting for spring to come for more than one day. It was sixty degrees yesterday and fifty five predicted today when rain by evening. Sounds like summer will beat spring here again this year. Eight five predicted for Wednesday. The sun and warmth sounds good but we know when it goes from fifty five degrees one day to eighty five two days later there will probably be storms in between.

I am definitely ready for some “sitting on the deck” weather.

We have a granddaughter getting married on the Saturday of Memorial day weekend. And another granddaughter, actually or ‘baby” granddaughter” graduating high school the next day. It will be the beginning of a busy summer/fall. We have four weddings so far this year, the last of the year will be a grandson in October. It will be busy but a fun time.

We are very lucky that so far all our family gatherings have been fun events. We are now 35 strong and we are able to all be together for most the family gathering. We are now in that period when that isn’t always possible. We will have a granddaughter teaching high school math in Taiwan and won’t be home till after our family Christmas gathering. Another grandson has moved to southern Illinois and one to Nebraska.  Their drives to family gatherings have gotten a bit lengthy for short weekend gatherings. Thank heaven most live close.

Have a great spring, if it ever gets here. And enjoy the day.

Take care,

Rose

Hi Everyone,

Don't know what happened but life got busy and I put a few things on the back burner. Decided it was time to take them off before they are overcooked.

A lot has changed since I last updated my blog. We had our second great grandchild, a boy named William. So now our great granddaughter Lucy will have a playmate at family gatherings. And there is even more changes going on in our family. Our youngest granddaughter is graduating High Schoolin May and going off to college in the Fall. Another granddaughter it getting married in May and a grandson is getting married in October. Two of my four daughters are planning on moving in June. Looks like the makings of another busy, fun year.

Just a little note to let you all know that I have added new bundles to my store for big savings and updated a lot of my older bundles.

Have a wonderful spring and hope to update this blog more often.

Take care,
Rose

I'M BACK. First day of school that is.

In just two days it will be August. And that, where has the time gone, means it is “back to school.” I remember how it was when all my girls were home and the sound of a quieter house sounded so good. Now my house is quiet, especially since I don’t do day care anymore, there are days (just days) when I would love a bit of that “noise”. I came across this today in my morning readings in my quiet house. Enjoy.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

To all the moms who are furiously juggling a multi-colored Excel document of appointments, camps, vacations, work schedules, BBQs, parties and other obligations, who feel like summer has become busier than the school year, and dream of walking into to see the “Back to School” displays which will officially start the countdown until the first day of school… this prayer is for you:

May you have clarity of thought and a morsel of sanity today. May you know that His grace is enough. For every season, every tantrum, every question, every failure. It is enough. Always.

May you know that you are wildly loved by your Father, just as you are. Not because of what you accomplished today, or didn't. Or how you feel about God at this moment, or whether you complained, or spent time reading your bible, or messed up in the worst way, or celebrated a victory. He adores you, just because. 

And with of this knowledge, may you feel empowered to love your children the same way. The way God asks you to, the way your kids deserve, and the way you want to.

May you feel equipped to tackle every challenge, every situation, and every day with courage and joy even if you have to "start over" 10 times by 9 a.m.                                                  

May excitement fill your heart every morning for all that the day can be. Your children are your treasure, and this day is a gift-- may you fully embrace it all. 

May you lay your head down at night with a heart that is bursting and memories too plentiful to count. May you know unspeakable joy at the end of the day.

May you recognize that though these days are so (so, so, so, so) long, the years are short. They are a breath. And as you exhale yours in the darkness of the night, may your cup overflow with thanksgiving. May your dreams be sweet and your sleep be restful. 

Sleep well, Momma, knowing that the work you are doing is good, and your Father is smiling on you. 

https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/

Enjoy these last days of summer.

Rose

Middle of June! Already?

Doesn’t time fly? Doesn’t seem like it should be almost the middle of June. The weather is still wacky Average high is 82 and we have had temps in the upper 90’s with high dew points. The weather makes it feel more like the middle of July and August. Definitely not normal. Sure makes a person wonder what July and August will be like.

Easter was a quiet gathering this year. Weather was cold and dreary and just seemed to set the mood. Or maybe because of our wild Christmas party, it just seemed quiet.

So far this has been a quiet year for us. No weddings, no high school graduations, one college grad but since he is going on to graduate school and he was taking a family vacation the day after graduation, no party. Sounds like that could all change for next year. Our granddaughter and grandson are expecting their first child in January. That will make two great grans for us. We will have our youngest granddaughter graduating high school in May and a strong possibility of a wedding or two that summer.

For now we are just enjoying the quiet visits with family and trying to stay cool.

Take care,

Rose

Food for thought.

Came across this today on Facebook and I think it is a good read for any of us that deal with little ones. The author is Unknown but they "hit the nail right on the head" as the old saying goes. Definitely makes a person stop and think.

 “I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.”

From the diary of a 2-year-old:

Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me sad.I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told,“No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.”This made me feel frustrated.

I wanted to walk to the car and get in on my own but was told, “No, we need to get going, we don’t have time. Let me do it.”

This made me cry.

I wanted to get out of the car on my own but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me want to run away.

Later I wanted to play with blocks but was told “no, not like that, like this…”

I decided I didn’t want to play with blocks anymore. I wanted to play with a doll that someone else had, so I took it. I was told “No, don’t do that! You have to share.”

I’m not sure what I did, but it made me sad. So I cried. I wanted a hug but was told “No, you’re fine, go play”.

I’m being told it’s time to pick up. I know this because someone keeps saying, “Go pick up your toys.”

I am not sure what to do, I am waiting for someone to show me.

“What are you doing? Why are you just standing there? Pick up your toys, now!”

I was not allowed to dress myself or move my own body to get to where I needed to go, but now I am being asked to pick things up.

I’m not sure what to do. Is someone supposed to show me how to do this? Where do I start? Where do these things go? I am hearing a lot of words but I do not understand what is being asked of me. I am scared and do not move.

I lay down on the floor and cry.

When it was time to eat I wanted to get my own food but was told “no, you’re too little. Let me do it.”

This made me feel small. I tried to eat the food in front of me but I did not put it there and someone keeps saying “Here, try this, eat this…” and putting things in my face.

I didn’t want to eat anymore. This made me want to throw things and cry.

I can’t get down from the table because no one will let me…because I’m too small and I can’t. They keep saying I have to take a bite. This makes me cry more. I’m hungry and frustrated and sad. I’m tired and I need someone to hold me. I do not feel safe or in control. This makes me scared. I cry even more.

I am 2. No one will let me dress myself, no one will let me move my own body where it needs to go, no one will let me attend to my own needs.

However, I am expected to know how to share, “listen”, or “wait a minute”. I am expected to know what to say and how to act or handle my emotions. I am expected to sit still or know that if I throw something it might break….But, I do NOT know these things.

I am not allowed to practice my skills of walking, pushing, pulling, zipping, buttoning, pouring, serving, climbing, running, throwing or doing things that I know I can do. Things that interest me and make me curious, these are the things I am NOT allowed to do.

I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.

-Author unknown

Good morning, everyone.

Today is the third of February. Time continues to fly by. Our winter, so far, as just been a roller coaster ride. Super cold weeks, above average weeks and average days here and there. And we have had all three in one week. But the best part, at this point, not much snow. So if you can handle the cold, you can get out and about. And it helps knowing it soon will be spring. I for one can’t wait. I long for “sit on the deck” days watching the world go by. But for now, we sit in front of the fireplace chatting about if we should plant green beans this year or if we should try a different spot for the tomatoes. I am trying to decide if want to plant some knockout roses and if so, where. I got a gift card to Earl May for my birthday and some cash, so I am having fun planning spring planting time. I think I have spring fever or cabin fever. Or both.

The holidays were different for us this year. Daughter number 1, who normally hosts the family Christmas along with her husband, had back surgery two days before the party. She had been dealing with a disc issue for a few months. The Doctor insisted on her trying therapy, shots, meds with no results, and finally the Wednesday before party time, the Doctor decided to do surgery the next morning.

So daughter number 3, who lives in the same area, stepped up and hosted the party. Her home is smaller but it all worked out fine. We also had our first Christmas with a little one in on the fun. Great granddaughter Lucy, 3 monts. She did super and was so good. You know a smaller house with 32 people can get rather loud at times. But it didn’t seem to bother her. We didn’t have a gift exchange this year. We passed the hat for donations and instead we had a tournament of red cup stack. The winner got to choose the charity for the donation. A local charity was chosen as the recipient. There was lots of food to eat throughout the day, with pizza (7 large) for supper. And the daughter who had the back surgery, was able to come for a part of the fun.  

We started this year off with all of the daughters, except one, making it home to help celebrate my birthday. It was so fun to listen to them tell about growing up in this small town and reminiscing.

Next gathering will be Easter.

Hope spring is here by then. Stay warm until then.

Rose

End of 2017 is Fast Approaching.

Good morning. 

Here we are, the last day of November. Where has the time gone? Tomorrow is the first of December. The Christmas rush is starting. I love getting everything done early, the decorating, the shopping (just about done). Then I can sit back and truly enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas. We do our family Christmas early, this year the 16^th of December. That way each individual family has Christmas weekend for their own. Works out well for everyone. We usually spend part of Christmas weekend with some very good friends.

Thanksgiving was great this year. It was the first Thanksgiving for our first great grandchild, Lucy. It was the first time some of the family got to meet her.  Needless to say, she is beautiful. She got a lot of loving that day. Very exciting time in our family. The last baby born in our family was 16 ½ years ago. Little miss Lucy’s aunt, Sadie. We were only missing two family members this year, Monica and her husband Travis. Travis is a youth pastor and Christmas it very busy for them at their church. So they spend Thanksgiving with his family every year. We are a growing family. There was 27 of us this year. Fun times.

Not sure if I will post again before Christmas. I have opened a store on Etsy-Smalltowngiggles. I am busy making instant download printable greeting cards. So between my teachers pay teachers shop and my Etsy shop, I spend some of my free time creating. I love it. And we still walk most morning and enjoy our 10 a.m. (more like 10:30) Dr. Pepper. No deck sitting or sunroom sitting this time of year but in front of the fireplace. Works for me.

Don’t forget to take time to enjoy the holiday. Family time and friends are more important than all the hustle and bustle.

Take care,

Rose

Summer Recap

September is almost here. The unofficial end of summer it is said. But what a beautiful summer it has been. Lots of family parties. We had two high school graduations and one college graduation. A couple of showers, one a bridal shower and the other a baby shower. Both for two granddaughters. The 60 birthday party of a son-in law. The July wedding of Kayla and Casey. The whole family was able to come and celebrate that special day, all thirty one of us together at one time is always a very fun time. We also had a first for our family, the ordination or our grandson as Youth Pastor of his church.  We ended the summer with a wonderful pool party hosted by our four daughters for our 55 wedding anniversary, again with everyone able to come.

Decorating the Bride and Groom's car with sticky notes.

    Thought of the day for today readings is to keep a gratitude journal. It suggested writing down a few things, big or simple, each morning that we are thankful for. I decided that this would be something I will try to do everyday, hopefully giving me a better outlook on what is important in our lives. One of the first entries for me was easy. I am so thankful for my wonderful family. For the years God has given hubby and I. For our health to enjoy these blessings.

And remember “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. “Psalm 118:24

Rose

Back To School Sale

Hello everyone. It is August already and almost the start of a new school year. Where did summer go? Hope you all had a fun, relaxing summer with family and friends and are refreshed and ready for the new school.

To help you get off to a great start with your students, I am having a back to school sale.

Everything in my store, even bundles, will be 10 % off August 1 and August 2. Plus another 5% if you use TPT code BTS2017.

I appreciate your business, Thank you. But most of all thank for all you do for our students.

Rose Hascall

Smalltowngiggles,

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Smalltowngiggles

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com

One busy fun summer.

I'm back. It seems like months since I wrote anything on this blog. Wait, it has been months.  And very busy ones. We have put right around 3000 miles on my car since the first of April and we haven't left the state of Iowa. Four months of traveling to many family events. Four fun months of celebrating with family. We started with Easter and finished up with our Granddaughter Kayla and Casey’s wedding last Saturday. It started with Family Easter on Holy Saturday. Then we had two grandson's high school graduations and one grandson's college graduate. There were parties for those occasions followed by a bridal shower and a son-in-law’s big 60 birthday party. We still have three important events yet this summer. Our granddaughter Monica's husband Travis is be ordained next Sunday in his church, a baby shower for our first great granddaughter the following weekend. Her parents are our granddaughter Tonia and her husband Jeremy. And a big event that started all of this family fun, our 55^th wedding anniversary. Our daughters are hosting a pool party at the home of our first born. Should be a fun weekend celebrating before school starts for another year.

Jerry and I feel truly blessed that we have been able to travel to all of this family fun. And firmly believe in giving Thanks daily and especially on the Lord’s Day. This is probably why this article caught my eye today. You can read the article by clicking on the link below the picture.

How Skipping Church Affects our Children.


Stay cool. Hope to resume writing more regularly.
Rose

P.S. I have been managing to keep my TPT store going through all of the festivities.
Check it out here.

Smalltowngiggles

Discipline problems and a way to handle them.

This article “HAND-OVER-HAND TECHNIQUE” came across my FB feed this morning. Brought back memories of all my daycare years. This is the start of my fourth year of “retirement”. Some days I miss having little ones around with all their fun antics and chatter but this article reminded me of some not so fun moments. I didn’t have a lot of discipline problems. I think that was mainly that most of my kids came to be around the age of two months. They learned what they could do and not do by the example of the other kids. By the time they were at the age to “act up” the other kids would help correct them. Also by that point they learned that my house had a lot of corners. I found that was the best way to get their attention. But there were times when I did have to use other methods. The article talks about those methods. Many times I had to do the hand over hand to “help” a child pick up toys.  Or “walk” or “wash their hands”.

Sometimes their pillow and blanket was the answer.  

This article by Kathryn Sneed is right on. She does a nice job of explaining the HAND-OVER-HAND TECHNIQUE. I think it is a good way to try and handle discipline problems with all kids.

You can read the whole article by Kathryn Sneed by clicking on the link under the picture.

Take care and have a good day.

Rose

                                            Hand over Hand Technique