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Marty's Musings

DIY projects, thrifty home decor and easy crafts

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Trust Meter

By Marty Walden · 5 Comments

My husband says I have trust issues. I told him he has control issues. Half in jest, I asked if one is better than the other. Which got me thinking about trust.We all have dysfunction, baggage, junk, issues, "quirks." Some of us own ours. Some of us don't.My question is simple. As an adoptive/foster mom or mom of a blended family, do you trust less ... read more

Filed Under: adoption, faith, RAD, Reactive Attachment Disorder

two sisters in wedding attire

Defining Moments

By Marty Walden · 14 Comments

  We all have defining moments in our lives. Those times encapsulated in our minds that forever changed the direction of our lives.   I have a few. 1980  Senior year in high school I planned on majoring in piano performance in college. My first theater audition, first show, first tour and I was hooked. No longer piano but ... read more

Filed Under: faith, family, Grief, music

Project Life March 2012

By Marty Walden · 5 Comments

I am finally getting caught up with my Project Life pages. I keep my memorabilia, journaling cards, pen and protectors in one location. Once I get the pictures printed I can then decide on the layout. This year's album has taken me more time to select layouts because I'm doing more themed instead of a picture a day.  The layout below is a local ... read more

Filed Under: Family Fun, family memories, homeschooling, photography, Project Life, scrapbook, scrapbooking

Family Game Night

By Marty Walden · 1 Comment

Join us for our Family Game Night.  The pictures tell the whole story.The game: CraniumThe opponents: boys vs. girlsDaddy dancing to the beat of his own drummer.Really? Not again. Mama, it's only a game. Never!!!! We will win!Hark. Can you hear me?No, seriously. Can you hear me?Sister vs. brotherDidn't you get that?Okay. One more time.Who won? I ... read more

Filed Under: Family Fun, family memories

Strawberries

By Marty Walden · 6 Comments

All in an afternoon's work.I'm linking with: ... read more

Filed Under: Family Fun, family memories, photography

Many Sides to Adoption

By Marty Walden · 7 Comments

Lots and lots of thoughts roaming around. Have patience with me while I sort through them. Be gentle with me if you don't agree or can't understand.Because of the Circle of Moms contest many different voices are being heard regarding adoption. These can only be of benefit if we listen to each other's stories and find a safe place without ... read more

Filed Under: adoption, RAD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, trauma mamas

My Favorites…….

By Marty Walden · 1 Comment

God's unfailing lovemy kids getting excited about going to the librarymy rocking chaircelebrating 25 years with my husbandmy new Ipod Nanosongs that make me cryS's 70% improvement in math skills in 3 years on her testingrainy days curled up with a good book and a fuzzy blanketsleep, pure and uninterruptedmy scrapbooksthe sound of laughtera freshly ... read more

Filed Under: 52 lists in 52 weeks, faith, family, frugal living, homeschooling, scrapbook

52 Lists in 52 Weeks #16

By Marty Walden · 4 Comments

Week #16 If you had an enormous amount of money all of a sudden...what would you do with it? *  pay off all debt *  tithe 10 percent *  give anonymously to those I know who live unselfish lives and minister to others *  pay for college for my son and help my daughter buy some fun things for her new home *  provide horse back riding ... read more

Filed Under: 52 lists in 52 weeks, frugal living, scrapbooking

Closer to You

By Marty Walden · Leave a Comment

Mark Schultz is an amazing singer/songwriter/musician. If you've never listened to his music, his Stories and Songs is fabulous. He has a gift for telling stories that captivate the heart and stir the emotions. As I was listening to the album today this song popped up on my Nano and I don't think I've really paid attention to the lyrics ... read more

Filed Under: faith, Grief, music

Twinkies Cake

By Marty Walden · 21 Comments

For my son-in-law's birthday I made a cake that I lovingly refer to as my "Deborah Senter" cake. Deborah is an old friend and a fabulous cook. She often makes this cake to bring to church potluck and everyone gravitates to it, drooling and frothing at the mouth. Here's why: If you look closely you can see the chocolate slithering down the ... read more

Filed Under: family cookbook, recipes

4x6 photos in 12x12 page protectors of 25th anniversary getaway

Project Life February 2012

By Marty Walden · 1 Comment

I've talked about Project Life here and the way I scrapbook here. This is a layout from February. I ended up cutting the page protector to fit a portrait picture in. I have since ordered these page protectors to use with both portrait and landscape oriented pics. I printed journaling off my blog and some photos from our 25th anniversary weekend ... read more

Filed Under: family photos, Project Life, scrapbook, scrapbooking

Theater Wall Made of Vinyl Albums

By Marty Walden · 16 Comments

    When I came home from one of my four weekends away earlier this year (read about them here, here and here) my husband had a surprise waiting for me. We have carried around show albums (remember vinyl?) with us for our entire 25 years of marriage.  (They've been stored under beds, in the workshop and for a short while ... read more

Filed Under: decorating, DIY, frugal living, Home Projects

Our Adoption Story Part 1

By Marty Walden · 3 Comments

Reading this poem by Beth Moore has taken me on a journey I wasn't expecting at this moment in my life. Beth Moore (Living Proof Ministries) has always ministered to me through her Bible studies, tapes and videos, but especially through the story of her son Michael.  She was instrumental in our adoption story even though she could ... read more

Filed Under: adoption, adoption story, faith, family, RAD, Reactive Attachment Disorder

Kisses Make You Stronger

By Marty Walden · 3 Comments

Yes, indeed they do :-) ... read more

Filed Under: adoption, family, photography, RAD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, simple as that

Circle of Moms: Expressing Your Opinion

By Marty Walden · 1 Comment

What happened to the Circle of Moms contest I talked about here? This is the explanation on their website:UPDATE: After serious consideration, we have decided to cancel our Adoption Blogs by Moms – 2012 contest. Our Top 25 program is meant to celebrate, connect, and support mom bloggers. Following some feedback from participants in our 2011 ... read more

Filed Under: adoption, RAD, Reactive Attachment Disorder

The Life I Planned

By Marty Walden · 3 Comments

The Life I Planned    Please take the time to read the poem below by Beth Moore. It reaches all of us exactly where we are, in our struggles, our questions and often our discontent.  Has someone seen the life I planned? It seems it's been misplaced. I've looked in every corner; It's lost without a trace.I've found one ... read more

Filed Under: adoption, faith, RAD, Reactive Attachment Disorder

52 Lists in 52 Weeks #15

By Marty Walden · 1 Comment

List #15: What's on your declutter list? We have decided to have a yard sale this Saturday because the weather looks amazing. We held one two years ago, the first in a decade. It was iffy weather and by 10:30 AM the bottom fell out. And didn't stop for HOURS. It was awful. We took everything we could to Goodwill and threw away the rest. ... read more

Filed Under: 52 lists in 52 weeks, frugal living, scrapbooking

Project Life February 2012

By Marty Walden · 4 Comments

I've talked a little bit about my scrapbook organization and actual ways I scrapbook purposefully yet simply. For the last four years I have done Project Life is the perfect plan for those who don't think they have enough time, money, creativity or desire to be a scrapbooker yet want to document their family's life. I won't go into much detail but ... read more

Filed Under: family memories, family photos, Project Life, scrapbook, scrapbooking

Transitioning to College (or the Adult World ) – For the Parents!

By Marty Walden · 21 Comments

Tim and I had a wonderful conversation with our son a few nights ago and I reflected on how these past two years have been a transition into adulthood for us. I wanted to share them here in hopes they would help someone walking that parenting road from childhood to adulthood. Tim and I are normally very in sync with our ideas about raising the kids ... read more

Filed Under: faith, family, homeschooling, parenting adult children

Create a rustic repurposed wood coffee table from fence boards with these DIY instructions and step by step photographs. Perfect for a warm, inviting natural home!

Rustic Repurposed Wood Coffee Table from Fence Boards

By Marty Walden · 73 Comments

Create a rustic repurposed wood coffee table from fence boards with these DIY instructions and step by step photographs. Perfect for a warm, inviting natural home! Rustic Repurposed Wood Coffee Table  Written by my husband Tim:   So, in the process of a couple remodeling projects and the replacement of various pieces of junk ... read more

Filed Under: decorating, DIY, frugal living, handyman, Home Projects

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Meet Marty

Marty Walden believes anyone can create an authentic home filled with simple, thrifty decor. When you join her community, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to create a treasured home and still live within your means! Read More…

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