The guys got our fountain finished and it looks so pretty at night! Here's a shot of it from our front door!! I can sit on our screened in porch and see it and there aren't any cars in the way! How nice is that?! Because of the way they placed the apartments and parking areas, most of the ones facing the lake have a clear view. WhooHoo!! and then, here's our front door. All dressed for the season~
by the way, there are two more posts under this one~I was on a roll tonight!Upon reading Jennifer (McAfferty) Marks latest post, and thinking how much like her they look! I decided to check it out for myself. Jennifer was the third blogger I've read that did this, and I have to admit, it is fun! Several of them look pretty much as I did during those days and the 1950's shot looks too much like my grandmother!!! YIKES! The 60's looked so much like my mom I almost didn't share it!!! I much prefer looking like me. So, here you go ~ and yes, you can laugh at me all you want. Just as long as you go to Yearbook Yourself, upload your own face, and share with us what YOU looked like during the ages!
and nobody, nobody, nobody wants to look like their grandmother!
Busy day! But a good one. We spent much of the morning at the Social Security office in Montgomery and got everything accomplished in one visit!! WhooHoo!! {thank you, Leigh, for being in the right career field!}
John had to go in early to work, so I headed downtown to check out the new location of Cute As A Button. It's going to be soooo cute!! and so much larger!! and it smells like new paint!! I'm lovin' it. Those of you that know me also know that new paint, new decor, and moving delights my senses. Moving date is somewhere around the middle of October! For those of you that live in the Prattville area, feel free to add it to your side bar as a place to visit and shop!
I just spoke with Jen and they are on their way home from Birmingham, with a "new, used" vehicle and she sounded like she was in love. Ian is not feeling well, and Jen is still pretty bruised and sore. Brandon's soreness has subsided somewhat and I heard Noah singing in the background so he's good to go. Ian has suffered with a high fever and sore throat off and on all weekend, so please pray that he doesn't have strep or mono. Yes, that's right! Mono!! I've heard just this weekend of two small age children with mono! So sad, since that can have a devastating effect on one's body.
Hope all of you had a really nice weekend, thank you so much for your comments and your prayers, and may our Lord give back just as much to you. Here's hoping the week brings much laughter to your household.
And just to leave you with a bit of a smile, or maybe a grand belly laugh and a great hurrah ~ you know that so called "blackout" they had in Georgia this past week? Well, it was taken care of Saturday by the Alabama power company!
and this,
only resulted in bruised bodies,
and this.
It was a true blessingI copied this from Tales From the Home Front and thought it worthy enough to share. My prayer is that it make us all more aware, more compassionate, more lovable, and more attentive to His Will.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement early starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative. {I disagree with this one ~N}
37. Your children only get one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we threw all our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
1. he's sitting in front of the tv, what is on the screen? one of the sports channels, if it's football season; any fishing show; Animal Planet
2. you're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch
3. what's one food he doesn't like? corn, asparagus, and corn
4. you go out to the bar. what does he order? sweet tea with lemon
5. where did he go to high school? Holtville High
6. what size shoe does he wear? 9
7. if he was to collect anything, what would it be? old fishing lures
8. what is his favorite type of sandwich? surprisingly, peanut butter and grape jelly
9. what would this person eat every day if he could? ice cream!
10. what is his favorite cereal? banana nut crunch
11. what would he never wear? anything, anything! with the auburn colors
12. what is his favorite sports team? the Alabama Crimson Tide!
13. who will he vote for? McCain
14. who is his best friend? my brother, Nelson
15. what is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? shop
16. how many states has he lived in? just the one he was born in, bless his little 'non-moving-until-he-met-me' heart!
17. what is his heritage? English
18. you bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? chocolate cake, chocolate icing; the man loves anything chocolate!
19. did he play sports in high school? ah yes, football captain, county all-star in baseball, basketball - loved his sports, just not the classrooms
20. what could he spend hours doing? fishing, playing his PS2 game Grand Turismo
Guess What! I found a new shop! Well, okay, so I didn't find it. In fact, it took both Patti and Jenny mentioning it for me to finally get downtown and check it out. Well, alright so that wasn't exactly the truth either. I went downtown to get another casserole to stick in the freezer. What, you ask. At Fanci Free, you can not only have a yummy meal in their soda shoppe, but you can take dinner home with you! They have the best entrees and sides you can wrap your lips around. And the bestest part is, you don't have to cook it!! Just slide those aluminum pans in the oven and relax as your home fills with a home cooked odor. My kind of meal~here's their menu!
Then, walking back to the car, I glanced across the street and saw it. Victoria's Boutique. Bingo, my memory kicked in and I stepped out onto the street, and had two vehicles come to a complete stop. Hm, guess that's why one should always look both ways~I found the cutest short swing coat, in Bama houndstooth no less!, and another key holder, a silver elephant for you Tide Fans. If you don't have a key holder, you really need to get you one. It loops over your purse edge, saving your fingernails as you dig through a 'too-big-and-everything-falls-to-the-bottom" purse! Here's my finds!
Only $10, it's nice and heavy and she has other designs as well. The tiger head was way cool, but not my style during football season~
A bit more than $10, but it's wool, lined, and I can already see myself with wide legged black pants, heels, and a soft black turtleneck.
I also bought a dough bowl that caught my eye. I grew up watching my grandmother Yarbrough mix her yeast roll and biscuit dough in a nice round deep one and it now sits in Jen's kitchen with fruit, or snacks, or pocket change, whatever she happens to need it to be~
Of course, I had to go back and get towels for the months of November and December. And maybe even January. Nah, I'll find another before then~
Just an update ~ my surgeon cancelled today's appointment on the reasoning that he wants me cleared by my cardiologist before setting a surgery date. I see that doctor October 7th and upon clearance from him, will see the surgeon and set a date to get this incision hernia repaired. If you've ever had a hernia repaired, please, do NOT comment on anything negative {big smile here} as I read too much online last night about the difficulty of this surgery and it's lengthy recovery period. I have decided I am going to be an exception to the norm and I don't need naysayers clouding my vision {wink, wink} I promise to keep you updated, as I will be calling you as prayer warriors.
Just a thought ~ it might be fun to put one of those free "This many people are online at your site" buttons on my page, but wouldn't it be total embarrassment if you logged on, and you were the only one?
I just love love love blog hopping. There isn't the time now that there used to be to do this, but when I get a chance I take it!! Here's my latest find ~ Kelly's Korner. This is a definite chic site with decorating, a new baby due in January, girlfriends, and well, I'm still reading her back blogs. Of which one of them, Hostess With the Mostess is one of!! And I tell you I cannot wait to explore this one!!
{and thanks, for the Bat Dog ride!}
Okay, so I just. have. to. share. this!!! It's too cute not to. {For those of you that read Jenny's blog, you've already laughed.} Here it is, in Jenny's words~
I’m slowly emptying some boxes that have been packed for over a year and a half. I unpacked 2 boxes of toys and it was like Christmas around here! Noah found a remote control Tonka truck. He kept holding the control upside down to his face and saying “CHEESE!”
Told you it was funny.
Today was such fun!! I got to meet Layla and Kevin!!! WhooHoo!! and not only that, but I got a gorgeous nightstand from her online home sale for only $30!!! I called Johnny on my way home and told him to meet me in the drive to get a piece of furniture out of the back seat. I knew he'd be wearing a frown. And I was soooo right, BUT you should have see that frown quickly become a grin when he saw how nice it is and that it was going on HIS side of the bed! I have a happy camper here tonight, folks. I'll post a pic later tonight as I still need to rearrange the side of my bed in order to move it all a bit {remember, apartments are not on the 'big' side}
Layla and Kevin are such a sweet couple with dreams that I just know will become reality for them. If you haven't voted for her today, and you can vote once a day!, please click here, view her video and vote for her! I just know she'll be on TV one day and can give a shout out to our historic town! Go, Layla and The Lettered Cottage!! Tonight she has some pics of Halloween decor and she mentions dough bowls. Well, if you're local then visit Carol Brooks Shoppe downtown!! Her store is the old 'Hope's' location and she has many dough bowls to choose from. Great prices, too!
And, for those of you that love to shop at Cute As A Button, Patti won't be moving until later in October (due to extensive construction) SO she's decided to bring in fall and holiday items NOW!! AND, in order to make room for it, starting tomorrow the 40% sale items will now be 50%!!!! and she's adding gift items and accessories!! I can't wait to go tomorrow and find out what else is now on sale!
The weather? It's definitely cooler! and I'm lovin' it. Love the breezes, love the leaves falling, love the rainy, overcast days. I hope your day has held many moments of laughter for you today and may you find sweet rest tonight~
Scrapbook paper, sticker letters, and black frames ~ super easy!
Here's an update on the master in the apartment. I haven't decided yet on curtain holders but really like the way they'll look. Nope, we don't have a curtain over the big window yet. I hope to have those on by the time John's on midnight shift and needs to sleep during the day~
In the kitchen is this odd corner cabinet. There are not many cabinets, at ALL, in this kitchen but I've been pleasantly surprised how easy it has been to bring in only what's needed. I didn't realize we cook with far less than what we own. Of course, we store dinnerware on plate holders and we've turned the 'storm closet' into a grand pantry! Guess I'll have to tell the upstairs neighbors to quit whining and sit amongst the beans if they need to use the room during a tornado warning. That or go back upstairs~
I found these vinyl letters at Hobby Lobby and love them!! Only thing is, the walls are all textured and they don't stick very well. The dot over the 'i' in Faith has already dropped and been lost. I'm thinking I'll trace around the lettering and paint them myself. Johnny said 'no way'. Hmm, we'll see.
Got the table changed out, too. I let go of several dinner sets when we moved and haven't missed any of them yet. Just change out the linens and I'm good to go. I still have another set of dinnerware in the garage to use during the holidays. The candlesticks came from CrackerBarrel~
Now I think I want to make some conucopias to hang on the back of the chairs. Does anyone have an easy idea? I've never made one, but seen them hanging by ribbon. I'll have to do some searching~
Just another area of the living room~
And THIS!!! I was so excited when Jenny noticed this at a local store, Carol Brooks, in downtown Prattville. I had to have it for John and he loved it. You choose the number of openings in a frame, then you choose from various snapshots items that form the alphabet. While going through the letters, Jen and I never saw a duplicate! It's so unique!! This isn't the best photo in the world, but you get the idea~
Hope you're having a good start to the week~It's been a really nice week. One of those where you feel like you got a lot accomplished. Didn't attain some goals I set for myself, but still got a lot finished that needed attention. Know what I mean?
Leigh (did I spell this right?!) Graham came by Cute As A Button this afternoon and it was so nice to take a break and chat with her. She had been to a funeral and was on her way home. Sad occasion, but wow, did she look great! I'm more accustomed to seeing her in work clothes. As my daddy would say, "she cleans up nice". ha ha You did look sharp, girl!
John is ready for the Alabama game tomorrow evening and has ordered the game and wanting some 'snacks' from the grocery. Ian has his first soccer game in the morning, if it isn't raining (like it is at the moment) and I intend to get in the garage and organize some boxes!! I've been putting it off and can't get park my cute little car in there until I finish.
Pray for those on the coast that will be affected when Hurricane Ike comes ashore tonight. May they be safe and may it cease in strength before becoming landbound.
Sleep good, and I'll check in with all of you a bit later this weekend~
So who is going to meet for lunch October 4th? Jenny, haven't heard from you. Leah might. Heather? What about you? Grammy will keep AK (smile, smile) Haley Gray?? Get Katie to come!! What about it, Abbie?? Lynne Griffies?? Susanne Goodin??! Amanda? Come on, girls. It'll be fun. Anytime you get females and food together in one spot, there's bound to be fun. Leave me a comment and let me know if you are planning, or even thinking about it, to set aside that time!
Today, Kristy Busby and her two precious babes came into Prattville and to see me at Cute As A Button!! It was so much fun meeting her face to face, as we've only known each other through the blogging world! So we decided to ~
have a gathering of bloggers!!! Go to Kristy's home page and sign up if you're near the Montgomery area and can attend!! Here's some info, but to make it easy for us to get an accurate count leave a comment on Kristy's blog and be counted!! Hope to see you!!
It' a Saturday lunch, and any and all local bloggers that we know would be invited! I will begin by inviting all my local blog buddies: October 4th at 11:00am. Details will follow as to where we will meet. I am open to suggestions!
1. Please RSVP so that I know how many are interested and are able
2. Please nominate a restaurant! :) I HATE picking out where to eat!
3. Invite your local blogger friends - especially ones that follow bloggers that you know may be there
4. Be prepared to share your 3 favorite blogs - and why!
here's hopingOkay, so Jenny posted this tonight on her blog and it's too cute/funny/hilarious/laughter-causing NOT to post it on mine! You probably need to end the week on a good laugh anyway.
To set the stage, Jenny had french fries for both boys. Ian has begun this thing of sticking the fries in his mouth to resemble beaver teeth, or something similar. Noah, of course, always the mimic, has to do JUST what big brother does. Hence, this attempt to stick a fry in his mouth. What Ian DOESN'T DO is be such a ham in front of the camera. Noah, as you can see, doesn't mind at all. Enjoy~
Our oldest grandson, by four months, turned five a few weeks ago. It seems like just last year we were driving over to meet him for the first time. He had a bit of jaundice and wore something that made him look just like a glow baby. We fell in love that day, and it's only grown stronger.
Here he is with his Aunt Leslie at Pump It Up. His party was held there and Leslie says he wore her out. I'm sure the kids had a blast and the adults wondered where their energy went!! I know for a fact, that the older I get the slower I move. I like to think of it as, 'well I want to make sure I don't miss something'. Yeah, right. As if we all believe that!!A couple of notes tonight~first, I'd like you to visit Graham Shenanigans and leave a comment! Leigh came into the shoppe today and we had the nicest time sharing. Found out that we both have a blog and swapped addresses!! She's super sweet, loves the Lord, and lives here in our town. I know you'll enjoy her blog as much as I did tonight~
Please continue praying for Patti Phelps' family. There has been another tragic accident within their family, where emergency surgery had to be done at UAB. She is very concerned how this is affecting her parents. When I spoke with her yesterday, she sounded fragile. I assured her there were many praying for this family and that He would not leave them alone.
I hope all of you had a safe and restful Labor Day weekend. And as always, have a week filled with laughter!
The owner of Cute As A Button, Patti Phelps, has lost two family members within a 24 hour period. Her brother-in-law, Charles, was killed in a robbery/double murder last week in Highland Home. He owned a grocery and was killed, along with a friend that was there helping him stock. This has rocked the family. While preparing to come to Alabama for his funeral, a family member in Tennessee died. Her funeral will be Tuesday afternoon, allowing the family in Alabama to attend Charles funeral and pack for the trip to Tennessee. Patti is concerned for her parents. Her mother passed out yesterday and her father is shell-shocked, to say the least. I know they would appreciate being added to prayers lists.
Also, Jenny's son, Noah, has another double ear infection and she has requested prayers for him that a healing will take place and circumvent the need for tubes. All mothers hate to see their children hurt, much less have to be put to sleep for any type of procedure.
We serve an awesome Saviour and He hears the prayers of the righteous. It is a wonderful feeling to come to you today asking for this and know that it will be answered. Thank you for being a prayer warrior and a child of the King. I'll keep you updated~
Hunting Humor & Tales