If you've known this all along, forget this post. I've just discovered it and am crazy lovin' it! Just sayin'.
New Fonts Available!
If you've known this all along, forget this post. I've just discovered it and am crazy lovin' it! Just sayin'.
Hey Hood! It's My Christmas List!
These boots! By Hive & Honey!
In Caramel!
{Hint, prices are great at Piperlime!}
A HP Printer that scans and copies!!!
This Kirklees sweater coat at Anthropologie,
AaaaaaND,
a princess cut diamond that will nestle
in the hollow of my throat.
A karat?!
And that's all {big smile font}.
Okay, and this too, from Ollipop Rings!
UPDATE: this did not make it off the drafting table, so Mr. H? This could be a wonderful place to begin for the birthday next week! (wink, wink)
Can You Help?!
I saw these on Perfectly Imperfect and have gone online looking for this set! I want these for next Winter! Mr. H, I want these for next Winter! O daughter 'o mine, I want these for next Winter! I've already emailed Cracker Barrel for help. If anyone out there has these sweet dishes and you don't really care if they're in your home or not, email me please, I'd love to take them off your hands for a sweet price. I even typed in 'white snowflake dinnerware' on Google and nothing came even close to this. Forget eBay. Been there. I love Cracker Barrel dinnerware and plan to go tomorrow and get the Easter dinner plates. But for now? I want these white snowflake sets!! Four sets would be fine! Six would be even better! Eight? Wow.
And I forget who had this framed print {frustrated font} but I managed to find it on Google images. Only because someone had it on a blog. And didn't mention where one could find it. Darn! Don't do that to me. For some reason, this print speaks to me. The snow maybe? or the sweet bunnies? For whatever reason, if anyone out there as seen where one might buy this print or even a framed one, let me know.
Thank you ma'am/s {sweet smile font}.
Joining Wordful Wednesday! Hop over to Seven Clown Circus!
Makes You Go Wow!
There are just some ideas that make you go, "Wow!" and this was one of those times. 320 *Sycamore. When I saw it I immediately thought how simple it was! And that it would look so good on our 'shelf over the TV because we don't have a mantel anymore' area. I can do this! I will do this, just as soon as I can get myself to Hobby Lobby and find those little silver buckets. Finding dried 'weeds' this time of year will be easy, as one of our daughters lives in the country and her dirt road abounds with this type of nature! The top of my piano never looked this good.
As a matter of fact, it looks just like my piano! Well, it belongs to one of our daughters now, but for years it sat in our homes and was decorated nicely but I never attained the simple, but elegant, look that this is.
And tearing up books?! I love books, love the look of old books, of loved books, but I am not beyond tearing the cover off one, or tearing the pages out of some to frame or use under clear switch plates.
Look what Lindy at Cottage Hill has done. Simple. Classy. Elegant. I intend to tear the covers off some old books I just use for decoration. These are some ideas that make me go 'Wow!'
And there are times that make us all go 'Aw' such as when babies are born. Kelly has been praying, I have been praying, we've all been praying for her sister to become pregnant. It's been a struggle for Amy, but she and her husband were blessed with the birth of Cole this past week and we are all overjoyed. You can read bits here of that feeling and Kelly will link you to Amy's blog where she introduces Cole to the blogging world. You really need to treat yourself to clicking on Kelly's header and just reading her everyday posts. I kid you not, with these posts and her Facebook stati she needs to write a humorous book on raising children and the every day moments of laughter there can be. Embracing the Craziness. Go check it out and plan to smile. We just always smile at newborns, don't we.
I hope the top ideas gave you some new ideas to play around with, and the news of Kelly's nephew arriving safe and sound filled your heart with the newness of our upcoming Spring. I just bet some of you north of the Mason Dixon line would love to see some warmer weather! It's coming. We just don't want it too soon. Early Springs just seem to make for longer, hotter, insufferable Summers. But then, I'm a Winter gal.
Punxsutawney Phil ~ Early Spring?
This little animal has predicted an early Spring.
Rats. Of course, he's only been correctg 13/23 times.
I'm hoping he's wrong this time as well.
Why?
An early Spring makes for a longer, hotter summer, that's why.
But then,
I'm a Winter gal!
What I Would Do Differently ~
I watch our daughters and love the fact that they didn't get many of my bad habits, some but not many. If I could go back, I would do some things a bit differently. Give me some slack here, I'm a grandmother now and have learned the hard way what is important and what is not. What a young wife, young mother's priorities should be, and what she should try to learn to let go. I don't have nearly the OCD's that I did a mere six years ago. I had begun lightening up before the accident, and the 77 days + a year and a half of recovery put life in perspective, let me tell you. For instance,
1) I wouldn't wake anyone up on Saturdays just to clean house. Breakfast would be whatever you chose to fix and eat. There would be more time watching cartoons and play time, especially if there's school five days a week.
2) I'd designate certain chores to be done, but not roll my eyes and threaten bodily harm if they didn't jump right to it. There is a line between what really needs to be done and what should be done by the time one goes to bed. Learn to know the difference.
3) I would SIT on the sofa with the rest of the family instead of washing/drying clothes, and cleaning up areas where you're all alone. Get in there with them! You can take thirty minutes when they're in bed to finish the kitchen or those clothes.
4) Money would not be the factor that I chose to be sure my children loved me. They'll love you whether they get that toy they had a tantrum over when you said no or cried out loud when you said no to the 'just riding around town with the guys/girls'. Your kids will love you, no matter what. They just will. I think it's in the scriptures or written in stone somewhere, so don't worry about it. Or them.
5) Make time for your man. Important. Read again. Make time for your man. He will be there when the babies/kids/teenagers finally move out, for good, and it's just the two of you. John and I didn't use family or friends for babysitting. Our daughters had to be in their rooms by 8-8:30 whether they were sleepy or not. They could read a book, listen to the stereo (we didn't have TV's in their rooms) or just go to sleep. It was quiet time for us to watch TV, talk, or even go to bed early, too. Children need to see you making time for each other. And then when they are on their own, you have a life that you've cultivated with the one you love.
6) Laugh. Oh for pete's sake, laugh at anything. People make great laughter moments. Learn to laugh at yourself and teach the difference between laughing at and laughing with. It always has seemed true to me that when I look for the bad/scary/yucky part of a day, it finds me. But if I walk out the door thinking, "What have you got for me today, Lord?!" the day isn't nearly as hard. Most times it's filled with laughter. I'm telling you, life is funny. Just watch sometimes. People do the strangest things. And animals?! Oh but I stray ~
7) Understand that just as you get used to the stage your child is in, it will change. And you won't know it until you're wondering where your sweet one went and who this devil child is. Kuddos to those of you with more than one to deal with. You'll be trying to figure out personality changes and bodily changes foreva!
8) Motherhood is one career, God-given, that I wouldn't trade for the world. But it's hard being a parent. It's hard being a parent and being in your thirties. Ugh, it was hard. But as with all things, even this shall pass away. It's hard being a grandparent, but it's also the most beloved spot to be. As much as I know our daughters love us, our grandbabies just adore us. Enjoy these days, sweet young women. Don't strive for spotless homes, everything neatly organized and tucked away. Do what you can, develop a household plan that works for you but doesn't work you.
I'll leave you with these wise words. Print them up and place them in a frame. Hang it where you'll see it every day ~ like the laundry. She makes a lot of sense and it's how our Saviour wanted us to be from the beginning.
Have a happy Friday and try hard not to base your self esteem on how many things you cross off your list.
1) I wouldn't wake anyone up on Saturdays just to clean house. Breakfast would be whatever you chose to fix and eat. There would be more time watching cartoons and play time, especially if there's school five days a week.
2) I'd designate certain chores to be done, but not roll my eyes and threaten bodily harm if they didn't jump right to it. There is a line between what really needs to be done and what should be done by the time one goes to bed. Learn to know the difference.
3) I would SIT on the sofa with the rest of the family instead of washing/drying clothes, and cleaning up areas where you're all alone. Get in there with them! You can take thirty minutes when they're in bed to finish the kitchen or those clothes.
4) Money would not be the factor that I chose to be sure my children loved me. They'll love you whether they get that toy they had a tantrum over when you said no or cried out loud when you said no to the 'just riding around town with the guys/girls'. Your kids will love you, no matter what. They just will. I think it's in the scriptures or written in stone somewhere, so don't worry about it. Or them.
5) Make time for your man. Important. Read again. Make time for your man. He will be there when the babies/kids/teenagers finally move out, for good, and it's just the two of you. John and I didn't use family or friends for babysitting. Our daughters had to be in their rooms by 8-8:30 whether they were sleepy or not. They could read a book, listen to the stereo (we didn't have TV's in their rooms) or just go to sleep. It was quiet time for us to watch TV, talk, or even go to bed early, too. Children need to see you making time for each other. And then when they are on their own, you have a life that you've cultivated with the one you love.
6) Laugh. Oh for pete's sake, laugh at anything. People make great laughter moments. Learn to laugh at yourself and teach the difference between laughing at and laughing with. It always has seemed true to me that when I look for the bad/scary/yucky part of a day, it finds me. But if I walk out the door thinking, "What have you got for me today, Lord?!" the day isn't nearly as hard. Most times it's filled with laughter. I'm telling you, life is funny. Just watch sometimes. People do the strangest things. And animals?! Oh but I stray ~
7) Understand that just as you get used to the stage your child is in, it will change. And you won't know it until you're wondering where your sweet one went and who this devil child is. Kuddos to those of you with more than one to deal with. You'll be trying to figure out personality changes and bodily changes foreva!
8) Motherhood is one career, God-given, that I wouldn't trade for the world. But it's hard being a parent. It's hard being a parent and being in your thirties. Ugh, it was hard. But as with all things, even this shall pass away. It's hard being a grandparent, but it's also the most beloved spot to be. As much as I know our daughters love us, our grandbabies just adore us. Enjoy these days, sweet young women. Don't strive for spotless homes, everything neatly organized and tucked away. Do what you can, develop a household plan that works for you but doesn't work you.
I'll leave you with these wise words. Print them up and place them in a frame. Hang it where you'll see it every day ~ like the laundry. She makes a lot of sense and it's how our Saviour wanted us to be from the beginning.
"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are.
As you create a home, don’t get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don’t dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey." ~Marjorie P. Hinckley
Have a happy Friday and try hard not to base your self esteem on how many things you cross off your list.
I Want . . .
these lovely ladies and their families back
because that weekend was so delightful for us . . .
and I want this long weekend in Gatlinburg back,
because it was cold, and fun, and relaxing . . .
and I am ready NOT to look like this anymore.
It's no fun being sick, when January was such a happy time.
{Note: go to our daughters page for more photos and pieces of just how much fun that weekend in Gatlinburg was!}
We've Had Company!
We've been babysitting, and loving it. Their parents had errands on Saturday afternoon, then called and asked if we'd keep them through supper. Uh, yeah! So we called in pizza and sandwiches!
Sweet Noah is suffering with an ear infection, but he was happy enough to stay with Pa and Nan and we even got snuggles. He was up for laughing and giggling but his appetite was a bit off. He and Ian still managed to finish off a large, thin crust cheese Domino pizza by themselves.
Sweet Ian, you ask him to smile for you and you get this posed look. Ah well, normally he's into the tv, or the legos, or playing with his little sister. He would kiss her and she would giggle. Back and forth.
Little Miss has learned to climb up onto the ottman and claim it as her throne. She eats up there, plays up there, but still falls asleep in my arms when she's tired out. Like her brothers, she loves pizza. You can see it outlined on her mouth. Her appetite is almost as big as theirs! Brandon and Jenny are going to have some powerful grocery bills with these three as they grow. These are the precious reasons I haven't been online much and pray that you had a restful weekend filled with love and laughter ~
25 Years Ago
It's one of those times you'll always remember where you were. Our youngest daughter, Jenny, was in kindergarten and home sick that day. She was cross legged in front of the TV, as I'd told her that she was witnessing a part of history. I sat behind in the rocker waiting for the blast off and the cheering. Instead, there was an explosion and the horrible silence as the audience realized what had happened. Jenny sat there for a bit, then turned, and with a confused look, asked, "What happened? What happened to those people in that rocket?" I was already crying. For them. For the families. For us. I've never forgotten.
A dear friend of mine has written where she was and what she experienced, along with the words of our President Ronald Reagan. Go to her site, then let us know where you were, your thoughts, how it affected your day. Had you paid attention to NASA before this? My father was always interested in science and the space program so it was par for the course for me to be watching the lift off. (The movie, 'Right Stuff', love it. If you haven't watched it, do so! Another good one is Tom Hanks in Apollo 13.) Today we remember the lives of the seven that loved what they did, knew the risks, and gave their lives in doing so. Remember with prayers today those they so suddenly left behind. God bless America and those that uphold her.
A New Blog, A Shout-Out
The Lands Across the Lake is a blog I found this afternoon and written by the wife of one of my favorite students! Daniel Land came to our elementary school his second grade year and I had the honor and privilege of having him in my classroom! Smart, talented, mannerly, and just an all around really good kid. This 'kid' has grown up, is a member of our Armed Forces, happily married to Brittany Gay, and they have an adorable son now. I know there are readers from the Holtville area that will recognize him and may have wondered where he is. Across the ocean! Making dreams come true!
You must go to their blog and not read of their life in Europe but also see the photos that Brittany includes. She is also on Facebook and that's where I saw some of the most beautiful views of Venice, Italy seen through her lens. She's quite the photographer and I am so tickled to reconnect with them through their blog! From me to them ~ thank you for the sacrifices made to serve our country, to have many homes in few years, and to go through the times when your family is separated. My home truly appreciates both of you.
Snow in Gatlinburg!
This was our view going into Gatlinburg. Snow!! Beautiful white snow. In fact, it began snowing on us as we were driving through Townsend and all the way through Wears Valley and Pigeon Forge. It was so pretty! And I was so happy. According to The Weather Channel we were to get snow for three whole days!
We had one daughter with us, a comfortable condo, and a snowy evening. Good food, warm fire, and were waiting for another daughter to come in with her family. Brandon and Jenny's condo was awesome (seriously, it was decorated beautifully) and they arrived safe and sound. The promise of having three days of snow was ultra exciting. But nooooo ~ thank you very much, Weather Channel. By Friday afternoon, the snowfall had pretty much ceased, and it was simply freezing and breezy. I may never believe them again. Ever. Again. Brandon and Jenny took their babies to Ober Gatlinburg, but that was it. No.more.snow. Just freezing weather. Snow in the mountains but only on the side of the road in town. Shoot, shucks, but wait!! We still found lots to do!! And it was such fun.
Leslie, with those gorgeous eyes, at a local haunt we love to frequent for good home cooked food. The sad thing is these few photos I'm sharing are the only ones I have! My family has made such fun of me over the years pulling out my camera to record each gathering that I hesitate to even take photos anymore. I was a bit sad to realize I had so few photos to remember this vacation. I am in hopes that Jenny took some and will share them on her blog once she gets unpacked. She already has a few from the trip on the way up.
I love being in Gatlinburg with this man. He enjoys the calm and slowness of it as much as I do. When the girls were younger we did the outlet/attractions/eateateat routine. But now? We sleep in, have a late breakfast, wander into the mountains, downtown, or a lane by Little Pigeon River. Then it's a late lunch and back to our condo to sit in front of a warm fire, read a good novel, and get good and sleepy on fresh mountain air. Just doesn't get much better.
The fun really began when this little Miss and her big brothers got to town. They entertained us with their happiness and delight at being "in the mountains!" Yesterday, I told you our plans for the weekend (which means these posts are a bit out of order). While the ladies shopped Tanger Outlet Mall, the guys took in the aquarium. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, Ian and Noah, or their Pa. In fact, he said he could've traveled through it all one more time, but was outvoted. The girls and I had a nice time wandering in and out of stores and a delicious lunch in front of the fireplace at The Chop Shop. (Crazy name, great food)
The Titantic museum was fascinating and I would encourage you to go if given the chance. It's well worth the price of the ticket. Sad when you realize it was an accident that could've been avoided. Shocking, when you feel the water temp they were thrust into. So many trapped with no way out. A real learning experience for all of us. Ian, especially, understood much more than I thought he would.
We did not go to the attraction, WonderWorks. Instead everyone, except John and I, decided a nap was in order. We took that time to wander downtown, window shop, and picked up Subway sandwiches and chocolates from Aunt Mahalia. Came back to sit in front of our fire, while the rested ones headed out for dinner and Ripley's Believe It or Not. Ian was still excited with what they saw there this morning at breakfast!
It was cold, cold, cold with no new snow the last five days of the trip. However, it was a truly nice vacation with six people we love dearly. Then it was time to go home. And it rained all.the.way.home. I'm serious. ALL.THE.WAY.HOME! But I still saw snow!!
Gatlinburg + Family =
Here's a hint for our Monday morning excursion, lunch at the Apple Barn, then another fun interactive upside place to visit. Until then, thanks for stopping by. I'm doing this mostly for our family but maybe it's helped give you some ideas of making the trip to the Smoky's and what you may enjoy when you get here!! Here's hoping we see lots more of this before we leave!!! Good night, sweet family and friends ~
Off to the Smoky's!
And for those of you that are crafty and looking for an idea for Valentine's Day. Look no further. You'll find it at Jones Design Company and she has lots of other photos for your enjoyment! So, have a great weekend filled with love and laughter! We're hoping to have a weekend of love, laughter, AND snow!!!
Christmas in January!
Our precious daughters,
Stacey with her Alaina, Jenny with Elle,
and Leslie with Marley. (It was not easy to have
Elle looking at the camera. You'll note that there's
too much and too many for her to check out!)
As soon as Jenny's family got there, we dug into gifts, laughter,
and loads of giggles from the babies as they see they got
"Just what I wanted!" Ah, they're such sweethearts!
Don't know what Leslie is looking or who, but I love
those dreamy eyes. Have I said how in love I am with our girls?!
Here's sweet Noah with his parents ~
he wasn't too sure about Marley, although
he talks about her constantly!
Now sure if Marley is spoiled, or more to the truth,
I think she has all of us spoiled! We adore that pup!
I have never had a grandbaby, well maybe Noah,
that eats as much as Elle! She cleans a floor, too,
better than Marley {wink font!}
The sweeties below are only four months apart.
Here's a photo from 2006.
In fact, they each a sibling! Alaina, in '05, and Noah in '06!
Here they are on their way to becoming young men,
or maybe they are already {sad font}
I just love it when there is gift wrap being tossed around,
oh's and ah's are heart, laughter and giggles,
and you know that love abounds.
God is good. God is so good.
Miss Elle ckecking out a weird looking ball given to one of the boys.
The grandbabies had their own decorated table,
with french frieds, chicken, and shrimp. Here's
Alaina waiting on the food!
Adults got their fill of Chris's BarBQue with all the sides!
And their awesome banana pudding!
Elle got hungry and went and placed herself in her own chair.
It was a beautiful weekend, everyone arrived at their homes safe and sound, and we are thankful for the time we were able to spend together. We are indeed in love with the little munchkins and even moreso with the adults that live in their lives. They all not only walk the walk but they talk the talk. What a blessing.
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