Southern Home and Hearth

My Country 'Tis of Thee

2011-07-03T14:24:00.005-05:00

Sweet Land of Liberty

Happy 4th!!!!!!!

A few of my Summer essentials

2011-06-23T00:22:00.002-05:00

I have a few absolute essentials that I have to have every summer, just to survive. (dramatic much?) I am a pretty low maintenance chick so none of these are hard to get or expensive.

Here we go!

Slush puppie pops, it's hot and the kids need some thing cool, mom needs something cheap!

It's a late evening, we've went swimming, we've had supper and snacks, the natives are restless, these are a dollar and provide endless, harmless fun.

A stack of good books, either favorites that I've read before or new ones, they help me survive all those hours by the pool.

Sunscreen, with kids it a given..........duh but really I like a little color and yes I know it's not good for me so I get the strong stuff for the kiddos and I get spf 4 for me so I can get a little tan.

I live in the south so of course bug spray is a must.

Big floppy hat and huge sunglasses, that way when you get surprised by the meter man you can hide the ugly.

Cute cover ups, I have tons, some are just dresses that I use as cover ups for the same reason as above.

TONS of flip flops. I love these things and they're cheap. I have so many it's crazy but they go with everything and if they get wet big deal.

Large body of water. We live down the street from our awesome city pool but I can't take it so we put up our own. Our youngest would live in this thing if we let him. I get up early and get my chores down and spend the rest of the day out here with him.

Pool toys for the kids and me. I love laying on a float in the pool just chilling which is about 2 seconds and then someone splashes me.

Smart phone. My hubby had to make me get mine and I LOVE it. I love that I can sit outside or anywhere and check Facebook, my blog, email or anything, love it!!

I love Summer, I love being outside all day and these are a few of my gotta haves. Soon I'll post another Summer essentials post.

Mirror Makeover

2011-06-17T13:09:00.003-05:00

We've been working on a makeover for the living room for a while now. I'm trying to acquire specific pieces of furniture and use what I have to fit the room that I envision. The mirror that was over the mantle was gold, I knew I wanted to change it or replace it but I couldn't find anything that I loved for an acceptable price so it got painted. I used some white wall paint from another project that I watered down for a sort of aged look. I love it and think it looks much better.

Before

After

Yard Sale Favorites

2011-06-16T12:42:00.028-05:00

The Nester is having a linky party on yard sale finds, I don't usually join linky parties but this one I just couldn't miss.

There is a lot but honestly I didn't include a bunch of stuff that I really, really love. You may get bored half way through.

This year I found my ALL time favorite and best yard sale find ever!! Greg, myself and my Mom stopped by a yard sale that I honestly thought was a waste of time until I saw these sitting on the deck floor and almost killed myself to get to them. They weren't priced so I asked the guy how much they were and I thought I was going to die when he told me $5 for both!! They are total chippy, crusty perfection! I was inspecting them and noticed on the bottom they were marked $30 each. I have wanted some of these forever but even on ebay they are way too expensive for me.

100 yr old corbels, $5 for both

An vintage ironstone vegetable dish, that I paid $2 for and love.

10 ironstone saucers, 10 cents each!

Small apothecary jar, 50 cents.

Planter from the worlds longest yard sale, $5.

Wall shelf, $2.

Two ceramic wall shelves, $3 each.

Nine transfer ware saucers, a nickel each.

Two vintage twin bedspreads, $5 each.

A metal tray that I adore, $5.

Metal planter holder $4 and terra cotta bunny 75 cents.

I love yard sales and I love getting a good deal but I get a little shy when it comes to asking for a better price, lucky for me Greg is a pro! It really does pay to bargain. The longest yard sale is in August, we are already making plans to attend!!!

Please be sure to check out the Nesters linky party!

http://www.thenester.com/2011/06/best-yard-sale-finds-ever

Lunch Time Obsession

2011-06-10T00:05:00.005-05:00

How did I reach 41 yrs old and not know about pasta salad? OH-MY-GOSH, I love it!! I had it at my sons soccer banquet a few weeks ago, I really wanted to stand up and shout "this is awesome" but my kid would have killed me so I restrained myself. Ever since I've been obsessed with finding recipes but then one of my friends told me about the box pasta salads you can buy so I rushed out and bought like 4 different boxes. I seriously loved them except the ones you mix with mayo kind of gagged me, just because I'm not a huge mayo fan. So now while I'm outside for 6 hours a day in 95 degree heat, watching my youngest in the pool, I have these yummy things for lunch. The only downside is my oldest loves them too and I have to share.

Summer so far

2011-06-07T14:14:00.043-05:00

We live outside in the summer, regardless of the heat. The patio is our hang out. We build fires, play board games, eat lunch and supper, swim, shoot fireworks, and we just spend a lot of time together as a family. This Friday the music in the park starts, we can hear it from our patio so we look forward to Friday nights for the next 2 months.

We always have a stash of fireworks left over from New Years that we shoot in the Summer, I'm sure my neighbors are less than thrilled about it.

Brownies and ice cream, YUM!

Smores!

Grilling is a favorite now.

We bought a pool for our family for $149.00 and it was money well spent especially with every day in the 90s.

We are eating supper outside a lot.

Memorial day at my Moms was awesome as always and a great kick off of Summer!

I hope everyone is enjoying Summer!!!

Free table for the patio

2011-06-04T08:26:00.030-05:00

What is up with blogger or is it just me? No matter how much I edit and save this post it doesn't save the edits! It's driving me nuts!

Years ago my Daddy gave me one of those old antique sewing machines, I think he bought it at an estate sale but it just sat on the front porch of our first house for years. Then we moved here and it sat in the garage for the last 9 years. Last weekend I was working on our patio and wishing I had a little side table for a bar/snack area, since we spend most of our time out there this time of year but I didn't want to spend a lot of money. All the tables I found in stores were tiny and cost too much $$ so I went prowling in the garage, it too awhile to move stuff around so we could actually get to the sewing machine. (we've got that garage packed full) Greg and I flipped it over, removed the top that held the sewing machine on and we both thought it would be perfect for a table base for the patio.

We had a piece of birch wood left from another project, it was the perfect size for a table top.

Greg pre-drilled the holes for the screws and attached the wood to the base using the same screws that held the old sewing machine on.

He lightly sanded the top. Then we went back to the garage to find the rest of our supplies and sure enough there was a can of stain and a small can of poly. Greg put 2 coats of stain and a coat of poly.

I decided not to paint the base, I kind of like how it looks rustic. It turned out perfect for the patio and the best part is that it was a completely free project. It was a little bar area for approximately a week,

then we bought a pool and it turned in to an area for towels and what not. I used things I already had to accessorize the table, the drawer from the sewing machine holds sunscreen and bug sprays, an old Florida tray that belonged to my Grandparents and various other things.

I couldn't be happier with how this table project went, I've said it before but it's true, I love free projects.

Finally

2011-05-23T00:03:00.003-05:00

Finally the school year is on the brink of being over, I am so stinking happy it's ridiculous! I'm not that Mom that dreads having her kids home, I'm the Mom that LOVES having the kids home. It ain't easy, there will be drama, there will be lots of attitude but I love having them here, with me at home. My oldest is going to be 20 this summer, my middle one is 15, my youngest is 8 so emotions and needs are all over the place but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I hate schedules, routines and all that comes with them.

Summer is sleeping late, staying up late and flying by the seat of your pants, that is who I am. I am a Leo, I need the sun, I need the heat of summer, I am happiest now. It is ridiculous how happy I am NOW, in this moment, knowing we are free for the next 2 months. We will play board games on the patio, take late night walks, learn how to can and freeze veggies from my Mommy, build huge fires, listen to the music in the park, grill out, have mid-day cocktails, get sun burns, get mosquito bites, get slushes from Sonic during happy hour, and make memories that will last a life time. To me summer is as important as Christmas, it is special and a time to make memories; I love it. I couldn't be happier than I am now, I feel like a prisoner that has been released!!!

Before and After

2011-05-15T14:54:00.006-05:00

I bought these candle holders at an antique store for a song and even though they were ugly I could see that with a little TLC they could be gorgeous and I was right.

Before

After

I'm so happy I got them and I've already found a sister set that I plan on painting and pairing with the other ones.

Wonderful Random Wednesday

2011-02-02T12:05:00.011-06:00

I love Wednesday for various reasons but mostly because we've made it half way through the week, Sawyer doesn't have homework on Wednesday and Caleb doesn't have Soccer so really that is pretty awesome.
This Wednesday was better than usual since I actually got a really good nights sleep. Lately my darling Greg has been killing me with the snoring. He has always snored but lately it's been bad enough that I considered sleeping on the couch. Before I made such a drastic move I went out and bought these yesterday and hot dang they worked!! It was awesome to sleep all night and not think about smothering him in his sleep. (I kid, I kid)

Why did this post sideways? It's not sideways in my photo file.

This morning the temperatures have dropped from the 50's yesterday to 27 this morning. It was COLD but I have something new to keep me warm. I was talking (whining) to my Mom last week and told her I didn't have a warm robe anymore so when I dropped off my youngest for an overnight visit on Saturday she gave me the yummiest robe ever. It is the warmest, softest thing I have ever worn.

Greg doesn't drink coffee (what's wrong with him?) but he still makes mine every day. This morning as I was checking my email I heard a crash and I knew instantly what happened. He dropped the lid to my coffee jar but I was sweet about it...................sort of.

Then like the good Mommy I am I gave the boys left over pizza for breakfast but hey at least Sawyers had sausage on it.

Winter wonderland

2011-01-28T10:58:00.022-06:00

I don't love January, I don't like it at all. I struggle the entire month to get back to a schedule for the kids and myself. It's cold, the holidays are over and I just want spring break. Here in Tennessee usually we have a lot of cold days with rain but this year we've actually had a nice amount of snow and we've used up most of our snow days. We've enjoyed it so much, it makes winter much more bearable when it's actually a true winter. There have been many cups of cocoa, many nights of late night sledding and tons of walks downtown when there isn't another soul in sight and we have been loving it. If you don't live in the south I'm sure this amount of snow is a joke but here in the south this is a big freakin deal.

We love taking late night walks in the snow.

In front of my house, my street is out there somewhere.

I've been enjoying my Christmas presents, I got some good stuff. I got stuff that I enjoy everyday. They make the winter not as drab and gloomy, they make me smile.

Seriously how cute is this napkin holder?!

I love these bunnies and they remind me of my 3 boys, I knew I had to have them as soon as I saw them.

My talented niece Paige made me this for Christmas, I love it!

Now I'm looking forward to spring, shorts, flip flops and grilling but I have a few more months to go.

More Christmas

2010-12-19T01:13:00.029-06:00

This is our family room. I used mostly red, green and white shatter proof ornaments on this tree. There are a few glass candy ornaments. It's a fun tree and that's what I want since this is where we spend most of our time. Oh and I mixed white lights with red lights and I was happy with how it turned out.

I got these cute stocking for 75% off last year and I love how they match the candy ornaments on the tree.

I have a ton of Nutcrackers which are spread throughout the house, these are on a bookcase in the family room.

This is the wet bar in the family room, I just used things I already had that went with the red and green.

This isn't a good picture but I wanted to show off my gumdrop tree. I love it!

This is our guest bath I keep it pretty simple but it's still festive.

I made chip board letter banner that says joy but this time I used silver glitter.

Everyone loves these angel wings, I think I got them at the dollar tree, probably 5 or 6 years ago. I added a plain white candle that I painted with Elmer's glue and rolled in Epsom's salt, it looks like it's covered in snow.

You can't go wrong with a milk glass bowl full of glass balls.

A milk glass goblet that my Mom gave me, I planted a ivy plant in it and at Christmas I add a floral pick for color.

This is one of my very favorite Christmas items! A little ceramic tree that is covered with tiny blue birds. It's beautiful, especially at night and the best part is, my Granny made it years ago. I love it.

Sawyer, my youngest son, just got a small table top tree this year. I put it on his corner desk and used colored lights. He has asked for colored lights every year.

Since we were using colored lights I went a little old school and used various mini glass ornaments and added silver tinsel.

He loves it, which makes me happy.

This is the first thing you see in his room so I wanted something with some POP. I took my bird cage, crammed in a string of colored lights and 2 boxes of glass ornaments, put on a cute ribbon and I love it.

There are more areas of our house that I haven't covered, I may before the big day if I have time. I'm in the middle of some big time baking right now which my boys count on every year. So I hope you have enjoyed my little home decked out for Christmas.

Scenes of Our Christmas Home

2010-12-13T13:09:00.037-06:00

Christmas is steadily approaching and I think I'm ready. I've decorated, cleaned (some), and still have to make some goodies for the boys. We actually got a huge snow (huge for us anyway) and that rarely ever happens here before Christmas! The boys didn't go to school today and probably won't tomorrow so we are all very cozy and happy at home. Since we're home and not out running errands I thought I would post some more of our home all dressed up for Christmas.

*warning there are many, many, many pictures, I apologize in advance.*

This is what our house looked like last night before most of the snow had fallen, I loved it! Greg worked very hard getting all our lights and wreaths hung up, the outside is all his handy work.

Our giant wreath on the chimney.

Our neighborhood

Our street last night

This is the living room where our "fancy" tree goes. This is where we open presents on Christmas morning. I use mostly glass and vintage ornaments on this tree. I got a small tree for in here this year but I usually use a huge one.

Waiting on cookies for Santa

The mantle in the living room, my favorite so far.

A shot in the dark, I love how all the lights look.

Day time is pretty too just not as dramatic.

This is one of my favorite Christmas items, a door pull my great-great Aunt handmade years ago, I love it!

Our Nativity set, small and simple like the one I grew up admiring at my Grannies house.

Looking from the dining room.

The dining room

Our tree in here is in a urn. (I had a picture of the entire tree but alas, it has disappeared!) I use mostly gold ornaments and have framed photos of my grandparents as children, as well as my own boys.

The one above is my Granny and this one is my Papa, aren't they sweet.

Our initials on candle sconces.

A garland I embellished with poinsettias and turkey feathers gathered while walking in my Uncles woods.

The kitchen

The valance I just finished making from my Grannies vintage curtains and a NOEL banner I made using chipboard letters and plain glitter.

The nook above the stove

My little choir boy and girl my Mother bought a few years ago, I love them!

Well, that's it for the front three rooms of our little house but there is much more to be seen. Hopefully the boys will have another snow day tomorrow and I'll show you the rest of the house. Thanks for taking my tour.

I'm linking up with The Nester and her Christmas tour of homes

http://http//www.thenester.com/2010/12/christmas-tour-of-homes-2010.html

And with Kelly's Christmas tour of homes

http://http//www.kellyskornerblog.com/2010/12/show-us-your-life-christmas-tour-of.html

Check them both out to see some amazing homes!

Ready for some Christmas cheer

2010-11-25T19:40:00.009-06:00

I'm stuffed, I'm tired but most of all I'm ready for Christmas!!! I have started decorating and I'm almost finished. I love it, it's my favorite time of year. Greg will have the next 5 days off and we'll start on the outside. Here's a peak at some of what I've already done.

Cheesecake

2010-11-24T19:20:00.003-06:00

Every year for Thanksgiving I make at least 6 desserts. This year I decided to try something new, Cheesecake. I did it!! I hope it's yummy, Greg loves cheesecake. I've made the cheesecake, a fudge pie and lemon cake so far, in the morning I'll make pumpkin pie, chocolate meringue pie, banana pudding and mashed potatoes. Then we'll load it all up and head to my Moms house, I can't wait!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! xoxox Angela

Loving city life

2010-10-03T23:33:00.008-05:00

This is one of my favorite places.

It's so beautiful this time of year.

We live in the city granted not a large city but the city nonetheless and we love it. There are certainly things about country life I miss especially living right behind my Mother, it was the best but I do love the perks to city life. Late night runs to the bank machine for lunch money or the "oh we're out of milk" moments and the store is less than a block away but my favorite thing about city life is that we live downtown. We can walk from our house for the parades, the autumn street fair, Christmas in the park or just take a walk to the fountain. We live less than a block from the green way that runs along the river and we love to take walks there, it's beautiful.

Walks in the evening are the best. Now that the weather has cooled down it's even better.

Do you live near a green way? Do you use it? I'm so glad we do and am always surprised that more people don't know about ours but honestly I don't really want to share. ;-)

Fair time

2010-09-25T16:40:00.016-05:00

Our county fair was last week. We went 3 times and had a good time. It's like a family reunion, class reunion rolled into one because you'll run into people you haven't seen in years. Our school system has a Friday fair day every year, so there's no school and all rides have a discounted ticket price. My Mom and I have been taking my boys to Friday fair day for 18 years. Greg takes off work to go with us too, it's a tradition that I love. There is no admission to our fair so you can just go and walk around, see the sights or get something to eat, without having to pay to get into the fair.

Greg, Sawyer and my Mom, lunch at the Jaycees booth

Greg and Sawyer on the Tilt A Whirl

Sawyer doing the Bungee jump

We always get our treats at this booth, they have the best lemonade

We took a mid-day break on the Grandstands

Sawyer was tired and hot

My Mom eating her funnel cake from the 4-H booth

Cutest Farmer ever

Nick even rode a ride with his baby brother

We love the fair. It is good family fun.

GOLLY!!

2010-08-26T11:20:00.006-05:00

I literally LIVE for the weekend and it's Thursday so it's right around the corner but I feel like crap! I didn't sleep well, I woke up coughing all night, my throat hurts and I have that feverish feeling. Isn't that wonderful?!?
Greg has been working some long hours lately, even last Saturday he was called in to work. Sometimes it sucks having a successful man for a husband when all you want is to have him home to snuggle with.
I wanted to run around this weekend, I wanted to work on house projects and go out to eat. I now see my weekend turning into me in my PJs being lazy, watching movies and take out food.........maybe it won't be so bad after all. I'll let you know.

edit: 24 hrs later and I'm SICK. NyQuil and Kleenex are my new best friends. I just have to make it through the day, pick up the boys from school and then I'm going to spend the next couple of days in my wonderful bed. Thankfully Greg got my Droid 2 phone last week so it will entertain me.
edit 2: Greg came home from work on Friday to pick up the boys from school and take care of them for me. (sweet) He cooked supper, corn dogs and fries. We laid in our bed and watched "The Back Up Plan. We had to run to the store today to pick up a few much needed things and I tried really hard not to cough, hack or sneeze on anyone.

It's happening

2010-08-24T23:05:00.012-05:00

The weather is changing. Last week every day at 7am when the boys and I left for school I would walk out on the patio to clear beautiful sunshine and warm temps but this week it's different, I don't like it. The temperatures have dropped, it's been foggy and there is a mist in the air, fall is a coming. Can you see it?

(disclaimer: these were all taken by me holding the camera out the sunroof while I was taking the boys to school this morning so they're not the best)

It's not that I don't like this time of year because I really do but I hate the change of weather because I know mean Mr. Winter is waiting in the wings to freeze my butt off. I love September through New Years day. September has Labor day (no school), the following week will be our county fair and not to be all braggy but ours really is the bomb! It's the last in the state of Tennessee that has free admission. In October the boys have Fall break and again NO school for a whole week which really is what I live for most of the time and Halloween, Greg and I aren't fully grown up yet so we take the boys out to roll yards and to haunted houses. November brings another week off for Thanksgiving and I LOVE that holiday and the signal to me to start decorating for Christmas, the big daddy of all the holidays in my house, plus a LONG break from school.

After New Years day I'm pretty much over winter and counting down the days until Summer break. I honestly don't think I would mind the boys being in school if it didn't involve taking them and picking them up in freezing cold temperatures. I dread it. I am not a winter girl................UNLESS it involves large quantities of snow and by that I mean large quantities for the South. Last year we got a lot of snow days and it was a fabulous and magical time, I loved it.

So I must keep all these good things in mind while Fall approaches and eventually turns to those cold, wet, gray days.

Who did this?

2010-08-23T23:25:00.007-05:00

My boys, I swear I love them to bits but goodness gracious they're pigs. I can't believe some of the things they manage to do to my house. If you ask "who did this" NOBODY ever admits guilt, even Greg won't. They will gladly throw someone else under the bus, just as long as they're not the one in trouble.

This time though I know who the guilty party is, Nick, my oldest. My Mother sent him a plate of food home from Sunday dinner and this looks just like the brown gravy she made. (On my newly painted cabinets) Hmmm.........now how did he manage to get the gravy all the way over here? It's no where near the microwave. Did he clean it up? Nope. I saw it first thing Monday morning on my way to the coffee maker.

I'm glad I love them so much or I might hurt them! Just kidding, kind of.

Egg Recall and I've got 5 dozen

2010-08-23T08:24:00.009-05:00

You have GOT to be kidding me!! Now there is an egg recall! My family loves eggs. We use a lot of them and I have to buy them in bulk, like dozens at a time. It's only been a couple of weeks since I bought 5 dozen and we've ate some of them and I've used them in recipes. We didn't get sick.........................I don't think.

Today I'll cart my huge box of eggs back to the store and ask for my refund. Most recalls haven't affected me. I don't buy prepackaged spinach. If it's a vehicle it's usually something to do with the windshield wipers or some other minor deal and woooohoooooo that's scary, NOT.

This whole ordeal really riles me up. I need to trust that what I buy is safe and not worry that after I make my kids a yummy bacon, egg and biscuit for breakfast that I'll find out my eggs have been recalled. It really makes me want to build a chicken coop and buy some chickens so I can have some nice safe eggs.

Have you checked your eggs? You should. I think the warning on my box of eggs is pretty ironic, considering recent events. Oh if it were only that simple.

Keeping it Real

2010-08-17T07:42:00.004-05:00

We're into our second week of school and to be honest it's kicking my butt! The boys are doing well. Caleb came home the first day totally fine with High School but my little guy Sawyer wasn't happy, he was upset, nervous and cried not to go to school the second day. Talk about ripping my heart out!
After doing everything I could possibly imagine to make the transition easier he has finally adjusted. I think so much of his problem is that he just loves being home. I was the same way as a kid, heck I still am.
The early mornings are killing me! I cooked breakfast everyday last week, which meant getting up at the latest by 4:45 am. The boys (including Greg) loved it but this Monday rolled around and honestly I just couldn't do it, so they got a bowl of cereal. Today Caleb had cereal and Sawyer had cold pizza left from last night. (I know my mother of the year award is in the mail) I hopefully will pull myself out of my sleepy stupor and get back on track this week.

So it begins

2010-08-09T03:09:00.006-05:00

Today is the first day of school. It's Caleb's first day of High School, Sawyer is starting 2nd grade at a totally new school and leaving all his old friends. It's late, I woke up from a sound sleep just to worry about them.
I've done as much prep work as I can. I labeled and packed up supplies, laid out lunch and snack money, helped them get their new school clothes picked and laid out, got Sawyer's lunch box ready, prepped the kitchen to make a yummy breakfast for them but here I sit at 3:13 am worried.
Sawyer is scared, Caleb is nervous and I'm so stressed that I snapped at my Mom today. ( I know I'm evil, sorry Mum) They both sat on the staircase tonight while Sawyer asked "what if everyone hates me?", and I just wanted to cry but Caleb my tender hearted middle child that's 7 years older, rubbed his back and tried his best to reassure his baby brother.
Nick, my oldest is in college and has tried to make them both feel comfortable and tells them they'll be fine but approached me later while I was in the bed reading. He ask me if I wanted him to go with me to take them to school. Last year he liked taking in his youngest brother to his first grade class. When I told him that Sawyer's new school doesn't allow it, that you have to drop them at the curb, he was indignant! He told me just to park and let him take Sawyer to his class, he said he dared someone say something to him.
I love that even though these boys argue ALOT that they would go to any length for each other. I love knowing that I'm not the only one looking out for them............they have each other. But I'm still a nervous wreck! lol I'm sure when I pick them up that they'll be telling me how amazing the day was but until then I'm just a very worried, over protective Mommy.

The count down has begun

2010-08-02T15:10:00.007-05:00

This Thursday is registration for my youngest and we also have open house that night too. I'm happy about the open house since he will be attending a new school this year and I'd like to get a feel for the place so we'll both be more comfortable. Then next Monday is the first official day of school.

I do love the quietness that comes with an empty house but I don't love the rush and panic of a schedule. I'm not a morning person, I'm a night owl so in order for me to be a sweet mommy in the mornings I have to get up at least 30 minutes before all the boys. I like to drink my coffee, check my email, facebook, my housewife club, and a few blogs, then I can start cooking breakfast, wake up the boys and yell for people to hurry up and get out of the shower. It's stressful to me but I really try to be happy and upbeat for the boys so their day starts without stress. My 14 yr old starts High school this year, that in itself is stressful. He is such a sweet kid, he walks to Hardees often to get him and his little brother breakfast (I don't cook breakfast every day) and he is so disappointed when I don't want something too. He pays for it with his own money that he earns from mowing his grandparents yard.

It will be an adjustment. I love having them home. I will miss them but in the afternoon when I pick them up from school, the arguing starts before we pull in the driveway. They will be tired, grouchy and hungry. I'll spend the day making goodies for them to snack on when they get home, then they'll crash in the family room in front of the TV and pass out for a nap until I wake them up to do their homework. I always try to make them have their homework done before supper time so they have the rest of the evening to just chill and relax.

All day I will be stressed out and worry that someone at school will be mean to them or hurt their feelings. Why do I do this to myself? Is that normal? I think this is why I love Summer. I'm in control. I know what they're doing, I'm taking care of them, even if they get on my nerves and drive me crazy with their petty arguments.

Now I'll look forward to fall break, Thanksgiving break and Christmas break so I can have all my little chicks home in the nest where I know they're ok. What will I do when they grow up and fly away? My oldest and I stood in the kitchen this morning at 5 am while I cooked breakfast for the boys and Greg (before he went to work) and discussed him going to law school after college, I am very proud of him but he's my baby even though he is 19. I can't imagine him living in a different state. This is the kid that calls me from Hastings and asks me if I want him to rent me a movie with his own money. How sweet is that?!?!? My Mother tells me I have to let him go and I know I do but what gets to me is I know eventually I will have to let them all go.

The new school year to me is a reminder that eventually they will all fly the nest. My main occupation for the last 16 yrs has been full time, hands on Mommy; I love my job, it the most full filling thing I've ever done. These boys make me laugh like I've never laughed, they make me madder than I've ever been but they make me feel special and loved like I've never felt too. I'll miss my house full of men. The end of Summer is sad to me.

Sunday

2010-08-01T00:51:00.003-05:00

Church
Lunch at my Moms
Hang out at my Moms while Greg mows
Laundry
Grocery store
Pjs and tv
Our wonderful, fabulous bed
I love Sunday

End of VBS

2010-07-26T23:46:00.013-05:00

We've been getting ready for back to school.......................I hate it. I love having my boys home. We've bought clothes and school supplies that I have to label. Both of my boys will attending new schools this year. Caleb will start High School and Sawyer will start the elementary school beside the High School. I'll miss them so much. I've ordered most of their clothes online which is so awesome and much cheaper.

Sawyer attended Vacation Bible School last week at our church and there is always a end of VBS celebration at Fall Creek Falls. It was 100 degrees that day but loads of fun anyway. My great Aunts make loads of yummy things to eat, we grill hamburgers and hot dogs, swim and hike. These women are so inspirational to me, they're mostly in their 80's but they thrive on giving and their family and feeding them. It was a good day and a day I know my youngest will always remember. Sunday we went to church and lunch at my Moms house. We went for a walk in my Uncle Walters woods and I think I've been eaten alive with chiggers! (mostly in very inconvenient places) I don't want Summer to end. I'm so happy and relaxed in flip-flops and 100 degrees. I'm just so dang Southern.

Dreaming

2010-07-21T01:58:00.005-05:00

I'm a dreamer, I've always been. Some people may think that's weird but I don't care, it's who I am. When I was a little girl I dreamed about being a grown up, a wife, and a Mother....................look at me now; my dreams came true. Now I dream of grandchildren, house projects and travels. Mostly I dream of simple things like holidays. I love holidays, all of them. I love special times of year for family, food and memories. It's something I count on, it's what I remember looking forward to as a child and they were always happy times.

Poor Greg is a patient listener to all my dreams and most of the time encourages my dreams. He NEVER discourages me and patiently smiles and tells me how awesome it all sounds. I still have all of my children's baby furniture in the attic so when I have grand babies they can use it. I have a vast collection of odds and ends because of my dream of owning a lake house. I love my dreams, and when they come true I am ecstatic! I think I'll always be a dreamer, that's what keeps me scratching those lotto tickets.

Fun times with my guys

2010-07-16T00:12:00.015-05:00

My boys go back to school the beginning of August (sucks!) so we went to the mall to look for school shoes. After checking out our usual shoe store the boys went to another store to look some more while I looked at a women's clothing store. After a little browsing I went to find my guys, no shoes were found but Sawyer did get some silly bands and Greg found this for me. I've wanted this watch forever but it was one of those things that I just wouldn't buy myself but since he is so good to me he bought it. I was thrilled and wore it the rest of the night. He spoils me so.

My oldest, Nick will be 19 on Saturday but he works all week so we celebrated tonight. The kid is so adventurous when it comes to food. ( I think he got it from my Daddy) He decided he wanted to go to a new restaurant in town Sentosa, they specialize in oriental but also feature some western dishes. He talked me into trying sushi and squid but I wasn't really a fan of either one. There was a lot of yummy things to eat though but Greg is wayyyyyyyyy too Southern and didn't really like it at all. It was fun to go out with my fellows.

I fell in love with this light.

I loved it!

So can you tell he loves his big brother?!? Nick even took him to the movies after we ate to see Despicable Me. He is such a good brother!

Squid...............we both agreed, it wasn't yummy.

On another note, while at the mall I found some new shoes. You know when you see something that's borderline ugly? Well that was how I describe my new shoes, they're kind of cute but kind of ugly.

See what I mean?

It's been a fun few days. I love having all my men home. I'm at my best when I'm with them. I'm such a lucky Mom. They make me happy.

Go me!!

2010-07-10T02:21:00.008-05:00

I finally made dressing that came close to tasting like my Mothers!! People, that is a big freaking deal!!! I've made it before but it turned out more like seasoned cornbread so I was very proud of myself. My youngest just loves my Moms dressing so I was determined to master it. I didn't master it but I sure came close and my baby loved it, he even asked for seconds.

My Mother is the official Thanksgiving meal provider except for mashed potatoes and desserts which I bring but I know some day she will pass the torch to me. I want to be ready and know that I can make her proud. I don't want people sitting around thinking "this sure doesn't taste like Ninnies". I call her constantly when I am trying to master cooking something and I know no bounds. I've called her late at night when I know she's asleep just to get her expert opinion and she always helps me out. (I'm sure when she hangs up the phone she says "that brat")

Anyway that was my little accomplishment for Friday and it brought me much happiness. And for good measure here's the Cajun turkey breast I made to go with the yummy dressing. (it was a hit too)

I didn't stage this photo. I know it's not pretty but I swear I thought I wouldn't ever get that little net thing off! I flung spice stuff everywhere as you can see.

The 4th at my Mom's house

2010-07-05T01:26:00.017-05:00

My Mother is really my inspiration when I entertain, she is the Queen of entertaining. No matter how low key, when she entertains it's always an event. She's goes all out even if it's just my family and my sisters family. For the 4th she made an endless amount of burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, and an amazing fruit salad. If she is making something one of my boys doesn't like she makes them a special dish. We ate outside on the deck and lounged on her screened in porch afterward. Sawyer wanted someone to help him shoot fireworks and she volunteered.....................it was pretty cute to watch.

My Mother in her element.

She always cooks enough for us to take home enough for supper. Today she cooked forever, just so we wouldn't have to cook tonight. She spoils us all. She waits on everyone to the point that it makes me feel guilty. I love her so much; I will never be as good of a Mother or Grandmother as her...............I can only aspire to come close. She lives and breathes for her family. She loves her son in laws as if she gave birth to them. I often remind her that Greg already has a Mom. (he is her baby) Greg worships her, there is nothing he wouldn't do for her. He worries over her all the time.
Her table with all the fixings. (YUM!)

Our day was wonderful, thanks to her. I love her and I love all that she does for us. She is the best Mommy ever. I owe her so many heartfelt thanks for who I am and who I want to be. She taught me how easy it is to show love by entertaining and even though it is a lot of work, it is more than worth it to see the smile on your families faces. She IS my hero.

The Good and the Bad (but mostly good)

2010-07-04T00:10:00.021-05:00

We had such a good time today. The setting was perfect, there was tons of yummy food but that's a given with my family. My Aunt Phyllis made BBQ and it was delish! My Mom made homemade ice cream and it was DIVINE (as usual) and of course all of my yummy sweets. Volleyball was played until it got dark, even though I wondered how they managed to play with such full bellies.

The fireworks were spectacular as expected, except my brother in law got burnt. It was really dark............a huge firework was lit upside down and it was scary. It came right toward us, I was freaking out because my sister has a cast because she broke her ankle. I was screaming for someone to get my sister but all the while right beside her, her husband was on fire! My great-aunt slapped the fire on his crouch (which really was funny) and someone poured lemonade on him but he was a big boy about it. After the excitement the show continued as planned.

The children all had an amazing time and didn't want the night to end. We all went home with full bellies and happy hearts..........................loving time well spent. Sorry for the crappy photos, my camera is still sick. (piece of junk) I love my family and the time we spend together. I am blessed and I know it. I am such a lucky and blessed girl.

Prepping for the 4th

2010-07-02T23:10:00.005-05:00

I've spent the last couple of days making sweets for our annual family Fourth of July get together. We've gotten together for years. The location has changed through the years but we always manage to come together as a huge extended family for this holiday. It is one of those things I hope my children always remember. We all contribute in some way and we eat outside at my cousins house that's adjacent to my uncles farm. We all bring ridiculous amounts of fireworks and really we rival any fireworks show. We eat, we laugh and we make memories that will last a lifetime.

Recently at my Mothers house I looked through a giant box of pictures some so old that we didn't even recognize the people in the photos but we did recognize the love. They were family, they were together, celebrating and making memories; I was jealous. I was jealous of the simplicity of it all and the dedication to their family. They had a desire to be together regardless of the obstacles. The men were in jackets and ties, the ladies in dresses, hats and I just know they had on loads of undergarments, it was hot. There was no plastic dishes, only china and crystal (with no dish washers) and the dinners were outside in the heat but in every picture they were happy and smiling.

That's my goal. I want my children, grand children (when I have them) to know that family is the treasure of your lifetime. Friends, possessions and other things come and go but your family is the lasting thread of your life. Your family will love you and think you're perfect no matter what and even if they know you're not perfect, they'll love you even more. I'm lucky...........my family is like that...............they love me so much.

I put alot of effort into our gatherings because my boys expect it. They ask me if I'm making what I always do. They count on me to create and continue traditions. They believe their Mama is the best cook ever and tell me often so how could I let them down? I can't and I won't. So because of my sweet babies I strive to make these days special.

My speciality is sweets; maybe because I really love making them. So I always volunteer to make the sweet goodies and I always go overboard but really is that a bad thing? It's late here and I still have things to bake tonight, toenails to paint red and outfits to lay out but I thrive under pressure.

Our big shindig is Saturday. We live in the Bible belt and as good Southern people we just can't be celebrating on Sunday. lol We will have a smaller get together on Sunday at my Mothers house. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend, making memories, doing what really matters................being with your family.

The Yard in the Summer

2010-06-28T17:36:00.048-05:00

I love Summer time, it's my favorite time of year. I love the heat and I mean real heat; like 95 or higher. Usually when everyone else is complaining that it's too hot, I am loving it. I guess having a good A/C unit helps though. We hang out on the patio, build fires and play board games often. On Friday nights there's music in the park and we can sit outside and listen to it from the patio, which is a huge perk to living downtown. We've been working in the yard alot this Summer. Most of the landscaping is finished but this year I wanted to focus on our shade bed and the landscaping around the garage. We moved Sawyers play set to the shady part of the yard and plan on fancying (is that a word?) it up for him. We dug up everything in the shade bed and rearranged it all before replanting it. I like it; it looks much better. These are some of my favorite plants and some of my favorite things about our yard.

If you live in the South you HAVE to have Crepe Myrtle and they really make a statement with their bright color.

Purple cone flowers are also one of my favorites. They thrive in the heat and bloom until fall.

My little concrete angel, her feet are broken off and she was going to be thrown away at my Grandparents estate sale so I brought her home with me.

Japanese painted ferns. These are so pretty and couldn't be easier.

Hosta........gotta love em. We have several different varieties. If snails or slugs as we call them start munching your Hosta, pour some beer in a saucer and the little suckers crawl in it and drown.

The sun dappled shade bed.

Red impatients for a pop of color.

We have loads of variegated liriope and I love it. Most of the liriope I have in my yard originated from the shade bed. My Mother in law taught me how to separate it into clumps and since then I've used it everywhere. Liriope thrives in shade or sun so it's perfect everywhere; I like using it for filler. I give mine a hair cut every Spring to keep it looking neat. I think one mistake people make when it comes to landscaping is over planting or over crowding. I really try to plant things that are low maintenance and if you plant too many plants too close together you're going to have to trim them alot or move them.

We use mulch in the shade bed but I won't use it anywhere close to the house since our Bug man told me if you use it near you house you're just inviting termites. Against the house we use pine straw and for the play area we use pea gravel. All of those options are relatively cheap. (my favorite)

I have certain go to flowers that I know thrive and do well in our area every year, such as wave petunias, creeping verbena, impatients, asparagus fern, Boston ferns, upright ferns, geraniums and begonias. I live in the nursery capital of the world so finding nice plants come easy around here.

I prefer to use pots that are made of concrete, they last forever and are relatively inexpensive. Some of mine have been inherited and some I've bought at a little place in our town. I usually paint mine white but some I've painted black, it just depends on the place I plan on using them. This year we got some huge ones ($20.00 each) to put on either side of the sidewalk and I put upright ferns in them and I really love how they look.

Other than Christmas, my favorite holiday to decorate the outside of the house is the Fourth of July. We hang banners from the porch and stick flags everywhere. It couldn't be easier and other than the initial purchase of the banners it really costs very little. It puts a smile on my face when we drive down our street and see our little house all dressed up for the 4th.

I've learned the yard is kind of a work in progress, constantly evolving and changing but I love that about it.

The Kitchen

2010-06-28T13:06:00.030-05:00

Finally! I've had the worst luck with photos lately. First my computer crashed and I lost tons of my pics, then my camera went crazy and deleted an entire memory card. I was really discouraged about posting pictures to my blog. My camera is still sick and the settings are all whacked so the quality of my pictures aren't the best but you'll get a general feeling anyway.

My boys are out of school for summer break and we've all been enjoying being home. You would think my projects would really be getting checked off but I think I have burn out. For the most part the kitchen is finished except for a few small things...........................touch up paint, a little more grout work, sewing the valances, and Greg wants to paint the frig but I'm not convinced yet.

We have done so much in this tiny room.

Sanded the cabinets

Painted the cabinets (inside and out)

Installed new hardware, hinges, handles and knobs

Exposed the hardwood and refinished it

Painted the counter tops

Tiled the back splash

Installed faux tin back splash behind the stove and sink

Painted the walls and ceiling

Installed under mount lighting

Put in a new sink and faucet

Painted the stove

Installed bead board and bead board wallpaper

and other various things.

I know a man designed this original kitchen because it was the pits! It's tiny and has a really strange layout. There is a half cabinet over a window! (who does that?) Our long term plan for the kitchen is a total gut and an addition but realistically that won't be happening for years so our short term goal was to make it look better on the cheap..............like under a few hundred dollars cheap. I haven't bought a single decorative item for this room, I used things I already owned or begged off of my Mother. I know it's not some peoples taste but it's mine and I now smile when I walk in this room as opposed to cringing like I did before.

So without further ado......................................our kitchen. (remember these are not quality photos)

We took the doors off the cabinet over the window to make it more of a display cabinet. I put bead board wall paper in the back of it and Greg installed lights inside of it. I painted the bead board wallpaper the same color as the walls.

We still have some touch up paint to do here and grout. The tiles look cream in these pics but they're bright white, I've had them for 16 yrs. My Dad gave them to me and I saved them just knowing some day I could use them for something.

A little random nook.

A pantry sign that I made with a $1 tray and a piece of decorative print paper.

Close up of the display cabinet.

We used Dark Walnut stain on the floors. I love it and we used it on the entire second floor. My Granny made the rag rug years ago.

A vintage bread box that my Mother gave me. I think it's from the 30's and it belonged to my Grannies Auntie. The knob is glass and original. Greg spray painted it and I love it.

A vintage flower pot in the perfect shade with a little fern.

A vintage looking clock that was black and Greg painted white, I've had it for years.

The results of me scrapping the textured paint off and exposing the wood in the pantry.

We used brushed nickel pulls, purchased at Lowes.

Glass knobs also purchased at Lowes.

The faux tin is one of my favorites. This a little bird nest that my Uncle found years ago with eggs from a bigger nest my mother found.

Shelves on the end of the cabinets. My Mother gave me all the Milk glass vases.

Because the cabinets sit on top of the window frame its hard to put just any window treatment there so I used part of a shutter (from someones garbage) that I painted white and I made I valance from a set of vintage curtains that I got from my Grandparents estate sale.

Some of my vintage silver collection.

This is the only surviving before shot of my kitchen. (over look the cute little boy making lemon cake in his Sponge bob boxers) See the the lovely green stove and the green counter tops and back splash? The handle and hinges were brass with green........yuck!

I'm happy with the kitchen now. I feel good in there while I'm cooking, cleaning or just chatting on the phone. Now I can make it until the "real" kitchen redo. It's funny even though the floor plan, the appliances and the cabinets were only spiffed up, I love my terrible, weird, little kitchen.

Seriously?

2010-04-22T09:47:00.010-05:00

How can the smallest kitchen in the world take this long to finish? Really, it is tiny, like the displays at Lowes are bigger than my kitchen. Just when we think we're almost done we decide to add something else to the list. We're insane. First of all it took forever to sand off the wood floor but it was worth it in the end and now we just need to stain and seal them.

I have a pantry area off of the kitchen that had gross textured walls so I decided it would be easy to expose the plank walls. Boy was I wrong, it wasn't easy and it was a huge mess but I finally finished.

I can't wait for you to see it after I caulked (a lot) and painted it.

We finished painting the cabinets, walls, ceiling, installing under cabinet lights, hanging bead board, new back splash, changing out the hardware and so much more that I get tired just thinking about it. I'm so excited about the end results that I just stand in the kitchen and stare. Here's a sneak peek, more to follow soon.

Decorating ADD

2010-04-09T16:01:00.010-05:00

How many projects are too many projects? I HAVE to finish some of the things I've started before I start anything else or buy anything else. It's all those yellow clearance stickers that get me side tracked. My tile floor "still" isn't finished and Greg and I started a total over haul on our kitchen, I still have a bathroom vanity sitting in my living room and if I can't stop myself I'm buying vintage tile for my master bath next week. Hopefully my kitchen will be finished next week and I can finish one of my already started projects. The boys were off for Spring Break this week and Greg was off for 7 days straight (heaven). The weather has been beautiful and we've grilled out and taken lots of evening walks. Twice we strolled through a historic cemetery and were awed by some of the headstones and the entire place in general.

Gotta love it

2010-03-06T22:23:00.011-06:00

We went to Lowes today to look at faucets for the new marble counter top that's going in the bathroom off the family room. We saw some that I really liked that are on clearance but I still think they'll lower the price even more. I'm going with plain chrome, mainly because I'm just not into trends. I prefer more classic fixtures that are timeless. Look at all the yellow stickers!

So after deciding that I would wait on the faucet I wanted to check on some tile I've been watching. I found some a month or so ago that I want to use as a back splash. It was $12.96 each, then it was marked down to $8.96 and today it was $5.94, plus I had a $10.00 off a $50.00 purchase coupon. So I got them for a steal! I bought a case for less than $50.00.

I'm using this tile for the back splash with this sink and counter top.

Now if I can just buy the faucet I want for steal, I'll be happy!

Hockey Games are FUN!

2010-03-02T23:36:00.001-06:00

We all loaded up this afternoon and headed to the Hockey game, we had a blast! We stopped and had a nice dinner on the way and made it the arena in time to hang out and check things out.

Sawyer and the gecko.

We had really good seats. (close to the bathroom, bar and concessions) We weren't up in the nose bleed section and not so low that I worried about stray pucks.

The view from our seats.

It was so nice to have Greg, my boys and my Mom all together doing something we all enjoyed.

I think Sawyer had more fun than anyone.

But Nick had a blast too.

My sweet Mom that scored the good tickets.

Sawyer and his claw, he was so proud of that thing!

Oh no! Attack of the claw!

My boys!

Me and Greg.

Too many pictures I know but I had to share.

Who knew you could get mixed drinks (cosmos) at a Hockey game? I'm so not a beer girl.

Thanks again for getting the tickets Mom, we all had a ball and will remember it forever!

Hockey

2010-03-01T22:43:00.001-06:00

Today should be a busy day and night but a fun one. Greg is off work, the boys have school but we're checking them out early and heading to the Hockey game. My awesome Mom called last Friday and asked if we wanted to go so I said sure! I'm sure we're going to have a good time. My youngest is so excited and Caleb, my fourteen yr old just wants me to say "you suck" when they announce the other team. I'm happy that all of us are going because getting all of us together has gotten harder and harder the older my boys get. My oldest (18) is usually working or with his girlfriend so I'm a happy Mom to have him for a night. Hopefully we'll have a yummy meal when we stop on the way and make some wonderful memories of a night at the Hockey game. Thanks Mom, I love you! You are too good to us!

Supper time!

2010-02-28T11:13:00.001-06:00

I love to cook, no really, I love cooking. I love making things my family want to gobble down. I usually put my own spin on every recipe, except some baking recipes. My family love cake. Love it, like they could eat a whole cake in a day. I don't make my cakes from scratch but they are homemade. (wink, wink) I make a lot of things from scratch but I have found some things aren't worth the effort if there's a easier and better alternative. For cakes my easier and better alternative is this.

It's easy, delicious and very inexpensive. I bought dozens on sale for 69 cents (why don't I have a cents symbol) and put them in my freezer. Anyway with the mix and the 3 simple ingredients, it so easy and quick to whip one of these up for my guys several times a week. Then if you live on the wild side like me, you add 2 of these. YUM!

No clue why this picture is sideways.

While my cakes were cooling

I made easy lasagna, from scratch you ask? No but it was homemade. I use a super, simple recipe that Greg will actually eat and loves. He is such a picky eater and won't touch anything with onions. This recipe doesn't call for them so I can pull it off. There's only six ingredients and usually have all of it on hand.

While I boil my lasagna I brown a pound of hamburger meat and add it to a jar of spaghetti sauce. ( I add various spices to mine but that's just me)

I then let my sauce simmer while I mix cheddar and mozzarella cheese together with 2 eggs and I drain my pasta.

Time to assemble the layers. Easy! Bake and voila! Looks yummy, huh?

When your lasagna is in the oven you have time to mix up a simple salad and frost your cake. My family LOVES garlic cheddar biscuits, loves them! They are from scratch and are so worth the effort. Do you own one of these? What is it called? A pastry blender? How have I lived all of my life without one? They're awesome! My Mom gave me mine and I love it!

I "have" to make a double batch whenever I make them or the crowds will fight and argue over fair portions.

I melt a entire stick of butter and pour in some (a lot) of garlic powder and drizzle over the hot biscuits.

After all that effort you end up with this.......................................and everyone thinks you're fabulous. (Smiles and flutters eyes)

And dessert.

Bedding

2010-02-27T12:05:00.001-06:00

I've learned a valuable lesson....................................you get what you pay for. My Dad used to always tell me that if the price is cheap usually the product is cheap. He was right. About bedding anyway. I came across a bedding set on clearance and thought "hmmm, that's not bad" and didn't really think it through. I bought it, I had doubts from the very beginning and should have trusted my own judgement but I didn't. Oh well, I guess I can live with it for now but I guarantee it won't be for long. So here's my latest decorating mistake.

So I've learned once again not to rush when I want to change something, don't jump at something just because it's a bargain. POOP!

Good days

2010-02-24T23:45:00.001-06:00

How often do you have good days? Not OK days but really good days. Today was one of those days for me, a really good day. Exciting? No but hum drum, and I like it. Predictable? Yes. A huge, greasy fast food breakfast, a middle of the day nap, Greg off work only today, dinner out, a little shopping = a really good day. What does it take for you to have a good day? My youngest Sawyer is easy to please and make happy; a new tablet, new markers, he's a simple little boy and I love that about him. He often says "This is the best day of my life" and he's only 7.

I walked into my bathroom today and this made me smile. Simple. I love it. It doesn't take much.

And this in my bedroom.

Sometimes I think I'm high maintenance but then I realize I'm not; I'm simple and I love it.

Here I Am! (waves)

2010-02-23T10:04:00.001-06:00

I've fallen into blog neglect. I'm sorry. Since the stomach bug, house projects and so many snow days I was feeling a little overwhelmed but I'm back. For anyone wondering, no the tile isn't done yet, that was one of the things that also got neglected. I'm definitely finishing the tile this weekend! I HAVE to finish it so we can get started on the other million things on our list. It seems I add more and more everyday.

Have I told you of my love for Lowes? It's funny how often I end up wandering around in that store every week but it really makes it easier to score the good deals. This has been a fabulous month for me at Lowes. Earlier this month I found this marble counter top with the under mount sink for................................................$50.00! I was so happy!

It's going in the bathroom off the family room that we're going to tile next. I love it even more because it was such a deal. I have a tendency to stalk the yellow clearance stickers when there is something I want. Greg will tell me to go ahead and get it since it's on clearance and I always think they'll mark it down more. The night before I bought this sink it was $150.00 and when I went back the next day it was $50.00 so I snatched it up and brought it home.

I have the smallest master bathroom but considering how old our house is I guess I'm lucky to even have a master bath so I don't mind. It does however make decorating difficult. I was doing my usual strolling around Lowes a couple of weeks ago and I saw the cutest vanity with white granite counter top and under mount sink on clearance for $105.00, I wanted it but I'm cheap and just knew they would mark it down again. So this weekend Greg and I ran to Lowes to pick up some odds and ends and I suggested we check the little vanity and BAM! it was marked down again! I immediately told Greg "load it up", I'm taking it home! I got that sweet little thing for $43.56! I was thrilled! I literally danced and skipped through the store.................poor Greg had to endure my bargain dance. I love getting deals on house stuff, it's my favorite. Here is my little vanity (currently still in the box, sitting in my living room) that will soon be installed in my master bath.

Not a very good picture I know but like I said it's still in the box and I couldn't wait to show it off. I have big plans for my little bathroom but on my budget it's going to take awhile so getting this helped me out a lot. Now I'm going to finish the laundry, have a huge cup of tea and truth be told, I'll probably go by Lowes today! ;-)

2010-02-17T22:23:00.001-06:00

I woke up last night at 3 am with some kind of stomach bug and haven't felt good all day. Thankfully the boys were out of school so Nick helped take care of everyone. Nothing got done today. I tried to buy a chenille bedspread on ebay but lost it in the last 2 seconds, I hate it when that happens. I spent sometime online browsing decorating websites getting inspiration for some future projects. Other than that my day was pretty unproductive. The boys go back to school tomorrow so hopefully I'll have a new post to add.

Snow

2010-02-15T23:28:00.001-06:00

It snowed all day. Greg and the boys were off today so I was happy to have all my guys home. Everything was so pretty. It was a dry powder snow, instead of a wet messy snow.

Greg isn't feeling too hot so he mostly laid on the couch all day and I did tons of laundry and cleaned. I peeked out the window once and saw these................bunny tracks!

It was just a beautiful day. I'm ready for spring but I couldn't help but appreciate this day since in the South getting as much as we've gotten this year is rare.

Nick had to work and had his first experience with a frozen car door. It took him forever to scrape the snow and ice off his car, needless to say he wasn't amused with me and my camera.

Caleb, Sawyer and me went out and played in the snow until we were frozen. We love going to play in the snow at night time.........................is that weird? We went down the hill in the sleds until I figured the neighbors were tired of hearing Sawyers screams of glee. It was so much fun.

Those foot prints in my front yard are from the pizza guy. I was lazy after cleaning all day so we ordered pizza. Now everyone is snug, warm and happy.............at home sweet home.

Be still my heart

2010-02-14T15:18:00.001-06:00

Gotta love it when your hubby knows your favorite flowers.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T00:12:00.001-06:00

Happy Mail Day

2010-02-13T15:51:00.001-06:00

Today is a cold, dark, winter day. So I was happy to see a package sitting on my front porch today! Just opening it made me smile.
I got eleven pairs of flip flops! I live in them when Spring and Summer rolls around. Right now Old Navy has the best selection of colors and sizes so this week I ordered all my favorites. Not bad for under $40.00. Now if the warm weather would just hurry up!

19 YEARS

2010-02-11T23:27:00.001-06:00

19 years ago today( Feb. 12)Greg and I were married, two scared kids that were determined to make our lives together. We've had hard times, sad times but mostly blissful happy times. We have created a home and family we are so proud of and treasure every mundane second of this crazy perfect life. We're best friends, partners in crime and each others biggest fans. He's my husband, my man, the person that assures me I can do anything and he's the one that always makes everything better. I love him.......................I've been so blessed.

Party like a Rock Star

2010-02-10T22:38:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is Sawyers Valentines party at school and I am the room Mother so my job is hosting and providing treats. I try to always make homemade goodies and I also try to make things special. So this evening I've been making cookies, rice krispies treats and dipped pretzels. I got a recipe for M&M cookies from their website and they're so cute and festive.

I decided that I wanted to make the rice krispies special too, so I spread them out in a jelly roll pan and cut them out with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Then I drizzled them with melted candy melts. I think they turned out so cute.

I made dipped pretzels with almond bark and sprinkled them with pink colored sugar. I'm putting a bag of those in each of their goodie bags. I love almond bark, it's so cheap and easy to work with. All my guys love the dipped pretzels.

I included things in their goodie bags that I think you "have" to have on Valentines day such as the little message hearts and the heart shaped suckers.

We also got Sawyers teacher a box of chocolates and bonus in a polka dot box since she loves polka dots.

The boys were happy they didn't have to go to school because they got another snow day. There wasn't enough snow to play in but enough to cancel school and we were all thrilled. I had to go buy my 14 yr old new jeans today because he's out grown all of his that I just bought in October and we had to do numerous other errands. Sawyer has 3 hermit crabs that are named after him and his brothers so today he wanted to buy a Dad and Mom for his crab family. At the pet store there was lots of begging from him for a darling little Yorkie-Poo puppy but since we already have 2 dogs at home I wasn't going for it. He did find a Dad and Mom crab for his crab family. The "Mom" crab has a mouse shell, it's so funny looking!
That was my day. Sheesh! I'm tired. Now I'm going to go snuggle on the couch and watch "Couples Retreat" with Greg, I hope it's as funny as it sounds.

First 1/2 DONE!

2010-02-07T18:33:00.001-06:00

We finished the first half of the tile yesterday and moved everything back last night. (just in time for the Super Bowl) I'm tired. I had forgotten how much work laying tile can be, I remember now. Here's a few quick pictures of the new tile. (and the new rug) I'm happy with how it turned out.

I'm taking a break before I start the other half. I've got to host Sawyers Valentines day party at school and bring refreshments so I don't see me having time to tile this week but you never know.

Grout is the pits

2010-02-06T14:26:00.001-06:00

We were up until 2:30 am last night grouting the tile. We would have been done a lot sooner if we had started sooner but we decided to paint the walls before we did the grout. I went with a darker color this time, it's called Au Lait Ole. I love the light, bright paint colors but have learned through experience that with all boys it just doesn't work in our home. Anyway I have to admit for me the worst part of a tile project is the grout, it's such a yucky, dirty job. We have chosen to use a darker grout for the same reason as the darker paint choice. Our grout color is Lowes Platinum # 1542. It's a pretty gray color when it dries but when it's wet, it's black and a huge mess.

That's our new paint in the background. I like it! My nails were a disgusting color from the grout (yes Mom, I should have worn gloves) and my hands were shriveled up from being wet for so long, it wasn't pretty!

Pretty huh? NOT!! I'll be so glad to finish this but I've realized that it's going to take longer to finish the whole room than I had originally thought. BUMMER! Thankfully the first half is almost finished and I can't wait!

I'm an over achiever

2010-02-04T21:15:00.001-06:00

Since Greg was working today I thought I would lay a few tiles to give us a head start for the weekend. I don't know why when I start something house related I go over the deep end. Once I got started I couldn't stop, I ended up laying 122 tiles. (8 boxes)

Of course they're not done perfectly but Greg was proud of me. That is roughly a third of the floor done. The room is too big (15 x 25) for us to do all at one time so we're doing half now and half later. Tomorrow we will team up to finish laying the tile on the first half and then we'll be ready to do the grout on Saturday. YIPPEE!! My back is sore so I'll finish my night with "The Housewives" and the heating pad.

Mice and Men

2010-02-03T06:16:00.001-06:00

Our tile project is underway, we've spent the last couple of days prepping the basement floor and dry running the tiles that need to be cut. About 10 pm Monday night we kicked the boys out of the family room and got to work moving furniture and pulling up carpet, it was disgusting. After Greg vacuumed up what seemed like a sand box under the carpet, I rolled on the concrete sealer. Our house is old and originally had a coal bin so the sealer keeps all the yucky stuff from discoloring our tile. We were up until 2 am that night but we got a lot done.

Tuesday we were a little slow getting started. After quick run to Wal-Mart and Lowes, a new tile blade and a couple of new scarfs (I love them) later and we were ready. We've layed so much tile in the past that we bought our own tile saw a few years ago and we store it in the garage so Greg had to find it and bring it in the house.
While he was getting the saw ready I was laying out our pattern and as usual Sawyer was his faithful helper. Since there is still snow outside we were setting up the saw in the bathroom. Suddenly I hear Greg yell and Sawyers comes racing out screaming! When Greg pulled the saw out of the box this came out with it.

I'm sorry but I HATE mice especially when they get in my house! Greg finally managed to get him in a box and take him back outside. Relief, crisis over..................nope! There was a nest underneath the saw and it was moving! YUCK! Greg scooped it up in a towel and put it outside and another mouse ran out, then I poked it with a stick and another one came out, which made me scream bloody murder. So after all the critter excitement we were finally ready to get started cutting tile.

In the past I've usually been the official tile cutter but this time Greg was taking over. It's a messy job, so I was happy.

We're laying the tile on a diagonal, just because I think visually it makes things appear bigger and more open. We planned on working most of the night but I hit my wall about 9:30 and was done for the day. Greg works Wednesday and Thursday so we'll start again on Friday and hopefully we'll be finished by Sunday.

2 Major Projects

2010-01-31T22:44:00.001-06:00

We've got 2 major projects going and I've caught myself wondering how this happened. We'd planned on putting down tile in our basement family room and then suddenly Greg decided to expose the original hardwood in the dining room so we currently have most of our house upside down. I'm using the Super Bowl as motivation for Greg to hurry and help me get the family room done this week. ;-) Nick (my oldest) and I went to Lowes on Friday and picked up all the tile and then came home and unloaded it. Let me tell ya, I won't be doing that again. It was terrible, I could barely move yesterday. So tomorrow will be the official kick off of the tile project. I'll try to post pictures of the progress. This is what my future looks like.............lots of tile!

Outside my bedroom window

2010-01-30T13:03:00.001-06:00

We have a big double window in our bedroom and out side it are huge trees so it has a tree house feel, I love it. In the Spring the trees are green and full of leaves and in the Fall the Maple tree turns the most beautiful colors of yellow and orange but in the Winter when it snows it looks like this

Doesn't it look like a winter wonderland? I think it's so pretty. Now I realize to you girls that deal with "real" snow all winter that this isn't a big deal but to us Southerners that don't usually get this kind of snow it's a huge deal. The boys built a half a dozen snow men and we all stayed out till 11 pm last night sledding down the hill. It was fun.

Antiquing

2010-01-29T19:26:00.001-06:00

We've gone antiquing twice in the last week. Both days we went to stores in neighboring counties and we had a blast but I didn't buy a thing. Greg kept asking "Do you see anything you can't live without?" and was shocked when I didn't "have" to have anything. I think I've acquired so much that I'm a lot more selective now. It was fun to browse around and look at everything though. I was tempted to get some of these glass pieces but I resisted

There were several little side tables that I considered until I saw their prices and whoa! They were way over priced. It's fun to see some of the things I own and look at what the price tags say.

Sunday we went antiquing and my little guy went with us.

This week when Greg and I went antiquing and once again I left empty handed, he stopped on the way home and picked up one of my favorites.

So in the end it was a successful trip! Antiquing is so fun because for me, my favorite part is the hunt and I will definitely keep hunting.

My Mom Rocks!

2010-01-28T22:36:00.001-06:00

I can only hope that someday I'll be as good a Mom as my Mother is and has been to me. I'm so lucky to have her. She always goes beyond the call of duty to pick me up when I'm feeling down. Even though I'm all grown up, to her I'm still her little girl. So what's a Mom to do when her girl is having a rough time? Bring treats! Check out this load of yummy stuff my Mom dropped off one day when I was feeling blue.

Chocolate and magazines

Yummy fruit

The "Chef" my boys love this stuff

Everybody in my house got their favorite snacks

And finally, mine and Nick's favorite, Mom's awesome little Hammies. YUM!

See what I mean? Aren't I lucky?!? I'm so glad she's my Mom and I'm so glad she still babies me. I love her so much! It's hard to be down when I know I have her in my corner.

frustrated

2010-01-25T19:48:00.002-06:00

I'm really trying to adjust to this new hard drive but everything on my computer is totally different now and I'm really struggling. I don't adapt to change well or at least not when it comes to technology. I still haven't figured out how to upload my pics on this new system but I will persist................or I guess I could just get Greg to show me how. lol We've got lots of things going right now so I've got some cool posts coming but they require pictures. Hopefully tomorrow I can add a post "with" pictures.

So, So Sad

2010-01-19T22:48:00.001-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted in days but the hard drive in my computer kicked the bucket and I've lost so much in my computer it's ridiculous. Luckily, Greg and I have really good and smart friends that really rise to the occasion when necessary. Greg's friend Wayne has always managed to fix anything that has happened to my computer (Trogans and all) but this time there is no fix so he very sweetly removed my hard drive and installed a new and better one. That just leaves him and Greg to retrieve all my lost data on my old hard drive. I can't believe how upset this has made me but I know these guys will do everything in their power to make it all better so the lesson for the day is BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS. I wish I had done that all this time but as they say live and learn. I hope to be adding a new post soon. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Friday

2010-01-15T22:52:00.001-06:00

I really wanted to run around today and spend some money on some fun stuff but duty called. It seems my constant duty is dishes and laundry and they're my least favorite chores. UGH! Why do these people think they need clean clothes?!? My 18 yr old son wears at least 2 outfits a day! Most of my laundry is his and I know, I know, he could do laundry but I'm a control freak and he's not touching my machines! No way, no how! So I spent the majority of my day doing this

looks like a lot of fun, huh? I actually don't mind throwing a load in the washer or dryer, it's the folding, hanging and putting away that I hate. So instead of going to Lowes and hitting their 75% off sale, I was a good girl and did chores, picked up the kids from school and went to the grocery store, with all 3 of them with me. I think I lost my mind for a minute, I know better than to take all of them with me. It always costs more when they go too. Then I came home to cook supper and forgot that I didn't run the dishwasher earlier in the day. So while I cooked supper the dish washer ran.

Am I the only person that can't stand the sound of the dish washer? I don't mind it if I'm not in the kitchen but if I'm cooking supper when the dish washer is running I can't talk on the phone. (usually to my Mom or Greg's Mom) So that's how I spent my day but I see shopping in my future and that helps me endure the day to day chores. I'm a brat, I know. p.s. my sweet Mother in law, Martha did pick me up a little something at the Lowes clearance sale that I wanted. I LOVE her. She's like me, a sucker for a 75% off sale! A $5.00 bargain can't be passed up!

Happiness is...........................

2010-01-13T19:44:00.001-06:00

Greg being off work.

Lunch with Greg and Nick.

Naps at 3:30 in the afternoon and the kids actually let us sleep.

Waking up from an afternoon nap and putting on my favorite pajamas and slippers.

Greg asking me what's the number for Domino's.

Greg ordering us a feast.

I am comfy. I am full. I am happy. It just doesn't take much. :-)

Dreaming of Spring

2010-01-12T16:27:00.001-06:00

I just don't think I'll ever be a winter lover. I'm a LEO so I love the sun and hot, humid summer days and nights. I love to be outside just messing around my yard and thinking up things to do to make it more enjoyable for my family. It's ridiculous that I've already been looking on Burpee.com and dreaming of things to plant this spring. I've got so many plans for our yard this year and can't wait to get started. Last year I finally finished landscaping all sides of our house so this year I get to dedicate myself to the shade garden. It's such a pretty little section of our yard or it could be with a little more love and care. I have a statue that's actually a fountain that belonged to my Granny and was in her orchard when I was a little girl. It now lives in my shade garden and I want to make her more of a focal point.

Isn't she lovely? I love her but she needs to be shown off more so that's part of my plans for spring. I usually plant Hosta, Japanese painted ferns, autumn ferns, sedum and impatient's in the shade garden but after the first frost everything disappears. I hope to plant some azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and snowball bushes to have more structure throughout the year. Other than those, I'm at a loss as to what would be happy in the shade so that's how I'm pacifying myself until Spring, by planning for it. I like getting lots done in the beginning of the season so when the real hot weather comes I just have to maintain everything. On hot Summer days you can usually find me watering my plants while I drink my morning coffee. Thankfully it's just around the corner.

On a Bedding Search

2010-01-10T19:58:00.001-06:00

When we moved here eight years ago we ripped up the carpet in the master bedroom and refinished the hardwood floor, changed out the light fixture, painted the ceiling, walls, and trim. I was pregnant with our third son and completely overwhelmed with house renovations, so I settled for a bedspread that I found at TJMaxx for $39.99, it was a king size but my very talented Mother altered it to fit my Queen size bed. Anyway, now I want to update our bedroom and I want to start with new bedding and build around it. I am trying to find something that I love and won't get tired of after a few years. I've found plenty that I really like only to realize that they're $800.00, which is way out of my budget. I can't believe how expensive bedding is now. I did find a set that I love and the set with all the bells and whistles is around $350.00, that includes a duvet, 2 shams, 2 euro shams, a bed skirt and 3 throw pillows. It's so pretty but not too girly since Greg is a manly man. I figure if it lasts the next 8 years or so that I'd get my money out of it. I'm a frugal girl but I really want nice bedding so I may just splurge, we'll see.

What a Man!

2010-01-09T20:39:00.001-06:00

Greg came home from work today after working overtime on his day off to find me still in my pajamas at 2:30 this afternoon. Some men may scoff at their wife being so lazy but not Greg. He let me go upstairs and lay in the bed to watch "Bridges of Madison County" and sleep till 5:30. When I woke up I could smell fresh coffee brewing. When I came downstairs he was starting a pot of homemade chili. (I've taught him well) He then loaded the dishwasher and cleaned the kitchen so I thought he deserved a little shout out on my blog. He's a good man and I'm a lucky woman, a snotty woman but lucky just the same. ;-)

I don't feel good

2010-01-09T01:27:00.001-06:00

No interesting post today................................I'm sickly. I guess the late night walk in the snow wasn't a good thing after all or it could have been all those snow balls to the face. (who knew my boys have such good aim?) Anyway, thanks to my Mom and her gift of NyQuil, I'll be better in no time.

Oh how I love Cocoa

2010-01-07T23:39:00.001-06:00

We actually got some snow and the boys got a snow day. We got enough snow that they're not going to have school tomorrow either and that's the kind of news we love. So after Greg got home from work, around 8:30 pm, had his supper, and I had watched "The Real Housewives" Greg, the boys and me bundled up and set out for a walk down town. It was freezing but totally worth it. Every thing was sparkly and quiet. We only made it to the fountain till I had to give it up and turn around.

As we were walking back home, with the wind freezing our faces, the boys were ahead of us and we thought it was a special night. What a sweet memory our boys would have of a snowy night. The boys came in and stripped off all their layers of clothes and demanded hot cocoa. Their cocoa and my cocoa are completely different. To my dismay they love the instant kind that comes in the little packets that you just add hot water. I promise I've tried and tried to convert these boys but it never worked. (if I didn't know better I'd say they were Yankees!) Now I was spoiled growing up, my Mother only made homemade. I don't even remember ever having instant in the house when I was young. So I went to the kitchen and made all of them a cup of "chocolate water" and I made myself homemade hot cocoa.

As I made each cup, I remembered my Mom making huge soup pots of cocoa and giant bowls of homemade popcorn in the winter and how my guy friends were always so impressed. I think they only came to see me for the yummies my Mom made. I think making memories with my boys and Greg is so important yet so simple. I'm sure my Mom had no clue the lasting memory she was creating by making those pots of cocoa but I'm sure glad she did. Doesn't that look yummy? Let me tell you.............it was! So the recipe for cocoa that I grew up drinking is the Hershey's cocoa recipe but I'm sure you could use any brand. Below is the single serving recipe that you can make in the microwave and it's so easy.

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp cocoa

dash of salt

1 cup of milk

1/4 tsp vanilla

Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in large mug. Heat milk in microwave 1 & 1/2 minutes or until hot. Gradually add milk to cocoa mixture, stir well. Stir in vanilla.

I prefer to add loads of mini marshmallows. It's delish!!!!

Let it SNOW!

2010-01-06T14:12:00.002-06:00

Our local weather is saying we're supposed to get some snow. Not our usual dusting but an actual snow and I've got my fingers crossed. My youngest has never seen a proper snow and I can't wait to hear the squeals of delight from him as he sees it and plays in it. I made my grocery store run yesterday so I'm prepared to make some yummy meals and I picked up some snow boots. Now we just have to wait. The boys are counting on some snow days to get out of school and I have to admit, I like their way of thinking!

Resolutions

2010-01-03T18:18:00.000-06:00

Do you have a New Year's Resolution? I usually don't and if I do, I don't publicize it so I can't be held accountable. I'm stubborn, hard headed and set in my ways so if I feel like I "have" to do something and it's not my idea, I get my hackles up. I've always been this way and I don't know why. Sometimes I think I'm pretty laid back and simple but life has a way of kicking you around and convincing you that your simple dreams are unrealistic.

When I was a little girl my Mother would sit on my bed and read my sister and I bedtime stories; the classics but our favorites were always the ones that involved a fair maiden, a handsome prince and a happily ever after. As a young girl I didn't aspire to be anything other than a Wife and Mother, to me there was nothing else, well to be honest I did want to be Scarlett O'Hara, but that's a whole different story. My dreams came true, I married the handsome prince and live in a beautiful castle but as a young wife and mother I wasn't prepared for the things life throws at you. Things will go wrong, cars break, roofs need to be replaced and people die. After several years of marriage and mommydom, I got to the point where I could better handle the uncontrollable things that happen when you least expect it, but it still aggravated me that rather than spending hard earned and saved money on what I wanted, I had to use it to replace the central heat and air unit or have our plumbing redone. I knew these things needed to be done but I wanted it to be my choice of when to do it. Things would happen and I would fall apart, I would cry, I would call my Mother, my Mother in law and they would talk me through it.

Then you lose the people that helped make you who you are and you start putting things in perspective. When you lose someone that you innocently thought you'd always have it makes you start really appreciating what you still have. You have a choice to be stubborn and cling to the past or (as my Mother says) "putting on your big girl panties" and getting on with life. The peaceful, calm moments mean more and the drama means less, you realize what really matters. Have I mastered not sweating the small stuff? HA! Not at all, just ask my Mother how many frantic phone calls she still receives but........ I've gotten better. That's my resolution, getting better and accepting that I'm not in control; I don't get to decide when, where or how all the time. What I can control is myself. I can decide to be happy and I can believe that I'm living a fairy tale and will live happily ever after.

What made me happy in 2009

2010-01-03T01:22:00.000-06:00

The simplest things make me happy. Waking up to the smell of coffee Greg made (every day) and seeing my coffee cup he set out for me. (he doesn't even drink coffee) The one night he tried drinking coffee because I begged and then I laughed as he gagged. Hearing my boys or Greg ask whats for supper and them responding with yum when I tell them. Finding a whole flat of flowers in just the right color for just the right price.

Getting something really expensive for a lot less on ebay. The color of yellow the Maple tree outside my bedroom turns in the fall.
My Mom making anything to eat that's just for me. Greg asking "wanna go to the antique store". My mother in law telling me what a good wife and mom I am. My 14 yr old son voluntarily hugging me for no reason. The heated seats in my SUV. Walking down town late on a summer night. Listening to the music in the park from my patio. My sisters unexpected phone call in the middle of the day. The clearance tags at Lowes. My 18 yr old son wanting to go some where with just me. A walk in the woods on my uncles farm.

The feeling and smell of clean sheets in the spring and sleeping with the windows open. A hard back book that I've really wanted and can read in a weekend on the swing. My youngest son (7 yrs old) telling me he doesn't want to grow up and leave me. Sitting on my Mom's screened porch after Sunday dinner. Knowing the house I live in now is the one I want forever.

Having friends that really are friends. A new recipe that is perfect and yummy. Reality shows. (my guilty pleasure) The endless yard sale that happens every year on "MY" birthday, that my Mom, Greg and I attended for the first time. It was a good year. I hope 2010 brings more happiness and contentment for myself and you.

I'm a Keeper

2010-01-02T22:04:00.000-06:00

I have issues. Collection issues. I collect things, some that are useful and some that just make me happy. It seems the older I get the more I collect but realize that I must scale back. I have an apron collection that is fabulous that includes aprons worn and hand made by my great-great grandmothers. I could never part with a single one. I have a handkerchief collection that is huge. Most were passed down to me by my Grandmother and my Mother. Why handkerchief's you ask. I don't know, they just make me happy.

Don't get me started on the vintage cards, family letters and old local newspapers that are boxed neatly in my attic; they're my favorite! My Granny was a keeper, by that I mean a pack rat but she was too sweet for me to call her a rat. I'm so lucky she kept so much stuff because I've been the happy receiptant of lots of things that I treasure. In one bundle of "just some old papers" my Papa gave me, I found a bundle of letters written by my Great-great Grandmother and Great-great Grandfather that date back 1896! I was dumb founded that they still existed and were in near perfect condition. Reading those letters and realizing the struggle and work that everyday life involved shocked me. How could I possibly discard those? I have a stack of calling cards, you know the cards people would leave when they visited your house back in the old days. They're beautiful and I love them.

One of the other things that make me happy is a collection of VOGUE magazines that date back to 1940. The clothes and advertisements in those magazines are simply dreamy! I dream of being a "lady" in the 40's in a fancy dress with stockings, heels, gloves, hat and matching hand bag. Oh........the glamour! Except I'd want the convenience of modern day appliances. My Granny and her family wrote letters as often as we send e-mails and she kept them all and her mother and her mother's mother kept them. My Mother knows that I love and treasure things from the past so she passes them down to me and I love reading them. I have thousands. When I feel sorry for myself and think my life is so hard, I think about reading all those letters and the struggles that the women in my family have been through just to get through every day life. I can't even fathom dealing with the obstacles that they did. They were strong, loving, happy women and I'm blessed that my Granny kept the things she did so I can feel like I know these women, some I never had the honor or pleasure to know. She would tell me I reminded her of her Ma (her grandma) and I took it as a compliment but when I read the letters that told the story of her life I was thrilled that little old me reminded her of such a strong, resilient woman. So when I beat myself up about my collections I think about the future and the children that might get to know me and the women before them because I was a "keeper".

Free is Good Enough for Me

2010-01-02T17:53:00.001-06:00

My Mother recently had the huge task of settling my Grandparents estate and by huge task I mean they had a lot of stuff. Most things were family pieces, some valuable and some just sentimental. Many, many things in my home were given to me by my Grandparents over the years and I treasure them. The love and pride I feel for my family was instilled in me by them, their family meant everything to them and they had a way of making everyone feel special, especially me. They taught me so much and some of my fondest childhood memories involve my Papa and Granny. They were many things to many people, their door was always open and their table always had room for more. Simply put, they were my heroes and I will always miss them.

So this weekend my Mother has been cleaning out her basement and I'm always first in line to take her cast offs. She gave us a cabinet that needs some work and love but I know exactly what I'm going to do with it. She also let me have a darling little table that I have big plans for but I am torn between 2 different ideas.

The bonus item I got was a clock that belonged to my Great-Great Grandmother. I remember laying in the bed listening to it tick-tocking when I was a little girl and would spend the night with my Grandparents. It makes me smile just hearing it still ticking after all these years. I'm so silly I called my Mom and made her listen to it ticking while we were on the phone. These things aren't "real" antiques and not of "real" value but to me they're priceless because it's like my Grandparents are here with me every time I see some simple thing they had and lovingly used.

So, that's why I say free is good enough for me! Before and afters to come when the weather warms up!

The weather and my projects

2010-01-01T21:34:00.001-06:00

The weather is so messing up my plans to work on some projects. The forecast for the next 10 days is freezing and the temp isn't supposed to be above 40 degrees. Greg and I have 2 projects that we're chomping at the bit to get started on but we can't do them in the house (there is sanding involved) so I'm just waiting and planning. I can't wait to share with you all what we'll be working on soon. We're picking up two pieces tomorrow but they'll just have to sit in the garage with several other things I recently acquired until the weather gets at least a little warmer. Greg is so hyped he suggested we work on one today and it was in the 30's! I'm decorating crazy but not enough to freeze to death so I declined his very sweet offer. We did go to Lowes and check out the materials that we would need to start the newest project so at least I feel like we're accomplishing something.

What a bargain!!

2010-01-01T20:32:00.001-06:00

I wanted to post a picture of all my 75% off treasures that I got last night. It really pays off to watch for those kind of deals when you're trying to get new things but don't want to spend a lot of money. I got the black Christmas tree I wanted for $17.00 and it was $68.00 originally so I saved $51.00!! Isn't that awesome? I needed some stocking holders for the new stockings that I bought to put on the fireplace in the family room and I found the exact ones I wanted for $1.50 each and there was 2 in each pack. The shatterproof red, white and lime green ornaments were regularly $5.00 a pack but I got them for $1.25 a pack. The silver and black shatterproof ornaments were the same, $5.00 a pack and I got them for $1.25. I bought some sugar sprinkles for 50 cents each and a Wilton cookie cutter set with 18 cookies cutters that regularly was 9.00 and I got it for $2.25. I got a few other things like strings of lights, beaded garland and some glass ornaments that were really good deals. I'm so proud of all my new things that I got for so little. My receipt totalled $53.01 and that included the 3 packs of M&Ms I bought the boys, so I it was well worth going to Wal-Mart in our pajamas at 1:00 a.m. on New Years Eve.

75% off on New Years Eve

2010-01-01T01:09:00.001-06:00

I've always known that Greg luvs me lots and lots but I now know that he really, really luvs me! After seeing in the New Year with our boys and firing off some fireworks at the stroke of 12 I suggested that we run to Wal-Mart to check on the Christmas sales and the saint I'm married to agreed! What makes it so unbelievable is that we were already in our pajamas!! We've NEVER done such a thing and I promise will never do it again but it was SO worth it!! The 75% off sale had begun and we totally scored!! In the morning I'll post all our unbelievable deals. Happy New Year everyone!!

Dang it!

2009-12-31T20:03:00.001-06:00

I marched my booty over to Wal-Mart today all ready for some 75% off bargains and it was still 50% off! So I guess my inside source was wrong. Now I've been told it will be marked down tomorrow. I did spy a 6 1/2 ft black pre-lit Christmas tree for $34.00 that I was tempted to buy for my son's room but I restrained myself. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get lots of 75% off bargains.

After Christmas Sales

2009-12-30T21:50:00.001-06:00

Most Christmas items have been picked over since they were marked 50% off but I was told tomorrow Wal-Mart will be marking the rest of their Christmas stock down to 75% off! I'm so glad that I only bought a few things the day after Christmas. I especially want some of those shatter proof ornaments and when I checked today there was still plenty. So I'll be up bright and early and heading to Wal-Mart. Later I'll post all of my bargains.

Getting my act together

2009-12-29T00:37:00.000-06:00

So I've had this blog since July and haven't posted a stinking thing!! Boo me!! Good news though, my sweet baby (my hubby) has agreed (happily) to join in on this whole blogging thing!! Loves it!!! So from now on Greg (my sweet baby) will be my partner in blogging. A lot of things will just be day to day things but some things will focus on our love of our home. We are always planning and doing projects around here. We don't hire things out, except plumbing. Greg has an electrical license so he's the man when it comes to stuff like that and I realize how lucky I am to have him. Over the next few days I'll post things we've done in the past all on our own and in the future I'll be posting our newest projects. I'm so excited and can't wait to start this journey!

Learn as you go.

2009-07-08T00:16:00.000-05:00

Why oh why am I doing this? Oh well I guess I'll learn as I go, that's how I've always done everything anyway. This should be very interesting!