Give Thanks

It's a rainy day here in Tallahassee. Our friends a deep-frying a turkey for us & the rain has delayed the cooking for a little while. But I'm okay with that. Charlie didn't get off work until 10 p.m. last night & they have to be in at 5 a.m. tomorrow, so he's sleeping late. I have plenty of projects I can work on to pass the time.

I guess the big news is that we decided a few weeks ago to put our house up on the market. Yes, it's not the right time to do this, but it's something that we've discussed and we are willing to take a chance & try. Besides, our good friend is a Realtor and she's giving us some really good advice. I really didn't think it would be so hard but my pack-rat tendencies have followed me again and things are appearing EVERYWHERE! As I get rooms completed, I'll post some pictures. I was going to clean off the back deck today, but the rain has made a good old mess of things.

We would really like to be able to move once the baby comes (February 28th). Charlie is ready to move on to something new & I can't blame him. But he has no real leads, so please keep him & us in your prayers. We've discussed a few different options, but nothing definitely.

I wish everyone a wonderfully filling Thanksgiving Day!

A Late Halloween

Just wanted to share some pictures of Dane in his costume and some other Halloween stuff.

Our front door entrance. I nailed some branches to the ceiling and draped some Spanish moss and orange lights. Made a good spooky feeling.


My kitchen window.



Dane the Red Power Ranger


Now I'm ready to move on! Just had to give one last shout-out to my fav holiday. Although I saw a beautiful layout for Thanksgiving in the November issue of Romantic Homes. Looked like a cross between Carol Hicks Bolton & Tracy Porter. Loved it!! It was all set outside. Since we'll stay home for Thanksgiving, I might see if I can re-create some of the elements. As long as we get our deep-fried turkey, I'll be alright!!

Fall Festival 2007

This was a local church festival from last Saturday. This was our first year at the festival but we have gotten our pumpkins from this church every year that we've lived in Tallahassee.

Dane's first face painting.

Always a ham :0)

He was trying to show me "Look momma, no hands!"

Playing some games.

Inside the jumping castle.

We are leaving Saturday to go to Mobile for vacation, and I've been very busy trying to get the finishing touches on everything for Halloween and just general straightening the house. Plus I've worked a few days at the school, which by the way, I love. It's a really wonderful place. Also, Charlie & I are having to carpool since the motor is still out of the Camaro. I never knew there were so many little pieces to a motor! But he's loving every minute of it. And I know it will be awesome once it's all back together & we can drive it around!

A long Weekend

Sorry I didn't post any over the weekend. We left for Mobile on Thursday evening. Our friend was rebuilding the motor for the Camaro and he was finished so we drove over to pick it up. Of course, Charlie somehow ended up at Biloxi LOL! Then he called me & said he had gotten a room, so I joined him. Our room was on the 26th floor. And it was Crusin' The Coast week, so there were lots & lots of hot rods everywhere. I wish I could have gotten some pictures.
We had a great weekend, expect I woke up with a sore throat on Sunday and it's been hanging on for dear life ever since. It even hurts to yawn! Yucky-yuck.

Dane after the weekend-one tired little fellow :0)

I'm working at the school today and tomorrow and this will be the first time that I will be by myself. All the other times I was like an aid, with another teacher. But it should be fun. Say a little prayer for me.

Went to the doctor yesterday. So far, everything looks good. Baby is growing just like it should. We have an appointment on October 31, yes, Halloween to determine the baby's sex. And we are thinking about a planned c-section. I had one with Dane and this way Charlie can request his days off in advance and some of our family can drive over from Mobile since we really have no one here. With Dane being 10.6 lbs., I have a funny feeling this might be another big one too.
Off to get ready & pack a lunch for me & Dane-

Toodles for Today!!

p.s. Check out my Halloween bling at the bottom of the page!!!!

Bats, Bats & Flowers

I have a few things to share today. First, I want to give a big, HUGE shout out to my new friend Donna at Bluebird Lane. Since I love bats, I saw these nice tags on Etsy and ordered them. Little did I know they would be So Beautiful! And she packaged them so well. It was like something from a fancy store but inside my little mailbox. She also wrote a sweet little note to me on the prettiest notecard. I've already decided that I'm going to get a frame and hang the notecard in our bedroom. It's in my bedroom colors. And then she added another set of crown tags for everyday. Check out her Etsy store: Bluebird Lane and her blog, Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Donna I just want to say "Thank you" for my goodies and I can't wait to order more of your beautiful creations!

I've stared decorating for my favorite time of year, Halloween. Thought I would share this little corner of the dining room. It's a blank white wall usually, I really need to paint it, but I have to have a big ladder and we don't have one right now. So to help cover some of the blankness, I grabbed an old vase and cut some limbs from the backyard. Then I hung a few bats (of course!) and ghost off the branches. I think I might add some Spanish moss too. The cute little swag I've had for years. It came from a craft show. The silver bowl on the right (sorry it's in the shadows) is filled with pine cones right now. I have a vintage black cat ball with a bell inside that is sitting on top. Not sure if I'm going to leave the blue. I just found some Tracy Porter dishes that I can't bring myself to put away in the cupboard. And sitting on the tray in a little picture frame is a cute little cross-stitch I did a few years ago. Yes, it has bats on it!! LOL

And finally, I just wanted to share this beautiful bouquet that I picked up at the local grocery. At the school where I'm working we have Secret Pals and I picked this up to give to mine last Friday. It was a rainy day & I thought these would brighten her day. ( I couldn't fit all the flowers into the vase so I got to keep a few for myself!)

The Queen of Broken Things

I sometimes feel as if my life is made up of broken things that have been glued back together. But then maybe it's just the kind of person I am. If it can be fix, it's still useful, I can't throw it out. Sitting on the dining room table are six things that need to be fixed. Maybe some of them will break again in the future, and then maybe I'll have to throw them out, but for now, each of them is getting a second chance at life.



Dane & I were out riding the other day and I found this beautiful spot. I just love the clouds floating by in the sky. And it was just a hint of fall coolness in the air. Beautiful day.

A Book Marker for Everyone

My little fingers have been very busy this last week. I joined a Book marker Swap at Paperback Swap. We had to make 15 book markers & will receive 15 in return. I really thought this would be easy, but ya know me, I can't do anything easy! They took me almost 3 days to make! But I had a lot of fun making them! I even got a few extra made & I'm thinking of posting them on Esty. What do ya think? Are they worth $4 a piece?
This is my favorite!

So, am I the only one who's noticed a slight chill in the mornings the last few days? I am so ready to pull out all the Halloween decorations! I really might start working on that next week. We are going on vacation (to Mobile) the next to last week of October, so I want to enjoy my decorating for as long as I can!
Charlie helped me hang an antique mailbox that I use as a flowerpot on the wall of the outside front foyer. I had picked up a lavender colored mum & some yellow moss to fill it with. I still need to finish off the rest of the porch. Pictures coming real soon.

I had to work at the school yesterday. I'm really enjoying the fellowship with the other ladies. And Dane is really enjoying school. They have started an after-school program that last from 1:30-3 pm. It pays $30!! And Dane can go with me, so I signed up for that too. Now, if I can just get one of these evil credit cards paid off, I'll feel much better :0)

1968 Camaro

We finally found one. After looking for over 7 years, Charlie & I found a Camaro. Both of us love cars but this model meant alot to each of us because we both had one while we were younger. My very first car that my parents bought me when I was 15 (not old enough to drive) was a 1967 Camaro. I always wanted a '68 because that was the year I was born. I've had a number of them since then, but something in my life always happened & I had to get rid of them.
I think we've found a really good one. After getting it home & inspecting the engine, Charlie discovered that it is the original motor. All the numbers match.
Since taking this picture, we have pulled the motor out & a friend of ours is rebuilding it for us.
Can't wait to start driving to the Whataburger on Saturday nights-just hope I'm not too Fat to get into it :0)

First Day of My New Job

Well, in a few minutes, I'll be off to my new job as a substitute for the school were Dane will be going for Pre-K. He will be going with me today since they have child care for any day they make us work. We had an orientation on Saturday and I got to meet alot of the other ladies. I really think it will be nice working there and a great way to get Dane adjusted to a new school before he starts Kindergarten next year.

So, I'm off to work :0) ....Hope everyone has a good day.

Ya' Gotta Read This!!

Someone on the book swapping site posted a link to this auction on ebay this morning. I believe it has ended since then, but you have got to read this!!!

Ebay Listing

Have a good day!!

I Know a Secret....

Have you been worried about me? Wondering where I wandered off too? I must confess. I have been very easily distracted the last couple of weeks. Seems I can't keep my mind focused on any one thing for very long. And now I think I know why ;0)

Let me tell you.

On July 4th, Charlie had to work. We were planning on leaving right after he got off from work & drive to Mobile & spend the weekend with the family. Not going into too much detail, but I was having a curious feeling. So off Dane & I go to the Dollar Tree on 4th. I came home with my purchase & sure enough, I'm pregnant!! So then we hopped back into the car & drove to Charlie's work. I had thought how nice it would be to tell everyone when we arrived in Mobile, but my sweet DH can't keep a secret if his life depended on it. So within the next 30 minutes, everyone in the family knew.
We stopped in Milton to see our brother Mark & Jennifer. Jennifer had a friend over that is a mid-wife & she had a wheel-chart-thing that tells you when the baby is due. We figured out it should be due around March 7, 2008. Dane was born on February 21.
As for me, I haven't been to a doctor yet. We don't have any insurance (I know, I know!!) It's almost $1300 per month through Charlie's work!! The mid-wife has offered to help. But she lives in Pensacola. I'm going to look around. I feel that I can find someone to do reasonable, dependable work if I look hard enough. I wasn't happy at all with the last doctor we had when Dane was born. I mean really not happy. :0(

And I have been SOOOOO tired!!! All I want to do is sleep! I know it will get better after the first trimester. I'm going to the health food store & get some pre-natal vitamins. And I've been craving fruit, my mouth has been watering for some watermelon. And I haven't bought any yet! I'd like to find a Farmer's Market & buy locally grown produce. I'll have to ask around.

So now you know the secret, even though it's not a secret anymore.
All I ask of my fellow bloggers is Well wishes & lots of prayers! You can never have too many people praying for you!

I Did It, I Did It....

I got a job, I got a job. LOL!!!

Let me explain. Dane is 4. We've been talking about getting him into school. Because of his age, he will have to go to Pre-K this coming year. Since moving to our new neighborhood, I've meet a few mother's that recommend Celebration Baptist Preschool. So I called on Thursday & got some information from the director, Patti. The school year starts September 5. They are in school from 9-1 pm. The State of Florida pays for him to go to school from 9-12:30, so there is an extra 30 minutes each day & their school year runs a little longer than what the state pays for. Total program fee is $400. I was making arrangements to come by next Tuesday when Charlie was off so both of us could see the school. While talking to Patti, I jokingly made a remark about getting a job now while Dane was in school. She said she needed some more substitutes. So I meet with her yesterday. Dane is now enrolled for school and I have a job!!! Whenever they need me, I'll work that day. I'll only have to work 8:30-1:30pm. And since I'm on the staff, we don't have to pay the $400!!
You can't imagine what a Blessing this is! I prayed so hard about this on Thursday. Charlie & I had a little "disagreement" about it. I know how hard it is to find a job working just the hours that his is in school. And with no other family/friends, I can't ask someone else to pick him up.
The Lord is so good!!!

And then...our realtor friend, Mary Alyce asked me yesterday if I wanted to make some extra money. She has a new listing & it needs some cleaning. Nothing major, just wiping down the bathrooms & kitchen, some small things. I'm drinking the last of my coffee now, and then heading over there. Maybe I can stop at a few yard sales on the way!!

God made Truth with many doors to welcome every believer who knocks on them.
Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931)

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

Not sure if there are any Men reading this, so I'll tell the ladies to tell their men!!

So, whatcha been up to? It's taken me a while to get back into my "routine". I had a little morning routine that I did & it seemed to start off my whole day (it started in my studio). But when Krystin came, the studio was also the guest bedroom, so I was kicked out!! LOL It was worth it though. I'm planning on having everything back in order by tomorrow.

I've been working on some projects around the house. Krystin helped me paint the hallway a few weeks ago. And this past week, I started on the living room.
Before:

















After:
















Charlie hung the tv on the wall and then mounted the surround sound speakers on two sconces I found at Michael's for $5 a piece. Next, we want to get a cabinet for the wall below to house all of our DVD's (last time I counted we had 240!)
I love the color. It's called Applesauce Cake. And the red is Sweet Spiceberry. I still need to paint the trim moulding. Haven't decided on that yet.

Ciao For Now!

Too Short

Well, she's come and gone.

My step-daughter Krystin was her for the last two weeks and it just went too fast.


We had a lot of fun together just playing around & visiting.





Not sure who got more paint-the walls or her pants!!

We took a family vacation to Sea World



It all went too fast. Kinda like her growing up :0) She is really turning into a beautiful young lady-inside & out.

Thanks Krystin for a great time! We can't wait to see you again!

Love ya!

The Mermaid Chair

Actually, it's a cross, but I did read the book "The Mermaid Chair" by Sue Monk Kidd and since that was the inspiration behind me noticing this beauty, I'll keep it at that.
A few weeks ago, Dane & I went to some yard sales. At the last one, we meet a wonderful person named Kathryn and we struck up a conversation about kids and life. Then she told me she started painting & asked if I wanted to see what she had been making. Of course I said "Yes". We going into her beautiful house and she opens a closet & pulls out a basket FULL of all these beautiful crosses. All different. I wish I had taken a picture of all of them. Anyway, as we were looking through them, I noticed the one with the mermaid & commented on it. Well, that sweet Kathryn gave it to me!! And now it is hanging on my pretty green shelf in the foyer, first thing you see when you walk into our house.

Don't you just love it?? I really need to take a picture of that basket. If you could have seen the whole thing full of all this little beauties!!



And since I brought up the subject of reading, I've just finished my 16th book of the year!! I recently joined a challenge on PBS- A-Z Authors. It's really making me read some authors outside of what I normally read. But some of the books that I've read earlier this year were duplicate letters, so for the challenge I've only read 9 letters.

Do you have any reading plans for the summer? I'd love to hear some of your favorite books/authors. Please share!!

An ATC & Shrek 3

An atc and a little book to keep them in that I made for a swap I was in. The "Bee Queen" atc turned out so well, I had to make another one for myself:0) And I just love making the little books. They're so much fun!

I just found out last night that my MIL is coming to visit later today (from Mobile). This will be the first time ANY ONE from our family will have seen our new house! Kinda excited. I've taken lots of pictures to show everyone but it's not the same when they actually walk through the front door.





We went to see Shrek 3 last night. And it was funny as usual. I don't know who enjoyed it more, Charlie & I or Dane!! Very cute.

Ciao for now!

Thank You Heather

Yeah-I've finally got my banner back (after I tried to play around with the template thing and LOST it!!!) The good & sweet Fairy Heather helped me out with this one. Oh thank you the great & powerful Heather!!!

So, now I feel like posting. And it's been awhile, so I'm not sure where to begin.
All of us have been sick for the last 3 weeks. We went on vacation and have been sick ever since. Yuck. Seems to be allergies. Sneezing, watery eyes, coughing. An overall feeling of crude. I'm ready for it to go away.

Below are some pictures from Mother's Day (BTW-hope everyone had a good one).
My DH planned on everyone meeting for lunch at a very good resturant called
The Crab Trap in Perdido Key, FL. My MIL, SIL & her kids & boyfriend Bill from Mobile and my BIL & his gang from Pensacola all meet together. It was such a nice experience for all of us to get together. And the food was outstanding, as usual.






My hubby and his mom.



Angie, Alyssa, Dane & Bill.





Angie, Alyssa & Grammie.

Bohemian Manifesto

Bohemian Manifesto
Originally uploaded by Bella Grace.

"Who am I? I'm poet.

My business? Writing.

How do I live? I live.

In my happy poverty I squander like a prince,

my poems and songs of love.

In hopes and dreams and castles-in-air,

I'm a millionaire in spirit."

~Rondolfo, La Boheme

Pink Sunday Favorites

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature.

~Henry Ward Beecher

Happy Birthday(s)

(Some are late and some are on time-sorry!)

On Wednesday the 18th it was my mother-in-laws birthday.

Happy Birthday Grammie!!!!

Doesn't she look pretty in her pink??







The 19th was my most favorite celebrity's birthday, Ashley Judd. We were both born 1968. And she married her hubby on my birthday, December 12. Cool, huh? :0)












And today is my grandfather Papa's birthday. Born April 21, 1921. I guess today was the first time in 64 years that my grandmother wasn't there to wish him a happy birthday. But they lived a wonderful life together and he seems to be doing fine.

If anyone else is having a birthday or had one soon:
Happy Birthday!!

Family Time

Just wanted to share some pictures of the family in the last few weeks.



This is my sister-in-law and my niece, Alyssa. She is 16 months old. Can you see she got a little bo-bo on her nose?



My wonderful hubby trying to be a cowboy!!



I really loved how this picture turned out with the solid blue background and the horse being white. BTW, the horses' name is Angel.

Blue Sunday Favorites

Sacred space and sacred time and something joyous to do is all we need. Almost anything then becomes a continuous and interesting joy.

~Joseph Campbell

A Special Thank You

I would like to say "Thank You" to all the wonderful people that sent kind thoughts and words to me about the loss of my grandmother. Your kindness means so much to me. I still think about her almost every day-something I'd like to show her or something Dane has said or done. But I knew awhile back that my days with her were numbered-at 93 years old it's no secret. She lived a long and fulfilling life and my goal now is to live a life that I know she would be proud of. Hugs to all of you.

Happy Easter

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and Blessed Easter. I hop(e) the Easter Bunny brings you lots of goodies!
What do you have planned for the day?


I wanted to share some pictures of my Easter display.




The tall gray bunny is from the very talented Rose Marie of The UnionRose from ebay. I love her creations-she is one talented lady.








My Easter Tree
Not sure if you can really see the wall color but I had attempted to try something new and it didn't turn out quite as I had planned. So now the wall is painted a beautiful golden color and I color washed the shelf which was made by my father almost 20 years ago. I thought it made the perfect backdrop for all my pretties!

Another of my little creations. I made these little birdies many years ago and they still bring a smile to my face when I see them.

HAPPY EASTER