Etsy Stuff

Here are a few things I've been working on lately. Been trying to get some goodies listed in my Etsy shop.

I have no idea what happened to the picture below. I was my first time using the scanner on the new printer. Our old HP printer kicked the bucket awhile back & we got an Epson. Not very happy with the quality. But for now, it will have to do :0)
I love making these bookmarkers. They are so much fun. And they are big, fat ones too, so you can use them to swat mosquitoes!!
I have some vintage clothing listed (I must confess-I have a closets full of winter coats that I should have listed a long time ago) The blouse below was one of mine that I purchased brand new about 10-12 years ago, so that makes it vintage, right? It's still beautiful, but I just don't wear it.
I still have a ton more that I need to list. I made a journal yesterday so that I have somewhere to write down all the ideas that keep popping into my head!! And it actually turned into something I might make more of & sell :0)

It looks like it might rain which always makes me want to curl up with a book & read. I'm reading a very nice book right now called 'Milk Glass Moon' by Adriana Trigiani. It is the third in her 'Big Stone Gap' series. And they are Very Good! Also, have I mentioned my favorite new hang out on the web? It's a book site called "Shelfari". A little like MySpace, but only for book lovers. You can go check out my bookshelf & see all the books that I've read or want to read. And there are tons of forums. For any genre you can think of. I'm in one group called "Play Book Tag" where each month a member picks a tag describing a book and then we have to read a book that falls in that category. April was fantasy & I read a new book for me, 'Dead Witch Walking' by Kim Harrison. And I am totally hooked! It is a series & I just got the next two. But for May, our tag is 19th century. And I am going to read 'Gone With The Wind'. Sad to say, that I have never read this classic before. And it's a big book. It might take me the whole month!!

Off to fix another pot of coffee. Hope you have a Happy-Blue Monday :0)
~Kristal

For Gracyn

It sometimes happens, even in the best of families, that a baby is born. This is not necessarily cause for alarm. The important thing is to keep your wits about you and borrow some money.

~Elinor Goulding Smith

A Tattoo~Oh My!

My stepdaughter, Krystin, turned 18 last November. A few weeks after that, she moved out of her house with her mom & step-dad and moved in with her boyfriend, Chris. Since then, she has seemed so much happier. We've kept in contact with her a lot more, just to make sure she is doing alright and to see if she ever needs anything.
She called us the other night to tell us...GASP...yep...she got a tattoo! But after I saw what it was, I couldn't help but smile.
Her mother re-married and had two girls, Haleigh & Madison. And her dad re-married (ME!!) and we have two, Dane & Gracyn. So she had all four written within stars on her back. Not sure if she will like it when she turns forty, but for now, I think it was very cool for Big Sis' to do this.


And speaking of birthdays, I missed posting pictures of Danes' birthday back in February. He turned a whole 5 years old!! And to think that exactly one week after that, Gracyn was born. And nine days BEFORE that, Charlie turned 37. Such an old man :0)


He had a great time opening his presents.





All of this is making me think about next year, what a busy time February will be.

I saw a show on t.v. that showed you how to make a fabric banner, I think I'm going to start a "Birthday" one now for next year!!

To Sit With A Dog

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring-it was peace.
~Milan Kundera

Beach Break

On Tuesday, Charlie had to make a trip to Ft Walton Beach to pick up some appliances for a customer, so we decided to let Dane skip school & have a day at the beach. And did he have a blast!



It was a low tide & it had created a small pool with a sandbar behind it for him to run through.



Here you can see the sandbar & where the Gulf starts. He never once complained about the water being cold, but I stuck my toe in & thought it was freezing!!



He was kept trying to get me wet!!



It was a very nice day & there wasn't a lot of people, a few kids with mom's sitting on benches watching & a handful of sunbathers. It all ended way too soon. It really made me realize that we don't enjoy the beach as much as we should. So maybe, if I can find a bathing suite that fits LOL, we'll try to go more this summer.

just a quick update on our house. We've implemented Plan B: it is now for rent. With a purchase option. The ad runs in the newspaper all weekend. So keep your fingers crossed.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!

Sweet Angels

Okay, just more pictures of our sweet angel(s).

Dane looks so much older in this picture. I think this is when Charlie & I realized he's growing up so fast.
Here she is, being happy.



And not being happy.


And blissful sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And in other news, we still haven't had any bites on the house. More people have looked at it,but no offers. I'm going to put an ad in the paper for this weekend that it's for rent/lease purchase. Anything to get us out from under the note. It's killing us. I pray every day. We've been trying to sell this house for 6 months now. And we are at least two months behind. Our credit scores are shot. I keep reminding myself that it's always darkest before the dawn & that the Lord has a plan. Oh, and that He will never give us more than we can handle. But I still worry/cry every day. I hate living like this. I've really tried to start listing some items on Esty along with a few things for Ebay that don't fit into the Etsy categories. Plus I've been working on making some things. But I'm lucky if a get more than an hour at a time. I really look forward to the days Charlie's off. He really helps take care of Gracyn. And he had to work this weekend so he'll be off Tuesday & Wednesday so I'm hoping to have some finished.
Enough depressing news for now :0)

Hope everybody has a great Monday.
And that you've done your taxes!!
Ta Ta for now...

Baby's Room

Just wanted to take a few minutes & share some pictures of the newest family member and some of her world. Heidi sent the sweetest sign for Gracyn. I love her signs, you can always find one for any occasion. Thank you Heidi {{hugs}}
Here is her crib. It was Dane's & was originally a dark cherry but I sanded it down & painted it a pistachio green color. I found the beautiful quilt at Marshall's.
And here is her big pink bear from her Aunt Angie. On the wall is one of my favorite finds. I wanted to do a mermaid theme for her but didn't want it to be too Disney feeling so I decided to go with seashells and more natural colors. I found the beautiful seashell mirror at a yard sale in our neighborhood about 6 months ago. And it was only $5!!! Gotta love that!

We have a winner!

Sorry for the long delay in posting this. My only excuse is a 4 week old baby!!!
Anyway, I only had one person to answer for the magazine giveaway & it was the ever talented & endearing Heidi! If you've never seen her wonderful creations & her lovely blog, go check her out.
And the other magazine subscription in going to my wonderful friend Rachel. who doesn't have a blog but probably should, it would be a blast to read. But she calls to tell me when I need to update mine-Thanks Rachel !!!

A while back I started making light switch
covers for our house. I had so much fun
making them that I made more & listed
some on Etsy . I really thought this one would be cute in the kitchen. Check out my little shop for other covers and a few vintage items. I working at getting some more items listed, but i have to see if Little Boo is going to cooperate :0)


That's all for now folks!!

Free Magazine Subscription

I know it's been awhile since I've given anything away, so... who would like a year's subscription to the wonderful Hallmark magazine? I must confess, they are giving me a free subscription, but I have no one to give it to, so I thought I would offer it to one of you lovely peeps. Just leave a comment that you would like the magazine & your name. I'll draw someone's name on Wednesday & then get your address from you so I can send it in to the magazine. Good luck!

Baby Stuff

Things are kinda crazy around here. On Thursday, Gracyn had her first doctor visit & they said she had jaundice. So they told us to stop breastfeeding her & use formula. I didn't think it sound right but hubby was determined to get her better. Then on Friday, we went for another blood test while we were in Mobile but the lab never sent it over to the doctor in Tallahassee. Both of us were pretty aggravated at this point , so I just started breastfeeding her again. But in all the changes, it must have upset her little system because by Sunday night at 1 am, Charlie & I had to run to the drug store because she seemed to be spitting up but wasn't getting it all out & looked like she was choking on it. On Monday night at 1 am, I was back at the drug store buying suppositories because she still hadn't had a bowel movement. And at this point I am asking myself did I really want to go through all this again at my age? Of course, you know the answer to that!!
But I'm happy to say that last night, Charlie & I actually got to snuggle in bed together for the first time since having her!!
Both Gracyn & I have doctors appointments tomorrow. Her two week visit & my checkup after the birth. I'm a little worried, I feel like I'm bleeding too much. But hopefully, everything will be alright. Keep us in your prayers :0)


My mother-in-law & Dane on the day of Gracyn's birth

Welcome To The World Baby Girl

Gracyn Lynn Leaver
2-28-2008

Well, she finally made it! All 8 pounds, 6 ounces of her. She was born at 5:45 pm. Everything went fine during the birthing. But the next day, while two nurses were helping me to the bathroom (I had a planned C-section), I fainted. They ended up giving me a blood transfusion and giving me two pints of blood. I think I scared my poor sweet hubby to death. He & Dane had gone to the cafeteria to get some lunch when all of this happened. They had to call about 10 people to the room to get me back into bed & hooked up in IV's, so when the two guys came back to the room, they couldn't even see me on the bed for all the people around me. Charlie just knew I was going to leave him to raise two kids by himself!!! I told him he wasn't getting rid of me that easy :0) But everything is good now. We are home and the parents and staff at the Preschool have been great with bring food by. I am breastfeeding, which I had tried with Dane but never succeeded. It's still a learning process.
I hope to have many more post with our new addition. I have a ton of older stuff that I need to update on. I'm really not sure where my blogging mojo went, I thought about it every day. But actually sitting down & doing it was a challenge for me.
I started a new goal program this year. I have a TON of projects that I've either started & never finished or else things that I want to start. So I've made a list & named them my PUC's- Projects Under Construction. Not only do I have enough to do one for each week of the this year but next year too! But I kept it simple & am only trying to complete one per week, five per month. Some are really simple, and some will take awhile to complete. And I've been reading. Alot. I'll take another post & update all the books I've read and some of my favorites.
But for now, I think someone is hungry :0)

I Got A Nikon Camera...Love to Take a Photograph

YEAH!!! My dear, sweet hubby surprised me yesterday with a new camera! I can't tell you how out-of-the-loop I felt without the camera. I know I can still make post, but it just didn't seem the same. So today, I'm hoping to take lots of pictures. But we have a house showing at 1 pm, so please pray for us . It's a couple that has already looked once & liked it, now they are coming again for a second, closer inspection & bringing her daddy :0) I only have 5 weeks left until the baby arrives, so it would be such a blessing if they make us an offer that is acceptable. They have already stated that they want to close in March, which is perfect.
In the mean time, I'm slowly trying to box some stuff up. But I've worked at the preschool the last two weeks and I'll be working this week too. I'm really enjoying it, it just doesn't leave me much time. I do tend to be a little slower nowadays. And sleeping is becoming a MAJOR problem. Oh, to just lay down on my side & close me eyes and sleep!!!
Hope you have a fab Sunday. It's a little wet here in sunny FLA, and cold Brrrr...

My Christmas Eve Tale

A few months ago I told Honey Pie aka: my husband, that I would like a new camera-the Canon Rebel. I have really enjoyed my little Olympus, but every time I look on Flickr, I'd see a beautiful picture and the person used a Canon. So I decided that I would like one and maybe even sign up for a photography class.
So, on Christmas Eve, Honey Pie took me to Best Buy to show me the camera. He didn't know if I was aware that you had to look through the lens, kinda like an old-fashioned camera instead of the larger view finder like my current one. (Side note: it has been a tight year with money and we're behind a little) When I saw the price-$700 I told him to please, let's wait awhile. My camera was find & we really didn't need to spend that much. He said he hadn't had a chance to get me anything, because #1-he had been working 16 hours days since Thanksgiving & #2-we've been carpooling and he hasn't had to car to go anywhere. I told him it was all fine. Little Man had presents, that's all that mattered.
That evening, I got my camera out to take some pictures of Christmas lights, and guess what? It died. It's electronic heart has bit the dust. After doing some research on-line, it seems as if the motor has gone out on it and the most economical way to fix it is to throw it in the trash! And it's only about 4-5 years old. I hate the way everything is disposable now. Our printer died a few months ago, which btw is what I ended up getting, a new printer. So, I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't like a post without a picture!! So for a while, some of my post might have some slightly-off pictures accompanying them, and now you know the rest of the story :0)

Vintage Sunday Favorites

I am not going to give a bunch of lame excuses as to why I've been away for so long. I've missed my little blog. And all my blogging friends. I will be here more often this year. It's one of my goals.

I know it might be a little late, but I had all these Flickr favorites and wanted to bo something with them. Besides, we need to keep Christmas in our hearts all year long, right? So enjoy the collage and enjoy your Sunday. I'll see you all real soon.
{{hugs}}
Kristal

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!!