Life Is What You Make Of It

Happy Valentines Day...Happy Birthday Woobie!

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day...bushels of hearts and hugs to all...may this day of showing love to your special family and friends be full of LOVE!

To family near and far....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ROB ROY ~ "WOOBIE" 8 yrs. old today

cute little pupper...

Patriotic Devil Dawg - USMC Fido

Daniel Boone

HO HO HO

Scary Thunder!!!

Sweet Dreams..

Hugs to all...have a lovely day!

Merry Monday

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Monday to you once again. This week ushers in Valentine's Day..a day of L*O*V*E! Smiles are twice as nice...This little guy is delivering a sweet smile along with some red roses shaped for your Valentine. Don't forget that smile today.

Several months back I did a post that included some favorite quotes of mine. One was by Mark Twain....

Last week when I stopped at a thrift shop...guess what was sitting right there on a shelf...staring at me...

and now...it has a new home...right here in front of me in my computer nook...my own personal space ~ reminding me that age is not the monumental thing...it is the youth of the heart...the joy of the spirit...the attitude of the mind. Yes. Don't mind aging...It is the continuing journey of something that started many many years ago when you were born...A life with a purpose. A person with a task to complete. A mindset that intends to make a difference.

A smile can make anyone beautiful...no matter what age.

So Smile........You are lovely. :-)

Hugs to ALL who drop by. Have a very Merry Monday....xoxoxo

Wednesday Waxing and Waning

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is simply an entry into my online "E-journal"....thoughts coursing through my mind and coming from my heart....

It is February 8, 2012, a Wednesday. It is chilly and the sun is rising outside. Temperature is 22 degrees. Some snow flurries yesterday, not amounting to much. The streets are white. The leftover of the past snow is almost gone. The pups don't mind the windchill.

It has been five days since Kobe's surgery and he is doing well. No more pain meds. The three dogs are with me in my room as I type...as usual.

I am listening to Adagio for strings as I journal. ~ such a moving piece. I am grateful for beautiful music to listen to.

Today is my Dad's birthday. He is 78 years old. He doesn't act or look it, so it is hard to comprehend this fact. He stays active and busy. I am sad that I will not be there to help celebrate the occasion. Usually this always involved a chocolate cake. I miss seeing him. **of course he is playing a golf game today...continuously taking advantage of the warm weather still happenin' in NC...60's....

this time last year...Triple layer chocolate cake...

I am missing communication with my Marine. Sea training off the coast on a Naval ship with soldiers and sailors from other countries. Usually I will have texts from him when the signal is good, but his brand new phone was stolen from his truck the night before they boarded ships to leave, so this time I am not hearing from him....:-(

My Kit Kat girl texted me a few times and called Monday to get some instructions about the way I prepare asparagus and baby spuds...she is cooking more and more lately because she is motivated ....yes....got a "beau" in her life ...*would love to meet him. Nothing more motivating for a gal to brush up on culinary skills than to have a man's stomach to please... ;-)

Stir fry

Missing both my girl and Jonny too. Try to touch base every week to keep up with them. Happy that they live together.

a photo Kat sent of Jonny - wearing a shirt she bought for him.

Kam had another out-of-town game last night....so I did not see him until LATE. (**they won!) Sometimes it is close to midnight when he opens the back door and I have gone to bed...I will be glad when basketball is finished!!!

Number 33 is missed at home!!! (Did have a home game Saturday. The regular season is about to wrap up and then finals begin...first game at home!)

Carrot please...mommy?

Divine Double chocolate cupcakes - oh my rich...
http://talefromthecoopkeeper.blogspot.com/2012/02/best-chocolate-cupcakes-period.html

Watched this Reece Witherspoon chic flic Monday night. It was good. A comedy love story.

Can you say Serendipity??? Found the twin to the Toile Neck Roll pillow... one year later, 1000+ miles away... in a different thrift store. THIS is why I love Thrifting...it is a veritable smorgasboard of surprises... Now the settee is complete!

There are days...I am happy to surrender to "faux" flowers for the cheer they bring in the Wintertime. See that snow still frozen out there?

Ending with a thought for Today...

hugs and hearts....

Merry Monday

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

A very Merry Monday to you...it's here again.

Time flies when smiles are shared all week. Today we have a little model who is going to show you how to add "dimples" to your masterpiece.

Looks like she's got it down pat...and I have to say, it pulled a big smile out of me. So if you want some extra glam in the smile department, there ya go!

The snow going across Iowa did NOT reach Cedar Rapids...so we are continuing the Melt-Down! rah!

Hugs to all. Like the U S Postal Service, ~ In rain, snow, sleet, or hail... may you always have a smile to give away!...a "Special Delivery" package that puts an unexpected ray of sunshine in someone's otherwise dreary day.

Merry MONDAY!!!

Kobe is HOME...Resting.

2012-02-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

The cowboy dawg is home. He had a tough day. Very happy to see "mama" coming to pick him up.

Thanks for prayers! It is awesome to know there is a community of caring sisters in our lives both near and far... not only in our actual physical world but in the virtual blogger world too. What a blessing.

Hugs to all. Have a great weekend.

Friday's FAVORITES Feature

2012-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Friday again...wow! Today I am picking an "edible" for one of my Friday Favorites. For the last year, I have been working on my eating and exercise habits. I have been concentrating on my goals to get healthier and to be in better shape entering this midlife season!

During this whole year of learning to cut back and cut out certain foods, there has been one SNACK that has become my GO-TO regular EVERY SINGLE DAY...If I run out...I am LOST!!!! I literally HAVE to go get more.

Baby Carrots! No Kidding. ;-)

I am addicted to them. Every morning I set them out on the counter, put an ice cube or two on top, and every night I stick them back in the frig. (refilling as needed)

They are crunchy, and a little sweet, and filling, and obviously healthy for you...and I haven't turned orange....(yet).

Every two weeks (payday) I go to Sam's Club and buy two of these 3 pound bags of baby carrots...and that's about right around the time that they run out...so I know I must be eating a lot!! (but just to set the record straight, Gideon helps me. He LOVES carrots, too!)

That's my FAVORITE for Friday and I wouldn't want to have to get through a week without them!!!! :-)

And in closing, for any canine lovers out there, you know how special our furry family members can be...I am asking if you might would say a little prayer for Kobe and our new Vet here in Cedar Rapids. He is going in early Friday morning to have a growing benign fatty tumor removed, and it shouldn't be too serious a procedure, but it is always the administering of anesthesia to a dog in his older years that can make one worry. The older they get the more dangerous it can be to put them under with it. So I just want everything to go okay for our Kobe man....we Love him so much.

Thanks so much. Everybody have a Fabulous Friday. We have snow coming in for the weekend...so here we go again.... HUGS!

WELCOME HOME LANCE CORPORAL JUSTIN SIMMONS! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY! GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA...OOO-RAH 1/6!!!!!!!!! SEMPER FI!

Heritage...

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

HERITAGE - relating or referring to something one has come into possession of as a right or a divine portion, usually from an ancestor...a passing on to the next generation...

Recently I did a post on old mirror trays...a personal "like" of mine. In one of the photos I remarked that the tray was on what I think of as my "Heritage Photo" table. It is in the dining room here in Cedar Rapids.

All of these pictures are special. A few are "favorites." Amongst all the thoughts that circle in my mind when I glance at these photos.... of what it was like back then, the world situation, the economy (depression years), wars, childhood play, family life...the ONE thought I always end with is GRATITUDE for the Heritage of FAITH that is represented in those lives pictured there.

I have more pictures, but all will not fit on this table, so there are three generations represented for now.

These two men are great grandfathers. (on my paternal side)
professor - my Papa's dad

train conductor - My Grandmother's dad

Men of faith - passing on the Christian faith they knew and practiced to my grandparents.

my Dad's mama - "A Favorite" of mine. she was so precious! curls and ruffles - born in 1900.

a young woman with her parasol

on her wedding day - she looks like a China doll, such a petite little thing. *another Favorite!

my Dad's Dad. born in 1896. (looking like he's trying hard not to smile) Angus Robertson Shaw, Jr. In this line lies my Scotch-Irish heritage. :-) Maybe that's why I like Tartan plaids, Scottish Terriers, and Irish Brogues so much????????

my Dad..in what looks to be a pram... - born in 1934. still alive and well today!

My dad and his brothers. Robert (Bob), Richard (Dick) , and Angus III (Trey)
*another favorite - love all the sailor outfits for this photo and the shared reading.

MY Mama's Mom - a college graduate photo, I think. so pretty. Frances (Frankie) I was given her name as my middle name. :-) Loved her immensely...a farmer's wife.

MY Mama as an infant. always the smile...always. she went to be with the Lord Thanksgiving 2010.

There are more. I am thankful to all of them for a foundation of Faith - for teaching Christian principles and Biblical values to their children...salvation in Christ Jesus. Where would I be....really!?? - if not for them....All of us who have children walk this same generational path of raising children and passing on a legacy of something greater than ourselves. I hope that as my four treasures walk this same path on earth, that when it comes time to make the choice, they will continue the legacy to be men and women of God, pass it on, and be on a future generation's Heritage Photo table.

an entry into my e-Journal today. With a heart of gratitude for my heritage of godly men and women.

Hugs to all my blogger sisters today. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

"Pinterest" Phobia...

2012-01-31T10:46:00.000-08:00

Pinterest - an online pinboard to organize and share photos of ideas and things you love.

Phobia - usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational.

Yes...I have NOT joined pinterest. And I would say at times, I have committed to great lengths in avoiding it....curiosity being the archenemy in this case. But what I know about myself, and what I have heard and read about Pinterest leads to this conclusion

Number one...Pinterest IS ADDICTING. (*have read SOS's of people needing to be saved, or developing blood clots from sitting so long pinning!!) lol

Number two...I CAN BE WEAK!!

Number three...Me + Pinterest would =

And so with wisdom...I will continue to "commit to great lengths" to avoid it...for now!

In the mean time.... I do have my own little PIN-IT board right in front of me...it changes at different times as I find pics I really like...

and another up above my right shoulder in my personal computer nook...my very own little space in our bedroom.

How about you??? Are you an avid Pinner?....an addicted Pinner? an asylum-bound Pinner? (hopelessly drowning in it- need therapy?) O.O - or an avoiding Pinner...like me?

Do you have your own little "off-line" Pin board? :-)

Merry Monday and a GREAT idea...

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Monday to you...pull that smile out...polish it...put it to work! ;-)

Before I share the Great Idea, here are:

Two little Goodwill finds {under 1.50~ woot! gotta love 'em} that made me merry last week....

**a pretty silk peony bouquet .....{{{smiles}}}

the blooms look so real...

gracing the unfinished room across the hall...

** a cheerful Barred Plymouth Rock Rooster pillow with a red gingham border....so Cottage cute! (*we used to have some BPR roosters in our chicken coop days, so this feather is a little thread in our family story tapestry!!)

and NOW... I have a creative idea to share. I saw this little mirror deal sitting on a shelf and walked over to look at it. When I tried to pick it up it rolled around under my fingers...(!!???)

Here is the mirror part that I saw...pretty details on the trim.

Now look underneath,

Look closer....

yes...Rubbermaid!...it's one of those lazy Susans for your pantry or cupboard. Somebody took one and glued a perfect-sized mirror to the top and made a pretty turntable for OUT of the cabinet. SO smart! (thinking outside the box!)

So now I have a pretty turn-around mirror tray for the Family Room coffee table to catch all of Kam's stuff!!! *That's where he throws it all!

I thought I would share that today, because it was such an ingenious idea. I figure you can use a round frame with glass also, and put a pretty print, pinterest collage, vintage hanky, favorite photo....who knows??? under the glass! or you could do a mirror like the clever person who made mine.

That's all for MERRY MONDAY!! Your smile will make someone's day...TODAY!

Thanks so much for remembering to include our military heroes in your prayers.

{{{Hearts of love and hugs}}} flying out to YOU!

**thanks Tete - for the image!

Friday's FAVORITES feature

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Since we have moved to Iowa, I have encountered winds on a consistant basis like no other time in my life...It is rare for there not to be some amount of wind blowing here in Cedar Rapids...( and here I thought Chicago was called the "Windy City!")

But in the winter time...OH MY, it is the cold air blowing combined with the frigid temperatures that will do a Southern girl in. The Wind Chill factors are brutal on the skin. I was applying more and more moisturizers and lip balm the more the winds blew and the temps dropped.

I went out looking for something new, because I didn't think my standby loyal face protections were working here...and when a girl enters her 50's, she needs ALL the help she can get!!!

I HAVE FOUND SOMETHING THAT IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER USED IN MY ENTIRE LIFETIME OF USING FACE MOISTURIZERS... I'm not kidding! I have used Olay, L'oreal, Clinique, Estee Lauder, and a number of others... This one trumps them all.

As you can read, it defines this product as a whipped souffle, and it feels so soft after you apply. (probably because it has both shea and cocoa butters in it) There is no leftover feeling or greasiness of ANY kind on your skin and face. (smells nice too!)I put this on my face throughout the day, when I get up in the morning, before I go to bed... before makeup, and in between...It is AWESOME!

It really does moisturize...NO dry skin here girls, and with negative temps and extreme winds swirling around, AND the fact that we have GAS heat in this nest....that is saying a lot. And you won't look like this when you put it on at night!! LOL!!!

I even told Katie that she HAD to go and get some in Charlotte, and try it, after I had used it a couple of weeks. She did and she likes it too!

Well, that is my newly discovered "WOULD-NOT-WANT-TO-LIVE-WITHOUT" facial moisturizer.

I am absolutely SOLD on this Friday FAVORITE!!

It is not available at every store. I got mine at TARGET, and it is probably in some drug stores. I could not find it at my local WalMart or KMart.
It only runs around $8 - 9.00 which is so cheap compared to most high-end face moisturizers...another reason ...

******* I LOVE IT!!!!! *******

So, if you are not totally satisfied with your moisturizer, I highly recommend you getting a Valentine's gift for yourself! Try this one. :-) :-) :-) smiling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!
{**if you do try it, let me know what you think! }

Hugs to all visiting here today.

Have a GREAT FRIDAY!!

Thursday Book Highlight

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

While out last week, (before the BIG snow) I made it to the Marion library. It is FANTASTIC! Their DVD section is the largest I have ever seen in ANY library anywhere... and not just movies, but entire seasons of television shows - shelf after shelf after shelf!

I found several books that I am loving flipping through, and wanted to highlight the one below. It is loaded with pictures of combinations of colors and patterns that are beautiful.

Love that sunny yellow with the blue tartan plaid!

Here's another cheerful yellow/blue and white. *LOVE* the toile. It's a classic.
!!!AND WOOD that is NOT painted..kind of rare nowadays..I'm loving it!!!

Love the soft green with the pop of yellow.

Another sage green, this time with red. love the checks and florals.

favorite ~ blue and white!!

Another..patterns galore! Don't ya love that puppy picture on the wall?

One more...with toile again.

How about black and white?...the yellow touch is nice, yes?

and another.

Another Favorite color ~ RED!

Very Cottage cheerful kitchen, toile on the ceiling this time!

This is the last photo in the book, and I will close the highlights with it.

This was one of my favorites in the entire book. I immediately had my wheels start turning when I saw it. I have a 3/4 bed that belonged to my grandfather. He slept in it as a child, and I know he was born in 1896, so it's at least that old. It is handmade and the spindles handturned. My kids used it when they were small, but it takes a special size mattress (worn out!) and is not really long enough for an adult.

Here it is in our current basement...a very sentimental possession, yet not really usable for sleeping anymore.

I have visions of THAT treasure becoming a useable piece of furniture again, (repurposed) with some handy dandy saw cuts and added wood, and nails and glue...yes...a bench like the red one you see. I have run it by Da Man as maybe a 30th wedding anniversary gift??? hint..hint... so that was why I liked this book so much.

It inspired a vision! :-)

A very FUN book to read and thumb through multiple times. I wouldn't mind having it in my personal collection. I will have to keep my eyes peeled for one. Maybe your library has this one.

Hope all of those stopping by have a wonderful Thursday. If you have snow, STAY WARM! If you have sunshine and nice warm temps...get out in it for ME!!!

Happy Reading. (I think I sound like Levar Burton on the Reading Rainbow show my kids used to watch...lol)

***PS My Marine Mom Sister, Nancy (sargeant major mama)shared this with me this morning...LOVE it. put it on my FB and here too! :-) a smile for you today.
Hugs to all...

A REAL COWBOY HAS NO FEAR!

Pillow Love...and Semper Fi!

2012-01-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

Thrifted Pillows...

If you keep your eyes peeled and watch, you can get some really great pillows at Thrift stores...no stains, no smells, no tears or pulls, no lumps... "like new" OR new with tag on.

I LOVE me some blue and white....some roses...and some heavy fringe...SO like this find. The fabric is like a heavy linen. Meant to sit in my Living Room...well...I think so! :-)

I love the Muppets, I love Charlie Brown, I love Peter Rabbit, I love Winnie the Pooh... silly ole bear... "think...think...think..." that's me. :-)

Perfect for the spare room downstairs next to Kam's.... :-)

These just gave a contemporary and colorful punch to the "man-cave" downstairs...kind of has a bit of Western Rustic theme going in it.

Pillows came from Salvation Army and Goodwill stores in Cedar Rapids and Marion IA.
They can run from .49 for a small one up to 3-4.99 for floor size pillows.

Fun. I love to thrift. Still have Christmas gift $$ in my wallet after many finds.
Cheap Thrills.

Hugs to all who pop in this hump-day Wednesday!

A Marine I have been praying through his 2nd Afghanistan tour is getting ready to return home. {{He is out of the danger zone.}} That would call for a big Praise The Lord...OOO-RAH...SEMPER-FI...and Thank you, Lance Corporal Simmons. Your service and sacrifice and commitment are priceless.

Transformation Tuesday...yes...this works!

2012-01-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

When the big snowfall came last Friday, I was starting to get Cabin Fever...we are getting snow on top of snow now...just yesterday we had ice and sleet to put the icing on the snow-cake...this is Winter!

But, back to the Cabin Fever... I had been wanting to frame a couple of pictures but I had not found the right frames or mat color I was thinking of.

**These were to go on either side of my dresser mirror.

Well, sometimes being cooped up makes you just GO FOR IT...experiment, and see what ya get out of it all... and that's what I did... *** keep the shades of blue on that beautiful bird in your mind's eye...

I can't show the actual BEFORE framed pictures - (since I didn't photo-document any of the process - I never think about that...til it's too late...)

I had two more of the above smaller framed prints ..pretty much the size I was wanting - 14x16.

One was actually a duplicate picture, so the extra pair sat in a "Goodwill donation" box for weeks after we moved here. But I decided to save them, and pulled them out right before I finally took the box ~ ! glad I did !

I took those two pictures apart... taped off the thin strip of inner mats and spray painted the burgundy outer mats...(yes...that's right)- I spray painted them...the paint was the color I was thinking might be the pop I wanted in the bedroom. (I will say this...I would NEVER normally paint stuff in an 8 degree garage...but I was "cabin crazy" that day.) I had to bring them inside to dry completely. When dry, I took the tape off and used a black sharpie to change the inner mat color.

I printed off my chosen photos in black and white. I put the pictures back together and hung them in the room.

YES!...just what I was wanting. I have done the present Master bedroom in black and white, but still wanted my favored BLUE in there. (Our room has previously been blue and white for almost 30 years)

*quite different from their previous look and color, yes?

Under each of these pictures are two plates that I had painted a birdie/nesting scene on with the words Sweet Dreams...not perfect...but neither am I! :-)

Each of those plates has a vintage ear"bob" that belonged to my maternal grandmother affixed to the top with that pretty blue color in it...

I have this old Ball mason jar on my dresser with that perfect shade of blue...

and also these...

That gives an idea of the blue shade I was trying to pick up on. I had the spray paint left over from another paint project I had done in Charlotte, for an item on our deck...

There are different pops of blue scattered on small things here and there in the bedroom that tie in with the Blue master bath.

I am happy with the Cabin Fever CRAZY wintertime paint project I experimented with...now I know...so I decided to share on my blog with YOU!...

If a Framing Store doesn't have the mat shade you really want, you CAN spray paint a mat! ...Takes 2 or 3 coats with a dark mat, but it's definitely do-able. :-)

That's my transformation tale for Tuesday...and I'm sticking to it...

Hugs to all dropping by!!

Hope you don't get cooped up too long in your nest because of multiple snows!!!

Who knows what you might end up trying???!!!

Seriously...people really are spray painting furniture fabric now to transform it...

Merry Monday and Kam the Man

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Another Monday has arrived...Is time flying as fast for anybody else out there as it is for me????

It's Merry Monday - time to gear up and get that smile going...Hmmm...it occurred to me that maybe...possibly...perhaps...sometimes you might give out a smile and NOT get one back! Uh-oh...Me thinks maybe they need a leeeeetle bit of help. So just follow the gutsy efforts of our little friend below. Just goes to show, if we try hard enough...we can get a smile out of any body...!! :-)

LOL

I am a merry mom today. A moment of grace from any visitors I hope...I just want to say how P*R*O*U*D I am of my youngest peep! This weekend, he showed this to his dad and I...

This guy has studied so hard and committed so many hours late into the night trying to do well and earn good grades. When he first started school here, I knew it would be more than a challenge. Going from a lifetime of schooling at home and in a more relaxed style and schedule... to a more rigid classroom style with 7 classes, and a strict schedule of studying with oodles of homework was not an easy adjustment for him when he first flew out and started school. Add on to that all the other changes and adapting he had to take on and this mama was just praying MUCH for him every day.

Kudos to you Kam. You have DONE HARD THINGS!!! You inspire and motivate me. RAH!
Stay Strong! Finish Well...and as your Marine brother said..."GOOD MAN!"

A personal post of praise to my son.

To all who happen to drop in today...have a VERY Merry Monday. Keep those smile muscles flexed... Hugs to ALL!

"A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones." ~ Proverbs 17:22

* * * * snowflakes falling on my sidewalk...

"Friday's FAVORITES" Feature...

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

For a while, I have been thinking about adding this post to my blog...Things that are FAVORITES of mine.

"Things I wouldn't want to live without!"

I am jumping right in today with my first Friday Feature.

Lip Care!

This product has literally TRUMPED all other lip balms.

I LOVE IT!

Since I started using it several years ago, I have never looked back or tried anything else. It is soft and smooth...not waxy like ChapStick. It is not too thick or glossy like some and has no flavors or nasty taste.

It lasts longer so you don't have to keep reapplying it. I wear it around the house all day...put it on first thing in the morning, right before bedtime, and put a layer on under my lipstick before I go out.

And as you can see, the WalMart in Cedar Rapids was having a two-for-one deal, so I grabbed several!!! woot! They are in the Lip Care section of the Pharmacies and Health Care Sections.

If you haven't tried this, I highly recommend it. Here in the cold Iowa winter, I am protecting my skin and lips more and more because of the Winter WINDS!!!!

*It only has a slight sheen to it, so I have even converted Kurt and Kam to it, along with Kat. I sent these over to Justin when he was in the Afghanistan desert.

This is my FAVORITE lip treatment, and I would NOT want to live without it! :-)

Have a Fabulous Friday. MORE snow coming in Iowa. I am staying warm and snug in the burrow again! Lot of snow moving across the midwest...Watch out...It's Coming!

My old stomping grounds, Charlotte, is 54 degrees with Rain!...What's up with that????
February is typically Snow month there, but that's crazy for Winter temps!!!

HUGS to all dropping by.

Happy Tale of a Birthday Dawg

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is the Kobe meister's birthday. He is 8 years old...or so we are saying. When I was involved in Dog Rescue in Charlotte, I went down and pulled this guy from a High Kill shelter in South Carolina. His age was estimated to be 2 years.

This is the most pitiful picture. The "bag of bones" neglected (homeless?) Kobe was posted on Petfinder.com in early December of 2005 in the shelter...a Collie/Golden mix with ribs and hipbones showing...left in a pen outside the shelter overnight and found by the volunteers the next morning. (To this day he can not STAND to be in a crate with the door latched...)

At the time, I was fostering a Collie for Collie Rescue of the Carolinas, and could not go to get him....yet! By the time I pulled him out of there in January 2006, the shelter had managed to put a little more weight on him.

Here he was in the back of the van...sucking on a blankie on the seat. He still has that quirk to this day, and drags blankets and old tees and pillows/dogbeds all around the house and continues... (Linus and his security blanket?????)

He was a happy dog...a good dog!...He seemed comforted to be allowed in a home with lots of attention and other dogs to play with.

co-operated for photos to post on Petfinder online pet adoption site.

A beautiful canine...you can see why so many wanted to adopt. If his quirks had not been in the mix, we would never have seen Kobe again...

I had him with me for 11 days. We got SO many applications for him, and thought we had chosen the "perfect" family for him. In retrospect...11 days was not NEAR long enough to capture and understand the number of quirks and issues this dawg had. He left rescue and went to a family who lived in Florida. They drove up to get him. **(This was my first...last...and Only long-distance adoption for one of my FosterDogs.) NEVER again. ...LOCAL only!

an original photo of the Three Caballeros today... in January of 2006 before Kobe left for Florida. (and there's Big Sam there in the background...no longer with us)

As it turned out, right after Kobe arrived in Florida, he started having behavior problems and scratching and chewing on himself...He was taken to the vet and given topical treatments...injections of steroids, and oral meds...along with a prescription diet. He was left alone with another dog all day while the family was away...working and at school. He couldn't handle it. He got sick, and lost so much fur and had hot pink angry skin from all the chemicals forced on his system. (but I get ahead of myself) The family called and were going to give him to a rescue again, but I said no, and they had to honor the adoption contract to return him to the original rescue.

This is a follow-up photo the family sent to me from Florida right after Kobe was adopted...You can see WAY more of the Collie coloring (dark accents) in his fur here. After he lost most of his fur, those darker highlights never really came back in...

On Palm Sunday of 2006, my dear man drove me down almost halfway between Charlotte and Florida and we met the family and took Kobe back...We nursed him back to health, got his fur to grow back, and he never left our home again....He wormed his way into our hearts, especially Kurt's..

And here are those Three again, Kobe returned and all healed up...September of 2006.

And so Kobe turns 8 today. Have a wonderful day, you renegade, clown, cowboy dog..
Loved by all...quirks and craziness and all that stuff...

Kobe says prayers...

A dog and his blankie...

"Hiding" in the rock garden...smashing flowers while watching for squirrels...sigh

snow romping Charlotte

Uber HAPPY in the EXCITEMENT... because of a surprise visit from Justin!

Is this chair for me?????

WHY does she shriek when I roll in the grass after my bath???

Mom and Dad's bed is softer than mine....hmmmm

Autumn Golds in Charlotte

Why does the mean groomer put these dumb bandannas on us????

Guarding...in Dreamland

Handsome Kobe!

Happy Kobe!

Silly Kobe!

"Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." Sidney Jeanne Seward

Happy Birthday sweet doggy. McDonalds cheeseburger coming to you for lunch!! :-)

If you consider getting a canine into your family...give Rescue a good chance!

Hugs to all visiting here today! STAY WARM!

Wednesday "What I Like" post

2012-01-18T06:56:00.000-08:00

There are some things, every once in a while, you find yourself falling in love with...(so to speak) and your eye starts spotting them...(when you are a thrifter).

One of those "things", for me, is a mirrored tray. They do go way back. Most of us probably had a grandma who had at least one on her dresser with her atomizer perfume misters sitting on it.

I have collected a number of them over the years in my thrifting ventures, and still find some occasionally. They are scattered throughout the nest. *One of mine got broken in the move from NC to Iowa, but that's okay. :-) This post is just a picture show of those trays. It reveals to YOU something about me.

I DO like mirror trays. :-)

These two sit on my dresser.

I LOVE the blue opaque glass and design of this one! some of my earrings are tossed here everyday.

hand creams and lotions

This pretty little one is on my bedside table.

The next two are on the Master Bath vanity.

Kurt's side

My side

The next two are NOT trays...but I WILL use framed mirrors, sometimes...like a tray.

This one is on the wicker stand in the bath.

This one is a catch-all "tray" in the back hall nook.

**SO if you don't happen to have mirrored trays, you can still substitute a pretty framed mirror!

Hall guest bath

This one is a recent find. It shouted at me from an upper shelf in the Cedar Rapids Salvation Army store. I do LIKE it.

It is different in that the edge is an open scallop design...a little more vintage I think! **(those tonic/bitters bottles were also at the SA store the same visit)

Living Room - pic of little Kam and kitty Rastus.

Dining Room Hutch - I L*O*V*E me my plaid Scotty Dog salt/peppers... (I have Scotch-Irish in my heritage)

Dining Room- on my "heritage photo table." I shall have to do a post on those photos soon. THIS tray is my largest 22 inches...Salvation Army store in Charlotte. It belonged to the Aunt of the checkout gal, Mary (my sweet friend!) and she had it stored in a closet for years, and finally just turned it in to the store. She told me all this when I purchased it!

How about you? Do you like to use trays for display and holding items? Some of my trays are NOT mirrored.

If you thrift, Keep your eyes peeled...these old trays DO appear here and there. Maybe they will "shout" out to you, too! :-)

Another e-post to reveal a little about ME....what makes me tick...what I love...

Hugs to ALL visiting. Stay warm in this wintry weather...Think Spring while you hibernate in the cold...

Cheesecake Testing and Tasting...

2012-01-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

So for Christmas, one of my gifts from the youngest was this set of spring form pans.
Now, I know some reading this post may find it hard to believe, but I have never had a set before, and I have never made a bona fide cheesecake! 'Bout time, ya think?
**I'm sure Kam had some hidden motivation behind this gift... ;-)

Monday night, Kurt had class, and Kam had a basketball game out of town, so it was just me and the three caballeros left at the nest. I thought it would be a good time to do a first attempt with a Cheesecake recipe.

Here it is right out of the oven...

And, here it is with the cherry topping added...

And, here it is with the rim/side removed.

Right as I finished putting the cherry topping on, Da Man drove in, and he was delighted to try it for me. He gave it 2 thumbs up. Kam came in after 11:30, but gave a taste test too, and said it was good. so...Success!

I love to make or bake something new and have the men in this house do a review.

How about you!?

and yes...it's snowing again in Cedar Rapids...as for myself and the dawgs?...we are gonna stay in the burrow! This Southern girl is no dumb bunny when it comes to driving in this kind of stuff. I'll let the natives enjoy their roads...!

To da Marine in VA...stay warm on those cold nights outside!

Hugs to all stopping by. Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Merry Monday and Mantel Metamorphosis

2012-01-16T07:01:00.000-08:00

It only takes one smile....and you know what it can do for the recipient.... (honestly, didn't you smile in return at the smile above????) ...so go give one or two or three...boocoodles away...It's a Good thing...Merry Monday!

Having a mantel seems to automatically inspire change...*seems that way in blogland.* There are those who decorate and change out for every season and holiday...I guess it's a small "display ledge or shelf" in the house to do just a little work, and in return, have a large, cheerful impact in a room.

Metamorphosis - transformation, the process of undergoing a marked change in form, texture and physical appearance.

My mantel only gets changed out at Christmas!... but I have found that in the process of moving, it has taken a "metamorphosis" journey to get it right, or to it's final year-round resting state. That means it is done and will remain so!

The Living Room Mantel has been coming out of it's cocoon:

Original stage...

Change from Picture to Mirror...

Temporary Christmas Cheer stage...

Current state...

The Living Room is basically my true Blue and White room...my favorite color combo.
It has been blue and white for as long as I can remember! But I never had a mantel in the Living Room until we came to Iowa and I "installed" this one. :-) I will admit it has been fun tweaking it and feathering it with Thrifted Treasure Finds...

This pair of vases was the Christmas gift I bought for myself. :-) *do you ever do that?! When I saw these had no chips or cracks and yet someone had gotten rid of them...I was ecstatic! I love them...just fit the mantel ...

Both the artichokes and the beautiful candles were what I call a "cheap thrill" find...something you were not looking for, but there they were - lying on a shelf just waiting for YOU.

When the picture got moved to the guest room, replaced by the white mirror, I moved the red and sage decor off of the mantel, because they had accented the colors in the print. The plates had remained on the wall, and I knew they would be replaced, but just didn't know with "what"! This weekend, I took the candelabras that were in my bedroom (black), gave them a whitewash, and finally got the plates replaced. so I believe the mantel has just about arrived...

Is it fully a butterfly ...ready to go?...or will there be another tweak?...oh my...who knows...those "cheap thrill" dollar finds can cause a commotion in a metamorphosis process...and you know and I know....a girl can change her mind...

Hugs to all who drop by today...It is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday...so I have Da Man AND Da youngest peep home with me an extra day this weekend. RAH!

Have yourself a Very MERRY MONDAY, and thank you so much for saying a prayer for our military heroes...They are treasures...Never take them for granted. They do HARD things that no one else would ever want to do...

God Bless YOU!

Snow....

2012-01-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

Thursday January 12, 2012 - current temp. 12 degrees ~ windchill -7.

The first "real" snowfall of Cedar Rapids is in progress. I have found out these winds will literally blow the snow right through the fine screens on the Screened Porch...{{not used to this!!}} All of my fabric cushions and furnishings and throws out there are covered with snow....sigh. Live and Learn...you are in a different part of the country, Southern girl.

When it looks like this outside....and you can hear the wind whistling around the corners of the house...and see the snow blowing horizontally....

It's time to grab a sweet treat.... *Peanut Butter cupcakes with Cocoa Frosting!

make a mug of hot tea...

grab a favorite book ...

AND wait for my youngest peep to text me that he made it to school okay since I let him drive in this mess, and he neglected to DO SO!!!! mama hen's feathers are ruffled... comforting myself that we only live 2 miles from his school.... (*anyone ever heard a mama hen growling??????) GRRRRRRRRRR... ....boys!

Hugs to all popping in...Old Man Winter has taken his time - but I think he is rolling in with a vengeance...

*and a "By The Way" closing ~ if you ever wondered....what do furry family members do after they have gone out and run chaotically in the frenzied snowfall???? They come in and settle down for a long Winter's morning nap...

Have a warm day wherever you are...{{checked in where my Marine is out in the field training today and saw it is to get near 60, and my other peeps have temps in the 50's....(NC) wow...I can only say...Get Ready...The winds are blowing your way!!

** post note ~ 11:00 am - DA peep texted "I made it. :-)" ~ um...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! ...some days it's tough being a mama....

White Twinkley Wednesday....

2012-01-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

Bright Lights ~ Big City

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Twinkley Lights ~ Cozy Nest

Long before the Christmas season begins to show up in the retail world there are white twinkley lights shining in this home...it is one of my "makes me smile" feathers in the nest.

Kitchen Refrigerator Nook

I prefer them to a night-light.

Family Room upstairs

They put off a "warm and cozy" glow in an otherwise dark room. It is comforting if you have to get up in the middle of the night to walk through the house.

Living Room Shutter screen

It's almost like keeping a small measure of the "decorative" spirit of Christmas year-round...to remind me to keep it in my heart also...

In the "man-cave" downstairs

These little lights also remind me that we are to be light...in what is a dark world...If Christ is the LIGHT of the world...and we are to be imitators of HIM...then we should be glowing...reflecting that light! It will not be by what we say...(that is for "hearing")...it will be by how we LIVE!...our actions, what people are "seeing"! Are we living differently enough from the "norm" that we are shining....so to speak...in the darkness of those who do NOT know Jesus?

"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day." (Proverbs 4:18)

Think about it. When you are in a dark room or location...when the power goes out...you are drawn to a source of light.

Are you twinkling for Jesus? Food for thought on this cold Wednesday!

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)

Hugs to all my sparkley bloggy sisters who brighten my days.

God Bless YOU!

uh oh...they are predicting the first "real snow" for Cedar Rapids tonight and tomorrow.......!

Merry Monday and Metamorphosis of the Bath

2012-01-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

Mondays are a dreaded day - "back to the old grind". When you are out and about, flash a smile...

Insert a split second merry moment into someone's day. Who knows what lift it will give or measure of warm fuzzies it will deliver?

Today I am doing a spotlight on the Vintage Pink guest bath... It is ALMOST finished. The replaced/regrouted tiles in the shower just need the sealer put on
and then the plumbing hardware/handles/spigot reinstalled. and ...YAY!

The floor in this bath has colors galore to work with as far as accents.

*('scuse the dusty mess!) :-) There is dove grey, yellow, pink, sky blue, mint green, chocolate brown and white.

The wallpaper in this bath goes well with the floor tiles. It is a very pretty trumpet vine design. I am content to leave it ...(though I usually prefer solid walls for that "blank canvas" to hang wall art on...so that it doesn't clash or compete with what is hanging.) The primary colors picked up in it are the pink, blue and green, so I went with those three.

One of my favorite artists(another) :-) *Arthur J. Elsley did the print above the toilet. It has a mint green mat in the mix. Another of his prints is on one side of the vanity. It picks up the pinks and yellows. (especially the pink satin sash on the little girl's white frock!! so sweet.

MOST of his works depict children and animals...*why I love them so much!!

On the main wall, I went with a mirror, once again, for the light it reflects to brighten up the bath. In the reflection, you see the two glass dishes below....

In this space over the hand towel location, I needed something flat that wouldn't stick out and be bumped!...but had nothing in my possession that fit the bill...so was patiently watching for something in the thrift escapades...
During the Christmas shopping, I stopped by the T J Maxx and saw these...the only two...down on a bottom shelf under a box with a platter in it. The pink caught my eye. When I pulled them out...BINGO went through my thoughts...and a SMILE was on my face...perfect colors for the bath...perfect pattern for the wallpaper, and BIRDS for my feathering love of aviary themes in my house. ($5.99 a piece.) Not a thrift price, but a very GOOD retail price for such beautiful plates.

Every time I step into this bath and see them, I really do smile!

Truly a perfect match for this pink bath of mine.

I decided to move my dancing froggy lamp in here because it was the perfect shade of green to bring out that color a bit more.

When we purchased the house, this bath had the pink shower curtain in it, but it was a little TOO much pink on it's own, so I added the vintage tablecloth (my grandmother's) topper over it that I had in the master bath on Woodberry. Helps keep the pink from "taking over" the whole bath.

A totally different element was in this bath (well, I've never seen it before)....

a ceiling fan...pretty unique for a 60's rambler...I was surprised. It will stay for now, but if I ever come across a vintage ceiling fixture or chandy that would "just fit" the bath, the fan will come down!

And so I highlight another nook in the new nest...it is easier to do it blogging for those back home who want "to see" the house, (but have NO intention of travelling over a thousand miles to view it!) AY YA YA...and it also records in my own online scrapbook another entry for memories of this nest...glad I have the ones from the cottage on Woodberry, so I won't forget the small details that fade in memory with time...

God bless you. Have a very Merry Monday. Thank you for remembering all of our Military Courageous Heroes. Pray for those who are working up and getting ready to go back out...(my Justin). Pray for those who are currently in the thick of it, dealing with the dangerous daily lifestyle of a deployment (Cindy Lou's Justin, Tete's Eric, Nancy's Jeff, Kim's son, so many), and remember those who have arrived back to the homeland and are dealing with all that they have just witnessed, and lived and experienced...that they will be able to process it all in a healthy manner and have love, support and help if they need it...

This Marine Mom thanks you.

Still singing and smiling in the Blues...

2012-01-03T08:27:00.001-08:00

2012 has blown in here in Cedar Rapids...oh the winds!!! I am content to stay warm inside the little nest here. There is something rumbling out in Iowa...the Iowa Caucus is today. Seems to be a weighty event in the course of political circles...so we shall all be watching to see what the results will deliver to the media hounds.

Enough of that...I try to keep politics OUT of my blog...

I am posting today about one of my FAVORITES in life ~ the colors blue and white ~ always have been > always will be. just love the peaceful combination, the ambience they create when put side by side. SO many shades of blue.

The master bath here in this 60's Rambler is done in the blue tile of those days, so holds a classic touch all by itself. I, of course, was quite happy to see the blue color scheme. We finally got the vintage double chandy hung this New Year's weekend.
So thankful for Da Man's electrical savvy and handy-man skills.

I was NOT leaving that restored thrift find behind in Charlotte. It goes very well with the blue. *(I do not intend to keep the busy wallpaper, but for now it is acceptable and I can live with it.)

Just posting a few pics to record the change here on the E-journal.

The original 60's "space-dome" ceiling fixture might have had some appeal to an industrial-chic lover...but not for me. It did not provide NEAR enough lighting for my eyes during makeup application. Now - it is SO bright! rah..

As noted earlier, the master bath doorway had NO door...(??) and the two French skinny doors I had brought with me fit the ticket. I did not want to put curtains ON the doors, but wanted to see through the glass when they were closed and the bath was not in use. There is a white chenille curtain that pulls across for privacy whenever needed. **We still have to replace the missing tiles across the front of the vanity. that project is next.

I came across these oh-so-pretty little vintage "robin's egg blue" milkglass vessels when thrifting, and fell in love immediately!!! Who wouldn't??!

they fit in perfectly with the many shades of blue in the bath.

One thing that is noticed frequently about the baths in the 60's era...they were NOT considered so much a luxury as just a nice convenience as far as SIZE. The master bath here is small but it works. :-) There is NOT a lot of storage, but I had this one little niche right beside the shower, and this wicker stand fit PERFECTLY!!! Love that I had just the piece to work.

It holds the hair brushes (no drawers in this bath!) a sweet smelling candle, toiletries, the metal box holding all my makeup supplies, and the long decorative tin planter holds the toilet paper supply. The bottom drawer holds extra handtowels and washcloths. I couldn't be happier with its purpose ! And I love the mix of some wicker in the bath with the vintage tile and bling.

That's all my blues and "bath update" for today. Thanks for popping in to visit. Have a warm day...It's time to get ready for WINTER! December was pretty nice to all of us.

Thank you for continuing to remember ALL of our military heroes working out, and training, and marching, and defending all over this big globe. God bless them all...
God Bless America.
God Bless the United States Marines.

GOD BLESS YOU! Hugs .......

2011 - A Look back...for Posterity and my E-Journal

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

2011...WHAT A YEAR in our lives... God has carried us through it. Hands down. No doubts.

Many changes. Many events. Many trials. Many triumphs.

Through it all, both the good and what "looked to be bad"....God worked all things for best, as is His never changing providential will and nurturing love over His own.

It is with a grateful heart that I speak for our whole gang and say:

God is good... all the time....God is good.

And so I look back with that in mind and heart ... {{{WARNING: LONG photo post to follow with entries for each of the 12 months...you might just want to exit here, and that's just fine...}}}

JANUARY 2011 Jonny travelled to Africa and returned with much insight and eyes opened wide to many things, not the least being that GOD is everywhere with His people spread across this globe...and worship spans the continents in many cultures and languages, and America is a land of plenty .... a "taken for granted" plenty.... We are truly ALL family when united by one Heavenly Father.

On January 19th the BJ's Club 140 near our home closed its doors, leaving Kat and Jonny unemployed!! This is also where Justin had worked.

I believe at this point in their lives, they were grateful to still be at home with us and not responsible for rent and bills with no income! God would prove faithful to get Jonny back into a nearby BJ's Club north of Charlotte, and Kat was hired at Target. Thankful that they both have jobs for income...as they continue to pursue their individual and independent futures God has planned for them...

FEBRUARY 2011 blew in and for the first time since October 3rd 2010 when my dear man flew out of Charlotte headed for Iowa and a new job, he was coming home for an entire WEEK...not just a short weekend...It was a thrill even to think about it. Work to do around the house, A warm body to sleep with at night, hugs to "stay strong" and words to motivate to "keep on" - keep our eyes on the goal...to live together again...and, tokens of love...

sigh...

MARCH 2011 My beloved Marine shipped out on a US warship to the Mediterranean for a short - on call mission in back-up support for the crisis in Libya...these deployments weigh HEAVY on a military mom's (family's) heart. Hard days to walk through and endure....patience - prayer - and postive heart attitudes carry us through with them as they go...

Da Man found this on line...Our Marine helping pack the trucks to head out to the ship...the unmistakable Dimple in the back of his head! {{ mama smiles}}

On March 7th, my middle son Jonny went and took his exams by the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) to become a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). After a year and a half of studies and learning, he has reached THE MOMENT... I am proud of him. He passed all the exams and is officially now a CPT, and I for one am going to use his knowledge and skills to help me in my weight loss goals this year! RAH to you my diligent son!

March 11th, my dear youngest son turned 17....oh my

Kurt's first truck, bought new in 1985, was sold...not intended to make the trip to Iowa... a sad day to see the empty space in the driveway after all those years....a faithful, tough "keeps on going" little truck.. .many memories it made.

APRIL 2011 Once again, sadly for mama, her Marine was not home to celebrate his birthday. Uncle Sam had him occupied in more important duties...birthday 20 he was training away at Parris Island, SC. Birthday 21 he was far away in Afghanistan fighting injustice and continuing the battle against terrorism rising up against others in this world. Birthday 22 he was on the USS PONCE ready to be called upon for help in the Operation Odyssey Dawn mission...

a phone pic sent from the ship in lighter moment of fun...Ninja Turtle Marine...so thankful for Justin's sense of humor and ability to bring fun and laughter to others in dull dreary and boring moments in his journey in the Corp.

The reality of what was the beginning (finally) of the end appeared in our driveway...changes to our cottage on Woodberry to get it ready for market...oh - such a long time in coming, and so welcomed

MAY 2011 On the 12th of this month our Marine returned back home ...putting those boots firmly on American soil...RAH! so thrilled to have him back!

Another first because of the Iowa job separation...my man and I were apart for the first time in 29 years on our Anniversary... a hard thing.

May would be the month that the MAJOR changes on the Cottage would be finished. This involved MUCH noise, MUCH change in routine, and MANY bodies swarming in and around the little house for weeks.

When all was said and done...the Little Cottage on Woodberry had transformed from this:

to This:

I fondly called her the Grey Lady...

The kitchen had been updated. Every room, door and molding had been freshly painted. Furniture had been moved OUT or rearranged in order for the house to be shown. It was a monumental task, and at times I felt I would NOT be able to do it...but GOD truly was my source of strength on those days, and all other days, thinking of being with my man again kept me revved up to KEEP ON!

JUNE 2011 Kurt was flying in for his final week of helping finish the details and to meet with realtors. He got to be here for Father's Day.
As it turned out, we were NOT ready for the realtors and had to postpone.

Even though I was working hard on the house, I did not TOTALLY give up on my fun stuff...that is what kept me sane some weeks..This headboard redo for the master bed in June was just one of many this year...*transformed from garden arches. :-)

JULY 2011 July became the final showdown for getting ready for meeting with two realtors. Paper work was done, figures and amounts were bounced around, pictures were taken. All was submitted to the Relocation Company. Then we waited.

In the mean time, life continued. Got my Marine home a few times...Jonny made his annual trip to Camp Hope in Clemson to work and counsel with Mentally Challenged kids, one of his most favorite things to do...

and the grind and DAILY task of keeping the house in SHOW condition began... (with three dogs, this is no walk through the tulips) The check off lists for "NIGHT-time tasks" and "MORNING tasks" were set in place.

By the end of July Another HUGE change took place. My dear daughter Kat and my middle son Jonny MOVED OUT!!! They were NOT moving to Iowa, and were taking the big step OUT of the home nest...on their own. It was a SAD day for mama, but very healthy for them.

Emptying Kat's room. July 30th...WHAT A HOT DAY I recall...

Loading the BIG items in the truck...Kat was DETERMINED for them to be out before the FOR SALE sign went up in the yard.

Bubba's Moving Service...Jonny waiting on Kam to hop in and take off for the apartment. While he and Kam did the UN-loading, Kat and I stayed back at the house loading up our vehicles with all the smaller stuff and supplies and electronics...Between the four of us..it got done. When we moved to Iowa, these two were promised the washer and dryer set, so in the meantime they came back home to do laundry...YAY!! suited this mama just fine!!!

AUGUST 2011 On Thursday, the fourth day of August, the ALLEN TATE For Sale sign went up in our yard.

And so it began...what I thought would be a long and miserable season of many showings and driving around with dogs in the van... GOD HAD BETTER PLANS!!

On Sunday, the fourteenth day of August, the contract that would seal the purchase of our home was presented.

In 10 days, our little cottage on Woodberry was sold. God is good. I cried.

It was a loooooooooooooong time coming, and God had so much more in mind than the sale of a house. But when it is time for God to do something, He doesn't dawdle...

GOD IS NEVER LATE, AND VERY SELDOM IS HE EARLY.... (my dad's encouragement to me throughout all this)

At this point in my blogging ritual and routine...the blogging basically shut down. There is nothing entered again until I resurface in Cedar Rapids, Iowa ...moved - settling in - and finally up and running with an internet server again. But I know that much was going on.

SEPTEMBER 2011 This became the 11th hour month for many things and events, proving and reinforcing God's overseeing in our lives as much and more than ever. We still did not have a house to move to in Iowa...Kam still had not sold his car....We still had NOT found a school for Kam to go to....oh my...living on the edge... Freefalling into FAITH, believing that though you can see nothing...all the details WILL be worked out by GOD...and WORKING with ALL your might to do your part to FIND what God has not yet Revealed.... a Delicate balance.

On Wednesday, August 10th, as school systems were revving up to start the school year all over this country, and Kam was starting to sweat about his future and where he would be and what schooling he would be doing, I located a school that had never popped up before in our extensive online searches. I sent it to Kurt to check out. We got all the paperwork and records and transcripts filled out and sent to Kurt to deliver to the school for review. Kam was accepted at Cedar Valley Christian School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Kurt immediately switched from searching for houses in and around Iowa City where he works, to the Cedar Rapids area.

Kam kept posting his car for sale, and began packing all his worldly belongings into two carryons and a honking huge checked bag...getting ready to fly to a new life in Iowa. I am proud of him. He walked away from his lifetime in Charlotte... 17 and a half years of all he had ever known. Leaving behind forged friendships, committed work at church, a homeschooling background his entire educational years, familiarity with a city he could get around and knew where to go, and also selling his black beauty Honda Civic.

As God would have it, on the eve of Kam's flight out, Thursday, August the 18th, a family came and purchased Kam's car On The Spot...cash in hand...took all the paper work with them to get notarized and completed. Kam was paid and free to go. The eleventh hour miracle.

At 1:55 on Friday the 19th, my youngest peep took off on a plane by himself, to tackle an O'Hare International exchange, and keep on going til he got to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and joined up with his dad. Now to live in a condo with his dad and another gentleman kind enough to rent to Kurt and allow Kam to be an add-on. Kam shared his dad's room and slept on an airmattress for almost 6 weeks. DO HARD THINGS INDEED, my youngest brave peep. You da Man...

While at a wedding reception for my cousin's daughter on August 27th, I received a text from Da Man that he believed Kam and he had found THE HOUSE. Yes, my husband picked out our next house...sight unseen by me...a measure of confidence and faith that I chose to carry. God would lead him to it, I was sure. Kurt was RIGHT! God had finally delivered our next nest just in the nick of time. Thank you Lord.

SEPTEMBER 2011 On September 3rd another birthday came and went for me without my man...The previous year, he had been absent, on a whirlwind trip to Iowa City to interview for the job he would eventually accept, that started this whole life change for ALL of us...

On September 21st the moving vans came in and in three days of solid work, had packed, boxed and moved everything in our cottage into the biggest moving truck I have ever seen...and away they went...leaving me and three dogs in an empty house with an air mattress on the floor.

Late on Friday night September 23rd, my man flew into Charlotte - swooping in to get what was left of our family moving to Iowa....(me and the dogs)...and what a sight for sore eyes. On Sunday we said Goodbyes to many...My brother and my sister had BOTH driven in to give me a BIG goodbye hug. Goodbyes are HARD, sisters....I know YOU know...WE girls are so attached to the loved ones who are woven into us through days and months and years of loving and serving and cherishing...
**God is faithful to not give us more than we can handle.... amen.

On September 26th, we got up, packed the van with what was left, vacuumed the house, locked the doors, loaded the dogs, sat in the van, and said our last prayer in the driveway of our Woodberry Road home...and drove slowly away, giving her one last long, slow look of gratitude and remembering...

On to closing, without a hitch...out on to the open highways, no looking back...and beginning the 1000+ mile journey to our new location where God was sending us, no doubts. Sad to leave my others behind....especially my Marine whom I had not gotten to see and say goodbye to. ..but joyful to know I would see Kam again in a few days.

The trip was trouble free, thank you Lord...amazing, a gift from God.

And my goodness, I end September with the 28th, where we had closing on our new home, and began the process of settling in and unpacking boocoodles of boxes...a new life begun...God was with us.

OCTOBER 2011 WE GOT INTERNET HOOK-UP!!!

My first post from the new nest in Cedar Rapids...a view from my Kitchen window.

I continued to unpack, my goal to have all of the boxes unpacked in 3 weeks and cleared OUT of the house, along with removing every little blue inventory sticker attached to every article and item we owned in this house...(moving company) :-)

My middle son Jonny participated in the 2011 Marine Corps Mud Run and thoroughly enjoyed it all - planning to do it again.
Before:

After:

My Marine was busy, busy in West Virginia, in a 6 week long training course he was chosen to be a part of.... to become a certified United States Marine Corps Assault Climber.

He survived it and graduated the course October 31st...along with some sprains, bruises, frostbite, and lots of pain, but endured, and tested his limits, I do believe... stretching them to new heights and depths...I am so proud of him.

NOVEMBER 2011 This entire month has been a continuing of finding my way around this city...feathering and tweaking the new nest - attempting to get everything in it's place...dealing with new routines and schedules...for the first time in years and years I am home alone, because I homeschooled our kids, and now Kam is going OUT to school... adapting and overcoming emotions of being happy to be HERE with my man where I belong...but also being sad and missing WHO and what I left behind in Charlotte.

On the 9th, we got our first snow...melted by the end of the next day...

Just beginning to fall in the morning hours...

Thanksgiving was celebrated quietly here with just the three of us...Kurt and Kam both fighting off sickness...

DECEMBER 2011 Missing family much during this holiday "season" between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Keeping it a quiet celebration and thinking a more simple celebration with way less shopping and fewer decorations out this year.

On the 5th of December, Kam once again took the plunge and invested his savings into a sweet little red convertible. It is going to need some work, so he will be fixing her up and learning more about cars, even as he did with his first one in Charlotte....

Kurt and I made a short road trip to see one of Kam's Saturday basketball games and enjoyed being on the road and with each other, IOWA is cornfield country..stretches out flat in some places as far as the eye can see....

watching Kam and the game...joy.

Kam finally fought off the cold/flu...bless his heart. He stayed hunkered down and on Prednisone for his lungs over the Christmas School break...(what a way to end the year)...gave us more anticipation for the NEW year to begin...

We received a video of "The Unboxing" from Kat and Jonny with a few gifts we sent to them for unwrapping...

And I close my LOOOOONG e-journal entry for 2011...only a short summary of many many things that occurred and changed in our little corner of the world. Simply a post to help me remember this particular year. It's good to record...so many times we forget the small things.. God has blessed us immensely in both the hard, drawn-out, trying times and in the joyful gifts and revelations He has graciously dispensed to us! Through it all, we grow and learn, and lean in closer to Him. WE look at 2012 with grateful hearts and with much HOPE that HE will continue to do great and mighty things in us and through us. I will say again....

GOD is good....ALL the time...God IS good...

Blessings for 2012 to any and all who may pop by and visit...and who were patient enough to read through my personal entry of my memories of 2011!!!!

2011....Going...Going....Almost Out of here...

2011-12-31T07:15:00.000-08:00

And so another 365 days has been rounded up in our lives...Much has been packed into this one year.

MUCH to be grateful for. Thanking the ONE who made it all happen and brought us through it victoriously.

Looking forward to 2012.

These three have it all figured out...

The family guardians know secrets they would share...

Life Is What You Make Of It...

Be intentional. Live what you believe. Pursue what you desire....

Well Done is better than Well Said.

Do not rush through your days. Take time to be still.

The quieter you are the more you can hear.

Be satisfied with what has been given to you.

He who has enough... is rich.

As you see 2011 to the door, and welcome 2012 in to your life, I say a prayer that you will have a heart filled with peace, that God is with you...always. Nothing escapes His eye or His plans. All sifts through the Divine Hands of the Creator who made it all.

God Bless.

Merry Monday! and a Mix of Musings....

2011-12-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

You know what to do...Mondays are the starting point for the rest of the week. Make it a Good One for yourself and ask God to make you a blessing to someone while you're at it! :-)

This weekend we were to take a road trip to Ohio to visit with Kurt's family, but it was not meant to be...* I'm not sure why??, and wonder about it all, but we rose at 4:15 on Saturday morning and got ready, got some coffee fuel in ourselves and took off. It was 5 degrees outside here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After 35 minutes down the road, the van was still cold as an icebox, and the needle had not moved from the big C for COLD...not one smidgen.

*don't know what happened... had not had ANY trouble with it up to that day! Kurt's legs and feet were frozen. Bless his heart,he had given his coat to me to put over my legs...(*sigh..he's my hero...Chivalry is still alive and well, ladies) He all of a sudden said, "We are turning around...we are not going to take a 7 hour trip that will end up in Misery and sickness and have it haunt me.") and so we did... When we got back home, we both got back in bed under covers to try and get warm.

Yesterday evening I padiddled around with a bag of Christmas garlands I had recently gotten thrifting. There were 5 strands ~9 feet long. So...for $3.25 I got 45 feet of pearls-and-crystals garland. Instead of going on a tree however, they were hung in the Dining Room with a newly inspired purpose for year-round display.

You will remember me telling you about the metal chandelier in the Dining Room before we bought the house. (barely seen here, but visible in the upper right corner)

And how I changed it out pretty soon after we moved in to a much prettier white light with a medallion. My white candlabra chandy got left behind in the Woodberry Cottage. (This was one I spotted at a Goodwill for 9.99 and stored away when I knew we were moving.)

It still wasn't quite up to snuff and when I sighted this garland, I knew it was about to finish the job on the chandy. ** spy the difference?

After moving from chair to chair and standing on the table, I got all of those strands draped and swagged and wrapped around that light.

Look for unique and different ways to use things that have nothing to do with their original purpose. :-) RE-purpose.

DONE.

Another change-up from the Woodberry Cottage...This was my FAVORITE little glass cabinet in the Master Bath. Since we have been here in IA, I have NOT had it hung. There was NOT enough area in the master bath to hang it, because a window takes up much wall space.

This weekend it was bugging me, and I searched until I found and MADE a place for this little piece.

***this was the wall in our small breakfast nook corner of the kitchen. Now....

BY JINGO..that cabinet is hanging in this house. :-) things always get rotated around the house til all is settled and in its place.

Our little nook...conversation corner...a 5.5 x 5.5 foot "eating cozy". Works for the three of us! The kitchen is by no means tiny, but with the Hoosier cupboard and the small island there is not a lot of spacious footage to dance around in.

For now, the cupboard has a few Christmas pieces in it...How do you like that dreadlock bearded Santa I found at a thrift!??? Too whimisical to leave behind.

update. The status of Kam's new wheels is in Limbo at the moment. He took "Little Red" out (officially named) and had an oil change and a few things done, and got some questionable and disturbing news about the condition of the engine. Some meetings to be had with the dealership...the saga continues...we are of course praying about the whole thing, as ALWAYS. God is in control. Of course my young man is disappointed, but handling it very well as we wait and see what is to be....

Hugs to all of you. Hoping you have a very Merry Monday.

Blessed be the name of the Lord...."for unto us a Child is born...unto us a SON is given...and HE shall be called Wonderful"

**** I am tickled to be the winner of Suzanne's (Privet and Holly) MyMemories.comGiveaway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (rated the number one, best-selling scrapbook software on Amazon.com) Hurray, I shall use it to begin FINALLY - Justin's journey through the Marine Corps... ooo-RAH!!! Thank you Suzanne!!!! HUGS to you. I'm grateful.

T is for Transportation, and TOTALLY Terrific Tuesday

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Those of you who have followed along with my blog know that this was my youngest son, Kam's first car. His baby...a shiny black Honda Civic sporty coupe....bought with his own hard-earned money.

He has worked and saved since before he was 11 years old. At that point he took over his sister's petsitting business and also did yard work.

When he had to leave Charlotte and come to Iowa ahead of me...to start school, he was flying out to stay with dad... !and had to sell his car! It all happened in the 11th hour as God would have it, sold the night before he flew out. God worked everything out beautifully and with no doubt left as to WHO was working the circumstances and people involved.... That was August.

Kam immediately opened up an account here in Iowa, and tucked his money safely away to wait for the time it would be needed. Until now, Kam has had to "vehicle-share" his dad's car and my van.

This past weekend, after many, many weeks of searching and shopping and checking out countless cars and trucks...Kam found his new baby ~ a shiny red convertible Toyota Celica sporty GT. He is one happy dude. I am a happy mama. Dad is liking the fact that it has the same motor in it that his first truck did (also a Toyota)...and it put out well over 200,000 miles. Rah. :-)

This afternoon Kam went to the bank to withdraw his money...I believe he said he needed to go get "lettuce"...a LOT of lettuce ...WHAT???

Moolah, mom...Moolah. ahhh.

In he went...

and out he came...with an envelope full of green.

We drove to the Auto place and he proceeded to buy his car. I watched him count the money out in stacks for the man. yes....it's all there. then he signed many dotted lines.

And then...he got the keys and out we went.

she's got that blasted camera.

Checking in with Dad to make sure the new wheels are on the insurance policy!

Good to go...

A guy and his car...I LOVE that smile!!

It was a long time coming babe...glad it's here!

I'm PROUD of you. I LOVE you to the moon and back!

and now docked in Home Bay.

~Thank you Lord for answers to prayers. Thank you for your Goodness. May the car be a blessing to Kam. Keep him safe on the roads.~

E-journalling a totally Terrific Tuesday post for December 2011. Thanks for sharing a moment with me.

Hugs to all. Thanks for dropping by.

God is good....ALL the time...God is good.

Tacking this on just a leeeeetle bit late to Suzanne's Monday Moments

Go here to read about her wonderful moment with her daughter.

http://www.privetandholly.com/2011/12/merry-monday-moments.html

MERRY MONDAY - Mattress Toppers - and Mirror Surrender

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is that first day following the weekend. Up and At 'Em! Go out and be a blessing to someone today...really all you have to do is hand out smiles. Give your facial muscles a WORKOUT!

Makes me smile just thinking about it. :-)

I am trying something new. I purchased a Memory Foam Mattress Topper instead of getting a whole new mattress set. In one of our guest rooms there is a full size bed. I did NOT want to spend money on a new Double mattress, as it will be slept on very little. (they are Expensive!!!) I just wanted something a little more comfortable for guests. Kurt suggested one of these Toppers and I found one at Sam's Club.

With Kurt being sick recently, I had ventured into the guest room for sleep one night and.... ARGH!!! NO WAY! The NON pillow-top mattress was a Beast! *That was what prompted me to do something for the comfort of any visitor.

I lay down on this topper and it was oh-so-nice...Now, the real test will be when Justin comes to visit, and how it feels to him...even though I know a Marine can sleep anywhere...(He slept on the back seat of a HumVee last time they were out in the field training and a monsoon hit Jacksonville one night.)

I'll let you know....if any of you are thinking about a Topper as opposed to a HEFTY investment into a new mattress set.

**********************************************

I have to 'fess up that age is creeping in on me, and my eyesight is going, going...sigh...
I finally got FED UP!...sick and tired of trying to tweeze my brows and instead of getting the brow hair I was grabbing SKIN! shriek!! I broke down and went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and purchased one of these.

Girls....That shiny piece of glass magnifies so well I don't think I'll ever pinch my face with tweezers again...well - until I get the shakes..goodness....getting older isn't easy now is it???

The one down side of that mirror? It reveals a lot of stuff I didn't ever want to see...argh!

Where did all those wrinkles come from? ....SIGH...

Here's hoping all of you have a wonderful day. Remember the quote from Mark Twain:

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

**********************************************

Something very exciting and a long time coming is happening for Kam today. I shall blog/journal about it tomorrow! I am so happy for him. He has been a trooper through all of the changes that have happened in his life and endured lots of tough transitions, and been on a diligent and patient search, and mama has been praying fervently...My sweet, roll-with-the-punches youngest son is getting a prayer answered.

Hugs to all my dear bloggy sisters wherever you are. I am smiling at you! :-)

I LOVE Progress!!!!

2011-12-03T09:55:00.001-08:00

Now, comes the grout and hardware replaced and cleanup! WOOT!

Thrifty shopping saves money, AND having a Handy-Man hubby who is able to do just about anything saves COUNTLESS dollars! Thankful today for my man who works hard and is so handy!!

LOVE YOU Babe!!

Everybody have a GREAT weekend...Prayers sent up for our military!!! God bless my Marine as he trains out on the sea for the next two weeks!

Beauty In Simplicity

2011-12-02T08:32:00.000-08:00

VERY much desiring to keep it simple once again this year...

Last Christmas I had a difficult time trying to muster up some "umph" to decorate for Christmas...
I was still mourning the loss of my mama on Thanksgiving Day. The fact that she LOVED Christmastime and enjoyed decorating her entire house pretty much kicked and spurred me into putting a few things out. I knew I NEEDED to do it for my family if for no other reason...

Here is the little tree I FINALLY got put up in the Living Room last year the week of Christmas...Kam was about to go out and buy a tree himself! *found this one pre-lit at the little thrift shop there..thankful that I got something up...now. It's downstairs in the "mancave" this year. :-)

This year..in the new nest in Iowa I am hearing a small voice inside to just "KISS" the Christmas holidays when adorning the house. **Keep It Simple Sister!** I'm not sure what our plans will be for our family gatherings...where, when, how, what.... so I am just wanting to put a small Advent and Holiday touch or feather here or there to announce the season is upon us...that's about it...

Feeling more than ever before, that Christmas is about LOVE...family. PEOPLE. Decorating and Baking and Shopping and Wrapping are ALL GOOD! :-) But isn't "all that" really about reaching out ~ offering Love... to Loved ones - Dear friends - People who serve you throughout the year - Neighbors?

Emulating what God did...offered the ultimate LOVE gift of His son...Immanuel...GOD with US...here on our turf. and now every year a special day to celebrate the birthday of THE ONE who was the picture of the perfect gift. Reaching out...and touching another...with love. forgiveness redemption forever amen.

a Few oh so simple additions here and there to testify that The Beloved Season of Christmas is coming... Kiss the holiday. :-) and of course HUGS to the bloggy sisters... xoxo

Just by adding some greenery or berries from your own yard...this time of year...is SO beautiful. *missing my nandina and holly berries in the Woodberry cottage yard..
Had to use "faux" berries on the family room mantel..

OLD WORLD Santas... Saint Nicholas...SINTERKLAAS

Precious and simple Nativity scenes..

a little bling...

Not so sure about that TREE right now...waiting for final plans...

Whatever you do for Christmas...whether it's an ALL-OUT-GO-FOR-IT-PULL-OUT-ALL-THE-STOPS decorated Christmas for many to enjoy...or just a kiss Christmas...have a blessed and beautiful...peaceful and love-filled holiday SEASON. Don't get caught up in the world's giving. Get caught and tangled up in the Heavenly kind of giving...from the heart. It lasts forever. It speaks what words cannot say. It touches the soul.

My wish to you, my bloggy sisters and visitors...a blessed memorable Christmas of 2011. As the year comes to its finish line...may we all look back and be able to say..I ran the course well, I hung in there, I gave it my best shot...and when that seemed to be dwindling..I felt the touch of God guiding me to the line...carrying me.

God is Good.

God Is Love.

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-30T20:25:00.001-08:00

On this Thursday, the Thursday AFTER Thanksgiving Thursday....I am THANKFUL for:

**Bloggy sisters who post DELICIOUS recipes and share yummy goodies that we can bake with love for our own families....A nest with soft warm delicious chewy cookies and wonderful smells in the kitchen says...LOVE.

Get this recipe from this baker sister's blogpost. (the cookies are AWESOME!!!)

http://frombeyondmykitchenwindow.blogspot.com/2011/11/cranberry-oatmeal-cookies.html

** **GOODWILL Thrift Stores

Discovered this sweet collector's plate last week. Love the little sheep - looks just like a cross-stitch! (.88)

**Christmas Decor gifted by Mom and Dad

they gave one of these to each of their kids.

**New Traditions with Special Meaning

a candle to light in memory of Mama at Thanksgiving (and after!)

**Childhood Crafts still done in Adulthood

used to spray pinecones, acorns and gumballs gold to make a wreath out of cardboard when we were youngsters. Pinecones from the cottage on Woodberry. :-)

**Favorite Smells that can be kept in the Home

smells like a Christmas tree!! :-) LOVE that smell!

**the Season of Advent

Jesus is the reason for the Season.

Giving Thanks today for these and MUCH more...and for YOU!

Hugs to all.

Mark Twain...and My Hero

2011-11-28T21:29:00.000-08:00

Today is the 176th birthday of Mark Twain. What a writer, yes?

Including a few of my favorite quotes today...

We recognize that there are no trivial occurrences in life if we get the right focus on them.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.

Do something every day that you don't want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

and one of my favorites....

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore..... Dream.... Discover

I believe the following with all my heart:

Somewhere between praying fervently for God's will... and wrestling with all the pros and cons circling in his head, my husband made a decision. For his family, himself, his career, our future...and truly desiring to only do the best thing.

He moved us from North Carolina to Iowa..something that was trying, and not without trepidation for him, I am sure.

I think the same thoughts that Mark Twain penned above - thrashed at Kurt's mind and heart... I literally watched him battle with it...

God gave him COURAGE and a full measure of FAITH to go for it.

If he hadn't sailed away from the safe harbor, stepped out of his comfort zone....asked all of us to do it with him...to TRUST that God was leading...he would have ALWAYS questioned..."What if"...been disappointed in not exploring the dream planted in his heart and the choice placed before him...wondering where it would have led.

Do Hard Things.

Master your Fear.

It is usually in "the times that try mens' souls" (Thomas Paine) that God is doing HIS best work!

Thankful today for this man who "threw off the bowlines"....sailed out, and did hard things...for his family. Love you babe.

Merry Monday ...Mountain Climber...Matthews Peeps, and Magazine Rack

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Monday to all. Your Mission:

Put that megawatt smile in gear and get ready to flash it to everyone you pass today! Sometimes the holiday season is not the brightest time of year for some people...it is the darkest... give them a lift. Kobe will demonstrate to you with his ONE-PIC-TUTORIAL ...'kay?

Good job my Cowboy Clown!

While Justin was on Thanksgiving Leave in Matthews last week, he met up with an old co-worker from BJ's and they went climbing at Crowder's Mountain. When they got to the top, Jon took this pic of my Marine and I am grateful for it. It is already printed and framed in this nest. :-) Love the view, too!

*typical Justin...dirty legged and bleeding...he never notices...guys...

Then on Sunday afternoon, my Matthews peeps had a visiting cousin take their pic for mama. *(thanks Chris!) Always grateful for new pics...makes my heart burst.

Katie looks tinier than before, and part of it, no doubt is because she is, but the other part is because she is sandwiched between two HULKS!! wow those boys are getting big...Love my kids...

She's lookin' pretty safe right about now! lol...they're just messin' with her. it's what brothers do. :-) Lovin' it because the tough Marine is smiling!!!
****and Katie reminded me about No-Shave-November...now getting to be an annual ritual amongst Jonny and his friends..AH! that's what's up with the Mountain Man beard. I forgot!!! Looking forward to December 1st!

Ending today with a "think outside the box" idea. This metal bath towel rack (Goodwill) has been stored for a couple of years. On Saturday, the light bulb popped on, and it found it's purpose! That would be on the wall by my side of the bed. I always have a stack of old magazines rising up, and have to dig and search to find the latest editions which get jumbled in the mix. (**anybody else have that problem?) NOW...I shall just hang the latest arrivals on this rack, so that they are there, when I am wanting to find them.

It's fun to think outside the box.

Hugs to all bloggy sisters visiting here today. Now - remember your mission! You don't want me to show up at your Blog Back Door tonight looking like this!!!!!

*and you KNOW I will!

Saturday Sampler...

2011-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is just a mishmash of entries in my ejournal...to look back on... :-)

Gideon had his 8th birthday this week. He not only got lots of extra tidbits this year, since it fell on Thanksgiving Day, but he also got his traditional cheeseburger on Friday. He was snoozing on the couch Thanksgiving afternoon and I told him I was taking his birthday pic...to please look at the camera. He obliged and gave me a wink to boot!

He's my fluffy angel. :-) What would our family be like without our dawgs?

Though Kurt was fighting off a man-cold this week, I DID venture out on Black Friday afternoon to look for a microwave!

**I'm not a woman who has the COURAGE or stamina to venture out in the WEE hours with the Die-Hard shoppers!)

Lowe's was having a big sale. Our over-the-range microwave here is 20 years old according to the manufacturer's date and we could tell! (can't exactly say I'm confident about the seal around a door of a 20 year old microwave!!) Alas... it needs to be replaced. We found one that had excellent ratings in Consumer Reports AND had big savings! Waiting on it to be shipped and delivered. Rah! I love the fact that Lowe's will deliver the new, AND take away the old appliance FOR NO CHARGE!!!

I found the Cedar Rapids library this week, and got my card!!!

I checked out my first books. In the library here, all I have to do is lay my books on a pad..no scanning, and they register on the screen. WOW! I like that.

Loved flipping through the book below put out by Country Living.

Inspiring photos

See if your library has this one. YOU will like it.

NO Surprising News Here....I tweaked again in the Living Room. The picture over the mantel got switched out for a large mirror, because of the 10 foot span of windows on the opposite side of the room. It reflects all that light and makes the room brighter. Plus I decided I wanted to put that picture in the other guest room.

And so This...

Became This.... (tweak tweak - feather feather)

which you may remember from the mirror mirror post

And the picture ended up here...This room is evolving...

I like the rope or braid look of the curtain rod I found at Habitat, but it still seemed to need something so I padiddled around some more...

Guess I needed to add some more twigs to this part of the nest...

Slowly buy surely...and you know me...it may change AGAIN...Getting everything in JUST the right place with JUST the right look is a journey and process. And when it is announced DONE...I'm sure Da Man CHEERS! (inside) He's very good about saying if something looks GOOD! A Patient, Patient Man.

And that is just a sampler post of various things happening around this nest.

By the Way....Have any of your men ever had a Man-Cold? Here's the symptoms in case you aren't sure!

Okay are you laughing yet??? :-) *this is an oldie, but just too good to not play once every flu season! My Iowa man isn't quite that bad.

****A lot of people don't understand what the EMT answers after Laura asks "What about me?..I've got a cold too" He answers..."myeh myeh myeh myeh...ever heard of Lemsip?" (probably like our Nyquil) LOL

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Hugs to all.

God bless our Courageous Military Heroes.

!!!*** UPDATE ***!!! The wings have sprouted! This PIG is ready to fly! :-)

Mom..Love and Miss You

2011-11-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

One year ago - November 25, 2010, my mama had her homecoming. She had to leave the rest of us, but she was ready. She is now healed and whole and HOME. Wish I could see her in her new "normal", eternal life...fully free of the cancer beast. I will...one day. :-)

Sharing a special moment: I have stayed in touch with my dear hair stylist girlfriend back in Charlotte. Her house has been on the market for 8 months and had 2 contracts fall through. She wants to get back to Florida SO badly. I call her to check in and see what's happenin'. She went through MANY things with me and helped and encouraged me. Her mother also died of brain cancer a number of years back and she helped me through my mama's end days and passing. She told me on the phone this past week that she was going out to buy a special candle to light in memory of her mama on this Thanksgiving Day, starting a new tradition. She asked me to do it with her. And I said "OF COURSE!"

I went out the next day headed to Target to find a pretty candle and stopped in at Goodwill on the way. I looked at the back shelf and saw this candle sitting there...and my heart jumped. It was the duplicate of a candle my mom had given me about 5 years ago...with angels on it. It was like new (looked like it had been burned for 30 seconds maybe, because the wick was blackened.) I KNEW in my heart that this was my special candle to light for Mom...and it was also a gift from God, because it wasn't just any candle being assigned a special meaning.

It was MOM's candle she gifted to me. She LOVED angels...and now...she sits with angels.

I am thankful this year

for God..who knows our hearts and our hurts...

for MOM, who loved me well and taught me all the right stuff...and yes,

even for Goodwill, where this gal just NEVER knows what kind of beautiful unexpected treasure she might just have bestowed upon her.

Hugs to all. Thanks for dropping by to share a precious moment in my world...xo

Thanksgiving Day...Overflowing Gratitude to the Lord!

2011-11-23T08:17:00.000-08:00

Wishing right here in this blog post...for all my bloggy sisters to have a memorable and wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you are...whoever you are with...

Eating Talking Laughing Crying Loving

With your family and friends.

No matter who we are or where we live, The God of Heaven and Earth is worthy to be praised for ALL that He does to channel His GREAT Love to all of us, who are so undeserving. Many days we doubt, we fear, we question, we react wrongly.

And yet...God still remains WHO HE IS.

God IS the ultimate picture of TRUE LOVE. All that He does and allows in our lives is overflowing with His Love that will work wondrous results. We just need to believe that and THANK HIM every day...in the midst of the positive AND the negative.

For remember...we only see some things as bad because we do not have the ability to see the Big Eternal picture that will be beautiful. The dark moments and colors in our life tapestry will only serve to give so much more depth and definition to our lives...if we TRUST.

Hugs to all my sweetest and "Best of the Best" Blog Sisters. Have a wonderful day of THANKS and Reminiscing even as you look forward and anticipate Christmas! (as I know many of you girls already have your Christmas decor and Trees up)!!!!!!

alas! you put me to shame!

Hope to get one this weekend! :-) :-)

The Things we do for Love....

2011-11-18T21:21:00.000-08:00

A Place for Everything....and....Everything in it's place.

Do you have DAWGS?...Do they have A Place for their stuff???

Funny thing - those dogs...they have me trained well.

Every night I walk around and collect those toys.... and put them back...here.

Every morning they begin to scatter them inside and outside ...all over again.

phone pic...**VERY last pic of Gideon in the emptied Cottage on Woodberry...he turns 8 next week. That house was his home since he was 8 weeks old... many many memories.

AND!.....Today in this blogging world, I just want to say to all you blogging gals...who reach out and touch others with your words and share from your hearts...you are a SISTER!

Have a GREAT weekend everybody! :-)

Hugs!

Fabulous Friday

2011-11-18T05:55:00.001-08:00

Good Friday Morning...
Crisp and Sunny Skies here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Anticipating a wonderful weekend - Take that break from the weekly routine.

Rest

Tackle a project and FINISH it

Take a little road trip

Play a game or start a puzzle with one of your favorite persons

Sleep in

Have a hot mug of flavored coffee, hot cocoa, mulled spices/tea

Bake a favorite treat

Go thrifting and do "the dance" when you find a TREASURE! :-)

Go to church on Sunday and sing praises LOUD!

Pause...to watch an entire sunset

FROM

Thrifty Thursday...Do YOU know Craig?

2011-11-16T14:58:00.001-08:00

I have been looking and looking for a bedside stand for Kurt's side of the bed, and have not had success since we moved here. I shopped the house trying to make something work, but nothing was a "Good Fit" for his needs. I tried a small wicker stand that had a drawer but it was crowded on the top with all of his stuff..and there was nowhere to put his laptop when he finished with it in the evening before retiring...(well, it went on my dresser!) Then I tried a low sitting small coffee table with another little stand beside THAT to hold his laptop, but there were no drawers...argh.

And THEN! I spied exactly what I was looking for. It was on one of my favorite online selling sites. Yes. My friend Craig came to the rescue again.

A wood and rattan table listed in Swisher, Iowa. (I had NO idea where Swisher, Iowa was but it was listed in the Local Craig's so I called) The very nice man was willing to meet me at a Wendy's near where he worked right here in Cedar Rapids, and the rest was history..

It met all the requirements I had listed in my head for Kurt's table...Tall, two drawers, and shelves. And it fits in with my room's mix. It was in like-new condition and a very well built and sturdy piece.

I only needed to paint the wood portions black. So ONE HOUR LATER, after taping and taping and taping to cover all the Rattan on the table...It Was DONE! I really like it, and Kurt does too. :-)

Best Part?

*** It was only $15.00! ***

I followed up with a search on the web to see if I could find the retail price. No luck...but did find a link for the same piece in Chicago, Illinois on Craig's List. They wanted $85 for theirs. WOOT...think I got a deal, yes?

Once again, Craig's List has given me the "find" I was looking for. Do YOU know my friend, Craig? What a guy! :-)

When Pigs Fly...

2011-11-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

There are many things in life that we would never imagine, or never see ourselves doing.
It's not a passing thought or whimsy dream....EVER...in our "I could see myself doing that" mental file.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." (Prov. 16:9)

And as we all know...God has a way of changing course for us in a blink of the eye...

I love the verse above because we DO plan. God wants us to. He desires for us to have a vision (goals)~ about our future days. So it is a good and blessed act to order our days and look to our ways. But it is a wise action to ask God to intervene or interrupt our plans where we may be stepping out of His plans...and HE DOES.

Somehow in asking for this, it helps us to handle and accept the course change when it inevitably happens.

One of my favorite sayings that many a time I say (in my head)...not wanting to appear RUDE in response to whatever someone is suggesting to me at the time, is

WHEN PIGS FLY!!!

If someone had told me before last September that I would be moving to Iowa...I would have smirked inside...and said WHEN PIGS FLY!

If someone had told me that my 17 year old would move out there and be on his own for a weekend while his dad came back to collect me...in a place where he knew NO ONE ...AND He was going on a road trip that weekend...alone...I would have LAUGHED and said WHEN PIGS FLY!

If someone had told me when I had my first born son that he would grow up and choose to become a Marine...I would have fearfully said...WHEN PIGS FLY!!!!!!

If someone had told me when I was 18 that I would NOT go to Nursing school and instead I would go to a college in SC and meet and marry a Michigan boy and end up being a homemaker...I would have scoffed and said ...WHEN PIGS FLY!

If someone had told me when I was starting a family that I would opt not to send them to school but choose to keep them home and do the schooling myself...I would have rolled on the floor and said ...WHEN PIGS FLY!!!

But today, I proclaim...God has "determined our steps" and HE will see it done, as He knows our entire path from birth to death, and He fully intends to lovingly keep His children stepping in the right way...His best laid plans for our good. I am forever grateful.

I would never want to be out of God's will....would you?

So whenever anyone comes to visit here...they will see THIS in the guest room...and I will be happy to let THEM know...just as I have here today...what it means to me.

**now I just need to get him a little pair of feathery wings...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Hugs to all my bloggy sisters spread around the states... :-) SMILING thinking about each one of you! Have a WONDERFUL and DELIGHTFUL day. Sunny here in Iowa...RAH!

Mirror Mirror...Reflections of light

2011-11-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (II Corinthians 3:18)

As I was putting together a photo post today...in my mind, I pondered the purpose of mirrors. They reflect. When you look into a mirror, you see exactly what is there, only in a reversed position - looking back at you. Mirrors don't lie or deceive. (gulp) :-)

Mirrors also reflect light...they brighten up any room or location where they are hanging.
In what was a dimmer or darkened space, a mirror will provide a bright spot.

In the verse above, God's word explains to us that when we KNOW Him... have spent time with Him, dwell with Him, recognize His presence with us each day, we behold His glory. It changes us, "transforms" our very being or countenance.

When we "go out" into the world...the place that God has planted us, are we ever considering this? When we are passing other people, rubbing shoulders with neighbors or friends, what are they "seeing" when they have an encounter with us?

Today...when you are running here and there, think about what others are viewing...and not so much with their "physical eyes"...but with their perceiving eyes, if that makes sense. Do they see a person who is transformed because they have Christ walking with them? Does having the Savior in your life actually make YOU look different?...Oh I would say to the Lord, for myself...I HOPE so.

You ~ whether you know it or not, if you are a child of God, and proclaim it...are reflecting to others...every day...a reflection of what God is like...a small view of what HE looks like...because He is transforming you to look like Himself, so that others might catch just a spark of HIS GLORY.

Each one of is being changed in "degrees". So none of us are ever at the same setting in our glory shining. We are all on a journey, and as God works on us and in us through our circumstances and daily walk, the degree of glory we reflect "in the working of HIS hands on us" should be getting brighter and brighter.

Today, remember that you are reflecting to others "something!" What is it? Without speaking a word..what are you saying? Do others see a degree of transforming glory in your very being, because not only do you have that glory IN you, but you have spent time in the very presence of THE ONE today, and walked away shining...because you talked to Him?

I spy a furry angel in this mirror. :-)

A post into my personal ponderings e-journal this morning...Am I reflecting glory? For the sake of the awesome and loving Savior of my life...I DO hope so.

"Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." (I Corinthians 13: 12-13)

God bless any visitor who pops in today. When you see a reflection of yourself in a mirror today, look beyond the physical. :-)

And SMILE! A smile actually puts off very MUCH light to others. And usually you will get one reflected back to you. It's a win-win! RAH!

Hugs to my dear bloggy sisters.

Merry Monday and a Hodge Podge Post

2011-11-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday. **SMILE** A new week is already in the works! Go have yourself a great day and give some cheer away!! Be intentional.

Hodge Podge - a disorderly or jumbled array of different things or news...

Well Now ...that fits for today.

Anyone who has read past posts knows I have a fondness for Scottie Dogs. I have a number of discovered treasures scattered around the house that give testimony . These two vintage Scottie vases or pots are just adorable to me. In pastel green and pink, they make a perfect pair to rest in the old green cupboard in the entry. *Love*

Sweet

Vintage

Cutie-Pies

See the little birds in the oval mat ? That was a vintage work of art in a wooden frame either from Salvation Army or GW. I decided to keep the sweet birdies for a background and repurposed the frame.

Remember this cow print hanging in a room in the cottage on Woodberry?

Well...THAT rustic frame was JUST the right size and look for the Nancy Noel print I had...patiently waiting to be framed.

!! This hodge podge post is simply another e-journal entry, a personal record of what goes on in my home. So if you are still reading down, *warning*...it's a rambler. :-) !!

The blue bovine print was stiff and HEAVILY rippled/wrinkled because of age. I couldn't really repair it, but didn't want to get rid of it. I took the piece apart...framed the "Bluebell" print seen in an earlier post ....(below)

I then trimmed down the rippled print in order to fit the smaller wood frame. This is a longer skinny frame...
Think "TRAY" :-)

Now that "table-topper tray" just fits the little shabby blue table in the guest room.

Another round robin exchange.... various swaps and tweaking and transformations in the nest. Sometimes the winds of creativity begin to blow with all manner of ideas grinding out in my head and my thoughts are turning like a whirligig out in the garden.

If I don't write some of these inspirations down, I actually lose them and when I try to remember later??? ... I can't! Thus, some things get done really fast around here before I lose the creative thought! Bless the Lord for a wonderful and understanding husband.

That being said...I will end my hodge podge post today with this FACT.

I love my sweet - patient - loving Iowa Man. He made my day yesterday morning, and I don't think he even really knows it!

I had placed this photo on my computer screen as the current background because I liked the lighting and shadows so much.

He had noticed it, and started studying it, because he liked it...trying to figure out where he had SEEN it. --- finally figured out it was our house, across the hall. (for anybody who possibly is new reading here...we only JUST moved into this house, so don't think he's dense or unobservant...I just work hard and fast so lots gets put together while he's at work any week. Plus the doors are only cracked open about 4-5 inches for heat circulation *that way the dogs aren't tempted to go in there when I'm out!)

He came out into the kitchen where I was getting coffee, and said.."Ya know what?..You are GOOD!"...

My reply? - "How so?"

His response..."That photo back on your computer screen...is really good. I like it. I figured out it was the guest room."

If that doesn't put a smile on this Nesting Woman's face...boys howdy...I don't know WHAT will.

~~~~~~~~~*********HE'S A KEEPER!********~~~~~~~~~

To Da Man:

Closing the door on this Hodge-Podge post with this line from a great women's author, Elizabeth George.

"The woman who answers her high callings from God to love husband and children and build a home has a 'high and sacred mission on earth'!"

"She watches over the ways of her household." (Proverbs 31:27)

Hugs to all my bloggy sisters out in the electronic world dropping into many homes and nests to visit with other gals just like themselves...Spread that cheer today. It truly IS Contagious! God Bless you with a MERRY MONDAY!!!

God WATCH OVER all our military Heroes out there.

Flying Low and Holding up.....Angels

2011-11-13T05:42:00.000-08:00

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
~ Psalm 91:11-12

Sacred thought for Sunday:

Heavenly agents...God's ministering assistants are given missions to fulfill. They are sent to guard, to lift up, to aid...in all our ways, along the path as we journey here on earth.

A confidence in times of trouble.

Praise the Lord. He is loving and good.

A Weekend Shadow Shot...and a Peek Into the Loo

2011-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Another weekend...ahh..a break from the tyranny of work, school, traffic, meetings. Life is SO DAILY!

Saturdays usually mean a Sleep-In for all those 8-5 people...but then there are all the projects and maintenance for those who own homes...or maybe more to the point... are owned by their homes...lol.

For me it simply means I get to have my guys home with me. RAH!- whatever work is done around here, at least there is good company. :-)

Just sharing a Shadow Shot created by the morning sun this week. This is Guest Room #1 in the bedroom wing. It is still in the works, but ready for a guest! (whenever we can get one way out here) Liking how it is evolving as it is tweaked.

And just for fun, a peek into the Master Loo...There was NO DOOR on the opening to the master bath...at all. Turns out I had two slim French Doors that fit the bill! And so I am feathering week by week. As Tete calls it, I am piddle-farting around the house moving things from here to there til they WORK! *This bath also has a vintage tile color from the 60's...blue.

Hope that each of you has a wonderful weekend with all your loved ones home with you from school or work or just visiting...Love, Laughter, Conversation, Good Food, it's all warm and fuzzy and sweet.

Happy November Weekend!

**Got a text from my Marine this am that his frostbite on his toes is just about healed up, and that NC is colder than IA...said we must be having a heat wave out here!!! ;-p

Hugs to each of you. Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Veterans Day 2011...my heart fills up...

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you to ALL who have served our beautiful United States of America. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for your fortitude. Thank you for your example. Thank you for your inspiration. Thank you.....

My favorite Marine. God Bless you Justin. This Mama loves you beyond measure. You are a Veteran. I am proud of you. I think of you very much today as you continue to work hard every single day. God keep you and cover you with protection and His blessing as you continue to walk in your calling.

A mama and her Marine...it's a very hard walk...constantly letting go and learning Jesus Christ has their backs.

{{{{HUGS}}}}

I dedicate this blogpost on this Veterans Day to the following:

My cherished as his 1/2 battalion continues their workup getting ready for their upcoming deployment on a battleship.

4th platoon... Afghanistan tour 2010

Justin Simmons and the entire 1/6 Battalion as they currently serve in Afghanistan, and preserve our freedoms.

And Sargeant Collin Raaz...of the 3/4 Battalion. Continuing to be inspiration and motivation to all who know him. God is not done with this young and brave hero. Praying for this Man. God bless him in amazing ways as he faces and overcomes obstacles in his "new normal" with courage and zest.

From one Military Mom...thank you to ALL who remember that our own are out there giving it their all every single day...giving up much for us to have much. As Thanksgiving approaches...thank God for their tenacious spirits, their NEVER GIVE IN mindsets, and their hearts that are willing...

God bless you. God bless our beautiful Veterans...those who have passed on, those who currently carry on, and the ones rising up...THEY ARE AWESOME PEOPLE.

God's BIGGEST GIFT...treasure album

2011-11-10T09:01:00.001-08:00

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
(Psalms 127:3-5)

NINJA!

bwah ha ha

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:6 )

And I have this man to thank for the treasures....LOVE YOU!!!

W is for Wednesday and the White Stuff...

2011-11-09T05:37:00.001-08:00

Well my blog sisters...it has come.

Here it is Wednesday November the 9th, and the white stuff is falling down here in Cedar Rapids...big pretty flakes. I am STAYING in...

Because it is snowing outside, I thought I would highlight another one of my favorite artists. I have already mentioned Charles Burton Barber with his sweet depictions of children and animals. And Andrew Wyeth. And last was Nancy Noel. What an amazing gift she has capturing the spirit of LIFE in her paintings...especially animals.
And today, I am posting about Robert Duncan. Has anybody ever seen his work?

I have two of his prints. I love them!

The first is An April Storm.

Adore all the animals here and the sweet little Sheltie.

The 2nd one is Winter Friends.

and there's that sweet little Sheltie again...

Hate the glare on the pics. Their faces are too precious... Go to the link below if you just want to see amazing artist skills in this man's work. What a gift...

http://www.robertduncanstudios.com/

Wherever you are today, and whatever temps you have in your hometown...keep a warm place in your heart. Make it a GOOD day. If God is able to create a small bird with all the necessary elements to keep it warm outside on a cold Wintry day, then HE most CERTAINLY can take care of all YOUR needs, no matter WHAT! amen! You BELIEVE in that.

Thanks for all who check in to this little spot in Cedar Rapids. God bless and many hugs surrounding you!!

Tuesday Tweaking...

2011-11-07T20:33:00.001-08:00

TWEAK - to make an alteration, to adjust, to fine-tune...

Before:

After:

See the Tiny change? Tweaked the stool under the Living Room photo table.
Discovered this loooong white wicker basket at Goodwill here in CR and filled it with these ...

From fresh cut blooms in the urn to.....

dried bounty - in the basket

Before:

After:

Two sconces - an accent added to "frame the nook".

I find it fun to "tweak" the nest...move feathers from HERE > to > THERE. Looking for the perfect resting spot.

How about you? Do YOU tweak? :-)

Fine tuning some spots with Thanksgiving lovelies???

{{{{{{Hugs to all.}}}}}

Sending showers of little hearts your way... Have a terrific Tuesday.

Thank you for saying a prayer for our heroes defending our freedoms and liberties here in OUR United States of America. God bless her. God Bless THEM!!!

M is for Merry Monday, Missing , and Making a Moment

2011-11-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

Another Monday??? time flies...It is your day to go out and change somebody's "I HATE MONDAYS! frown with one of these....

Linking up with Suzanne in her new "MOMENTS" Monday gathering... GO here to be inspired today. :-)
http://www.privetandholly.com/

To my Jonny and Katie and Justin and Dad back in Charlotte and Jacksonville...(**Had a little tussle with homesickness on Saturday..)

Yesterday it was just so nice here in Cedar Rapids...we had some very cold winds this past week and some freezing rain...brrr...so when it got up to 60 with sunny skies, we jumped on it! After church we took off to a nearby park for a stroll with the dawgs.

There goes my lanky 17 year old...whom I cherish. He is studying hard in school and getting ready to play basketball...

My soulmate Iowa Man...I LOVE him to pieces.

And here's one of me, just to let you know....I AM okay. BIG changes happened in my life, but God was with me, and I DID survive. God is good.

We enjoyed "making a moment" together yesterday. :-)

I am so glad to be a family together again. Thanking God for that...and thanking Him today for my sweet blog sisters.

Have a very Merry Monday. God bless! Hugs coming across the miles...

A Shadow Shot and a thought for the weekend...

2011-11-04T08:06:00.000-07:00

As the sun was rising and giving it her all to shine on this CRISP Iowa morning, I caught this image, a shadow created...on the refrigerator.

Inspired me...a cute little heart almost always makes us think of LOVE...yes?

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
LOVE
*NEVER gives up
*NEVER loses faith
*Is ALWAYS hopeful
*ENDURES through EVERY circumstance."
(from I Corinthians 13)

The candle shadow from the chandy...a candle always makes us think of LIGHT in the darkness...yes?

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can NEVER extinguish it." (John 1:5)

"So let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Have a weekend filled with love and light! Share your BIG heart with someone - it only takes a second....Flash a million watt smile this weekend....see if you get one back ...it makes a difference in someone's day...Perhaps they are walking a dark or dreary path at the moment...YOU can be a sparkle along the way...who knows what impact you will have! :-)

HUGS TO ALL MY BLOGGY SISTERS. You are treasures.

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Coastline...sigh

Carolina on my mind...

Got this phone photo from my Marine this morning. They are having to do training for night raids on the beach so he shared a pic with me. I know it's not vacation or fun and relaxation for them, but oh it is so beautiful ...

He texted me last night that he was sitting in a "case-pan" on the beach and not enjoying it at all, obviously. (metal sleeping shelter) After all the "short on sleep" nights in West Virginia and then stepping right into night training back in NC, I am sure it can get to be a weary existence for a while, but they are heavy into pre-deployment training, and so it goes....

Tough guys. Committed to the core. Always training, training, training. It's what they do. That way their reactions in life or death situations out of country are second nature, a natural reflex - the multi-man squad becomes one. It is literally drilled into them.

I LOVE my Marine. I am grateful for the military heroes who give it their all every single day in training, in serving, in battle. GOD BLESS THEM. Thanking God for their diligence and sacrifice of a normal life to protect MY freedoms and valuable way of life here at home...peace... God bring them home!

Thank you for your moments of reflection when you are grateful for your home and life in America. Thank you for praying for ALL of them, wherever their boots take them.

Hugs to all.

W is for Wednesday, Words of Wisdom, and White!

2011-11-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Another Wednesday and I am still loving to go over to Kathleen's when I can and see lovely whites in her long-running White Wednesdays. Always sharing her link for anyone who wants to pop over for inspiration or ideas.

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Today I am posting two quotes that are favorites. One I use every so often just because I think we ALL need to be reminded of it's truth. It is by Mark Twain.

~ "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover." ~

The other is by a man who spoke and wrote many wise words... G. K. Chesterton

~ "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." ~

Go marinate on those two today and see if it makes a change in your mindset and outlook! :-)

And now for a couple of whites to throw in the mix over at White Wednesday at FADED CHARM.

the vintage white mantel that was "leaning" against the wall in my previous Dining Room in Charlotte, because I wanted to bring it with me! It fit SO nicely on this wall in the Living Room here. My favorite thing on it?

If anyone said *it's got to be sparkly* you were right on. Love the white jeweled pears.

one of my favorite (white) clocks that hung in the entry hall in Charlotte got moved into this blue and white corner in the Living Room over the twinkle light shutters. By carefully working and working and WORKING, I got the blue and white rooster plate to fit in the cavity or inner base of the clock. WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A DETERMINED WAY! rah...

This pretty white chandelier AND the ceiling medallion both were Goodwill finds in Charlotte. The medallion sat in my closet waiting for the move and the light was in the attic. To show you the difference they make, I can only give a partial view from a pic of the Dining Room in Cedar Rapids that Kurt emailed me when he viewed the house. It was a plain brown metal fixture with simple white globes. (not very attractive just in my opinion, but for the previous owner, I'm sure it suited, so that's okay.)

** for this girl....quite a difference! just hung some crystal berry stems to cover the wiring.

That's enough for today. These posts sometimes begin to ramble and that's not good! As I was posting this I turned and saw my Gideon snoozing here at the foot of our bed. Thought it would be a wild white ending for today. :-) **(yes, I did our master in black and white with some blue thrown in) and this rug, I told Kurt, was to put a little excitement in our lives at this new location in a new walk of life...LoL

{{{Hugs}}} to every single one of my bloggy sisters. Remember the "inconvenience" quote above. What life's circumstances sometimes seem like...may only need a slight adjustment up in our noggin to realize that God is simply giving us an adventure, a challenge, a moment to ponder what all we have that is GOOD, and to take those hard times and push through them fully trusting that at the end God has a "best ending" in mind, if only we would remain faithful in believing it, and Not giving up!

Blessings to you all. "Throw off the bowlines today...."

M is for Merry Monday, MOO, Mackenzie Childs, and Marine Assault Climbers...

2011-10-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

Good Morning to all my bloggy sisters out there!

I accomplished getting my NANCY NOEL print framed and hung this weekend. (used a frame I already had that just "fit" with its rustic look.) This one is of a lovely bovine with a precious little bluebird perched on her ear....titled Bluebell. Both of my grandfathers had cows..one for milking and one for beef...(so I feel like they are a thread woven into the family history of my life tapestry)...but I have always loved the Big Brown eyes and long eyelashes of those large creatures. Every NOEL print I have is a favorite.

Bluebell is right over my computer nook and I feel like she is LOOKING down at me. :-) love to look up and see that big face and the little bird...

sweet...

I am very unorthodox in my decorating...any who drop by here know it!..I know. But it's for me, and it makes me smile and smile, so I think it may be okay around here. Glad my hubby understands.

I'm sure some of you have heard of Mackenzie-Childs products. I love to LOOK at their stuff, but it's OUT of my budget, so never purchased any...until a couple of weeks ago.
I saw this beautiful blue and white large bowl at the consignment store here in Cedar Rapids and recognized it as MC right away. $5.00 yes ...I grabbed up that bowl!

I brought it home and placed it under the floor birdcage. Love the checkerboard patterns on this company's wares.

I was tickled pink to find this treasure for a price I could afford...so much so I decided to fill the bowl with pink ornaments to match the morning glory pattern. (found the entire pink bunch at Salvation Army store last year for pennies.)

I am so so so thrilled to say my Marine has finished the grueling 6 week course and is graduating today in WV as a United States Marine Assault Climber.

*file photos

"If any troops were to come up for a beach landing which had a cliff or any sort of compartmentalized terrain that they need to overcome, they would be able to implement the assault climbers and make it to the top to set up lanes for their platoon and or companies to get to the objective in a more timely manner than moving around the obstacle. It is important if there is vertical terrain and the task to move gear in a timely manner -there is a need for Marines who are specialized to move it up. It will be beneficial in places like Afghanistan where you have to move a whole company up the mountain in a swift and efficient manner to out-maneuver the enemy who might not have that capability."

It was painful at times, and freezing at times, and very wet at times, but the group endured. They did what Marines all over the world do. They finish the task given, no matter what! I am proud of Justin and thank God for all our tough and committed military heroes for what they do, and their sacrifices and their "Do or Do Not, There is NO Try" attitude. GOD BLESS THEM!!

And so I say to all stopping by here today, Have a wonderful Monday to start out this week!

and to my Marine I shout out an EXTRA BIG

And to my other three peeps...

And to my awesome man...

BLESSINGS from God above who is in charge of ALL things. HE is always in control and always good, no matter what...

Walk with courage in that thought, and God will give you confidence!!!!

~HUGS~

Friday is here again!

2011-10-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

Time is flying...oh my! FRIDAY again!

I am still loving my pops of red - my favorite color...one may have noticed in yesterday's post.

I grabbed a picture of this lovely out in the back yard. Mother Nature provided the pop with NO help from me. I am thrilled to look out the window and see it.

Does anybody recognize what kind of bush or shrub this is?

I have gotten my little computer nook (my own little place!) put together in the Master bedroom again. Glad there was space! And got the chandy up now.

The little white sparkly birds are once again hanging on it, but this time instead of just one strand of pearls (a long necklace) draped around the candlabra pieces, I took a very very long (9 feet?) Christmas garland of faux pearls and used it to embellish the entire fixture. Love the effect...more dramatic.

Then I took the necklace and just wrapped it around the cord leading up to the wall hanger. like it better than a fabric cord cover.

In front of me, at eye level, hangs this chippy vintage rose print. so lovely. I want to plant rose bushes here so badly. This is my inspiration through the upcoming winter. I found this treasure shortly before I left Charlotte at the tiny thrift store down the road for $2.00. Could NOT leave it in NC!

So that is just a quickie of a few things DONE - checked off the list for my computer nook. I am getting ready to work on a picture (frame it) that I will hang above the computer...that is an all time favorite from one of my MOST favored artists. Can you guess which one it might be? Of course the print has a bird in it...

Thanks for popping by! Hope your weekend is outstanding. We will be working on the house..even amidst the feathering fun, there is work and labor "FIX-IT" jobs to be completed in this 50 year old ranch. (purchased "As Is")

This would be the priority project right now. (spoiler alert)

YES!..this nest has a PINK TILE bath from the 50's and 60's era and it is absolutely STAYING PUT. (definitely part of the personality of this house, and I am already having fun playing with it) there was a leak at this spot over the tub ...so Da Man is reworking and fixing her up! I love him. He is the best handyman ever. (of course my dad ranks right up there beside him:-)

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} Be safe!

Trusting God...Feathering a Nest....and HUGS.

2011-10-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

Moving a household from one location to another is a job! When that move involves over 1000 miles of distance and travel, it is HUGE! Sometimes traumatic...but life is a journey. It is not static and all along the way, we encounter ups and downs, jolts and pauses, peace and trauma. What we do with all of those in-your-face moments is what makes LIFE...what it is...Day In and Day Out.

Trusting God all the way is the ONLY way ladies. Today I testify to this. I am here to tell you. He is the ONE you want taking care of and overseeing all of those moments. He designed your life therefore it makes sense, yes?

Putting a new home together is not something I want to do fast. I surely want to see it done, and have a place for everything and everything in its place, but once the basic unpacking is undone, the furniture is in place ...for now- ;-) - the tweaking and feathering begin and just can't be rushed. Today I am sharing a few things I have done to put my stamp on this house, beginning to claim the space, as I posted about earlier.

In the kitchen the knobs on the drawers were reaching out and grabbing Kurt and me (pockets, robes, etc) so I went out to Lowes and got different ones. The old ones were identical to the cabinet door pulls.

The old knobs then went on the island to make it "match" or blend in better with the cabinets here. The wood block overhangs the drawers enough that they don't GRAB us.
Sometimes the smallest things can make a huge difference. :-)

The following photos are just small gestures made...feathers added to the kitchen to make it MY nest...

Wooden carved arch added to expanse of empty space over sink, bunny and rooster heads up for holding towels, mini-chandy up, colorful glass Scotty trio on window sill, window swags added.

Above is a photo Kurt took and sent to me in Charlotte to show me the Pantry in the kitchen. It is very tall, reaches to the ceiling. The doors were quite plain and naked looking to me..(you know me and my "filling up the empty canvas" habits) After arriving, I happened to find a large wooden fork and spoon set at the nearby Goodwill. JUST WHAT I NEEDED. Knew exactly where they would go when I laid eyes on them. Brought them home and painted them black. Hung them on the doors and then had Kurt put up the wall words that weekend. ( I am HORRIBLE with measuring out distance equally) These wall words I had found at my Goodwill in Charlotte over a year ago, and was just hanging on to them for the right time and place...yes!

ah...no longer naked and forlorn looking... :-)

I have NO cabinets over my frig nook. but quite a bit of open space above it. I took my sitting Chef Rabbit holding his sparkly apple and sat him on a pedestal, surrounded by hydrangeas and twinkle lights (makes a GREAT nightlight in the kitchen), added two candlesticks and voila...Space is filled.

This two-faced clock had one side that got the innards busted and broken. I hung it just to the left of the pantry in the long back hallway. The other side still has a clock face and Kam can see it when he is in the family room doing homework. The broken side, I just removed the hands and printed and applied a graphic from "Graphics Fairy" that says Dog Biscuits (in French. they are at the bottom of the pantry and doggies know it!) works for me. :-)

This is wall space to the left of the breakfast nook or corner.

Last today, and MOST IMPORTANT, THE FLAG IS UP!! The one and only thing I have not been able to find after unpacking all boxes and looking in every corner and space is my flagpole!! In Charlotte - we had the 20 foot ground pole out front with the American and USMC flags spotlighted and flying 24/7. I had a regular 5 footer for the house in my walkin closet, but I can NOT locate it...(maybe left in the moving VAN?) oh well, I got another one at Lowe's this week and she is flying outside my kitchen window where she stays lit at night and I can see her all day. RAH!!!

If somebody asked...."Are we having FUN yet?" I would definitely say YES. I said goodbye to my sweet and memory filled cottage-on-Woodberry in Charlotte and have NOT looked back. I just brought the memories with me. Starting afresh making many many more memories here in this ranch-on-Thunderbird in Iowa. :-)

These are just a few peeks into my home to share that fun, and to let my peeps and friends back in Charlotte know I am alive and well and "still going strong!"

I will continue to share "I Spy" posts as I keep on tweaking and claiming the spaces...

Thanks to ALL who drop by just to say Hi and to let me know how YOU are doing. Hugs to each and every one wherever you are in this great nation. God bless you. God bless our nation, and God bless our troops scattered all over this world.

M is for Monday....Merry....and Marine Mom!

2011-10-24T07:38:00.001-07:00

Here it is ANOTHER Monday! - that day so many people seem to dread because it means going back in to the old grind...the JOB!...a place they would rather not be.

It's getting closer and closer to Christmas time once again also! I thought about what our most common greeting is as we walk through that season...
MERRY CHRISTMAS! What does "merry" mean literally? According to Free On-Line dictionary...

1. Full of high-spirited gaiety; jolly; cheerful
2. Marked by or offering fun and gaiety; festive: a merry evening.
3. Archaic: Delightful; entertaining.
4. Old English - Pleasant

I think I shall try EXTRA hard to make it my goal, my mission to walk through my Mondays from here on out in a "merry spirit"....just because. No - I don't go to work or a job (not yet, anyway)but simply because Monday starts with an M, and Merry starts with an M...I shall remember it well. Mondays get a bad rap, and well...as I so believe, and as my Marine says and lives out (which inspired the title of this blog)

Life is WHAT YOU Make of It!

So today I propose to all of you dropping by that you set out on a mission. Your task is to turn this Monday into a cheerful and delightful day by being pleasant to somebody else and then....carry on ....each and every Monday!

Now, I thought to end this post I would show a little nook in this 60's ranch. It is in the middle of the back hallway that leads to the bedroom wing. Just a niche with drawers for storage and a mirror covering the wall. (Different!)

I have for now taken the left side of this nook and made it into a Marine photo collage wall. It has pictures from Justin's tour in Afghanistan in 2010. **And of course it has the little chippy angel with the missing foot...Justin's designated Guardian Angel figure, to remind me every time I glance at it, that Jesus has my Marine's back, and angels are dispensed with the task to stay close.

One of my favorites is his silhouette that someone captured when he was out in the sand dunes.. wearing all of that confounded gear they must keep on for protection...packs, kevlar, flaks...weapons...machinery. That piece on his back is the heavy piece that scrambled signals when they were patrolling so that remotes could NOT send signals to set off an IED in their path. He said it killed the nerves in his shoulders..

I found the frame below somewhere!- can't remember where, but it is one of my favorites. In it is a print of a military figure kneeling in prayer and an angel hovering over him...below it, the caption says "Not Alone." I keep this image in my mind so much of the time when I am thinking of my Marine...and the others I pray for...ALL of them. I hope they will always remember that truly they are NOT alone...ever, and that guardian angels really do fly low and watch their backs...God is present - EVERYWHERE.

Hugs to all dropping by this post today. Wishing you a very MERRY MONDAY!!! Make it SO! Thinking of all of you today...spread across this nation of ours. Blogging is a treasure when you think about all the sisters you can connect with via this amazing internet... Have a blessed day. :-)

Sunday Loveliness...

2011-10-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

All Things Bright and Beautiful

~Cecil Frances Alexander

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

*from the tree outside ...

My dear Military Sister, USMC Sergeant Major mom, Nancy, informed me this was a Pee Gee Hydrangea that grows into a tree. THANK YOU Nancy...Kurt and I immediately googled and found out about them. Technical name - (latin) It’s real name is Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’, paniculata meaning upright and tall, grandiflora meaning large flowered.

They certainly are lovely, and I am happy dancing to have it in my yard here. God's creation in the flora world is simply breathtaking and indescribable.

Have a lovely Sunday wherever you are and enjoy the lingering flowers of Summer and Fall before Old Man Winter blows in...

Hugs to all...

Claiming My Space....

2011-10-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

Every Friday I check in to LaurieAnna's blog to see her Vintage Farmhouse Friday party and all the participants' pretties...just because I love farmhouses.

http://laurieannas.blogspot.com/2011/10/farmhouse-friday-11-staking-claim.html

Today I really really liked her post. In it she said, while she was appearing on the Nate Berkus show that Maya Angelou had said,

"When people plant flowers in window boxes it means they are claiming their space."

She thought it was a lovely sentiment, and I absolutely must agree. It warms my heart to read her observation and pondering of such a simple act performed by many women.

Flowers bring cheer, color, nature, and homey-ness to a house. Now, below you will see that a flower box came built-in with this new nest, and the impatience are still going strong - even after a low of 29 this morning. Tough little flowers. **being placed where there is a roof overhang may help a little!

Since I could not plant in it yet, I worked on another little spot of this "porch" to claim my space here in this home on Thunderbird Road in Cedar Rapids.

Next to the front door I placed some pieces that make up my own little snap of FALL flavor - an autumn vignette if you will. It says This Southern girl has taken up residence here, and this is a part of what makes me.....ME! The bottle holder and vintage milk bottles holding the flowers used to be in my previous kitchen on the island, but are now outside!

The two nests on the small urns were each sitting empty on top of different gutters at the front and back corners of this NEST of mine. Kurt and Kam knocked them down for me and they now grace the cart holding rose petals. Those red roses were a bouquet of a dozen - given to me by my cherished hubby on Oct. 11th. the 33rd anniversary of our first date...He makes me feel loved...

And so that is what I share today. I am claiming this home, day by day, space by space, nook by nook....making it a special and familiar place for my men to come home and feel comfortable, accepted, and loved. Hopefully, visitors who drop by will feel the same. I am very very glad to be here.

God is good.

I hope that you have a special place, or a task or act you are doing this season to claim your home once again as YOUR SPOT...letting others who pass by get a glimpse of who you are and spreading a bit of cheer or a smile.

Everyone have a pleasant weekend and cherish your family and friends. You yourself are special and whatever you do to share yourself with others is a gift!

Hugs to all bloggy sisters. Thanks for prayers for our military heroes...

That Man Knows....

2011-10-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday September 27th. Before that first week was over, my honey had driven me around to get a feel for the city and where stores were for groceries, pet supplies, hardware, gas, etc...

And don't you know...YES, He knows me and loves me. He pointed out where the Goodwill was and the best way to get to it. I love that MAN!

The first trip out on my own was just a quickie, but I got a wonderful deal for Kam.
This awesome "just right" worn-in bomber leather jacket for this winter. He needed one and it is in excellent condition. ($5.00) Happy Happy Mama...

The second trip out (yesterday) I found two manly looking wool scarves for this winter when the Iowa winds and chill are blowing and biting.. (.98)

And of course when my eye spied this sweet little white bird all gussied up with swirls and embellishments, I knew right where it would land in the Living Room. Fits right in with feathering my nest and all things birdie...

I am adjusting and getting used to this city. The roads are ROUGH!!! The winds blow MUCH!!! The people are FRIENDLY!!! The Southern Girl is HAPPY! She is with her family in the nest again.

Right where I fit in best.

And I am finally with the Iowa man...all is well.

Have an outstanding day all visitors dropping by...Thank you for prayers for our deployed military heroes...They defend and protect our freedoms and lives here in America. I know they long to get back home.

My Marine isn't deployed at the moment, but is in training in a climbing area in WV, and sustained an injury in a fall, but being the determined cuss he is, he is still climbing and rappelling and using painkillers. Others have gotten banged up and some stitches... Thank you for praying for he and his group as they seek to complete this climbing course in the next week before returning to NC.

Hugs to all Bloggy Sisters!!!!

Window Window on the Wall....

2011-10-17T07:32:00.001-07:00

The living room here has a 10 foot span of windows...lost a lot of canvas to hang my wall art, but oh the view. Beautiful. I have already hung my bird feeders and placed a birdbath in the center of the yard. I shall enjoy the snowy scenes from inside my warm nest...Love it.

May today bring opportunities to find surprising joy in small things, and gratitude for simple gifts granted by the Hand of God. Smile. It will make somebody's day!

Hugs to all bloggy sisters dropping in. God is good. ALL the time.

Thank you for small prayers for our military heroes no matter where they are.

The Mud Man...

2011-10-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my middle son, Jonny, the one certified in Personal Training, traveled down to South Carolina to take part in the annual Marine Corps Mud Run. He participated with a group from Charlotte who ran in honor of a fallen Marine.

"Supporters of South Carolina Marine Corps military families held their 5.2-mile mud run for teams and individuals in Columbia on Saturday.

Participants in the event maneuver through 36 obstacles such as mud holes, walls, and trenches.

Since 1993, the Greater Columbia Marine Foundation has hosted the challenge run. In 2010, the event attracted more than 14,000 participants, so the foundation has begun holding both spring and fall mud runs.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports local Marines and their families who have been wounded or killed while serving on active duty. It also supports several college scholarships named after Marines killed in the line of duty. "

Jonny truly enjoyed himself and wants to do it again. I am thrilled that he got to run it, and I believe the pictures will give testimony that he had fun..

**(photos courtesy of the Stout family. Thank You!!)

Jonny's group. He is sporting a heavy beard presently (far left)

I do NOT recognize this creature......

Muddy Muscle Man - the Hulk. (his small group high schoolers at church have dubbed him the Beast)

an e-journal entry for this mama today. Missing her peeps...the Marine is climbing on the sides of mountains in West Virginia...the daughter is busy busy working in NC.

Hugs Hugs Hugs to all of them...xoxo

God Bless your Sunday...all who drop by today.

Fall Waxes...Summer Wanes

2011-10-15T06:51:00.001-07:00

Here at the entrance to this nest...there is a covered walk from the front door over to an entry door to the attached garage. Thus, a little front porch is created. It will be fun to see how this evolves over time. I'm seeing a narrow bench under the window box at some point. It is different having the kitchen view looking out the FRONT of the house, but I am liking it. Get to watch all the activity on our quiet street.

As Summer holds on, the impatience in the window box also tarry, giving cheerful color. I added a bright pop of sunshine yellow mum to announce Fall's arrival. Also different here - the mailman walks up to the door so no challenges getting the mail on inclement weather days. (I like that!)

I recall in a previous post this summer highlighting the hydrangeas at Woodberry Rd and hoping that Iowa could have that favorite plant of mine...NOT ONLY does it grow here, but God gave this gal a hydrangea plant formed and trimmed into a TREE over the years by some careful owner...It is right up front by the sidewalk and I can see it from the kitchen window...happy dance. There are also two rhododendron bushes in the back...MORE happy feet.

Enough for today...the last thing I would say is from the famous song recorded by Peaches and Herb...

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD....

Loving being with my man again...and yes he carried me across the threshhold as the moving van drove up. :-)

God is altogether GOOD and IN CHARGE and KNOWS ALL THINGS THAT ARE BEST.

Hugs to all my visiting bloggy sisters. Have a wonderful FALL celebration this Saturday.

God bless our military men and women everywhere, and RAH to our Marines!!!

Good to be back!

Good Morning Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

2011-10-14T06:05:00.000-07:00

Sunshine and Chilly. God Is Good. :-)

It's a beautiful day. God still moves in mysterious and phenomenal ways to work HIS best in our lives...every day.

Go out and be a blessing to someone today who needs to be reminded of that!

Rah to the Marine Corps of the United States. God keep them all.

Garden Conservatory....at long last...

2011-07-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

I worked outside this past weekend...as much as my body would tolerate. I came in every time, looking like I had just run through a rain shower... The Heat Index everywhere seems to be almost intolerable. BUT, I have work in the yard that HAS to get done. I WANT THAT FOR SALE SIGN IN MY YARD!!!!

End of story!!!

This past week, I have been working on a side "sanity" project that has been on the back burner for a YEAR!!! That's right. The windows for this project I have actually had for I'm guessing at least 8-10 years. A neighbor gal and I grabbed them off the curb when another neighbor changed out his windows. And they have been stored upstairs in Kurt's garage ever since. I have used 2 or 3 for indoor projects, but my dream was to use them in a small greenhouse structure that I hoped would get built. Didn't happen, and here I am moving halfway across the country. What to do with those windows!!!????

Last summer in June, I saw a post on "Maison Decor" blog and saved it. Below is a photo of her project that inspired me to copy.

And this is the rest of the story... **my story

Full View of My Garden Conservatory.

The little table I used for the base came from my paternal Grandparents' farmhouse. It was also upstairs in Kurt's workshop. The cherub statue below it was from Goodwill.

I painted it the same color as this piece on the other end of the deck. (I posted about earlier.)

This is the body of the conservatory - Four identical windows. Three are screwed together. The Front Window is the Door, and is hinged to easily change out what is displayed. Attached over the top four panes is a picture frame to better accent whatever is inside.

side view of the top. The roof is made of two smaller two paned windows screwed together with a squared dowel between the two. Kam came up with that idea. (my faithful assistant) The two smaller windows tongue and groove ends actually set down in the grooves of the tall windows...making a nice fit.

front view- There is a wrought iron scrolly piece screwed into the back window. The chandy hanging down from the middle was part of a lamp I had in the Moving Sale boxes and I took it apart and discarded the base.(gonna paint the silver part white.) The front embellishment was also in the Yard Sale boxes..-sprayed it the same color blue as the table base-allowing a little of the original black to show through.

And for now, I have this cherub pedestal that I love, supporting a pretty begonia plant. Adds a bright pop of pink to the deck.

I am posting this on Sun. afternoon, before my computer gets reworked and gets it innards blown out!..There are now multiple threat warnings popping up so I must have some virus attached. If anybody can fix it, my gal can...so hopefully I will be in working order again this coming week. I pray I will be able to comment, my feeds will update, and I will be able to search...Here's hoping! **Gonna get everything Backed up too, which I wanted to do before I totally shut down to load this beast for a long distance move.

Hope that some of you are inspired to find some old windows and build a garden conservatory!

I hope that mine will soon sit in a garden spot in Iowa, surrounded by boocoodles of flowers...

Hugs to all. Stay cool however you can. Think of our military and thanks for praying...

To my Marine, and to my beloved Man...

God Bless you !

Friday Blooming.....

2011-07-22T05:11:00.000-07:00

I am posting short and sweet today...The blooms below were cut 11 days ago right before the Realtor was to come..... and they are still beautiful and full...no wilting...I followed the tip to cut early, lightly crush the ends of the stems with a hammer, and plunge into a vase of ice water. It REALLY works for longevity of your bouquet...The flowers give testimony.

sigh....I love Blue. I love hydrangeas. Everytime I enter my bathroom, I smile.

Dontcha Love those old blue bottles, too????

My computer is ~this close~ to getting tossed!!! I am having so many problems...

My feeds no longer work. I have tried every tip including deleting every single one and renewing the submit...no go.

My commenter ability is flaky. Some posts I can comment ( on some days) other posts I can't get a comment on at all...not even as anonymous...

my ability to search on Explorer is shot...some malicious URL has invaded the secret parts, and I am going to have the innards wiped this weekend. It is hiding...Full Scan has shown NO threats...

I don't know if it is my computer, my server, or Blogger, or.. all three ganging up against me, but right now it is a wretched time stealer attempting to do ANYthing - so if it appears I am not visiting, or I am not commenting, I'm just sayin....Hopefully my gal will get things fixed this weekend.

Closing with some previous photos of my favorite flowers...

And even at CHRISTMASTIME...yes!...you can still be using these flowers (dried blooms) in your home feathering!!

I LOVE HYDRANGEAS!!!! With 8 bushes in the yard, I was blessed to feel free to cut as many blooms as I wanted to bring INSIDE, and still have many left to grace my yard....
Will I be able to have these favored flowers in IOWA???? Oh!!! I do hope so!!!!

Grace and Hugs and Blessings to all who may drop by this Friday...Hoping my compy gets healed this weekend...

God bless our military HEROES!!!

Keep On Keeping On....

2011-07-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

W is for Whew!... Wow!...White... and Winds of Change

2011-07-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

We got through our two Realtor meetings! WHEW!!!! Now it is a waiting game for the realtors to get all of the information turned in to the Relocation Company and then wait for their packages/response to come back. If the two assessments are more than 5% off, I have been told we shall have to go through it all over again with a 3rd Realtor....oh please, oh please!!!! I hope not!

Out of the two ladies, I have definitely made my choice. One came in with all of her homework done already and the other did not. She was uber- prepared to sit and talk over everything and what, when, and how the Company and SHE would work for us... (all of this AHEAD of time even though she knew I had not made my choice)...It was awesome...

**Something else maybe you didn't know about me.....**

When we were doing the walk-through/tour for her to take photos to send to the Relocation people, she stopped in the Living Room, and said "WOW...can we just stop here for a minute??? I want to look at this...". SURE! :-)

Some of my COSTUME Jewelry collection...( I emphasize the Costume part!!!!!) MUCH of it was my maternal Grandmother's and also some my mother's and some just pieces I have collected over the years as I have found it in Thrifts...

Some Favorites...

Do any of you remember seeing these Kitty pins?

Some more Feline pins...not all are vintage...

Some Canine pins...The Twin swivel head gold Terrier pin is my Favorite, but I love the Pewter blackbowed Scottie too.

Some of the Lovely bracelets..

A few of the pins..These type make up the bulk of the collection..evidently my Grandmama loved to wear these with scarves! of course she had earbobs to match! **(which I CAN NOT WEAR!! THEY PINCH THE #*@ out of your ear lobe...my mom DID wear them, but I'll stick to Pierced thank you!!! *you can convert them if you want...)

All of these pieces remind me of the bond of love I share with my Grandmother and Mother...I like to walk by and see them every day...VERY sentimental...These will be packed up by MOI!!!

Other pieces/necklaces/faux pearls I have in glass decanters here and there...again, just so that I can see them..

Evidently that gal loves this kind of stuff too, so we interrupted our tour and talked a bit.

***When she asked me later how I felt about Open House events, I said I DEFINITELY do NOT desire to have one if we don't have to...Gives me the willy-nillies to think of just any Joe, Moe, or Sally walking through my house without a realtor representative... and only my realtor sitting there...no thanks...!!!!! Not a good idea in these times...NOT Safe...She feels the same way...

I am so private anyway and just putting my house on the market and opening it up to strangers is sSsSsSsSOoOoOoOo HARD for me...but I know...MUST be done...

In clearing and cleaning out and making more "room and space" to the eye...my floor clock in the Living Room went out...

but.. I have saved the hanging clock and just sprayed the stand white and put it to use on the deck with the chandy, (as I DON'T want to get rid of it)...One day it may go back to its original state...in a new home!

It is Wednesday once again, which always sends me over to Kathleen's before I go to bed, for White Wednesday to see lots of pretty whites... I am not joining in today, but have a changeover to "white" to record/post...This bentwood cane stool got a coat of white and is out of the garage and in the Guest Room. I love cane and wicker.

This vintage little wall clock got a facelift from worn wood to a weathered blue/white look. It hangs in the back hall beside the thermostat. The small clock/thermometer attached to it was made by my dad.

I can sense the Winds of Change blowing once again...I believe the sign will be in the yard SOON! I am cleaning~cleaning~cleaning out and getting ready for a Moving Sale this Saturday. Praying for NO RAIN!!!

The Marine called and said he would be here this weekend! RAH!!!!! So HAPPY that HOME is still close enough for him to just hop on that highway and GET HERE!

Everything going on here is "bathed in prayer", and committed to the Lord's will and perfect plans for us. Praying very much for a quick sale...ALL things are POSSIBLE with God. It is a wonderful wonderful thing to talk to my hubby every night 800 miles away and to pray together...it strengthens the bond, builds Hope, and makes our Faith HANG IN THERE....What a journey....a LOOOONG time coming, but we believe and HOPE for the end to be very near...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
Do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

To My Iowa Man:

Grateful for all those bloggy sisters who are following along, checking in from time to time, and encouraging, inspiring, praying, and cheering...You are awesome...
Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday...