Another fab day at the SA

OK, I might have a slight problem....

I love the Salvation Army.

I think I have to go there every day.

Money or no money.

I'm always afraid there is something there that I really want

or even.......need.

Kinda like my husbands obsession with the mail.

He can't stand to think about it just lying in the box.......

waiting to be picked up......

All alone......

Anyway, back to my Salvation Army story for today.

Today.......

I had to just make a quick run by

I saw this plate rack

Most people wouldn't even know what it was

And I was such a good girl.

I passed it up

I reasoned with myself......

It needs to be painted,

I don't have much wall space in my kitchen,

I don't even need to spend the $2.50 that it costs.

Then.....

I couldn't get it off my mind.

It haunted me.....

For the whole 30 minutes it took me to get back to that store!!!

I had to run to it!

To rescue it from it getting into the wrong hands!!!

Whew!!!!

Then I saw it there.......

waiting for me with open arms!!!

(I had to imagine that part)

And when everybody else could just see the sad,

old plate rack.....

I saw this........

This one above the bed at Pottery Barn.

It prolly cost like $500!!!!! (OK, maybe like $100)

But anyway....just a coat of spray paint

and this little beauty can proudly hang

above Jonah's bed.

I'm sure it will help his reading skills

and just look dang cute in the process.

Or if all else fails,

I will have a really great plate rack for the kitchen!

What do you think?

Should I have left it at the SA.

Or did I do the absolute and only right thing by rescuing it?

Remnants of Christmas 09

Well, It's already on the downside of January,

so Christmas 09 is officially over.

And finally...

The mystery of the missing ornament has been solved

Well...almost

This was our Dog Beau's face that was on our family

Christmas Ornament from Last year.

It mysteriously went missing before the ornament even went on the tree this year

But 'nobody' did it.

So we will most likely never know who did it

or how it happened,

but its one of those things that you just have to laugh about

one of those 'family mystery's' that will most likely

never be solved.

But it's really no biggie,

I'll pick one up somewhere before next year,

Cause I wouldn't want Beau to feel left out.

I also came across this pic I had snapped of one

of the presents I wrapped.

Isn't it amazing what one little thing can

add to a wrapped gift?

I got my hubby to cut a few pieces of greenery

from an old fake tree we were throwing away,

and I just stuck a piece or two on this present.

I stocked up on this wrapping paper after Chritmas last year.

I love the polka dots.

I also have it in black

You can really use both of them year-round.

I would give just about anything if I had taken pictures

of the presents my mother-in-law had under her tree

at Christmas this year!

Everyone of them were beautiful!!!

She took so much time and care with each one.

It was such a shame to have to tear them open!

Ahhhhh, so now the decorations are put away

and the tree's finally down

And Foxy Mama can see out of the window again

Or maybe....she's watching for Santa to come back!

Dumpster Diving

First off....

It is such a beautiful day here in Alabama!!!

The sun is shining and it is wonderful!!!!

Next, I've got a question......

Is it OFFICIALLY dumpster diving

if you don't actually GET INSIDE

of the dumpster?

OK, that's what I thought.

I guess I went dumpster diving today.

EVEN THOUGH I wasn't out LOOKING for stuff in dumpsters

AND

I didn't actually get IN the dumpster.

OK....Who am I kidding,

I've always got my eye out for treasures

beside trashcans and dumpsters,

but I USUALLY don't get out

and get stuff

(unless it's really good stuff!)

Nevertheless,

I was going back to work from lunch today

when I spotted all these cute fruit baskets

by the side of the dumpster

at the pharmacy next door to my office!

JACKPOT!!!!

Look at these!!!

I love 'em!!!

There are 6 of them

and they are really a great size

not too small.

And a few are really big!

I think they must have used them for display

because they are all very sturdy

and in perfect condition

and they will be just perfect

for an organization project

I'm wanting to tackle in our garage!!!!

And then I can always use them

to decorate in the fall

or for a fall party like we had this past year!!!

And best of all......

It didn't cost me a penny!!!!!

(I know....you can't believe I'm THIS

excited over fruit baskets!)

So keep your eyes peeled

You never know what you'll find

and what is it they say....

One person's trash........

Ok, First off...let me apologize for not blogging for so long.

It seems......and I know it can happen to the best of us...

That I've just too down to blog.

Sad.......but True.

Our life is just up in the air right now.

And It's so hard for me to decorate or even think about it when

I'm not sure where we'll be living tomorrow.

But today...is a new day.

And I am thankful.

And I choose...

To Go On.

So..... how was your Christmas?

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas.

I hate I've been in such a Funk, cause I got all kinds of new

Christmas Decorations!!!!!

My wonderful mother-in-law sent me practically her whole

Santa Collection!!!!!

And so I have Santa's everywhere!

Yes!!!!! I haven't taken them down yet!!!!

But I'm planning to do that this weekend.

I'm also considering a new business venture.

I'm doing tons of research now...

But if I do.

You know, you'll be the first to know!

Well....since I still have CHRISTMAS decorations up at my house.....

I thought I would share a few pics I snapped recently while visiting Anthropology.

Wow! Some really awesome things.....

At a really awesome price!!!!

(Exaggerating....too expensive for me)

But I love to go in and get wonderful ideas!!!!

So enjoy!!!!

And it feels good to be back.

I love this, This would be fairly simple to make. But it just looks so great here!

I'm so into the Farm House Look now!!!

I love this!

Looks so easy

but would my kids try to eat

the fake snow?

This looks so much like a ironstone

compote I got at the SA

a couple months ago!!!!

So random, but beautiful

Love old stuff given new life!


They even make silverware look pretty!!!

Hey!!!! I bought some skates just like this at

a local habitat re-sale shop a little while back.

I paid $5!!!!!!!!!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the pics.

And I promise, I'm back.

My Baby's 8th Birthday

Today

my baby turns 8.

I can't believe it.

From the moment he was born,

I didn't want to miss a minute with him.

Unfortunately,

I have to from time to time.

Just with day to day life and work.

But I have consciously,

From the moment I made the nurses drag over a mirror

so I could watch him come into this world,

I have wanted to savor and enjoy his life.

Jonah has always been a little different

than other children.

Or is it me?

Am I different with him,

knowing he was the last?

I've never disciplined him like I did the others.

I've never had to.

I can tell him not to do something and he does it.

He doesn't lie about it.

And usually

if I have to tell him something more than once,

with a little force,

it absolutely breaks his heart.

He cries and says,

"I'm so sorry mommy, I'm so sorry I was bad".

Breaks my heart!

OK, he's not perfect!

He will test me, just like other children,

But he has been an absolute joy to me.

I prayed over him before he was born

that he wouldn't rebel

and such as other children sometimes do.

That He would be different.

And God has answered my prayers.

Now let me say,

ALL my children are wonderful!

They each have such distinct personalities.

And when it's their birthday,

I will tell you what fabulous qualities they have!

I was looking at what pic I would post

and found several cute ones

from the last couple years that

I thought I would share of my sweet Jonah.

I hope you enjoy!

Thanks!

This morning before school with his frogs he's been wanting for MONTHS!

HE was sooooo excited!!!!

Jonah and our other big baby, Beau.

How hard is it for a kid not to be able to jump in?

Construction kit from last Christmas

Jonah came by after he got a haircut
to see me at my office.



The day Jonah picked out his clothes and dressed himself for school.
(one of my personal favorites)



Jonah with his friend Jake
at his birthday party at the bowling alley



Sweetie Pie

The day Jonah was baptised.

Priceless!

Tin Man at Church

(the one on the right is Jonah, LOL)

He carved this pumpkin himself.

He's so proud!

Me and my baby this year on July 4th.

His first trophy for baseball.

He was so proud!

And I am too!!!!

My baby and my baby!

So Happy Happy Happy Birthday Jonah!
I love you with ALL MY HEART!!!!

I love you forever....I like you for always...
as long as I'm livin'....
my baby you'll be.

Our son Joey

Church Camp Luau Summer 2008

Charlie, Joey, Isaac, Carla

Sorry I haven't been able to post like I promised.

This past weekend,

our 16 year old Joey (number 3 of 6) was

admitted to the Hospital

with Stroke Symptoms.

They still don't know what's going on at this point,

but running lots and lots of tests.

This his has definitely put things into perspective for me.

I was so worried about family drama,

trying to figure out how to buy Christmas

gifts for the kids,

work, etc.

Now none of that seems very important any more.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

May God Bless and Keep You.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Oh how I love Christmas!!!!

I'm listening to Christmas Music, sitting by a fire on a Bearskin rug in one of those beautiful, nice, wonderful super soft robes, sipping Hot Coco as we speak.....

OK, not really.

I'm still at work!

But that's what I'd be doing if I could!

I'm so sorry that I haven't blogged in a while.

I have had SOOOOOO much going on.

And so many pressures of daily life on me!

But I haven't forgotten you!

And I'll post some new pics in a few days.

Of Christmas Decorations!

When....I get them up!!!

But it's soon, I promise!!!

I really let Thanksgiving get by without telling you all what I'm thankful for!

It's so much that I don't have room to write it all!

My God amazes and astounds me daily!!!!

You know, I worry all the time.

I know it's a sin, but I do.

I worry about money,

I worry about my marriage

(even though it's wonderful),

I worry about my kids,

I worry about if my car's gonna break down,

and I worry if I'll still have my job tomorrow!

Because nothing in this world is assured.

But what I don't worry about,

what I have the most peace about.

Is regardless of my circumstances...

My God is the same!

He never changes.

And he's got my back!

There have been so many times in my life

that I didn't know how I was gonna make it.

He has always come through for me!

ALWAYS!

And I know he will this time....and the next time......

and every time after that!

I say it all the time...

I am so Blessed!