Altered Tins and Merry Christmas

Made these for goodies at my family get-together.  Filled them with candy and kids $1 puzzle from Walmart!  Also gave our daughter a Georgia Bulldogs Red and Black tree.  I made the ornaments for that. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A post with no title

I have the crud now ~ just before Christmas no less.  A touch of bronchitis and sinus infection, fever.  Got a shot, antibiotics, nasal steroid, and was told to begin using a Neti Pot.  I'd heard of it and have used saline in my nose, but this thing is a trip!  Works, but it's weird!!!!  Check it out. 

I've also lost my voice ~ hubby thought about posting something on Facebook about a peaceful "silent night" ~ but to his credit, rethought that!!

Here's to the crazy few days before Christmas, long lines, traffic, counting packages to make sure everyone gets the same number, last minute stocking stuffers, fretting about the gift that did not arrive in time, that string of lights that went out on the tree, cooking, polishing silver (does anyone do that anymore), deep cleaning the house so everyone can walk through the door and mess it up in less than 3.2 minutes, making sure the cookies are ready for Santa, and the famous last words ~ I planned on getting this done earlier this year! 

It's all worth it as long as we remember why we celebrate this season.  It is the birthday of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  No other gift matters.

Joy in the midst of it all,

 

Christmas is almost here

Really, I've not posted since September?  That was just a week or so ago, right?????  WOW, how this year has flown.  It's been a busy, exciting, life changing, and sad one for me in many ways.  Always blessed though.  As things happen and progress in life, whether good or bad, I always try to hang on to an attitude of gratitude.   God is always faithful and takes care of me and my family through all the crazy times.  If I don't post again before Christmas, I hope you have a peaceful, loving one.  

Joy in the midst of it all,   

Convertible!

I've always wanted a convertible Volkswagen bug.  This weekend one of my best friends came to visit from Nashville and drove her new convertible bug!  It was a glorious weather weekend and we rode with the top down most all day Sat.  FUN!!! 

HOPE

HOPE

Holding on Praying Expectantly.

This is a beautiful post and piece of jewelry from The Vintage Pearl.  Check out her other things, but be sure and order one of these!!!! 

Voting

DISCLAIMER:  I am NOT a women's libber, bra burner, protestor ~ just a women who has a passion for equality in all forms.  

Just off the heels of our Independence Day celebrations, let us not forget some of the reasons we are able to have freedoms and rights in our country.  We began early voting here in our county for the July 20th primary vote. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you, especially women, to vote.

August 26th marks the 90th year celebration of women's legal right to vote in the US.  The women that fought for our rights went through some AWFUL times. Women were beaten and left for dead, jailed, husbands divorced them, cussed at, etc.

AND

Wars have raged for years, many of those fought to protect our freedoms.  Our servicemen and women continue to sacrifice their lives, leave their families, and try to make the world a better place all in the name of protecting the rights and freedoms we enjoy, and many times take for granted. 

Materials about the Women's Suffrage Movement are available on the internet, in our library, etc.

http://nwhp.org/

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/awhhtml/aw01e/aw01e.html

are a couple of good sites.

Okay, off my soapbox!

VOTE EARLY ~ VOTE OFTEN!

Random stuff

I hope everyone has enjoyed their 4th of July as much as we have.  We did absolutely NOTHING that was not necessary!  We've had a whirlwind few months and chose to just veg this weekend.  We'll cookout with the our kids and grandkids tomorrow. 

I've spent an inordinate time on my laptop.  Catching up on blogs, cleaning out e-mails, etc. 

Wanted to share my great-niece's blog with you.  She and her husband had a baby boy almost a year ago now.  Logan is PRECIOUS.  She made a video for her husband on his first Father's Day, then she and her brother and sister made one for their dad (my nephew).  Both of these videos are priceless and truly show what kind of family they are.  The only down side to it is that we live about 8 hours apart and do not get to see each other often enough ~ this kind of thing just makes me miss them more.   

One of my dear friends, Jenn at Delightfully.cliche. posted a photo meme and a love post on Friday.  I'd done the photo meme a couple of posts back ~ HERE ~ if you want to check it out.  She shared some of her favorite blogs and I've been reading them this weekend and added several to my google reader to keep up with their posts.  Check her posts out and see her favorite bloggers.

While looking at blogs, I discovered several dedicated to dachshunds.  We have two right now and have had two others in the past.  They are a pain in the tail, stubborn as everything, high maintenance, and spoiled rotten (born that way, we did not do it, LOL).  Vet bills, constant carpet cleaning (did I mention they were stubborn?), dog food to buy, etc.  They bark at nothing, are jealous of each other,  want to be beside one of us AT ALL TIMES, sleep in out bed, and pretty much run the house.

But we would not take a million dollars for them (actually if you offer. . . ).   The current two still surprise us with their personalities and discoveries.  My daughter-in-law lovingly named Molly, our 16 month old, "crack dog" because her energy is over the top.  Our 4 year old Sassy, (we just inherited her in April), is the most docile dachshund I've ever seen.  Polar opposites!

I might mention at this very moment the random fireworks going off in our neighborhood ARE NOT something these two enjoy.  

Last but not least, it is the 4th of July and thinking about the men and women that have fought and are still fighting to make this the best country in the world to live in, moves me to tears.  Thank you cannot BEGIN to express how much you and your families sacrifice mean to me.

Muffins and Mayhem!!!

Just finished reading Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher (creator of *DearReader.com) and I highly recommend it.  Part memoir, part cookbook, Suzanne shares some of her life experiences and lessons learned in this delightful book.  Suzanne speaks to the reader candidly about life and it's ups and downs in a way we can all relate to.  With a few tears and lots of laughs, this book is a joy to read!  Check out the Muffins and Mayhem website for more information.

*DearReader.com is a site you need to check out.  I may have blogged about it before ~ it's great.  You can choose different "book clubs" and receive a daily excerpt of the featured book that week.  Everyday Suzanne posts something on the e-mail as well.  Might be a new recipe, a thought, reader mail, etc.  I LOVE getting daily book excerpts and finding out about new authors, etc.  Suzanne also has a feature known as AuthorBuzz that introduces you to 4-6 authors not featured on the daily read.  I cannot tell you how much I enjoy it.  Some weeks I don't look at any of the books, but most times I do.  I've discovered authors that have become my favorite to read on AuthorBuzz.   One of the best parts of the site though ~ you might be lucky enough to be the winner of a batch of Suzanne's famous Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!!!

It's very simple.  Nothing to buy, no requirements to fulfill, no surveys, etc.  Just great information.  Check it out!

Happy Reading,

WOW

If you read my last post, I introduced you to an author ~ Denise Hildreth Jones.  Just about 15 minutes after I posted about her, I received another authors newsletter on my e-mail.  The first entry on her newsletter read. . . "join me tomorrow night at The Book Exchange in Marietta, GA along with Maryann McFadden and Denise Hildreth. . . "   Here in the south, we call that a God Thang!!! 

I did a quick search to find out where the bookstore was and decided I could get there in about an hour.  So after work today I took off for Marietta!  Met a dear friend there who loves books as much as I do.  

The Book Exchange folks were great hostesses and the authors were delightful.  If you live in the Atlanta area I highly recommend you visit The Book Exchange.  

I came home with signed copies of the authors newest books, and felt like I made lots of new friends, too.

I told you about Denise Hildreth in my previous post.  Her newest book is Hurricanes in Paradise.   Nichole Seitz's new book is Saving Cicadas.  This is her fourth novel and she does all her own beautiful artwork for the covers.  Maryann McFadden's newest is So Happy Together, set in Cape Cod.  Her first novel, The Richest Season is set in Pawleys Island, SC.  All three authors were informative, honest and a delight to talk with and listen to.  Their writing comes from their hearts and is a gift to us.  Check them out by clicking on their names and also check out The Book Exchange.

Happy Reading!

Great Blog Find

There are times when I happen upon a blog through an e-mail or another blog, etc. and try to share.  Denise Hildreth Jones is one I found today through dearreader.com (another story).  Anyway, I've read some of Denise's book and loved them.  She has a new one out that I look forward to reading.  I've read . . .  

I highly recommend them.  Her new book is Hurricanes In Paradise.  Just click on the title to read about it.  

She is also a bible study teacher in her hometown of Franklin, TN.  I will also be checking that out.  I spent some time on her blog reading archives and learning what I could about her.  I highly recommend her blog and books to you.  Here is a post that really spoke to me today, and I hope it does you, too.  I  hope she forgives me for copying part of it and sharing it with you (I will tell her)!

. . .There is that weaned child place. The place of rest and peace. Where it can sit right beside it’s mother and never have to react in desperation for what it’s mother has. Because it knows that it will have whatever it needs. I’m been sitting in the passage in Psalms for over a week now. Psalms 131:2 ” But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

Not always easy is it? Sometimes we’re far more like the flailing child. Desperate. Panicked. Searching. Scared. Life is uncertain. Jobs are scarce. Money is tight. Marriage is hanging by a thread. Children are wreaking havoc on your nerves. Depression tightens like a noose and we flail. We react in panic. As if we will get more if we do. As if the answers will come quicker or sound different.

Yet there is a place of rest for the soul…a quiet confidence in our sustenance provider that removes the need for flailing. That tells us we can rest in the fact that He will supply all of our needs. Not one thing that we have need of will He not supply. Whether it is direction, provision, or simply peace in the fact that things are still unanswered. And in the middle of it all can be an inexpressible joy.. . . originally posted February 8, 2010 on denisehildreth.com.

Please take the time to read her post at in it's entirety HERE and I hope it blesses you like it blessed me!

Oil reaches Okaloosa Islands

A friend shared this story with me tonight (click on the link below text to read it). The Destin area is beautiful and one of our favorite vacation spots. This is of course one of many tragic stories related to the oil spill.

Lots of prayers need to be sent up. The people that live and work in the affected areas, the business owners in the affected areas, our environment, and as unpolitically correct as it might be ~ BP, too. If they did not repair something or were truly negligent in what happened, then they will have to make amends.

I cannot imagine that they are not affected by the loss of life and environmental damage that has been done.

Oil reaches Okaloosa Islands beaches; assessment teams en route okaloosa, oil, teams - News - TheDestinLog.com

Fun summer giveaway

Catching Fireflies is hosting a great summer giveaway!  Check it out HERE.  While you are visiting their site, check out their unique gift selection.  And if you happen to win the contest, let me know!!!

 

Fun Pic Game

This is a fun game!  Go into your "My Pictures" or "Pictures" file.  Go to the 8th folder and choose the 8th photo…post it. . . then tell the story.

This is a picture I scanned recently to send to the girl on the right in the pic!  It is a picture of my brother, me and my parent's best friend's daughter, Sandy.  Bobby and Sandy are the same age and I think I was about 12-18 months in this picture, they were like family and still are.  We moved away from Dallas in 1971 when I was only 12 years old and I miss them terribly to this day.  I just got to see Sandy in Dallas in March because her mom passed away.  Still like family!  What a great 8th folder, 8th picture to find!

I love books!

I love to read and I am TERRIBLY behind in all that I want to read.  Stacks of books all over.  I read all genres and love some cute, funny chick lit at times.  I read a lot of book blogs to get ideas and one I read recently had some . . . interesting. . .  and very inviting titles.  A friend of mine, Jenn, has read a lot of these and laughed until she cried.  I gotta get to reading!!!!!

Jen Lancaster has a few attention grabbing titles:

Bitter is the New Black:  Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, or, Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office

or you might like. . . 

Bright Lights, Big Ass:  A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me?

Laurie Perry (her blog) has a couple of good ones, too.  I've read and love. . . 

Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split

and I have her newest one in my stack to read . . . 

Home Is Where the Wine Is: Making the Most of What You've Got One Stitch (and Cocktail!) at a Time

And one I have on a wish list ~ because I heard this as a young woman ~ OOOOOOOO so many times. . .

Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Color On!: What Southern Mamas Tell Their Daughters that the Rest of Y'all Should Know Too by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson.  I will admit that when I heard it from mom years ago, it was more about holding my shoulders up.  Now, I need to suck in my stomach (along with other parts of my body)!!!!!!!  

Aside from some strong language, these books are REAL life.

Happy Reading!  xx oo

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.  I was blessed to spend time with my family yesterday and today. 

Check out this great jewelry giveaway at The Vintage Pearl.  Her stuff is gorgeous!

Girlfriends!

Okay ~ so I have not posted for a while.  I am a victim of Facebook, sorry.  I've discovered a couple of websites to share.  Don't know tons about them yet, but they seem fun!

 One is Girlfriend-logy.  It's all about celebrating, inspiring, and appreciating our "girlfriendness". Click the picture to check it out and join!

The other is It's Hip to Be Hot ~ Not your Momma's Menopause!  If you know me personally or have read this blog at all, you know how I feel about all this girl stuff and HORRIBLE-MONES!!!!!!  Amazing.  This is a fun site. Click the picture and enjoy!  

Nothing can compare to our girlfriends and their support ~ especially at this time and place in my life!!!!!  We gotta find things to have fun and be blessed!
love ya'll

ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!!!!

I love fun things and love giveaways.  One of my favorite stores is having a giveaway and if you win from my suggestion I win, too!!!  Catching Fireflies:  Whimsical goodies that'll brighten your day!  They have an online store HERE.  Also brick and mortar stores in Berkley and Rochester, Michigan.  CLICK HERE for the giveaway! 

A Giveaway

Busy Bee Lifestyle is sponsoring a Valentine Day Card giveaway from MINTED.  Check them out for some gorgeous things!  Also, while you are visiting Busy Bee, become a follower.  You can enter the contest HERE
Good luck!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  I've been a slacker on blogging this year and can't promise I will do any better, but I'll try.  As I've said before, my resolution for a new year is to NOT make any resolutions, then I'm not disappointed or disappoint anyone else!  Always works for me!  I am looking at 2010 in a new light ~ with hope for peace, better economic times, a deeper faith and understanding in God, and healthier lifestyles and healthier family members ~ it's been a tough year for some.  Hope you have great expectations and grand things planned for 2010.  

Joy,