Being crafty

I actually have something to post about but don't seem to have the time, work is crazy busy (ha typed it before I realized what I'd said). Thanks to lots of coaching from Girlville I'm trying out painting. I have no artistic talent but thought what the heck how hard can it be, well I found out it's a lot harder than it looks. I had decided I would try something abstract thinking it would be easy to just throw some colors on the canvas and you have art. Apparently my personality is not abstract because it was way to hard, I think because I was trying to "stay in the lines" and you can't do that with abstract. So the first canvas ended up in the garbage. I went back to the store for another canvas and decided to try stenciling, they really didn't have what I thought I wanted but I got them anyway - beachy stuff which would go great in my room. After painting the canvas and stenciling it I was again disappointed. I kept this one but am too embarrassed to show it to all my crafty, talented friends. Girlville gave me some great advice on making my on patterns. I've got to make another trip to Michael's for more canvas and try to get better ideas on what I really want. I do like the painting part of it I just need to use my imagination more and ideas are welcome.

Lots of pictures

I had ordered two signs for Girlville and they came in last week, one she gave me for my birthday and I love them. They bring so much color to my room.

This is the other one. Thank you so much K!

This is our new sofa table and yes I know it's not behind the sofa. It looks so small in this picture but it's really a nice size and I love being able to display our family pictures, always makes it feeling homey.

And of new sofa and double (loveseat) chair whatever they call it now days. It is so comfy and soft.

The other day one of our neighbors was selling blueberries for their Church camp so I bought some, 3 pounds of them. I've never made homemade muffins so I gave it a try and they turned out really good, I'm going to make some more this afternoon.

This and that

I've been working some extra hours at work but that's all going to change this afternoon - boss is going on vacation until after the 4th! I'm so excited, I'll still go in to check the mail, messages, and make bank deposits but no patients to deal with and all my work is caught up. I think I'll do what I did last year and try to go through all his junk that he never throws away and straighten things out. I wish he was like me and actually threw things away!

We got some much needed rain yesterday afternoon, I don't think I've ever been so excited to see rain. I know I always talk about how I love the hot weather blah blah blah, well I'm here to say it's hot and I can't take it! There I said it. It was even too hot to go to the beach last weekend I'm so hoping the temps drop to the mid 90's!!!

I'm also excited about our new furniture purchase, we got a new sofa and one of those double chairs with ottoman I don't know what they're called, it's not a love seat but it's big enough for two people to sit in. We are putting our old sofa in the front room that currently has nothing in it and we are making it into a little sitting area.

Also I've started a new habit, I've been getting up every morning and walking around our neighborhood, I can't believe how much energy I have through the day. When we lived in Hawaii I walked in the mornings for years and just got out of the habit. I don't even dread getting up, husband runs every morning and when he comes in I wake up anyway. I guess I had more to say than I thought. Now that I'll have some time off I'll be able to catch up with everybody.

Nothing to blog about

Nothing's going on but hot, hot, hot weather. It's not so bad when your at the beach but going in and out of places you can really feel the heat. Thanks to facebook I was reconnected with a friend of mine who was down here for the weekend. We had such a good time at the beach on Friday, I miss having a girlfriend to go to the beach with (Sandy's doesn't like to go). On Saturday I met husband and Shane at the beach. They camped out at the beach Friday night, hey were both so tired by the time we got home Saturday afternoon - I not much of a camper, at least not one without a bed!

No excuse!

Once again it's been forever since I've blogged, one of the reasons is facebook and my phone. It's so easy to fb from my phone anytime and by the time I get home I don't want to get on the computer. Anyway my parents anniversary party was wonderful, I've got some pics to share but it will have to wait until tomorrow hopefully. We had a great turn out and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Not much has been going on, Shane got out of school the end of May and I'm picking up another day of work beginning next week. Now that's it's summer I wish I wouldn't have agreed to the extra day! Shane and I spent a few hours at the beach today and it was just beautiful. We also had a great beach weekend too. Here are a few pics of today. The water was so clear and calm.
I would love to stay in one of these houses all summer.

Another update

I went to see Sandy last night and she was doing pretty good, still in a lot of pain though and she said the meds weren't really helping. The nurses had gotten her up yesterday morning and she said it was very painful but unfortunately she was going to have to get up again last night and I'm sure multiple times today. The doctor said she would be in the hospital at least until Saturday and maybe Sunday. As much as anyone hates being in the hospital they will be able to control her pain level much better than when she goes home. I told her y'all ask about her and she appreciated that. Keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

Not much else going on, my brother called the other day to ask why I didn't post the picture of me and he said he knew he would see that one of him on my blog.

I've found something else to become addicted to, facebook! I must be the last person to actually get an account. I can't believe all the people on there, it's like once you start looking for someone then look at their friends it never ends and you can spend days looking at it!

Sandy Update

Just letting everyone know Sandy's surgery went well yesterday. She is expected to be in the hospital for a little longer than planned, maybe 5 days. I'm going to see her tonight so will update when I know more.

Flashback to the 70's

Sorry Joel but I just had to. My dad or brother came across this pic over the weekend, we were at a friends house and think it was either 1978 or 1979, isn't my brother just the coolest? Check out his tan lines.

Some progress

My potted hydrangeas are doing pretty good, the two right by the walk way in the ground aren't doing so well. I think they must get too much sunlight. I can't believe how much these have grown in such a short time.

This one isn't doing as good, this one gets more light than the other one but at least it isn't dead - not yet anyway.

Nyla is finally back home with us, I thought this was a nice package.

Happy Birthday Sandy!

Happy Birthday Sandy, I hope you have a wonderday. Wish I could have a slice of this cake!

My new addiction!

My boys got me these beautiful roses for Mother's Day - such sweet boys.

Husband got me a new phone for Mother's Day, he has had his blackberry for several months and I've been debating getting one. I can't believe how addicted I've already become to it. It is amazing to be able to check my email, check out blogs, and the usual phone stuff no matter where I am or what I'm doing. I love it! Yes I still have the plastic on the screen.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day mom. I hope all the mom's whether it's for humans or the furry kind are having a wonderful day today. I am so blessed to be the mom to two wonderful young men and being able to spend some time with both today makes it even more special. Some things I've learned through my own mom and being a mom for 22 years.

• I will always love them more than any words can describe
• I will always worry about them no matter how old they get
• I will protect them even when they don't want to be protected
• I only want happiness and wonderful things for them
• I'm learning to let go of control which I never thought I'd be able to
• I always want to feed my boys - maybe this is my way of showing them how much I love them
• I tell them I love them EVERY day and they tell me the same
• I tell them I'm sorry when I screw up

Enjoy your day!

Beach

I never did get around to posting my beach picture from the other day. It was so windy that day and the water was so rough I only stayed about 1 1/2 hours. I think I was the only idiot on the beach!
Since I left the beach early I planted more flowers, this is from about two weeks ago so the flowers are a little fuller now. Since I got these on sale they need a little extra care but so far so good. The ones I planted in the ground are doing good too.

Thank you

Thank you all so much for the comments you left about Nyla. Things are starting to get back to normal, it's so hard to look out in the backyard and not see her. I think Jazz is really missing her, she just seems so sad and lonely without her. We should be getting her ashes next week, we haven't decided what we are going to do with them yet. Shane made up a shadow box of her personal things so he can see it everyday. Before we left the vet last week they made up clay paw prints for us, they were so kind to us and they made a donation in Nyla's name to the Humane Society. Maybe all the hospitals do that since this was our first experience I wasn't sure how things worked.

Now on to more happier things, my plants are doing pretty good. I don't really know anything about different plants so when I find something that's pretty I get it. My brother informed me I planted the hydrangeas way too close to each other. I didn't know they got so big, they seem to be doing good so I may be in trouble next year. I'll show you my progress tomorrow.

Goodbye Nyla

Nyla crossed over the rainbow bridge on Saturday morning. Early Friday evening Shane was outside in the backyard cleaning the grill. For some reason Nyla kept trying to go in the woods in our backyard - she never did this ever. Shane kept telling her to come back and even pulled her back out once. The next time Shane looked up he could see something in Nyla's mouth and a few minutes later she came quietly out of the woods and laid down in the yard. She had some blood on her mouth and I thought she must have finally gotten one of the squirrels she was always chasing. A while later her mouth started to swell we had no idea what she got a hold of or what got her. Husband and Shane took her to the ER where they assumed she must have gotten tangled up with a snake. They started her on fluids and medicine and admitted her. The doctor gave them hope as they were leaving Friday night. Saturday morning we called in to check on her and she had taken a turn for the worse over the night. Her whole head was twice the size as normal and since it was so swollen they could see all the bites, she was bitten about 9 times and was probably a baby because the marks were so small. Once we got to the hospital and talked again with the doctor we decided to let her go in peace. She was heavily sedated so she wasn't in any pain and we were able to sit with her and tell her how much we loved her and finally to say goodbye. She was such a good girl, never any trouble and she loved to curl up on the patio chairs - I really think she thought she was a small dog.

We love you pretty girl!

It's a start

I've still got a long way to go with the flower bed but at least I finally made a decision on something. I found these hydrangeas at lowes yesterday - on sale. I'm going to go back today and get more. Did I mention lowes is my new best friend, I visit him multiple times every day!
I'm going to try to find some other fillers and two pots for the front porch.

This is the game room - the end that is finished. Husband has started putting up some of his racing stuff up.

I'm off to the beach for a few hours then I'm doing more yard work. Hopefully by this evening I'll have lots more color in the yard.

2 times in one week

I can't believe I'm posting twice this week! We've had a gorgeous past few days and today I had planned on being out in the yard but when I went to the store to find something to plant I came home with nothing. I'm having the hardest time trying to decide what to do with my front porch and our flower bed. Right now we just have green plants, no color so of course I wanted flowers - how hard can it be? I just can't make up my mind, hopefully I can decide while it's still planting season.

Husband picked out two very nice ceiling fans for the Florida room and got those put up today. We had our pool table delivered this past week so the Florida room is turning into a game room. I'll take a picture once we have everything on the walls. I also need to learn to play pool so I can beat Shane. Husband is still debating the paint color for "his" room, I'll be so glad we he decides so we can get all his racing stuff out of boxes and on the walls.

I've been doing really good with my birthday present from my husband, a wii fit. I love this thing, does anyone else have one? I like using this better than a regular video or watching it on TV. I also can't believe how out of shape I am or how sore I was after the first day.

Hello Blog...

Again it's been so long since my last post. I've had a great past few days because it seems my birthday just keeps going. Saturday we had my parents and inlaws and SIL over for a cook out and really celebrated that day for my birthday. I really have missed being able to do normal things like this throughout all the years we've been gone. We had lots of good food and the cake was so pretty and so good.
Sunday on my actual birthday we painted the Florida room and laundry room. It's a really light color but it's better than the white that was on the walls. Eventually we will get around to painting the other rooms but it could take a while.

Today I met Sandy and Suzy for lunch - Sandy was treating me to lunch. If this looks familiar it's because it's the same place we went to last year I think for both of our birthdays. It was a beautiful day.

Sandy and Suzy.

Sandy ordered this sign for me from Girlville (thank you for a wonderful job Girlville). Sandy is always telling me to be creative in my new room. I hung it above the closet doors so when I'm at my desk I can see it. Thank you for a great afternoon.

We got this table and chairs a couple of weeks ago, we didn't have anything to go in the "eat in kitchen" portion of the kitchen. I really love it, we also changed the lighting above the table.

A lot but nothing!

I can't believe how bad I've been with posting. Since husband has been home we've been busy doing house stuff. It doesn't seem like we've really been doing anything but we have stayed busy. Monday we celebrated our 18th anniversary - sometimes it feels like yesterday. Husband sent me 18 roses, they are so pretty and still smell so good.

The other weekend we were in the backyard clearing out some of the brush and I happened to look up and saw this snake. I would have had a heart attack had the thing fell on me. Thank goodness is was harmless and small.

This is my view sitting on the back porch, it is so much nicer in the spring with all the leaves on the trees. We have neighbors behind us but we can't see them now.

On Monday I'm going for a nerve conduction test for my wrists, my husband has had the surgery twice and still has carpal tunnel. I'm not looking forward to the test but I'm ready to get the surgery so my wrists and hands stop hurting - wish me luck.

Happy Easter!

In bloom

The other day Shane and I stopped by Krispy Kreme for some of the best glazed donuts in the world. I think I could eat a dozen of them - I would be sick but I think it would be worth it!

Everything is in full bloom around here, I think I enjoy spring more than I thought.

The weekend

We've been so lucky to have great weather these past few weeks. I just love having the windows open and bringing that fresh smell inside. I don't have a window in my kitchen (it's in the center of the house) so when I'm cooking I can look out the window, this is the view. Don't look too close to the flower bed it needs more pine straw and cleaning out.
Friday Sandy came over for a visit, we both forgot to take pictures. We just sat around and went to a little vegetable stand up the road from my house. It was so nice to have her come see me. Last weekend when I went to see her she had made these pretty cards for me. Excellent packaging.
When I got home and opened up the box I realized she had made different designs. Thanks again.
Friday night I had my mom and brother and his family over for pizza. This was the first time brother's family have seen the house. It was so nice to have them over to our place, all these years it's always us at their house. The rest of the weekend was very relaxing. Two more days for husband to come home!

Our yard

I am really enjoying our new yard, love the patio and the girls are really loving their freedom. We don't have any patio furniture except for these chairs, I didn't take a picture of the deck which has our grill and fire pit on it. We will be rearranging when husband gets home - next week - for good! My MIL is getting new patio furniture so we are going to get her old stuff. I think I'm going to get some planters and put some colorful flowers in them, hopefully Nyla will leave them alone. It is so nice in the afternoons to sit outside and enjoy the wonderful weather.

This is the driveway extension which as you can see connects to the patio, husband was so proud of his idea and use of the yard.

The Swap Gift

I've been having computer issues this past week, I'm hoping everything is getting back to normal. Anyway on Tuesday I received my swap gift from Random, I'm hoping to have yours in the mail tomorrow. I couldn't believe all the wonderful things she sent and all things I love. I wasn't surprised to find the box she sent it in was a shoe box!
Such great packaging.
I love everything, tea, candles, cookbooks, note cards, bubble bath stuff, magnets, hanging sign which is now in my blue room, and sugar. I made some sugar cookies today so I could use the sugar. Thank you so much for all the stuff.

Sandy Update

I went by to see Sandy tonight after work and the surgery went well, it seemed to take forever but I think it was the time frame the doctor had given her. She had just gotten to her room so she was really groggy and probably won't even remember talking to me. I'll let her fill everyone in on everything, she should be able to go home tomorrow. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Birthday, yard and lights.

Sunday was Shane's 16th birthday, I still can't figure out where all the time has gone. Since he didn't get his permit until June he will have to wait until then to get his license - thank goodness! We had the in-laws over and husband cooked some of his famous chicken with some sides and some yummy cake. This was at my parents last weekend - Shane gets to have two cakes!
This was on Sunday at our house.
Lots going on around the house these days. The guys started on the fence, driveway extension, and patio last week. Because of the rain on Friday they weren't able to pour the concrete but they got all the fence posts up and today the concrete was poured. Tomorrow they are scheduled to finish the fence - I'm so excited.

Since husband was home this weekend we changed a couple of our light fixtures. I just love them and can't believe how much difference they make. This is in the foyer.

This is in the dinning room.

We also had some racks to our closet so we now have twice the hanging space, I'm too lazy to go take a picture of it so you'll just have to trust me that it is wonderful. Husband will be home at the end of the month for good this time. I'm so excited to actually live with him again.

Lots of money - again!

I heard from the caterer this past Friday regarding prices for my parents party. The party is going to be from 2-4 in the afternoon so not a heavy meal by any means just snacks. After discussing this with the caterer we decided on chicken salad sandwiches, cheese straws, fruit, nuts, and punch and that's it - mom has estimated 300 people. So would anyone care to guess how much sandwiches and cheese straws are going for now days? I honestly couldn't believe the price, I asked my MIL who use to do this on the side what she thought and she couldn't believe the price. The person is a friend of my SIL's mother and she was giving us her "best" rate. Drum roll please $1700 not including delivery and she was just dropping the food off, not putting it on trays no refilling anything I would be doing that. So who wants to open a catering business with me? I told mom we were going to plan D - do it yourself! My MIL has been giving me some suggestions on food and would welcome more ideas.

The people laying our concrete and putting up the privacy fence are planning on starting the work tomorrow - I will be so happy to let the dogs run free. The weather is suppose to be great this week - no rain until Friday. We are having our driveway extended and a patio, maybe I can remember to take before pictures tomorrow.

I gotta gripe!

First of all I'm so glad I'm not the only one that thought $700 for a cake was ridiculous. Anyway on to my gripe session. I've always heard and it's true that you shouldn't discuss religion and politics with your friends because everybody has their own opinion which they should. But what about when it's discussed at work - by your boss - all the time. I don't have the same religious beliefs that he does and my political views which aren't much except when someone is pushing their belief on me without really knowing how I feel. I guess that's part of the problem I don't really say anything when he goes off about one or the other. Of course what am I suppose to say, he's my boss and I want to keep my job at least until I can find something else. Sometimes I just want to scream and tell him he really is delusional! OK I feel better now, has anyone else had to deal with this? I really do think it is totally inappropriate.

This and that

Thank you all for the suggestions for the front porch. I can't wait to go to a nursery to look around for stuff, I'll wait until I know it's going to stay warm though. Things are starting to settle down although we still have two rooms left to do something with. We are making the Florida room into a game room and we aren't sure what to do with the "living/office" room. Possible make it into an office for husband.

I've been really good with my exercise this week - I know it's only Wednesday but it's better than what I've been doing. Now that we have our bowflex and treadmill together it's really no excuse not to use it. I do best and stick with it as long as I can get it over with first thing in the morning which is what I've been doing.

My mom and I have been planning their 50th wedding anniversary party which will be the end of May. I called to get prices on a cake and couldn't believe the lady when she said around $700, for an anniversary cake. I told that lady we would not be spending that much money on a cake. I know stuff is expensive but they are already married! I'm hoping to find someone more reasonable. I'm still waiting on the caterer to get back to me about the other stuff, we've got lots to do and the time will be here before we know it. I love planning stuff and am so glad to be living close by so I can help do this for my parents.

All suggestions welcome

This is our front porch and I'm not real sure what to do with it. It's not real big so I think a chair would be too much, I've seen lots of different plants on my neighbor's porches. Also the ceiling is really high so hanging baskets are out of the question. I need something but not sure what so please give all your suggestions.

A closer look.

My very blue room!

It really is easy to get out of the habit of posting once you leave for a week or two. Anyway I painted my room ALL day on Tuesday and I'm very pleased with the color. I have to wait until husband gets home to hang my pictures because I want to do a grouping and I know if I do it nothing will be even. Anyway here are some pictures, it will look better once the pictures are on the wall and I finish decorating. Don't you just love the color?
My very plain desk, I really love the desk it has two little drawers on the other side - which is already full. I don't have a chair yet, I thought I'd use one of my card table chairs for now.

My other stuff, my artwork on the floor for now.

I will not be showing the inside of the closet for a very long time!

Decorating 101

I can't believe I'm showing y'all these pictures - I really am ashamed! This is my extra room, I've been trying to decide what color to paint the walls and how I want it to look. I finally decided on my color, well in my mind the color I want - hopefully it actually exist. I have to describe it for you, it's the color of the sky at the beach on a perfect sunny day and your looking through polarized sunglasses, got that color in your mind? I'm leaving the trim white - it's already freshly painted and it's white enough said. I ordered a writing desk yesterday and it should arrive next week. I wanted something really for my laptop and if and when I get back to scrapbooking I'll have some where to do it. I plan to hang a lot of my dad's photos of the beach in the room - the water just makes everything calm to me. Anyway here are the before pictures and hopefully by next week everything will be completed and I'll be sharing the after pictures.
This is coming into the room from the hallway.
This is my mess except for my grandmother's sewing machine. After she passed away I had my mom keep it for me until we finally got situated so nothing would happen to it. I can remember being a little girl and watching her sew on this. Maybe one day I'll be able to sew on my machine!
My closet, it's really a big closet and I'm getting rid of some of those containers, I'm sick of having containers! I hope to organize with maybe some shelving so I can put my overflow candle stuff in it.
Next up - front porch. I'll take a picture so I can get some advice on how to decorate it.