Wow, now this is how you fly!

I am currently, yes currently, on the plane flying to Tucson!!!

They have Wi-Fi available on the plane now......who knew!

Now I have to decided.......read my book or get caught up on blogs?

Random Dozen

Joining Linda at 2nd cup for her Random Dozen today.

I will be flying most of the day....my destination is Tucson, AZ and my hometown!!! I can't wait to see my parents and hang out with my family and of course have an Eegee's!!!

Here goes:

1. Tell me the absolute best way to watch a movie. at home, with a big bowl of homemade popcorn (butter and Parmesan cheese on top), lights off and the whole family there!!!

2. Do you ever think about your own funeral? If so, do you have specific ideas about how you would like it to be? The only thing I have thought about is that I want it to be a celebration...because I will be HOME!!!

3. Are you more of a giver or a taker? I am mostly a giver, but there are times I am a taker. I have learned over the years that I keep others from the joy of serving when I don't allow them to give to me too.

4. Vacations: planned activities and schedules, or play it by ear? depends on where we are, but I am a play it by ear kind of girl!

5. What is one often overlooked item in your home that needs to be cleaned regularly? my bathroom. no one sees it but me and my husband and so it is the first thing to go when I am busy...and no, it doesn't bother me.

6. Name a cause that means a lot to you. first and foremost, the cause of Christ and any organization that brings the good news to the lost.

7. Do you eat a regular old peanut butter jelly sandwich, or do you customize it? And by the way, jelly or no jelly? I love PG&J. that is what I am packing to take on the plane today. But I also LOVE PB&B....bananas!!!

8. If we were having a conversation in person, how would I know if you were nervous? I tend to talk very fast when I am nervous.

9. Do you have an elaborate bedtime routine, or just the basics of toothbrushing and jammies? seriously..this is me.......just the basics!!!!

10. Have you ever regretted something you wrote on your blog? yes and I deleted it. It is hard when you are in the ministry to be as transparent as you would like.

11. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a famous person or celebrity? Did you agree? yes, I once was told I looked like Tyne Daly (you younguns' might not know who she is!) and no I didn't agree. I mean we both have brown hair....that's as close as I could see.

12. If you were going to dedicate a song to a loved one or friend, what would the song be and to whom would it be dedicated? I am so bad at names of songs. I don't think I would ever dedicate a song to a loved one.......maybe a recipe? :)


Happy Wednesday!!!

Praying for you.....

Most of you know that I changed my blog up so that I could add my "praying for you" tab. This is a place where you can leave your prayer requests and give me the honor of praying for you. Several of you have already been posting and we have seen 2 answers to prayer since it started. God is so good!!!

If you have a specific prayer request, I would love for you to allow me to pray for you. It is also my hearts desire that others of you would join me and pray for these requests too. I can't think of anything better that we could do for each other! Just click on the tab.

I would also like to ask you all to be praying for me. I have a few battles that I am facing right now and I need the strength to keep my focus on God and to remember that He is right by my side.

I was reminded in my quiet time this morning that when we call upon His name, God promises believers power and victory. He promises that we would be more than conquerors and that Christ will never take us into a battle we cannot win.

However, there are times when circumstances are so seemingly hopeless that our eyes drift from our anchor and we lose confidence that God is entirely, wholeheartedly, and unwaveringly on our side.

In my current bible study, Beth Moore says "We tend to determine whether God is against us or for us based on how He appears to act in our circumstances."

I am not sure I ever think that God is against me, but I do wonder at times if He is watching and what He is doing about it! If I am truly honest, in those difficult times sometimes I wonder if my situation is really all that important......there are so many worse things going on in the world. And if I can't see God working..........sometimes I assume He isn't.

I was so encouraged this morning, when I was taken to John 13:7:

Jesus replied "you do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand"

Beth wrote "God knows when something glorious in the future necessitates something difficult in the present." And I need to trust Him. Just like I ask my kids to trust me when I make a decision that they don't understand. I can see the future ramifications, even when they can't.

God promises to always be on my side.....He chooses to be. Romans 8:28-39 is my reminder of that.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. for those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? .......in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced the neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the prsent nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen!

So please pray that I will continue to remember that God is by my side and for me, even when I don't understand what he is doing.

Thanks.

I am not sure how much I will be posting in the next week. I am leaving in the morning for Arizona to visit my parents and will be there a week. Over the weekend, my parents are leaving for a couple of days and 3 of my best friends from IN are flying in to spend some time with me. Then I am staying a few more days to celebrate my dad's birthday.

And hopefully in all that...get some much needed rest.

Project 365 - Week 39

Week 39! One more week and we will be out of September. I had all but given up on having any more sunshine or summer for a while and then we were blessed with TWO glorious days!!! It has been sunny and warm (not quite hot, but I won't complain!) The weather report says that we should continue this for the whole week......woot!!!! It is amazing what a little sun will do to a girls spirits....and it's even more amazing what a little SON will do to bring my focus back in line! I have had some quality time in prayer with God this week.....awesome.... but that is for another post.

Here's my week:

Sunday

We added a new design to CrossWalk today!
As the kids came in, the got their picture taken in the belly of the whale...
....some adults got into it too! :)
We are so blessed to have so many creative people in our church body!

Monday

Book Club tonight!!

Tuesday

I am NOT ready for this...
...and notice it is still cloudy and threatening rain.

Wednesday

We love cornbread in my family.
definitely comfort food!!
This picture was taken on another day.
My week has been busy and I am dealing with
issues of menopause......not fun.
it's been hard to remember pictures.

Thursday

Tonight was the sophomore Renaissance coffee shop
They have been studying Italy and had
to come up with a poster telling of the city they
were assigned. Jared's team had Venice. Since it is an
island, they had the poster laying flat...very clever!
They earned an honorable mention.


This is Jared presenting their project to a parent

Friday

Friday is breakfast date day for us.
However, our favorite place has gotten a bit pricey.
So, we have been trying other breakfast places...
.....none are measuring up to our fav.

Today we decided to go back to our fav....
...and just share a meal.
perfect!!

Saturday

Today were the auditions for all-region orchestra
Jared practicing in the gym before his auditions
This gym was FULL of kids after 5 minutes of taking this pic..
...can you imagine what it sounded like?!

Waiting his turn to go in for the audition.....

First Chair French Horn!!!

we are so proud of him!!
This is his first audition on the HS level!!!

So how was your week in pictures?

Houston......we have SUNSHINE!!!!!!

I can not tell you what a happy girl I am today!

In fact, I am heading outside in a minute to read in the sun.
chores will have to wait!

Our pool was a mess from all the rain,
so we put the sweep in today.

Lily is finally able to get her favorite exercise...
..if you can watch till the end, she gets her prize!
Although, usually she falls in!

Friday Fill-ins

1. One week ago it had been raining for over a week, it's.still.raining.

2. I miss sitting on my Dad's lap when I was young picking the plaster off his fingernails.

3. Mama told me to always tell the truth.

4. Honey, we need a vacation, just you and me.

5. Take your time coming Fall, I don't mind waiting another month.

6. This too will pass!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to something! not really sure yet, tomorrow my plans include watching Jared compete at the regional orchestra/brass competition and Sunday, I want to worship God and enjoy a celebration dinner with my neighbors!

Recipes

As promised, here is my pumpkin bread recipe.....truly it is the best you will ever eat!!! Someone yesterday also asked for my chicken and noodles recipe.....my favorite comfort food!

Pumpkin Bread

3 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup veg. oil
1 tsp nutmeg
4 eggs
1 tsp all spice
1 (1 lb) can pumpkin
1 tsp cinnamon
3 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground clove
2 tsp soda
2/3 c water
1 tsp salt

Cream sugar and oil together. Add eggs and pumpkin and mix well. Mix together the dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients alternately with water. Pour into 2 well-greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 1 - 1 1/2 hours (or until test done). Let stand 10 min. then remove from pans to cool.


Chicken and Noodles

1 whole chicken
salt and pepper to taste
julienne carrots
3 T+ chicken soup base
1 pkg frozen reames egg noodles
homemade (non of that box stuff!) mashed potatoes

boil chicken in a large pot of water seasoned with salt and pepper. Take cooked chicken out to cool. Add carrots, soup base and noodles to the water. Cook till noodles are done....30-40 minutes. shred cooked chicken and add back to pot. This will thicken as it cooks. Taste and add more soup base, salt or pepper as needed. Serve over mashed potatoes!!!! Yum!!

Enjoy!

Random Dozen and WYAW

I'm joining Linda at 2nd cup again for Random Dozen!!
and also the other Linda at Growin with it for WYAW

1. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share. There was a girl who just didn't like me. I knew she was waiting after PE one day to "do" something to me. So, I hung out with the coach as long as I could without being late to my next class. I thought she had given up. But as I got to the door of the class, she came up behind me and shoved me into the room......I took out 3 boys....just like a bowling ball. I never really knew why she had it out for me, but I hear she is now a principal.....wonder if she remembers that?

2. What's your favorite Beatles song? this may get me boo'd but I am not a big beatles fan....the only one I can think of at the moment is Yellow submarine.

3. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be? sweats and a t-shirt

4. Would you rather host a party or be a guest? wow, that's hard b/c I just want to be at a party! But if I have to choose....host for sure!! love it!

5. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that? I really have no idea. But I do know that I asked for a Kindle for my birthday, so I guess I am ok with that. My only problem with digital books is that you can't write in them and I love to write notes!

6. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing? by far..experiencing.

7. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?)EGO.

8. Snacks. Salty or sweet? salty for sure!!! but if you mix sweet and salty.....yum!!!

9. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there?my one year chronological bible. I was determined in January to go through this, but it got buried in what looks like a pile in about Feb. yep, forgot about it!!!

10. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie?Mission Impossible.

11. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle?put it in my boys shower....they use anything that is in there.....too bad one of them isn't named "mikey"

12. Your favorite Fall comfort food? (Last week it was beverage.)Chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes.........sooooo good!!!

Now for my questions in WYAW......


Since I am trying to come to terms with the fact that Fall started today and summer is over...

1. what is your favorite part of fall?

2. What is the best costume you ever wore for Halloween?

3. What is your favorite pumpkin recipe?

4. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

My Answers:

1. Wearing sweat shirts and sweat pants!!

2. I made pumpkin outfits for the whole family once....yes, adorable!

3. Pumpkin bread......the.best.for.sure. (tomorrow I will post the recipe)

4. Either dressing or yeast rolls...........I could eat my weight in either!!!


Happy Wednesday!!!

Random thoughts on Tuesday...

Well, my week has started off with a bang. Although we finally had SUN yesterday, I didn't get to enjoy it because I was called into work early to cover for another sick employee. Once I got off work, I never stopped till I got home at 9:30....no sun by then.

On top of a busy week, ya'll I am totally suffering from menopause and I DON'T LIKE IT!!! you young gals start praying that Christ returns before you have to go through this because my body is wacked out!! I really feel like I should carry an extra change of clothes with me when I go out because these hot flashes are wicked.....and just to let you know, it's really hard to work (and be nice) when you're having one!!

I have just finally given up vacuuming up all the dog hair every.day. I am just letting it go till I can't possibly stand it or some one comes to the door....then they have to wait 5 minutes before I let them in! Really, Lily can't possibly have any more hair on her body.....it is mind boggling.

The rain is back today......really?...... nine days and record rain fall is not enough? I am just waiting for our house to slide down the hill any day the ground is so wet.

Okay, if you haven't guessed it from this post, here is fair warning........

.........you might want to stay away from this menopausal, grumpy woman today.......

......just sayin'.

Project 365 - Week 38

Week 38....1/2 way through September......wow! This year is really flying by.

I don't know about where you live, but we are about to build an ark in my hometown. It has been raining for 8 days.......EIGHT days......and is still raining. Today was more on and off, but overcast, humid and wet. The forecast says we might have rain for 3-6 more days. This southern girl is in great need of some sunshine!!! I don't know how people live in Oregon........ya'll I am grumpy!!!

But I am glad that I live on the TOP of the hill!!!

Here's my week:

Sunday

We kicked off our Jonah curriculum at church today...
....the kids got swallowed by a fish as they walked in!

Monday

My new addiction...
Edamame!
Since I found them at Sam's, frozen in individual servings,
I have had them almost everyday....and they're good for me!
Bonus!

Tuesday

It is raining.....again.

Wednesday

Started this study today....
...it's going to be great!


Thursday

It's official!
you can use duct tape for anything!!!
we were setting up our stage for children's ministries for this Sunday and we need a spot light on the drama. We (3 women) couldn't figure out how to get this spot light pointed in the right direction and work, it was just hanging from the cord!
It works now!! :)

Friday

Friday nights & Football
they go well together!!
The band didn't get to play :( , this game was away
and the threat of pouring rain was too big
However, it didn't rain, just misted, and we won!!!
We are 3-0 now!!! Woot!

Saturday

I just vacuumed yesterday!!

the culprit....

shedding season is here.....ugh!
However, you can't stay mad at that sweet face for long!

So how was your week? Link up!!

Friday Fill-ins

1. My car just needs to get me from point A to point B.

2. A girl's weekend is coming up next.

3. Lately, things seem to be very wet......ugh.

4. my front porch is one of my favorite 'hiding' places.

5. What happened to my beautiful summer, I'm not ready for fall?

6. My getting more organized is not impossible, really it's not!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the FB game and watching the marching band (NOT in the rain), tomorrow my plans include designing the belly of a whale for Sunday School and Sunday, I want to have fun leading Children's worship and then relaxing!

Random Dozen

Before I start though, I have to come clean......

I, myself, am the culprit who leaves the toilet paper stacked.
In my defense, it doesn't happen all the time....just most.

Hi, my name is Sara and I don't change the toilet paper roll in my bathroom.

But I so appreciate all ya'll thinking that it was the "other" people in my house!! :) You're the best!



Today, I'm joining Linda, at 2nd Cup for her Random Dozen. Join with us!!

1. Which is worse: a long, boring meeting or standing in a return/exchange line after Christmas?
most definitely the return line after Xmas....it's like the DVM!

2. Except for maybe Rosie O'Donnell or Ann Coulter, nobody likes confrontation, yet we all have to deal with it. When you feel cornered and defensive, do you "bite back" or become passive aggressive? When I feel cornered, I tend to bite back. I don't think any one would describe me as passive aggressive.....my husband might even laugh at that.

3. Do you know anything about your genealogical background? (What country, culture, ties to prominent historical figures, or other stuff.) My dad is adopted, so no info on his side and my to be honest, I am not sure about my mom. We can go back many generations before it goes overseas.

4. What is the quickest way a person can endear him/herself to you? be a friend, honest and take interest in the relationship.

5. Cake, pie, cookies, or ice cream? (Note there is no "all of the above" option. You must choose one. Feel free to elaborate on flavor or memories tied to this dessert.) If you'd like, you can share a recipe, but you certainly don't have to. Ice Cream all the way. I do like to make homemade ice cream but when you have Blue Bell or Baskin robins, why?

6. Females: Do you regularly change your handbag to coordinate with your outfit? I am horrible about changing my handbag. It happens, maybe, twice a year.

7. Are you task-oriented or relationship-oriented? relationship oriented for sure, unless I am in charge of a project...then I become quite task oriented.

8. IHOP, Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel? I really don't care for any of them.

9. Have you ever left a movie in progress in a theater? Why? yes, for language

10. What is one area of life in which you would like to develop more discipline or organization? organization....my house. discipline....changing the toilet paper roll :) no, really I would like more discipline in intercessory prayer.

11. Was middle school fun or painful? It was actually fun for me, but it did have its painful moments for sure.

12. What is your favorite Fall beverage? I love hot apple cider....but seeing as it is still 90 here, it will be a while before I feel like drinking that.


What are you answers?

Be honest......

Does your bathroom look like this?

God is still working on me....

Most of you know that God has been working on me in the area of prayer for several months now. If you are new to my blog, you can go here, here and here to read about it.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16b

This is the verse He has been leading me to. I feel God is calling me to a deeper prayer life and opening my eyes to what a true intercessor is. And I am learning that true intercessory prayer....prays till it is finished, no time limits.

That is a scary thought in our age of "quick and easy" and our busy schedules. But God is showing me that this type of prayer has been lost.......and I am "trying" to be obedient and make this a part of my life.

My husband and I were invited to a Prayer Summit on Saturday.........6 hours.

I'll be honest, I thought (and I'm sure others did too) was "what will I talk to God about for SIX hours?"

The man leading the Summit answered my question right off the bat. He said "The question you should be asking is "what is God going to say to me for 6 hours?" And he was right!

I am going to attempt to explain it to you, but honestly it is something that has to be experienced.

It was organized in that the leader kept it flowing and yet completely spontaneous as the Holy Spirit was allowed to move. We started with a time of praising who God is by reading scripture aloud. From all over the sanctuary, people called out scripture that told of the mighty name of God. That flowed to a time of singing, which flowed to a time of finishing a line "because you are worthy Lord, I can....." There was confession, for ourselves and the church in general.

We had a 45 minute time of complete silence where we allowed God to speak to our hearts. After being in His presence and praising him for 2 hours, this was a very sweet time. God had a few things to say to me........one that I had to wrestle with. But it was so good.

We broke for a quick snack break..as in peanut butter crackers and granola bars! At first I thought "this is not going to hold me for 3 more hours", but amazingly it was all I needed!!!

After lunch, we broke into small groups of men and women. The morning mainly focused personal time with the Lord, this afternoon time focused on the church, our congregations and our city. Oh, I had the most wonderful ladies praying with me....our hearts were poured out at the feet of Christ and united in that circle. It was truly beautiful!!! Then we joined our group with another group and had double the voices praying for our city and the lost.

The day ended with communion. We sang several praise songs as each person came to the table when they were ready. Once everyone had taken communion, we all gathered around the table, close together and sang "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name".....

......this is what I expect Heaven to be like!!!

I could honestly imagine the throngs in Heaven joining with us as we sang this song......I could imagine my aunt and grandparents joining voices with me!!! Oh what a day that will be!!!

It was a wonderful day......one I won't soon forget.

It has also called me to an even bigger commitment to pray for ya'll. Most of you know had my blog redone so that I could add the Praying For You tab. If you need prayer, click over there and leave it in a comment. I am honored to pray for your requests every week!

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16b

Project 365 - Week 37

It's week 37. I had a great week and it ended on a perfect note. Steve and I attend a 6 hour prayer summit today that was amazing, humbling, wonderful, emotional, life changing. I will be blogging on it Monday. God continues to work on me in the area of prayer!!

Here's my week.....

Sunday

We had a party today in childrens church to celebrate the end of our summer veggie tales curriculum! One of the moms made this cake...isn't it awesome?!
Now on to Jonah....

Monday

The perfect ending of a good day!
Blue Bell Cookies and Cream!!!
Yum!

Tuesday

One of Jason's friends came over and sat in our chair....
after they left, we realized they left a perfect butt print on the fabric!!
...Even the wrinkles in the pants.....hilarious!!!

Wednesday

Our Youth group is now meeting in our house on Wednesday nights.
They meet in a large group then split up into smaller all over the house.
We had 28 kids plus leaders here tonight!!!
Love it!!

The rest were in the kitchen eating nachos!!!

Thursday

My husband had lunch with friends in a new part of town today.
He looked next door and there was a Tortilleria!!!
This AZ girl LOVES homemade tortillas!
This is a fantastic find!!!

Friday

This is what happens when I get together with my BFF, Wendi
These are Italian Nachos....Oh.my.goodness!!

At dinner, she realized her band shirt (we were heading to the FB game) was on backwards. She was racing to get her shirt turned around before I could get my camera out. She didn't realize my mad skills since I started project 365!!! ha!

Saturday
Steve and I attended a prayer summit today

life.changing

It ended with a sweet, sweet time of communion

So how was your week? Link up and share your pictures!!

Friday Fill-ins

1. That's an awesome place to be.

2. Snakes and spiders over there; I'm over here!

3. The possibilities include: finger, wrist, foot...for a tatoo (surprised?).

4. Chili and cornbread is one of my favorite cool day recipes.

5. How will you know if you never even try.

6. Yesterday we had a lot of humidity and a stormy sky.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the UCA game with my friend Wendi, tomorrow my plans include attending a Louis Palau Prayer summit and Sunday, I want to Kick off our Jonah curriculum with a bang!

10 on the Tenth

Today I am joining Meredith from Life at 7000 feet for her meme about 10 things I am enjoying these days....

1. My newly painted room!!! It was hard work, but I love my room! You can go here to see it. I have even made my bed every day since I finished it....that is sayin something!!!

2. Being part of Dolce Bellezza's Japanese Literary Challenge. This reading has really taken me out of my comfort zone and I'm finding that I have to put away my "american" way of reading.....ie: desiring a plot and a conclusion! I am on my 2nd book and enjoying it!!

3. Having our youth group meet at our house on Wednesday nights. Yep, on Wednesdays our house in invaded by all the youth in our church for a weekly program. they meet in one large group then break up into smaller groups all over the house for deeper study. Some of you might cringe at that, but I LOVE it!!!

4. The extended hot weather. I know, I'm weird. But I love the hot weather and would like to extend our "pool time" as far as we can!!

5. Getting to know the Korean congregation that is now meeting at our church on Sunday afternoons. These folks always, always come in to church with huge smiles. They are so happy to have a church home and it shows. I have loved meeting them and getting to know them...though the language barrier is sometimes hard, a smile and a hug makes it work!

6. my new work schedule! for the last several years, I have worked Mondays and Thursdays at the pharmacy coffee shop. The owner recently asked me if I could change hours to help them out for a while. Now I work everyday, except Friday, from 12-3 and am working back in the pharmacy. I wasn't sure how I would like it, but after giving it a try....I am really enjoying it!!!

7. My family. We are in a new season, with a college junior, hs senior and hs sophmore and I am enjoying where we are.......well, most of it!! :)

8. The fact that So You Think You Can Dance is back on!!! woot!

9. Trying out new recipes. I have been on a new recipe kick and have received some awesome ones from ya'll!!! I love having the time, and desire, to try new ones!! yum!

10. Project 365. I am still enjoying trying to capture my day with a picture. I honestly can't believe I have kept it up this long......I am so very glad I did. I just wish that all of us still doing it could find a way at the end of the year to get together and show off our year.......hmmmm, going to have to work on that!


Happy Thursday!!!

This cracks me up!!!

Pun intended!!!

This is just too good not to post

my son had some friends over
we all sat in the family room and visited

After they left, we realized that one of them left a perfect butt print in the chair!!

Seriously, even the wrinkles in the fabric are showing!!!
You couldn't have painted it better

It makes me laugh every time I look at it!!
Of course this is my picture of the day today,
so you will see it again for Project 365

But it was just too funny not to post!

some memories....

Thank you for all your wonderful comments about my new bedroom!! It was so much fun to show off........it's really just fun it is d.o.n.e!! :)

But I wanted to show you up close some of the pictures I decorated with. They have lots of meaning and memories behind them.

This is not a great shot, but this is a photo of my dad, he is the one on the stand.
He was a cheerleader in college, which makes me laugh.
I love this picture of him!

This cutie is my hubby!!
Is that beanie not hilarious?!!!
I can't believe his mom got him to keep it on!!

These 3 are of my mom, brother and me
I found these at my mom's and have been looking for the perfect place for them.
I was cute, huh?!

This one makes me cry when I read it.....every.time!
First, the top picture is crewel work of the love stamp that was on my wedding invitations. Yep, my mom thinks of it all...the actual stamp is in the lower right corner.

The bottom picture was presented to me at my rehearsal dinner
That is actually me at 5 yrs. old in a play wedding outfit
I can't believe they found this picture.

But the special part is the poem my dad wrote for me.....

Little Girl

Little Girl
How Great it was the day you were born
You know, I could hold you in one hand
It was a day of happiness and not scorn
Little did I know what God had in His plan

Little Girl
You started as my little Princess, into everything
But, oh, how you've grown and changed
Your love for everyone has always been a blessing
You've become a beautiful lady whose talents have wide range

Little Girl
The joys we've had together seem like a million
Looking back arouses my deepest feelings
Like San Francisco, "Flying Nun" skiing trips, even the cotillion
It excites me to the very depth of my being

Little Girl
I must now realize the continuation of God's plan
You have made the decision to become a wife
It's time that I give you to another man
and I will cherish my memories for the rest of my life

Little Girl
I want you to know how pleasing is your choice
He's one of the luckiest men in the world
And even though he will now be the boss
Psst, Psst -- always remember, you're MY Little Girl


..........I have the greatest dad!

Before & After Party!!!

Today I am joining Thrifty Decor Chic's Before & After Party!!! I saw that she was having this right as I decided to finally redo my bedroom......perfect timing!!!

If you haven't visited her blog........you need to!! I have learned from her that most anything you see in a magazine or store can easily be done at home and cost less!!! It amazes me sometimes what she can do!! And she has inspired me to tackle some projects that I probably wouldn't have!

We have lived in this house now for 2 1/2 years. The first month I was here, I tackled the main floor (kitchen, family room, dining room) and redid all of them top to bottom.....

.....and it completely wore me out.

I could not even look at another paint brush. The color in my bedroom was a neutral greyish taupe.......yuck! It clashed with my bedspread and made the room look so dark and gloomy, but I just couldn't do it.

Since I knew someday I would, I didn't put anything on the walls and I barely attempted to keep it neat.

I just plain didn't like it.

Fast forward 2 1/2 years and I was finally ready to take on this room. Steve was leaving for the weekend and it would be the perfect time!! You can go here to read how perfect *cough* it was!

Anyway, I finally finished it! And if you have known me a while....you know that I don't "completely" finish many projects. Those final touches just never seem to happen. And unfortunately, that fact doesn't usually bother me. But this time I finished it completely.........and I LOVE it!!!

That, my friends, is a great feeling!!!

The Old Room....

This is my room prior to the paint.
the color is more grey than it looks.
no pics on the wall.
The head board is brass and it is actually the foot board to my mother's bed!

You need to know I made the bed just for the pictures....
...when you don't care for the room, what's the point?!!!
Most of my furniture are antiques that were handed down from family.

The lamp in this picture did not come with that shade and
the silver looks awful with it, but it's all I had at the time!


The New Room.....

Quite the difference, huh?!
Isn't it gorgeous?!!

My dresser has never looked so good!!!

I know the small white fan doesn't really go with the decor...
..that is my "white noise" to drown out the horrible snoring "other" noise.
....it is a must.

Saturday I found a lamp on clearance for $10.
It was perfect for the shade and this corner!

Well, that is my Before & After. It just makes me smile every time I walk in the room!

There are a few pictures that I want to highlight for you, but I think that will be a good blog for tomorrow.

Now head over the Thrifty Decor Chic and see even more Before & Afters.......

.........maybe you will find some great new ideas and/or some inspiration!!!