Tuesday thinking

   

 

here is this year going?  It’s hard to believe we are into June now.  Time is just flying by

and the weather is wonderful.  It was so cold and wet for so long that I am truly enjoying the sunny and hot days.

This past weekend is a blur, there was a flurry of activity but at the same time I can’t tell you anything that was really accomplished.  Just steady busyness.   I did hit some yard sales on Saturday morning, that might be a first for me this year.  I’m way behind on them, but as I shared with hubby, since I am not living in my own home, and don’t know what kind of home I will have in the future, I am a bit “bored” with them.  Did I say that? I hope not to loud, because I A

yard sales, but I am reminded again, that half the fun in them is the HUNT.  I love when I am hunting for things that I can use to decorate our home.  I hate paying retail anymore. Since my home at the moment, is small and a 2 bedroom apt. at that, I don’t have any real need to hunt for anything.  Except maybe something that I already have that might be stored away somewhere in the 896 boxes we have stored.  No I don’t know how many we have stored, but it’s a lot.  B

Yesterday was busy catching up on some things around the house.  On Monday nights hubby and my oldest son play softball for our church league. And since we can’t eat before we go, I decided to  prepared our dinner before I left so that  it was ready to eat when we got home.  When we got home and sat down to eat, it dawned on me how much better things run when we prepare ourselves.  In the past, we would have just came home and  try to find something to eat  or picked something up.  It reminded me of how when my children were small I planned our meals so that we could eat a meal even if it was a easy one, with little effort we could eat a balanced meal.  Those years have fallen by the way side since the children are all grown and gone from home but last nights meal  gave me the motivation to make that effort again for just hubby and I.  I still struggle with the empty nest at times and have difficulty trying to find what works best for just us, but I’m hopeful it will get easier as time goes on. 

I’m late getting this posted today as I have spent the day with my daughter and didn’t have time  before now.  I always love spending time with her. 

Now off to get a few things done before bedtime. 

Psalm 90:2,4“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Cindy

Decorating with suitcases

 

The last several days my mind has been “going crazy” with ideas.  Sometimes I get so excited when I anticipate  decorating my next home.   Do you get like that too? Can’t be soon enough for me, but whilst I wait, I am searching for new ways to display some of my collections. 

I have a collection of old suitcases that I have acquired via yard sales. {Granted they are all ins storage at the moment} A girl has to love “YARD SALES”.  I do and I am so thrilled  that the season is upon us again.  But will confess that since I’m not sure I should buy anything “big” because who knows if I will be able to use it when I move.  RIGHT? 

Well take a peek at  of a few of them that I found.


 

 



courtesy of Country Living

Do you have any ideas that you can share?  I would love to hear from you.

Romans 12:12“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Have a blessed day!

Cindy

Another Saturday is upon us.

As I sit here looking out to my deck and seeing the sun shimmer through the leaves on the trees, I am wondering about my day. What am I going to do today?  My mind is racing with all kinds of ideas….from getting out and doing a little yard saleing, to hitting a favorite antique shop, or would I better be served to stay home in the cool and work on a few things here.  Dilemma’s, dilemma’s.

A couple of things that I know I will do today is go to my DIL graduation celebration.  She went back to school and got her AA and there is a celebration this evening.  I am so proud of her dedication, discipline and hard work to finish.  I’m amazed at her energy level and how she can work a full-time job and still have brain cells left over for school work.  She always seems to find time for family, friends, and anything else she wants to do.  She plans to sit out a year before going back to school to get her BA.  And with most people I would question that decision, but for her I know she will continue on.  Great job Steph.

I am sure that hubby and I will get in our walk today too….lately we have been trying to walk for 1 hour three times a week.  It can be treacherous in this heat but we both feel so much better after we do.  Plus my incentive is the toning up and weight I am losing.  I can’t believe the difference a few short weeks make.  I still would like to drop about another 10-12 lbs.  That would be my goal weight.  Although hubby thinks that is a bit to small. 

Other than that, not sure what today holds.  I’m going to kind of have a unstructured and care free day. So what are your plans for today?

Have a blessed Saturday!

Romans 1:16“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Saturday is finally here

and I have things to do.   The weather is suppose to be sunny and in the 60’s today so perfect weather to do a little shopping.  I have my handy dandy list in tow and gonna make some tracks today,would love to hit a few yard sales this morning if I can find  some. One of my favorite things about spring and summer are YARD SALES!

Did I ever show you some of the cool things I have gotten while “junking” as I like to call it.  It is a name that me and my bff have given this activity.  My Hoosier cabinet that I got for  40.00, love this thing!!!

Several old suitcases that I picked up for 1 and 2 dollars.  {Heart }these too .

The old typewriter and fan are both finds too.  Can’t remember what I gave for them, but had been looking for them.  Hubby bought the old camera, it came in a case with film even.  I also purchased that magnifying glass and spectacles  at yard sales.  Some day, I hope to put these little items in a library.  But for now, they are all stored away until after a move takes place.  :( Much like alot of my other treasures.

I digressed, I know.  Now where were we…..

I wish my to do list looked like this one, but I have to get out and get a wedding shower gift for my son and his fiancé s shower that is next weekend.  I am also on the hunt for the perfect pair of shoes for my dress as well as some other goodies. 

Plus my pantry is begging me to get it restocked.  Most likely will hit the grocery store while I am out and about today.  For the first time in weeks/months, I put together a menu for next week and so need to make  sure I have everything that I need.  I picked out a couple of great recipes from PW and Picky Palate.  Can’t wait to try those!   

 

I have to get as much done as possible today so that I can get home to watch my UK wildcats play Wake Forest in the second game of the NCAA series.  You will not hear me talk alot about sports on here, but I am a die hard UK Basketball fan, and so until March Madness is over, or the Wildcats are out, then you will just have to listen to me.  :)  I will try to make it pain free though. 

Have a blessed Saturday!

My Valentine Table

I don’t usually post my tablescapes because they aren’t nearly as elaborate as the ones posted at Between Naps on the Porch, but decided I would today. 

I am using my dessert holder as my centerpiece (a yard sale find).  I placed my antique milk glass dessert plates (a yard sale find)and place candles on each plate, one surrounded by soft pinks and reds antique Christmas balls (another yard sale find)and another candle surrounded by a chocolate strawberry and heart candle ring.  {Heart} it and I got it at a yard sale too. 

I also topped one plate with a antique wedding cake topper.  Okay, really it is the cake topper from my first wedding over 25 years ago, but I love it and cake toppers in general.  Hence another collection is starting. 

  I found this little silver dish at Goodwill for 1 buck and toss some strawberries in the dish and added my cloche to finish it off.

Scattered on the table you will find pieces of my pink depression glass (yard sale finds) that I use as serving dishes.

    

This is a little shot of my hutch decked out with white lights and soft pink floral springs, simple but oh so pretty.

After writing most of this I realize that if it weren’t for Yard Sales, I wouldn’t have this table.  Not to mention the White linen tablecloth and soft pink napkins are all from yard sales.  Wow!

Forgive the photography, I’m not to good behind the camera, but you get the idea.

If you want to see some wonderful great Tablescapes, hop on over to Susan’s Thursday Tablescape party.  You’ll be glad you did.

Busy little bee!

Hi Ladies, I wanted to post before another week was gone and I hadn't. I know you must get tire of hearing me apologize but for whatever reason, I can't get here to post. Although I do get around to visit now that I am using my Google Reader. It cuts down about have the time. Just wish I could post a comment from there. Google guys could you work on that for me?

...This has been a good week, but a real busy week for me. I have been playing chauffeur for Tori this week, as Derek came to pick up her car on Sunday night. Appears his power steering went out on his car so it is in the shop and so I get to take her back and forth to/from cheer practice and all that that implies. I really don't mind but it has just meant extra time on the road.

Yesterday after I got off work, I ran to the salon and got my hair highlighted and cut. Today I feel like a new woman. Why do we always do for ourselves last? Granted I know one reason I don't go and get my hair done anymore than I do, is time and money. I have a hard time sitting still that long, :) and it continues to go up in price. Will be glad when Tori can do mine. She is in her second year of Cosmo classes (through her high school) and she now works in the clinic at the school. So she already does hair colors and cuts, but haven't let her do mine yet.....Hmmmmmmmmm, guess I will have to let her. She loves it.

There is so much going on at this time of year. And I am loving it. Michael and I have had really productive weekends this past month, and not really sure what all we will accomplish this weekend, but hope to get out a little bit on Saturday morning for some yard sales/antiquing/junking....something. I have done pretty good this week staying up on all my house work, so shouldn't have to spend loads of time with that.

Some things left on our to do list is:

1. Hang cabinet in bathroom
2. Clear out some hotspots (almost done with this)
3. Season my old *new* cast iron skillets (bought at a auction)
4. Work on my Holiday Grand Plan journal. (in the third week of the grand plan, trying to stay on task)
5. Finish fall decorating (have several crates missing, gotta find)
6. Start dismantling Wesley's room to move to basement, and transform his room to new guest room and office.

Now remember these are just some of the jobs we still have to do...We'll get there.

Hope you all are having a wonderful and blessed Thursday!

Hugs!

It's my Monday!

Wow what a weekend! I know it's Tuesday but today is my Monday! I took a extra day this weekend so that I could have a three day weekend. I wanted some much needed "Me" time. So yesterday I just spent at home accomplishing things on my to do list. I had numerous little decorating projects that had been calling for me to tackle but just finding the time to do them was unreal.

Anyway, let me backtrack. Friday when I got off from work, Michael and I went out to dinner with some friends and got AUCE Maryland crabs, king crab legs, and steamed shrimp. Can you say YUM! It was so good. We try to go there at least once a year and it was so worth it this time. We all enjoyed it so much. The evening was perfect as the temps have been somewhat cooler for this time of year. Outside it was a light sweater night. PERFECT!

On Saturday morning, we headed out to some yard sales, but really didn't find much. We eventually wondered over to a auction. What a auction it was for me. NOt that I got alot of great things, (although I did get a few things that were on my mental list of decorating helps!) :) But what I got was in great condition and old. The estate being sold off was from a 90 year old woman who passed away in February. She had oodles and oodles of stuff. I came home with one hugh box of cookbooks. Yes I know, I must be crazy, but these are so much fun. She has little notes wrote the margins, and tons of newspaper cutouts from years ago. In the collection as well was several scrapbooks of what our area looked like in the early 1900's. Amazing! Did I say a TON? These were pulled out of a pile of junk that Michael bought for $1.

What else can I tell you about.... I also got a 12 placesetting of Christmas dishes for $2. I think they are very pretty and I do like them, just not sure yet how I will use them because I tend to decorate a little more country than most. But might just have to decorate using them this year.

I took a picture off of all my goodies after we unloaded it into the garage, but haven't uploaded the pictures from the camera. Maybe I can do that tonight.

Sunday I spent at home basically playing catch up from the last week and the auction day. Saturday we also went to the grocery store but when I got home was to tired to put the stuff away, only the cold got taken care of....so I had all that to put away, cleaned out the fridge, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, washed new glassware from the auction, did laundry(washed, dryed, folded and put away), helped Michael in the yard with a new shed, and all those things that we have to stop for because we get sidetracked. I don't know if you ever do that, but I certainly do. I am constantly starting something just to get sidetracked and reminded whilst I am working on one thing that I need to do this or that and then I scoot along to something else, not completely finishing up what I started. :) For me it is best if I stick to list. I have a hard time staying focused when I am in the house working on decorating.

Yesterday was spent working on my little list of projects. I've had a increasing list of items that I have wanted to update with some black spray paint, so I finally got that taken care of. That was a a great feeling, and a load off my shoulders, I had also picked up some lovely little prints at a yard sale weeks ago, but HATED the frames they were in, so I painted them black and distressed them weeks ago, but never got them hung. Well I did yesterday too. Love them! Now I am thinking that I have several more old frames that I don't like the look of, that I most likely will paint too. I went through six cans of spray paint yesterday and still didn't have enough of the projects that I did. I need at least a few more. I have a metal lamp that I want to spray so that it matches the rest of the a lamps in my family room. So most likely I will be working on that this weekend. I will try to post some of finished projects soon. Believe me there are many.

Yesterday I decided to start a sourdough bread starter. The recipe I used for the starter was super easy. Michael loves sourdough bread so thought this would be a good way to keep in him the dough. :) Keep your fingers crossed it turns out.

Well ladies, I need to scoot, have a blessed Tuesday!
Hugs!

Time Marches On....

Sitting here thinking about how time is flying by. Can't believe it's been as long as it has since I last posted. Not enough hours in the day. Please don't ask me why because quite honestly I am to tired to think. Seems like lately I just go through the motions? Do you ever do that? I feel like I am on autopilot. I do what I have to, and then everything else, just goes by the way side.

A real quick update on Betty. She is finally out of the hospital, but they sent her home with oxygen. But that is helping her feel better. She is still tired and sleeping alot but overall is feeling much better than she was. Not sure yet, if they will be able to resume her chemo this week or not. All Michael's children were there over this past weekend, and they helped out there grand dad get caught up on some things around there. Ron's primary focus is taking care of Betty's needs and so other things are let go. So I know they appreciated the extra help this weekend. Please keep Betty's health in your prayers and Ron as well.

Lately, life has consisted mostly of work, and on my weekend's off running errands. Over this past weekend I spent Saturday running around with my list and getting things and doing some shopping for me. I can't remember the last time I did that by myself. It is a rarity and it was nice. I also spent some time in a Antique Mall looking around. Found a little cabinet I fell in love with, and much to my surprise Michael went and got it for me yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised. Anyhow, I brought it in the house and we put it in my bedroom. I am using it as bookshelf for now. If I think about it I will take some pictures of it. (Speaking of, I took some several weekends ago, and Michael finally offloaded them from the camera) I took some shots of some of the goodies I have bought while out on my antique and yard sale excursions.

While on Sunday, Michael had several things to do with redoing his new office. He has been looking for furniture to replace what is in there. He finally decided on some antiques instead of typical office furniture. So we hit the stores again on Sunday. He has decided he wants to furnish this office in things that he would like to put in our home office someday. Anyway, while I was scouring th e shops with him I walked away with a few small trinkets but nothing big. I did find a "boiler" that had been painted. Fell in love with it, so grabbed it.



When I have a few minutes at home I am reading...started the third book in the "Sisters of Holmes County" called "A Sister's Hope", by Wanda Brunstetter. I have enjoyed this little series. Once I am finished with it, I have another Beverly Lewis series I am going to read. "The SummerHill Secrets" Volume 1. Looking forward to her new book coming out in the fall. Whoopee!

As you can tell, nothing exciting going on with me. Same old stuff, just another day. I think one reason I haven't posted to much is there just hasn't been anything exciting to share with you. I will try to do better. I mainly just read and lurk right now.

Need to scoot, I hope you all have a blessed day.
Hugs!

Today is just one of those days

  when you don't want to do anything, but at home.  I ask Michael last night if we could just stay home this morning instead of getting out.  So few Saturday mornings we stay home, because we normally get out to go to yard sales or such in the summer time.  But all week I have been thinking about staying home and getting caught up on getting some computer stuff done and just relaxing.  Actually going to read some more of my book in a little bit.

I have added a whole batch of new links to Home Simple Home, for weeks now I have been finding some new places that I just love.  Several are very inspirational for home decorating and I can just sit  and gaze at the pictures for what seems like hours. Kinda like I do my country magazines. Which I need to go through and dispose of some, and organize the others.  That has been on my to do list for awhile.  I might actually do it tonight while watching tv. 

While I sitting here this morning and cruising the net I found many things that I would love to do....but when I saw this I new I needed to do these things first, so that I will not forget what it is I would like to do.    First, I think I need to create myself a mood board.  Do you know what a mood board is?  It is a board that you simple put all your loves on.  There are several at Decor 8. As well as create myself a decorating binder.  See this is the kind of things I do when I have time.  I get creative and want to do things.  Guess I could carry this binder a little further and make it my "dream home binder".  How fun is that? 

Let's see what else is going on with me.  My eyes are doing great. I can't tell you the difference the enhancement done for me.  I highly recommend it if you aren't completely happy with your Lasik procedure.  Don't get me wrong I am so glad that I had the procedure done, but apparently my right eye was only doing about 70% of what it was suppose to be doing.  Even at that, that was much better than what I had seen my whole life.  So wasn't complaining, but still wanted to try for better.  So like I said...I am very happy with the outcome.

Last night Michael and I met up with some friends and went to play basket bingo.  And I didn't win a thing.  Actually no one at our table did.  Boo Hoo...but it was for a good cause so hopefully all the money I spent wasn't for waste. I wanted to give you a idea of what a basket bingo is like.  You usually pay to play 20 games with 20 baskets filled (like these in the picture) and if you win the game you get the basket.  They normally have special games where you have to buy extra cards to play which brings in lots more money.  The room is usually packed.... below kinda gives you a idea of how the game rooms are set up and how serious the women are that play.   Now these aren't from any bingo's I have actually gone too, but they are the same.  Basket bingo is taken seriously here.  Usually these are played as a type of fundraiser for a family in need, a school program that needs sponsored, etc.  It brings in lots of money at one time. Now you know the rest of the story.

Well, I have been working on this post for a while, but my phone keeps ringing so will close.  Hope you all have a great rest of the day.

Hugs!

Too many things

Happy Sunday everyone. I decided I needed to sit down and let you all know what is going on with me. I know it has been awhile since I posted but it just seems that I don't feel like I have anything to say. Nothing exciting going on but just regular everyday stuff. Days are full of going to work and nights filled with playing catch up or running errands, or simply resting.

Michael has been off the last several weeks as he is in between jobs. He is suppose to start his new one next week. He decided to take another week off so that he can take care of more things here at the house that he is wanting to get done before he starts back. Seems there is always a list of projects to take care of. He has made some great strides in the last couple of weeks. Woo hoo, that means there is less that I have to try to take care of when I get home. He is so thoughtful when it comes to helping me. I am so blessed that he is how he is. Each day when I get home, he tells me to go and lay down for a couple of hours and rest. I always feel so guilty for getting home and taking a nap instead of spending time with him, but it does make me feel so much better.

I am back at a very familiar place, looking for a balance in things. This is a place I know very well. My mind is racing with all kinds of things that I want to do... I am debating on what to get into today. Parts of me would like to do some cooking and baking, another part wants to spend time playing online, and another part just wants to watch old movies and cuddle with Michael, and another part wants to get out and go to a antique mall and reminisce the past and possibly find a trinket. Most likely will not do that, as yesterday Michael and I did get out and go to some yard sales. I found several finds. It was alot of fun. Yesterday the weather was a perfect day for it. Our little town had several community ones yesterday and I think we hit them all. We also went over to the high school to watch the girls softball game. My gf's daughter plays for the team and they are in the playoffs. Then we had to get home because Tori had to get ready for prom.

The prom theme for Tori's class was "Classic Hollywood". She and Matt looked so cute together.

We purchased Tori a pretty pink dress for prom, but she decided she wanted to wear the dress that she wore in our wedding. She got so many compliments on this dress. It really is lovely. The pictures don't do it justice. She has never wanted to wear a dress more than once, ugh! But she wanted to wear this one. She went to her dads last night after the prom so I haven't gotten to really talk to her, but she will home later today. She and Matt and his family are going to see the "Blue Angels" today. There is a air show, and Matt has never seen them perform before. Guess coming from the Navy backgroud that we do, we have had many opportunities to see them. Hopefully it will be a good day. At the moment it is raining here, and it suppose to the rest of the day. Quite a bit cooler than yesterday.

Well girls, I guess I should start on my day. Hope you have a blessed day.

Hugs!