Happy Spring

Nothing says spring to me like red geraniums. My mom usually plants these all the way around her patio. They always look absolutely gorgeous, so I decided this spring that I would surround myself with familiarity. I placed these flowers in planters on my front stoop. It reminds me of home...and you know what they say, "there's no place like home"! (even when your all grown up and have a home of your own)

Shades of Rhoda

Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality is such an inspiration to me...she is always making good use of her time. Not long ago she showed us how to cover a lamp shade...so the other day when I was looking at the drab, boring, white shades on my bedroom swing lamps, I thought of Rhoda! I grabbed some fabric and trim that I had purchased, and got busy! Oh... sooooo much better! Thanks a bunch, Rhoda!

Take me out to the ballgame

Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."
~Jack Norworth







Tonight we spent a perfect evening at the ballpark! This wasn't just any ballgame...you see, my DD was recognized on the field, along with other students from schools all over our city! I'm soooooo very proud of her!! We had a ball! (sorry, I couldn't resist)

i had almost forgotten...

i had almost forgotten about one of my favorite places to walk. that's because it had been soooo long since i had been there. when i used to homeschool my daughter, we would begin many a day at the park. that's where the trail begins...
today, i rediscovered the charm that had captured my heart the very first time i walked there.
come along with me...walk beside me...let's travel the path together.
i feel the crisp spring air ever so slightly pushing against my back as i head down the long and winding path. this place is a sanctuary for the soul...it is a place that causes your senses to explode! along the path, i hear the lazy creek tumbling over rocks, frogs and birds singing in harmony, and the occasional whistle of a train carrying baked goods to be distributed nationwide. the sights are amazing...a lone cardinal looking for a branch to rest upon, a dogwood showing off it's beautiful blooms, a bunny begging to go unnoticed, vines beckoning all who pass by to venture a swing. the aroma of freshly baked cakes coming from the bakery convinces my mouth that i am actually tasting what i'm smelling. my walk is invigorating, captivating, motivating, exhilarating, intoxicating...i had almost forgotten what it feels like to be alive, really alive... what it feels like to twirl and dance with nature...what it feels like to revel in God's glorious creation!

I LOVE the dollar stop

You know the place...The dollar stop! Every time I go to Target, I get stopped by the dollar stop! (I think this is the idea)...anyway, they always have the cutest things. Last week, they had this notebook for $2.50...and since I was needing a notebook (to improve my organizational skills), I bought it. It was adorable to begin with...but being the ribbon queen that I am, I had to embellish it a bit...so I added the ribbon and a"B" that I printed on my computer! Cute, yes?

Did I really say that?

Did I really say that I would participate in The Eight Week Challenge by sisters Honey Bunch and Sassy?

Did I really say that I would...

1. Go to Weight Watchers

2. Exercise four times a week

3. Eat healthier

4. Drink lots of water

What was I thinking?

The first week, after I got rid of the chocolate chip cookie dough, was a great week! I went to Weight Watchers, walked several times, ate healthier and drank more water than usual! I lost a couple of pounds! Don't get the rah rah thing going yet! The second week, I made up for the first week by gaining back what I had lost , in addition to a few extra pounds! So, today, I'm beginning again...don't they say that today is the first day of the rest of your life?

O.K....I'm BACK! (because I no longer want to be in fear that my buttons will pop off and I'll shoot somebody's eye out...get the picture?)

20 years later...

THEN...


NOW...

Wow! What a difference 20 years makes! Today, my DH and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary! Before we went to Rain (a Thai bistro), we sat down and viewed our wedding on video. It was sooo much fun. It was truly an opportunity to revisit our heartfelt love and the vows we made on that very special day! Today was a fabulous day, too... not because we did anything totally spectacular...but because we shared it with one another. We let ourselves recapture those emotions and feelings that knit our souls together from the beginning. Life has certainly proven itself to be unpredictable, but some things never change...my commitment to my DH...my undying love for him...and most importantly, our joint commitment to our heavenly Father!
All I can really say after all these years is that "Life is Good"!

completely off the wall

My red room is an easy room - life just feels easy when you hang out there. I'm pretty content with my furnishings in this room, but I have this big wall with one picture smack dab in the middle. Do I need to take that picture completely off the wall and do something totally different or do I need to leave it and do a grouping? If I do a grouping, I need suggestions. I've visited enough of your blogs to know that you have extremely good taste, so if you happen upon my blog, please leave your advice...it would be so very much appreciated!
P.S. I'm not a lover of symmetry!






The rest of the room...

nectar of the gods

yep! that's what we call it around our house...nectar of the gods. i'm not sure how anyone can start their day without it. the ONLY (did i say ONLY) thing i look forward to in the a.m. is a steaming hot, large cup of caffeinated coffee! anybody with me?

the perfect giraffe

isn't this perfect? if you knew me, you would know just how perfect it really is...all mixed up...out of the ordinary...colorful ...original...one of a kind...that's what i like about it. but best of all, my creative daughter made it just for me...she knows exactly what i love! as soon as she finished it, i had to frame and hang it. i love the way it looks on my chalkboard walls!

after...

after the before! now isn't that soooo much better? only problem is, now i have stuff that i took out of this closet that i'd like to keep, but where am i gonna put it?
yes, one thing leads to another! so...
another project for another day.

law and order

yes, i do know how to lay down the law so that we can have some order around here. only problem is, while i'm busy preaching that everyone needs to keep their things in a specific place, i'm searching for anyplace to cram my stuff into...like this closet. so today, i pledge to you, on my honor, to do my duty and CLEAN THIS CLOSET...see you after the before!