Serendipit-Us

Night on the Town

2011-10-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

I am normally not a huge fan of "bubble dresses". I tend to gravitate toward more classic styles and this particular design feels a bit too trend-of-the-day for my taste. When I saw this dress at Consignment Originals, however, the vibrant color and silky fabric were simply too enticing for me to pass it by. When I tried it on at home (more often than not I break the "ALWAYS try it on before you buy" rule...particularly with consignment items that can't be returned. My rebellious nature at work!), I was SO pleased that I didn't pass this beauty by. It looks pretty darn good!

Eliza J: royal blue cocktail dress~ $5.80 (Retail: $138)

Retail Cost: $138
My Total Cost: $5.80
Savings: 96%

Retro-Mod

2011-10-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

LOVE this retro-60's look! I would pair this fabulous dress with a pair of black tights and ankle boots.

Max Studio: geometric dress~ $5.20 (Retail: $198)

Retail Cost: $198
My Total Cost: $5.20
Savings: 97%

Boho Chic

2011-10-21T05:01:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite...and most exciting...finds from Consignment Originals. The top is very flowing and feminine. I saw the embroidered jeans (Zac Posen for 7 For All Mankind) and thought they were fun & flirty, but nearly fainted when I discovered the original retail cost! Normally, I wouldn't spend more than a few dollars for previously owned jeans, but these are really unique and the retail cost inspired me to stretch my typical spending limit.

Tramp: lavender peasant top~ $2 (Retail: $68)
Zac Posen: "Havana" embroidered jeans~ $6.40 (I still can't get over this, but there were only 250 pairs made, exclusively for Neiman Marcus. Retail: $700...Yup, you read correctly...$700!)

Retail Cost: $768
My Total Cost: $8.40
Savings: 99% WOOHOO!!!

Transitional Fall Outfit

2011-10-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

I bought all of these pieces at Consignment Originals. This is a terrific "transitional" outfit (Translation: it can carry you over through those in-between times, when the seasons change, by adding a piece for a layered effect). The top and skirt, worn with a pair of sandals or flats, are perfect for the spring/ summer months. For the fall, I would add the jacket and a pair of tights & boots. The vibrant coral color works perfectly for the warmer weather and the neutral khaki jacket tones it down a bit for the fall.

Max Studio: coral sleeveless top~ $1.60 (Retail: $79)
J Crew: coral floral print, A-line skirt~ $2.40 (Retail: $138)
Old Navy: tan cotton peacoat~ $1.60 (Retail: $68)

Retail Cost: $285
My Total Cost: $5.60
Savings: 98%

New Direction

2011-10-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

In my typical "here today, gone tomorrow" style, I have...once again...allowed life's busyness to overcome my ability to put "me time" anywhere on the list of daily to-do's. Thus, my absence from blogland. Also typical of me, the absence of these connections leaves a distinct void in my daily routine. Don't get me wrong: I ADORE my husband (and can hardly believe that we're creeping up on our first anniversary), my step-daughter fills my heart with joy (and lots of laughter) and my own children (the ones I birthed) are adjusting beautifully to the wonderful town we now call home: Cheshire, CT. Segue to my new adventure...
One of the first things I set out to do, in Cheshire, was to scout out the local thrift/ consignment shops. Surprise, surprise! Fortunately, I didn't have far to look. There is THE most fabulous consignment shop right around the corner from our house: aptly named, "Consignment Originals". I personally think that's a bit of a misnomer and would rename it "Soup to Nuts Consignments" if anyone was seeking my humble opinion...which they're not. At any rate, Consignment Originals carries EVERYTHING you would find in a Salvation Army or Goodwill, with a few MAJOR differences: they are HIGHLY selective about what they accept, the store is organized & clean and the staff is fairly knowledgeable about the stock they carry. There are some other terrific, local places to hunt for treasures, but it looks like this post is leaning toward being a CO devotional.
With the economy showing little evidence of a dramatic turnaround, I've really noticed an influx of people willing to put aside their prejudices against second hand shopping, in lieu of jumping on the "less is more" (when it comes to spending money) bandwagon. IT'S ABOUT TIME! Anyone who knows me, even casually, will attest to the fact that I wouldn't abandon the thrill of bargain hunting for anything. An aside: I'd be happy to put that proclamation to the test by volunteering to win the Powerball jackpot of 148 million dollars this Saturday!

I must admit that I practice a bit of reverse snobbery when I see these articles or news segments on high-end fashions for less and am scoffing at the "amazing finds" they pull together for "only a few hundred dollars". I am fairly confident that I could outfit my entire family of five, for at least a season, for less than $300. Okay, realistically...not counting shoes, but that's primarily due to the fact that neither my husband nor my children relish the idea of slipping their puddies into footwear that has been gently loved by someone else.

I thought I'd shift the focus of my blog ramblings (was there ever truly a set focus to my blog???) to some of my fashion finds.

All of the outfits in the picture were from Consignment Originals. The total retail cost (approximately) is just under $2,200. What did I pay, you might be asking yourself? Less than $50!

TOO Sweet!

2011-03-06T14:38:00.001-08:00

This is the first weekend, in a month, that John and I had a "no kids" weekend (it took me years to admit that I do enjoy the weekends when my children are with their dad...and not feel guilty about it). Yesterday, John suggested we stop by an antique show at a local boarding school. Yet another reason I married this amazing man...he truly enjoys rummaging through treasures with me. The show was jam-packed with table after table of over-priced lovelies: fun to look at, but well outside the parameters of "reasonable" impulse purchasing.

One of the last tables we visited had a set of to-die-for red (pink?) and white transfer ware that had me climbing over other (more well-behaved) potential customers to get to. What really caught my eye was a huge pitcher & washbasin that was in the center of the display. I have wanted a set like this for as long as I can remember, but have never seen just the right one...until yesterday. The price on the pitcher was, as I feared, not even close to budget friendly. Sensing my interest, the vendor quickly approached and explained that the price was for the entire set: the pitcher and washbasin, a three-piece soap dish, a cup, a smaller pitcher, a small vase (toothbrush holder? ) and.....a chamber pot (which I had, embarrassingly, mistaken for a one-handled soup tureen. To which the vendor responded: "Remind me not to come to dinner at your house". :::blush:::). Suddenly, the price seemed far more palatable, but still not low enough to actually swallow. I very reluctantly walked away from "my" gorgeous set and proceeded to think/ dream/ ruminate over each & every piece for the remainder of the evening straight through this morning. I am normally such an "out of sight, out of mind" girl, so this obsessing was really out of character for me...a fact that didn't escape John's attention. I must have had a wistful look on my face this morning, because he suggested we got back to the show to fetch my beautiful set. YAY and WOOHOO!!!

When we got to the show, the parking lot was jammed, so I suggested (with no ulterior motive whatsoever) that hubby park the car, while I run in to make sure we could still use our tickets, from Saturday, to get in. I bee-lined it to the table that housed my transfer ware and could see, from across the auditorium, that the set was gone. I didn't even need to approach the table for verification...it was just gone. My poor husband walked through the doors at that (untimely) moment and immediately recognized the look on my face was one of bitter disappointment.

Unbeknownst to me, he had another plan, but (wisely) decided he'd better come clean quickly. He handed me a note (too mushy for public consumption), written on...the receipt for the pitcher/ washbasin set, which he had snuck back to buy yesterday afternoon.

What a guy! So far, I've had no luck finding the perfect resting spot for my stunning set. I'm not sure 1.) if I should keep all of the pieces together or 2.) exactly what Emily Post would say about displaying a chamber pot in one's dining room. Decisions, Decisions :-)

Nine Months???

2011-01-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

Is it possible that it has been nine months since I last updated my blog? Oh my...

A lot has happened, in my life, since I last visited my own blog. August was a wonderfully exciting month for me (and the kids), so that seems as good a place to begin as any.

On August 19, I got engaged to an amazing man who I had been dating (off and on) for a year and a half. From the moment of our engagement, through New Year's day, life has been an absolute whirlwind of activity. We immediately started searching for a house (to rent) that would accommodate all of us. John has shared custody of his beautiful 10 year old daughter and we needed to find a house with enough space for the 5 of us to live comfortable...add the dog, to the mix, and we were facing a tough challenge. Our house hunt was proving to be a futile & frustrating undertaking and we were ready to give up (and stay in the house John and Tess were renting) when our realtor showed us one last option that turned out to be the home of our dreams...more about that later :-)

John and Tess moved into the new house on October 1. The kids and I followed on October 31 and I've been busily nesting ever since. Nesting was squeezed tightly in between planning our (very small) wedding, preparing for Thanksgiving & Christmas, taking our honeymoon to St. Croix and hosting a family Christmas party on New Year's day. That list is slightly out of order, which shows how my head is STILL spinning. We were married, in NYC, the day after Thanksgiving. The kids were scheduled to be with their other parents on Christmas, so we flew to St. Croix on Christmas Eve morning and celebrated the holiday, with the children, when we returned, on December 29th. PHEW....did you manage to follow any/ all of that?

Since I STILL haven't learned to correctly arrange pictures in my blog entries, I'll post a few wedding pictures now and save the others (house, honeymoon, etc.) for another time.

Oh, how good it feels to get back to blogging! I've truly missed this element of my life and am excited about reconnecting with all of you!

I am IN Love!

2010-04-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

No, no, no sillies. You have not missed something exciting with regard to my ongoing search for Mr. Right. Speaking of which, my best (guy) friend and I have hatched an idea for what is sure to be a Get-Me-On-Oprah bestseller: a he said/ she said guide to internet dating. Brilliant, no? Once again...I digress. The object of my affection for this evening is the tiered cake stand I made. I have seen these all over blogland and have been dying to make one for myself. I had the three plates and today I ran over to Salvation Army to find the candlesticks. I figured "Sally's" was about the only place I would dare to go with my fever blistered face. I lucked out as they were just stocking the shelves with new goodies from the back. Fresh pickins'! I found several pairs of brass candlesticks that I will use for other projects and was about to call it a day when I came across these colorful ceramic cuties...that just happened to match the plates I had set aside for the project. I LOVE the way they look with the whimsical trio. I'm going to follow the lead of other bloggers, I think, and use my new creation for holding jewelry!

Anthropologie Inspired T-Shirt

2010-04-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't just drool over the clothing and accessories from Anthropologie? The price tags don't exactly fit into this single-mom's budget. With a little ingenuity and the right materials on hand, I did (in my humble opinion) a fair job of replicating one of their fun t-shirts. I took a plain black tee and added some ruffle down one side. Cute enough, thought I, but why not go a little further? I popped a few silver buttons on the ruffle and VOILA! Drab to fab in less than 15 minutes. Oh, for the ruffle I just cut strips (2" wide) off of one of my daughter's outgrown t-shirts, sewed them together to make one long strip (approx. 4' long). I handstitched down the center of the fabric, then gathered it up into soft ruffles. Easy shmeasy!

Magnet Board

2010-04-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

This is a project I borrowed from a fellow blogger, but I can't recall who (my apologies!). The original was made with a piece of aluminum that was purchased at Lowe's. Being bedridden certainly didn't allow for a trip to the hardware store, but I happened to have a new cookie sheet that I just got from Dollar Tree. I wrapped the cookie sheet, in fabric and used my hot glue gun to secure the corners/ edges. Although the back will be facing the wall, I decided to glue a piece of coordinating fabric to it...just to give it a more finished appearance. I added a simple knot bow to the top and a ribbon hanger to the back. I already have a ton of magnets, but decided to make a few that would match the fabric I used. The total cost of this project is probably less than $3!

What to Do?

2010-04-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

I've had this really odd double candlestick for years and it always looked slightly "off" when I tried to use it...kind of like Mickey Mouse ears with candles plopped on top. I realized I could easily transform it into a decorative vase using two glass cylinder containers and a bit of apoxy. Gotta say: I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out! After the glue set sufficiently, I tried it with some turquoise stones and some silk roses. Not liking it so much. I remembered I had some cream potpourri and dried pod thingys...much better!

My Saving Grace

2010-04-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

For the last 36 hours, I have been (virtually) bed-ridden with a raging case of nastiness. Yup...that's my official diagnosis...according to my own professional opinion. It began Thursday evening with a suspicious tingling numbness on my lower lip, which quickly turned into a small bump in the same spot. By yesterday morning the tingling bump had morphed into a full-blown fever blister. I am SO tempted to be more graphic in my description (because I HATE this evil growth to the core of its nasty being), but I will refrain from crossing into that T.M.I. territory...for your sake. As if the cold sore isn't bad enough, I'm running an impressive fever and have a handful of swollen glands under my chin/ behind my ears that feel as if I've had marbles implanted under my skin. Okay, that should be enough whining to elicit an appropriate amount of sympathy. Ohhhh, let me just say this: if you've never experienced the discomfort of a fever blister, let me tell you...it HURTS!!!!! Aside from being absolutely hideously conspicuous, it just plain hurts! I made the near fatal mistake of checking WebMD for information and found, to my absolute horror, that I can expect this bad boy to linger for at least a week!!! Guess who's not venturing out, in public, anytime soon? Lord, forgive me for my vanity...but, c'mon!
My saving grace has been spending hours upon hours weaving in and out of my favorite blogs, collecting fabulous project ideas along the way. I have to apologize upfront: I did not keep track of where I gathered my inspiration from, therefore I am unable to give proper credit to the creative ladies who have kept me company on my sickbed. I am a firm believer in "giving credit where credit is due", so....I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

Go Ahead....Laugh!

2010-04-05T05:35:00.000-07:00

Happy (belated) Easter, dear friends! I hope your day was filled with all God's blessings, sunshine & chocolate! The kids and I spent a wonderful day with my brother and his family, in Trumbull. The added bonus was that we were joined by my best (guy) friend, Glenn who always adds a bit of spunk to a social gathering. Lots of laughter, love & food...which always tastes better when someone else is doing the cooking. Thank you to my wonderful sister-in-law for playing hostess...yet again. It's her fault for having such a welcoming home.

The weather was absolutely picture perfect. Segue coming....the things I am compelled to photograph are silly & strange. Yes, I did take some pictures of the kids enjoying their Easter egg hunt and the adults chatting before the feast, but those are fairly unimaginative. What truly captured my attention was a patch of funky green & red moss that was growing on the side of my brother's little fish pond. (I would have photographed the fish, but my brother was pretty sure they'd all perished). What would have been really entertaining is if someone had thought to take a picture of me, taking a picture of the moss! There I am, dressed in my Easter finest (flowing floral skirt, pale yellow top, strappy sandals)...sprawled out in the grass, hiney sticking up...trying to get just the right angle. I could here murmurs of a scheme to push me in, coming from somewhere behind me, but I was on a mission. Fortunately, I did manage to capture a few images before the "Let's push her in the fish pond" plan came to fruition. I also managed to take a few pictures of flowers and such, but they weren't nearly as captivating as that spot of moss!

Out of the Mouths of...Men!

2010-03-30T04:07:00.001-07:00

Just in case there are any men reading this post, I will be as delicate as possible, in my description of my fun-filled doctor's appointment yesterday. Ohhh, this is going to take a bit of creativity. Okay...

For any of you ladies who have hit that "over 40" mark, you know that things just start happening, to your body, that are 1.) uncontrollable, 2.) inexplicable and 3.) unpleasant. Everyone is unique, so I'm sure these "things" run the gamut. One of my "things" is....ummmm....hmmmm...boy, this is tough to put delicately. Let's just say that the number of days/ month when I am NOT in need of feminine hygiene products is exponentially smaller than the days I AM in need of them. 'Nuff said? I decided it was probably a good idea to call the dr. yesterday when I realized (for the third consecutive month) that I'd had an 8 day break between my last two "visits".

I'll spare you the gory details of my dr's appointment, but I was struck by one thing: as I'm lying (laying? that is one grammatical usage question that always stumps me) there, on the paper-lined table...feet in stirrups...cold "jaws of life" thingy firmly in place....lights, camera, action! My ob/gym, whom I love, is performing a most uncomfortable procedure somewhere in my Southern region and I am trying valiantly not to jump off the table and poke him with something sharp in his tender spot! As I'm squeezing the poor nurses elbow (like she had anything to do with the discomfort I was experiencing!) and trying to be a big girl, he says to me..."You're okay. I'm 1/2 way done". Half way done??? Really??? Is he kidding me? I'm supposed to be consoled by that??? At that moment I knew, for certain, that kind of statement could only be uttered by a person who never could and never would be on the receiving end of such an invasive & uncomfortable procedure.

Sooner is Better Than Later

2010-03-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

Once I got going on The Fashion Exchange's blog, I couldn't rein myself in.

Introducing, to my blogger friends...The Fashion Exchange

She's Baaack!

2010-03-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

I know, I know....my periodic disappearing acts can be tiresome. It is never my intention to vanish in thin air. It just seems that...well...life happens and I find myself pulled in too many directions. Like most woman (particularly those of us who fall in the single mom category), it is often the things I love most that must be pushed to the back burner. Not conducive for maintaining serenity and recharging my personal battery, I must admit.
So, here I am...landing back in my comfort zone with an (hopefully) audible THUD! For those of you who might have been concerned that my life was in upheaval of the negative sort, rest assured, all is quiet on the Western front. I don't even recall what my last post was about, but I took a job working in the mall (YUCK!), at Sephora during the holiday season. I'm having a deja-vu moment, so I must have mentioned that. At any rate, they did offer me a full-time position, extending beyond the holidays. I managed to white-knuckle it through February and...for my own sanity...had to resign (can you resign from a position you've only held for 3 months???). I could go on & on about my reasons for leaving, but suffice it to say: I am NOT cut out for "corporate America". That term, in itself, is a bit of a joke because all I did was put a perky smile on my face and stand in front of a cash register for 8 hours at a time. Not a whole lot of room there to display my vast array of creative skills (stop laughing, ladies!).
As many of you know, my all-time favorite word is: SERENDIPITY and I especially love when it applies to my own life. Shortly after I left Sephora, my former employer & good friend contacted me about helping her with some public relations work for her two, AMAZING consignment shops. We've been working on sprucing up her website, expanding her customer base, etc. The cherry on top is that I got the opportunity to start a new blog that focuses just on her stores, The Fashion Exchange. WAIT...before you click on that link (to her store website), I need to remind you that I've never done a "real" website design before, so you have to be gentle with me. As always, though, I welcome any and all feedback you might have. I deeply respect the opinions of each & every one of you and would love the opportunity to grow from your experiences.
I still have a bit of work to do, on Janet's blog, before it is ready to "launch". I am SO excited about this new endeavour, so I'm sure I won't be bale to hold myself back for long.
Oh MY, it's SO good to be back. Funny how you never realize how much you love something until you spend some time away. Note to self: don't let this happen again...no more blog hiatus!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-23T16:04:00.000-08:00

I will be working Christmas Eve, then heading, with kids in tow, to my brother & sister-in-law's house for a feast that I don't hve to prepare (WOOHOO!), sooo...

Merry Christmas to all and may God bless each of you!

I am so looking forward to catching up with your blogs as soon as the frantic pace of the holiday hustle & bustle has slowed down!

Minimalist Christmas

2009-12-13T16:24:00.000-08:00

Although I have over 20 bins of Christmas paraphernalia, I decided...in keeping with my new approach to life...to take a minimalist's approach with decorating this year. Okay, part of this is due to the fact that said bins are scattered all over the state of Connecticut, at the homes of various friends who have lent me "storage space" for my overflow of belongings. We haven't gotten our tree yet, but that will happen tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm still on a mission to get Christmas postponed until March, but I seem to be running that crusade on my own!

Goodies From Abroad

2009-12-13T14:08:00.000-08:00

Sitting down to write a blog entry is my reward for working crazy holiday hours at the mall, then spending my free time trying to induce some festivity into my home. Mission accomplished on both fronts, so here I am!

A few weeks ago, after a particularly hectic day at Sephora (***sidenote: with the state of the economy as it is, how on earth can people justify spending $34 for mascara???), I arrived home to find a parcel from my sweet friend, Monica. I don't know how it is that little surprises pop up, from Monica, just when I need a boost of spirit! Inside the package was a beautiful, pink beaded bracelet that adorned my wrist the moment I opened it and one of Monica's exquisite dolls. "Chloe" is (as all of her creations are) a work of art. She is such a simple girl, my Chloe, but the craftsmanship is so perfectly detailed. Thank you again & again, Monica, for this gift of love.

Thanksgiving Roses

2009-11-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

I was on my way to battle the throngs of last-minute, Thanksgiving shoppers and noticed that there were a few tenacious roses still blooming on my rose bush Shopping can wait a few minutes...

Thank you, God, for the little things in life that exist in spite of the odds being against them!

Vintage Suitcase Make-Over

2009-11-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

I bought this fabulous, vintage suitcase at the Salvation Army (for $.99) during the summer and wasn't quite sure what to do with it. My travelling, these days, pretty much consists of running the kids around and my 3 minute jaunt to/ from work every day. It seems a shame to not utilize such a neat piece, so I decided it was make-over time. The suitcase is a tan suede and is lined in tan/ mauve satin (I left the inside alone for now). It's in terrific condition, but the tan was a little boring. I covered the front and back with a beautiful brocade fabric, added some cording around the perimeter and finished it off with some vintage lace pieces, ribbon, silk tassels and various "bits & bobs". I cut strips of the brocade and tied them around the ugly metal handle. I still don't know what I will use it for, but it's pretty to look at and was lots of fun to work on! I'm thinking it still needs a bit more "OOMPH!", but I'm trying no practice the "less is more" concept these days...not an easy task for this over-do-it girl!

Busy Bee

2009-11-21T05:07:00.000-08:00

Thank you to my sweet friend, Monica, who gently reminded me that I have neglected to put "blogging" on my daily to-do list since I started my new job. I am slowly acclimating to balancing work and my responsibilities as a single mom. I am enjoying my job at Sephora, although there is a LOT to learn. It's certainly a far cry from working at The Fashion Exchange (a small clothing boutique)...welcome to corporate America! The job is very fast-paced, the atmosphere is always high-energy and both aspects suit me quite well. With the approach of "Black Friday" and Christmas, the "cast" has been primed to step up our game. Oh Boy....the next few weeks will either leave me in a catatonic state or have me ready to run a 5K! Fortunately, this job makes Christmas shopping easy...at least for the girls/ women in my life. I'm not sure how thrilled my 14 year old son will be about finding his stocking stuffed with exfoliating serums and lip plumping gels.

I am "off" all weekend, so it is time for me to catch up on the household duties that have been ignored during the week. Perhaps I will find a quiet moment, later today, to write about some of the Christmas goodies I have been working on.

No Justifying This One...

2009-11-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

At 10:00 this morning, I realize I'm feeling a little hungry (skipping breakfast will do that to you), so I head down to the kitchen to rustle up a bit of "something". Eggs? Nope. Wholewheat sourdough toast? Nah! Strawberry yogurt with granola & fruit? Not gonna cut it. Nothing is tickling my taste buds, so I'm ready to shut the refrigerator door and wait until lunch, when I spy a 1/2 of a small(ish...okay, not even really "ish"...more like small-medium) wheel of brie. Just a few pieces on some crackers would make a lovely snack, thought I. Ohhhh, I have some yummy organic preserves, from my sister, and a bag of slivered almonds. Baked brie for breakfast...why not? My house, no kids home, so anything goes! Twenty minutes later, I have devoured all but the tiniest piece of brie and refrained from licking the preserved juices off the plate. This was a delicious moment of gluttony that I can't even blame on P.M.S. Sometimes, I gotta admit: it's good to be the grown-up and be free to make wild-impetuous decisions :-)

Expanding My Horizons

2009-11-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, during a trip to Michael's craft store, I decided to get brave and explore the jewelry making aisle. I don't know why this particular section always held an air of superiority which intimidated me, but I had, literally, never felt worthy of venturing into this uncharted territory. Ohhhhh boy....I should have held onto my preconceived notions. I love jewelry and accessorizing is a huge part of my personal style, so this was, for me, fairly close to a spiritual awakening. Fortunately, I was using a gift card, from a friend, so I was limited in the amount of damage I could do. I stuck with items that inspired me, but looked user-friendly. My intention/ justification was to make several pieces to give as Christmas gifts. I had no idea how unpalatable it would be to consider parting with my creations. Perhaps that will change as the holidays get closer....or not! ***If you look closely, you can see that I forgot to remove the clear plastic, protective cover from the aqua bird charm...OOOPS!

Cozy Corners

2009-11-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

It dawned on me, today, that I haven't posted any pictures of our new home. I must confess: that is largely because I still have bins stacked throughout my living space and have run out of room to put things. I am aggressively purging, but (as I'm sure you will all agree) that takes time and my final adieus get a little drawn out. I realized I could easily photograph around the bis, thus creating the illusion of a neat & orderly abode. 'Course I blew that out of the water when I fessed up to the true state of clutter, but I'm nothing if not candid about my chaotic life :-)

Since I've already forgotten what cozy corners I photographed, the pictures will just have to speak for themselves.

I am now off to memorize the Sephora handbook. Tomorrow is my first day of training and, I must admit, I'm good and ready to get out of the house and venture out into the wide, wonderful world of grown-up people!

I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry

2009-11-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

I just HATE when this happens: I go blog surfing, come across a fabulous idea that I decide to borrow, but can't remember whose blog it came from. I tried...I really, really tried to find the creative lady behind this wonderfully simple gift idea. After an hour of getting distracted by the other wonderfully simple gift ideas you all have come up with, I give! I simply cannot find the blog I was looking for, so I apologize to....?

She (who-shall...for now...remain-nameless) bought travel coffee mugs from the Dollar Tree store and transformed them...too cute! I ran down to my Dollar Tree & snatched the remaining mugs. The store manager, who knows me TOO well, said a woman had been in the day before and bought a case of the mugs. I wonder if she was inspired by the same beautiful blogger!

The project was SO easy, quick and budget-friendly. I removed the cup insert and used the template they included to trace the pattern onto scrapbook paper and wrapping paper. I added some ribbon to some of the cups, stickers to others...whatever I had on hand. The blogger, from whom I borrowed this idea, did monograms on her cups. I added a ribbon for wrapping and am going to pop Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks gift cards inside and have my daughter give them to her teachers for Christmas.

***Sidenote: Having taught for 11 years, I feel confident in speaking for MOST teachers...every thoughtful gift, from a student, is a cherished memento. That said, one can only accumulate so many "#1 Teacher...Grade A Teacher...Head of the Class Teacher" mugs before they lose some of their sentimental value. I always felt a deep appreciation for homemade gifts. Pair that with a gift card for coffee and you're bound to have a happy teacher!

Gainfully Employed...at LAST!

2009-10-31T07:36:00.000-07:00

I haven't spent any time lamenting about my job search woes because...well, my personal life woes are enough for all of you to tolerate. I have been without steady income, however, for almost a year. Suffice it to say, as a single mother of two, that's just not good. It has taught me some very important, albeit painfully humbling lessons about reaching out for help. Thanks to the support of my wonderful family, I have been able to keep my head above water...just barely. A few weeks ago, I applied for a job at Sephora, but I never heard back from them...which had become my expectation, given the current economy. Last Tuesday they called me for an interview, which (if I do say so myself) went beautifully. I'm one of those really weird people (OKAY, stop nodding your heads in agreement and let me finish!)...I'm one of those really weird people who enjoys interviewing. I think my lack of anxiety stems from 2 things: 1.) I pray first and put it in God's hands...which is where it is anyway, but He appreciates that acknowledgement anyway and 2.) I love meeting new people, so I try to focus on that aspect of the process. The manager called me back yesterday afternoon, asking if I was still interested. I stopped short of shouting, "You bet your sweet Sephora butt I am!!!". I start training next week and am SO excited. I think I'll really enjoy the job and I believe it's something I can do well at. It's only supposed to be for a seasonal position, but they told me it's very likely to extend beyond that, assuming I am a good "fit". I have to do that legwork, but that too is in God's hands. For now, I am simply grateful to have found a job! WOOHOO!

Devotion

2009-10-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

My parents just celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary, on October 25th, but I had to wait until they left on their trip to Bermuda to write this post :-). My mom married my "step" dad when I was 10 years old and my brother and I were blessed with two, wonderful sisters and a father who could pretty much part the Red Seas, with minimal effort. I've written about my dad before, so I'll try not to sound like a Hallmark commercial in this post. Suffice it to say, he is the best man I have ever known... bar none!

My parents are completely committed to each other; they put the other's happiness before their own, they are partners...in daily life, in parenting, in everything they do. Whether they made a conscious decision to do so, my mom and dad put their relationship first and everything else....work, kids, friends, family, homes...was under "them" on their list of priorities. Selfish? Not at all! That is as it should be, in a healthy marriage. That relationship is the foundation upon which all others rest. If it's not solid, everything goes down with the first hearty gust of wind. Thirty three years after they said "I do", the building my parents constructed....my sisters, my brother, four grand-daughters & three grand-sons...is still standing: strong, proud & beautiful. Thanks to my sister for sending this picture to all of the siblings on "our" anniversary. It says it all!

Hydrangea Wreath

2009-10-24T18:17:00.001-07:00

My landlord was kind enough to let me cut bunches and bunches of hydrangea, from the bushes outside of the house. He's a sweet, older Italian man, who looked at me cock-eyed when I made the request.

"Help yourself, dear", he said, "but why do you want the flowers when she's a-dying?"

"Projects!", I explained.

He shrugged his shoulders and waved me toward the bushes.

I happened to cut the flowers, apparently, at just the right time. I popped them into vases and let them dry for a few days and (at the suggestion of some floral arrangement website) I soaked the heads in warm water for 15 minutes before it was time for wreath assembly. The "expert" assured that this would 1.) loosen all of the brown petals...which it did and 2.) make them easier to work with because they were less brittle....also true.

I simply stuck the flower heads into a green foam thingy, added a few silk flowers for color, tied a bow on top and she's a-finished! Cute, huh? Oh, because I am the queen of more, more, more...I decided to add a tiny bit of mica glitter to a few of the leaves. Just a touch of shimmer.

Gretel & Co.

2009-10-24T06:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Caroline decided that Gretel needed a playmate. Her reasoning was quite sound: "It's gotta be hard living with people every day". (There are days when I couldn't agree more...too many people, in my life, and not enough furry friends :-)

I'm not sure if Gretel and "Chloe" are destined to be kindred spirits, but it made for a cute picture!

Morning Glory

2009-10-23T04:28:00.000-07:00

Once again, the title of this post doesn't really fit the subject matter. It was the first, semi-clever thing that popped into my sleepy brain, but I'll do my best to tie it together. As I have mentioned, repeatedly, my sweet daughter is not a morning person. The waking-her-up routine takes no less than 1/2 hour...and that's just to get her eyes half opened! Often, by the time she is heading out the door for school, we are both in absolutely foul moods because of the battle we have just engaged in. Sometimes our pup has more luck than I do with getting Caroline to face the day. Although I have tried every trick in the book, to rouse my sleeping "angel", I stop short of licking her face. That's reserved for the big guns...c'mon, Gretel!

Autumn Sacrilege

2009-10-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Normally, when I have something to confess it's best to grab hold of your seats and hunker down for a wild episode of As My World Turns...UPSIDE DOWN! Sorry friends. Nothing juicy or dramatic this time! Stay tuned, though, as that could shift on a moment's notice!

I am a full-blown, born & bred New Englander from the top of my W.A.S.P.-y head to my raised-in-Connecticut toes. With that kind of upbringing comes a natural love of all things sandy & salty, fresh Maine lobsters served with lemony butter (accompanied...always...by brown bread, cole slaw and baked beans), lighthouses in all shapes/ sizes/ locations, plopping fresh-picked apples into wooden baskets, extra sharp & crumbly cheddar cheese (best served with freshly-baked apple pie), tromping through the snow in search of the perfect Christmas tree...you get the picture. I can neatly check of all of the "You Know You're A True New Englander" criteria, with one exception.

***time for those of you who live in warmer climates to cover your eyes.

I HATE FALL! There...I said it! I do. I HATE it. Maybe it's because I have such a deep devotion to the spring and, to me, fall is the anti-spring. While throngs of people flock to the New England states to view the kaleidoscope of changing leaves, all I can do is lament the passing of trips to the beach and grumble about having to wear shoes (which touch my feet, only when necessary, from May-September). The falling leaves make me sad, the shorter days make me grumpy and the kids going back to school...okay, there is one reason to appreciate the bygone days of summer:-)

I do enjoy the crisp evenings and cozying up under my down comforter with a good book. I love being able to make the first fire of the season (alas, my new home does not have a fireplace, which I shall sorely miss ::sniff::). Give me some credit, I'm trying my best to compile a "Fall Gratitude List" here, but I'm running out of items to add. Ohhhhh, switching wardrobes for the season is always fun and there's nothing like slipping into a comfy sweater and my favorite pair of jeans. Boots! I have a near-gluttonous collection of boots that I am able to get reacquainted with.

I happened to glance out my bedroom window, this afternoon, and noticed that one of the trees in my front yard was blazing with vibrant color. 'How beautiful!", thought I. What????? A glimmer of appreciation from this autumn loathing gal? I grabbed my camera and spent a few minutes trying to shift my attitude. Perhaps, after all these years, I'm turning over a new....leaf! HA HA HA...get it? New...leaf...fall...changing? Oh, nevermind. It's an inside joke.

More Mundane Fashion Finds

2009-10-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Since I'm cooped up, in the house, with my son...who has been home all week from school...I might as well try to make up for the 2+ months during which time I was MIA. It also keeps me distracted from the disappointing fact that we had to cancel our trip to see my mom and dad in Maine this weekend :-( My son had strep and an ear infection, for which he is taking antibiotics, and has now developed a secondary viral infection that just has to "run it's course". That's medical talk for: hunker down and put your lives on hold until the ICK leaves the building!

Last week, while I was beginning to organize our cool weather clothes, I realized I had virtually NO sweaters. A New Englander with no sweaters? Blaspheme! I had several bags of the kids' outgrown clothing to drop at Sally's so...

Naturally, I waited until Wednesday (50% off all clothing, shoes & accessories) and I went with a mission: sweaters and nothing else. Miracle of miracles: I stuck to my resolution. I must admit, I did step outside of my own comfort zone, in that I chose very classic, traditional tops (almost :::gulp::: preppy!). Interesting, yet little known personal fact; when I turned 40 (3 years ago), I could no longer wear turtlenecks. Having my neck constricted, in any way, drove me to the point of nearly stripping off my top with no regard for my surroundings. Not good, so I decided to avoid them altogether. For whatever reason, the idea of a cozy turtleneck sweater appealed to me this year, so I started rebuilding my collection. I'm not stupid, though, I tried one on first...just to be sure the Pavlovian reaction was gone. Sure 'nuff. I was cured.

Who cares about all of that? What'd I get? Oh, before I get to that (for those of you who don't know me personally, can you just imagine what it's like to have a face-to-face conversation with me, the Queen of Tangents???), the main reason for this post is to, once again, try to woo those of you who are second-hand sissies out of your corners. Step into the thrift store light. Why would you ever choose to pay the ridiculous prices at the mall or department store when you can, with minimal effort, expand your wardrobe exponentially for less money. So what if someone else has worn it? That's what washing machines are for. If you're really cootie conscious, take it to the dry cleaners...you'll still save money.

Back to the regularly scheduled topic....ummm...which was....oh yeah! My haul of sweaters.

~Lime green, heavy cotton t-neck sweater with really cool slits up the sleeves (Ann Taylor)

~Colorful, cotton/ silk, v-neck sweater (Talbots)

~Plum, heavy cotton t-neck, cableknit sweater (Eddie Bauer) ***this was really a stretch for me as it was both a turtleneck and falls into the category of "purple", but it looks cute on

~Pale lavender (what's with this change in my taste), angora sweater with a really pretty cowl/ off-the-shoulder neck that has subtle embroidery...great for dressing up a bit (Sleeping on Snow...never heard of them, but I like the name AND the top)

**not pictured

~a paler green, silk t-neck sweater (Ann Taylor)

~a GORGEOUS, wide boatneck, Irish cableknit (Handmade)

Grand Total: $6.98

Yellow & Blue

2009-10-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

I may have made mention of the fact that yellow, blue & white is my favorite color combination. The irony is: I don't ever recall doing a room...or any part of my home...using those colors. I was at Salvation Army, last Wednesday, for Family Day (50% off everything in the store) and hit my color combo heaven when I got to the linens section. Clearly, someone shared my love of these three colors and had donated a ton (no exaggeration) of goodies. Now, the "linens section" of Sally's is a bit of a misnomer. Fact is; the "section" consists of 4 industrial size rolling bins, into which all of the linens are dumped. You literally have to climb into the 8 ft. bins, hold your breath and dive for hidden treasures. Some ladies actually choose to take their shoes off first. Me? I keep 'em on for fear of getting impaled by a rabid curtain hook. Shoes also help with kicking through the mountain of tablecloths, sheets & window treatments.

Last Wednesday I was in luck when I spotted a layer of yellow and blue, floating on the sea of linens. No dumpster diving required! Woohoo!I managed to find, with minimal effort: a blue & white Waverly sofa cover, a plaid Laura Ashley bed skirt, a pale yellow hand knit throw and....my only disappointment...ONE thermal lined, Laura Ashley curtain. I found the matching tie-back, but not the other curtain. The pattern is so pretty and high-quality, though, that I figured I could eventually transform it into something fabulous. Now I have the beginnings of my yellow, blue & white dream room. I think I'll hold out until the spring to begin the transformation of my cozy living room. The best part...bed skirt: $.99, curtain: $1.99, knit throw: $.99 and sofa cover: $2.99. Divide that in half (because it's Family Day at Sally's) and my grand total was... $3.48!

Headboard for My Un-Girly Girl

2009-10-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

My Caroline has finally taken pity on my incessant quest to slip a bit of femininity into her tomboy world. I have given up...for now...my visions of crinoline, pink satin bows and tea parties. Another era and certainly another type of child! She surprised me when we moved into our new place and "allowed" me to decorate her room. I had snagged an adorable, shabby chic bedroom set at a tag sale this spring: quilt, bed skirt, 2 sets of twin sheets, 2 area rugs, valance, pillow sham, 2 small pillows, a wastebasket, a light switch cover and an electrical outlet cover....all for $10! Okay, when I tried to put it all together, it was way to "matchy matchy" for my taste. I knew I wanted to use most of the bedding and found a Laura Ashley bed skirt at Salvation Army for $.99 that compliments the quilt. I hung some sheer curtains that I already had and put the rest of the set away.

Her headboard was an old mantle that had been left behind in the "other" house.

:::PAUSE::: I am suddenly struck was an undeniable sense of deja-vu. Have I already written a post about the headboard revamp...as well as her shabby chic bedroom set????? Or, was it one of those subjects on my blog post to-do list??? Oh, Heavens to Murgatroid! I don't recall. I could go through my archives, but I'd rather not. I'm just going to keep writing and pretend this is all new to you.

I painted the headboard a pale, pale blue. I had bought one of those 4 oz. paint sample jars to try out in a bedroom, wasn't crazy about the color on the walls, but...waste not, want not! I loved how it looked on the headboard. The little decorative piece was something I've held onto for years, waiting to find a home for it. A white little spray paint to cover the rusty silver finish & it was the perfect finishing touch for the headboard. The mantle top is ideal for displaying some treasures. The bunny was a particularly special gift from my friend Monica, which Caroline snatched off of my dressing table and proclaimed that it "belonged" in her room. I have no idea how long this indulgence will last, so I will relish it until my little princess announces she wants a skull & crossbones theme.

A Dollar Store Romance

2009-09-29T12:30:00.001-07:00

Since I have taken a solemn oath to steer clear of any/ all species of men, I had to fill the gap in my heart with something equally powerful, enticing and challenging. Thank you, Lord, for finding me the perfect replacement in The Dollar Tree Store. For those of us who 1.) are addicted to the endorphin rush of uncovering a bargain, 2.) are restricted by a tight budget and 3.) are mathematically challenged to an embarrassing degree, the dollar store is truly the ideal mate! Since we were out of toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner, today's trip was a real necessity. After stocking up on basic hygiene supplies, I meandered down the home gadgets aisle and found these adorable light switch and electrical outlet covers. Yes ladies, I know...I have the crafting ability to decoupage or fabric cover my switches, but 1.) these decals are too cute and they match my bedroom, 2.) it took me all of 10 seconds for each revamp 3.) they can be easily removed when the mood to change decor hits (several times a year), 4.) they won't permanently alter the covers/ plates in my rental home....and 5.) the total cost was $1 for four coordinating sets. I grabbed 3 other sets to use as stocking stuffers.

Desk Makeover

2009-09-29T05:53:00.000-07:00

As I was looking around my bedroom this morning, wondering where my creative juices have hidden themselves, I realized that I did work on a few projects during the course of my tumultuous summer. Perhaps if I share, I will get inspired again. That's such a Catch 22, isn't it? It's so difficult to charge your creative batteries when you're struggling with....life, yet (for me) the act of creating something new is the very thing that does recharge my batteries.

Okay....focus on the topic, Kimberly! I found this desk in the early part of the summer, tucked away in a corner of the Salvation Army. It was priced at $19.99, but it had been there for over a month, so it was reduced by half! Less than $10 for a piece with such potential...and it would fit in the back of my CRV...so I could take it on the spot. Irresistible price and immediate gratification...WOOHOO! It's a small desk, so I knew I could find a place for it. It has tons of little nooks & crannies, a roll-down thingy (please forgive me for being so technological with my terminology) and enough drawer space to hide my bills & paperwork.

As soon as I got it home, I gave it a quick sanding, spray painted it an antique white then "aged" it with sandpaper and a hammer. My kids always get a kick out of the aging thing: why do I spend so much time refinishing a piece, only to attack the finished product with an arsenal of potentially deadly weapons? A quick blast of black spray paint and the knobs & drawer pulls looked crisp and rejuvenated. I decided to decoupage the pull-out, writing surface thingy (here I go with the fancy terminology again) and was quite pleased with the way it turned out. I was not, however, as pleased with the way my pictures turned out, so you may have to use a bit of imagination on this.

I am off to drop off more job applications at the mall. Maybe...just maybe...today will be the day that I finally find a job!

CRASH!

2009-09-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

Go figure....I finally get my computer hooked up, at the new place, and my system suffers a near fatal crash. Thanks to my 14 year old son, who was...ummm...being a curious adolescent BOY! Can all of you moms, with teenage boys, join me in a collective cry: "EWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!" Fortunately, my best friend, Glenn, is a computer genius and is working diligently to fix whatever ails my machine. Glenn reminded me that it's been ages since I mentioned him, so I'll give credit where credit it due. Considering he built me my computer, for my 42nd b-day, credit is actually way overdue! He's the bomb-diggity, devastatingly handsome, has a rapier wit and is one of the few people who I can always count on to tell it like it is. Okay, now that he's no longer looking over my shoulder, I can add: I hope he'd hurry up and fix my flippin' computer!!! Since I am writing this post on Glenn's laptop and can't access my pictures....Ladies, this is Glenn. Glenn, these are my blog buddies :-)

And the Winner is....OOPS!!!!!

2009-09-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

I need two volunteers please: one to hold my shoulders still and the other to screw my head on straight. I completely spaced out and forgot to choose a winner for my mink coat give-away! That has got to be the biggest blog DUH ever!

By way of explanation (no excuses) I've been housebound with my flu-infested (how gross does that sound?) daughter for the last few days. I'm not an alarmist when it comes to my normally healthy kids, but even the most laid-back mom would do a double-take when the thermometer reads 104.4. After a very necessary trip to the pediatrician, it seems the flu turned into a double ear infection, a severe sinus infection and possible pneumonia. The dr. skipped the chest x-rays because she'd already decided to start pumping my baby full of antibiotics. At least, this time, I have a viable reason for my ditziness.

Thank you, LuLu, for popping over and reminding me. Without further adieu, the winner is....LuLu! God as my witness, I did not fix that. My son randomly picked the name from my hand. No need for a hat as there were just two names to choose from :-) Congratulations, LuLu, and thank you again for getting me back on track.

Vintage Mink Coat Give-Away

2009-09-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

No, you do not need to adjust your bi-focals, ladies. I am hosting a give-away for a vintage mink coat. My apologies to any readers who might be offended by the mention of fur. I assure you, the minks were long since deceased, by the time I got this coat. Why am I giving away a mink coat, you might ask? Perhaps not, but I'll tell you anyway :-) I purchased this coat two years ago, during my fur phase...amongst I won't mention how many others because it's gluttonous...and I've never worn it. I would rather give it to a fellow blogger than try to sell it on ebay (which is super saturated with furs anyway) or donate it to charity.

The coat: genuine, pieced mink (not full pelts), 3/4 length, wide cuffed sleeves, shawl collar. The lining is a bit worn and the fur is a little dry. I was initially going to describe it as perfect for crafting, but realized it is still suitable for wear. I'm probably more of a fur "snob" than most people, having worked in a store that specialized in fur coats/ jackets. Because of the cut of the coat, I would say it should fit sizes 6-10, depending on what you are wearing under it.

Rules: simply leave your name in the comments section of my blog...that's it. I will randomly choose a name on Monday, September 20. I'm going to ask that entries be limited to U.S. residents because of the cost of shipping.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Fit For a Queen

2009-09-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

***Disclaimer*** The title for this post is stupid and really not at all "fitting". Forgive me, gentle readers as I try to recoup some of my wit and originality...it's been a while!
Following our most recent move (did I mention that this is the second move in THREE months???), I've had to replenish some of my basic household necessities (pots, pans, utensils, etc.). When move #1 took place, I foolishly got rid of any duplicates...not anticipating...well, just not anticipating PERIOD. As my list of "to buy" items grew, I headed off to the Salvation Army. I managed to stick to my list...until I saw this 3-piece, antique Christening outfit hanging (misplaced) amongst the table linens. In spite of its very tattered and yellowed condition, I was hopeful that I could revive it. With the help of my landlady, who is a skilled seamstress and lives downstairs, we stitched the frayed seams together. Okay, she did the stitching while I supervised the process. Although I was a bit nervous the gown would fall apart, I soaked it in a bit of OxyClean and put it out to dry in the sun for several hours. My landlady had heard/ read somewhere that the sun would bleach white fabric if you lay it in the grass...on a towel, of course. Something about the way the grass metabolizes/ photosynthesizes/ something "sizes" the natural sunlight. Don't know...don't care...it worked beautifully. All three pieces brightening to a very natural, antique white.
I originally had the ensemble displayed on a satin & lace hanger, but realized it would look adorable on my nameless teddy bear...who I still like to play dress up with. She really could use a name, now that I think of it. Any ideas? There I go, digressing again.
My creative juices have been moving at a snail's pace, but it felt SO good to have a little project to keep me occupied. Better still that I was satisfied with the outcome.

Hope & Faith

2009-09-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

The whirling dervish that has defined my life, over the last 4 months, has finally headed out to sea. Sharing the details is overwhelming and too personal at this point but, suffice it to say: my decision making skills lacked rationality, discernment and the most basic common sense. The children and I moved TWICE in 3 months. I'm talking full-blown, pack everything we own, get settled in new home #1 only to start the process again as soon as we got settled. Thanks to my amazingly supportive family (my big sister, Kim, especially...who took charge as soon as I reached out for help) and some wonderful friends, the kids and I are peacefully nesting in new home #2.
During the course of all of this self-inflicted drama, I have had a tremendously difficult time maintaining my faith that God was still in control and that He had a greater plan than I could comprehend. Oh, I prayed fervently and sincerely that my children and I would get out of "hell house" in one piece...which we did. I prayed that we would find a safe haven until I could begin to sort through the disastrous rubble...which we did. I prayed that I could find the resources necessary to put a roof over our heads...which I did (HUGE thanks to Mom & Dad). I prayed that the emotional damage, to my children, would be minimal (or at least manageable)...which it is. Why then was I feeling that God was conspicuously absent/ busy/ preoccupied during my time of need? As always, I get so short-sighted in the midst of a storm and I comfortably rest my hiney on the pity pot, drowning in a near terminal case of "woes me". As the turbulence has begun to die down, I can see that God never jumped ship. He was, in fact, answering every single prayer I offered, in spite of MY fears and doubts. Life is good as long as I stay out of my own way!

Little White Wagon???

2009-08-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

After another lengthy absence, I am filled with trepidation about jumping back into the blog pool. Strange that I would feel so anxious, when this outlet has provided me with nothing but encouragement, friendship and a safe place for me to share...well, bits and pieces of everything. Still, I feel as if I must maintain an upbeat, lighthearted facade so as not to dump a bucket of rainwater on anyone who stumbles across this part of my world. I think I'll test the waters with my little toe and share that, because of impulsive choices I have made during the last few months, I find myself in a place of deep emotional and spiritual (dare I say it?) despair. Aside from not being able to eat or sleep regularly, my health is fine...so I'm grateful to not have to add "physical" to my list of woes. Much as I'd love to be able to point fingers elsewhere, I have to own the bad decisions I've made and start tackling the debris. Prayer is, of course, the best place to start. I must confess, however, I feel as if God is shaking his head woefully, whispering "You're on your own with this one, Little Girl. I sent you all the warning flags I could muster".

So, where does the little white wagon fit in to this? During one of my recent run-aways to the beach, it was parked under a tree by walkway over the sand dunes. I'd never seen a little white wagon. Red? Sure...plenty of them! This white one captured my attention...sitting there painted the "wrong" color, waiting to be filled...put to use, not sure what direction she would be pulled in, rusty & peeling, but still steady on her wheels.

Raindrops on Roses

2009-07-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, there are times when it is necessary to bypass accuracy in order to come up with a catchy title for a blog post. "Raindrops on Dahlias...Pansies" just didn't cut it for this morning's musings.

Ahhh, I digress (yet again). After an extremely wet month of June, I know I was not alone in being sick to death of that perpetually soggy feeling. It seemed that my mood was perfectly synchronized with the dreary skies. After a few weeks of fairly consistent sunshine this month, I greeted the forecast of a few rainy days/ evenings with as much enthusiasm as I would a pesky rodent invading my pantry. I took some solace in the fact that last night's "storm" wouldn't impact my plans for the weekend. The skies were perfectly blue this morning and the fluffy, white clouds were merrily chasing the rain laden, gray buggers out of their playground.

Once I had sufficiently offered thanks for the sunshiny skies, my attention was drawn to the garden. Despite my own reaction to more rain (Eeyore voice over), the flowers were sassy and re-energized after their shower. Every rain laden blossom and bud was simply happy as could be. Perhaps I/ we need to take a cue from our botanical friends?!?

Nearly New

2009-07-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

Any knack I might have, for sniffing out a bargain at a tag sale/ thrift store/ consignment shop, has tumbled down the family tree from my Nana Colburn. Aside from being the #1 goulash chef of all time, Nana was the QUEEN of tracking down previously loved treasures that would fail to capture the attention of most passers by. I can say, some....well, MANY years later that I love the memories of accompanying Nana on her weekend jaunts. At the time...ummm...maybe not so much. Although my imagination was fairly vivid, as a child, I didn't appreciate the "beauty" of some one's old castoffs. I was also terribly self-conscious when Nana, her fingers bedazzled with precious gemstones, would turn each item over & over before she began haggling over the price. Ohhhh, the haggling: rest assured, if it was tagged at $1.00, my Nana snagged it for 1/2 that. It wasn't until I was an adult that I appreciated the finesse with which she would convince the sellers to lower their price, as if it was their idea to begin with. If there was a shortage of tag sales to be found, there was always the "Nearly New" thrift shop. I don't recall ever finding anything of great interest there, but I vividly remember the semi-musty scent and the way all of the ladies greeted my Nana as if she was the mayor of the town. I was so proud to be the sidekick of such a thrift store bigwig!

During our trip to Old Lyme, last week, I brought my daughter through the "Nearly New" rite of passage. Clever girl: she brought an egg timer with her, set it for 25 minutes and told me firmly "That's it...that's all the time you get...then we're going to Hallmark's for ice cream". As soon as we walked into the shop, I teared up. That "old" aroma broke and warmed my heart as I remembered just how much I miss Nana. My tenderhearted girl noticed my tears immediately and (bless her sweet soul) added 5 minutes to the egg timer. The shop was different: more organized with carefully arranged displays, but 35+ years vanished instantaneously and I was my baby girl's age...holding my Nana's hand as we searched for treasures.

Oh yeah, speaking of treasures: I found a whimsical trio of teacups/ saucers with two dessert plates ($5.00 for the lot) and a beautiful, French porcelain lamp...in need of the perfect lampshade ($2.50). I'm thinking I did my Nana proud.

Hands...Feet...Sand

2009-07-18T05:10:00.000-07:00

My second favorite thing about the beach...the smell of the salt air, the beach roses and the marsh grass take top position...is the feel of the sand. There is something indescribably soothing about sifting dry sand through your fingers or feeling the waves bury your feet by the water's edge.

A Little R&R

2009-07-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

To say that the last few weeks (months) have been hectic/ chaotic/ stressful is an understatement. Last Wednesday, my baby girl and I set out in search of some tranquility. There is one place, on earth, where I am 100% assured of recapturing serenity: the beach, in Old Lyme, CT, where I spent summers from my conception through my early adult years. I threw several bags in the CRV, grabbed the puppy and her crate and off we went, to spend a few days at Edge Lea. My aunt was gracious enough to welcome us, into her home, for this impromptu visit. Caroline and I spent two days relaxing and recharging our batteries. I took tons of pictures, so there will be more posts to follow, but wanted to share some of my favorites from the beach. Sidenote: I still haven't figured out how to stagger photographs & text (Dagnabit), so the pictures will have to speak for themselves.

Lost My Marbles...and Everything Else!

2009-07-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

Here I go, feeling like the new kid on the playground again. Jumping back into the blog fray isn't as simple as it ought to be, after a...what?...3 week absence. Jiminy Cricket...can it be that long??? "Where have you been?", my one or two very patient (remaining) blog friends might be wondering.

Moving! Doesn't make a bit of difference that I only moved 6 minutes down the road. Moving is moving. For anyone who has ever packed up and moved 43 years worth of accumulated stuff, 'nuff said! For you fortunate friends who haven't, I have one bit of advice: DON'T! Not terribly realistic, so here's some follow-up wisdom: do not....I repeat...do NOT do it in bits and pieces! Coral as many friends/ neighbors/ random strangers as you can and just do it in one fell swoop: Bonsai-style! Packing and moving a few boxes at a time may seem like a good idea, but it makes the process interminable and utterly unbearable.

Finally, though, my computer is up and running. I even managed to find my camera and take some pictures of the mass of boxes/ bins we are trying to call "home". It felt so good to snap pictures of my mess, knowing that...in a matter of minutes...I would be merrily sitting at my now functioning computer to share them with you. NOT SO MUCH! The cord that attaches my camera to the computer is lost in the moving abyss, along with my cell phone charger (still), most of my underwear, the remote to the dvd player and a plethora of assorted necessities. Yes, yes...I know I'll find it. I'm just growing weary of having my full-time job be that of a professional lost & found artist.

I have missed you all and can't wait to spend time catching up on your blogs. That is the dangling carrot that will inspire me to keep on, keepin' on :-)

Hugs to you all!!!

I Can Handle 8!

2009-06-12T05:11:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...I haven't posted in FOREVER, but today is my baby girl's 8th birthday and she deserves some blog love! It's funny how specific birthdays "hit" you more strongly than others. With both of my children, the 6th seemed like a HUGE milestone and I felt the acute pangs of their youth moving too quickly. I was fine with 7...and 8 is manageable...so far. Although...Caroline has already started negotiating an appropriate age for dating. DATING?????? I can scarcely stand the fact that my 14 year old son likes some girl and he won't tell me her name!
I digress. Today it's all about my feisty, independent, sassy daughter. Before she (technically) entered this world, Caroline had her own agenda and had me jumping through hoops to keep up. I had some pre-term labor issues, beginning at 25 weeks. I was more prepared the second go-round, as I'd gone through the same with my firstborn. Still, it was a daily effort to keep my legs clamped tightly shut...lest she slip out too early...and follow dr's orders. That, coupled with dozens of false alarm trips to the hospital, made for a very long pregnancy. Naturally, when we were out of the danger zone time period, she settled right down and made herself comfy cozy. As my due date approached, I tried all of the ridiculous, labor-inducing old wives tale tricks: rose hips tea, spicy foods, bumpy car rides...and yes...castor oil. NOT something I would recommend to anyone, regardless of how high your level of impatience might be. The result certainly feels like the beginning stages of labor, but...how can I put this delicately...your body expels everything but the baby! Not so delicate, huh? Sorry 'bout that :-) In spite of my best efforts to get to the "meet and greet" portion of motherhood, it was between Caroline and God as to when that would happen. My ob/ gyn had warned me, repeatedly, not to wait too long to get to the hospital, after labor started. Because of the pre-term labor and the fact that she was all but poking a hand out to wave hello, he was seriously concerned that I would birth her during the 3 minute ride to the hospital. When my labor started, her dad and I did heed his warning and scooted off to labor & delivery at a rather speedy pace. No need to rush, as it turned out. My little imp kept us waiting another 23 hours before she decided to introduce herself in person.
And so it goes....that's my Caroline. The old "apple doesn't fall far..." adage is about as accurate as you can get with my sweet girl. I only pray I can manage to stay one or two steps ahead of her as she grows up. Better put my running shoes on!
The pictures I am sharing are older ones because I have lost my camera! We are in the process of moving (across town) and I can't find my camera anywhere. I'm sure it's buried in a box somewhere...along with my cell phone charger, my son's history book and numerous other items of great importance.

More "Out of the Mouths of Babes"...

2009-05-29T03:23:00.000-07:00

I picked my 8 year old daughter up, after school, yesterday and the following conversation ensued...
Caroline: "Mom, do you think I will be a woman of knowledge when I grow up?"
Me: (trying to stifle my giggles) "Oh, I'm sure you will, Carly. What made you think of that?"
Caroline: "I don't know. No reason. No offense, Mom, but I think my dad is a man of GREAT knowledge...and you are a woman of wonderful imagination".
Me: (no longer able to contain my laughter) "I'm not offended, Honey."
My daughter is SO intuitive and 100% accurate with this assessment of her parents. I'm thinking Caroline must, somehow, share bloodlines with Anne Shirley ("Anne of Green Gables"). Side note: I'll take the wonderful imagination over the great knowledge any day of the week!

Where's the Tooth Fairy???

2009-05-28T16:05:00.001-07:00

Apparently, she skipped right by my house and sent the tooth trolls to create some mischief in my mouth! I have been M.I.A. due, in part, to 5 days of complete agony caused by a "bothersome" tooth. Bothersome, my Aunt Fanny! That was the dentist's sugar coated term for my evil tormentor. I would far rather birth a rabid elephant...sans epidural...than go through the pain I was in. The dentist finally got it "under control" (add to the 4-letter word list: R-O-O-T canal) and I'm beginning to feel human again. I'm running a fever and my jaw feels like I went a few rounds with Mike Tyson, but they're nothing in comparison to how I felt 2 days ago. A hefty course of antibiotics with a side of Tylenol with codeine should take care of the residual discomfort. I'll be back when I'm feeling more perky!

Self-Restraint

2009-05-14T17:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've been itching to show some updated pictures of the kittens, but have held back in order to avoid boring everyone into fur ball oblivion. I backtracked and realized I've been sufficiently patient...at least according to my standards :-) I can also justify that two of the four babies will have a new home in 2 weeks. We are keeping Gray and Grunt (my daughter couldn't remember the name for the "runt" of the litter, so she called him/ her Grunt. He/she is no longer the little one in the family, but the name has taken hold). I was fortunate enough to have a good friend tell me that she's been wanted TWO black kittens for a long time, so the siblings will all have some familiar faces to grow up with! We escaped near catastrophe two nights ago when we couldn't find Gray anywhere. We turned the house upside down for two hours. I searched outside, in the dark, fearing that he/she had slipped out somehow. My concern mounted to astronomical heights when I heard hawks screeching nearby. With all the pet trauma my kids (my daughter especially) have endured lately, I thought I would sacrifice myself to the winged carnivores before I would try to explain that one of our kittens got carried away by a hawk! Still trying to maintain optimistic for my now hysterical daughter, I pulled the kittens' blanket out from under my bed...which I had checked no less than 25 times...and there was Gray, wrapped up all comfy cozy. PHEW! Catastrophe averted!

Mortification!

2009-05-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

I'd love to blame this gigantic faux-pas on the Blogger poltergeist, but this time I have to fess up and own my mortifying blunder. A few weeks ago, I was THRILLED when LuLu (Coastal Sisters) contacted me about winning her Pomander Ball give-away. I am a HUGE admirer of LuLu's creations, so this was an extra special treat. When the pomander arrived, it far surpassed my wildest expectations (the pictures didn't begin to do it justice) and it matches the colors, in my bedroom, perfectly. I meant to (and seriously thought I had) post about it immediately. As I was just "window shopping" on LuLu's website, I came across a lovely magenta pomander she is selling and had that sinking "Ohhhhh Nooooo" feeling, in the pit of my stomach. I poured through my older postings and realized that I had, in fact, written a post about LuLu's beautiful gift....in my own head! I had to make a public confession and am now off to chomp on a massive slice of humble pie, in a private email to sweet LuLu.

Mother's Day Continues

2009-05-10T16:10:00.001-07:00

My "baby" girl forgot to give me the Mother's Day gift she made in school. Like many moms, these handmade gifts are my absolute favorite and I cherish every treasure my children has created for me! To back up...last year, my daughter was very reluctant to hand over the gift she'd made in school. When I had sufficiently assured her that I would love whatever she'd made, she gave me the wrapped present. As soon as I opened it, I understood the reason for her hesitancy. There, in a carefully painted terra cotta pot, was....a bunch of dirt. Evidently, Caroline's were the only seeds that failed to grow. The teacher tried to convince my stubborn offspring to swap plants for one that was showing signs of life. Caroline, apparently, refused and stood her ground. The teacher (who was a beastly woman on a good day) told my daughter that it was "stupid" to give someone a container of dirt for a gift and she should be "embarrassed" to do so. That was all my will-of-steel girl needed to dig her heels in harder and deeper. Those were the seeds she had planted for me and those were the seeds I was going to get...end of discussion! It took a few weeks, but the seeds did start to grow and, by the end of the summer, we had mutant sunflowers and marigolds the size of cauliflower heads taking over my side garden! I, of course, took several pictures, mounted them on poster board and marched them in (myself) to my daughter's classroom. I had stencilled, in huge black letters, "HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL!". I insisted that the teacher hang the poster in the front of the class and my baby was vindicated.
No such drama surrounding this year's gift. Caroline used beautiful, vibrant fabric scraps to decoupage the container of pretty yellow marigolds. She made me a precious "My Mom..." book and all is right in our world!

Mother's Day Bliss

2009-05-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

Still in my Pooh jammies as I write this...at NOON! Today has just been full of wonderful surprises, which is not always the case on holidays. I'll say it "outloud" with hopes that 1.) it doesn't make me sound like a selfish shrew and 2.) there may be other ladies who have similar experiences. As a mom (and when I was a wife), I have always believed in making a big deal out of holidays. Perhaps it is because I am a "let's celebrate" kind of girl, but I scarcely need an excuse to make a fuss over the people I love. When I married my daughter's father, I instantly inherited 5 step-children, a step-daughter-in-law, a step-grandson & his two ex-wives. Yes, the ex-wives were part of the package :-). With such a large family, I shopped (Ohhhh, the hardship of it all) year-round for birthday and Christmas gifts. Whenever I came across something that would suit one of the kids, I'd pick it up and toss it in my gift closet. The result: I was overly prepared when the special occasion came around. It actually wasn't as haphazard as that sounds. I put a great deal of thought into each gift, while trying to stick within the parameters of our budget. Took time and creativity, but I thoroughly enjoyed the outcome when gift giving time arrived!
'Tis better to give than to receive...absolutely...and that's what I tried to keep in mind when I was the gift recipient. Because I was never the sort to make a wish list, that left the decision making up to my kids and ex-husband. I probably should have done some steering in the right direction, but I love surprises. At the risk of seeming ungrateful, suffice it to say: there are good surprises and there are not-so-good surprises. This Mother's Day, my ex-husband outdid himself beyond measure. He took the kids shopping for cards and a lovely rose scented candle (my favorite) and brought fresh out of the oven bagels & bream cheese over for breakfast. That would have been sufficient to put a lasting smile on this Mom's face. Inside the gift bag was a dvd/ cd (I wasn't sure which, at first) that he insisted we pop in the dvd player right away (that answered the dvd/ cd question). He had compiled a 10 minute slideshow of pictures that chronicled the lives of both of my children...many taken with me. The slideshow was set to music that he composed and recorded digitally. From the first picture, I was reduced to a quivering puddle of tears. My daughter quickly followed suit and my teenage son swiftly exited the room, but not before I caught a glimpse of a bit of suspicious moisture in his handsome brown eyes. My ex-husband kept his sunglasses on, throughout the viewing, but I'm fairly certain he wasn't immune to the reaction of my daughter and myself. This was, far and away, the best Mother's Day gift I have ever received. I so wish I could share it with all of you! I did ask him to make copies that I will send to my siblings and parents. I'm blessed and incredibly grateful...more tears, so I'll end with that. The picture, for this post, was taken several years ago. My daughter and I were on a ride, at an amusement park. I just love the expression on her face.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

I feel a little guilty that this post isn't going to focus on the joys of motherhood...or be chock full of amusing anecdotes...or sage advice from a Mom whose been round the block a few times. Sorry folks...perhaps at the end of the day. I woke up early this morning, per usual, and saw telltale signs of a sunshiny day. After, what feels like, months of off and on rain, this was truly a sight for sore eyes. I grabbed my camera and (literally) ran outside to see what I could photograph. In spite of the rain, my garden hasn't produced any new subject matter, so I trotted down the driveway...in my jammies...to take a look at the azaleas. They are in full bloom...perfect! As I was snapping pictures of my smiling bushes, I noticed that my lilacs are starting to come out. I love lilacs, which is a bit odd because purple/ lavender is not at the top of my favorite color(s) list. The fragrance of lilacs is quite another matter. That is at the top of my list of favorite scents!
After taking, what I deemed to be, a sufficient number of pictures (and realizing how silly I looked running around my driveway in Winnie-the-Pooh pj's), I found my clippers to make a Mother's Day bouquet to share with all of you. "What?", those of you who are familiar with my cut flowers issue, may be asking. There is a caveat to that: cut flowers, from trees or bushes, are just fine.
Happy Mother's Day to all of you...moms who have birthed children, moms who have adopted children, "moms" who have no children of their own...but have, nonetheless touched the life of a young person in some way!

Jello Melon Wedges

2009-05-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe in Woman's Day magazine and was dying to share it. Of course, when it came time to post the recipe, I couldn't find my magazine. I did find the recipe on the Kraft foods website. The only difference between the two recipes is the Kraft one mixes fruit into the jello. I actually like the presentation without the fruit mixed into the jello...the magazine picture looked so crisp and clean...perfect for a summer picnic...but it's up to you.

CUT 1 melon (about 3-1/2 lb., either cantaloupe or honeydew) in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds. Scoop out melon, leaving each half with a 1-inch-thick shell. Chop removed melon; drain well. Cut thin slice off bottom of each melon shell to allow it to stand upright.

STIR 3/4 cup boiling water into 1 pkg. (4-serving size) Jell-O Brand Gelatin in large bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved chopped melon and 1/2 cup fruit to each melon shell.

POUR gelatin evenly into melon shells. Pour any remaining gelatin into small bowl to enjoy later. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Cut each half melon into four wedges to serve.

Chandelier Help!

2009-05-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, I got sidetracked trying to find a solution to an in-progress, chandelier makeover. I'm just stuck, so here's my official S.O.S. I've had this chandelier for years and was never crazy about the pewter color. I attacked it with spray paint last night and am loving its new black, matte finish. I've also had these adorable toile lampshades and thought I could somehow make them work with the chandelier. Because the lights point down, however, the shades look strange...at least I think they do. I've tried turning them both ways, but something still looks odd. I'm being rather stubborn (surprise, surprise!) about making these "work", but am beginning to have my doubts. Any suggestions/ comments? I could just scrap the idea of pairing the two and look for more appropriate shades or glass covers. Seems such a shame, though, since I have 5 shades already. What to do, what to do?

Projects Nearly Forgotten

2009-05-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

This morning I realized that the majority of my recent posts have been about flowers, kids and/ or kittens. Lest ye think my creative juices have dried up, I will share some projects I've been working on the last few weeks. An aside: for me, creating is something I must do, in order to maintain a semblance of serenity, in my life. If I am feeling "off", it is most likely that one (or both) of two things have been put on the back burner: 1.) spending time with God and 2.) spending time crafting. As soon as I remedy those missing pieces, my topsy turvy life rights itself. Now, if I could remember that lesson before I get all turned inside out, it'd be smooth sailing!
Okay, projects...
I've been really into making tags and collages. Both feed my need for immediate gratification. I work on several, at a time, and am able to move freely, from one to another, as I complete specific steps. Idle hands just don't work for me...and waiting for pesky, but necessary, things (drying times, etc.) drives me batty! My pictures are not up to par today...sorry. It's gray & gruesome out, so I had to use the flash. Oh NOOOO, the dreaded flash!
I'm thinking this is going to be a multiple post day. I'll attend to mundane chores, then reward myself with some blog time. A good plan, I think. I'll share my vintage sewing/ knitting stand revamp after I put the laundry away.

Beating the Monday Morning Blues

2009-05-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

My (nearly) 8 year old daughter doesn't exactly wake up like Little Suzy Sunshine...especially on Monday mornings. I have tried every trick, in the book, to make the process more pleasant: gentle cuddles, cajoling/ begging/ pleading, sticker charts, removal of privileges...I have even resorted to bribery ($1/ day if she gets up & gets dressed, without arguing). Each of my best attempts might work for a few days, before she goes back to her Grumpy Gertrude routine. Fortunately, my 14 year old son is up & out of bed as soon as I open his door. This morning, I tried something new with Caroline. I gently put the kittens in bed with her, then I woke Sleeping Beauty. The result: immediate giggles and a few minutes of happy playtime. It's a good day and can only get better!

Kittens!

2009-05-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

I don't know what makes me think that I have the "right" to bore y'all, to tears, with my silly kitten pictures. I wasn't this bad with pictures of my own kids, when they were babies. Maybe it's because I realize that 1/2 of the "batch" will be moving on, to new homes, in a matter of weeks. That works as a plausible justification. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! Gretel, by the way, is none too pleased now that the kittens are mobile and in her face. She might be more receptive if they didn't see her as another potential milk source. That was one picture I was unable to capture...and would have given anything to have!

Pink Saturday Perplexity

2009-05-02T05:49:00.000-07:00

I went out to my garden, this morning, in search of something pink to take pictures of for Beverly's Pink Saturday. I was semi-shocked ("shocked" being too strong of a word, perhaps) to find that my white tulips had turned pink overnight! These are the same tulips pictured in my post on April 29! Now, I'm fairly certain there is some horticulturally sound explanation for this phenomenon, although I choose to believe that even the flowers wanted in on today's pink celebration! I realized, as I went to add the collage to this post, that the tulips look more lavender than pink. They are pink, pink, pink when you see them up close & personal!
Thank you, Beverly, for hosting another Pink Saturday Party. To find out what other blog friends are participating, this week, hop over to Beverly's blog (How Sweet The Sound)!

Sorry Gentlemen!

2009-05-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've gotta do it...my son, James and my nephew, Ben, were born 8 days apart. James turned 14 last week and Ben's birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Ben...don't hate me for this :-) Although Ben is a bit younger than James, he was always so much bigger...and far more "advanced". I remember being so proud, when James was 2 or so, and he had just started putting together two word phrases: "big ball", "want juice", etc. Right around that time, James' dad and I took a trip down to Tupelo, MS to visit my sister and her family. Shortly after our arrival, we were watching the kids play in the driveway, and "Macarena" came on the radio. I started bopping around and Ben (remember: he is 8 days younger than my boy) looks at me and says, with perfect articulation: "You really like that song, huh, Aunt Kim?" So much for stringing two words together! Stop by my sister's blog, Savannah Gourmet...Ben is now a solid 8" taller than James and, I'm sure, has a vocabulary that would put him/ me to shame :-)

Pink & Green Goodies

2009-04-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, I joined Sarah's (Blue Castle) Pink & Green swap and was paired up with Katie (Katie Crocker). Katie and I exchanged emails and I was so excited to find that we appear to enjoy many of the same things...makes gathering goodies, for a swap, much more fun! Katie's package just arrived and I am "tickled pink"...and green! The box, itself, was beautifully wrapped in vivid pink & green paper. Inside were some lovely "shabby chic" cloth napkins and dish towels, a Yankee Candle "Cottage Breeze" votive candle and an adorable bunny cheese/ butter knife. Katie added a decorative jar with FUN ribbons, which will probably never get used because it is so cute on display! Inside of the jar, I also uncovered a hidden treasure: a pair of funky green earrings (good thing I opened the jar). My favorite part of Katie's package was a beautiful teacup & saucer with pink roses, which I have already added to the collection in my china cabinet. I really do love swaps and a big thank you to Katie for picking out such thoughtful gifts...as if she doesn't have enough going on right now (she is expecting a bundle of joy on May 6th) :-) A special thank you to Sarah, for organizing this swap!

Why Didn't I Think of That?

2009-04-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

While I don't harbor any resentments against folks who make a gazillion $ inventing/ creating something ingenious, these shoes have me a little irked. Given my love of fashion and my outside-the-box thinking, I'm fairly certain I would have thought of something like this.....if some other early bird didn't already snatch my worm. That analogy didn't quite work, did it? Ah well...stick with me friends...I'll try to get back on track.
The concept behind this shoe design is simply brilliant. They're called "Onesole: Many Mates". The shoes I have are a wedge (the only heels I can walk safely in), but they come in various styles. You can buy different tops that are interchangeable. They have a huge selection of tops and they just snap on/ off. I bought these toward the end of last summer and wore them all the time...so comfortable and absolutely adorable! Why didn't I think of that???

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

2009-04-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE spring??? Aside from the reasons I've already mentioned, in previous posts, I, personally, am just more acutely aware of things. Today, as I was kicking some pesky weeds out of my front garden, I happened to glance at the of the inside of my white tulips. I don't know if my pictures captured it, but the insides were so cool! My senses all seem to be in overdrive and I pay closer attention to details like that. I suppose it falls into the "take time to smell the flowers" suggestion, which I heed willingly. Every morning, as I walk my daughter to the bus, we take a few minutes to study our gardens: in search of new signs of life. We do the same thing in the afternoon and are rarely without a new discovery, during these warmer months. I was never what one would consider a nature girl, so this Pop-a-bonnet-on-my-head and let me tiptoe-through-the-tulips feeling is very new & exciting to me :-) Okay, I know my sister is reading this...you can stop laughing now!

Fairy Garden

2009-04-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

I hope you all are having the same beautiful weather as we are, here in SUNNY CT! Seems, once again, we catapulted from winter right into the dog days of summer. You won't catch me complaining. A few of you left comments/ questions about my fairy doors (two posts back). The store, at which they were purchased, closed...broke my heart! I just did a search on GOOGLE and came across a fabulous website for fairy garden doo-dads, Enchanted Gardens. WARNING***this site could be hazardous to your wallets! The prices are reasonable, but they have SO many cute things. I browsed their selection of doors very quickly and the ones they carry are significantly smaller than mine...FYI. The ones I have are approximately 6"H x 4"W and theirs are about 1/2 that size. Happy fairy hunting :-)

Heart Smiles

2009-04-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

Thank you SO much to Sue (Gossamer Creations) who named mine as one of the blogs that makes her heart smile! Hers was one of the first blogs I started following and when I saw her amazingly adorable creations (shadow boxes, block fairies) I was a dead duck! Almost as quickly as Sue makes them, I race to complete snatch them up. ALMOST makes me feel guilty for not giving others the opportunity to start their own collection...almost :-)
Now here are the suggestions (I changed "rules" to suggestions because I, for one, am the biggest rule-breaker going) to accepting and sharing this award:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 10 blogs.
4. Put links to their 10 blogs.
5. Leave a comment for the nominees.
Here goes:
1.) Cindy @ My Romantic Home
2.) Kelly @ A Girl Named Kelly Kelly
3.) Louise @ Whispering Poppies
4.) Kim @ Savannah Gourmet
5.) Monica :-)
6.) Sarah @ Blue Castle
7.) Heather @ Pretty Petals
8.) Isabel @ Maison Douce
9.) Amy @ Keep'n The Sunny Side
10.) Stephenie @ Just A Little Bit Pink
I know many of you feel uncomfortable receiving awards and I absolutely respect your position. If I happen to mention one of you humble sorts amongst my 10, PLEASE forgive me...feel absolutely free to keep it to yourself...and just consider it a "thank you" for being part of my blog life :-) Some of the blogs I mentioned are ones I have never even left a comment on, but have followed quietly. Don't you think it's extra special when you get an out-of-the-blue compliment?

On a Roll!

2009-04-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

It was a splendiforous day in CT...finally...and we're in for more glorious sunshine this weekend. WOOHOO! I love how there is a palpable shift in the energy level when spring arrives in full force: people are more patient with other drivers on the road, smiling faces are more abundant and simple greetings are friendlier & more genuine. In short, most of the "Eeyores" go into hibernation and the world is abound with "Tiggers". Although I had a "to do" list chock full of indoor chores, I just couldn't keep myself confined by four walls. I did a bit of gardening, cleaning up the garage, had a picnic lunch with a friend and practiced my photography skills. Did the spring & winter clothes get switched around? Nope! Did I sort through clothes the kids have outgrown? Nope! Did I organize the basement, in anticipation of my landlord bringing me dumpsters for a massive purging? Nope...nope...nope! I joined the rest of the springy Tiggers and worked on refining my bounce. Still lacks finesse, so I just may practice again tomorrow :-)
Ohhh....pictures: the flowers are self-explanatory (simple collages of my miniature daffodils & my one, red tulip). The little doors are "fairy" doors that I have scattered around my gardens. I also happened to catch a shadow, from the "GROW" sign I have in my side garden. I thought it went well with my tiny fairy doors when I was doing that collage. Yes? No?

Kittens Galore

2009-04-23T14:23:00.001-07:00

It must have something to do with celebrating my son's birthday today...I have been fixated on where time goes. In the blink of an eye, my baby boy goes from weighing in at a whopping 5 pounds, 11 ounces to....well, a bit more than that :-) I realized, too, that the kittens will be 2 weeks old tomorrow and I haven't updated on them since they looked like a small pile of mice! That is hardly the case now. They are up and about, eyes wide opened and have very distinct, individual personalities. Cute as can be they are! We are definitely keeping the gray kitten...aptly named "Gray" (although, "Shadow" and "Bagheera" were considerations). The other 3 are fairly identical looking, so we'll see which, of those, my son takes a liking to.

My Baby Turns 14

2009-04-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

Days turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months. Months turn into....well, you get the idea. One day you're holding this miraculous creation in your arms, wondering if you can do it "right"; IT being this whole parenting thing. The most important job you'll ever have, yet the one there is no real training for, other than trial & error and a whole lot of prayer. Before you know it, you're staring eyeball to eyeball with a wonderfully independent, ferociously moody teenager who is the first to let you know that there is very little you (Mom) can do "right" :-) It is during those moments that I need to turn a deaf ear to what he is saying and listen, with my heart, to the echoes of his footsteps while he continues on his own journey. He is respectful to others. He doesn't get in trouble at school. He is (mostly) kind & tolerant of his little sister. His grades are decent. AND, he still hugs and kisses me every night before bed and every morning before he heads off to school! When I listen carefully and look closely, I know that I am, in fact, doing more right than I could have imagined. So, as my baby turns 14 today, I will count my blessings and pray that the foundation has been set strongly enough for my James to become a man of honor & integrity. That's really the best we can hope for, isn't it?
***The baby picture was taken the day after I found out that there was a BIG mistake with a MISdiagnosis of a rare, cancerous tumor they thought they had found in my uterine wall. Although the picture quality is not top notch, my expression reflects the relief in my heart!

Hard Time Getting Going

2009-04-19T05:10:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have times when you just can seem to get your wheels rolling? That pretty much sums up what's been happening, with me, since my last post. I had a few days of feeling fairly melancholy, after having to put our cat, Sam, to sleep. The kids have been gone (with their dad) for four days, so I've been trying to catch up on the things I can't get done while they are under foot...weeding through bins of broken toys, purging games & playthings they have outgrown/ don't use. It's been so quiet, at home, that you'd think I'd be a whirling dervish of activity...not so much :-) I'd get started on one project, remember another thing that needed my attention, get distracted by the kittens. Before I knew it, nothing had gotten completely finished. The children come home this evening, so today is my day...I really mean it...to tie up loose ends. I did manage to treat myself to some fun project time, but haven't taking any pictures. ***Note to self: take pictures to share with blog friends. I'm thinking I need to start with a "To do" list. There is something intrinsically rewarding about the physical act of crossing things off a "To do" list. I always break tasks down to such minute steps, so I get to do lots of crossing off :-)

The Circle of Life

2009-04-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Just as a new life is such a joyous experience, the end of a life is so painful. Our 13 year old cat, Sam, started acting strangely this morning. He was absolutely fine one minute, but dragging his hind legs and yowling the next. I immediately called the vet (who has built a revolving door for me and my menagerie) and brought Sam in. The dr. quickly determined that Sam had a sizable blood clot and told me that the prognosis was very bad...even if we took extraordinary measures to treat him. After calling my ex-husband, we decided it best to have Sam put to sleep. I came home to tell the children and to give them the opportunity to go say goodbye to our Sam. Neither one of them wanted to remember him that way, so my ex-husband and I went back together. Our vet, who is the kindest, most gentle doctor I have ever known, was wonderful with Sam and so tender with us! Sam was a sweet, gentle cat...most definitely part of the family...and he will be missed by all of us.
The miracle of birth: our younger cat, Abigail (who was adopted a year ago by our DOG! Be careful who your puppy brings home when you let them out to go to the bathroom!) gave birth to 4 adorable kittens on Friday. It was definitely a "Good Friday"! I haven't posted about the kittens yet because many/ most people feel it is irresponsible to allow a cat to have kittens, with the overabundance of homeless cats. We didn't intend for her to get pregnant (okay, y'all can stop rolling your eyes), but I made sure I found potential homes for them as soon as I found out. In fact, we have more people who want the kittens than we have kittens :-) I believe strongly, that all children should experience the birth of a litter at least ONCE in their life. Abigail went into labor at 1:00 a.m., so my children did not witness the births, but it has been an amazing series of lessons about LIFE ever since. An animals maternal instincts are truly miraculous. One day you have a cat who is completely self-absorbed in meeting her own needs and the next she is 100% devoted to caring for her litter of babies. This is without the need for pain meds/ epidurals, a round-the-clock staff of nurses, a mother/ mother-in-law who comes to wait on the new Mommy hand & foot....there is none of that. It's been an extraordinary experience for all of us.
The timing is an absolute Godsend! When we weren't certain if Gretel would pull through, the impending birth of the kitties helped to ease our worried hearts. Today, with the death of our Sam, the children and I can focus on the new lives that are right in front of us. God certainly knew what He was doing when he orchestrated this chain of events!
I made an appointment today to have Abigail spayed, for anyone who feels compelled to suggest it :-)

Bad Blog-Girl!

2009-04-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I haven't posted since Wednesday! Since I joined this wonderful community, I have to hold myself back from over-posting, lest I lose the interest of my followers. Fortunately/ unfortunately there has been nothing monumental that is to blame for my absence. My days have simply been busy. Given the alternative (famine, flood, fire or pet catastrophe), I am grateful for plain, old "busy"! However, now that I'm comfortably seated, at my computer, that familiar urge to share every, mundane detail of my life is back. I sense this will be a multiple-post day, friends.
I absolutely have to start with a HUGE, public thank you to Margaret, The French Bear, for the amazing gifts she sent me for participating in her "Pay it Forward" event. I have been drooling over Margaret's creations ever since I was introduced to her blog via Monica's (The White Bench). When Margaret invited her readers to join in her "Pay it Forward", I was all over it :-) Not only do I LOVE the concept, but (not-so-secretly) I was so excited to have one of Margaret's beautiful creations for my very own. When the package arrived, a few days ago, I was beyond thrilled! Of course, everything was wrapped beautifully and I opened everything with great care.
***Note: I have learned, thanks to you ladies, how to practice a bit of patience when it comes to unwrapping gifts. Typically, I am a tear-into-it, get-to-the-good-stuff kind of girl!
Margaret made me the most lovely collage, combining elements that I never, in a million years, would have thought to put together: pale blue journal paper, speckled eggs, burgundy rose ribbon....simply (nothing simple about it, actually) stunning! I am so impressed by those of you who let your creative juices flow freely. I tend to be very one-dimensional when it comes to expressing myself creatively. Margaret also made me the sweetest "Welcome Spring" nesting box...yes, there is a nest with speckled eggs inside. Attention to details???? I've made four attempts to describe the intricacies of this piece (deleted them all, obviously), so I will rely on my pictures to illustrate what I cannot put into words. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you Margaret. Small words for the gratitude I feel!

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-04-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

I am very simply a blogging idiot. For those of you who stick by me and attempt to follow my haphazard, circuitous, awkward ramblings......y'all have the patience of saints :-) Five days ago, Margaret (The French Bear) graciously passed along the Kreativ Blogger award to me. I'm just acknowledging this now, for what reason??? The blogger poltergeist removed the link to Margaret's blog from my sidebar...that's why! Same poltergeist, by the way, that devours socks in the washing machine/ dryer...nasty bugger. Sooo, here I am, thinking Margaret is giving "us" the cold shoulder because she hasn't been posting. Not so much, folks. Fortunately, I went in search of Margaret's link, to thank her for the AMAZING "Pay it Forward" gifts (post on that to follow because my panties are in a bunch and I want to be appropriately thankful and sweet when I gush about the goodies she sent me!). It was then that I discovered that Margaret had gone M.I.A. from my list of favorite blogs AND that she had honored me with the award. This ranting is exhausting, so it's time to slow down.
:::deep breaths:::
Thank you, Margaret, for thinking of me and for passing along the Kreativ Blogger award. I am so truly touched and you know (I hope) how much it means to me, coming from a woman I hold in such high regard!
Seven things I love:
~God...who knows more about my haphazard, circuitous, awkward ramblings than anyone...and, still, He loves me for it!
~My children...being a single mom has encouraged (okay....at times, forced) me to connect on a different level with my kids. There are times, logistically, that I have to wear both the mom hat and the dad hat. Challenging? You bet, but it has helped me grow in ways I never thought possible.
~People....more and more, each day, I'm recognizing how much I enjoy people. Sound strange? Perhaps, but I truly love meeting new people whether it's via my blog, at the local convenience store or picking my daughter up from school. It drives my children crazy that I am always making a conscious effort to be outgoing and warm to complete strangers. Someday, I hope their perception will shift and they will recognize the benefit of approaching life with an outstretched hand and an open heart. Either that or I'm going to have huge therapy bills to cover in their future!
~The beach...anyone who knows me at all, knows I love the beach. With on and off snow flurries today, I'm especially longing for the warmth of the sand beneath my feet and the sweet/ salty smell of the ocean. Block Island sounds perfect right now!
~My pets...since Gretel's accident, I recognize how much a part of my family they are.
~Music...my taste in music varies widely, but it is always reflective of my mood/ state of mind.
~Creating...when I do not make time to express myself creatively, whether it's crafting, sewing, cooking or blogging, I am just "off" (more so than usual:-)
Time to "Pay it Forward"! This is the hard part for two reasons: 1.)there are so many blogs that have become an integral part of my day, so choosing seven is very difficult and 2.) many of you have already received this honor. I know you were as touched as I was, by the gesture of whomever thought so highly of you. That said, it must be challenging to come up with new friends to pass the award along to. Since Margaret has given me permission :::smiles::: to abide or break the "rules" as I see fit, I'm going to...can anyone guess?...BREAK THEM! Now, there's your shock for the day. I will mention 7 people whose blogs I follow regularly. I love all of them for very different reasons, which should be reflected in my choices. With that, ladies, you can opt in or opt out as far as whether to pass the baton.
~Margaret, The French Bear (and not just because she sent me really cool stuff today AND was thoughtful enough to flatter me in this way...Really!)
~Monica, The White Bench
~Kelly, A Girl Named Kelly Kelly
~Jen, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
~Lynn, Lynn's Lovelies
~Stephenie: Just a Little Bit Pink
~Sue: Gossamer Creations

Puppy Power

2009-04-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Lynn, for your continued concern about Gretel. She's doing so well and is getting more bold every day, which thrills me to no end...as long as she doesn't consider going a few more rounds with another mini-van! I was FINALLY able to bathe Miss Stinkpot the other day and she's even easier to love now that she doesn't smell like...well, like a dog who's been hit by a car, undergone surgery, and been without a bath for nearly a month. She and I had some playful lovin' time 2 nights ago and my son actually asked where my camera was so he could take pictures. Two of his least favorite things: being my photographer and the dog! To his credit, he has softened toward the pup, since her accident. They'll never be the best of pals, but she gets an overabundance of love/ affection from his sister and me!
***I REFUSE to acknowledge the fact that there is a bunch of white stuff, falling from the sky (as I type this), that looks suspiciously like S*#@W!

Squashing Secondhand Shopping Stereotypes

2009-04-07T16:54:00.000-07:00

While I, personally, have never had an issue with secondhand shopping, I am empathetic to those who remain hesitant. I was raised in a very traditional, old New England, waste-not-want-not family where tag/ yard sales and consignment/ thrift shops were considered weekend highlights. Buying secondhand wasn't, necessarily, a financial necessity. It was more the "thrill of the hunt" and getting a good "deal" on new (used) treasures.
When my youngest child started preschool, I started working at a consignment shop I had haunted for several years. I was in the shop one day and joked with the owner that she would have to make a light fixture out of me or give me a job. She hired me and thus began my entre' to the inner workings of secondhand retail. Fashion Exchange is the oldest consignment shop in Connecticut and was the brainchild of the owner, Janet Falkenthal, who created this treasure trove of designer fashions 25 years ago. Yes, most of the clothing has been gently worn, but...unless you plan on leaving new tags displayed on your ensemble...the only telltale difference between her clothing and that you might find at Neiman Marcus, is the damage to your bank account. The clothing is always a fraction of what you would pay for retail, but it is the end of the season sales that induce a feeding frenzy in avid bargain shoppers. I was over at the shop last week, to take pictures for this post, and found the back room still stacked to the rafters with the $5 items. Okay, so what's the big fuss over finding $5 clothing at a consignment shop when you can snag stuff, at a yard sale, for $.50? I'm talking about Armani suits, St John's pants, Michael Kors tops & dresses, Carolina Herrera dresses & Coach handbags! Is Fashion Exchange the "norm" as far as shopping secondhand? Certainly not! Janet has set the bar as high as it could be, but she has single-handedly dispelled the stigma that so many associate with consignment/ thrift stores. Who knows what hidden treasures are lurking in your neck of the woods? Who knows? Those "frugal fashionistas" that are dressed to the nines and smiling knowingly!
Fashion Exchange
109 South Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 270-0354

Pink Saturday Books

2009-04-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

I took two of the things I like best...pink and books...to celebrate Beverly's Pink Saturday extravaganza.
Oh, oh, oh: I first want to thank all of you who stopped by to visit me last week. It's always wonderful to meet new friends and I've loved spending time, this week, getting to know you via your blogs.
Back to the matter at hand. Pink Saturday. I was sorting through some books this week and came across three that I love...and they all happened to be pink. I set them aside for today's post, but forgot to photograph them while the natural lighting was optimal, so we're back to my familiar, amateurish, had-to-use-the-flash pictures. Progress, not perfection :::sighs:::
The first book combines the talents of two of my favorite artists: Anne Geddes (photographer) and Celine Dion (singer). They collaborated, on this book/ cd /dvd in 2004, which is aptly named: "Miracle: a celebration of new life". Any description I attempt to offer would scarcely do the project justice, so I'll just say: it's a brilliant work of art and the perfect gift for expecting parents.
The second book (since I'm, apparently, on an Anne Geddes roll) is called "My Baby Sister". It is a book for siblings to record the events surrounding the birth of a new baby and, subsequently, the growth milestones of a baby sister. The book is filled with Anne's amazing photographs and has pages for big brother or sister to record their memories of baby. Another unique gift idea...and a terrific way to make older siblings get involved in the life of a new addition to the family.
The last book, "Return to Fairyopolis" is a whimsical journal of fairy fun, fancy & faith. Ten years after her first encounter at Fairyopolis, Cicely Mary Barker’s young charge, Dulcie, is now a teenager—and her belief in the Flower Fairies is beginning to waver. That is until a journey to the countryside begins to melt her doubt. Investigation, research, and correspondence with her friend (and still a believer) Cicely Mary Barker—along with fairy magic—leads her back to Fairyopolis! (Amazon.com Editorial Review)
I hope all of you have a wonderful Pink Saturday!

All is Well in the Animal Kingdom

2009-04-03T13:05:00.000-07:00

I took my Gretel to get the staples taken out today (13 days after the surgery to repair her broken pelvis). She is such a little trooper: not a peep, out of her, as the vet removed the 27 staples. I, of course, couldn't wait to get her home and give her a bath. That will have to wait, a few days, per order of the doggie doc! She seems relieved to have those metal objects out of her skin. Perhaps it's just me projecting...okay, it's most likely me projecting! I hardly think she, who went head to head (or bumper to rump) with a mini-van, and emerged victoriously, gave a fig about a few staples. After I took a few pictures of her, I came into my room to find the cats snuggled, happily together on my bed. Animal photo ops abound!

Fabric Guru

2009-04-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

I just came across this fabulous site, via Cindy's blog (My Romantic Home). Fabric Guru has a huge assortment of gorgeous fabrics...some up to 75% off...and shipping is only $4.99, regardless of how much fabric you are purchasing! If you're anything like me, the thought of paying a small fortune for shipping is abhorrent. I'm not big on promoting random websites, but this one is worth taking a peek.

Eureka...I Think She's Got It!

2009-03-31T16:12:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing Monica's advice echoing in my head: "Natural light"...the key to a good picture is natural light! I planted some flowers this afternoon and quickly snapped some pictures. Lo and behold, when I went to edit them in Picasa, I found all I really needed to do was a bit of cropping. I'm fairly certain I heard a choir of angels singing from somewhere in the distance...Italy, perhaps?

On the Fence

2009-03-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

There are those "win some" projects, there are those "lose some projects" (case & point: my wart eggs), and there are some projects that you're just not sure about. This wreath falls into the third category. I love the combination of turquoise and earth tones, so I decided to do a wreath with buttons, beads and small stones. I finished it a few days ago and keep eyeballing it, not sure if I like it (it's definitely not a piece that I love) or hate it (in which case, I'm pulling it apart...no sense wasting my bits & baubles). In spite of the fact that I love the color combination, it doesn't match anything in my home...at least not at the moment (subject to change on a whim). Keep or dismantle and start again...any thoughts?

Drumroll Please...

2009-03-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

The winner of my 100th post give-away is.....
WAIT just a sec...there's a story behind this. I had to disqualify the first three drawings because my sister, Kim, was the "chosen one" three times in a row. One would think that it would occur to me: maybe I should remove her name from the hat, after the first (or second) time. Evidently, I'm a little slow on the uptake! Sas, I'm sending you a package today anyway (closet cleaning time).
Enough suspense (this is getting to be like the annoying commercials, right before an elimination, on American Idol...not that I watch American Idol, but.....okay, I just "outed" myself.) The winner is: Kelly, at A Girl Named Kelly Kelly! This is exciting for me because Kelly and I are just getting to know each other through my big sis, Kim. Kelly, if you would email me your contact info, I'll get your goodies in the mail today. Thanks to all of you who left comments and for taking time, out of your busy day, to visit.

Quick Re-Vamp

2009-03-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jen, at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, I went on another spray painting rampage yesterday. Being the QUEEN of immediate gratification, I have had an ongoing love affair with spray paint (speaks volumes about my love life:-). I just discovered Jen's fabulous blog, which is packed with great ideas...from soup to nuts! I went back to some of her earlier posts and discovered a few projects she did, refurbishing items she had, with spray paint. I forget that most metals are spray paintable (better check on the grammar there), so I went rummaging through my garage for hidden treasures. I found an ugly old, metal urn, originally destined for G.W. or S.A., grabbed a can of off-white paint and set to task.
When the urn was sufficiently dry, I simply added a tulle bow (dollar store) and some lovely silk roses that were a gift from Monica. Simple, but pretty, I think. I have to continually rein myself in, as I tend to want to over-do with...well, you name it and I want to over-do it! If I decide I want to put the urn in another room, I can take the bow/ flowers off or substitute other. The beauty of a neutral palette. For now, it's going to hang out in my bedroom, filled with silk hydrangea...until the real ones start to bloom. Thanks again, Jen!
In my haste to get to spraying, I forgot to take a "before" picture, so you'll just have to imagine...ugly!
***my 100th post give-away winner will be chosen tomorrow morning. Don't forget to leave a comment if you would like to be entered.

WOOHOO...it's Pink Saturday!

2009-03-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Pink Saturday to you all. A special thank you to Beverly, How Sweet the Sound, for hostessing this weekly event. Make sure you take a few minutes...or hours...to stop by Beverly's blog. The number of "Pink Saturday" participants is growing in leaps and bounds! I'm not sure what the skies are doing in your neck of the woods, but it's rather gray and gloomy here, in Connecticut, so a focus on PINK is the perfect remedy for the dreary weather.
As you may know, I have a thing about cut flowers: they make me a little sad. Last weekend a friend gave me some pink roses and I decided to practice my photography skills with them. I figured even I couldn't mess up too badly, with one of nature's true beauties. I was pleasantly surprised that the pictures came out fairly well. Last night I started playing with some "Playing with Brushes" images from flickr and I was quite pleased with the end result.
Regardless of what the skies are doing wherever you are, I hope your heart is feeling pink and perky this weekend!

100th POST SURPRISE!

2009-03-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

I've been counting and recounting the number of posts I've written because I just can't believe this is my 100th! This has got to be the epitome of "time flies when you're having fun". When my sister, the "other" Kim, of Savannah Gourmet, first suggested I start a blog, my intention was simply to keep a running record of all of the ludicrous, bizarre, unbelievable things that could only happen to me. While there has been a bit of that, my blog has evolved into the place where all of the wacky, eclectic components of my personality (and my life) converge to paint a picture of my world. The coloring is definitely outside of the lines...and sometimes goes right off the paper!
This journey has been amazing, though. I can look back and see where I've wandered off the beaten path and, all along the way, there was one (or more) of you to 1.) walk alongside of me or 2.) gently pull me back onto the trail. Odd though it may seem, to "outsiders", the friendships I have formed with my blog-buddies are as significant as any I have formed in my "real" life. What astounds me, on a daily basis, is how intertwined our lives become and how familiar we are with the details of each others daily routines.
I'm so grateful, to each and every one of you, who has reached out to me and allowed me to be a small part of your world!
Now for the give-away part: initially, it was my plan to assemble (what I'd hoped would be) a wonderful collection of my handmade creations for the winner. This afternoon, I switched gears a bit. Yes, the give-away does include some handmade goodies, but the "theme" is: "These are a few of my favorite things". For those of you who don't know me well enough yet, here are some hints...
I love...the beach, fairy tales, all things Victorian, whimsical sillies, girly bath products, jewelry, photographs, accessories, things that simplify my chaotic life, miniatures, sparkles, comfy cozies...and surprises! So, that's what I'm going to do: surprise the winner with some of my favorite things, which will, hopefully, be some of her favorite things. Please leave a comment, if you would like to be entered, and one of my kids will randomly choose a name on Monday. Why Monday? Why not?

Stunned Speechless

2009-03-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

My wonderful new friend, Sharon of SharDonExclusives, has rendered me positively speechless. Since I discovered her amazingly, fantastically stunning jewelry, I have been transfixed by her talent and imagination. She, who turns a piece from a broken stained glass, church window, into a pendant that is truly a work of art. Who, beside Sharon, could even imagine such a metamorphosis? I posted earlier that Sharon and I instantly "clicked", via email, followed by a phone chat that confirmed (to me at least) that we were just meant to be friends. I had sent Sharon some beaded jewelry that I knew she could transform into something far lovelier than it was. She seemed pleased with her new goodies and let me know that a little "love gift" was on its way to me. I wasn't expecting the package until tomorrow, but was THRILLED when it arrived a day early. "Little love gift" my.....eye! The main gift was the most gorgeous necklace I could imagine and exactly what I would have chosen for myself. How did she know? She also made me a beautiful pin cushion (such a misnomer for this lovely piece). I don't have a pin cushion. I store my pins/ needles in an empty film canister and prick my finger EVERY time I open it. How did she know? Then there was one of her fabulous eye glass cases. I just got a pair of reading glasses and have been carrying them, in my purse, wrapped in a paper towel because I didn't have a glasses case. How did she know?
When you make a true heart connection with another person, you just know. Thank you, Sharon, for....well, you know :-)
I am very unhappy with the quality of the pictures. I tried to snap them before the sun went down. I also had my son attempt to take some pictures of me wearing the necklace, but they didn't turn out well. We'll try again.
I am holding off on sharing the cards Sharon made me for another post as I have to attend to my Gretel. The puppy has had a bit of a rough day. Back to the vet to get hers pain meds changed (they were causing some...ummm..."plumbing" issues) and have her checked over. Everything looks good, according to the vet, but the healing process is a bit harder now that her initial excitement, over being home, is over.

Pay it Forward

2009-03-25T04:06:00.000-07:00

I was just stopping by Margaret's blog: The French Bear, to leave a comment about some fabulous goodies she had made for another blog friend. Her post for today was called "Pay it Forward". I love this idea and am thrilled to participate! Margaret, by the way, is paying it forward after a visit at Karen's blog: Extroverted Introspection. Thanks to both ladies, for such a terrific idea!
Here's how it works: the first three people that leave a comment, along with their addresses etc. will receive a handmade goodie from me. All you have to do is put this link on your blog and do the same for the first three people that leave comments for you. Let's see how far we can pay it forward. Let the fun begin :-)
***"Where is the link?", you are probably asking. Your guess is as good as mine! I am just hopeless when it comes to blogger bells & whistles. I am hoping that Margaret will give me some guidance with this. The "rules" should still work, though. The first three people, to leave a comment, will get a surprise from me. Then it's your turn to pay it forward. Has everyone seen that wonderful movie??? It's a definite must-see! The concept is one I try to implement as often as possible. We don't have any toll roads, in CT, but I (almost) always pay for the car behind me when I happen upon a tollbooth. I also love it when they sell fund raiser lottery tickets outside of the grocery store (local volunteer fire dept, etc.). I purchase several tickets and ask the people at the table to give them out to others who stop by to buy a chance for a prize. What are some ways you give to others, expecting nothing in return?
There is still "room" for more Pay it Forward participants, as two of the comments were left by Margaret....who is already doing her own P.I.F. and one was left by my big sis :-)

Bills, Bills & More Bills

2009-03-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

I am, normally, so excited to cozy down in front of my computer when I am beginning a new post. Not so much this time! I'll try to make this as quick and painless, for myself, as possible. As I have mentioned, repeatedly, the vet bills to get Gretel fixed are through the roof. Obviously, I hadn't planned well for this kind of (near) catastrophe. Being unemployed is a mixed blessing right now: I'm able to be home with my pup while she heals, but that doesn't do much in the way of covering her medical costs. Like so many others who are in similar positions, I have been actively looking for employment and am hopeful that something will work out. In the meantime, I have realized just how much "stuff" I have that I neither use or need. If the vet accepted Prada shoes, as payment, I'd be all set :-) I spent quite a bit of time listing on ebay today and ask, humbly, that you take a moment to peruse my goodies. I know how tight budgets are right now, but I have some fabulous jewelry "up" right now. The watch, for example, was informally appraised, by my jeweler, for $2,500-$3,000. All of my listings are "Buy it Now" with a best offer option. I have been selling, on ebay, for years and have found that format works well for those buyers who are impatient (like me), but still enjoy the negotiating/ auction feel of a sale. I would be a lousy car salesman as I find this kind of self-promotion excruciation!
***I just realized that this is my 97th posting. Until I come up with a fabulous give-away for my 100th (I know I don't have to do a give-away, but it's such a great way to celebrate), I'll keep adding a "P.S." to various posts. Is that cheating? I also wonder if I'm breaking some sort of blog record, with close to 100 posts in...what has it been...3-4 months!?

Easter Swap Goodies!

2009-03-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

I was absolutely THRILLED when my name was chosen as one of Monica's Easter swap partners and had such fun putting together a basket of goodies for her. The postal transit time between CT and Italy pushes my patience to the limit, but when her package arrived at my doorstep, it was well worth the wait! Her wrapping job is so beautiful that one is tempted to hold off on opening each package. I may have been tempted, but I am not stupid :-) Inside were such beautiful, carefully selected treasures...all lovingly made by my thoughtful and very talented friend! I started the unveiling with the wonderful Easter card, in which Monica gave me a bit of background information on several of the presents. I was in tears before I even removed a single bow on the packages. Monica, by the way, ties bows that would have Houdini struggling to get through...adds to the anticipation! Prior to taking pictures, this time, I chose the perfect spot for each item. The only exception is the adorable bunny she made, who is sitting in a metal basket that hangs from my kitchen window. I couldn't get the lighting right, so I plopped her on my comfy bed pillows for the photo session. The little, handpainted bell and trinket box have joined another bell, from Monica, on my dresser. The "Wish" bunnies are nestled in their egg, hanging on the curtain rod, in my bedroom. The nest, which Monica found in her garden...and is my absolute favorite...is...where else? In the vintage birdcage I have in my living room. Once again, Monica, you demonstrate an uncanny ability to select the perfect gift. The morning the package arrived, I had been playing around with different items to put inside the cage: silk flowers, different types of greenery, candles, baubles & buttons, ribbons & lace. I got slightly frustrated with cage renovations and decided to leave it empty until I could find something that worked. I laughed so hard when I opened the bird's nest...utter perfection. I'm sure I've forgotten something....ohhhhhhh, the soap cone: a fun, whimsical cone filled with springy soaps...such fun! I love, love, love everything and am so very grateful for the friendship that has evolved all because of this fantastic forum. What an amazing thing it is to come together, in this "vast" arena (special smiles for you, Monica) and make such true friends!

It's As Simple As That!

2009-03-22T14:48:00.001-07:00

Caroline just got home. Gretel was clearly happier to see her than she has been anyone else. I took only one picture of the two of them, as I couldn't wipe the tears from my eyes, in order to focus the camera.Caroline checked the puppy over, gave her a hug and the picture was snapped right after she said: "Thank you, God, for leaving Gretel with us"!

Time Warp

2009-03-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

I'll begin this posting by asking for a bit of patience and understanding if I appear to be a bit more scattered than usual...good luck, Gentle Readers :-)
The last 4 days have been the longest and most emotional I've faced in the last several years. First & foremost, my pup is turning out to be an absolute powerhouse in the recuperation department. While she still spends quite a bit of time resting her broken bones, she is able to bear weight on her legs and takes a few steps (with some support). The vet instructed me to "follow her lead" as far as her ability to increase mobility, but didn't expect her to be making this kind of improvement for a week or so. The sun was shining today and it was warm enough to spend some time outside, which both Gretel and I relished. She more than I, I'm certain, as she has been confined to a cage for the last 4 days.
My daughter has been with her dad this weekend, so she hasn't seen the puppy up and about. I'm sure she will be thrilled and, I pray, this will erase some of the nightmarish images she has embedded in her sweet little head!
The reality of the ordeal is slowly sinking in as I try to figure out how to pay Peter now that I've paid Paul. The vet bills, 80% of which needed to be paid upfront, were astronomical. I have not a single regret about doing whatever was necessary to get Gretel the medical care she required, but I was completely unprepared for the enormity of the bills that would ensue! One of the lessons here: pet insurance! A second lesson: it helps to maintain a friendly relationship with your ex-husband (my deepest gratitude, to my daughter's father, for his willingness to help cover the surgeon's bill)!

Pink Dollar Store Finds

2009-03-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

The puppy is resting, so I am able to get some chores done. As I was straightening up, I came across some goodies I picked up at the dollar store and thought they were a terrific share for Pink Saturday: various pink floral file folders (which came in pkgs. of 3/ $1), floral pens (also 3/ $1....but I could only find two when I went to take a picture), tiny gift tags and a cute mini clip-board. I'm not sure what I'll use it for, but it matched the pens and files, so I couldn't pass it by.

Home Safe & Sound

2009-03-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Gretel and I got home a little while ago and she's trying to get herself acclimated, so this will be brief. After 45 minutes of listening to strict instructions from the vet, I finally was able to see my pup and hold her in my arms. It was the second best feeling in the world.The only thing that topped it was holding my babies for the first time. I will spare you the pictures, but she truly looks like Frankenstein, with all of the staples holding her back end together. My little FrankenFluffer! She's not terribly thrilled about having to stay still and wants desperately to careen around the house with her cat. She was less thrilled, however, when she actually made an attempt to try it.
Unless I am lieing (laying? I always mix those up) next to her, she's pretty whiney. I don't mind it one smidge, so that is all we have on our agenda for the day. Maybe, if she falls asleep, I can get some housework done...maybe not :-) Who cares? She's alive...and home...and I got to hear her sweet puppy sighs as soon as I picked her up! Boy, does this ever bring back those newborn baby days!

Pink Saturday

2009-03-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

I hope Beverly, at How Sweet the Sound, doesn't mind terribly that I'm "joining" her Pink Saturday extravaganza...in a roundabout way. Anyone who has been following my blog knows that this week has been insane for me. I never got a chance to sign up, with Beverly, properly, but felt the need to add my two pink cents. I will sign up for next week, to make it official.
In between tedious chores & trying to keep my mind off my puppy's surgery yesterday, I did squeeze in a few little projects...and they just happen to fit Pink Saturday. I decided the "wart eggs" (as my son aptly named them) were just not going to beautify, no matter what I did to them. Into the garbage they went and I started over.
"Simple, simple, simple", I kept reminding myself. I painted some blown-out eggs the lightest pink, then added a touch of shimmer with some glass sparkle. I plopped them in a ceramic bowl, added a few millinery flowers and that's the end of that!
It never dawned on me that I could change my sweet teddy bear's attire and the blue frock she has always worn was looking a bit off in my pink & white bedroom. I dug through some of my daughter's old baby clothes and found an adorable ensemble that now matches my bedding. Two minutes of creating a new hairbow and I think she's looking like a whole new girl!
My last show & tell required no work, at all. It is my collection of silver & crystal do-dads that sits on my dresser. The pretty pink & gold rose is one from my good friend, Monica, and is the perfect compliment to the other trinkets...don't you agree?

We're Out of the Woods!

2009-03-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

The surgery is done and Gretel made it through with flying colors. The vet said this far surpassed the best possible outcome he could have imagined. I saw her (from afar) very briefly. She was still dopey, from the anesthesia, but such a sight for sore eyes. I'll pick her up tomorrow at noon and we'll begin the recuperation process at home. The vet gave me a mile-long list of instructions, which I will gladly follow to the most minute detail. My heartfelt thank you, yet again, to all of my sweet blog friends, for your prayers & support!!!
I am now going to take a nap :-)

Puppy Size

2009-03-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

I'm having a tough time focusing on even the most mundane, simplistic chores right now. Hopefully, that will change once I hear from the vet's office. I was browsing through the archives of E-Mail Ministry's messages and came across this one, which has always been one of my favorites. Seems to fit me perfectly right now. It's a bit long, but worth reading.

PUPPY SIZE
"Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer. "What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked. "Puppy size!" replied the mother. "Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for." "I know...we have seen most of them," the Mom said in frustration...Just then Danielle came walking into the office.
"Well, did you find one?" asked her Mom. "No, not this time," Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?" "You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said. Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.
Over the next few days, both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration. "We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added.
Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, Mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one."
It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. "Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!" "But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mom said.
"No not size ---- the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said.
"Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!" The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.
"Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said. Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath."
-- Author Unknown
***From the first time I took her from the cage, at the pet store, Gretel has sighed and snuggled into my neck while I hold her. She still does it, every morning, when I get her out of her crate. I sure do miss those "puppy size".

Happy First Day of.....WHAT???

2009-03-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to keep myself productive and busy, while I wait for the surgeon to call (evidently, he hasn't gotten to the vet's office yet...it's gonna be a long day!). I'm puttering around the house: changing bed linens, doing dishes, folding laundry, etc. and I happened to look out the picture window in my living room. Oh, HECK NO.....that is not snow falling from the sky. Not on March 20th and certainly not when I need some sunshine today. Did someone neglect to fill Mother Nature in on this whole seasonal change thing....the one where spring follows winter...and so on??? I actually closed my eyes, thinking I could wish it away. Take a look at the pictures and tell me if it worked.

Gratitude!

2009-03-20T03:50:00.000-07:00

You all have no idea how much your prayers, encouraging comments & private emails have meant to me over the last 36 hours. Gosh, it feels like my world has been running in slow motion. Surely, it's been at least a week since our pup was hit by the car...feels that way! When I'm having a chronic period of sadness, I find myself coming back to my computer to check for new comments and to re-read the old ones. Your support has given me such solace and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Gretel will have surgery, first thing this morning, to repair her pelvis. The vet has been very pleased with the strength she has shown and feels she is stable enough to undergo the operation. Because of the timing of the accident, they'd rather get it done today, than wait until Monday. I hope it's not premature, but am putting my faith in the doctors and pray God is guiding them in the right direction. :::laughing::: Okay...HE always guides in the right direction. I hope they are following His lead :-) I will update as soon as I know more and, once again, thank you!!!! Such small words, but I trust that you can feel my heart in them!

More Prayers Please

2009-03-19T08:30:00.001-07:00

I hadn't planned on posting, before I had something definitive to report...until I was reminded of the power of prayer. Over the course of the last 18 hours, I've prayed and cried myself into an empty vessel condition. Now it's time to call in for reinforcements!
Yesterday afternoon, while my 7 year old was playing outside with our puppy, Gretel (pup) ran into the street and got hit by a car...which never bothered to stop. I'll spare you all the heartwrenching details, although the tape keeps playing & playing & playing, in my head. Gretel is alive...I should have started with that. She is very seriously injured, though (pelvis broken in several places, broken hind leg, serious concussion) and will need surgery. They stabilized her, overnight, at the emergency clinic, then we were back to our regular vet first thing this morning. She was alert and SO happy to see us when I picked her up. The surgeon will evaluate her this afternoon. That covers my fluffy baby's medical condition.
What weighs as/more heavily on my heart is my daughter's emotional state. She is, obviously, haunted by the images/ sounds of the car...she blames herself...and she's negotiating fiercely, with God, about leaving Gretel with us (she asked that He count the number of puppies He already has and reminded him that we only have one). The vet bills are already through the roof and will surely climb higher. As much as I hate that reality, as a single mom it is my reality. The best case scenario: the surgery will be fairly simple and Gretel will fully recuperate. The not-so-good scenario: she will live with chronic pain & have limited mobility. It then becomes a quality of life issue. I hate the way that sounds/ looks..."quality of life"...who am I to determine (for another living being) how good or how challenging their life "should" be?
Oh, my brain and heart are so muddled right now. I'm trying to juggle what's best for my Gretel, for my daughter and for our family as a whole. Rarely do I have moments where I am so uncomfortable doing all of this "alone", but this sure is one of those moments.
***I didn't include a picture of my son with Gretel because...well, he isn't terribly fond of her, so we don't have any :-(