Disney 2009!!!

We did it! We survived. It was a good week. We had the free dining plan - so we ate really well. My dh is extremely fanatical about his Disney vacation - and had charts and itineraries printed on waterproof paper so they wouldn't get ruined in the rain or near his sweat. And sweat we did. It was so hot and humid - it became unbearable at times. Fortunately, we had many indoor activities to avoid the heat.

Oh, did I enjoy meeting the UP characters. I found someone on ebay that sold the soda pop pins and bought enough for our entire crowd to wear. Eating at the Brown Derby was a wonderful experience and I hope we can repeat it sometime. Meeting the Mad Hatter was a great experience - he was a hoot.

Overall, it was tiring and hot - but as usual, really fun. It was a bit disappointing to feel the cutbacks Disney has started. We saw it coming with the Dining Plan changes . . . but we really felt it in other ways too. The quality of the crowd wasn't the best our first two days (a Sat and Sun) but it improved on Monday.

If you are interested in more information you can read a lot about it from the 15 year old that went with us. She is writing a trip journal on the DisBoards.

God bless!

Beth

Contest and blog recommendation

Found this through two blogs . . . you know, one click leads to another . . . . If you click on the picture above and add a comment before Monday the 12th, you have 1 in 4 chances of winning one of her cute boxes she sells on Etsy.

It started with this blog; it is really cool, my dd went to high school with the author, and she is really impressive with her deals and coupons!

Banner

Worked on this yesterday. Planning to take it to the shower this weekend for a wall decoration. I don't sew - and this has lots of boo-boos, but it turned out pretty cute. Thinking about table decorations now -

Meet my grandbaby - Adelyn!

I am one proud grandma. We saw the 4D ultrasound yesterday of our little girl. It was such a treat. She is one happy, smiling, and limber baby! She had her feet and hands in front of her face the entire time we were there and she just kept grinning! She really favors her daddy in looks - we are soooo anxious to hold her!! She is due Thanksgiving . . .

Now, about what to call me . . .

God Bless! Beth

A new laundry room

When we moved into this new house - we were surprised to see a closet in the garage - sitting too high to utilize and without a step. It was supposed to be a place for the water heater, but this house has a basement, so it was installed down there instead. So, we asked, can't we eliminate the closet and enlarge the laundry room on the other side? And we did! It doubled the size of the laundry room and my husband even let me have some beadboard in there to dress it up a little. This room is off the kitchen, so it is handy! I LOVE having a utility sink! My first!

Here we are in mid-process. The beadboard is up and painted and the sink and the floor is patched. You can tell by the wall marks where the old wall was and also the YUCKY wire shelf. Yuck.

I used a jadite green color for the walls, Greg hung a cool light fixture with the jadite trim. I am really happy with the results - now, for the next room . . .

Time to catch up!

Wow. Summer has come and gone. We had such an awesome dance recital. The Brady's had another reunion - the 50's theme was wonderful. My son-in-law was deployed to Afghanistan. My daughter is pregnant with our first grandchild, a little girl! We moved. Such simple little words. Such a simple little statement. OH MY the work behind them. We searched and searched for a new house to fit the baby and my daughter coming back home - and possibly my son-in-law in the future. Oh, and let's not forget the other new contribution to all of this, a dog. Yes. I have gone berserk, mad, crazy. It's all good though, getting better each day. I think. So, here we are in the new house. I have already completely modified one room, but alas, my photo equipment is still packed and I cannot show you pictures. In one of those boxes. The million boxes, unlabeled, unorganized, I am gonna cry . . . boxes.

So let's talk about somethings that are really happy. Disney. Well, I like parties. Planning them. Being a part of the fun. So, we did a party thing this past Sunday - and this photo card works on this laptop so I can show you a picture! Yeah! I like graphics so it was great fun designing us matching shirts. Again, we are counting down . . . see the Mickey Mouse bank above? It is dated 1968 on the bottom. Found it new, still wrapped in cellophane at a consignment store. The bubble gum was a bit yuck, but the machine is so retro cool.

This week we are going to see our little grand baby in 4D - it will be awesome. And I am having fun helping with the decorating, planning of all things girl baby!

God bless! Beth

Picturesque

My daughter is on point now. Meaning she gets to wear expensive, uncomfortable shoes. It is yet another step to show she is maturing. We started her in ballet at 3 years old. So many recitals and classes later. She won't wear point shoes in next week's recital, but . . . next year she will. Wow. This is bigger than anything her momma has ever done, and I am happy for her.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all you moms out there - enjoy your day! You deserve it!

She girds herself with strength, and strengthens herself daily.

She perceives that her provision for her family is good:

she does not retire early but works diligently to see to the needs of her family,

she is not an idle woman.

Proverbs 31:17, 18, 27

Tea Party

Why is it always so hard for me to believe another year is gone? We had a wonderful year doing Life of Faith. The girls attended monthly meetings - and they were such meaningful meetings. At each meeting our leader, Karla, helped the girls do a skit from the books, gave a devotional, made an adorable craft and provided a fun snack. Yes, that was a lot, and she did it all. Our last meeting of the year was to have a tea party - and tea we did. There is a little place in Dacula called Blessings Cottage - they provided the fun tea and yummy food. It was a nice memory and conclusion to a some good memories. Thank you Karla and Emma!

The Beggar's Blessing - Dance Recital 09

Hard to believe another recital is almost here! Last year my dd was honored to play the lead role, and this year she is in drama with her best friend as the lead role. I am helping with sets and props and it has been very time consuming getting it together - but we are so close to being finished, it is wonderful and exciting. The set pieces are designed to rotate - one side shows a woodcarver's shop, the other is inside the home of the lead character. You can see my dh on top of one of the sections working away. He is so helpful.

A project or two

I thought I was getting better at this, but alas, it was a lie. Walk away from anything that says "project". It really means sit in the basement for years making me feel guilty. I blame it entirely on Tracey for constantly being inspiring and doing all these cool things with tired pieces of furniture. Plus, I have always wanted one of these old Aunt Bea kitchen cupboards. My mom has one full of her pretty green depression glass. I always hoped she'd get tired of it and give it to me, but it doesn't seem to be happening. (And I enjoy seeing it at her house.) So anyway, browsing around Craigslist I saw this . . . I think there are 4 layers of paint on it, and the last one is pretty bad, do you think the camo look was to hide its ugliness? I dunno. I was originally thinking of just sanding it and giving it a new coat of paint, but after examining it closely today, it is going to need a more serious bit of work, stripping. I also bought from the same gal, this boudoir chair - it looks like it has seen better days. I want to paint it white and put some really soft rich silk velvet fabric on it and use it for my vanity chair. Just a little project. Crazy. OK, stupid.

A sweet little gift

Just had to share the finished product. My dd and Ruth made the little pillow from the quilt top they started at the quilt show. They made a matching blanket. Why are baby things just so sweet? Good job girls! I am sure baby Jack will enjoy them too.

The perfect craft room

You know how you look at something in a magazine and you just say "wow! that would be perfect for me!" Well, this is it. This is my dream work/craft room. It is really a sewing room - but, it could be for scrapbooking and all other forms of crafting. You have to click on the picture above to see all the before and after pictures on this lady's family room makeover. It's just divine. Sigh.

And these pin cushions. Is that clever or what? She used old hankies and vintage fabric to cover tomato pin cushions and strawberries. Pure genius!

Daddy time

I saw this over at Familyman and it is just such a great message. Spend time with your kids today!

Red Envelope Project - March 31

They are about ready. It was tricky printing them with my printer - but I am thankful because it kept me praying throughout the long ordeal. And that is really the key to this whole problem - prayer. Wouldn't it be just awesome if over a million envelopes hit the White House just before Easter?

Creative Repurposing

The annual Brady Family Reunion is quickly approaching. My parents are the hosts this year and they decided on a 50's theme. Fun. My sister and I were given the job of organizing the lunch get together. We are trying to find something creative to decorate the tables. My sister once bought an adorable LP bowl - a melted and shaped record. Last night I gave it a try and they turned out very cute. Won't the pink tablecloths look great with the LP bowls of peanuts?

What is it?

Yesterday we hit a thrift store and found this little item - the wood and metal thing. I was so excited to see it and it brought back some fond memories from my childhood. The two little girls with me kept asking "what is it?" Well, I wonder, do you know? Post a comment and let's compare notes. I will reveal the answer later on.

Clinique Bonus at Dillards

Choose from two different bonuses - lip or eye. Spend $21.50 and get one free at Dillards. Offer available until March 22nd.

Sew & Quilt Show Atlanta

I don't want to be boring and repeat everything that I put on my dd's blog - you can go there to see all the pictures and details about what we did and saw. I am STILL coveting the rose velvet corsage that Evy (pictured above with my dd) had at her booth. Ruth says don't fret it . . . I will get one, but patience isn't one of my virtues, Evy said those machines are affordable . . . I think it is time to start saving money.

On to other things. A huge congratulations goes out to my niece Emily and her husband Caleb - they are proud parents of a sweet little baby boy, Jack. They made me a great-aunt. Is that possible? My sister a grandmother? hmmm. All our love to this sweet new family. Babies are pure pleasure and special gifts from heaven.