A sweet print

I am working on a consignment sale - putting stuff in piles and working through piles. I found a book with this illustration. Isn't it sweet? If any of you artsy types make this into something - please share the results. I love artsy people! Speaking of artsy people, Ruth and my dd are up to something. They had a 5 hour sewing class this week and it is top secret whatever they are doing. Yes, my interest is piqued.

Heartwarming . . .

Got an email from Mission City Press that warmed me from the inside out. I pray the little Obama girls enjoy their stay and make wonderful happy memories at the White House.

-Photo by Getty Images-

In Special Honor of the
"First Little Ladies" in the White House!

We are sending Sasha & Malia our African-American dolls,
and we want you to be able to enjoy them too.
So, we are offering them to you at an
amazing 40% off

(for a limited time only)!

She is a gorgeous doll. And it is a beautiful thing to honor the girls and give the public an opportunity to buy Laylie at this special price. It is a very positive thing.

Disney 2009???

Well, see, my dear husband, my dh, said we are going back to Disney this year - in 2009. I decided this calls for desperate measures . . . I managed a trip to New York, wore a sandwich board and tried to raise the needed funds. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

(I didn't really go to NY, but it may be necessary in the near future . . . )

Investing . . .

Another sewing lesson. She is loving every minute of it! She loves the machine, even though it is so old and noisy. It is a brand new machine, given to me about 12 years ago. It was stored uncovered in our garage the entire 12 years and in another garage probably 12 years more. There is no manual. I took it to the sewing machine service place and they wanted $60 to tune it up. Do I want to spend $60 now, probably more later because he said things will probably start to freeze up and have no manual, or just start fresh and invest in a new one? I talked to several people, I looked at sooo many machines and finally decided on this . . . praying it was the right choice!!! It's a Kenmore with a few extras than the basic to give dd room to grow.

Sweet things

Valentine's Day. Another holiday. Already. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE holidays. Love, love, love them. Especially ones that include lots of chocolate. But, you barely put away one and there is another one. I read these wonderful blogs of women that create and beautify their homes continually and I am boring enough to just want to stop and enjoy something beautiful for a LONG time. There are still Christmas items sitting on my kitchen counter because I hate the idea of putting them in storage - they are so sweet and they make me smile. A long time ago a friend gave me a plug in bubble snowman light. I simply adore it. It will go away the next time company comes - but until then, it's Christmas in my kitchen and heart. OK, so back to Valentine's Day. After Christmas deals are so fun to me especially when I find an item that isn't all Christmas and I can enjoy it all year. Well, I found these two items, 80% off at Hobby Lobby, that fall into that category - but they look more like the love day than Christmas anyway. The tray is pink pink and the plastic bowl with it's striped plastic ribbon - are just happy. (It'd help if there weren't candy canes in it, huh?) I do enjoy pulling out my collection of vintage valentine's cards. I bought a huge stack from ebay (a seller worth watching!) and when they were finally perfectly arranged and the glass placed, it cracked putting it in the frame. (hey, you can't even see it in the picture. cool.) No matter - until I find another frame it stays and it is still adored.

Did you notice, hmmm? I did change my header for Valentine's Day! That took some work too - it doesn't matchie matchie the rest of the blog, but it is a nice change for a change. (I may need to buy a Thesaurus to sound and look more intelligent.)

Learning something new

My little girl likes to do crafts. Even more so than her momma. She wants to sew and knit and do stuff I am not good at and try to avoid. A good friend, and an especially crafty person, Ruth, saw my dd's interest and wanted to fill that void for me. Is that a good friend or what? (I am doubly blessed, another friend's husband teachs my dd science!!!) Today was the first lesson - and they accomplished a lot! In anticipation of today, we wanted to give Ruth a little token of our appreciation - so we altered/personalized this composition notebook and gave it to Ruth. It was fun bouncing ideas off each other until we got it just like we wanted it! This is our second combined effort - she gave her sister one for a Christmas gift.

Ruth just sent some pictures she took of the first lesson . . . isn't this sweet? If only we were so eager to learn other things (i.e. Math, English) . . . Thanks Ruth!!!

New Year Wishes and Thoughts

Proverbs 4:10-13

Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.
I have directed you in the way of wisdom ; I have led you in upright paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded ; And if you run, you will not stumble.
Take hold of instruction ; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.

A wedding . . . !?

YES! A Christmas wedding. My 23 yr. old dd and her man decided on a Christmas wedding - in 2008, not 2009. So, we put everything into high gear for three weeks. She was beautiful - and they are happy! My amazing mother-in-law baked the cakes for the reception and became 1/2 of my brain planning and implementing all the details. Friends were so supportive and available.(hugs Ruth & Stephanie) . . . My dad and sister did all the video and pictures . . . It came together nicely . . . and I only cried once during the ceremony. If you don't watch the father & bride dance or listen too closely to speeches, it helps. Do that later when you watch the video. Can't cry, can't cry! (Have you listened to Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman? I put it on my playlist for you to check out.) If you are wanting to see more . . . there is plenty more on my dad's website. (you have to put in your email address and click on Abi's name)

We had fun with the favors - while on our last trip to NJ we stopped at Cabella's (had to do a shopping stop my dh enjoys) and I saw these huge beautiful homemade candy canes. Well, when we started discussing the wedding the candy canes came to mind and we ordered them for favors. It made a beautiful tree.

Happy New Year!

But before we start into this year . . . let me share a little more about 2008. It went out with a bang! What wonderful, sweet memories were made at Disney World with the R family - 9 days packed to the very maximum and tons of great food using the dining plan . . . humm, a Dole Whip sounds good right now.

There is always a party with the R family - and they kept my dh in the party mood by buying him this enormous hat - which he proudly wore most of the week! He was easily spotted in every crowd.


Can you believe they let me drive the monorail? Me neither.

We counted down . . . we party'd frequently . . . we planned every detail . . . we shared every moment. What a marvelous trip. Personally, it isn't a "vacation" - cause Disney is work, a little stress and requires a lot of physical stamina. But it was a memory filled, exciting and altogether lovely time.

Growing up

My baby is growing up. Getting braces is one of the main stepping stones. She is in a lot of pain but handling it like a champ. She talks a bit funny too. She looks so. much. older. She assures me she is still my baby.

Newt Gingrich takes on the liberal media

Life of Faith

A friend in our homeschool group started a Life of Faith Girl's club and invited my dd to attend. The memories came flooding back. Fifteen years ago, Little Bear (Richard) Wheeler told me about the Martha Finley books written about Elsie Dinsmore. At the time he was busily trying to reprint the series originally written in the late 1800's. So, I purchased a couple of the books and became very involved in the story line. Not being able to wait until they printed more of the books, I made a call to an antique book store in the area and asked if they had any of the original books. Um yes, they did, the entire series, most of them first printings! Wow. I ran to that store and bought the entire 28 volumes. It didn't take me long to read all of them either. My oldest dd didn't enjoy the books as much as I did but now, my youngest loves them and it is wonderful to share the books with her. The books were reprinted again with modern language and with dolls to enjoy! My dd has decided to spend her saved Disney money on an Elsie doll. I think it is a wise purchase, a constant reminder of the great character qualities Elsie demonstrates throughout the books. What fun this monthly club will be for both of us!

Let the November election come!

"But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion — I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people."

What a breath of fresh air! I wasn't excited about this election, matter of fact, I was depressed about it. So much of the same ole' same ole'. When John McCain chose a woman for his vp running mate - I thought it was over for sure, until I heard her. She is the new voice we need. She is the woman that will get it done and do it right. Watching the convention this week made me think the rest of the country and even John McCain is also re-energized about this election. God bless Sarah Palin! I can't wait to vote in November.

Clinique Bonus at Belk

OT: Political

I didn't mean for my blog to be political, I let my dh handle most of that, but we are about to enter another important presidential election and there are interesting facts being made known about Obama that people need to be aware of.

See the entire speech here.

Video link is here.

Family

Big word. Lots of meaning, feelings, memories - it evokes many different things. Some families are really close. They love to be together, to play together, to share some laughs, joys, problems. It is a blessing to be a part of such a family; to recognize the genuineness, the gift, the complete feeling you get being a part of it all. My dd asks, "so - if so and so is your cousin, that makes his daughter my 2nd cousin, right?" I don't know! But aren't you glad you know them? Aren't you glad you are related to them in some way? Aren't you glad you had this opportunity to make fun memories with them? I am a blessed person. I have been doubly blessed - my husband's family is close and we keep in touch and share lots of memories. But what my aunt and uncle (my dad's sister) started 30 years ago and was continued this past weekend, is amazing. (and I have the t-shirt to prove it.) It is called a family reunion but it is so much bigger than that. When family comes from all over the US to meet in a central location, spends money on gas, food and lodging to stay DAYS at a motel - that is rare, yes? It is special, unique - it is huge. Thank you Bradys for being my family. I love all of you.


update: I found the answer to my dd's question regarding 1st and 2nd cousins - and it has visual aids - needed and appreciated by people like me!!!

MLP Beauty Shop

My best little friend and constant companion is not with me - and she is missed. My dd is with her grandparents this week and momma is lonely without her. Before she left she spent hours beautifying all of her My Little Pony's tresses - it looked like a regular beauty shop - and they all very patiently waited their turn. Some are still sporting curlers waiting for the great reveal. These ponies are usually stacked in pink wicker baskets on the shelves - but we didn't have the heart to mess up their new looks and so dd displayed them so carefully on the shelves. Had to take pictures to remember the love, time and patience she put into her little toys.

I miss you baby!! Have fun!

Dreams that seem so real!

Last night I attended our college & career Wednesday Bible Study - they meet at 8 pm and go pretty late, and with an 11 yr old at home, I don't usually get to go. They are going through the Tommy Nelson Daniel DVD Bible study. It was an awesome lesson on the prophecy given to Daniel in chapter 9 regarding the 490 years. As a Christian, it gives us the validity of God's Word, the accuracy and the occurrence of this prophecy is amazing. My main observation was Daniel's role, having a first name basis with an angel from God, trusted with an important message to be given to future generations. Amazing stuff. Anyway, this was all heavily on my mind when I went to sleep and during the night I had a vivid dream where the heavens opened and Jesus was there taking me home. Exciting it is.

Haven't mentioned much on the renovation lately - it is slowly coming along. We actually did some work in the master bath so I feel like I am holding up many spinning plates, maybe too many. :) While in NJ I stopped at a thrift store and found some beautiful things - a crystal cake plate that now holds the towels in the down bath and an old teapot - repurposing again - and loving it!

So, a new issue is the cabinets - they need new paint desperately. The 20 year old oil based paint is almost yellow now. I purchased this pretty Charleston color from Sherwin Williams - it is a much brighter white than we had! I also painted the brass drawer pulls - trying to update the whole look. Any thoughts?