a goal

"He who says he abides in Him

ought himself to walk just as He walked."

I John 2:6

Red Envelope Day - March 31

I don't know if this will make an impact on Washington or not. It is a wonderful attempt though. I plan to purchase a big pack of red envelopes and send them on March 31. It is so devastating how our new president is determined to rid the world - not just the US - and at the taxpayer's expense - of unborn babies. Sweet, tiny, precious babies. I don't understand it, can't comprehend it. Something so defenseless - given no chance. I have family members, I am an individual - that would welcome adoption. I'd rather my tax money was used to support good adoptions . . . click on the red envelope above to get more information. Make a statement with me.

On a positive note . . . "North Dakota's House of Representatives has passed a bill effectively outlawing abortion. The House voted 51-41 this afternoon to declare that a fertilized egg has all the rights of any person. That means a fetus could not be legally aborted without the procedure being considered murder." Praise the Lord.

A pretty cake alternative - cupcakes!

Our dance studio is seeing our young teachers marrying off quickly. They are so happy and we are happy for them - as long as they stick around! :) We celebrated another upcoming marriage with a shower and just look at this beautiful tiered cupcake treat that was put together by one of the moms at the studio. Isn't it stunning? She actually figured out how to make the tiers wrapping paper around the separators . . . amazing and YUMMY!! Makes me want to bake . . .

Exciting & fun new blog!

My dd and my friend, Ruth, have decided to keep a blog diary of their sewing lessons. It is amazing how much fun they are having and the wonderful things they are creating! I couldn't be happier for Cherith - she is definitely in her element. We are so appreciative of Ruth and the time she is giving us. Check them out when you can!

My valentine surprise! - make that . . . surprises!

Wow! Lookie at what my dd and Ruth made me! Isn't it beautiful? I feel very special and loved. Thank you girls!! I heart you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yes, it just keeps coming! My dh surprised me with flowers - lilies and roses! And a huge bag of Lindt truffles - ahh, chocolate.

Farewell to a good friend

I didn't want to believe it. I refused to believe it. But it is true. My favorite magazine for all these years . . . is no longer. Home Companion is unable to continue due to lack of advertisers. As Mary E. says "it's a vicious circle - housing is bad, companies can't advertise, magazines can't print." Soooo sad. I will hold onto my old copies even tighter! If the economy improves . . . Mary says Home Companion will be back . . . I hope so!!

Pretty color

My buddy and friend, Stephanie, (aka Incredimom), wanted to change up the looks of her kitchen. (Another Lucy Ricardo like idea . . . )

She picked this gorgeous color. We had great fun painting her 2 toned blue walls into one tone of Shenandoah Valley by Glidden.

She has a stained chair rail going around her eat in area and it was light blue on the top and darker blue on the bottom - now it is a calming happy green. We brightened the room by putting up white sailcloth balloon shades with ties - the colors work so well with her new countertop, stone backsplash and tile floor. Just beautiful. We were a little happy with ourselves because we accomplished the entire project while our hubbies went to an overnight convention. We had some serious help from her parents - they delivered great food to the hungry workers and lots of moral support. What a blessing to have friends to share work, play and good times. (Another Lucy scheme with a happy ending . . . luv ya Steph!)

Clinque Bonus at Belk!

This looks like a good 'un. Spend $21.50 and get this free. Not quite as nice as the set they are giving away up north at Younkers (as told to me by a friendly blog visitor) - but still good!! So go to Belk and get yours.

Sweet boxes

Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.

~Robert Browning

Ring boxes. There are only two in my possession - but, I love them better than a blue Tiffany box. Dating them is a bit difficult, but I think my ring boxes are from the 1920's or 1930's. They are such sweet little plastic boxes. Can you imagine the memories these things carried for someone? Perfect to pull out for Valentine's Day.

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.