May 30, 2013

One Year Later

One year ago I “lost” my job unexpectedly.    If you’d like to read the original story, here’s a link to that.     Since it was sudden, at first I was totally at a loss as to what to do with myself.    I couldn’t clean everyday, couldn’t justify shopping for clothes I wouldn’t need anymore for work, in other words, I felt like a fish out of water, floundering around with all my “free time.”      I was experiencing depression and didn’t know what to do with myself.    My husband would take me on little mini-trips…we went to the Southern Living Idea House, Ikea, and some quick trips to the gulf coast.    Eventually I “settled” down and now can’t imagine how I ever found time to work (I hear a lot of retired people say this).   But God’s timing is always on time, isn’t it?    Since my forced retirement, I have had more time to spend with my almost 93 year old mother.    She fractured her hip in late March and it’s been an uphill climb ever since.    While she is back at her assisted living cottage, she needs me now more than ever.    If I had still been working, it would have worked an extreme hardship on me to tend to her like I’m able to now.    So in a strange way, it’s been a blessing that I’ve been able to be there for her.

If you follow me on Facebook, you may know that I am also experiencing some health issues.    I recently had an MRI done and today I saw my doctor for the results of that.     I have a “severely torn menisca” and will undergo surgery on June 10th.    I also have a Baker’s cyst but he will not remove that as it has a tendency to reappear even after removal.    I’m hoping that I won’t be out of commission too long and other than a few weeks of taking it easy will finally have some relief as I have been miserable since mid-February with my knee.

Hope everyone is having a good summer so far.    My sweet granddaughter is staying with me on some days.    She made All-star's on her baseball team and has practice twice and week and her first game is tomorrow night.    She’s so excited and we are so proud of her!

 

 

 

May 21, 2013

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner

Please accept my apologies for not announcing the winner of the Shabby Apple $50.00 gift card before now.    The giveaway ended on Friday May 17th but I was at the lake this past weekend and had an MRI done yesterday so I’m just now getting around to posting the winner.      So without further ado, the winner of the $50.00 gift card is :

9405018 – Pat

Congratulations Pat!    The fine folks at Shabby Apple will be in touch with you to arrange for your gift card.   I hope you enjoy using it.   Thanks to everyone who participated…I have a great review coming up soon…think burlap and monograms!

May 16, 2013

What’s That Smell?

Catchy title but I just wanted to get your attention!     I’m searching for a new perfume and hope to get some good ideas.   For years and years I wore “Beautiful” by Estee Lauder.    My daughter discovered it while she was in junior high and we both loved it!    It was our “signature” scent.

 

Beautiful

However, a sneaky little thing called “hormones” changed the scent on me.   It just doesn’t do it for me anymore.      Recently I went to Ulta and sampled several scents.    By the way, I had to find out from my daughter the reason they have those coffee beans in little jars is so you can sniff the beans and you’ll have a clean palette to continue smelling scents…who knew?!    Apparently not me!! 

One that I was drawn to is D&G Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbanna.   

 

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This is how they describe this scent:

D & G Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana is a fragrance made for the casual woman. Introduced in 2001, this perfume features a subtle scent that will bring you the attention you desire. Its mix of apple, rose, jasmine and musk fragrances gives it a unique scent that is perfect for your next social event. Whether you are attending a lunchtime gathering of friends and family or a happy hour with your colleagues, this is right perfume for you.

I remember trying the D&G perfume when we were in Mexico on a trip.   I don’t know why I didn’t buy it then but I was still wearing Beautiful.    I don’t want to spend a fortune but want to find something that I can wear for day or night.

So can you help a girl out by giving me some suggestions on what you wear?

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway here….ends tomorrow night!

May 14, 2013

Shabby Apple Giveaway

When Shabby Apple contacted me about sponsoring  a giveaway for one of my lucky readers, I was so excited!   I’ve loved their clothing line for a long time and one of you will be lucky enough to win a $50.00 gift card to shop and spend to your hearts content.   Please visit my reviews page here to enter the contest.

May 8, 2013

Mother’s Day Lunch Date

I know Mother’s Day isn’t until Sunday but I’m getting an early “Mother’s Day” gift….lunch with my sweet grandson at his school tomorrow!

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Mimi can’t wait to see you tomorrow Jackson! 

May 4, 2013

James Farmer Cookbook Winner, My Front Porch & ‘Maters

In all the years I’ve been blogging, I’ve only won two things….the first thing I won was a beautiful Demijohn bottle from Sherry at No Minimalist Here.    Recently I was lucky enough to win the fabulous James Farmer Cookbook from my sweet friend Kelly at Talk of the House!

 

cookbook

I am having the best time devouring this book….it has some great recipes in it and Mr. Farmer writes in a language that I understand so well…..Southern speak!    I can’t wait to delve into this book when I have a little more time and make some of his mouth-watering recipes.   Many of them seem so familiar as they are just good ol’ country cookin’ which I love.

Speaking of good food, my tomato plants are finally putting out some little baby ‘maters.    Last year our tomato plant only yielded one little bitty tomato and we found out we’d planted it in the wrong container.   So this year I was determined to have some good vine ripened tomatoes for my all time favorite meal…..a tomato sandwich made on soft white bread and Hellman’s mayonnaise with a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper….yummm!   I can taste it now!

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I bought two varieties of tomatoes….Better Boy which are the kind my in-laws grow….super big and so delicious and the Husky Reds…I already have about 17 “babies” growing on this one!

While I was picking these up I saw my favorite ferns…Kimberly Queens.   I always put two in urns on my front porch and they grow like crazy.   These were huge and only cost $19.00 each….they were about the size of mine at the end of the summer already so I can only imagine how big they’ll get.    These will last until Thanksgiving so I’ll get lots of enjoyment from them.

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A few weeks ago I was shopping with my daughter and saw these seagrass lamps on sale.   I’ve always admired them and they were on sale for about 70% off.   I picked it up and brought it home not really having any place in mind where to use it so I swapped out another lamp on my chest in the den and put it there where it looks right at home.

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Come to Mama you sweet thing!

 

My mom is still in her rehab facility but we think she may be getting out soon.    I finally got to talk to her doctor about her medications possibly making her so depressed and diminishing her appetite.   He agreed that the meds might be contributing to her psychological well being so her meds were adjusted and her attitude changed from night to day!   Her appetite is back and she is more like her old self….thank goodness!    In fact, this morning when I was visiting with her she didn’t want what they were serving for lunch so I ran to Hardees for her a little thick burger (her favorite), onion rings and Sprite.     And for supper she wants chicken & dumplings so I went to Cracker Barrel and got her some along with fried apples and hash brown casserole….she’ll love that!

We’ve been having such glorious weather but today it’s been raining and we broke the old record for the low this morning.    The rain has finally stopped and the sun is out but it’s still too cool to be May.    I’m hoping we get back to our usual spring weather soon cause my sister and I are planning our annual girl’s weekend at the lake house in two weeks!

Happy Weekend!