This and That and Hello March!

Well, it seems I’ve only posted one time this month…after such a good start in January!   I don’t have any excuses except that we’ve been busy with LIFE! 

Anyhow, if you’re interested, I’d like to share a bit of our busy February with you.   

Most of the country was hit with one of the hardest winters in a long time.     The South was especially hit hard, and while a lot of folks thought we were “pansy's” for making such a big deal over a little bit of snow, it wasn’t the snow that made life difficult, but the ice that formed.    So many unbelievable stories of people trapped in their cars for hours and hours, as they were stranded on the highways and interstates.    Atlanta and Birmingham were two of the worst hit.

My DIL (in Birmingham) took 8 hours to get home that is a normal 1/2 hour drive!    My sister was in Birmingham at a conference and she and a co-worker left the conference early to try and avoid the coming disaster but had to stay in a Waffle House (!) overnight before they were able to travel to their town of Talladega.     I think everyone is ready for some warmer temps and SPRING!

 

On Valentine’s weekend my husband and I had a little weekend get away to Fairhope, Alabama.   Such a charming town!    The weather was wonderful, and we got out and did a lot of sightseeing and of course, eating at some of our favorite places.     We traveled over to Magnolia Springs and Gulf Shores, both just a quick and easy drive from Fairhope.    If you’re ever in Magnolia Springs I would suggest eating at Jesse’s and in Gulf Shores we went to one of my favorite places, Lulu’s.    The shrimp salad there is to die for!

(source)

This is the Fairhope pier and the weather was exactly like this the day we visited.   We sat on a bench and people watched then walked allllll the way to the end of the pier and back!    We got some exercise that hopefully off-set all the good food we ate!     

Whenever we’re in the Fairhope area, we love stopping by The Grand Hotel by Marriott.   We had our wedding pictures made on the grounds which are spectacular!

 

 

(source for above photos)

 

And what would a vacation be without some retail therapy?    I did my share and found some darling things for the house.      I bought some planters for outside the french doors at the back patio and some boxwood items that look sooooo real!  

Just as soon as we got home my husband and I dedicated ourselves to better eating habits.    We just eat out way too often and not always the right kinds of food either.    Plus, we’ve gotten so sedentary this winter and packed on too many unneeded pounds.     This is our 2nd week of eating better and he’s lost about 10 pounds and I’ve lost about 7!    Nothing to shout from the rooftops but we both feel so much better.     My weakness is Cokes and I’m proud to say I haven’t had one Coke in 2 weeks…..only water.    We’re lucky our daughter and her husband own a bottled water company so we can get all the water we want (free!)

I’ve also done some retail therapy on line (which can be a dangerous thing, right?)!     I love baskets and when I saw this one on sale at Pottery Barn, I couldn’t put it in my basket quick enough.   

It’s huge….so many places you can use this.   I still don’t know where I’ll put it but I’m sure it will find a home!

My ordering/buying of things usually come in spurts….I either buy things for the house or clothes/shoes.   But lately I’ve been doing both!     The prices range from really inexpensive to a little more than I usually want to pay but somehow it all evens out.    I’ve wanted some skinny ankle length pants for a long time but never could find any that fit the old body.    I’m not a teeny bopper (does anyone even say that anymore?) and don’t want to look like a ‘ho but when I found these I was pleasantly surprised.     They fit really well and the price is fantastic….I ordered 2 pair in white.    (Note:  The picture on the web site looks like some kind of camouflage but click on the other colors…I got mine in white).

My next purchase was inspired by a pair of shoes I saw on a lady at my hairdressers last week.    They were the cutest “shooties” and I wanted them!    Unfortunately, I couldn’t talk her into giving me hers so I set out to get my own (LOL)!   

I ordered these but until I get them and see if I can walk around in them comfortably, the jury is still out.

This week I had my mammogram on Monday (ugh but necessary…everything’s good) and dentist on Wednesday.     I also took my mom to the dentist…she’s been having some problems with her teeth.    Turns out she needs 5 extractions and a partial plate!    My mama is 93 years old so I’m not looking forward to this for her.     She’s a tough old bird though and I pray she’ll do good.

I guess that about wraps it up for me.     I’m so excited because on Monday I’m going to visit my very best friend!   Her name is Judy too!   We’ve been best friends since the 1980’s and gone through a lot together….she says I’m the sister she never had.    There have been times in my life I don’t know what I would have done without her.    

 

BFF Judy in white and me in black and white

 

Goodbye February….I don’t think anyone will miss you!

Snow Babies

Last week the South experienced a freak ice/snow storm that paralyzed many thousands, if not millions, mainly due to the ice.    But my grandchildren (and their cousins) took advantage of the rare snow and had a lot of fun! 

Baby It’s Cold Outside

Please remind me to NEVER, EVER complain about our scorching hot summers…please!   We’re just not used to these extreme cold temperatures here in the Deep South but that’s exactly what we’re getting.      My brother commented earlier to me that our weather was “lightweight” and I guess it is to him…although he lives in Kentucky, he’s still used to more wintery type weather than we are.    

View outside my kitchen window this morning…ice just starting to form on the windows

 

I’ve never seen ice on my windows like this!

 

 

 

My car is covered with snow

 

Early this morning you could see ice starting to drip off our firewood

 

Late this afternoon ice is really clinging to everything

 

My birdbath is completely frozen

 

Back deck mid-afternoon

 

I took this just after dark

This morning I started potato soup in my crock pot.    I had to run to the grocery story for a few things and meant to pick up some crème cheese to add to the soup but completely forgot it!    It still tasted good and since I’ve never made the soup before, not sure what difference the crème cheese would have made but I plan to add it next time.    I crumbled up some bacon and added shredded cheese to mine and it was soooo good.   

 

I know my pictures don’t look as bad as other areas of the country but since we just don’t see the level of ice and snow we are experiencing it’s a real novelty to us here.      My son lives 100 miles north of me in Birmingham and his office is 10 miles from his home.    He said it took him 4 hours to get to his subdivision (after picking up 2 kids at daycare and school) and then he had to park his car at the entrance to his subdivision and walk home!   He said cars were parked all over the roads into his subdivision, which is very hilly, and everyone was walking.    Fortunately someone was able to give him and the kids a ride to their house.    My daughter-in-law left work at 11:00 this morning and she still had not made it home when I spoke to him at 5:00!    He is in touch with her but the roads are slick and cars are at a standstill.     I’m praying for her to arrive safely.

Strangely enough, we are supposed to back up in the 60s this weekend….crazy, huh?   I sure hope so because we’re supposed to go to the lake to celebrate my brother-in-laws birthday, and my son and daughter-in-laws anniversary.    

Toodles poodles!

The Heart of A Child

I hope you all will indulge me while I share a little about my granddaughter Taylor.   She is my daughter’s 9 year old, and she has a twin brother.   We have been overly-involved with these two sweet peas since the day they were born and make no apologies for that!   (I’m sure all grandparents out there can understand that)!    Taylor and I have always had a special bond, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.     She has a heart of gold and has always been a friend to everyone.

 

She took this “selfie” recently

 

Way back in 2nd grade she had a little friend “Mary” (not her real name) who took a growth spurt and was a lot taller than any other child in her class.   “Mary” also had some learning disabilities and a little bit of a speech problem.    One day the class was taking a field trip and each child had to have a “buddy” on the school bus.   No one wanted to be Mary’s buddy so before it became obvious that Mary was being left out, Taylor quickly spoke up and said she wanted Mary to sit with her and be her buddy that day.    It happened that Mary’s mother was chaperoning the field trip and was so moved by Taylor’s actions that she fought back tears….she later sent my daughter a message about how much she appreciated Taylor’s kindness to Mary and even sent Taylor a letter thanking her for being Mary’s friend.    Taylor and Mary have not been in each other’s class since the 2nd grade but remain friends.    And every year when awards are being handed out, Mary always has one of the highest AR reading scores!   

Last year each student had the opportunity to be selected either “Queen of the Jungle” or “King of the Jungle” for a week.    Taylor has been selected “Queen” several times.    One week when it was time to vote for a new King, there was a little boy in her class who had never been chosen and according to Taylor, no one wanted to be his friend (why are kids so cruel?).    Anyway, Taylor elected him and more or less convinced the other kids to vote for this little boy….he was crowed King of the Jungle for a week!    The teacher knew what happened, and who was behind his being crowned, and wrote the sweetest letter to Taylor.   I wish I could share it here but it would be too personal with children’s names and I respect their privacy too much.

Just this past week, Taylor wanted to invite a little classmate to go to Wednesday night church with her.    Taylor called the little girl’s grandmother, who is raising this child, and invited her friend.    The grandmother then called my daughter, Taylor’s mom, and they met on Wednesday night so the little girl could go to church with Taylor.    The grandmother explained the circumstances by which she was raising her granddaughter and it had nothing to do with the little girl, but the grandmother’s son…don’t know anything about the mother.    But the child is being well cared for and taken care of….don’t you love it when a grandparent steps in to see that her grandchildren are being raised right?     Once again, the grandmother was thrilled that Taylor had included her granddaughter and invited her to church.

A couple of years ago one of my daughter’s friends little boys had some serious medical issues and spent a good bit of time at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.    During one of the times the little boy was at Children’s, was the same time Taylor’s class was learning to write checks.    She wrote a check for $900.40 for her friend Chase.    I shared this story earlier but think is bears repeating.    When Shannon told her friend about Taylor’s “check” the friend relayed the story to her husband and told Shannon that the husband never cried, even when they got married and at the births of their  boys, but when he found out what Taylor had done, he cried!   

(original story here)

 

At no time did Taylor ever share any of these stories with her mom, the adult or teacher always told my daughter what Taylor had done.     Taylor does not see what she does as something special, it’s just how she is.    I think part of it may be that her twin, our precious Jackson, also has learning disabilities and speech problems.     It makes Taylor sensitive to what the world may consider an “underdog” but to Taylor, everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect.   

She is growing up way to fast for me but I’m so proud of the child she is and the young lady she is becoming.    

Over the years:

 

 

The twins in 1st grade

 

Her mom (my daughter) and Taylor at my mom’s church

 

Me and my Tay-Tay at a church banquet

 

Posting one night when she was spending the night

 

Taylor and her Pop (my husband) discussing the merits of their ice cream! 

 

I had to share this one of both of my beautiful granddaughters!

 

 

She loves playing softball (summer 2013)

 

Taylor and her cousin at the ball field

 

Posing at her mom’s office last summer

Thank you for allowing me a walk down memory lane with my “heart” and granddaughter.       I will end my post by saying what we always say to each other….”I Love You More” Taylor!

New Pillows for New Chairs

A few weeks ago I shared the two new chairs I picked up at Pier 1.   I immediately started looking for a couple of pillows to use with them as they looked kinda “nekid” on their own!   My first though was to use a couple of leopard print pillows but so far I’ve not been able to find any…I will most likely have to make them.    But last week I was killing time before my hair appointment and went into K-Mart, of all places, when I saw these pillows.     The price was really great and when the clerk rang them up, they were on sale….so yay for me!   

They are a little big for the chairs but I really like how the colors work not only  with my chairs but they give a little pop of color with all the neutrals I have in my den.   

I still haven’t cut the price tag off my chairs **in case** I change my mind about them but I doubt I am going to so it’s time to cut those suckers off!

 

 

 

 

I’ve decided I’ve got to upgrade my camera, take a course on how to use it and invest in a tripod and wide range lens….I never can get my colors to be “true” to life…my floor is not as red as it seems in these photos nor is my wall color so washed out!    I also noticed some of the chairs seem “bluer” and sometimes a washed out color….I really want to be able to take better pictures!    I’ve been using my Canon PowerShot for a few years so I think I’ll stay with a Canon.   

It’s been soooo cold here….at least as far as this Southern girl is concerned!    I’m really ready for some warmer temps but I know we’re not having it as severe as other areas of the country.    My sister and I are planning our annual getaway to the beach the last of April and I cannot wait.    We usually go to the lake house for the weekend but this year we’re doing something different.    We even talked about taking a little cruise but she can’t take off enough time from work.   

Hope you are staying warm wherever you are!

We’ve Lost One Of Our Own

Yesterday I was saddened to learn that Michelle from the inspiring blog Sweet Something Designs had lost her battle with cancer.      I’ve followed her blog for several years and loved her sweet spirit and creativeness.     Her mother in law has kept us advised of her on-going struggle on Facebook as Michelle had not been able to post anything on her blog since October.    

 

This quote was taken directly from Michelle’s last post back in October 2013.

She leaves behind a husband and two boys.    If you’d like to send her family some love and prayers, I’m sure her family would appreciate it.    You can probably just do that on Michelle Edward’s Facebook page or her blog.

New Year–New Bathroom

I’ve been tossing around ideas for redoing our guest bathroom which my husband also uses as his.    I have a confession to make…it hasn’t been touched (redecorated) in about 8 years which is a record for me!    It’s chocolate brown and while I loved it, and still do, it’s way past time for a change.    I posted these pictures on Rate My Space years ago and got a lot of positive comments on it….but now it just looks out of date to me.   I took these off my old RMS page:

The wall color is a much richer brown…this looks washed out

 

I have a vision of how I want the bathroom to turn out but I also know I have to work with what I have.    In other words, no new tile, floor or vanity.    The floor and wall tile are very neutral (off white) and the vanity is a dark brown free standing cabinet that looks like a piece of furniture with a pretty neutral top.    Over the years the vanity has taken a beating and I’m debating on painting it or just trying to clean it up some by re-staining it to hide the dings and nicks.     

While I’d love to have planked walls in there, I just don’t see that happening.    So instead I’m probably going to do beadboard wallpaper below and painting above.

Here are some inspiration pictures that I like.

I like the idea of painted beadboard and love the mirror!

 

I like the wall color here

 

Although this is a curtain panel it would be an easy DIY to make.   I’ve always made my own shower curtains since I like them to be longer than the ones you can buy.    This is from Restoration Hardware and in order for me to get a pair (they are sold as individual panels) it would be over $150!    I can make one for much, much less.

 

Love the towel combination

 

I love this whole image….painted beadboard….pretty monogrammed towels, and the shower curtain

 

I love these kinds of photos…I got lucky and recently found one at a local flea market which will be used in a collage in the bathroom

 

Here you see white painted beadboard with a dark gray paint above…I like this too!

 

These are a few things I’ve been collecting for the bathroom re-do.    I’ve got an idea for using that flash card….will share about that later

 

Three paint samples I’m considering.   The bathroom is an interior room and has no window but I’m not really worried about it being too dark with painting it gray because it’s a dark chocolate now and there is good overhead lighting and I have a lamp in there too

 

 

I will be replacing the light over the vanity and change out the gold towel bar for a silver one.   

I’m pumped about getting started on this soon.    Once I decide on a paint color I’ll have our painter come start on the room.   In the meantime, I’d like to get the shower curtain made and towels monogrammed.     I also need to figure out what to do with that vanity….paint or stain.     Decisions, decisions!

Like most of the country, we are in the middle of unbearably cold weather.    I don’t think anyone could get used to it for long, but here in the South it’s a real problem for us as we’re not used to temperatures plunging into the teens!     We are keeping the fireplace going and trying to stay in and stay warm.   Hope you all are doing the same!