Thank You!

On this Memorial Day, I thank the men and women who have sacrificed for me. I thank their families for the sacrifice, as well. I think it's shameful that any veteran is homeless or doesn't have access to the best healthcare we can provide. I think that anyone who serves our country and is honorably discharged should have the same healthcare as our politicians. I think that veterans should be first in our minds when it comes to benefits. And I also think it's rediculous that someone who catches a football (yes, I know it takes some skill) makes millions and our military and veterans often struggle financially. I know I've been emotional this past week, but I broke down and cried at the sight of the American Flags at the small Veterans Cemetary we have here. I stopped and said a prayer of thanksgiving. If you are so inclined, I encourage you to do the same. God Bless America and God Bless our Troops, past and present. A personal thank you to my Uncle, my Step-father, and my daughter's boyfriend who served and were lucky enough to come back. I will be spending today thinking and praying for the ones that did not.

Did You See Where My Friday Went??

I know I said I'd blog on Friday, but I turned around and Friday was gone!! LOL! Anyway, I will update the blog with some stitchy pics at some point in time, but I just popped in to say that I may never garage sale again. Story to follow.....it's a good one. LOL!

Even in our sadness, we still have humor

I told the dog to, " Get down, get down" and Big Daddy said "Tonight, yeah." Anyone remember that song? Good old KC and the Sunshine Band. The funeral is over and now we have to get on with things. Everyone is doing well. We are blessed with a strong family. I will be back to blogging tomorrow, with some finishes or at least some progress to show on some projects. Talk to you soon!!

Thank you

Thank you all for much for your comments, thoughts and prayers. The service is Thursday, so just a few more days until all of this is over. I appreciate knowing that you are holding us in your thoughts.

Quote of the Day

"I'm not judgmental - I just have opinions about the horrible, horrible things you do."

Had to share this - hope I did it right!

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Taking a mini blogging break

My father-in-law died yesterday evening. I blogged about what he was going through earlier. I will be back shortly. Take care, all.

Thrifty Thursday

I love thrift stores. I try to visit often, because it's usually feast or famine for me. Well, this past week I think I got a good deal. There is a new Goodwill store at our end of town now and then there's a Salvation Army store in the downtown area. This particular haul came from the Sal's Boutique, as I like to call it. The top photo does not have the clothes I got for .50 each. I got 2 sleeveless R. Lauren polo shirts in pink and yellow, a skirt for a bathing suit, 4 pairs of dress pants from Old Navy and Gap. The other stiff I got was a basket, several boutique boxes that were marked $4.99 from the original shop, a little wooden stand , a whole set of vintage smocked valances for my granddaughter's room and a buckweat hull pillow. Two vintage linen hand made with lace table runners and a wicker photo frame. How much? $14.00 for all.Yeah!!

Why Today is a Very Good Day

* The sun is shining and no one needs a jacket. Or a sweater.
* I sent off a PIF
* There were no bills in the mail
*There was some stash in the mail!! YEAH!
I hope you are having your own very good day!! Thrifty Thursday post coming later.

He did it again

I had a big glass jar sitting on the kitchen counter with coffee in it. For reasons that I will need another post to explain, I have to label such things as inedible. Remember, this is like living in a frat house. If it looks like food or drink...... Anyway, the sign on it said, " Do Not Touch, Please. Dyeing Fabric." Big Daddy looked at it and said, " I didn't know it was sick." Oh, he thinks he is so funny. Ok, so I laughed alot. Maybe this encourages him, but it's been over 23 years. I have to laugh. I LOVE this man and his sense of humor.

And I forgot that I got.....

The newest Little House Needleworks ornament "Red House in Winter" - it's beautiful and I can't wait to start it. But, I have to finish what's in my stitching bag right now. Maybe I will get to start it next Monday. I think I can wait, I think......

Yipee!

A little while back I won a giveaway on Edgar's blog at http://www.blacksheepsite.blogspot.com/ - and I was so excited. I wasn't sure what I won until today when the mail came! Look and be jealous, everybody!! There's a beautiful stitched pinkeep, some cute fabric, flower seeds, chocolates (which I'm hiding from the boys), incense that smells heavenly, and a wonderful postcard with a classic streetcar on it!! Everything is wonderful - thank you so much Edgar!! The other picture is of our breakfast table - I did it up in turquoise, set with the garage sale find of the weekend - 4 Pier One placemats that were $4.00 each for one dollar for all!! There are some little ceramic birds from the thrift shop for .50 each and my faux croissant on a pedestal! The little ceramic placecards were on clearance from Hobby Lobby and even the tablecloth underneath was a garage sale find. I don't think I paid full price for anything on the table! I like to do tablescapes and thought I might show you this one. It's a work in progress. Take care!

I Wasn't Listening... Really

One of my kids said, " I wasn't listening to what they were saying. But, if I was listening, this is what I would have heard.........." and then proceeds to tell me what was said. Honestly people, I can't make this stuff up.

A Great Giveaway!

Go to http://julies-creations.blogspot.com/2010/05/memorial-day.html to enter her great giveaway!! Please follow her lead and take some time to honor our vets and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. Thanks, Julie for the reminder of the importance of the day and thank you for your service to our country. A real American hero.

Thrifty Thursday

Once again, CVS did not fail this week in the bargain department. I got the following: 2 John Frieda Shampoos, 2 JF Conditioners, Kotex tampons, 4 boxes of Kellogs cereals, 1 Mitchum Deo., 1 gallon of milk, 1 pkg of dove chocolate, 8 Vitamin waters, bayer aspirin, 3 bags of M and M's (large size, don't judge me!) carefree and always pads. Came to around $67.00 - before coupons and ECB's. Paid $25.72 plus got $6.99 in ECB's for next time. YEAH!!

Some Finishes and Happy Mail!

I meant to post yesterday, but have you ever had one of those days where you were busy-busy-busy but got nothing done? That was my yesterday. I turned around and it was 11:00 pm. Oh, well. Here's my Mother's Day gift from Jeff and the Kids -

I'm so happy! It might help with this:

Which is what I call my "finishing basket". These are completed cross stitches that need to be backed or stuffed. I was sewing everything by hand. There are still some things that I will sew by hand, but now I can get more done! Yeah!!
Here are some finishes - just the stitching, though.

One is the Prairie Schooler Santa I mentioned in an earlier post and the other is another University of Tennessee Christmas Ornament for my UT tree.

Here's some Happy Mail from my Monthly exchange with Michelle. It's a Scissors Case and it is BEEEEutiful. Her finishing is fantastic. I'm a lucky girl to have her for my exchange partner.!!

And, finally, how can a person eat all of this, stay this skinny and then be hungry and eat a full dinner 15 minutes later? LOL!

Well, I've been chatty today! Tomorrow is Thrifty Thursday - wait until you see that deal I got! Oh and if anyone has seen our warm weather, please direct him or her back here. Pronto. I'm tired of sweater and winter coat in May!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Please indulge me as I post about my Mom - otherwise known as Nana. We don't live near each other, but we talk alot on the phone, Skype and email. I LOVE our conversations. I think that is my favorite thing to do with my mom. Talk. Also, we have alot of fun at thrift stores and doing our various crafts. She is a wonderful quilter and knitter and, of course, mom. I never realized how hard this job is until I had my own children. And, let me tell you, it doesn't get much easier when the kids get older either. She has always supported me and encouraged me along the way. Most importantly, she was and is a good role model of what a great Mom should be. I continue to look to her for guidance as my children get into adulthood and hope that I have as the same  relationship with my adult children as I have with my Mom. Friends of ours lost their Mom last weekend and I know that today will be especially painful for them. I always try to make sure that nothing is unsaid to the ones I love. I say it often to them and I'll say it here again for my Mom - I Love You! Here's a special message for my Mom - she'll know what it all means:
Pick one and don't worry, she's where she needs to be and stop worrying, you'll figure out how to fix the hole and worrying won't fix it and if it's not one thing............

Have a great day everyone!

Thrifty Thursday

It has been almost a year since I stopped working full-time. It is such a blessing that my work situation has no bearing on our finances but I know that we have to be thrifty. I have started using various internet sites like http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ to find great deals and bargains. This week's was too good not to share. Here is what I bought at CVS. Before coupons I was over $50.00. I spent 26.02 and earned 9.00 in Extra Care Bucks. What a deal! Now, if only we had a LNS where I could get that good of a deal! LOL!

Finally Pictures!

Sorry this has taken so long, but #5 is playing spring hockey for his high school and we have been busy with that and life in general. Anyway, here are pictures of the cross stitches I found and one of His Highness. This dog has a faux-mink doggy bed with 2 fleece blankets and this is where he prefers to lay. Of course.

Has This Ever Happened to You?

If you don't personally know me, you need to know that I am a bit of a pack-rat. Not hoarder - those are people who need tv intervention, but I just KEEP things. And, I stash things. Weeelllll, I opened a box that was labeled office supplies and I found 6 stitched christmas ornaments just waiting to be finished! LoL! I knew I had done one of the designs in this booklet - turns out I did them all but one. OK here's the weird thing though. I'm currently stitching the one I didn't stitch earlier. That's right, I started with the knowledge that I was going to have to stitch all of them and started with the only one I actually NEEDED to stitch. Hmmmmm. Oh well. Looks like I can take those off the list and add the 50thousand others I have on my list!! I'll post pictures soon.