Thanks, Kim!

You may remember I recently won a giveaway from Kim at My Domestic Bliss.  I got to spend $50 at her Etsy store and I chose a beautiful Florentine tray.

It arrived the other day--but not in the best of shape.  Here's a picture:

Luckily, my Knight in Shining Armor (aka my sweetheart) was able to pop it back together and now it's good as new and waiting to be hung above the sideboard. 

 

 

 

Isn't it beautiful?  

Thanks again, Kim!

Shabby Addict Giveaway

Here's another chance to win something fabulous!  Go HERE to see what it is!

Too Quiet

The Thanksgiving weekend is drawing to a close.  Most of the food is gone--or we're sick of it.  The work week is beckoning.  But what bothers me most is the quiet.  After having three little ones here for several days, their absence is greatly felt.  Breakables have found their way back to tabletops.  Remotes are within reach--instead of high up on the mantle.  String cheese, Goldfish, and fruit snacks are endangered no more.  Toys are tucked away.  And I am sad.  Thank goodness Christmas is just a few weeks away!

Cassidy playing in the leaves

 Grant doing his "most pitiful child" routine

Nate propped up in a corner of the couch

Dollar Store and ReStore Love

 

Cabinet Door from ReStore -- 50 cents

Vinyl Lettering from Dollar Store -- $1.00 (duh)

Gift? Giveaway? Keep? -- priceless!

I Think I Love You!

Black Friday was not so black. Lauren and I got up at 4am and headed to Wally World. No makeup and all. The crowds weren't too bad, though we did have to park at the back of the lot. Being able to go right in was a big plus. Being able to shop for the items we wanted and not have to wait was a bigger plus. We found almost everything we went for, then at 5am went to check out. Lines were already long. We spotted a register that had just opened and had only one person in line. Beeline! Took us less than 5 minutes to check out and we were home by 5:15. Not bad. In fact, we were psyched enough to almost go to the mall. Almost--but we got over it and after calming down, went back to bed. 
I think I could do this again.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations to Alexandra for being lucky #6!  Shoot me an email with your mailing info and I'll get your stuff in the mail asap.  Oh, and let me know if you prefer Home Depot or Lowes.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas and suggestions.  

And for playing along.

Are You Ready For Some Christmas?

Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage is having a wonderful party on Saturday--and we're ALL invited!  Grab her button and mark your calendars so you don't forget!

And guess what?  I'm doing something this Friday I've never done before!  Braving Black Friday with the masses!  Wish me luck.

A Partial Reveal and a Giveaway

Still not quite done, but I'm posting some pictures, so you can have your input into the most private room of my house--or would that be the bathroom?  Hmmm, I'll have to think about that one.  Anyway, here are a few befores, so you can understand what we're dealing with.

 

 

 

The ugly border, way too many frames, a lot of furniture, and--horror of horrors--curtains actually mounted on the window frame!  Save me, please!

And some afters--I told you, not a lot of difference since we didn't move the furniture around after all.  That may still happen--got to figure out the nightstand dilemma.  I do plan on rehanging the curtains so they'll frame the window and it'll look larger.  What do you think for a valance?  Try to match the gold or something different?  I also have European shams to put on the bed as soon as I get pillows.

 

 

Okay, here's where you come in--what to put above the bed?  I have a couple of ideas.  Remember the black and white pics of Italy in the befores?  They don't really match, but I love them.  What if I put some nailhead trim and gold rub and buff on the frames?  Sort of like this (courtesy of DIY Show Off):

Or I could do this from Let It Shine:

Or I could use this that I already have:

Whatcha think?  Or other ideas?  I'm open for just about anything.

Now for the good part!

A couple of months ago, I received an email from Purdy asking me to review some of their products.  After checking with someone in the know to make sure it was legit, I said Yes!  And immediately thought of all of you.  So I asked for a second set and got it and started planning for a fab giveaway!

Tell 'em what they'll win, Johnny...

The lucky winner will receive--courtesy of Purdy Professional Painting Tools (and made in the USA, I might add)--a Multi-Pack painting set.  Consists of a Purdy 9" roller and 2.5" angled brush.  Suitable for all paint types, exterior or interior.  I used these bad boys when I painted my bedroom and was amazed!  Now one of my least favorite things to do is clean out paintbrushes and rollers, so I tend to buy less expensive brands and just toss them after use.  Well, you know the old saying--you get what you pay for.  That includes bristle-shedding brushes and rollers that won't stay on the holder.  They also tend to gunk up and just are aggravating all the way around.  Not these Purdy products.  I honestly didn't expect to see much difference, but I was surprised.  And so was my husband.  The roller held lots of paint and applied it smoothly.  I attached a longer handle to the holder and was able to paint my entire room in a little over an hour (not including cutting in).  That's a record for me--the world's slowest painter!

The cutting in was easy with the angled brush--I didn't even tape anything off.  If you go slow and are careful, this paintbrush will do the job without tape.

But wait there's more:  the winner will also receive a $25 gift card to Hobby Lobby AND a $25 gift card to either Lowe's or Home Depot (you get to choose).

So--what do you need to do to win?  Simple.

1.  Leave a comment--hopefully with advice about the room--one entry.

2.  Become a follower and/or let me know you already are--one entry.

3.  Post about the giveaway on your blog and let me know you've done that--one entry.

See, couldn't be easier!  Giveaway will close at 5pm cst on Wednesday Nov 25th.

Good luck and thanks for playing!  Oh, and you don't have to have a blog to enter!

Stay Tuned!

On the mend.  Breathing through my nose again--which is a good thing--don't ever take it for granted!


Pictures of the bedroom tomorrow, as well as some pleas for help--along with a big giveaway!  Tell your friends!

Short Post Today

Mainly because this is how I feel:

Miracles Do Happen

Let's just start this off with a simple truth:  I am not a lucky person.  Never win anything.  Always the one getting hit in the head with the ball.  If something bad was gonna happen, rest assured it was gonna happen to me.  But it seems my luck is changing.  Hold on while I find some wood to knock on!  As you venture around blogworld, you'll find many lovely ladies sharing their talents and ideas--and stuff!  These girls love to give things away!  I throw my hat in the same way I do the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes--you can't win if you don't enter.

This week I've won two giveaways! Can you believe it?  I keep pinching myself--and apparently it's true!

First, I won a $50 shopping spree from Kim at My Domestic Bliss.  She has a fabulous Etsy shop and I got to choose whatever my little heart desired.  I chose a beautiful Florentine tray and can't wait for it to arrive.  Will post pics as soon as it gets here.

Today I found out I won SkinMD lotion from Georgie at Decisionally Challenged.  It's finally turned cold here and with the heat on, even MY skin is getting dry.  Looking forward to trying out this lotion Georgie has bragged on.

Do some exploring, girls.  Visit these and other great blogs.  I'm happy to say I've found some wonderful friends and kindred spirits.  Should I ever take a nation wide vacay, I'll have stops to make everywhere!

My Favorite Things

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens..."

Melissa at 320 Sycamore is hosting a Favorite Things Party (sort of like Oprah, but more realistic).  Since I love me a good party and I'm a little nosy, I'm joining in.  After you're finished here (which includes leaving a sweet comment), go see what Melissa and others have to share!

Here are a couple that I'm sure will come as no surprise

Nothing better than a Milky Way

Especially when it's accompanied by my drug of choice

 

Giorgio's Red has been my signature fragrance for about 20 years now

So far, the BEST stuff for a nasty job is Scrubbing Bubbles--it really works

I'm hard on my hair--coloring, straightening (look away, Laura) every day.  Sebastian Drench shampoo and conditioner is by far the best I've ever used.  And believe me I've tried almost everything!

Speaking of hair--BabyBliss is a wonderful flat iron! I used a Chi for years, but this one has those beat!

Love this mascara.  Again I've tried many and keep coming back to Maybelline Lash Discovery.  The tiny brush really picks up every lash--even my short stubby ones.

Just started using Bare Minerals makeup, thanks to a friend.  I have really oily skin and nothing stays on and looks good for long--but this makeup does.  Love the way it looks and while it's on the expensive side, a little goes a long way.

And finally, this is a wonderful (if there is such a thing) paint brush!  It's Wooster Finish Factor and is available at Lowe's for about $5.  You can't tell much from the picture, but let me tell you, this little guy is awesome.  The handle is the best part--it's short and made of rubber, easy to grip and comfortable.  My hand didn't cramp at all using this brush.   One thing I hate is to clean paintbrushes and rollers, but I will happily clean this one for as long as it lasts!

 

So there you have it--some of my favorite things.  What're some of yours?

hmmmm

I'm perplexed.  I'm looking at my bedroom and it doesn't look any different.  Ugly border is gone, wall color is MUCH better (love that Wilmington Tan), and new bedding is on the bed.  But since we put the furniture back in the same place (for now), it doesn't look much different.   And apparently I'm pretty boring, cuz the new bedding is a lot like the old.  Maybe I should chuck it all and go with something totally out of character.  Nah, I do have to sleep there!  Still don't have stuff on the walls, but will post pictures soon. 

I'm afraid I've built this up so much, you'll be let down.  Maybe we should talk about something else...

A Minor Setback

Painting done (except those pesky baseboards--oh, well, I'll get to them someday)


No pictures yet--still don't have stuff back on the walls.  In the next day or so though, I promise.  I wound up putting the furniture back in the same places.  We have to have nightstands--and putting the bed in the corner didn't allow enough room.  I'm on the lookout for a bookcase type headboard now--unless one of you handy dandy ladies want to make me one... ;-)


Getting sick.  Sore throat, sneezing, headache.  I can't be sick--Thanksgiving is next week and I've got too much to do!!  Who do I see to complain?

FAQ

Totally stealing this from Erin at Just a Day in the Life of This Mommy...


A fun questionnaire so you'll have even more useless information about me.  Here goes!


1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while your blogging?  Diet Mt Dew, what else!

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without? electricity--so boring when the power goes out

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
 mountains--love the seasons and snow

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty? dishes. i also hate putting away groceries

5. Who do people say you remind them of? a columnist--Kathleen somebody

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the fam? staying home, for sure--i'm asocial

7. What's your all time favorite movie?  i don't know if i have just one.  love The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Gone With the Wind, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?
wash it off every night

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it? no hidden talents i can think of.  would love to learn to shoot a pistol

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at? can't think of anything 'strange'

11. What first attracted you to your spouse? he was a huge flirt (and still is)

12. What is something you love to smell? fresh cut grass

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
I say what I mean and mean what I say. I am a little blunt sometimes and honest. And that does not work for some people.

14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?
usually something for the house

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? loud

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?  Lowes or Hobby Lobby

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time? exercise--i have the time, i just don't take the time

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?  spender

19. Who is your favorite character of all time?  Scarlett O'Hara

20. Would you want to be famous?  nope, though i wouldn't mind the money

Motivate Me Monday

Make sure you link up with Lauren for Motivate Me Monday!

Here's the drill:  read my post, leave a sweet comment, then click that link to visit Lauren.  You should link your own post, then we can visit you and we'll motivate each other!  It's easy, peasy, lemon squeezy!

Another Monday.  I'm actually starting to like Mondays.  My favorite season is spring, because everything seems to be waking up and coming to life.  It seems like a renewal of life.  Mondays kind of have that same effect on me.  Unless it's raining.  Or cloudy.  Dreary.  But that's another post.

And to tell the truth, the last part of that paragraph above is a good segue (love that word) into my goal for this week.  Which will probably become one of those continuous, unwritten, but still working on it goals.

I need to adjust my attitude.

I've become aware recently that I tend to be a rather negative person.  Some of you are laughing because this is not news to you.  I can deal with that.  I guess I've stuck my head in the sand and not wanted to notice.  Because that would mean change.  And I don't like change.

However, I also don't like to be around negative people and I'm starting to get on my own nerves.  I've always tended to have a smart mouth quick wit and am not afraid to make sarcastic cynical interesting comments.  But now I find myself looking for the bad rather than the good.  I don't like having people over to the house and get rather snarky when Darrell extends invitations.  I always wind up having a good time, so why the avoidance?

Anyway, my goal for the week is to be more like Thumper.  If I can't say something nice, I won't say anything.  I'll smile more and be more pleasant to be around.  And for those of you who know me, I give you permission to call me on this should I stumble.

I just hope my head doesn't explode before the week's over!

Met Monday

Today I'm linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday.  Make sure you visit her wonderful blog--she's one of my favorites (even if she does have the bedroom of my dreams and I'm totally jealous).  And visit the other lovely ladies to see what they've been up to.

Some of you may remember this beauty we picked up at the local ReStore.  It was in desperate need of some TLC and we were searching for something to use as a buffet. 

I think we're all happier now

 

A couple of coats of black paint, a few wicker baskets, tile from the ReStore and we're all set!  Total cost was only about $75!

Looky, Looky!!

Barb at Bella Vista is celebrating her 200th post!  And we're getting the gift!  What's she giving away?  Well, you'll have to go click on that link to find out!  Believe me, it's worth it!

Oh, No, He Didn't!

It's that time of the month.  After more than 33 years of marriage, you'd think Darrell would know better.  However, yesterday, in what was obviously a major lapse in judgment, he said to me, "I changed my Facebook status to read--thank goodness menstrual cycles only come around once a month".  


To which I replied " you don't even know how to spell menstrual."    


He's lucky.  This time.

Something to Think About

My friend Laura posted this today.  Very thought provoking for everyone.

The Power of Positives
by Sherrie Mills Johnson
You are all familiar with the verse in Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” It is so true. Many an argument can be averted if one party resorts to soft words. But there is a principle behind these words that extends the wisdom of this verse to so many other areas of our lives. The principle is that given enough time a positive will always overcome a negative. By positive I mean the good things such as kindness, love, hope, generosity, empathy, and consideration. By negative I mean the bad things such as hate, envy, anger, and unkindness. The thing that confuses us is that often we resort to negative responses because they seem to work faster. If we yell loud enough or are angry enough we intimidate others into doing what we want them to do faster. But if you’ve ever had someone make you do something by yelling or getting angry at you, you know that while you may do what they want, you don’t feel good about it. Their actions generate bad feelings in you. In essence the rule is that negatives generate more negatives. While using a negative may get immediate results eventually the negative feelings will come out in negative ways.But if we take the time to use love, gentleness, and kindness it may take more time but it creates positive feelings in both parties. If we use our imagination and are patient, we can find positive ways to deal with any problem. The very best example of the principle “If given enough time a positive will overcome a negative” is the Atonement. Eventually the Atonement (the most positive thing that has ever happened) will overcome all negatives (sin, death, disease, sorrow, hurt, etc.).

So take time to find a positive response to any situation and see what happens in your life!

Color, color, almost on the wall!

I know you've been waiting with baited (bated?) breath--wanting to know what color we'd choose for the bedroom. We sampled Sugar Wafer (too light). Fresh Biscotti (same as living room). Garden Wall (supposed to have a hint of green but looked like dirt on the wall). Coffee House (again with the dirt). 

This is what one wall looks like.  The large patch is Garden Wall, the small one in the middle is Fresh Biscotti, and the bottom patch is Coffee House.  You may even be able to see a small patch of Sugar Wafer next to the Biscotti.  Are you noticing a theme with food here?

 

 Here's another (Garden Wall)

Do ya see any green??

One thing is obvious--I stink at picking wall color!  So I've waved a white flag and chose Benjamin Moore's Wilmington Tan.  It is widely used by one of the blogs I follow--though just which one escapes me at the moment--sorry.  If you know, please refresh my memory!

Painting begins next week!  

And that awesome giveaway will follow soon after!  Stay tuned!

Decisions, Decisions

Thank You!

Today is Veteran's Day

and I'd like to take this opportunity to say

thank you

to my dear husband,

 my father,

my Uncle Bob,
my father-in-law,

and countless others who have served our country.

And a very special thank you to those who are serving today

and for those who wait for them.

I'm Getting Excited....

...and nervous.  I bought something a few days ago I haven't bought since high school--and we're not gonna talk about how long ago THAT was.  Graph paper.  Or as my daughter calls it: grid paper.  Never heard of grid paper.  Anybody else?  Am I that old?

Anyway, bought the paper, then was afraid to use it.  Numbers are not my friends.  Especially when they include fractions, and those little symbols (little x's and the dashes with dots above and below).  Don't even get me started on letters being involved!  It's like cats and dogs--they're not supposed to intermingle!

Yesterday I got brave and took out my graph (not grid) paper and a measuring tape.  Measured my bedroom.  Figured out where doors and windows went.  Measured the furniture.  Went to my dusty, trusty calculator and figured out all those dimensions.  More or less.  I figure--as the saying goes--it's close enough for government work.  Then I proceeded to arrange my furniture the way I'm hoping it will go after painting.  And it looks like it will!!  Yea!  Except for those pesky nightstands (which I don't really like anyway).  I'll probably make them work since they provide lots of storage.  I've never done furniture arranging like this before (it's the math phobia) and I have to admit I'm quite proud of myself.  I may have to frame this guy!

Whatcha think??

A Fabulous Giveaway!

I'm telling ya, it must be that time of year.  Giveaways abound and I stumbled onto a great one over at My Domestic Bliss.  I would tell you to go see what she's giving away, but that would lessen my chances of winning.  And I reeeeeaallly want to win this one.  Forget I said that--it was the little devil on my shoulder.  The angel on my other shoulder is telling me to share.  So I will.  

Motivate Me Monday

 

Good Monday to you!

Hope you are having an absolutely wonderful day.  I am--but don't ask me why.  Maybe just still feeling the love from the weekend.  AND it's not raining.  In fact, the sun is out and the temp is a sweet 70 degrees.  Hang on while I go smash the crap out of a fly buzzing my head!  Shoot, I missed him, but he'll be back to mock me, I'm sure.

Where was I?  Oh, yeah, rubbing it in bragging telling you about the wonderful autumn weather here in the South.  

GOT HIM!

Last week my goal was to strive for a better, closer relationship with one of my children.  I truly feel like I'm succeeding in that goal.  Of course, it's not a quick fix and won't be changed overnight.  But our conversations last week were longer and better.  Better isn't the word I'm looking for, so I went to thesaurus.com for alternatives.  Some of the suggestions I think apply: finer, greater, higher quality, and (my favorite) more desirable.  I will admit to times when I had to bite my tongue.  I always want to jump in and offer advice where none has been sought.  Or I'm quick to tell her what I'd do.  I've finally realized she's sometimes just looking to vent, not necessarily solutions.

My goal this week is to continue on this path.  Whether I say so here or not, this will be a goal every week.  Oh, and to answer Lauren's comment from last week, I do have specifics in mind.  I just didn't want to post them here.

Also this week I'm going to strive for better eating habits.  For months now, I've been trying to lose ten pounds.  Ten measly little pounds.  But I haven't really been committed.  Today's the day to make that commitment!  Before Lauren can ask, here are my specifics:  eat a good breakfast, limit snacking and sugar, drink more water, and try to cut out fried foods.  (This may be the hardest thing to do--remember we fry everything in the South!)

So, how about you?  What are you going to work on this week?  Y'all need to get in on this with us and link up with Lauren at Long Winded Lauren.  It's more fun with lots of people.  You know how to link up, don't you?  If I can do it, anyone can!  

Come on--what are you waiting for??

False Alarm

Thanks for the well wishes, guys.  Must have just been too little sleep the night before.  Or else that Alka Seltzer Plus is a wonder drug (which my mother swears is true).  After 8+ hours of sleep, I was a new woman.  Had a wonderful morning at church and a long, lazy afternoon with my sweetie. 

Life is good.

Keep Your Fingers Crossed

I'm feeling achy and really tired.  Let's hope it's not the dreaded flu!  Just took an Alka Seltzer Plus--nasty tasting stuff, but usually does the trick.  Keep your fingers crossed for me that it's just that I got up too early for yard sales--which were great by the way!  Will post pics soon of what I can--some are gifts and will have to wait till after Christmas.

Shout Hooray!!

Yea!!  The wallpaper border is history!  And I survived.  It's amazing how much larger the room looks and feels now.  My plan is to move everything out next week, fill nail holes, etc, and get the walls painted before next Friday!  Cross your fingers!

Oh, and when I'm done, I'm gonna have a fabulous 
giveaway!!  Stay tuned!

TCM Alert

Two great movies on TCM this morning:  Waterloo Bridge and That Hamilton Woman. 

Love Vivien Leigh!!

An Open Letter

Dear Sadists who hung the wallpaper in my house:

Well, I hope you are satisfied.  You have succeeded in bringing a grown woman to her knees--not once, but four times now.  And it'll happen one more time before all is said and done; there's still that border in the guest bedroom.  I can only imagine your gleeful Chesire cat smile as you slapped wallpaper up on an unprimed wall.  Do you know what happens when you put wallpaper directly onto unpainted wallboard?  Nothing, I guess, until someone tries to remove that wallpaper.  And if said wallpaper is a lovely shiny vinyl material from the 70s, so much the better.  Ever used a steamer to remove this type of wallpaper?  It sssttrreettcchheess.  And it takes the wallboard with it.  A small bath which should have only taken a couple of hours took days.  And because the walls were so damaged, I had to repaper to cover the mess.

Then there's the other bathroom.  Not quite as bad as the first, but bad enough.  I'm sure you had nothing to do with the wallpaper in one of the bedrooms.  You couldn't have.  It came off in sheets--like properly applied wallpaper should.

Today I started removing the border in my bedroom.  With my fingers crossed and my heart in my throat, I found a seam and pulled--hoping against hope that it would come off in large strips.  But of course not,  What did you use to apply this stuff--Gorilla Glue?  Liquid Nails?  After two hours, I only had two walls done.  My neck and shoulders insisted I wait till tomorrow to attempt the other walls.  If I can raise my arms, that is.

To give you an idea of what I'm up against, here are a few pictures.  Enjoy!  Oh, and while I'm thinking of it, I apologize for the names I called you and for the terrible things I wished upon you and yours.  All is forgiven--until tomorrow when I start up again!

the ugly dated border that doesn't match my decor

a closeup so the ugliness can be better appreciated

a few of the pieces I was able to peel off--I used a couple of household items for size comparison

the tools I finally resorted to

sort of a before, during, and after (reading right to left)

Signed,
Wallpaper is from Satan--I don't care what anyone says!

I Win, But I Wish I Hadn't

I realized today that I not only qualify for--I've hands down won--the award for the country's the world's worst ever wife.  Today is November 3, four days after my husband's birthday.  And I never mentioned it here.  Now that in itself might not be a bad thing, IF I hadn't done this or this or this.  How about this one?  Or this one?  And again. And lastly this.

I let my sweetheart's birthday pass without even saying a word.  In my defense, he was off that day and we spent it together.  Instead of blogging about him, I was having fun with him.  Still, I've managed to at least acknowledge each family member's birthday so far this year.  And I let the most important person's slip by.  I owe him an apology--though being the person he is, he'll disagree. Too bad--to paraphrase Leslie Gore: it's my blog and I'll apologize if I want to.  But this isn't about me--it's about him.

Picture this:  Tennessee, 1972.  My best friend Renea is having her 14th birthday party.  I'm there with my boyfriend.  But also there visiting Renea's older brother is this really cute older guy whom I know to be a popular football player at the local high school.  My little boyfriend gets left behind as I follow the football hunk around all evening.  He keeps glancing over his shoulder with this perplexed look on his face--probably wondering who this strange stalker is!  Of course, nothing came of this encounter.  He was a senior in high school after all with no time for a lowly little 8th grader.

Fast forward to 1975.  I'm now a senior in high school, president of one of the clubs.  Me and several other club members are at our teacher's home decorating for homecoming.  I didn't know at the time that Darrell was a good friend of my teacher's husband and was upstairs visiting.  Hearing all the commotion downstairs, he asked what was going on.  Mike (the husband) told him about our activities and told Darrell to "go down there and pick you out one".  So the two of them head downstairs to see what we're up to.  Renea was still my best friend and having known Darrell for years, had no qualms about flirting with him.  I didn't know him, but I was always up for flirting with a cute guy, so I did.  After a bit, Darrell and Mike went back upstairs where Mike asked him which one he'd picked.  Darrell told him he'd picked me--but I was too young.  Yeah.  That didn't stop him from calling Renea the next day and asking for my phone number.  Our first date was Christmas Eve 1975.  We were engaged about three weeks later.  (Have I ever mentioned how impulsive I can be?)

We were married April 10, 1976 (my spring break).  Darrell was in the army and had received orders for Italy.  We needed to be married, so I could get my paperwork together to go with him.

We've had good times, bad times, financially difficult times, absolutely wonderful times.  We've raised four children together and are now enjoying the benefits of being grandparents.  I thank my Heavenly Father every single day for bringing Darrell and me together.

Darrell is an amazing man--someone I'd like to be like when I grow up.  He's kind, big-hearted, generous, and thoughtful.  He can fix just about anything.  He works hard at a job he's not very crazy about so that I can stay home.  He pampers me and spoils me and makes all other men pale in comparison.

I love this man more than I thought I was capable of.  He is everything and more I could ever want in a husband.  I look back on our years together and am so very grateful.  I look ahead to the future and am excited at the prospect of growing old with him.  I look into his eyes and see eternity.

Happy birthday, sweetheart.  Every day and forever.

A Giveaway A Day!

See that button over there on the right? ----------------->>>>>

It's for a great giveaway over at Blue Cricket Design.  Though it'll lessen my chances, go on over and see what she's got to offer.  And make sure to visit every day this week to see what other goodies are in store!

NaBloPoMo

Did you know November is National Blog Posting Month (aka NaBloPoMo).  All you have to do is post every day this month!  Now if I was a really good blogger, this would have been posted Saturday--or at least yesterday--so you wouldn't have missed a day!  Sorry bout that.  Maybe if you post twice today, it'll still count....

Motivate Me Monday

It's a new day and a new week.  And boy am I glad last week is over!  I made my goal of not going to Goodwill or any yard sales--and it was hard!  Especially when I went to the stores in the same shopping center as GW.  I was really proud of myself for resisting though.

AND I worked out 3 days.  Yea, me!

So this week I've decided to work on a goal that's really been on my mind lately.  My relationship with one of my children is not what I would like it to be.  Too many times, I've blamed it on her.  You know--if she'd listen to me, things would be so much easier.  If she'd do what I tell her, we'd all be happy.  It couldn't possibly be MY fault!  You know the drill. 

Then this weekend, as I was praying about this particular subject, it became glaringly clear just how much of our situation is my doing.  Now maybe this sounds arrogant to you.  It does to me, too.  I don't think I started out that way.  It kind of just happened without me knowing it.  My goal this week is to repent of my know-it-all attitude, as well as my critical and judgmental nature toward this child.  I haven't walked in her shoes and we rarely know how we'll react in any given situation until we're actually IN that situation.  My goal is to be more loving and compassionate, less critical.  Do you know the old saying about God giving us two ears and only one mouth?  Apparently we are meant to listen twice as much as we speak!

I don't know if said child reads this blog.  If she does, I hope she'll realize I'm trying harder.  And I hope this time next week I'll be reporting to you about a closer relationship.

Link up with Lauren at Long Winded Lauren!  Come on, people--let's get this thing going and help each other get and stay motivated!!