tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65308329477036773752024-03-05T10:23:03.854-06:00Living Life Southern StyleShaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-73570356136553166132014-09-01T17:08:00.000-05:002014-09-01T17:08:03.236-05:00Accolades, Awards and Awe<span style="font-size: large;">Oh my have I ever been out of it! When I decided I needed to get serious about getting back on the blogging horse today and opened my blog I was shocked to see just how long it had been. This summer has flown by! It is September 1st and this post should have been late May at the worst. Lots of life has been happening that has kept me off balance and not feeling very bloggy. Better late than never I suppose. Keep that in mind when reading this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another week has come and past which means we are nearer and nearer Graduation Day for Mini. Her schedule for the past month has been insane and we have had one event after another. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are so proud of her and all her accomplishments. I am trying to focus on those things and not weep continually! Each time we attended a Banquet or Ceremony we learn more and more about the young woman we are proud to call our daughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago we attended the Academic Awards Banquet where she accepted 6 different academic awards. She will graduate 9th in her class and plans a career in Civil Engineering. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The teacher that presented her with her Journalism Department award also gave her a very nice gift. Isn't that the sweetest thing? To know you have special children is awesome but to see their impact on others is amazing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This post is now old news but I still have to share. Mini's graduation came and with it all the bumps you would expect with the year that we have experienced. We were planning a small graduation party for graduation night. The weather for the week called for only a slight chance of a shower on graduation day so we were not overly worried about her party. May weather in Tennessee is historically very mild, not too hot or cold and rain is <em><strong>usually</strong></em> either with a front that moves quickly or very light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The closer the day came the more the chance of rain. By Wednesday night before graduation on Thursday as I drove to the airport to retrieve the Big Dumb Jock in a blinding rain, I began to think we <em><strong>might</strong></em> have a problem. We had already honed the guest list since we were having a huge 18th birthday party in June, so if push came to shove we could move indoors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Graduation Day dawned <strong><em>WET</em></strong> and <strong><em>FREEZING COLD</em></strong>. Not since the Big Dumb Jock's college graduation 3 years ago, had I seen temperatures that low in May! I'm thinking graduations may not be our finest hour. Even Mini, who has been a tower of strength during what has been an <b><i>incredibly</i></b> trying year for our family, after sitting in wet chairs for graduation practice for 2 hours had wavering hope and little patience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By noon the rain was moderating so we bundled up, prayed for warmer temps and began the outdoor décor. We literally turned on the fireplace inside so we could run in and warm up from time to time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Slowly it began to come together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yVU9_YYkndq2VZqcdbHrE_Mxk3OVsiHTdxKIzPWdhKYBRnzottaTdYTSP3JOuM1x6_eCe1XCr3U8XsFVPlZIdh-XqOppVBW-LURaQQ_hoCpxVobmmntrE89EH6etftJrM6WwA5K_5Qx1/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yVU9_YYkndq2VZqcdbHrE_Mxk3OVsiHTdxKIzPWdhKYBRnzottaTdYTSP3JOuM1x6_eCe1XCr3U8XsFVPlZIdh-XqOppVBW-LURaQQ_hoCpxVobmmntrE89EH6etftJrM6WwA5K_5Qx1/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, mid-afternoon the rain let up and the sun began to peek out. Sadly though the temperatures were never going to be warm enough to comfortably have the party outside at 10 pm. So, we quickly tried to piece together some decoration in house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ended up creating what looked like shrines!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The board from Senior night in church was quickly put back into service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were able to put a banner designed for outside in and we stole a few tissue balls from the hut decor to make the dining room more festive.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-YUIZYRmHeMmmCmqmFFy4tTcYm9dNoIjYfE1W4nNOUKca2h6pbl2RtVPkRiY5OkgsO7K8zISYdcWcOH0uxdEe00f9yFc5ke-LXD3_SOiPfK1BWtjvYaBe7ByZjk5PC_3TdbQeddv-o6a/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-YUIZYRmHeMmmCmqmFFy4tTcYm9dNoIjYfE1W4nNOUKca2h6pbl2RtVPkRiY5OkgsO7K8zISYdcWcOH0uxdEe00f9yFc5ke-LXD3_SOiPfK1BWtjvYaBe7ByZjk5PC_3TdbQeddv-o6a/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sun finally began to peak out late in the day so we were able to take some outdoor photos and not worry about dressing for a monsoon during the graduation ceremony. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here is the proud graduate. Hard to believe this little bitty lady is old enough to graduate much less hold so much knowledge in her tiny little noggin! She had so many honors cords I believe she walked stooped over!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took advantage of the chance for a family picture, those times don't happen often these days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1103524856"></span><span id="goog_1103524857">Wonder Hubby and I used to sit at graduation ceremonies and marvel at those kids that received award after award. We always tried to figure out how in the world those kids had time to do all the things that were touted at graduation. We found out who those kids are and how they do it that May evening after hearing Mini's name called over and over for one award or another. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh here they come.....and I was so shook up already I ended up taking this video instead of a photo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECC40m_adcuRXRHRT-Z6t5niMKX_H4JMqw-tJAfDV0Lyrts0uQ5yh04Qp0Iw4zMVBQ804ekhoHOiGoYAU68Lh9S6CSf9q_6omIgYkXzdMKkpmRtsUcvhZRAvj4G19tFQeGki8GAPhsDVq/s1600/DSC_0094.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECC40m_adcuRXRHRT-Z6t5niMKX_H4JMqw-tJAfDV0Lyrts0uQ5yh04Qp0Iw4zMVBQ804ekhoHOiGoYAU68Lh9S6CSf9q_6omIgYkXzdMKkpmRtsUcvhZRAvj4G19tFQeGki8GAPhsDVq/s1600/DSC_0094.MOV" height="356" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bless her heart, knowing I can't see squat anymore she waved to make it easier....of course she couldn't do a thing about me blurring everything.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZi93kNucu6JIJlbwarczjAPkmmpLs5kMza8D-XUb1aKslSoA05-sYd-xPQ9d_09Mnb5lxG69mPWWh4G7F1YYyVBs6ljPL4mhq4Tj_tP2XC4aUfgQ6GDEDATboUJ8d1lwLNV6S25IeT_-/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZi93kNucu6JIJlbwarczjAPkmmpLs5kMza8D-XUb1aKslSoA05-sYd-xPQ9d_09Mnb5lxG69mPWWh4G7F1YYyVBs6ljPL4mhq4Tj_tP2XC4aUfgQ6GDEDATboUJ8d1lwLNV6S25IeT_-/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still waving so I can find her!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We call Hope Mini for a reason. When I was looking at the picture below I burst out laughing. She is standing up and the rest are sitting and she is just a bit taller! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I don't know if it was my eyesight or tears but I had many blurry pictures so ya'll just bear with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The big moment finally arrives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I blew the hat toss photo completely, thankfully Spare daughter and the Big Dumb Jock both caught the moment and have it safely tucked away in their possession, lest I destroy it. You get the idea though, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then it was over. Just like that, twelve long years of anticipation and lots of hard work done, over, finished.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Believe it or not the cold worked in my favor. Everyone was freezing so we needed to hurry home, light the fireplace and begin the party, so I was unable to linger and cry more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guest were greeted with a lighted balloon arch. I think Mini and I did okay on this after thought idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite a brisk wind and freezing temps, Mini would not be denied her Graduation Party in the hut!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are so very proud of all her accomplishments and can't wait to see how God chooses to use her life. Now I only have to prepare myself for her turning 18 and heading off to college.</span></div>
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<br />Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-19160887954153642692014-05-11T10:55:00.001-05:002014-05-11T10:55:41.101-05:00Another Big Mini Moment<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a busy week here in our little corner of the South. Mini's schedule was crazy as usual and so was ours. Much of the busy buzz was arranging our schedules to take in all that is Senior Prom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was so thankful that Saturday was a beautiful day! Last year, prom day was a soggy mess that held our photo ops to a minimum. Much to Mini's chagrin that was not the case this year! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you don't know Mini personally you need to know that she is not fussy at all. In fact, she jokes that she is really a man. Oh she cleans up nicely, and is always sporting one adorable thrift store gleaned outfit or another but she is not big on spending a lot of time on girl stuff. She doesn't believe in paying to have her hair or nails done and prom was no exception. She was amazed that girls were at the beauty salons and beginning to get ready for a 8 pm prom at 8 am. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She lolled about until 1 before she started preparation (which was really early for her to start in her opinion). Bless her heart she spent two hours crafting her hairstyle and makeup and then slipped into her prom dress just in time to head out for photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her prom dress was purchased a year ago on Ebay! Who does that? She didn't have a worry one about it not looking right or fitting (what is that like?). The prom theme was old Hollywood and she went with a vintage look. I am so thankful that she is such a classy young lady. We didn't have to worry about what she would choose to wear being to revealing....modest was her motto.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think she pulled it all together nicely and looked beautiful, if I do say so myself.</span></div>
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<span id="goog_947142223"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh how I love a wrist corsage....they are just so special and sweet!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They are the cutest couple and they don't take themselves too seriously, which will serve them well in life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my favorite memory from the day. Wonder Hubby and I went to prom at 11 p.m. (guess they didn't realize we are too old for that) to see the Senior Walk and Wonder Hubby and Mini danced. It was super sweet and I will remember it forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The following week was Greg's senior prom. Mini and Greg both wore the same outfits, because they are practical that way but Mini debuted an updo that she did quite well with. She also wore another sweet wrist corsage. Her corsage from Prom 1 was too large for her arm so being the thoughtful young man that he is, Greg had the florist make Prom 2's corsage with velcro so it is a perfect fit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Prom 2 Mini went with a classy updo. I think she did a great job. What really made is special? The combs she wore in her hair were the same combs I wore to my Senior Prom wayyyyyy back when so they were true vintage to match the dress!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for stopping by and walking down memory lane with me.</span></div>
Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-13637176995522321612014-04-15T20:34:00.002-05:002014-04-15T20:34:26.128-05:00The Long, Bumpy, & Blessed Road Back<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello all! It has been a looooong time and a whole lot of life going on since I last posted, but, just like falling off a horse, I think it is time for me to get back on and blog again. I can't believe that it is Easter week already and yet we may have a few flurries! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So when we last visited I was already suffering with some blog fog (<i>more like crazy hormone fog</i>) and was slacking badly on blogging. At that time my biggest concerns were angling to get the BDJ to move to this side of the country, moping around and dreading Mini heading to college next fall, and spending countless hours reading reviews in preparation for buying a new camera. Boy, what a difference a few months makes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The week before Thanksgiving I was making the most of some beautiful fall days, thanking God for those beautiful days and praying that I could get through them physically. I took a few days off and spent some days raking leaves and working in the yard. It was a slow go. I continually had to take breaks and couldn't figure out why. I slogged through the yard work and helped Wonder Hubby lay a new wood floor in my Coastal bedroom before returning to work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I headed back to work on the Monday before Thanksgiving excited that I had managed to clean up the yard, and precook quite a bit of our Thanksgiving dinner as well as finally narrowing my camera options to two. The plan was cleaning on Wednesday in preparation for the family on Thursday, enjoying Thanksgiving with the family, getting most of the Christmas decor up and of course getting that camera on Friday! That was the plan. You know what they say about the best laid plans......</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit here that I can be kind of <strike>dense</strike> ostrich-like when I choose to be and for a couple of months I had been <b><i>making like an ostrich</i></b> and playing the game of denying that there seemed to be something in my abdomen area that wasn't normal. I also can be<b><i> very mind over matter </i></b>so I had decided to just do that....I would<b><i> will it not to be there</i></b>. I made the dreaded doctors appointment for the Tuesday after Turkey day...cause you know I was not going to let this whatever it was mess with <i style="font-weight: bold;">my</i> plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>That worked well until it didn't</i></b> anymore and after a <i style="font-weight: bold;">long</i> Thanksgiving week with lots of pain and not being able to accomplish anything I had planned, a visit to my doctor was welcome. I don't know what I was thinking other than the fact that since I could no longer wear pants they were <i style="font-weight: bold;">probably</i> going to have to do something to fix that, but I wasn't thinking that a mere 15 hours later I would be in an emergency surgery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, I had time to go pack and feed the dog and that is about it. My doctor (who by the way I love to argue with) <b><i>just didn't see my point of view</i></b> on waiting a week so I could Christmas shop and decorate. No...he whisked me right to the front of the line,<b><i> he is polite like that don't ya know</i></b>. I had an emergency hysterectomy on December 4th, they fixed up all my girl issues and found lots of goodies that I should not have been carrying around and took care of those too. Thankfully it all happened so quickly there was no time to fret about any of it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BDJ was very helpful telling me what fun the Morphine pump would be....so I looked forward to that until it was determined that Morphine makes me very, very sick! I was to be in the hospital for 2 days afterword but after a long and painful night I decided I could be miserable at home and this time my doctor<b><i> let me win </i></b>and sent me home after 23 hrs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next couple of weeks I had to do something I don't do well, let others do for me. Thank goodness for my family because they took care of everything. Because Wonder Hubby's schedule had him leaving for work in wee hours of the morning, Mini would set her alarm to get up and get my meds and anything else I needed. She was a full time caregiver when she wasn't at school or work. BDJ came home for Christmas several days early to help out and Spare Daughter was good with meds and monitoring me since she is in her final semester of nursing school. I had lots of help and received some very pretty flowers to enjoy when I wasn't too drugged!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mini surprised me a couple days after my surgery by managing to decorate 3 trees and put up all the Christmas decorations while I was in a drug induced slumber. She will never know what that meant to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did virtually all our Christmas shopping online. Wonder Hubby and I did stop for a wee bit of shopping after a doctors visit the week of Christmas. That little outing took care of my feeling that I was missing out on that <b><i>"holiday shopping experience</i></b>" and completely wore me out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The few days before Christmas we managed to finish up the family tree....wrapping finished up about 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve. I never quit trying to act like I was completely healed, in fact, I worked on the gifts I had planned for friends two days after surgery. They were a little project I had seen on Pinterest and I passed them out along with a note that explained "results may vary based on the amount of narcotics in my system at the time of production!" I think they turned out great...below are some in progress shots, I guess I was a little too loopy to shoot the finished product. Just picture sets of 4 tied with pretty ribbon and made with love! lol </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids did a lot of cooking and I even felt up to a little candy making..<b><i>.although I did rely on a stool in the kitchen</i></b>! </span></div>
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<b><i>Best of all I saw a lot of this......</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids decided to host Christmas as would be normal and everyone pitched in with food. I think I will have them handle this every year from here on out since everybody brought <b><i>way more food</i></b> than it normal! You literally couldn't even sample everything there was so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite all the craziness, Christmas was wonderful. After getting the no cancer diagnosis and getting through the surgery I was feeling more thankful than ever to celebrate Christmas with my family. It was my kind of Christmas too....it took 14 hours start to finish to open all the gifts! Yes! Indulge me a little since I haven't yet shared any Christmas photos!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>I wish there was music I could put here that would create the set up for the drama that continued to unfold in our lives because the next 3 1/2 months deserve dramatic music, but I will just have to explain it all.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the New Year I was feeling much better and The Nana, Mini, my MIL and I all headed out for a day of shopping. It was a wonderful day....I was so glad to get dressed and out of the house. By that weekend I was beginning to think this post surgical life might just be awesome...then the rug was pulled out from under us. Wonder Hubby lost his job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The man has had 3 jobs in the 30 years I have known him, so this really threw us for a loop! The stages of this adventure are tons of fun! It is strange, this job was a job he took because at the time the hours worked to allow him to be able to attend our son's college football games. It was never intended that he be there long term and we had talked<b><i> A LOT</i></b> in the past year about it being time to make the change but when it isn't your choice it is a shock. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the month of January was spent looking for a new job and starting a new job. It was also the first time the signs of a <b><i>very sudden</i></b> menopause became very apparent as well as a month, January also brought the death of a sweet uncle to cancer. Very sudden as he found out only a week and a half before he passed away. January was also the month Mini's car began to have a sick transmission. All of these events delayed my healing and I ended up being out of work five weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I returned to work mid-January to a very busy travel booking season. February was month one of the new job and a<b><i> very different </i></b>schedule and was a challenge to the whole family. It was also so cold and gloomy the whole month it was hard to stay positive. The fact that Mini's car with in and out of the shop 4 times and we were constantly arranging rides was frustrating as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were several moderately unbelievable events here and there in January and February including a close call on my convention oven, a tire issue on my car that required 2 new tires about 10,000 miles early, a leaking toilet line that should have been fixed in a half an hour but was complicated and lasted 3 days. How about an ice storm that did some tree damage, the refrigerator trying to die <i style="font-weight: bold;">again, </i>Mini doing an about face on her college decision and the biggie....Wonder Hubby having a wreck in his parents car!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes March too was heavy on drama. Thankfully from the ashes some good has come. I was offered the opportunity to move back into my previous job as an travel consultant (oh yes....I am very, very excited about that one) and Mini chose her college. With the new job has come lots and lots of studying and lots of brainstorming but I truly do love travel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder Hubby has managed to find a car, the in-laws car is almost out of the shop and thankfully the sun has begun to appear on a fairly regular basis again! lol I am beginning to feel like a better version of me with a few meno ups and downs but not nearly the hormone and pain filled existence I had before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow.....I know there is more but truthfully I think I blocked quite a bit of it all! We seem to be coming out of the fog and are on the road to better times. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> We have learned and grown tremendously during this time and that is what we are focusing on.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whew, I am so glad to have this post done so that I can move on to posting about some fun stuff!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by and reading about our 4 1/2 month adventure in our little corner of the South! </span></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-36280513267972823302013-11-05T19:00:00.000-06:002013-11-05T19:43:42.925-06:00Blessings<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Although I spend <strong><em>way more time</em></strong> on Facebook than I should, I somehow missed the memo on Thankful November. I finally put it together this morning after days of seeing posts about being thankful. I just thought people suddenly had woken up and</span> <span style="font-size: large;">realized how truly blessed there were! Silly me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I didn't get on that bandwagon, I decided to write a quick post that gives an overview of my little corner of the world and all the blessings we have and have experienced to be thankful for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last month Mini was on fall break and Wonder Hubby and I took vacation time. Other than our family vacation in the summer we are rarely ever all off at the same time. We planned a few activities, antiquing, visiting colleges and seeing a movie (yes, that is a big deal around here, Wonder Hubby and I just never seem to get to the movies). It was a <strong><em>glorious </em></strong>9 days. I truly mean that, I told both Wonder Hubby and Mini I don't know when I have enjoyed our time as much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although Mini has been accepted to several different colleges (more blessings) she had not yet heard from the college she was most interested in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are pictures of the first couple of acceptances (then she lost interest in me taking pictures!).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizK-m0uz8PAr1DZsVdgXNatX5tnVwH7Hf_qY96MqBz-UthDZTOO2UYvoESXl_jzgLhhIof4jTulewU8cuU3E2zSrTBFSDbvdYe5vR8tlMs-hR35PnLpaZ-eipKUha2EQWRIE1Q6xDgBgah/s1600/P1060337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizK-m0uz8PAr1DZsVdgXNatX5tnVwH7Hf_qY96MqBz-UthDZTOO2UYvoESXl_jzgLhhIof4jTulewU8cuU3E2zSrTBFSDbvdYe5vR8tlMs-hR35PnLpaZ-eipKUha2EQWRIE1Q6xDgBgah/s400/P1060337.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Acceptance!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Part of vacation week we planned a visit to her college of choice. It turned out to be a beautiful day here in Tennessee for a 3 1/2 hour drive there and the tour. I didn't photo journal the visit, I just tried to actually live in the moment. After the tour we met with her recruiter and she was told of her <strong><em>acceptance</em></strong>.....and let me take pictures.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdkSEoTeZvSEsDhyphenhyphenSVL0lZ_9LjKh-kB88qfRTEkE_Lfr8wBjacXdqK1HIZi1oXN_7_R7CFMiehwBrHelcKKtpE-KrrxeAIBXRzXBHe15W4EJBOpuzErHcGZizH6HMg254yM29UCjKlCAX/s1600/P1060460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdkSEoTeZvSEsDhyphenhyphenSVL0lZ_9LjKh-kB88qfRTEkE_Lfr8wBjacXdqK1HIZi1oXN_7_R7CFMiehwBrHelcKKtpE-KrrxeAIBXRzXBHe15W4EJBOpuzErHcGZizH6HMg254yM29UCjKlCAX/s320/P1060460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think she may have been a bit overdramatic for pictures, but she was very happy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also took a day and drove into Kentucky to do a little antiquing. We all enjoy digging through junk for treasure.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio7iDzJHeevTYk6Bbhz_PGeDd-lyPy7MOk8vDTYCJEd2t1nSIoQXTaat_UNzuPMBcpQkSNNmaO50xFsvn-VKtVgpzlfeitd1ANchWsFdWB7U716YRBvPDHJRYMq3vIKK9fr3ickRj9qEX/s1600/P1060470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio7iDzJHeevTYk6Bbhz_PGeDd-lyPy7MOk8vDTYCJEd2t1nSIoQXTaat_UNzuPMBcpQkSNNmaO50xFsvn-VKtVgpzlfeitd1ANchWsFdWB7U716YRBvPDHJRYMq3vIKK9fr3ickRj9qEX/s400/P1060470.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This trip Mini was on the hunt for a lamp. She ended up finding one that she fell in love with and snapped it right up. Turns out she was making her first purchase for her college dorm room (girl, please stop hurrying to get there you are killing me!). I didn't realize what a big deal this was with her until I read her </span><a href="http://theultimatehope.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">blog</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> (which btw it a Christian based blog that features some of the content of her newspaper column and is AWESOME). It was such a fun day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLucH4bnvpVNoHTn8mlFK71lUiZ7QkV3ZDeO7m1Xs9CYWcWjcU-3SPDdSKlCqtuP5fcB7t5-V5SNdqLMRKZuxQ45TD77XyDcknVOWtXqKal36oG1YBaTmEdIbf7WKLX9UPeAlJiptufNE7/s1600/vintagelamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLucH4bnvpVNoHTn8mlFK71lUiZ7QkV3ZDeO7m1Xs9CYWcWjcU-3SPDdSKlCqtuP5fcB7t5-V5SNdqLMRKZuxQ45TD77XyDcknVOWtXqKal36oG1YBaTmEdIbf7WKLX9UPeAlJiptufNE7/s320/vintagelamp.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took in the Sandra Bullock movie Galaxy, which I loved cause I love some space stuff. Toured another college and then ended up with a last minute home improvement project. We decided to rip out the carpet in Mini's room and put down hardwoods. It was a lot of work but she loves her floors and I am thrilled to have one less room with carpet (only 2 left to go!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a great, relaxed and totally chilled week and I was so grateful for that. Since then, well I am thankful we managed to get a tree that was leaning toward the house dangerously taken down, just before severe storms. I am grateful to have had a really good sales month at Lottie and Molly not to mention that I have so enjoyed the pieces I have been working on as of late.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder Hubby was off last Sunday and we were able to attend church together which is huge because he is never off on Sunday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How blessed are we that we have a nice home, a reasonably healthy family, cars with no major problems to drive to jobs we are blessed to have? I would say very, very blessed and for all these things I am very, very thankful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I am blessed with beautiful sunny skies and sweet texts from my children to start my day! I hope you all are enjoying your blessings this minute, this day, this month and always.</span></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-26883733358478536412013-11-04T07:23:00.001-06:002013-11-05T19:43:20.547-06:00French Typography Table<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My dad recently brought me two of these tables. They are really cute little tables but they had a bit of water damage on their tops and they were oak....which is <strong><em>so</em></strong> not selling in my area.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-hXNapG2kQs9n4erX5RO-Zeau5jXdIC5AXcN4cZwKLEs3nUcPx0t9leFfs6oBMZ51Iqibwg_hcG2eOLylzu1B3rXDhpINplaKuhdoa63Ggy-waL-ar0YaERzt4GMaUvsLS-Zoxi9qUZK/s1600/oaktable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-hXNapG2kQs9n4erX5RO-Zeau5jXdIC5AXcN4cZwKLEs3nUcPx0t9leFfs6oBMZ51Iqibwg_hcG2eOLylzu1B3rXDhpINplaKuhdoa63Ggy-waL-ar0YaERzt4GMaUvsLS-Zoxi9qUZK/s400/oaktable.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since starting Lottie and Molly, I am always trying new techniques and ideas to make my furniture stand out a little. Since these tables needed a little pizazz and I have been admiring furniture with transfers as of late <strong><em>and </em></strong>I am a huge fan of The Graphics Fairy now seemed like a good time to give it a try.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First I cleaned up the tables and base coated in a taupe color called Brushed Suede (it is a cheapo Glidden) that I have turned into chalk paint with my super secret chalk paint recipe that I <strong><em>love</em></strong>. Then the fun began. I first chose a postmark transfer and after a couple of prints (due to the fact that I could not seem to remember to flip the image) I had a transfer ready to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided to got with the design on the corner of my table since it was smallish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I chose to transfer using the <strong><em>highly technical</em></strong> spray bottle method. The first attempt was a bust, as I wet the paper <em><strong>way</strong> </em>too much. I wiped the boo boo away and adjusted the spray and tried again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I then used a <strong><em>super professional</em></strong> Pampered Chef stoneware cleaning tool to press the transfer onto the table.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5K5ulMSpu8sZZfVhkHVZo90mCklHUIUjLbJ3MBiw2t2YjzLc9OSCKmgwdlAtDLzGASBJtBVct8hAX5y5O6OSzjhmvrcA6-sTOxmcl6K0vRhBBaR6HB0ZK8HMGpmBIClCpDfHcw5adXw4/s1600/P1060498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5K5ulMSpu8sZZfVhkHVZo90mCklHUIUjLbJ3MBiw2t2YjzLc9OSCKmgwdlAtDLzGASBJtBVct8hAX5y5O6OSzjhmvrcA6-sTOxmcl6K0vRhBBaR6HB0ZK8HMGpmBIClCpDfHcw5adXw4/s400/P1060498.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I lifted the paper, I realized I used a little too much water. Thankfully I was able to dab it off, but, I realized this transfer just wasn't working for this table. Back to The Graphics Fairy website.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I won't bore you with tedious photos of the same techniques again. Here is my table after my new transfer choice was applied. It came out extremely light and I was afraid that once distressed and waxed with dark wax it would not show at all. I chose to hand paint over the transfer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After completing the hand lettering (which by the way took only a few minutes) I lightly sanded to distress (which BTW is why I love my paint formula, the distressing is soooo easy).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh_mrai7xZIz_GcMpDCbWvP-0xlP1MtNZZeAAnNNiDjh35kg3Lhy5XL86vGSS7tEVggVhhSGR03wZRUlQbQhQgloJd0V09ULNE-ebQog02fxwsG1fowhWBCHCIJZwBT-mMyen6ohdyFaz/s1600/P1060505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh_mrai7xZIz_GcMpDCbWvP-0xlP1MtNZZeAAnNNiDjh35kg3Lhy5XL86vGSS7tEVggVhhSGR03wZRUlQbQhQgloJd0V09ULNE-ebQog02fxwsG1fowhWBCHCIJZwBT-mMyen6ohdyFaz/s400/P1060505.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I then waxed with natural wax then waxed again with lots of dark wax.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV5dXO-a_mZ5cbgA8Fgga5s4pbZLYdtcw_iDdGxk76QwBuuI-v68SwNeL_3JY9qUPLWkXcElPwP0OYcFv0cswqqNuOYdAcZn5WrWzJBkpeQFFl4Lb5B-eNb1kD80aTO_ugVfXyAybTZFP/s1600/P1060506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV5dXO-a_mZ5cbgA8Fgga5s4pbZLYdtcw_iDdGxk76QwBuuI-v68SwNeL_3JY9qUPLWkXcElPwP0OYcFv0cswqqNuOYdAcZn5WrWzJBkpeQFFl4Lb5B-eNb1kD80aTO_ugVfXyAybTZFP/s400/P1060506.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I absolutely love how they turned out. I so enjoy adding the dark wax and watching the magic happen! The transfer was just the little punch this piece needed to become special.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL4KOhNeoFLS_dSbuIEQyJWUs8HKQN0fg8-j5q6i_l9zu6VfZmWk9UIs2Z-fBMWT58liFkDXwwl5JUEI5Onv6Jl1GWF0ALreVU7XU0STkktpL5cS621LtFbjaknuZAuXRDdpPB41GEtcQ/s1600/finaltransfertable2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL4KOhNeoFLS_dSbuIEQyJWUs8HKQN0fg8-j5q6i_l9zu6VfZmWk9UIs2Z-fBMWT58liFkDXwwl5JUEI5Onv6Jl1GWF0ALreVU7XU0STkktpL5cS621LtFbjaknuZAuXRDdpPB41GEtcQ/s400/finaltransfertable2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wish I was keeping them, but these little beauties are heading to Lottie and Molly. Thanks for stopping by, please take a moment to leave a comment. I am joining </span><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/how-to-paint-doors-like-the-pros/"><span style="font-size: large;">Susan at Between Naps on the Porch</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> for Met Monday and <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/11/wow-us-wednesdays-143.html">Kim at Savvy Southern Style</a>, won't you stop by?</span></div>
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<br />Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-30376370189269807202013-10-31T08:14:00.000-05:002013-10-31T08:17:44.406-05:00Who's Watching You Tablescape/Halloween Replay<em><strong>Since I haven't had time to create a new Halloween table this year, I thought I would look at last years table. After I saw it I was sad I hadn't put it out again and thought I would share it with everyone again this Halloween. Hope everyone enjoys a Happy and Safe Halloween!</strong></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been anxiously waiting to use the owl I have blogged about </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-little-more-falllantern-makeover.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> since mid Summer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been waiting so much that I almost didn't actually do a tablescape using him! I have been wrapped up in fall fun, kids on break, hubby on vacation, son home from afar, and a trip that I hadn't changed my table since I did this </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/10/autumn-ambience-tablescape.html"><span style="font-size: large;">tablescape</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So today I made a point to get this table completed so we could enjoy it at least a week before the big day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's tour the table and see exactly who is watching us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who is watching you.....Who is my owl's name. He stands tall and casts an eerie glare over this spooky table scape.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRk8qVn5BDBnZ_Tl2LsnZb2XtEjYKlHU649HwINAd5CU3OHBeLvpGiMZcipyDPRUiBH_o_548W4dWU65mpeT9uK_a4-KcYKCv9QVitltNK_Y39Pt4iiEOL5HwNLBYyYNjh5TNUc5A1Ce6/s1600/P1040716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRk8qVn5BDBnZ_Tl2LsnZb2XtEjYKlHU649HwINAd5CU3OHBeLvpGiMZcipyDPRUiBH_o_548W4dWU65mpeT9uK_a4-KcYKCv9QVitltNK_Y39Pt4iiEOL5HwNLBYyYNjh5TNUc5A1Ce6/s640/P1040716.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the way the candlelight catches the sequins of his attire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The candlelight in this table scape is more sweet than scary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This dishes in this tablescape are my highly versatile white Food Network favs as well as some really old octagon black plates Wonder Hubby gave me years ago. The glasses match the black dishes....I've had them for years and never get tired of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The napkins are layered white/ghoul green, white/pumpkin orange or white/midnight black and are caught up in the owl napkin rings I blogged about </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/10/halloween-craft-napkin-rings.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who isn't the only one watching you at this table. Each and every glass is peering back at you. The glass stems are tied with tulle to match Owl's ascot and accented with a spooky spider.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I am a bit batty, it was only natural that Owl perch on a bat themed cloth. Bats around the table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A close up of an owl napkin ring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the witches shoes...there are a couple of different ones in this tablescape....not candy filled though....I can't fill things with candy here because Mini and I can't control ourselves. I had to threaten to cast a spell on her to keep her out of the candy filled candle holders until after pictures! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The signs are several years old and I love finding new spots for them every year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The table is set for a Frightening Family dinner or a Ghouls Night out</span> .</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Either way we will have a spooktacular time! Thanks for stopping in....Happy Halloween!</span></div>
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I am linking up with<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/autumn-table-setting-with-spode-woodland-and-pumpkin-tureens/"> Susan at Between Naps on Porch for</a></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/autumn-table-setting-with-spode-woodland-and-pumpkin-tureens/"> </a></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-42158008258222953612013-10-26T13:40:00.000-05:002013-10-28T16:34:15.702-05:001970's French Provincial Makeover and an Epiphany<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I am still learning this whole buying and selling business, which means, I still get caught up in the "I have to buy some more stuff to pile up and makeover." Did you notice that I didn't say "I have to carefully choose pieces that I have looked over carefully and buy them at a super cheap price?" Yeah, that wasn't a mistake. I have gotten my hands on some incredible deals and a few clunkers. Recently The Nana and I went junkin to hopefully find some more incredible deals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Apparently</em></strong>, it is very easy to get caught up in the whole bulk buying thing as well as to forget you are not an expert and <em><strong>not pay attention to detail</strong></em> or worse <strong><em>pay too much</em></strong>. I managed to do all of the above on this particular buying trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a small town near me that was having a community wide yard sale and I was hot to get to it. My blood was pumping before I even left home! lol The first couple of neighborhoods were a bust. The third one was a charm. I found lots of goodies at great prices and then got overly <strong><strike>confident</strike> </strong>ambitious and thought I was a<strong><em> pro not a newbie.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were at a yard sale that had some very nice pieces and they were priced accordingly. Due to this I was really just glancing and planning to walk away when I realized their garage was packed with stuff...good stuff. They had set up the sale in the driveway and had the garage taped off but I glanced in and saw a bedside table piled on top of other stuff. When the lady hosting the sale asked if I needed anything I told her I was interested in something but it was in the blocked off area. She kindly invited me beyond the tape (<strong><em>boy, I was feeling special, I must have looked like a pro</em></strong>) and I pointed out the table. What do you know...there were two of them as well as a matching headboard and footboard. Woo hoo...I had been looking for a couple of these very tables to makeover....it looked like I had hit the jackpot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me just say, <strong><em>looks can be deceiving</em></strong> and being on a buying high is not always a good thing. The headboard and footboard were buried and I bought them <strong><em>sight unseen</em></strong> <strong><em>and</em></strong> I could only see one table. I talked the lady down $20 off her asking price and prepared to return later to pick up since I had been so successful already my 4runner was full. But, I was so giddy I ran out and unpacked the 4runner and somehow magically made room to go ahead and cram my finds in. I drove home <strong><em>counting the money</em></strong> I would make on these babies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That <strong><em>euphoria lasted until I unloaded</em></strong>. First let me apologize for the pictures. I shot them willy nilly, even the final ones but you will get the idea of the transformation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was while unloading that The Nana discovered one of the legs on the headboard was split. She quickly decided it was not a problem since Wonder Hubby is quite handy and could make another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She was right and he crafted a wonderful new leg, which I failed to photograph. Sorry, honey you did a great job! Now, let's take a close look at the photo below. <strong><em>One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just isn't the same</em></strong>......since I purchased the bed without even a peek at it I wasn't surprised that I didn't see it at the sale....but after 2 hours of looking at the split leg and discussing paint schemes you would think I would have caught it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yup....major problem. What to do now? Wonder Hubby is good but I didn't think he was going to be happy to hear he would need to repair this. I considered trashing the headboard and footboard and just selling the bedside tables but then I had an idea. I kept feeling the paint for this should be Paris Grey with darker grey accents and for whatever reason I instantly knew a Vera Bradley type fabric would look great with the greys. So the idea for a padded headboard was hatched. Possible solution? We shall see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before I could celebrate my genius, I discovered a split/bust in the top of one of the tables. <strong><em>Naturally</em></strong>, it was the one I couldn't see at the sale! It was easy not to have spotted flaws with these pieces since (a) they were buried and (b) they were super dirty and covered in stickers...lots and lots of stickers. The <strong><em>zero's were dropping off my profit quickly</em></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, like the pig at a barbecue I was committed, so I rolled up my sleeves and got started. After spending an hour and a half cleaning and applying lots of Goo Gone on stickers, it was time to start the real work. First task was to remove all the decorative pieces in the headboard to prepare for a padded headboard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh boy, I really hope I can make this hair brained scheme work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a little wood putty here and there (grrrr..like in the split)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got to work painting. The body of the headboard, footboard and tables were painted ASCP Paris Grey and I ended up with 3 different greys that I turned into chalk paint with Websters Chalk Powder to trim with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Paris grey went on perfectly and I was able to roll most of the pieces. In fact, it went on so quickly and easily I was done in half an hour. I was feeling pretty good and decided <strong><em>I was such a genius</em></strong> that despite the unexpected surprises I would have this complete in a day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Uh huh....<strong><em>not so much</em></strong>. Although there isn't a lot of trim painting it took <strong><em>WAY LONGER</em></strong> than expected. I tried taping off the trim to make for quicker painting but unfortunately when I removed it, I also removed the paint underneath. So....then I had to lightly sand and repaint those areas and trim again by hand. It took <strong><em><strike>forever</strike> </em></strong>a great deal more time than I could have imagined. Finally, I had managed to finish all the trim on all the pieces (did I mention days elapsed before this was completed?). I was standing back admiring my work when I thought something didn't look right. Do you see it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look again</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guess I need to pay a bit more attention to the can in my hand when I paint. The sad part is one grey paint was in a round container....the other in an oval! <strong><em>Seriously how do you not notice that</em></strong>! So........I ended up painting all the trim again (and in some cases, again and again). Actually that isn't true, Mini felt sorry for me and spent a couple of hours painting for me. Sweet girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strike>Weeks later</strike> Eventually, all the painting was done and we were ready to cover the headboard. The Nana has done upholstery professionally so I trusted we could handle this. She even managed to find the perfect fabric on sale! Wonder Hubby cut a board to fit, The Nana and I figured out a bed eggshell worked perfectly as our padding so we fired up the compressor and nail guns and got busy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't see straight so I definitely don't cut straight, thankfully The Nana handled that part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We covered 3 large buttons (love those) and she taught me what a bodkin was, how to make one and to use it. Pretty handy knowledge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah....finally it was all done. I had truly grown to hate this set and was sooooo glad to have it finished that I threw it against my car snapped a few pictures and sold it in hours. I priced it to move cause I wanted it <strong>GONE</strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It turned out better than I had hoped considering all the flaws that had to be repaired or worked around. I blogged </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-tale-of-terribleterrific-table.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here </span></a><span style="font-size: large;">about having a relationship with an object. Well I thought the relationship I had with this set was a hate/hate relationship...I just wanted it out of my garage and my life. So, I was quite surprise by my reaction to what happened when my buyer picked it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lady that purchased the set came in a pickup...okay no problem there. While I stepped inside to get her change she began to load. When I came out, I grabbed the metal bed rails and rushed to put them in so they would be on the bottom under the painted pieces. I was <strong><em>stunned </em></strong>when I saw the bed of her truck will full of<strong><em> leaky bottles, bags of trash and several busted pumpkins</em></strong>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> She had just put the <strong><em>headboard of top of all this</em></strong>! I tried not to freak out but helped her better place the fabric covered headboard on top of a <strong><em>broken baby gate</em></strong> and out of the way of <strong><em>wayward pumpkin guts</em></strong>...whew. She managed to get one bedside table in the cab of the truck and I placed the other in the back and <strong><em>crazy as it sounds</em></strong>......tried to pad around it <strong><em>with trash</em></strong>. I asked if she had anything to put over it to keep the rails from scratching it or to keep it from slamming into the tailgate or side of the truck bed. Thankfully she had a baby blanket (which made me wonder if that would be washed before use again) that I was able to partially cover the table with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I suggested that she drive <strong><em>VERY SLOWLY</em></strong> to keep things from shifting. She agreed and then proceeded to <strong><em>gun it down my drive and turn onto the street on two wheels.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I realized as I stood there in shock that<strong><em> I didn't hate this set after all</em></strong>.....in fact, despite the hours I had spent working on it and all the frustrating flaws....<strong><em>I felt sorry for it</em></strong>! I wonder just what type of forever home it went to? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> So that is the story of panic buying, a French provincial adventure and a twisted relationship. Thanks for stopping in and joining my adventure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am joining <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/kitchen-renovation-great-ideas-for-small-medium-size-kitchens/">Susan at Between Naps on the Porch</a> for Met Monday </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/">Marty @ A Stroll Thur Life for Inspire Me Tuesday</a>, join me there!</span></div>
Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-82619301629982244832013-10-20T21:18:00.000-05:002013-11-08T11:46:12.443-06:00The Tale of a Terrible/Terrific Table Makeover<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible to have a relationship with an object? Does that sound a little bit crazy? No, it sounds<strong><em> a lot crazy</em></strong> but I have figured out that my best projects are the ones I fall <strong><em>hopelessly in love </em></strong>with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I began searching for pieces to makeover for Lottie & Molly, Lottie and I had different opinions on how to choose pieces. Lottie likes to pick pieces she loves, just in case they end up living at her house. I tend to want to buy pieces that are the opposite of my taste, therefore insuring they <strong><em>WON'T </em></strong>be living at my house! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I showed you the coffee table I landed recently at Goodwill in </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2013/10/latest-junkin-jewels.html"><span style="font-size: large;">this post</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. As you can see she was a real challenge. Strangely I kept wanting to walk away from her in Goodwill but Lottie was determined one of us would own her. I didn't see her beauty under all the junk piled on her and when we did clear off the top she was in terrible shape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I wavered and waffled Lottie pulled her tag and announced if I didn't buy her she would. Why do I fall for this? Lottie literally has a house full of really nice antiques ready to head to Lottie & Molly, why would she buy this? Have I mentioned we are very competitive? Did I mention that we had just spent 15 minutes discussing how we <strong><em>DID NOT</em></strong> need to buy any furniture for a while? Well, all of the above is true. So....anywho...I bought her and I really didn't even like her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After I got her home and studied her further I kinda got a crush on her and I called her Carlotta. Then I spent <strike>forever</strike> a good bit of time having a wood putty party and then it was time to paint. I went with an off white paint and planned a look similar to the tables I blogged about</span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2013/10/fabulous-fluer-de-lis-table-makeover.html"><span style="font-size: large;"> here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved the way she looked when she was painted and couldn't wait to start distressing and waxing. But, a funny thing happened. I went from having a crush to falling head over heels for her beautiful legs and curves. It was at this point I realized she needed to live in my living room and Old </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">White just wouldn't work. Wonder Hubby didn't think she would fit and he didn't want a coffee table but I was in love, who was he to stand in the way of true love?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So after a paint buying trip I repainted her. I love how she looked with the warmer shade of paint. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then it was time to wax and wax and then add dark wax. Lots of dark wax.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, she was all finished and I was so excited to get her inside. So this morning when I finished buffing her off, I quickly rearrange the living room and made room to see her in place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I crossed my fingers that Carlotta would be perfect....but, well, she just wasn't. I love her color and distressing and aging but I just didn't love her in my living room :( When you have a great relationship like Carlotta and I did you know right away when it just isn't working and she just wasn't working in my living room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Sadly she was carted back out to the garage to await her turn at Lottie & Molly. I am sure someone will click with Carlotta and give her a forever home. Despite not keeping her I really loved the process of redoing her and think she turned out beautifully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I am joining <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/kitchen-goes-light-and-bright-with-painted-cabinets/">Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday</a> and <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/10/187th-inspire-me-tuesday.html">Marty at A Stroll thru Life</a> and Kim at Savvy Southern Style....join me there!</span></div>
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and Miss Mustard Seed for <a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-tale-of-terribleterrific-table.html">Furniture Feature Friday</a></div>
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<br />Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-46317947071544517332013-10-08T06:30:00.000-05:002013-10-08T06:30:03.540-05:00Latest Junkin Jewels<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last week junk buddy Tammy aka Lottie and I managed to get out for a day of fun. It seems that since we decided to open a booth all our time is spent working on projects, talking or texting about projects or hauling and arranging projects. We never just junk for fun....oh right, the whole booth thing is for fun, right? It certainly is, however, it is so easy to get caught up in the "business" side and forget why you are doing it in the first place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So Thursday, after we delivered more stuff to Lottie and Molly we managed to hit Goodwill to relax. Yes, I know we just happen to relax at the same place we shop for the booth! I went in looking for a sweater and Lottie headed to the furniture. Not surprisingly I ended up with furniture and no sweater! Lol </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really did have a good junking day. I ended up with some awesome Liz black pumps for $5.99 and a dozen of self adhesive lampshades for .99 cents each. I have plans to makeover my pot rack lights and have some ideas for the booth using these as well. I have already gotten started on one of the ideas. Hmmm....I think I may like the change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also ended up with this.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes she is a beauty. Wonderful detail and size but whew , she has lived a rough life. She has great bones but she is in serious need of a makeover. Stay tuned to see how she is transformed to greatness and perhaps moved to my living room if I can fit her in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was so nice to spend a day just hanging out together....we even managed to grab a bite of lunch. I had never been to Quiznos before but we stopped in and I had their Harvest Chicken Salad. Oh my gosh, it was SO GOOD. I usually play it safe with a salad but I am glad I took a chance it was yummy. If you are having a salad craving give this salad a try. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by, please visit again soon.</span></div>
Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-43785575390762926642013-10-06T12:37:00.001-05:002013-10-07T07:56:12.575-05:00Fabulous Fluer de lis Table Makeover<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am now entering my second month as Molly of the Lottie and Molly antique selling dynasty. The first month was a smashing success and I have managed to accumulate many projects to be finished for the booth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a recent afternoon Lottie and I were stalking prey at the local help center when she spotted this table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved the table but wasn't sure how a single end table would sell, not to mention the drawer was wonky and would go backward and sort of fall down. After a little snooping we spotted the matching table across the store. Yeah! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Unfortunately, it too suffered with drawer issues. As Lottie and I discussed the pros and cons and yanked and pushed on the drawers we were approached by an employee who basically said make an offer on them. What????? Really?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, all prices are negotiable. Did I mention that this particular store is beside my office? No. Okay did I mention that my window faces the unloading zone for said store and that I can literally watch as goodies are unloaded and then rush over and make an offer? Oh yeah....how <strike>dangerous</strike> exciting is that? I spend all my time at work now watching for great furniture!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a bit of negotiating I purchased the tables for $10.00. I was heady with savings and potential for negotiating future buys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the drive home I decided on ASCP in Old White with a healthy dose of distressing and lots of dark wax. I sweet talked Wonder Hubby into repairing the drawers (just a shim or two, some wood glue some stops needed) and cleaned them up and started painting. The more I painted the more I loved them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile....I was also working on another project that needed fabric so while looking for fabric for a headboard I stumbled upon this awesome burlap.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUmp4wWdehd8QSg7wDr3eru2pOCnnYWgw10QOJVmwa0H_FXmhKh75IIkstvRWzuLWT2L0Dg85weXSgHvCtbCwC5sj9BtCQclLBroBxXszZjyIUBnzl-esNF4IMVh5yOO9Elbvo9YkFijQ/s1600/P1060332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUmp4wWdehd8QSg7wDr3eru2pOCnnYWgw10QOJVmwa0H_FXmhKh75IIkstvRWzuLWT2L0Dg85weXSgHvCtbCwC5sj9BtCQclLBroBxXszZjyIUBnzl-esNF4IMVh5yOO9Elbvo9YkFijQ/s400/P1060332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, burlap and Fleur de lis...what's not to love? It was at this point that the tables spoke to me. Yes, furniture, fabric and some of plants just chat me up from time to time! lol This was one of those times and I just knew this fabric would be perfect on the drawers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With that in mind I decided that perhaps the tops needed a bit of color as well so I painted them a slate grey.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDqk5zHsfU2v9TjhuHN631AvxyD9tkWkoIFdxXhO3IGUgHA8r3GRFR7n8sylRBOPPiWjQFtv75-PC3RhNQ3WmfyROYEazrMvpK3mq8aq7E9GIzAS3XFg_6EHJn7Sp9OHZr8Dm5kt49_W3/s1600/P1060331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDqk5zHsfU2v9TjhuHN631AvxyD9tkWkoIFdxXhO3IGUgHA8r3GRFR7n8sylRBOPPiWjQFtv75-PC3RhNQ3WmfyROYEazrMvpK3mq8aq7E9GIzAS3XFg_6EHJn7Sp9OHZr8Dm5kt49_W3/s400/P1060331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tops were not perfect and trying to get a really smooth, uniform finish on them in a dark paint was <strike>tedious</strike> impossible. After 3 or 4 tries I gave up and repainted and repainted and repainted. Amazing how it is easy to cover a dark finish but takes a zillion coats to cover a dark paint mistake.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually or after a two day delay (depending on how you want to look at it) I finally managed to cover all that grey and was ready to distress. Don't you just love this part? I love it but have to really rein myself in because I tend to go a little bit crazy with distressing and end up with pieces that look more primitive than distressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After all that distressing I waxed the whole piece with clear wax and then double waxed with dark wax. Hard to see with the sun glare and my shadow but I love the patina of the table on the left after waxing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now it was time to add the beautiful burlap. I painted a thick coat of Modge Podge on the drawer fronts and let it dry. Then I <strike>tried 10 times</strike> carefully trimmed the edges and applied two coats of Modge Podge on top of the burlap, allowing for drying between coats. The hardware was painted flat black and waxed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">FINALLY....they were all done and ready to head to Lottie and Molly's, and I was sad. I tend to form relationships with the pieces I work on and want to keep them and these beauties were no exception. But, alas they had to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Off to their temporary home at the store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for taking the time to stop in and visit. Hope to see you here again soon. I am joining <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/goodbye-mildew-and-mold-hello-shiny-clean-porch/">Susan at Between Naps on the </a> won't you stop by?</span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290270970209081346" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x908CSKJhI4/SWrRaxjfmAI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/dXtIYrWR6ow/s400/One+on+sidebar.jpg" style="display: block; height: 158px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 170px;" /><span style="font-size: large;"></span>Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-24370641631467911252013-09-23T06:00:00.000-05:002013-09-23T07:49:36.778-05:00Mid-Century Mess to Marvelous <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Once the decision was made that Lottie and Molly would become a reality, <strong><em>the panic set in</em></strong> about what I would put in to sell. <strong><em>Holy cow I had nothing more than an idea! </em></strong>The timing of the decision and the need to find goodies could not have come at a worse time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were preparing for BDJ to home come for a visit, a vacation, the start of my new job and Mini beginning her senior year of high school. When would I find the time to find anything to even makeover? It seemed that every weekend was either maxed out with activity, we were not home or it was pouring rain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I did manage to make it out to some yard sales I tended to<strong><em> panic buy</em></strong>. Believe me <strong><em>there is a learning curve</em></strong> to this buying and selling business. I was so desperate to build a stockpile and tend to be frugal (or as Lottie would say, CHEAP) that I was always seeming to bring home the dregs of yard sales.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes this was a good plan...others not so much. The first day out stockpiling I spent with Wonder Hubby and we found some real jewels. So many in fact, we filled the 4runner and had to go home and unload before we were a mile from home! The second run of the day wasn't yielding quite the quality of things the first run did.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lottie had already been to this particular sale and reported there was nothing there. Wonder Hubby spent a whole five minutes there before he declared it desolate. I, on the other hand was<strong><em> determined to find something</em></strong>. Tucked into the back corner of a carport was this beauty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rUfC8pSBmjBsBCHgDIwKtgMIqWXIRTHJmawmw4wHV4jgl26FfGLl6vwO5xPCqXVo5gxUxjQg3_ir33HMMrwonsAt1DY9ycGbD-g6iQaUyqyQz3q6cTO03ZFEZFPXOFkIQetlnGXEulQS/s1600/P1060224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rUfC8pSBmjBsBCHgDIwKtgMIqWXIRTHJmawmw4wHV4jgl26FfGLl6vwO5xPCqXVo5gxUxjQg3_ir33HMMrwonsAt1DY9ycGbD-g6iQaUyqyQz3q6cTO03ZFEZFPXOFkIQetlnGXEulQS/s400/P1060224.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ain't she purdy? The mix of dark wood and hunter green messily painted drawer fronts was just stunning! <strong><em>Oh yeah she was a natural beauty and so together....not</em></strong>. One leg fell off while I was looking her over and once I negotiated her down to $12.00 Wonder Hubby drug her out and proceeded to rip my shorts with one of her legs. I should have known at this point she was going to be a difficult lady.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once home I took off her legs and cleaned her up. Since she was mid-century sleek I knew I didn't want to go the traditional chalk paint and distress route. Her top had lived a rough life so going with a glossy finish wasn't a good idea. Truly I was thinking <strong><em>she was a bad panic buy</em></strong> and I should just send her on her way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Nana and Mini took a look at her and decided she would look great if painted something really hip. Since they tend to be way more modern and fashionable than I, they chose her color, <strong><em>deep purple</em></strong>. Yes, you read that correctly, deep purple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided I didn't have much money in her and The Nana said she would buy her if she didn't sell so I decided to give purple a shot. I knew I wanted to do some stencil work on her drawers as well and thought that might break up the sea of purple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember when I said I should have know she would be difficult? Well, I had no idea just how difficult. I do a lot of painting, small decorative pieces, furniture and murals all freehand but stenciling has never been not forte. Freehand painting lets you hide your mistakes easily since the design is all you.....no sticking to patterns and rules. <strong><em> I hate rules in painting!</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once the stencil design had been decided and the multiple coat of purple had been applied it was declared stencil time. <strong><em>Have I mentioned that I really don't do math?</em></strong> Well, I don't and as far as I am concerned any measuring less than a 1/4 inch is math so getting the stencil centered top to bottom and side to side was a tricky proposition. Naturally this stencil wasn't large enough to cover the whole drawer front area and required a separate corner stencil....you know just to test your patience and stencil skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First go round I enlisted Wonder Hubby but he really lacked interest in this and suggested I <strong><em>eyeball it</em></strong>. Really? I have never hung anything straight so why this seemed like a good idea to him is beyond me. Next up...Mini. Mini is a math whiz so I figured she would knock this out in minutes.....ummm math whiz does not = stencil placement pro. Finally The Nana tried a few methods. One of which ended up too far to one end...oops!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS9JZB6izajSPRKGt6oHtvKd9QGCa3vrLb2onUmlUilS7dUSe2JdNdsqkjBU7MwjDUCuaItSLj3Fn5etQnHZCtpgsQ1I-jzUTV73zoQEuP-9xBK6VRbKFZ0LuGoEs7I3uGsu4UQN8zoL6/s1600/P1060234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS9JZB6izajSPRKGt6oHtvKd9QGCa3vrLb2onUmlUilS7dUSe2JdNdsqkjBU7MwjDUCuaItSLj3Fn5etQnHZCtpgsQ1I-jzUTV73zoQEuP-9xBK6VRbKFZ0LuGoEs7I3uGsu4UQN8zoL6/s320/P1060234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> In the end......I ended up taping off a "frame" to stencil within. One drawer down...two to go.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K-ZWv0-gUXauqqBbg4ZQalpY3ismS_NQViYzLxa4k3M6xNcQlF7hwSAx17Fx8nAtjReP7irB_tuPKZpfkMBMgJsF6u6ExWJRyurHp76cBUSsYyVW16shVGR7cAG-_FfJ8yw18M0KDhLK/s1600/P1060273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K-ZWv0-gUXauqqBbg4ZQalpY3ismS_NQViYzLxa4k3M6xNcQlF7hwSAx17Fx8nAtjReP7irB_tuPKZpfkMBMgJsF6u6ExWJRyurHp76cBUSsYyVW16shVGR7cAG-_FfJ8yw18M0KDhLK/s320/P1060273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It worked well enough to get this Purple Time Eater done! Although I ended up having to re stencil twice since I taped the first go round and the stencil was so thin I had creeping paint. After a good dose of spray adhesive I managed to get the whole thing done. I am such a perfectionist I ended up touching up nearly every line on the thing by hand but in the end (after days and days) she turned out to be a real beauty.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdR6pPfKVdvCrI8iuJ1W-CO8PlXcTKKFscW69kA-7qGxt74D8ba0VuvHnrrX6N8pXXZ0_ZPUnR3cLozEJMjnx6iqwJ5dZsuApnNPyp20Z38yIJiEbbffaUpvbxcgTo7e5MpNgpFvNFwrw/s1600/P1060300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdR6pPfKVdvCrI8iuJ1W-CO8PlXcTKKFscW69kA-7qGxt74D8ba0VuvHnrrX6N8pXXZ0_ZPUnR3cLozEJMjnx6iqwJ5dZsuApnNPyp20Z38yIJiEbbffaUpvbxcgTo7e5MpNgpFvNFwrw/s320/P1060300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by! I am joining Susan at <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a> for Met Mondays...visit me there!</span></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-81540314801103659982013-09-22T08:00:00.000-05:002013-09-22T08:00:03.814-05:00And.....We're Off - The Adventures of Lottie & Molly<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This question is<strong><em>.....Are we off our rockers or off and running in our antiquing and junking adventure?</em></strong> The answer is both!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lottie and Molly officially opened on September 1. Lottie and I both have been fortunate and actually sold some things before we were even officially opened. It is such a charge when someone falls in love with a piece that you have bonded with! lol </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our initial fears were of not finding enough stuff to fill the place up. 3 weeks later....we have more than we can fit in. Junk Buddy aka Lottie is considering expanding the booth to accommodate her windfall of free furniture she recently found out about. If only I had the excess stock issue....I am struggling to keep projects coming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lottie tells me daily I need to quit this whole job thing because it is screwing up our junking life. The truth is, <strong><em>IT REALLY IS</em></strong>, but I like the job too so I think I will just keep trying to strike a balance. I think it will be a bit easier when I don't have yard work. I always want to be in the yard when I can be.....so when the weather gets colder I won't have that <strong><em>temptation</em></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few pictures of where I space is and some of the pieces we have in stock currently.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy38uns9PD86iDESboGtSENBPOSrNHE2HR6HJ7QV38CIzdXqhKUfiC9LogIwEi-OZKVlVyJzfn7uiUNFZLT4SBDDZvmEZZvXPyZOSbZUUgtlchCiCLP4MfomMmNYcboBKducUQsD1Kh64o/s1600/winecabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy38uns9PD86iDESboGtSENBPOSrNHE2HR6HJ7QV38CIzdXqhKUfiC9LogIwEi-OZKVlVyJzfn7uiUNFZLT4SBDDZvmEZZvXPyZOSbZUUgtlchCiCLP4MfomMmNYcboBKducUQsD1Kh64o/s400/winecabinet.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCywbdf58O8wmCySoTNwUMy4ItO0NvxozYcKA0o09BwuZnXGbYzGrA1HsTlvC_0FDdJoqRS28E2m5X2GDAlrRmrBvLAaqQ5AVEoVQdQlURQ-Nasmxzsbip45qFztBiq2m0tnFiF3V-jyK1/s1600/1234485_4801492015518_2124765768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCywbdf58O8wmCySoTNwUMy4ItO0NvxozYcKA0o09BwuZnXGbYzGrA1HsTlvC_0FDdJoqRS28E2m5X2GDAlrRmrBvLAaqQ5AVEoVQdQlURQ-Nasmxzsbip45qFztBiq2m0tnFiF3V-jyK1/s400/1234485_4801492015518_2124765768_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since neither of us has ever had an antique booth before it is all trial and error on arranging and pricing. It is fun and frustrating at the same time! My biggest problem seems to be wanting to keep the projects I really love.....and since I only buy and makeover things I love <strong><em>this could become a big problem fast</em></strong>. I will be sharing some of the projects I have been working on for the booth soon. Thanks for stopping in.</span></div>
<br />Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-1172119088845767262013-09-21T09:30:00.000-05:002013-09-21T09:30:02.021-05:00Changes are in the Air....and I like Them!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone that knows me knows I am not a fan of cool weather, and I loathe cold weather. I am a<em> hot weather kind of gal</em>. I like to work in the yard and come in worn out and drenched, I will sit on my deck, porch or the beach at 110 degrees (okay so I go in more if it is that hot but you get the idea!). I can always cool down but I NEVER SEEM to get warm. Given all that, I am generally <em>quite grumpy about fall</em>. Fall to me was always an ending...an ending that signaled nothing but bleak skies and cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the last few years I have gotten better about Fall<strong><em> by ignoring it</em></strong>. I have expanded my collection of fall décor and extended gardening until almost Thanksgiving. This year is different though. The weather here this Spring and Summer was downright weird. It was cool <strong><em>way longer</em></strong> than normal. So spring and summer gardening was running late. I was nearly a month behind on planting my annuals and tomatoes and that <strong><em>never </em></strong>happens. I generally have to drag every towel, sheet and newspaper I can find to the yard to stave off frost since I have planted way too early. Not this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once it did get warm enough to plant, the rains came and came and came. In fact I think it literally rained all but 4 or 5 days in the whole month of July! Thankfully there was an upside. A normal mid July walk in the yard would be accompanied by the sound of crunching grass. This year with all the rain our yard is just now beginning to crunch and water bill stayed low because I hardly ever watered. The downside to too much water and not enough heat - a sluggish growing season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the first time ever my inpatients didn't grow to knee high, my tomatoes never grew to any size and suffered rot from the excess water. Weeds however, thrived! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So as we roll into fall this year.....here is the big shocker..... I am actually enjoying it! My plate is full already between work and my antique booth so I am (dare I say it?) almost giddy that the growing season won't last until Thanksgiving for the bulk of my plants. This weekend the inpatients, vinca and callibrochoa are all going bye bye. I will leave the sweet potato vine, other greenery and the mums to carry us till the holiday season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9nadzBmbqAXsbJbb07_jLnx5ZIEIW5RFS0ybctvFZk-d5ApCDKMFab6NBhdiM6VldCqF9AnriCfDp2wHkLsBHj430JBd-iepdsWpdqQLeQnuUj8mQEEs0u4wDokb5Z6xeQHE0ZRp3OLj/s1600/P1040615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9nadzBmbqAXsbJbb07_jLnx5ZIEIW5RFS0ybctvFZk-d5ApCDKMFab6NBhdiM6VldCqF9AnriCfDp2wHkLsBHj430JBd-iepdsWpdqQLeQnuUj8mQEEs0u4wDokb5Z6xeQHE0ZRp3OLj/s400/P1040615.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully having all the annuals out of the way early will allow me to clean up the beds early. Even though there will be tons of leaves to clean up, not having to work around still blooming plants will make it much easier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I am embracing seeing the fall décor, nippy evenings and the beautiful crystal blue skies that September and October bring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This photo from last fall reminds me there is true beauty in fall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCegbQrbPiku7q2KFsmKpaUIxmtwRTL4y4WYhT5bi-flnadnBx_ZlzZXfbdAA7oPslstmV_-1PySBIozoO7H7fhgp9katB5zy8XgVBA8AiYbFdYgZam7O21AdV70YhFcnzYhvOSuH55Fd/s1600/P1040612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCegbQrbPiku7q2KFsmKpaUIxmtwRTL4y4WYhT5bi-flnadnBx_ZlzZXfbdAA7oPslstmV_-1PySBIozoO7H7fhgp9katB5zy8XgVBA8AiYbFdYgZam7O21AdV70YhFcnzYhvOSuH55Fd/s400/P1040612.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My list of yummy fall goodies to bake and cook is quite lengthy already and I REALLY MUST get started on my Christmas shopping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am also looking forward to a couple of days in Gatlinburg in October....with pretty scenery like this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So this weekend when I am not working on furniture for the booth, I will relax and piddle in the yard, watch a lot of football and fill the house with the smells of fall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by I hope you all are enjoying this beginning of fall in your little corner of the world.</span></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-77504277791791430692013-09-20T08:30:00.000-05:002013-09-20T08:30:02.009-05:00Summer of Change <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So proud of myself for actually making an effort to blog! As much as I love blogging and <strike>spending hours piddling on blogs</strike> researching great blogs the <strong><em>winds of change</em></strong> <strong><em>have blown us about as if we lived on the plains</em></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had hoped this summer would be relaxed and filled with lots of family time....what was I thinking? We did enjoy a wonderful vacation as a family but the rest of the summer has been a total mish mash of <strong><em>little family moments</em></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder Hubby's schedule changed. It usually happens twice a year but this year we will enjoy it three times! Yay :( We haven't fully adjusted to the new schedule and are looking at another change in less than a month. It always turns everything upside down for a bit.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mini started a new job which means she has been working like crazy. She has what she calls the "best job in the world", working at a drive in that first opened in the 1950's. She has become quite the milkshake mixologist! It is awesome to have kids that LOVE to work but it was yet another change to adjust to. BDJ snapped these pictures of her while he was home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My summer started out with lots of yard work and a good bit of junking with my junk buddy Tammy. I have been struggling with needing something more to do since we are only a year away from Mini heading off to college, so yard work has been filling a good bit of my time until I found just the right job or other adventure. Since this is the <strong><em>Summer of Change </em></strong>I should have expected this to change as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Late in June, Junk Buddy and I completed some amazing bedside tables for her master bedroom. We had such a good time and the results were sooooo pretty we decided <strong><em>we were ready for prime time</em></strong> and should open a booth and sell some of our creations. Yea...we were high on A SINGLE successful makeover and not really thinking!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How fun will that be? We found some booth space in an adorable antique mall, plunked down our deposit and then realized we needed some stuff! No problem with yard sales abounding we should be able to fill it up in no time. Grrrrrr...maybe not so fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am sure you have heard the old adage "feast or famine." Well as far as feeling fulfilled with a job or project I have definitely been in famine so the prospect of working with Junk Buddy on our own little piece of junk heaven was exciting. Of course <strong><em>this too would be a change....a good one</em></strong>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget there is another part to that adage....feast! So after a long famine here the feast began. Only 3 days after deciding to open a booth I received a text from my former boss at the travel agency offering me a job!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> At first I was unsure if I should take the job but knowing I needed to be a busy bee when our nest becomes empty next fall I couldn't pass it up. I work part time and since the boss is a good friend, we negotiated the hours and I am home by the time Mini is (that is on the rare occasion she gets home right after school)! I love the work.....I mean what's not to love about helping people take their dream vacation?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now my<strike> problem</strike> issue is too much to do in too little time. Right after making our decision to open our booth BDJ came home for a visit and vacation, the rains began, limiting yard sales, I started my job, Junk Buddy has been vacationing and school started back. Finally last week Junk Buddy and I had a day to get together and plan a bit. Both of us are going to be <strike>running in circles like lunatics</strike> busy, busy, busy trying to complete enough projects to launch this new baby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After weeks of tossing ideas back and forth we finally decided to name our booth....drum roll here.......Lottie & Molly. The name is special to us because Lottie is Junk Buddy's Grandmother's name and my Great Grandfather's nickname for my Great Grandmother (who is by the way Mini's namesake) and embraces the vintage feel we wanted. Here are a few photo's of our soon to be home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes change is a good thing but I caution you to be careful what you pray for...you just might get more change than you bargained for! I will be posting pics of our new booth and some of my projects soonish, thanks for stopping by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>(Full Disclosure......this post has been sitting 3 1/2 weeks....I gotta do better!)</strong></span></div>
Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-63031367142003216802013-09-19T08:00:00.000-05:002013-09-19T08:08:00.643-05:00Guest Post - Words of Hope <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am so behind on posting and that includes sharing Mini's latest columns. I think I am currently 2 or 3 behind...and I feel horrible. She pours so much into these columns with the hope that they reach people and change hearts and I am such a slacker and haven't done what I could by posting. I am a bad Mama right now :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully I will be caught up on these within a couple of weeks. Below is one of Hope's most recent articles.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJr-1KQqhKiLpEok_3VkEo_5X3-LjOasUytHnRt1WXrA0uFWh98OwOH2jmV7FLr7DASShAmyEhQ7lrA2IWrg9Bwbv7E5vk4610PcBTdHXoKrbxkjpRie1W7BtepLyqbIK4VKxtLsEDSSI/s1600/BOP_3786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJr-1KQqhKiLpEok_3VkEo_5X3-LjOasUytHnRt1WXrA0uFWh98OwOH2jmV7FLr7DASShAmyEhQ7lrA2IWrg9Bwbv7E5vk4610PcBTdHXoKrbxkjpRie1W7BtepLyqbIK4VKxtLsEDSSI/s400/BOP_3786.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do
you ever just pray and pray about something and ask for God’s guidance, but you
feel like you never receive it? I think that this is probably something that
happens frequently in the average Christian’s life. In most (not necessarily
all) cases, the root of the problem can be traced back to the lack of growth
within you.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
you first become a believer or undergo this revival in your spiritual life, you
are SO passionate and ready to receive whatever God gives you. You pour your
time into the word and prayer and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whatever</i>
could satisfy this hunger inside of you to become as close to God as you
possibly can. But then what happens? Life happens. Everyone is stretching you
into a different direction and demanding your time and your mind and your
energy and you just become <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">exhausted</i>
and preoccupied. Your prayers become shorter with less emotion, your bible
reading turns into skimming or you just stop reading altogether. And slowly but
surely, you lose that passion you had. I don’t know about you, but when I reach
this point, God seems to get pretty quiet. Why is that? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let’s
take a look into an Old Testament book that I am reading for the very first
time: Ezekiel. When this book starts out, God is MAD at Israel. He has given
them years and years and years of signs and warnings to turn from their idols,
but they refuse. Their hearts are far from God. So God tells Ezekiel that he is
to go to Israel and tell them all about what is going to happen to them. In
Ezekiel 2, God hands Ezekiel a scroll filled with “words of lament and mourning
and woe” that he is to deliver to the people. But God starts to tell him some
pretty strange stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ezekiel 3:1-3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And
he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go
and speak to the people of Israel.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, “Son of
man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate
it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That’s
a pretty strange request if you ask me. History shows that these scrolls were
normally made out of insanely thick paper or even hard leather. Just imagine
digesting an entire scroll made out of leather… God was definitely trying to
get some underlying point across. Maybe not just to Ezekiel (I’ll probably be
able to answer that when I actually finish the book), but maybe a lesson in
itself. If you notice, Ezekiel didn’t say something along the lines of “it was
really bitter and hard to swallow, but I do as God commands and it was worth
it”. No, he says that it tasted <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sweet. </i>It
was delightful and it filled his stomach to the point of no more hunger. I
believe that God is telling us that we must absolutely consume his word in
order to grow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
you look in other parts of this book, God is constantly telling Ezekiel to
stand up and basically prepare to be used. A device called repetition is used
here, and for any other English geeks like me, you know that if something is
being repeated, it is of major importance. As used here, the underlying
message is that in order for God to use you or guide you or even seriously
dwell in your heart, you MUST eat the word of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
the moral of the story is this: If you want a constant revival, something that
you will never ever lose, start consuming the word of God. Get all that you can
get, read all that you can read. Take notes, do bible studies. Be in the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every single day. </i>It may be tough at
first (like leather) to take that time out of every day to read, but I can
promise you that it will be sweet as honey. God’s word will fill you up and you
will experience that revival we all love every single day. God bless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-47414320202097001382013-09-18T20:36:00.003-05:002013-09-18T20:36:56.778-05:00Back to School Breakdown?Wow....hard to believe it is that time again but Mini started back to school August 1st. We are on year round school which has the advantage of multiple breaks but the disadvantage of bringing summer to a screeching halt August 1st. Below are pictures taken her first day of school back in 2001.<br />
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This year going back to school brought some very unique challenges for Wonder Hubby and I (starting with the fact that to us she still looks like the pictures above). Sometimes we experience the same thing Steve Martin did in the scene from Father of the Bride when his daughter announced she is getting married and he sees a seven year old! <br />
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Mini started her senior year in high school. I know it is cliche' but where did the time go? Her past 11 years of school have flown! I feel like we learned how quickly time goes by with BDJ and were really soaking in every minute with Mini but it still wasn't enough.<br />
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On Sunday before school started the family and Mini's boyfriend got together and surprised her with a "Good Luck Senior Year" party. She was surprised for sure. She expressed how much she appreciated the party and the unwavering support she has from her family.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQvjeVsQAQi-j6IjbJfxGmwjOo2cCtpzeb3nVf586G3eBbGDqdKMHKbm3FX2YLYvgf7k85d0IzfU9b6B6AcBdQRyBlWAmlJRg5lcC0mIjFkdo1YvdMryTUKiCAWCBgKx1IYS6MTg1-F87/s1600/photo+5-01.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQvjeVsQAQi-j6IjbJfxGmwjOo2cCtpzeb3nVf586G3eBbGDqdKMHKbm3FX2YLYvgf7k85d0IzfU9b6B6AcBdQRyBlWAmlJRg5lcC0mIjFkdo1YvdMryTUKiCAWCBgKx1IYS6MTg1-F87/s400/photo+5-01.PNG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completely confused as to why all the cars are in the drive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3OZkNd22CtiK0FVjoRC77PRlc4UGHqLJ0dxa16XMNoyrN4xyi7RQMeDTDecpvrsqT0b8t22SvHvWkClJBmCjWeOi1A7TCld6vhDLBCu9hZBw-mNQn7Hj5ur-9VUVy9ctdm9oBPGEtD-E/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3OZkNd22CtiK0FVjoRC77PRlc4UGHqLJ0dxa16XMNoyrN4xyi7RQMeDTDecpvrsqT0b8t22SvHvWkClJBmCjWeOi1A7TCld6vhDLBCu9hZBw-mNQn7Hj5ur-9VUVy9ctdm9oBPGEtD-E/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully it was a pleasant surprise!</td></tr>
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Below are pictures of Mini's last first day of school. Someone appropriately pointed out she is still rocking the capris, sandels and backpack!<br />
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I am not sure whether the <strike>breakdown</strike> I have had about her going back to school has to do with her growing up, my hormones, facing an empty nest or fighting the feeling that this is the end. I have really been up and down since school started back. <br />
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I am trying to keep in mind that my feelings toward graduating high school and heading off to college may be skewed due to BDJ. He graduated college and moved across the country only days later. It shouldn't be forever but right now the two years he has been gone feel like forever. So, I am transferring a unjustified fear that senior year is just step one in being far, far away to Mini and I know it isn't fair so I am working hard to tamp that feeling down.<br />
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The year has gone well for Mini so far she is so, so busy. She is trying to balance being President of the student body, and clubs with honors classes, church activities and her job while being inundated with college options and the dizzying process of scholarships.<br />
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Time feels like it has kicked into warp speed. I think I have had a total of 3 hours with her in a week! Bless her heart she is so aware of this and makes a huge effort to make time for us. We are so very, very blessed with such a sweet, beautiful and successful daughter but there are times when you wish for a underachiever!<br />
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An underachiever might not finish high school and would live with you forever! Okay maybe they would finish high school but not attend college far away. Maybe they would stick close to home, get married and have babies quickly therefore giving us new grandbabies to distract us from our empty nest. I'm joking people. As <strike>completely unabashedly selfish</strike> appealing as that all sounds at times, I want to help my children take advantage of the opportunities they are presented and spend their lives doing the things they love. Which means, like it or not, not just letting them go but helping them to fly. <br />
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I wish I had understood this more when BDJ first left for college (first kid = guinea pig) but with time comes wisdom. Not that I am not hanging onto Mini with both hands! lol <br />
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So once again....taking deep breaths and accepting change.Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-57595163027812866172013-07-25T11:08:00.002-05:002013-07-25T11:08:47.608-05:00Guest Post - Words of Hope <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mini has been so busy this summer! She is working a job, very involved in all her church activities and is preparing to start her senior year of high school but she still has time to churn out one amazing/moving article after another. We are incredibly blessed with this child. In the latest issue there was this note from the editor,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I would like to take a moment of your time to show a little of my appreciation for Hope Duke. I have been so blessed by her writing talent and the content she chooses for each issue. This young lady has a desire to teach and to be taught. You can feel it in each of her articles and especially this one. She will be a senior in High School this coming year and looks forward to attending college. I would like to thank everyone for the compliments you continuously give about Hope's column. Again, she is a very talented writer and has encouraged so many people young and old. This young lady is definitely an important part of "The Good Stuff." - JM - Editor</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Without further ado....here is her latest article.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Words of Hope</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A few weeks ago, God
decided to answer a constant prayer I have had on my heart for as long as I’ve
been a Christian. While serving on a mission sight in Jackson, Mississippi, my
creator revealed to me my calling in life. From my re-birth as a daughter of
Christ to that very week, I had constantly been praying that God simply show me
his will for my life. Where was I going to go to college? What profession would
I have? Where would I go on mission trips, something very dear to my heart? How
is the course of my life going to be significant to God’s over-all plan? All
these questions have weighed on me and I’m relieved to finally be able to say I
think I have it figured out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">My job on sight was to
play with children ranging from ages 3 to 10 and to tell them bible stories
without boring them to tears. I was disappointed when I arrived because I
noticed that poverty was not a factor for these children and most of them
attended church. Other people from my church were at sights located in the “ghetto”,
where kids were elated to hear the good news of Christ for the very first time.
My children, however, knew every answer to Cain and Able, Moses and the burning
bush, when Jesus fed the 5,000, and Saul’s transformation to Paul, all at a
young age. I immediately began to question why God even wanted us here. These
kids already had Jesus, right? As the week went by, God began to answer my
questions. From talking with the kids, I learned of divorce and heart break in
their lives at a very young age. I noticed some kids’ shyness and lack of love
they were receiving at home. I quickly realized that I wasn’t there to just
tell people about Jesus, I was there to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">show</i>
these sweet children who Jesus really was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You see, in that week,
God showed me that I absolutely adore children and my aspirations of being a
teacher should be carried out. But He also showed me that in order to be a
follower of Jesus, my heart must break for others and I must be moved to be a
real servant. He showed me that it doesn’t matter if I’m in Africa, Russia,
Canada, or the US, need is present. Though people may disguise it, their hearts
are aching for a love that they can’t yet comprehend. My calling in life is to
serve others and, in essence, serve my savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">After this experience
God has given me, I can already see him exercising my servant heart. I see him
telling me to do this or that, even small things, and I see in people’s faces
how it lights up their day. This is the true living like Christ. People will
never be open to receive love from our savior if they aren’t open to the love his
children are providing. And if his children aren’t providing much love, others
are at a loss. I challenge you to start asking God to guide you in servitude
and to grow your heart to break for others. God bless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 13:12-15 When he
had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his
place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You
call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that
I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one
another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-54551254066246764872013-07-24T13:01:00.000-05:002013-07-24T13:01:55.286-05:00Million Dollar Vacation<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago we took a vacation. This vacation was very up in the air until about a month ago. Wonder Hubby's schedule was changing, Mini has a job, The Big Dumb Jock wasn't sure if his cross fit competition would allow him to join us and<strong><em> I was just tired of trying to work around everything and every one's schedule</em></strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We waffled back and forth and finally everything clicked the second week of June and we booked a condo (<strong><em>which was a <strike>nightmare for me</strike> miracle on short notice</em></strong>) and started to get excited. This would be the first vacation the 4 of us had taken alone in 5 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The week leading up to departure Wonder Hubby started his new schedule, Mini worked crazy hours and I prepared the house for a big welcome home/4th of July cookout for the family as well as celebrated my birthday! Busy week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BDJ came home on July 3rd (<strong><em>awesome birthday present don't ya think</em></strong>?) and we hosted a big ole indoor cookout (thanks to never ending rain) for all the uncles and grandparents on the 4th.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't take a single picture of the guests or the food......I <strong><em>get so distracted</em></strong> when I get BDJ home! We all had a great time together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Saturday morning we loaded up (<strong><em>according to BDJ like the hillbillies</em></strong>) and headed out. BDJ seems to think that me packing my favorite pan, spices, mini-chopper, smoothie maker, oils, etc. is weird. <strong><em>He is 24 what does he know</em></strong>? Hey, if I am going to cook, I need my stuff! <strong><em> I like all the comforts of home, which seems to be a big deal to BDJ</em></strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder Hubby tried to explain the whole if mama ain't happy concept to him. H<strong><em>e also doesn't understand those of us that cannot travel cross country for 10 days in a carry on</em></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have I told you that BDJ loves Mini a lot? No, well he does. Have I mentioned that he is <strong><em>very</em></strong> demonstrative? He has acted as if she was his baby since the day she was born....and when he wasn't feeling parental he thought she was his personal toy. I knew when I saw his facebook comment to Mini a few days before he came home, <strong><em>"</em></strong><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><strong><em>2 days!! I hope your excited Beach toy!!",</em></strong> that this trip was going to require referring and rescue! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Less than 12 hours after arriving home and he was already at it! Of course if you look closely you will see <strong><em>Mini wasn't really hating it....yet</em></strong>. She was <strong><em>not</em></strong> amused that his facebook status that accompanied this pic mentioned she had gained her Freshman 15 a year early....can't say that I blame her there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Travel day. Fun in the backseat.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope quietly reading....this will not be allowed for long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is his <em><strong>up to no good.....what can I do to Hope now </strong></em>look....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And there it is.....frustration in the backseat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have vacationed in Destin for 27 years now. All vacations are good, some more memorable than others. We have heavenly and horrible weather, sickness, accidents, great and terrible accommodations and a million other variables over the years but at the end of the week you say it was good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After all how can you go to the beach and not enjoy it? This year however was incredible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The condo was lovely yes but not the finest we have ever had (however you just couldn't beat the view and cooking looking at the ocean is AWESOME).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">View from the kitchen island. I would cook all day long with this view. It was wonderful to cook for the family and sit down and enjoy it while listening to the ocean waves in the background.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Destin is located on the gulf coast and is known as the Emerald coast with beautiful emerald waters and pristine white beaches. This year however, the emerald waters were no where to be found.....not one day with emerald waters. In fact 5 out of 7 days the water was darker than I had ever seen and there was a lot of seaweed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can usually count on an afternoon t-storms at least a couple of days while visiting but we were arriving as they received record rainfall. So the weather was good but not great. The clouds did make for some beautiful sunsets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">None of that mattered this week.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing mattered this wee kbecause we had all we needed.....time and each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time for conversations about everything and nothing that living 2,000 miles and a different time zone away doesn't often allow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had time to just be together sitting by the sea in total silence. It was an incredible blessing. The best part of the week for me was seeing these two together. Mini has a low tolerance for being touched/hugged....so as you can see she was very indulgent of her brother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder Hubby had a big old blessed week as well!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then suddenly and much too soon it was over. It is always a sad day when BDJ wings his way back to Las Vegas but I have the memories of a wonderful visit and a vacation worth a million dollars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plus, I knew Mini was just about out of patience! Last kiss at the airport.</span></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-12077084886182156292013-07-18T11:12:00.000-05:002013-07-18T11:12:30.491-05:00Busy and Blessed Birthday<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Whew this summer has been busy! I should have known with Mini heading into her senior year of high school that this summer would move at warp speed. With so much going on here we haven't found many of those lazy summer days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The week of my birthday was no exception. My birthday is July 3rd so it is always wrapped with all the July 4th festivities. This year got a bit crazier with the Big Dumb Jock coming home to vacation with us starting on July 6th. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spent the week cleaning and preparing for the big birthday/homecoming/4th cookout, as well as doing all that pre vacation stuff. Despite all of the hubbub I had a wonderful birthday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since our spare daughter Bri has a birthday on July 5th, Mini planned a surprise activity for just us girls. We made some adorable flip flops and super chic headbands and for such simple projects, a really big mess! We had a lot of fun and both projects turned out beautifully!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mini is beginning to work on her headband. For whatever reason, I have no pictures of either Mini or Bri in their headbands :( Can you tell she was annoyed at me interrupting crafting for photos?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We each put our own spin on the flops....love the colors!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI2zVs3_Ymgv4znvOLLrnOYV4POmxWpyFQG2jHfusL0dRzWCTyuZAyx0qFlI6OFZK2wIfJ7WoRFLxaTe3ezdxK9g60gTU8-SIIiZnvP5edoj1bhJS_Ty4BkW-BDnO70a0ErDscMww9E7c/s1600/P1060049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI2zVs3_Ymgv4znvOLLrnOYV4POmxWpyFQG2jHfusL0dRzWCTyuZAyx0qFlI6OFZK2wIfJ7WoRFLxaTe3ezdxK9g60gTU8-SIIiZnvP5edoj1bhJS_Ty4BkW-BDnO70a0ErDscMww9E7c/s400/P1060049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mini also treated me to these cutie patootie toes! She did a great job on them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWzq_8q3pJZ5ryjMo3lRsVvl8GnOkL1gSXn8CcnOQjm8UEeAt80yJafRcpVZwPO3vg4N5Lc8TQVFLgNaZ_HU_1DmbFcQnYO1eQt71GAxPhrDTBhiAp8HZo14GT_15pvsANvGQ11FWtMoR/s1600/P1060073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWzq_8q3pJZ5ryjMo3lRsVvl8GnOkL1gSXn8CcnOQjm8UEeAt80yJafRcpVZwPO3vg4N5Lc8TQVFLgNaZ_HU_1DmbFcQnYO1eQt71GAxPhrDTBhiAp8HZo14GT_15pvsANvGQ11FWtMoR/s400/P1060073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder Hubby came through with a favorite....cold hard cash! My MIL and FIL also came through with a beautiful necklace and cash and dad gave me a beautiful amethyst ring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My sweet mama came by and surprised me with this adorable fairy garden!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the clay stairs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My brother made the ladder and door and windows...they are too cute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love the little Gnome! I had pinned several of these on Pinterest hoping to make one eventually, so it was quite a treat to receive this one.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My brother also made the little bench and Mom mossed up the little house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the day was drawing to a close I got another gift.....I got to pick up the Big Dumb Jock from the airport! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessed to have had many people celebrate my birthday with me!</span></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-31304103675129370642013-06-30T21:49:00.003-05:002013-06-30T21:49:50.918-05:00SlackalackinYep, this is precisely what I have been doing, slackin. Slackin on something very important. A blog must. I have been slacking on doing something about the end of the road for Google Reader and what my plan of action would be. I have been reading blogs and playing on Pinterest when I haven't been working in the yard or junking and now I am sweating it.<br />
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I just never wanted to deal with it and here we are....in three short hours Reader will go bye bye. You can still follow me (I think, lol) via email or Bloglovin or Linky follow and I am working on figuring out the whole Google+ deal.<br />
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I think I have everything backed up and or switched over to new reader options but, I am not puter savvy so who knows what tomorrow will bring :) For now I am gonna trust that I will have some good cyber karma and all will be fine...I hope!<br />
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-32275672029132760092013-06-25T15:51:00.000-05:002013-06-25T15:51:29.004-05:00Priorities, Pretties and Puny Excuses<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been MIA from blogland for a while now. I am not a daily poster but I usually have a little something to share at least once a month. I do, however, usually read blogs daily but I have even been slacking on that! <strong><em> Puny excuse</em></strong> I know but my priority is to live life and sometimes while doing that living, I forget all about blogging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Spring rolls around I stay outside as much as possible and<strong><em> play in the dirt</em></strong> and <strong><em>grow pretty things,</em></strong> So that keeps me pretty busy. Then it is the end of the school year and that always brings lots of activity as well. So here is a little post with some pictures of all the things that have kept me happily distracted for a while.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I posted about Mini winning a limo from Craig Morgan for prom night a while back (what a nice guy!). Mini was able to invite several couples to join her. They had dinner in Nashville and then spent some time enjoying the conservatory at Opryland Hotel then it was off to prom. Here are a few pictures.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PS7D_LK7F70YH67o9V1AyfZRGoLqGF_1P7BK6kwsW5as2dKnrFqb1sZdGxAXhtayEWny7XIb6s-Wc4Iwqjm5uU9cNktT-rVpRaUgQxU6bLSQ-DeYsnqzqYBDasrl0wD1T39GaR4dS_WC/s1600/P1050740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PS7D_LK7F70YH67o9V1AyfZRGoLqGF_1P7BK6kwsW5as2dKnrFqb1sZdGxAXhtayEWny7XIb6s-Wc4Iwqjm5uU9cNktT-rVpRaUgQxU6bLSQ-DeYsnqzqYBDasrl0wD1T39GaR4dS_WC/s640/P1050740.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other than the few minutes we took this pic is rained all day and into the night!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGdYAoQsbx86wsEE4-XlDKOfcuytuvQHqmaFeCx6eemzQH0_bJSPJV1zEWC64cGQ-jw80j3vXlUOFlWwwVkhGJjYDt5xYb3h_nRpzCDiPCT93Ttm592bPDR3Q_uZUELNGNPnjW7cF-aHA/s1600/P1050766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGdYAoQsbx86wsEE4-XlDKOfcuytuvQHqmaFeCx6eemzQH0_bJSPJV1zEWC64cGQ-jw80j3vXlUOFlWwwVkhGJjYDt5xYb3h_nRpzCDiPCT93Ttm592bPDR3Q_uZUELNGNPnjW7cF-aHA/s640/P1050766.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing what teens do best, being silly and having fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcutoqEcK0C0GWf4HQuszGkLRYLh-uKChLJwSWzvRWpILYAKG8w7Z3BZVRQ-t4g3MD4Mn-vkdtbQq_K3ZVWOFYNlHbjUInD5C9tIPGcQv-A-wS1vu-vVKL3JwG3cM_gMi3zoceVtuRzo1/s1600/P1050767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcutoqEcK0C0GWf4HQuszGkLRYLh-uKChLJwSWzvRWpILYAKG8w7Z3BZVRQ-t4g3MD4Mn-vkdtbQq_K3ZVWOFYNlHbjUInD5C9tIPGcQv-A-wS1vu-vVKL3JwG3cM_gMi3zoceVtuRzo1/s640/P1050767.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off they go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74890scyLFeirtz8oixhEmGqmzYVZd4FZaABi56ZlpzezktKRclElaTPnI0rhSRGHi-c_VENCQp5Omfo_6CQW0BgKtHAPed-5wT7NfZSr3qre8wiTJNavHLJdxNHLq1rmIHxLChou8pjz/s1600/P1050783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74890scyLFeirtz8oixhEmGqmzYVZd4FZaABi56ZlpzezktKRclElaTPnI0rhSRGHi-c_VENCQp5Omfo_6CQW0BgKtHAPed-5wT7NfZSr3qre8wiTJNavHLJdxNHLq1rmIHxLChou8pjz/s640/P1050783.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Opryland Hotel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May brought the beginning of yard work. Lots of weeding, planting and mowing, all of which I love and spend <strong><em>way too much</em></strong> time doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We celebrated Mother's Day. <strong><em>Lots of treats for me</em></strong>. I have sweet, sweet kids and a wonderful hubby. BDJ sent flowers....I have never had multi colored roses...they were beautiful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mini (who is anti craft) made use of the hours she spends on Pinterest and made this adorable pot. I knew this one was from the heart if she got her craft on!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spare daughter Bri brought me flowers. They lasted 3 full weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder Hubby came through with cash....yes the man knows me! We also celebrated with the Nana but for some reason I can't find any photos of that :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before I headed into the yard full time I got our closet changed from winter to summer. Usually a huge task, this year with the closet makeover I blogged about</span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2013/02/out-with-really-really-old-closet.html"><span style="font-size: large;"> here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, it was a snap. Two hours and the conversion was complete.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">End of school brought academic banquets and Mini's graduation from Youth Leadership.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mini at the Academic Awards Night. Doesn't she look happy to be there, I mean she was the only Junior to receive an award!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She was happy with the award but thrilled that they had this....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mini <strong><em>loves some refreshments</em></strong>! Next up, cake at Leadership graduation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then Mini was off to Girl's State. <strong><em>This left Wonder Hubby and I alone for a week, giving us a taste of what life will be like in a year when she is leaving for college. Yikes!</em></strong> We have got to work on what life with no kids at home is going to be like. She absolutely loved Girl's State and recommends it to any girl that is lucky enough to be selected for the experience.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping her off at her dorm....I was worried about her having fun.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Based on the pictures I think she had too much fun! She really enjoyed learning about how government really works and being a part of it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout May and into June, I continue to play in the yard. Let me share a bit of what we have been enjoying and the progress made since I posted </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2013/05/gardening-here-comes-rain-again.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My peony was a bit late blooming this year but it was <strong><em>worth the wait</em></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The smell in my house was<strong><em> amazing</em></strong>! I so wish these pretties stayed in bloom for the entire summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other pretties around the yard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is always a project that needs doing, but this one was<strong><em> really annoying</em></strong>. Just last spring Wonder Hubby and I replaced all the porch railing and I gave it all new paint. Early spring porch cleaning revealed this lovely mess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the paint had literally popped off down to the wood. Even wood that was previously painted (years worth of painted) popped off!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YHZJsnuBH-nregD1rdyna5v-lp_agNDQlsa2rdfdzlGFruN7kT2WgOS5amAFQbERZLn3FFo1CpY1noWwYiMfrGkmfatZGQ1z-PN53vm9VIobdh8rnd5_9UskfKTSUPArtBdaJ-XHKtgH/s1600/P1050861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YHZJsnuBH-nregD1rdyna5v-lp_agNDQlsa2rdfdzlGFruN7kT2WgOS5amAFQbERZLn3FFo1CpY1noWwYiMfrGkmfatZGQ1z-PN53vm9VIobdh8rnd5_9UskfKTSUPArtBdaJ-XHKtgH/s640/P1050861.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Very frustrating! I called our local building supply and they contacted the Porter Paints who replaced the paint and primer. So after using them faithfully for 15 yrs., I can be assured they will stand behind their products. Thank goodness, I hated the thoughts of spending $100.00 again on the products. They did not, however, provide a nice little helper to sand miles of railing and repaint it all. It took 2 solid days of work sanding and another to paint but thankfully it is complete. As much as I like making like Tom Sawyer and whitewashing every spring, it may be time to replace with vinyl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I finally gave in and went out with Wonder Hubby, Mini and Georgette. Remember Georgette, Wonder Hubby's other woman? I blogged about her <a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/08/meet-georgette.html">here</a>. Well, as much as I hate to admit it....I really like her too....and the fishing turned out to be way more fun than I figured. In fact I caught my first fish (at least in the last 20 yrs.) on our first day out and was ready to head out again the next day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After completing this project I moved on to tossing myself headfirst down the stairs in the garage. This little adventure took me out of the game for about a week and left me with bumps, bruises and a broken toe, all of which are almost back to normal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That bring us to Father's Day. Mini is preparing "fish" cupcakes a la Pinterest for her fishing fanatic daddy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Poor Wonder Hubby had to work on Father's Day but we had him covered with his favorite meatloaf and fishy cupcakes for dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last night we celebrated with Father's Day with my dad. Terrible lighting on this picture but I wanted to share it anyway. He had a good night and enjoyed his favorite, chocolate pie for dessert and took some to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Hmmm.....now that I look at this post, I realize I have been a pretty busy lady. I won't even lie and say I have something exciting to blog about coming....I don't! lol </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am playing in the dirt daily, enjoying time with Mini during this, her last summer of high school and looking forward to BDJ coming home to vacation with us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you are busy enjoying your summer too!</span></div>
Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-88056232844768965072013-05-31T17:13:00.002-05:002013-05-31T17:13:26.564-05:00Dinner, Devastation and Guest Post - Words of Hope - God is Faithful<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last Monday was a beautiful Spring day here in Tennessee. Mini just finished her junior year of high school and she and I bummed around the house all day. While cleaning, I unloaded the dishwasher and set a stack of Fiesta plates on the counter next to the flowers my spare daughter Bri gave me for Mother's Day and saw how beautifully they matched. Ah ha....beautiful day, beautiful flowers and matching plates = dinner on the deck!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing fancy or really blog worthy but I was excited to shift dinner outdoors and I love the colors. We prepared Chicken Pasta Florentine (Mini's new favorite dish) and a nice salad (which Mini made a homemade Italian dressing for) and were looking forward to a relaxing dinner</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We set out the dishes, gather the napkins and rings and found a cloth that was just perfect. I prepped the salad and the pasta ingredients early around 2:30.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was just finishing up the prep work when I decided to flip on the tv and catch a bit of Dr. Phil. I had checked in on the latest on the Jodi Arias trial earlier in the day so when I flipped on the tv it was already on HLN. I expected to see trial coverage but instead saw tornado video. I assumed they were showing footage from last Sunday's Oklahoma tornado and flipped the channel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward 45 minutes, Wonder Hubby, Mini and I were catching up on our day and flipped on the tv to see the tornado footage again, only this time we realized what we were watching was live. Live as the first helicopter flew over the devastation of a tornado that has just disappated after literally wiping the lives of many completely away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For a good hour we sat shocked and mesmerized by the overwhelming devastation and praying feveriously for all the people in this area. How could this happen? Why did this happen? How could schools in this area not have storm shelters? What will the people that lost their homes, cars and possibly their employment do? How will the families of lost children deal? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly, a dinner on the deck with matching flowers and plates seemed so indulgent. I could only think how I was heartbroken for those that were in harms way and give thanks that we were given the opportunity to gather together around the table together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Oklahoma tornados (including those just yesterday since it is now 5/31/13) have weighed heavily on me and I have been out of sorts with Mini gone to Girls State.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I knew Mini was terribly troubled about the tornados as well, but she was busy all last week packing and preparing to leave. It wasn't until today when I picked up the local paper and read her most recent column that I realized she was just as deeply affected. Below is her latest article, I think she does a wonderful job of putting it all in perspective.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Words of Hope - God's Faithfulness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As many of you know, an
F5 tornado recently ripped through Oklahoma, killing a few and completely
devastating many. If you were anything like my family, you were glued to the
television, scanning the debris left in the path of the tornado in complete
disbelief. Shortly after the disaster hit, my mother quickly logged onto
Facebook to see what everyone else was saying about this horrific natural
phenomenon and she came across a picture of one of the victims who had
literally lost everything. In the caption of the picture he was quoted saying
“It’s not my stuff, it’s God’s. It’s His decision what He wants to do with it”.
As she read off that quote to me, I let it sink in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, this is a powerful
quote at face value, but take a minute to really think about it. This is coming
from a man who literally lost everything he had mere hours before he was quoted
saying this. I took a minute right then and thought about how I would respond
to being in the same situation. No hot shower to go to or warm bed to crawl
into anymore. My entire clothing collection (which is a BIG collection) would
be completely gone. No shoes or electronics or my phone. What if my dog hadn’t
been as fortunate as us too? What if all I had was the clothes on my back and
my family? Where would I be spiritually at that moment? I think everyone’s
natural reaction at a time like that would to be angry with God. I believe we
all would begin to ask a lot of whys. But what did this man do? He kept his
faith that God will provide. He had provided the stuff this man had lost in the
first place. And our God is not a God who would take away and not give back.
This man obviously has faith that God’s love can reach even through this
terrible situation, and that’s inspiring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It very much reminds me
of the story of Job. If you can recall, God and Satan had a conversation at the
beginning of Job. God boasted about Job’s faithfulness but Satan asked if he
was so faithful just because he hadn’t been put through any hard situations.
God considered this and agreed He would prove to Satan that Job was faithful
because of his love for God, so He allowed Job to be put through some pretty
rough stuff. But the whole time, Job kept his faithfulness. He didn’t listen to
what his friends were telling him about God or what Satan told him about God.
He kept what HE knew about God in mind and knew that it was all going to turn
out alright. And did it? Of course it did. In the end, Job was blessed more
than ever. Why? Because our God is faithful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It is stories like
these that I want to keep in mind when life knocks me down. A large amount of
faith comes with the title of Christianity. It is faith that reminds people
that God loves them and His plans are bigger than their circumstance. It is
faith that allows a person to stare disaster in the face and not fear. It is
faith that gets people out of the deepest of holes and helps heal the largest
of wounds. Why? Because faith allows you to believe that you can forever rely
on God because he will always pull through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because of the Lord's
great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new
every morning; great is your faithfulness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-21052699814864686132013-05-05T09:18:00.000-05:002013-05-06T07:50:49.115-05:00Gardening / Here Comes the Rain Again.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are of a certain age this song is now stuck in your head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here comes the rain again </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Falling on my head like a memory .........</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It seems that here in Middle Tennessee we have been singing this song more often than not. Again this weekend it is soggy with flash flood warnings so I won't be playing in the yard. We have had the hardest time getting into Spring this year. In fact, today, along with the rain we are frolicking in the 40's! Mother Nature seems to be having some serious mood swings.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaKpqEuy9s0W9C3ELDFJqRVvZJoBxQdNUlq_pUaEVmLN16XLlqGG5Z-kES4obLBjsgp-0RGNNpHG61kToLN86Jf5yd4SJyCRknJhTE4bNiwnF_POTejt-7BMiYDSORqPp5wsWXRdAghOo/s1600/P1050848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaKpqEuy9s0W9C3ELDFJqRVvZJoBxQdNUlq_pUaEVmLN16XLlqGG5Z-kES4obLBjsgp-0RGNNpHG61kToLN86Jf5yd4SJyCRknJhTE4bNiwnF_POTejt-7BMiYDSORqPp5wsWXRdAghOo/s640/P1050848.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the first time in many years, I don't have in "big" projects this Spring. No big makeovers inside or out just tweaking existing things and enjoying. Good thing, since the weather has not been cooperative. In addition to the annuals I will plant I am adding a couple of new ideas that will hopefully be improvements to some of my landscaping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sorry the pic is askew....don't know why it won't flip. A couple of weeks back Wonder Hubby was on vacation and he managed to stay off the lake long enough for us to take a day to junk. We visited Springfield, TN and a couple of awesome antique malls. Within 5 minutes I had spotted these garden Obelisk's. I just couldn't concentrate on anything else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We left the mall without them because I am so cheap. Wonder Hubby was a bit annoyed with me since I initially considered buying only the largest of three and was okay with the price, yet, when that price turned out to be for all three I hesitated! Guess he was right. We left and had lunch at The Depot (I would recommend lunch there if you find yourself in Springfield) and went on to mall two. I just couldn't get these out of my mind so we toured mall two and then headed back for them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So glad Wonder Hubby insisted because I love them and can't wait to have them in the garden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year I had many of my plants in by mid April and all by the end of April. I finally managed to purchase my first plants for this year, last week. We had nice temps and weather this week so I was able to get in the dirt and complete some other outdoor chores</span>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJk-KBP2RPFEEc6J-nY9vlvK7KS6DaRK12PZzDgCiS4T0Gidjio0d_ZuCVMVHX4lvIpqISI9e9yxQkXGztrKij98ZHOzfHPZBc6nZKHUdBB7NqeqM5q7jT6XqeHWjSuPtMYxYIYAMDUwb/s1600/P1050702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJk-KBP2RPFEEc6J-nY9vlvK7KS6DaRK12PZzDgCiS4T0Gidjio0d_ZuCVMVHX4lvIpqISI9e9yxQkXGztrKij98ZHOzfHPZBc6nZKHUdBB7NqeqM5q7jT6XqeHWjSuPtMYxYIYAMDUwb/s640/P1050702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although I clean up in the fall there is still a good amount of garden debris and leaves to clean up in the Spring. Thankfully, I am done with this now and have already had a massive bon fire to get rid of the mess. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love "finding" what annuals made it through the winter that are beginning to make a debut. Until last year, having an annual come back in this area almost never happened, but with the last two winters being relatively mild I have had several this year. The photo above (shot this morning from a dry spot!) shows dracaena spikes that made it through the winter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looks like weed but its not....it is a Gerbera Daisy making its way into Spring 2013. I was very shocked to find this. It is a bit like Christmas as I wait to see what color it will be!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7Qrv92mOw4cFnWle3DGtNSDvuhwg4uo_28a6VakwYUUYb_6KfJMwwIGqL9C6K-w5T_kcJHKdaJUFKiXKdC8rA2hbSpFzrQMH_vsxYcVXvvFJA6Y7nKO-JS_LD4tdYlF0ZWHY5AJ5vOLQ/s1600/P1050824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7Qrv92mOw4cFnWle3DGtNSDvuhwg4uo_28a6VakwYUUYb_6KfJMwwIGqL9C6K-w5T_kcJHKdaJUFKiXKdC8rA2hbSpFzrQMH_vsxYcVXvvFJA6Y7nKO-JS_LD4tdYlF0ZWHY5AJ5vOLQ/s640/P1050824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also making a reappearance, Calibrochoa also known as million bells. I discovered this annual year before last and have fallen head over heels for it. Feed it a bit and keep it watered and it just keeps on producing beautiful petunia like flowers. I was over the moon to see some of my plants making an appearance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also used Calibrochoa in the pot Wonder Hubby gave me for Mother's Day last year and it has come back with a vengeance and is beautiful already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is my obelisk, perched in my pot waiting for a Joseph's coat rose to climb it. I just can't believe how the Calibrochoa returned, full and pretty already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For years I have had a flower bed in the front yard. I actually hesitate to call it a flower bed because it has been a mish mash of things people gave me or plants I was rooting. I had good intentions when I initially plowed it up but I always had another area I wanted to work on more. This year I have finally decided to put some effort into this bed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder Hubby brought in a truck load of garden mix for me and I have worked it in (in between floods) and have moved some existing plants around already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First change/improvement, a Pinterest inspired planter atop an old bird feeder post. Poor Wonder Hubby mounted the first planter I was going to try and naturally I found a better option (he should know that I am going to change my mind by now). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The better option is more proportionate....sometimes using what you have just doesn't work.</span></div>
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I<span style="font-size: large;"> can hardly wait to see this in a few weeks when everything fills out and begins to spill over! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two of my obelisk's will call this bed home. I am planning to plant Moon flower on them as well as on the post. Have you tried Moon flower? It lights up a garden in the evening and smells incredible. Next year I may try a climbing hydrangea on the large obelisk.</span></div>
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I<span style="font-size: large;"> am ready for the rain to end to plant my Moon flowers (I have them soaked and ready, I guess I could have skipped the whole soaking and planted them directly in the ground! lol). My peony is on the verge of blooming and I have a few iris in bloom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This pot is very special for me, it was my grandmother's. For as long as I can remember a set of two of these sat on the corners of my grandmother's front porch and were always planted with red geraniums. I brought these home after she passed away and planted them for the first time last year. I had the set in my back landscaping but decided to rob one of them for the front bed. The "foot" on this one is broken in half so I had so do a bit of burying to make it work, but that's okay I know what it is supposed to look like! I didn't go with red geraniums but I think the red calibrochoa will be very pretty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Now I will be able to enjoy one when I am out back and the other when I am swilling iced tea on the front porch or when I am at the stove cooking, since this bed is in my direct sight line from the kitchen island. Hopefully this week I will be able to get some annuals in this bed and bring in the mulch to finish it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also blooming and growing....the old azalea's from our original front landscape. They are dwarfing the plants we put in last year, which is a bit frustrating as I had expected much more growth of those by this year. I guess I should just been thankful the new plants made it considering we planted and a few days later we went through almost two weeks of temps of 100 - 108. They really didn't grow they just survived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully we saved a couple of our old azalea's and at least one of them looks fabulous. The other is still recovering from being crammed between VERY overgrown shrubs. We added 6 Encore azaleas last spring that hopefully will start really growing and blooming soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I truly love Azaleas. I have ever since we vacationed in Natchez Mississippi when I was a teenager and azaleas were in bloom everywhere. While my son attended college in Memphis I looked forward to seeing all the azaleas there as well. Strangely, azalea are not nearly as popular here in the Nashville area as other places in the South. I am doing my part to change that in my little corner of the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We put up the hut and brought out the deck table yesterday. It finally is beginning to feel like spring on the deck. We have opened the fish pond and got it up and running. I have a few things around the pond that are coming out little by little, a few elephant ears, iris and Asian lilies. I looks a little bare right now, I still have to plant annuals in pots around the pond. I cannot imagine our backyard without the pond. Just listening to the water seems to lower the temperature even on the hottest of days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my rear landscaping. Our lilac is in bloom, the hostas are almost fully up and there are a couple of things growing that I know I planted but I can't remember what they are. Good thing surprise in the garden is a good thing! Hopefully when this rainy weekend is over I will be able to purchase the annuals for this area and get those in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lilac smells amazing. Wish I could send it your way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oregano and basil are back as well....love having these to use with fresh tomatoes all summer long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My phlox is looking good.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have blogged about my good friend and junk buddy Tammy many times but I thought I would share this little story and how she coined a term we use all the time. When Tammy got married she and her husband moved to Memphis. We talked on the phone fairly often (even back in the days of watching your long distance bill) and we were always lamenting about being newly married and broke! We were always sharing shopping strategies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The big thing you need to know about Tammy is, she is a clearance shopping nut! So when she discovered shopping meat that was in the mark down section of the grocery store it was a big deal. She affectionately named this area The Rotten Meat bin and it stuck! Boy did it stick. It refers to clearance of any sort and we are constantly searching for "rotten meat." Recently we hit Lowes to check out their "Rotten Meat bin". We purchased quite a few plants at a steal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the items I purchased was phlox. Great deal at $2 for a large pot of it. Seeing this picture of phlox reminded me of how much I love shopping for plants in the Rotten Meat bin! lol I have also landed several packages of annuals for fifty cents and these adorable drift roses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They were looking pretty rough when I dropped them in place a few days ago but are already perking up. At a full grown size of 3 ft. wide and 1 1/2 feet tall, they are perfectly proportioned for Mini's house. I am so excited to see these fill out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, I have been piddling with a bed in the back yard. When I began to turn the front bed into an actual "feature" bed I started a bed in the back yard to be my feeder bed. I tossed in iris that I was thinning those out as well as some lilies and vinca from a neighbor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I also have been fortunate the last couple of years that the mums from my fall decorating made it through the winter and were transplanted to this bed. I think I have 10 mums in it now. This fall it should really be pretty. For now, I am weeding and added some Phlox straight from the Rotten Meat Bin and need to mulch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That concludes the tour of what I hope will be beautiful gardens in a month or so. Seeing all the beautiful new growth brightened this soggy day for me I hope it brightened yours!</span> </div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-48650892876330672872013-05-01T12:12:00.000-05:002013-05-01T12:23:55.376-05:00Dimensional Doodling and Glass Goodies<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been seeing all the beautiful painted glass bottles and jars on the web recently and I am just in love with them! From mason jars that are tinted to old Avon bottles being chalk painted I am smitten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As usual, I am late to the party, so by the time I started looking for glass to paint I was finding mostly old bud vases (boo!). After some diligent searching I finally landed some vases and an old perfume bottle that I wanted to try and paint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the vases came from my old standby, Goodwill. The two with yellow stickers vases were 1/2 off that day! Woo hoo. After several attempts I finally managed to get them painted. It was a little tougher than it looked to get the coverage I was looking for...and I did knock one off the table and break it (another trip to Goodwill required) but in the end I like how they turned out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the sparkle of the paint on the perfume bottle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The opalescent paint made the vine stand out on this vase.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I planned to display these on a shelf Wonder Hubby and I whipped up back last fall that was sitting empty. Of course the bottle were not enough to fill the shelf so I needed a little something else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I had several canvases sitting around so I decided to play around with those. First step, I made a copy of the fabric covered canvas I blogged about </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2013/04/cheapfun-wall-art.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. I chose elements from the fabric and transferred those to the canvas by tracing them onto parchment paper (it was what I had laying around) then traced them onto the canvas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At this point I decide I wanted a tone on tone canvas, so I dug out some dimensional paint (love this stuff!). I first used it for dimensional Easter eggs </span><a href="http://livinglifesouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-craft-projects.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This step takes a bit of time and a steady hand........so I had to work when I wasn't wired up on Co-cola or Coffee!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While working on the canvas I decided to add some dimension to a paper mache letter as well. Still not finished with it.....so where it will live is any one's guess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After letting everything dry, I watered down some acrylic craft paint and "washed" the whole canvas. Once that was dry, I sanded the design lightly to reveal bits of the dimensional design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the way it looks aged. My junk buddy saw it last week and commented that it looked like an old tin panel. Hmmmm...okay I like that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I placed it on the shelf with the bottles I painted as well as an adorable lantern/candle from OTP. I absolutely love how calming this feels every time I look at it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by and reading about my doodling adventure! Have a great week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am joining <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/">Kim at Savvy Southern Style</a> for</span><br />
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<br />Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530832947703677375.post-48339926565333201102013-04-20T09:03:00.000-05:002013-04-20T09:03:18.473-05:00Guest Post - Words of Hope<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Another week another newspaper column for Mini. Yesterday I didn't get a chance to go out and pick up the latest newspaper so I have just read this myself! Hope you enjoy, take a little something away from the article and enjoy a blessed weekend!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_vV7ezJq7FSGM1ogMRqVO1J_e4UERKAebdP0c_hA0bXGDA_ileUUBFfRm-LNX3vRd7dEtls30vU_useQ2G8V4_jTUI65R3I5RuGISUk8H4JbpOAq5tvNF_2zb7_eAfFsTSaY0TM3g64S/s1600/P1050092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_vV7ezJq7FSGM1ogMRqVO1J_e4UERKAebdP0c_hA0bXGDA_ileUUBFfRm-LNX3vRd7dEtls30vU_useQ2G8V4_jTUI65R3I5RuGISUk8H4JbpOAq5tvNF_2zb7_eAfFsTSaY0TM3g64S/s640/P1050092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I’ve mentioned
before, I am challenging myself to read through the whole bible in one year.
Currently I am almost done with 2 Chronicles, so I’d say I’m making pretty good
progress. If you’ve read around this area of the bible, you’ll notice that Israel
has got a TON of kings. I mean, most of the stories from 1 Kings to where I am
right now (and who knows, it may go beyond that! I’ll see soon!) are all about
how Israel got this really awesome king who either had his heart set on God or
was as far from God as one could get. When you read, you notice that there are
probably 4 good, solid kings who are after God with all of their hearts and do
as God moves them to do. The others either are completely opposed to the idea
of Israel’s God or kind of try to get into Him but don’t feel like giving their
whole heart away. A noticeable trend seen is “so-and-so had his heart right
with God but did not remove the high places and Asherah poles and this was
detestable in the eyes of the Lord” or something like that. The first couple of
times I read that I thought nothing of it. But when all of these books of the
bible CONSTANTLY repeat this and every single time the king who keeps these
“high places and Asherah poles” fails at what he’s doing because his heart
isn’t right with God according to the bible, I noticed a great lesson to be
learned. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">For those of you who
maybe haven’t gotten into that part of the bible or need some brushing up, the
“high places and Asherah poles” are these really strange locations to worship
other gods. When I noticed this trend, I started thinking about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why </i>most of these kings didn’t get
around to taking these places down. I mean, if it was that important to God and
could all together improve the quality of their lives, wouldn’t you think that the
removal of these places would be of the upmost importance? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The reason that these
kings didn’t get rid of the high places is in the name itself. <u>High </u>places….
They weren’t necessarily the easiest things to get to. Out of sight, out of
mind, right? They thought it would be too much of a hassle to tend to these
worship centers so they just never got around to it. Now does that remind you
of anyone? To me, we are these kings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The way I see it, our
“high places” are parts of our lives that don’t necessarily glorify God. They
might not be particularly b<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ad, </i>but we
aren’t giving God the control. We take certain aspects of our lives that we
just don’t see as important or maybe that we don’t think we can give up and we
hide them in the highest places in our hearts but we expect God to make
something of us. The truth is, God will never be able to make anything
extraordinary out of our lives until we give him those high places. We will
never be the few great kings mentioned who triumph over all by God’s hand until
we realize that God deserves EVERY part of us. It’s time to get rid of the high
places, friends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Shaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548750004948893416noreply@blogger.com1