Accolades, Awards and Awe

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.

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.

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.

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.

 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!

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 usually either with a front that moves quickly or very light.

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 might 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.

Graduation Day dawned WET and FREEZING COLD.  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 incredibly trying year for our family, after sitting in wet chairs for graduation practice for 2 hours had  wavering hope and little patience.

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!

Slowly it began to come together.

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.

We ended up creating what looked like shrines!

The board from Senior night in church was quickly put back into service.

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.

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. 

 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!

We took advantage of the chance for a family picture, those times don't happen often these days.

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. 

Oh here they come.....and I was so shook up already I ended up taking this video instead of a photo.

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.

Still waving so I can find her!

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!  

 I don't know if it was my eyesight or tears but I had many blurry pictures so ya'll just bear with me. 

 The big moment finally arrives.

 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?

Then it was over.  Just like that, twelve long years of anticipation and lots of hard work done, over, finished.

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.

Guest were greeted with a lighted balloon arch. I think Mini and I did okay on this after thought idea.

Despite a brisk wind and freezing temps, Mini would not be denied her Graduation Party in the hut!

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.

And.....We're Off - The Adventures of Lottie & Molly

This question is.....Are we off our rockers or off and running in our antiquing and junking adventure?  The answer is both!

 

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 

 

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.

 

Lottie tells me daily I need to quit this whole job thing because it is screwing up our junking life.  The truth is, IT REALLY IS, 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 temptation.

 

Here are a few pictures of where I space is and some of the pieces we have in stock currently.

 

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 this could become a big problem fast.   I will be sharing some of the projects I have been working on for the booth soon.  Thanks for stopping in.

Million Dollar Vacation

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 I was just tired of trying to work around everything and every one's schedule. 

We waffled back and forth and finally everything clicked the second week of June and we booked a condo (which was a nightmare for me miracle on short notice) and started to get excited.  This would be the first vacation the 4 of us had taken alone in 5 years.

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.

BDJ came home on July 3rd (awesome birthday present don't ya think?) and we hosted a big ole indoor cookout (thanks to never ending rain) for all the uncles and grandparents on the 4th.  

I didn't take a single picture of the guests or the food......I get so distracted when I get BDJ home!  We all had a great time together.

On Saturday morning we loaded up (according to BDJ like the hillbillies) and headed out.  BDJ seems to think that me packing my favorite pan, spices, mini-chopper, smoothie maker, oils, etc. is weird.  He is 24 what does he know?  Hey, if I am going to cook, I need my stuff!  I like all the comforts of home, which seems to be a big deal to BDJ. 

 

Wonder Hubby tried to explain the whole if mama ain't happy concept to him.   He also doesn't understand those of us that cannot travel cross country for 10 days in a carry on.

Have I told you that BDJ loves Mini a lot?  No, well he does. Have I mentioned that he is very 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, "2 days!! I hope your excited Beach toy!!", that this trip was going to require referring and rescue! 

Less than 12 hours after arriving home and he was already at it!  Of course if you look closely you will see Mini wasn't really hating it....yet.  She was not 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.

Travel day.  Fun in the backseat.....

Hope quietly reading....this will not be allowed for long.

This is his up to no good.....what can I do to Hope now look....

And there it is.....frustration in the backseat.

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. 

 

After all how can you go to the beach and not enjoy it?   This year however was incredible. 

 

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).

 

 

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.

 

 

  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. 

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.

 

None of that mattered this week. 

Nothing mattered this wee kbecause we had all we needed.....time and each other.

 

Time for conversations about everything and nothing that living 2,000 miles and a different time zone away doesn't often allow.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wonder Hubby had a big old blessed week as well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

Plus, I knew Mini was just about out of patience!  Last kiss at the airport.

 

 

 

 

Spring Inspiration

 

Our weather here has been so sketchy lately getting fully in Spring mode has come in bits and spurts.  Last week we were having yet another unseasonably cool and rainy day so my junk buddy Tammy and I headed out shopping to get some inspiration. 

 

Our target for the day was Old Time Pottery.  Love, love, love OTP!  I bet we were in the store 4 hours....we leave no items unchecked.   OTP is a great option for pictures, mirrors and lots of seasonal items and REALLY reasonable prices.

 

If you haven't started or completed your spring cleaning these should jump start you.

 

If you gotta do it you should work with tools that just look happy shouldn't you?

If you look closely you can see that they even have toilet issues tools glammed up!

I was all set to buy some fashionable leopard mops and brooms and brushes but alas, they were out of those....guess I wasn't meant to spend time spring cleaning.

 

Organizing anyone?  There was an amazing selection of  brightly colors containers.  This would really perk up garage organization I need to consider tackling just that!  Many of the containers would be great for use at outdoor cookouts and parties. 

 

Loved these jar lanterns!  The colors are so pretty for summer evenings outside and at $2.49 you can't beat the price.  If you have an interest in these run don 't walk to your nearest OTP.  I purchased these in fall colors last fall and used them in a dozen different ways.  I purchased only 3 and decided to go back for more....no go that were sold out in a week.  So....you snooze you lose on these pretties.

 

These flowers were amazing!  About 10 inches across they really would make a statement.  I am regretting now buying them :(  I made some napkin rings last year using a smaller version of these flowers, I blogged about them here.  I think these giant versions would look great hanging above the table.  Oh well, if it is meant to be they will be there when I go back.

 

 

 

Looking to spruce up your patio furniture?  OTP had a wonderful selection of cushions and umbrellas.  Lots of styles, colors and patterns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My deal of the day? Lanterns.

 

 

These amazing lanterns.  They are about 3 ft. tall and were on clearance for $10 each.  I jumped on them (that's right jumped because getting the deal between Tammy and I is HIGHLY competitive!).  As we shopped we ran into a gentlemen asking where I found them.  When I told him he said "good I wanted them moved there" and introduced himself at the district manager.  Hmmmm......"well in that case you could reduce the price since the paint has a couple of dings, right?"  You know what they say, you never know until you ask.  Truthfully there were only a couple of hardly noticeable spots but he marked them down anyway! So $8.00 a piece was even better.

 

 Tammy kept telling me that they really wouldn't look good on my porch but were perfect for her porch.  Honestly I felt she was right so today I told her she can buy them from me.  I just know she will do something amazing with them and I will be sorry! 

 

So, it was a great day with great company and loads of spring inspiration!  What has been your spring inspiration?