Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A Little Whining, A Big Thank You, and A Lot of Praise!!

First, let's get the whining out of the way! I'm siiickkk. Ok, I'm not really "sick-sick", but I have a terrible sinus infection (self diagnosed, but I've had enough of them to know what it is!). It's just enough to make me feel lousy, but not enough to send me to bed. Sigh. Just my luck!

Now, the thanks! A BIG shout-out to Cousin Becki for the 4 bags and 2 boxes of boy clothes she dropped off yesterday! Talk about great hand me downs! Thanks, thanks, thanks! All the button up shirts were a big hit with Benjie...he loves button up shirts! And the sleeveless stuff was a winner with Jonah. The roller skates...girl, we gotta talk!! But thanks for the clothes, anyway!

And now, the best news of all-a lot of Praise!!!

Our sweet friends Cory and Shara have been in an adoption process for a very long time. Yesterday, at 11:17 am, their sweet baby girl was born!! Praise the Lord! This family is one of the most deserving I can imagine to receive such a precious gift! God has worked so mightily in their lives, and they have such faith! I couldn't be happier for them, and have cried many tears of joy this morning looking at the pictures that Aunt Cristi sent me. Thanks for keeping me in the loop! Congratulations, and can't wait to see the new pink baby!!

Later!
Cathy

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Laundry Room Project, day 1!

Now, there's no guarantee when "day 2" will actually be, but day 1 was big! I managed to get it cleaned out and semi organized. I am so happy with the progress I made yesterday, which was by necessity! My washer was on the blink, and with 3 boys, that ain't good. So, in order for our handy dandy washer repair man to have room to pull out the machine AND lie on the floor to work on it, I had to clear out and clean. It was a big job, but oh, so satisfying!

I've mentioned this room before, saying I was going to do this and do that...and now here's what I'm REALLY going to do!!

1. Paint the walls white. Yes, really. White. Me. Ms. I Love Color and Hate White Walls. It's part of the whole scheme. You'll see!
2. Paint the shelves and cabinets black, then distress them. So chic.
3. Hang a coat rack for backpacks, jackets, hoodies, purses, whatever.
4. Everything on the shelves must be contained in either a clear plastic shoebox with a white lid, properly labeled with contents, or in a basket, which will be painted either black or white. See the scheme starting to come together?
5. A small red area rug on the floor. From Target (remember that one, Mom?)
6. A small lamp on the dryer. Preferably one with a rooster on it and a fabby shade.
7. Rooster artwork on the wall. Already have it, just have to move some wreaths from that wall to the storage shed to put them up.
8. Glass apothecary jars with black lids on shelves with other things for clothes pins, detergent, whatever looks good.

More will evolve, no doubt!

Pictures will be presented as progress is made!

Oh, by the way...still accessorizing the master suite...but soon, I promise, pictures of the "whole picture!"

Later!
Cathy

P.S. Don't forget to check out Pumpkins and Reindeer for Christmas in July doings; Haunted Hamlet for Boo!Bash2 details, and Scarecrow Soup for fun Thanksgiving things, along with notes of gratitude!

Friday, July 25, 2008

A little sneak peek...

I know that you all probably think I'm fabricating the master suite redo! I really have been working on it, in bits and pieces. Without going into too many details, it was really cluttered and needed a lot of de-cluttering to get it to the point that I could clean! So, slooowwwllly but surely, it's cleared and cleaned...and getting redecorated! Mom and I are working on it faithfully...she's my seamstress, you know! She's currently making curtains for the windows, so today we should be able to get the window treatments finished and then I'll just need to shop flea markets and antique shops for a few little accessories...wall art, etc. So, just to prove that I'm really working on it, a few little sneak peeks!



These are the main fabrics, lying on the quilt that is the bedspread...I love it, and couldn't see changing it! The toile is the curtain fabric, the checked (you know I'm nuts about checks!) is the valance fabric and the solid red will be the bed skirt fabric. See that little square of ticking in the left corner under the solid and the checked? That's my third pattern...it'll be accessories, like pillows, etc...

This is a little vignette in the bathroom...it's almost done. I need to get some new rugs, some poster putty to hang the posters, which will eventually be framed. Lynn is going to make me some really cool frames, just hasn't had time yet. Soon, though. The walls in the bathroom are a pale, lemony yellow...almost the color of Yoplait Banana Cream Pie yogurt! I love it. I just adore red and yellow together. The neutral walls in both rooms are serving as a good backdrop to the pops of red through-out both rooms. Don't you just love the little bunny peeking out of the basket of ivy? He's part of my new "concrete" bunny collection...




Here's a view of the tub...as I mentioned, the poster are going on the wall this afternoon, after I pick up some poster putty at the store. Won't they look fabulous in a wide frame, white with gold dry brushing? Aren't they fabulous anyway? They were a birthday gift from Mom last year! In case you can't tell, the one on the right is a picture taken from under the Eiffel Tower, looking up! Cool, huh?




A small reading lamp in my cozy reading corner, before....




And after...almost...one more picture to come, after another little fru-fruing session this afternoon!!
Stay tuned...more good stuff coming!
Later!
Cathy





















Thursday, July 24, 2008

Look What I Found Today...

on my morning walk!





You know what this means, don't you? It means that, despite predictions of triple digit heat and 89% humidity for the next seven days, fall is coming!! Really. It is. It always does....just not soon enough to suit me!!

Thank you, Lord, for this reassuring sign to all us fat girls suffering this summer!

Later!
Cathy

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Sundays

I just love Sundays. I like the fact that nothing gets done around here, but nothing is expected to be done-it's the Lord's Day, after all.

I'm almost always the first one up on Sundays. I get up, get my first cup of coffee (which is brewed when I get up because it's on a timer and I always make sure I don't get up until after I hear it switch on.) and my Bible and sit on the couch in the darkened living room, reading and studying my Sunday school lesson that I'll teach a little later that morning. I usually get caught up in reading some story in the Bible, and lose track of time. If you want some good reading, check out 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel-King David had a colorful life!

After a bit, Lynn gets up, and we usually sit without talking for a while. Neither of us are very chatty when we first get up...which works out well! After we've sat in silence for a few minutes, he usually turns on the tv...which is my cue to get up and put the roast, carrots, onions and potatoes that I'd prepared the night before into the crockpot to cook while we are at church.

We move into the getting ready stage, and then we eventually get to church...which is always a blessing. We come home, eat roast and veggies and then everyone does what I call "retreats to their own corners". Lynn takes the easy chair and the tv remote (are you seeing a pattern here?), Jacob goes to his room, the little boys either go to their room or outside, depending on the weather, and I gather up some reading material and go to our bedroom. Nine times out of ten, Lynn and I both doze off before long...that's some good napping! Then around 4 or so we all start stirring again...I make another pot of coffee and we sip it until time to go back to church...the boys reappear and usually hit the pantry or fridge for snacks, then after the evening service, it's home for a supper of sandwiches, soup and chips, then we attend to whatever details need to be attended to for the upcoming week. Trash cans are taken to the street for Monday morning pickup, clothes are laid out during the school year for easy dressing on a sleepy Monday morning and in the summer, plants are watered in the cool of the evening. It's a peaceful day...

The only way Sundays are any better is when it's raining buckets (but not enough for storm warnings, which make me nervous or for the satellite to go out, which clearly disturbs Lynn) and the Atlanta Braves are playing baseball on tv! That's about as good as it gets!

Later!
Cathy

Friday, July 18, 2008

Friday Ramblings...It's Hot, Folks!

As Melinda the Weather Lady puts it, the heat is really building in today...95 degrees today and tomorrow, 96 after that-with 89% humidity. Needless to say, I'm a stay in the house kind of girl when it gets that hot. I'm relieved that Lynn is working inside today in an air conditioned building. I am so so so ready for fall...but aren't I always in the middle of July?



We've decided to move Jonah's birthday party to the house, rather than at the lake. I think it's just too hot to be sitting outside on a concrete picnic table or in a lawn chair, and have to hike up a hill to the restroom. Not this fat chick! Jonah is ok with it...we've decided to combine his birthday party with the monthly family breakfast. So, instead of two events, one tomorrow and one next Saturday, we'll be doing it all next Saturday, with breakfast, swimming in the pool, and birthday cake. Doesn't that sound better than trudging up the hill to the restroom?



I am going to do the Christmas in July theme for his birthday, though...he just doesn't know that yet!



I have a few little projects stewing...still working on the bedroom and laundry room projects, and actually making a little progress. Next up after I complete those and get the kids back to school will be a re-do of the back porch. I want to paint the porch itself and Mom and I are planning a fabulous re-do of my antique wrought iron furniture that I bought at a yard sale last year. It's going to be so much fun, but I want to wait until after school starts to get that done. I am going to start purchasing fabric for slipcovers though, and I'll be laying out the entire project soon.



Since today is Friday, we'll be having lunch with the beloved and then buying groceries this afternoon. Also, I HAVE to get Jacob some new tennis shoes...hoping to hit a sale for those boats! His foot is now officially bigger than his dad's!



If you haven't checked out my holiday blogs, hop on over and see what I'm working on for the upcoming holidays. We are planning a festive Boo!Bash2 Halloween party for October 25-costumes requested but not required! Of course, shortly after that is Halloween itself, and I'm working on menus, favors and decorations for both events. Check out my spooky plans over at Haunted Hamlet.



Big Thanksgiving doings are happening at Scarecrow Soup, my Gratitude blog. My Sunday School class have created some great gratitude journals, and I've shared my favorite pumpkin recipe. Check it out as well!



And, as you know, Christmas in July is in full swing both at Magical Holiday Home and at Pumpkins and Reindeer. Go to P&R and click on the links in the Rudolph Day blog ring...great ideas from those clever and creative ladies. And, when you hop over to MHH, check out those pictures on the front page!! Wow!! Who did those?? Thanks for the shout-out, Ginger!



Speaking of Ginger, my friend is grieving today...her beloved dog, Wally, passed away during the night. I've been through this myself a few times, and Melissa just went through it, so I know how heartbreaking it can be. Hang in there, Ginger...it'll be better soon. We are thinking of you today...

What's going on in your world today?

Later!
Cathy

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Reflections

Without diving into all the gory details, suffice it to say that we've had a trying couple of weeks. Things are not as bad as they could be-no one is sick, no one has died, Lynn and I ARE NOT having marital problems....it's just business and financial things going on that make you crazy. I am learning more and more about myself as I face these difficulties and challenges. Here's some things I knew and relearned and then some new things I learned:

1. No matter what you think, feel or believe, the truth is GOD IS IN CONTROL. The end.

2. God has a perfect plan, and He doesn't need or want my help. He's got it. The end.

3. Nothing is as bad as you first think...sometimes it takes more than one clear light of day moments, but nothing is so bad it can't be resolved-somehow. Maybe not in the way we'd desire, but it will be resolved.

4. Sometimes the things that appear as the worst thing in the world may actually be a good thing in disguise.

5. Take your blessings as God sends them, and praise Him for each one.

6. Quit whining.

7. Change what you can, deal with what you can't.

8. Prayer is the best way to deal with what you can't.

9. Prayer is the best way to figure out which is which.

10. GOD IS IN CONTROL.

The End.

Cathy

Sunday, July 13, 2008

I want this!


How wonderful is this? I want it! It's from Touch Stone catalog and it's waaayy out of my budget, but isn't it gorgeous? Can't you just see it on a Thanksgiving beverage table, or in use at a bridesmaids' brunch? Or for serving the Bunco Babes a healthy dose of Lemon Cider? I can...just another item to save my pennies for. Of course, my birthday is in October...if anyone is wondering what I want!!
And, here's a great recipe for the aforementioned Lemon Cider:
1 gallon apple juice or cider
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed but not diluted
1 or 2 lemons, sliced
1 or 2 Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced
Pour the apple juice into a 2 gallon jar. Add the undiluted lemonade, the lemon and apple slices and enough ice to fill the jar. Stir, let chill a minute and sip!! It's good!
Later!
Cathy

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Plum crop!


This is our plum crop off of our tree in the front yard. This is the entire plum crop. Well, except for the ones that rotted on the ground and the ones that we ate. And gave away. And the ones the boys threw into the street, then fussed because the street was "messy".


This is what happened to those plums...


And it was good, if a little tart! Nothing like a fresh plum cobbler with an entire plum crop inside!
Next year, I hope we have enough for a big cobbler!

Later!
Cathy

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Progress in Baby Steps

I am making progress, but it's baby step progress. I am still in the clearing and cleaning mode. I had to go purchase more hangers for the closet and more Space Bags for out of season clothes.

I have made a decision on the bedding..I'm using the cream and red patchwork quilt I already have, with the cream and red toile and checked curtains. I am loving it. I found enough toile to make throw pillows for the bed, and found another floral piece in the same reds in the closet! It'll be pillow covering as well. Now I just need to get some checked pillows made and a bedskirt made from solid red or cream and red ticking (my favorite idea) and be done with the bed.

I recently heard or read or maybe even dreamed that it's not recommended to hang things over your bed for safety's sake. That makes sense to me..so I think after we get it painted I'm going to stencil/stamp something on the wall. I have a flur de lis stamp that would be wonderful stamped on the finished wall. We'll see how that plays out.

I've also been busy working on Christmas in July projects, keeping the boys entertained and trying to stay cool. It's hard work.

Later!
Cathy

Sunday, July 6, 2008

More Christmas in July

Don't forget to check out the Christmas in July doings over at Pumpkins and Reindeer. It's a busy time over there! That blog was primarily created to discuss my plans and progress on Rudolph Day, which is the 25th of each month. However, since Ginger started this Christmas in July project, I've actually worked on that blog every day or every other day! It's so much fun, and the boys are jumping right into the spirit of things. Be watching for pictures of their projects, as well!

For some weird reason I woke up at 6 am ready to get up and get going. By 7 I had lunch in the crockpots-(roast beef and potatoes in one, green beans in the other); I had the dishwasher unloaded, reloaded and ready to run when we left for church; tea made for lunch; the table set; and was studying my Sunday School lesson, while sipping coffee! I'm not sure if it was the rousing game of Phase 10 we played with Eddie and Melissa last night, the pizza we shared with them or the make-your-own ice cream sundaes we consumed, but something worked!

Tomorrow I am planning to get back in the bedroom project mode. I'll let you know how it goes!!

Later!
Cathy

Saturday, July 5, 2008

A bunch of weddings, a funeral and some fireworks!

We are knee deep in weddings around here, and sadly, had a funeral to attend this morning. Then there were the fireworks!!

While we were at my Mom's celebrating the 4th of July yesterday, we made note of the number of newly weds/nearly weds we have in our family. Of course you are familiar with Josh and Delaney, the most recent bride and groom, and I'm sure you remember that Sarah, hereafter referred to as "Miss Priss" and her sweetie are planning an October 18 wedding. Josh and Sarah's mom, Debora, my ex but still special sister in law, was married a couple of weeks ago, their dad, my brother Mark is planning a September wedding to his beloved and my cousin Jeff gave his sweetie an engagement ring recently. Oh, my stars!! So much bliss!! How fun is all of this! I'm loving it!

Sadly, Debora's grandfather passed away on the 3rd and the funeral was today. It was very sweet, and very emotional. I hope he's up in heaven, chatting away with his daughter Dorothy who passed away a few years ago, and hearing the angels sing. Mr. T. was deaf, so the conversation and singing will be even sweeter to him!

And the fireworks!! We went to the park and watched the rockets red glare over there. I do believe it was the best fireworks show we've ever had...but I probably say that every year. I'm such a patriotic sap!

Hope you had a happy, peaceful and fun filled 4th!!

Later!
Cathy