The next 10 days in my little world....

Things are really a-moving and a-shaking in my little corner of the world. This next 10 days are going to be a whirlwind of activity.

We are preparing to move. We are starting the packing process today. I love all my knick-knacks and what-nots until I realized last night that I'll be the one packing them all up. My hubby handles the packing of all the kitchen stuff like dishes, pots and pans, pantry item, etc. But I like to do all my "little pretties" so I can pack them with an idea of where they are going in their new home and pack them accordingly.

I will be taking a break tonight to go to a Scentsy party. I love candles, tarts, and anything related to them. This is my first Scentsy party and I'm really excited about it. The timing is great because I can order some new fragrances and warmers to use in the new house.

I'll be heading over Friday to measure windows. I have a couple of rooms that are going to need new curtains since there are more windows in some of the rooms than there are in my place now. I'm so thrilled because my current kitchen sink is on an inside wall with no window. I have always loved having a window over my sink. So now, I'm going to have a kitchen window...for the first time in 12 years. I am so excited. Hubby is already planning his window seal herb garden. I will have almost 3 times as many windows in the new place as I have now. Last time I needed this many curtains, I dragged my daughter to the curtain department of so many different stores that she swore she would never go to a curtain department again as long as she lives. Not sure how she is going to react when I say, "When we go shopping Saturday, I want to look at curtains." Maybe she'll just read it here and that is a conversation I won't have to have.

I am also very excited about having an extra room. You've heard me mention my "everything" room that is an office, family room, toy room, craft room, library and guest room. It is so jam packed that it's beginning to feel claustrophobic. I am beyond excited that I will now be able to have one room as my office/craft area and one room that will be the family room/toy room for the kids. We are going to downsize the sleeper sofa for that room due to the fact that I am so over this large couch. We have just had it a couple of years, and it is in great shape. But it is just too big for what I wanted. I'm going to sell it before we move so I don't have to cart it with us. It's like brand new so if you know anyone in the Sevier/Knox county area looking for a great deal on a sleeper sofa, send them my way. Guess I'll add "new sleeper sofa" to my shopping wish list.

Our current plans are to be moved by October 1st. But amidst my packing and moving, my father-in-law and sister-in-law will be visiting for a couple of days. I can't wait to see them and spend some time with them. We usually go into Gatlinburg when they visit and I always have a wonderful time. We haven't been together since July 2010 when my husband's brother passed away so I'm looking forward to their visit. I figure by the middle of next week, I'll be ready for a break to spend time with them.

And the best part of my next 10 days is that my precious grandson Colby, will be turning one year old. He had so much fun at his sisters birthday party, I can't wait to see how he does with his.

So, do you think I have a full 10 days ahead of me? I'm going to try to blog as often as I can, but may miss a day here and there as things get more hectic. If I don't show up one day, please come back and visit the next. It just may be hit and miss for a few days till we get all these fun excited things taken care of.

What's happening outside the window.....



Over the years, I have found myself watching the world outside my front window. It is amazing what you can see. But as I think back over all the times I've watched the world through the window, there are a few that stand out in my mind....

Once upon a time, I had a cat named Muffin. She was laying on the porch and I happened to look out and notice a dog from up the street was approaching. I walked out to bring Muffin in the house. Apparently, she had noticed the dog and was in full attack mode. I didn't realize it and bent down to pick her up. KAPOW! She attacked ME! I guess I scared her. Two hours at the emergency room and $250 later, I decided she could just deal with the dog on her own next time.

Once upon a time, we had a neighbor who was not allowed in the house in shoes, except for his bedroom slippers. Every day, he would arrive home from work, sit down on the backdoor step and remove his shoes and step into the house where the wife kept the house shoes waiting. I remember one time he came home and she was gone somewhere. He opened the door, furtively looked around and stepped into the house...IN HIS SHOES!

Once upon a time (and this is my favorite), we had a neighbor that liked to play basketball in his driveway with his teenage son. Do you ever see something happening and you wonder "What in the world are they doing?" Well one night, this neighbor is playing ball with his son and dusk started setting in. Next thing I noticed, they walked in through the garage and into the house. I could see them in their window as the dad bent down and unplugged a table lamp and started back outside. I told my husband, I have an idea where this was going. I thought they would set it by the garage or something. But noooo, they got out an extension cord and put the lamp underneath the basket...on the concrete driveway....so they could see to shoot the hoop.

At this point, I'm thinking "There is no way this will have a good ending." I watched as the Dad took the first shot at the foul line. He dribbled the ball a couple of times, aimed at the basket and shot.....straight into the basket, through the net and (you guessed it) right down smack center of the lamp. Busted it to smithereens. That has been about 15 years ago and I still crack up every time I think about it.

So the moral to this story is "If you are looking for a good laugh, sometimes you needn't look any further than your own front window."

Time to organize....again

Maxine and her words of wisdom. I can't count the craft projects and materials that I have here just setting and waiting for me to do them. Some are more a "cold weather" craft. Something to work on during those long winter evenings or a snowy weekend when you can't leave the house. Guess those are the "Things I won't do now" category. Then I have those items that I think, WOW, I could make that. But when I have time to do it, I think to myself that I have other things I should be doing so I put those crafts in the "Things I won't do later" category. Let's face it, if I haven't done it yet and I'm not doing now, chances are I won't do it later. So the last category are the "Things I'll never do" category. Let's face it. Who was I kidding when I bought all that material to make rag wreaths. Yes, in theory it is a very easy project. I had visions of relaxing in the evening, simply tying pieces of fabric around a wreath. Did not think that one through. WHO would be the one cutting ALL those pieces of fabric. How many was I going to have to cut? It boggles the minds. So needless to say, rag wreath making is definitely one of the "things I'll never do" unless I can find a pixie or a sprite who comes in at night and preps all the material for me so all I have to do is tie knots. 

Missoni Madness

I am not a fashion expert nor am I big on brand names or fashion designers. I don't hop on the band wagon for every new fad that comes down the runway. I may know the names, I may see them on the red carpet events. But I must have taken a long nap to miss out on this Missoni Madness that is going on. I have never heard of Missoni and all of a sudden Target makes the news for almost selling out of the Missoni items in one day. So I had to check it out for I actually fell in love with some of it. Not all of it. It's not like I'm going to be on a Missoni Mission, but I did find quite a few items that tickled my fancy. Thought I'd share them with you today and get your thoughts on this new Missoni Madness.

This next item is one of my favorites and will definitely be added to my wish list. I just love it.

This sweater is another favorite that I wouldn't mind adding to my wardrobe. Just the right thing to pair with jeans for a Saturday shopping day.

I'd love to get one of these for each of my granddaughters, just not sure if they would like them.

Since I have become addicted to this mini zipper pouches, I've got to have this one. I love that it is in sweater material.

And of course, you know I will definitely need to become the proud owner of some of these wild socks. Love them.

Giggles, Grins, Girls and Gifts....

It is hard to believe that this tiny little preemie, weighing 1 lb and 14 ounces would grow into this giggling, grinning little girl that steals the heart of everyone who meets her.

My first granddaughter. Alexis Caroline, our precious princess. Alexis celebrated her 7th birthday this past Wednesday. What a wild ride the past 7 years have been. Born 2 months premature, she is our special little blessing. I lost my heart to her the moment I saw her for the first time. She has grown into a definite girly-girl with a love for clothes and shoes. She is a bundle of giggles and grins. We celebrated her birthday at a bounce house last night and it was a blast. I especially enjoyed watching her on the big slide.

Here she is starting the long climb to the top.



Getting ready to tackle the slide down.

That first time down was apparently an experience. I love the look of OH MY GOSH! on her face when she came down.

After pizza, we had ice cream cake. Pink of course. Nothing less would do for a princess.

Then came the oohing and aahing as she excitedly opened her gifts. I love her facial expressions.

We have always referred to Alexis as our little princess. Nothing proved that more than last night when the princess was "holding court" with her gal pals. I just loved this next picture. Royalty being waiting on. Check out the crossed legs. Love it.

I think a wonderful time was had by all. Our grandbabies grow up so fast and with each year, as they develop their own personalities, we just grow to love them more and more.

I hope Mamaw's princess has had a very special week. Happy Birthday, Alexis. We love you.







I love Saturdays...

 

I have always loved Saturdays. It's the one day of the week that you can relax and just enjoy whatever the day may bring. I remember when we were little, Saturday morning cartoons were something we looked forward to.

But as you grow up, you leave behind Bug Bunny, the Jetsons and Adam Ant in exchange for cleaning house, going shopping or having fun.

I'm excited about my day today. I get to the spend the morning going shopping for birthday presents for my sweet granddaughter, Alexis. She turned 7 on Wednesday. She is our miracle baby. Born two months early, she still hit the ground running. I've never seen one little girl with such an energy for life. She always seems to be in a rush to squeeze every moment of joy from life.

 She's is having a birthday party at a local bounce house this afternoon. I'm looking forward to it. I know the kids are going to have a ball. I've never been to one of these places, but I know there will be lots of fun and laughter. So check back tomorrow for more pictures of Alexis and her 7th birthday celebration.

Recipe Hunt

I need an idea. I want to try a new dessert for our church homecoming this Sunday, but I'm tired of the same old recipes. I normally take chocolate cake with chocolate icing, or spice with caramel icing or Reece peanut butter brownie triffle.  I want to make something different. I'm looking for a recipe for a dessert that can be made very easy and does not need to be refrigerated. I'm looking for something that doesn't have to "cool" before another step is done (like cake) and something that doesn't involve a lot of "set up" time in case I need to make it Sunday morning.

Any ideas, ladies? I'm open to suggestions.