Mamaw's Place

10/14/11

What a waste

Just a quick update. I'll be missing in action today.

The final packing is taking place for our move and as much as I like my phone, its just to small to post from. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow or Sunday.

Have a great weekend!

10/13/11

After waiting for two weeks and setting among boxes and packing supplies for 10 days of that time, we got the call yesterday that the new place was available. We cleaned all day and checked out all those minute details we didn't notice when it was still being occupied. They were coming last night to shampoo the carpet.

Did you ever notice that you may THINK you are an observant person, but then you realize you are not? Well, I've always KNOWN I'm not the most observant person in the world.....but how in THE WORLD did I miss the fact that the master bath has not 1 BUT 2 sinks in it. It's a His & Her's sink. And the neat thing is they are not side by side. The master bath is an L shape with a corner tub and a sink on each side of the L. Each sink has it's nice roomy cabinet, a long countertop and mirror with lights. It also has a stand up shower. So, of course, I laid claim to the side of the bathroom with the corner tub and sink and hubby gets his big shower and own sink. He's happy. I'm happy. What's not to love about that?

The other thing I failed to notice were these

Well, actually, I did notice the cabinets themselves, I'm not THAT unobservant. But what I failed to notice was I now have some space on top of cabinets to display any antique bowls or collectibles of kitchenware. I have longed for that for many years. I'm so excited to finally have the opportunity to be a "cabinet top collector" even if it's just on one set of the cabinets. We are going from having just a total of 9 cabinets to have a total of 13 cabinets and TWO full size pantry cabinets. I am loving it.

All in all, it was a great day yesterday. The cable man is coming today and tomorrow the official move begins.

10/12/11

Cute Halloween Critters

10/11/11

Happy "It's My Party" day

Today I'm riding on the Tuesday Train over at The House on the Corner.

According to a wacky holiday website, today is "It's My Party Day". Let's have a party and celebrate. Here are my top 10 reasons to have a party.

1. Obviously birthdays. I love birthday parties. The cake, the presents, the ice cream, the presents, the good times. Oh, and did I mention the presents. And before you condemn me, I don't just mean my birthday or receiving presents. I have a ball selecting birthday presents and matching up the recipient with the perfect gift. As my children have gotten older, they prefer gift cards. And I honor that, but I sure do miss buying presents for them.

2. Christmas parties come in next. I love Christmas get-togethers. I love all the food and the decorations. I love the holiday atmosphere and the chance to unwind and visit with family or friends. I love family Christmas parties and watching the grandkids open their presents. It makes up a little for not having kids at home on Christmas morning.

3. New Year's Eve party...actually just our New Year's Eve party. It is always my hubby and myself (now that the kids are grown) and we fix snack foods; cheeses, crackers, fruit, etc. And play a nice, friendly game of Monopoly, which I always lose. Then we watch Rockin' New Years Eve to bring in the New Year at 12:00. By 12:05, we are partied out and heading to bed.

4. Baby showers - Is there anything that brings smiles to our faces as easy as shopping for baby gifts does. I love going to baby showers and oohing and ahhing over all the tiny little clothes, the soft blankets and the adorable new products that we all look at and say "Oh, I wish we had that when my kids were babies."

5. Wedding showers - How delightful to be a part of helping a happy couple launch their new life together. Again, it is so much fun to shop and find the perfect gift...even when they are registered somewhere. I like to buy something that I get as much joy giving as they will get when they receive it.

6. Halloween Parties - When my kids were in kindergarten, they were in separate classes, even though they are twins. I wanted them each to experience everything on their own. We had just moved into a 14 room Civil War era house. We had not remodeled the upstairs yet and the front room was HUGE and opened into a kitchen (it had been apartments at one time.) I thought it would be great to let them have a Halloween party so I invited both classes (over 40 kids) figuring a few would probably show up. Oh my gosh! What was I thinking? The big night arrived and 27 five years olds arrived! Plus my two. We had a wonderful time and the costumes were adorable. But now, my Halloween party days is Trunk-or-Treat at my church. I love it.

7. House warming parties - I love when decides to initiate their home by having a house warming party. Getting to help them celebrate and seeing what they "have done with the place" is always a wonderful time.

8. Pampered Chef parties - Well, that kind of goes without saying. I love Pampered Chef and love going to parties. I love trying all the different recipes the consultants showcase. I also love having Pampered Chef parties. I try to have one every year in May because they have items and specials that help support breast cancer and again in November when they have specials to raise money for the local Food Bank. They are both worthy causes and it's a wonderful way to help support them.

9. Thirty-One parties - I know you were waiting for that to hit the list. Anyone who reads my blogs, sees me at church or reads my Facebook KNOWS I'm addicted to Thirty-One Gifts. Again, I have to hold two parties a year. One when they launch their new spring/summer line and one when they launch the new fall/winter line. I like to be one of the first to actually see and explore the new merchandise. I love it.

10. Scentsy party - This was a new one for me. I have never had one, but I went to one a couple of weeks ago. I love candles and warmers and such for the house. This was the first time I had seen their merchandise and fell in love with it. I'm expecting my first order any day. I don't remember the name of my fragrance I ordered, but it was chocolate and orange. It smelled just like my milk chocolate orange creams I buy in Gatlinburg.

10/10/11

What I found at the 9 mile yard sale.....

Saturday we went to the 9 mile yard sale. My daughter picked up several bargains. She even found Shelby a Barbie riding toy for only $2.00. But I didn't fare as well as I had hoped. I found curtains I loved....but wrong size. I found baskets like I wanted but they were more expensive than brand new ones. Saw some cute glassware, but nothing that screamed "buy me". I was getting discouraged.

And then, in the middle of a long wooden table, sitting all alone I found my bargain of the day.

This beautiful teapot...

I love anything that has flowers and butterflies on it. Always have; always will. I especially loved the butterfly on the lid. She is so exquisite and detailed.

Add to that, the colors match my living room furniture so well.

It's like it was made especially for me. I gently picked it up and examined every little detail. No nicks, no scratches, no chips, no color fading, nothing. It was in pristeen condition. It looked 100% brand new. I looked at the lady and asked how much. I held my breath. I would have paid as much as $15.00. I loved it that much and I knew that brand new teapots in this condition start at $29.00. So she opened her mouth to speak and I know mine dropped open when she said "$3.00". Oh my gosh! You have got to be kidding me." I don't think I have ever whipped out my money so fast in my life. I grabbed this baby up right then.

She didn't have any bags (who has a yard sale with no bags???). Anyway, I didn't want the butterfly to get broke so I borrowed one of my granddaughters pull-ups and wrapped the lid in it and put it in her stroller basket. We made it home with no mishaps. I can't quit looking at it. I'm so excited. It always makes my weekend when I get a great find like this.

10/9/11

When God closes doors....

We have all heard it said that when God closes one door, another door opens. I believe this is true. I also believe that the open doors are there all along. But because of our stubborn ways and willful nature, we are unable to see the open door God is providing us. We are too interested in doing things are own way, choosing our own paths. We will walk through the wrong door...day after day, month after month. God provides us instructions and courage to take the road less traveled and head through the open door.

But sometimes, when we can't see our way to do His will, He will close a door to us so we are faced to step out on faith alone and walk through the new door He has opened. When we do, we find joy and peace unknown. Opportunities begin to come our way and the benefits of obeying His will are innumerable.

It is a sad commentary on our lives that we have become so obstinate and so self-absorbed that when we pray asking for His help, we still want to continue trying to do it our way...or worse yet, try to tell God how He should handle it.

My prayer for each of you is that you take that step of faith and walk through the door God is providing for you. Do not be afraid or dismayed. Look at it as a new journey, an uplifting opportunity and a road to rewards that are beyond our wildest dreams.

10/8/11

Nine miles of bargains....

Today is going to be a great day. I wish all my followers who like thrifty finds could come along for the day. I'm going to the 9 mile yard sale on Hwy 411 (Old Newport Hwy) in Sevierville. It starts at 8:00. I'm not sure how many booths there will be in all, but I imagine there will be a lot. Most of the businesses on that stretch of highway are providing booths, bays or tents for people to set up in. All proceeds from the booth fees will go to support the Shriner's Hospital. Frazier's Lumber has around 30 booths leased out. And that is just at their business. We still have the rest of the 9 miles to learn about tomorrow. One lady posted about her booth on Craig's List. She said they had so much stuff they were overflowing.

I have quite a few items on my "wish list" for tomorrow. Things I'm looking for that I don't want to pay a fortune for. Here's a few of the items I'd like to find....

A toy box for the grandchildren's toys.