What it means to be "sister"sick....

Being sister-sick is a form of homesickness. In 1988, we moved from West Virginia to Tennessee, just about 5 hours away. My whole family still lives in West Virginia. I try to go in several times a year and they try to visit me several times a year. But I sometimes still get homesick.

But yesterday, I was definitely sister-sick. I was missing my Big Sis so much. It was pouring the rain and really gloomy. I didn't feel like watching TV or reading a book. I couldn't get into crafting or working on any projects. So I started prowling around the house and got to thinking about my sister and missing her so much.

I was looking at some pictures of us at Panama City Beach and wishing we could be walking on Shell Island like we did before.

Or getting ready to eat on the pier at Pineapple Willie's as we watched the sun set over the Gulf.

 

Or maybe I wouldn't be missing her so much if she was here visiting with me. We could have some tea or hot chocolate and discuss our current books we are reading.

 

Or maybe we would be looking at some old pictures and reminicsing about the good old days.

Or we might be talking about Daddy and how much we missed him. We might be reliving some of those days of him stopping by to watch the boys play baseball at the ball field. 

 

Or we might just spend a quiet evening watching TV and crafting, just enjoying being sisters.

Faith can move mountains....

 

About a year ago, I had a situation in my life where a Christian "friend" began questioning my posts I did on faith. I started receiving negative comments and remarks made to undermine my faith. Nothing outrageous, just those little seeds of doubt planted to make me feel inferior. I let it get to me and changed the whole direction of my blog, totally doing away with my Faith Filled Friday posts.


This past week has been so enlightening and uplifting. I had a nice long talk with a very dear friend that made me realize that I had let this situation fester long enough. I had let someone make me believe that they were superior to me, simply because they do things differently than I do. I had let them make me feel less sure of myself and let them make me feel like I didn't have the right to post faith filled posts on my blog. After the conversation with my friend I felt so much better. When the youth pastor delivered his sermon, it was on exactly what my friend and I had been talking about.



Then this past Wednesday there was an awesome blog from Home Stories A to Z about negative comments. It was just the shot in the arm I needed. I finally put it all to rest and realize I had let one person control me for almost a year, simply because she was questioning my faith...the one thing that has kept me going through many a rough spots in my life.


So I started Wednesday morning off with the most relaxed, peaceful feeling I have had in almost a year. My faith had been restored and my heart was so much lighter. Then on Thursday, my igoogle home page opened up when I sat down at my computer and the Daily Scripture Verse was:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1


Don't try to tell my God isn't in control. We see it daily, if we will stop and pay attention. My God is still an awesome God. He still rules on high and He  is the overseer of everything in my life. But most importantly He IS still MY God! My first thought when I saw the verse was that He is definitely an on-time God. Please listen to the words of this song. It is one of my favorite. Especially when it says "He may not come when you want Him, but He'll be there right on time."

May you have a very blessed Spirit Filled Sunday and remember that when Faith walks in Fear walks out.

If I could save time in a bottle...

...I'd probably find a shelf to display it on.

Just like I love baskets, I am also becoming obsessed with bottles, jars and vases. I think I need to stay away from Pinterest. I keep finding neat ideas and my brain is kicking into overdrive. That seems to be a big item when you are decorating for a beach theme. Since I have two rooms with that theme, I thought it would be good to get some ideas on how to incorporate bottles, vases and jars into the theme. Here are some of my favorites I found...

I actually have a couple of similar jars already full of shells. I have a few basket sitting around with shells as well. I saw a bag of white sand at Walmart for just a couple of dollars. I also got an idea on the web one day to put some sand in a Mason jar about 1/4 of the way up and then sit a votive candle on the sand and sprinkle some little shells on top the sand and tie a pretty beachy ribbon around the rim of the jar. It was really cute. So many ideas my head is spinning.

Frolicking through Friday

Frolicking: To play and move about cheerfully, excitedly, or energetically.

I get to take the day off today. Woo Hoo! And the best part is....so does Hubby! We are going to "play" today. Not sure where we will be going but I am so excited to have a day off together. It seems like every time he has a day off, I have a client list full of appointments or it is raining or cold or windy. But today the high is expected to be 59 degrees. I have a clear schedule. We are sooo out of here.

But before we go anywhere, I wanted to share with you some of my latest finds on Pinterest. As you know, I have tea cups all over the house. Check out some cool ways to incorporate them into the decor.

A cute little flower vase. Of course, I would use silk flowers since I can't grow anything.

This is too cute. It made me realize something. For the past twelve years, my washer and dryer were in a wide closet in the hallway. Now that we moved, we actually have a small laundry room off the kitchen. I can decorate my laundry area. Never thought about that. Woo Hoo.

This is a great idea for a craft room. Since I have teasets in my craft room, I am going to need to do this.

Precious Easter idea for a tablescape.

Wish I had seen this during Valentine's.

Another great idea for my craft room.

These would make great party favors.

I am so excited about my day. I will let you know how it goes and where we end up. Have a great Friday.

Sending some flowers your way....

God loved the flowers and invented soil. Man loved the flowers and invented vases. 

(~Variation of a saying by Jacques Deval)

My sister and I both love flowers and vases. Sis stopped by the blog for a visit today and here is what she had to say...

I am stopping by the blog today to show some of my old flower vases.  I hope you are having a good
day today, Sis.  I hope you are still keeping an eye out for my red and green bowls I need to complete
my pyrex primary bowl set when you are out and about. 

Now for the vases.  The blue swan one I got at Jeannie's yard sale. 

This isn't a vase, but do you remember making these for the kids?

The other one Dad bought me from McCroys. Remember that old store. We loved it, didn't we? 

Thanks for stopping by, Sis. I love the vases. Yes, I remember cross stitching those pillows. The material was called hopscotch material. I wish I could find it again and do some for the grandchildren. I do remember McCroys. I loved getting there before they opened and have hot Ward's donuts and a cup of hot chocolate. Your vases are gorgeous. The Fiesta Ware outlet in Kodak has some of those. I need to stop in a pick me up a few. Here are some of the vases of flowers I have around the house.

Hope this brings a little spring fever to your life today.

Can we talk?

....Has anybody noticed how many wonderful blogs feature great finds, bargains, thrifty purchases? I love those posts. I love seeing the things people find at thrift stores and flea markets and watching what they do with them. I get some fabulous ideas from all my blogging buddies on how to incorporate the most unique items into home decor. Thanks again to my blogging friends for sharing your great finds.

(The Tattered Cottage)

.... Creations by Cindy has an awesome post today (well, actually she does everyday) but I love the one today because she is a woman after my own heart. She feels the same way I do "Valentine's is over, let's move onto St. Patrick's Day." I love St. Patrick's day. My ancestors are Irish. My great, great, great (I think it was 3 greats) grandfather Eden married a Clonch from Ireland and made their way to America and settled in West Virginia, which was still Virginia back then.

But my favorite reason I love St. Patrick's day is because my very first grandchild, Christian Garret, was born on St. Patrick's day. He's my very own special little leprechaun. That dear sweet baby stole my heart the moment I held him in my arms just moments after he was born. He will be a teenager next month and I am having a hard time dealing with the fact that my sweet baby grandson is not a baby anymore.

.... I read a wonderful blog this morning. Probably one of the best thought-out blogs I have ever read. It is posted at Home Stories A-Z and is about negative comments. I absolutely loved everything she had to say. She brought out some very valid thoughts in dealing with negative comments. I have been so blessed by having readers who are always positive and upbeat and leave me the kindest most sweetest comments. I love my readers, each and everyone, and appreciate all the wonderful comments I get.

....About mid-February, do you find yourself looking forward to spring? My daughter and I want to plan a shopping trip to Turkey Creek in Knoxville the last weekend of February. What do you think we are going shopping for? Well, to start looking at flip flops and spring clothes of course. Not to mention start getting some ideas for Easter Sunday outfits. I'm 55 and still think I need new shoes, new purse and a new outfit for Easter Sunday. I am such a girly-girl sometimes. I even buy new nail polish every Easter. 



Are you looking forward to spring?

Love is in the air....

...and on the table, in the store, just about everywhere you look. Here are some items of "love" I have around the house. This is a tin that was full of Hershey kisses from my hubby about three years ago. I keep it on my night stand..full of Hersey kisses. One of my favorite chocolates.

When I got to church last night, there was a gift bag from my Secret Sister from church. In addition to an adorable card, I had a pair of Valentine socks, a sweet little inspirational book and this little Valentine box full of .... you guessed it ... Hershey kisses. Told you they are my favorites.

And Valentine's day is not complete unless I consume tons of conversation hearts. If you look closely, you will notice there are no oranges. I go through and pick those out and put them in a candy dish on my desk to make sure I get all the oranges. I know that sounds selfish, but I love the orange ones. I'm not sure why I do this though because I'm the only one that eats them.

At our WMU meeting at church the other night, Ms. Janet surprised us all with this little treat box full of miniature candies. It was a good think too. I missed the soup and dessert the youth were serving because I was running late. When I walked in WMU, I was complaining about being hungry and Ms. Janet gave us our surprises early so I could munch. We love her!

My sister sent me some photos over the weekend and she shared with me this new table runner she had Mom make for her. These table runners are a new thing Mom is making for holidays. I am sure we will be seeing a St. Patrick's day one really soon.

This last Valentine's day decor gave me an idea. This is hanging over Sis's Kitchenaid Mixer. I remember back at Christmas she had a Snowman towel hanging over it. I have the same mixer and I always see cute holiday towels and say I have nowhere to hang them. I'm thinking I may have just found a spot.

And in my bedroom, I have this cross stitch piece hanging on the wall. It was the very first thing I ever cross stitched. I did it for hubby in 1981 before he was my hubby. This was my Valentine's Day gift to him and it was also the day he proposed to me.

 

That's my Valentine's day tribute. I hope there is lots of love being sent your way today.

Today I am riding the Tuesday Train