Fall colors

I love when the leaves start changing colors. I always ooohhh and aaaahh but usually never get around to getting pictures. That was until this year. I will say though it’s pretty amazing how you can purposely drive around to find beautiful colors and then come to find out the most beautiful ones are right around home.

Here’s just a few of my favorite shots:

Beautiful, beautiful colors….and cute, cute kids. :)

SingStar Girls

The kids are loving that the playstation is actually working. We thought it was broken but if they can set it just right – it works. It’s almost as good as having a new toy again. Dylan’s itching to get on it but right now the girls have taken over and it’s SingStar time. We may be goofy but our family loves these games. We’ve got almost all of them and they don’t ever get tired of them. It’s just too bad that nobody can beat mom! :) LOL

Not much of anything else happening. Last week we had some really cool temps but this week has been wonderful. I could live with these 65-70 temps any day. Sad news though is that a cold front his headed back in.

One more day this week – thank goodness for Parent/Teacher conferences (which both turned out really well) because that means we have Friday off. Kalli already has plans for the day so maybe me & Dylan can have a little mom/son time.

New stuff…..

My old phone finally bit the dust (after going one day without it – isn’t it crazy how you go so long without one but then when you have it, you can’t be without it for a day?) so Tuesday we went to check out the Alltel store.

Here’s my new little gadget:

She’s going to take getting used to….I’ve got to get down the touch screen thing. I’m now a email checkin’, internet surfin’, music playing girl…..all from the comfort of little my little Delve.

This weekend we made the haul to Republic and Ozark as they were both having their fall festivals. The weather cooperated perfectly and it was just cool enough to be comfortable walking around with 5 billion other people (okay maybe not that many). I seen lots of cute ideas and things I want to try but it wasn’t until we were leaving Ozark that I thought it would have been nice to take some photos with my new phone of some of the things….DOH! Oh well, maybe I’ll remember next time.

My find of the day was a jumbo fork and spoon set. I’ve seen these around blogland for a while and always thought they were cute. So after a little bit of paint, I’m transforming these babies into something cute that will go in the kitchen.

Here’s the goofy girls – Kalli & Tallie – sporting Halloween masks at Walmart.

And Dylan had to get in on the fun too….

Thrifty Treasures

Although they aren’t real exciting to look at now, here’s a few of my weekend steals. I got a little impatient and had to put my chalkboard paint to use but now I need to do a little more to the doors.

1) Cabinet doors - $1 each (and they are having the sale next weekend so guess who will be there to swipe up some more?!)

2) Wood drawers - $2 each. My plans for these were for my unorganized son to keep his legos and cars picked up and have easy access to them by just sliding them in/out from under his bed. He would rather build on them though.

3) Candleholder w/lid - $7.50 from Hobby Lobby – Original price was $24.99!

And don’t forget to check out everyone’s treasures over @ the Southern Hospitality linky party.

Better at last

This week I finally wrapped up the whole nasty flu bug. I’m on some strong cough syrup now but I can definitely deal with just a cough.

Today Dylan, Jerry & I took out to check out Apple Fest. Our steal of the day was at a wood/cabinet store shed where we got a few cabinet doors and drawers for cheap! I’ve got plans for the doors and hopefully can do something with them for Christmas gifts. The wood drawers are nice and are perfect for Dylan’s legos/cars and will work great to slide under his bed. Now, I just need to pick up so gliders or small wheels for them.

I’m in the mood for a little Halloween decorating so I’m scoping out the blogs tonight. Here are a few of my favorites:

 EAB Designs

 Martha Stewart

  Country Living

  Tom Kat Studio…..(I’m beginning to think I’m just drawn to Halloween candy.)

  Poetic Home

  Little Toad…..(aren’t these the cutest invites ever?!)

Not so fun week...

Well it started out okay....we went for Bingo on Sunday and I actually ended up winning a game. We didn't come home with much but it was fun to get away and get to win a little money (which never seems to happen when we go to the casino).

But then I starting getting sick. It started with a sore throat Sunday night and by Tuesday, I was so stopped up I couldn't hear much less breath from my nose. I had meetings all day in Ozark so I toughened up and went. By the end of the day, I was absolutely miserable. By time I got home, I was chilling, my body ached and I had a fever. I had called the doctor's office but with no help from the nurse, I decided I'd let it go overnight & go to the doctor Wednesday if I still didn't feel any relief. Wednesday came and I still felt horrible, so I didn't go to work and went to see the doc.

After hearing my symptoms, she was sure it was one of two things - strep throat or the flu - most likely the swine (H1N1) flu. The strep test came back negative so her diagnosis was for the swine flu (although she didn't test for the flu because the results weren't always reliable). Apparently it's better than the regular seasonal flu for people who are in my age range and are otherwise healthy. Still totally freaked me out. I was told to stay in until after Saturday - no work, walmart, out to eat, not anywhere until I wasn't contagious anymore.

Now it's Friday and I have to say I'm quite a bit better than I was Tuesday/Wednesday but still am not 100%. My throat isn't really scratchy but feels like something's lodged in there that I can't quite cough up. My back is still sore and I still have these coughing fits that are about to drive me nuts. I'm just praying that my kids don't get this. Hopefully my obsessive germ-x, soap, and disinfecting spray kills anything still lurking in this house.

So, rather than doing something fun this weekend, I'll probably be cooped in here - hopefully feeling much better before Monday. :(

I'm getting excited....

about this!!!!!


Now, to just be patient for a while.

Great weekend for deals!

Dylan & I made a trip to Springfield today. Our intentions were JCP, Kidco (to spend our $48 store credit), & garage sales.

We got a good deal on some jeans for both Kalli & Dylan @ JCP and me a cute summery dress, got some cute things from Kidco but my favorite stop wasn't even a place we had planned to stop for - an antique store in Republic.

Check out this beauty...not only does it match the entertainment center, it's super solid, it's Broyhill & it was $20.00! Can you believe it? I LUV it! I figured Jerry would kill me since we have plenty of coffee tables around here but he didn't even complain - either 1) because he saw the great deal that I got in it or 2) he's learned to live with me & my deals. :) LOL




Check out those awesome legs!



I also picked up the citronella lantern (which I'll just put a candle in) & the bingo spinner there. Fun place....I may just have to plan on going next weekend.

Then tonight we made a trip in Lowe's. We are clearance shoppers at Lowe's - like tonight - sometimes we'll just go to look at their clearance stuff. Last time we found a $350 table saw for $100. Tonight we found clearanced out plants. Most were annuals but they had nice planters so we decided to get them just for that. They were marked $1 each but after hearing another guy bargain on clearance items, we tried & got our plants for .50 each. So - word to the wise - if you are purchasing a few of the same item - see if they'll give you a better price. Oh and the girl working also mentioned that every weekend they try to get rid of a lot of clearance so they'll usually cut you a good deal. Hopefully I can get these to last a little longer & then find me some cute perennials to plant in them.

Don't forget to check out everyone else's great finds over at Rhoda's party!

I just have to say - Court sucks! Today I appeared for my traffic ticket (which was absolutely NOT right- the officer wrote it for 64 in a 45 but she clocked me in a 60 zone). I felt like a total criminal having to sit there with the prosecutor & plea my case - which by the way - I would not have even done if I'd known it was only going to be $91.50 rather than the $350.00 Jerry had told me & that it wouldn't screw up my insurance since it was my first offense. Ugh! I'm still ticked at him for that. Anyways, the clerk came out to say the officer believed she was wrong in what I was over and said I was only doing 14 over rather than 19. Long story short - he ended up giving me a SIS (Suspended Imposition Sentence) & a year probation. Which means if nothing happens in a year, it's just dropped, but if I do anything criminal in that year, then they can charge me that ticket. I just really hated that whole situation. Here I am terrified with the whole ordeal & then there's all these others who are probably in there every other week. At least it's over with & only $31.50 out of my pocket.

Now on to other things to occupy my mind - it appears my daughter is really turning into a teenager (yeah she's only 5th grade but geesh she is growing up!). I came home yesterday to her decked out in new school gear, her hair flattened & eye shadow on. Then last night she gets texts from 2 boys & a 3rd is wanting her to be his girlfriend. EEEEKKKK!!!! I don't know if I'm ready for all this yet!

Since she was all decked out & feeling pretty - we went out to get some pictures. It's no wonder all the boys love her. :)

This summer's going out with a bang!

1) A few trips to the Mt. Vernon pool & one to Republic
2) Float trip with Jerry, the kids, Dad, Jamie & Chris
3) Eating & wearing dirt at the stock car races
4) Another float trip - just the 4 of us plus Chris
5) Silver Dollar City tomorrow
6) Probably one final float trip before school starts (August 12)

I just wish this month wasn't flying by. There's so much more I'd like to have time to do before we get back into the school routine.

Grandma

I will never forget her big hugs, tasty desserts, Skip Bo games, and her loving heart. Always a tough woman and always in control. We will miss you so much Grandma.

At least now she's in a better place and no longer has to live suffering. And as much as that is a comfort, it's still sad to think of a world without her in it. She will always be in my heart and on my mind.






Rest in Peace Grandma. We love you.
July 1, 2009 - 93 years old

I love warm weather!

I cannot believe we are already into June. We are definitely loving this weather. Warm enough for fishing, swimming, and getting a tan. :)

Here's a few pictures from a couple weekends ago:

New layout

I've done a little cleanup here on my blog. It was time for a new summery feel to it. I'm thinking I like it, so this is how it will stay for a while. :)

Not a whole lot to report on....mostly it's work, home, cleanup, blog surfing, bed & then the cycle all over again. I've become a tad bit obsessive over blog surfing lately. There are so many gorgeous decorating/home blogs out there & not even enough time to find them all.

There's so many posts on how to revamp old things & make your home gorgeous. In fact, a few of my favorites are listed on the side bar in my blog roll. Joys of Home, Just a Girl, Centasational Girl (you've got to see this post) & Southern Hospitality are just a few amazing sites. Seriously I have spent hours looking over these beautiful blogs/homes (sorry ladies but I love..errr stalk your sites). Now if I could just create a smidge of the look they've got goin' on, I'd be set!

And I know it's not Monday, but I'm super excited to participate in this week's link up party @ Southern Hospitality!



In all my home decor searching, I finally found something I've been wanting to find for a long time - old locker baskets. Today was the city-wide garage sale in several nearby cities (needless to say I didn't get to go to many) but found the 3 locker baskets at a garage sale. $3 each & they were SO rusty. I bargained with the guy & only gave $2 each & brought them home to revamp. Yeah, the rust gave them character but I didn't want all that character flaking off on my other furniture.

Here's the newly painted baskets:


The entertainment center before with the green baskets:




And after with my new locker baskets (please excuse all the messiness - I really need to rearrange):


And here's some other garage sale finds from the last few weeks:




Loved this photo thing & the sack of old photos I picked up at a sale. Did you happen to see who was in that one photo?

John Wayne - how cool is that?!?!

Biloxi, MS

Here's my late posting of our trip to Biloxi. We had a wonderful time. The weather was awesome. It was a wonderful little break from our everday life.

Here's some shots from the trip:










The shots with the brick background were on our excursion out to Ship Island which is where the Fort of Massachusettes was located. It was a little cool taking the 12 mile trip out on boat (it took a little over an hour) but we warmed up a lot coming back & even managed to get a little sun burnt.

We were amazed at the beautiful homes that had been rebuilt after Katrina. Purely amazing! It was just odd to see such beautiful homes & then see empty lots from where the hurricane wiped away whatever was there before.

Since then, we've once again be pulled into the everyday routine. Yesterday we made a trip to Bolivar for their city wide garage sales. I didn't end up with a lot of things but did get a good deal on some hanging candle displays (now to just find a good place to put them), a couple white glass vases, & a summer outfit for Kalli.

Today we went and visited Betty & David and went to their church's Friends & Family Day. It was nice to go visit and we hope to do that a lot more this summer. And now for tonight - I'm thinking we may prep the backyard for a weiner/marshmallow roast to get a little more fun out of this weekend. :)