SWAP till You Drop

A friend hosted "Swap Till You Drop"

this morning. This was a totally new

experience for me and

I. Loved. It.

This is the way it worked -

People were invited to come and bring
some gently used items. (Some items
had been rec'd as gifts and
never even used).

Books, Purses,
Home Decor, Glassware, Small Appliances,etc. 
The only items not allowed were clothing.
We could each bring up to 10 items.The gifts were layed out "garage sale"
style around the room.

For each item we brought we received
a clothespin with our name printed on it.

When the leader said "Go" we looked
over the loot and placed a clothespin
on anything we would like to have.

After everyone had placed their clothespins
the Leader went to each item individually
and took the clothes pins off and placed
them into a bowl.  Someone drew out a
clothespin and the "Winner"
was announced.

I took 10 like new hardback books (Baldacci, Grisom, etc.)
to swap and came home with

Floral Candle Ring*see the tags still attached

Love these Drapes.Probably "used", but in great condition

and perfect for my Dining Room!

There were 3 of us in the Drawing

for this.  I won!

IMO, this needs a little spray-paint-love

then it will be good to go.

*see my clothespin still on it.

This Coat Rack will go on a wall

in my Guest Bedroom which is

decorated in a New Orleans theme.

I am thrilled with my "Swap".

This is something we all
agreed we will do again.

Have you ever done anything like this?

Springers AND Feelers

I've learned there are Two types of people in the world -
  Springers   AND    Feelers

My beloved Husband of many years is a Springer.When the alarm goes of he "SPRINGS" from the bed

ready to begin his day.  Sometimes he sings. 

Sometimes he hums while reading the newspaper.

And should another person enter the room  he is

oh-so-happy to carry on a conversation.

ON THE OTHER HAND 

Feelers (that would be me) hear the alarm go off,

then they hit the snooze button at least twice

before even opening one eyelid. 

Then they twist and turn in the bed

 till they find another comfortable position. 

In a couple of minutes they open both eyes

and simply stare into space

thinking about the day at hand and

feeling their way into slowly putting first one foot,

 then another onto the floor. 

They yawn.  They stretch. 

They move about,

 but conversation is not on their mind

for another 30 minutes or so.

Most Families have one Springer and one Feeler.
How does this play out in your house?
I'm just askin'

Simple Things

God bless Christina who is giving a dollar for every list of simple things in life shared. The money will go towards Doctors without Borders. It's a wonderful contribution to not only the people in Haiti but others who have medical needs but can't afford to seek the necessary care. Please go over to Christina's blog and enter your blog name and do this!! It's FUN!

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Sweet Tea

Giggling Children

Puppy Dog Nuzzles

Fuzzy House slippers

Hugs

A Compliment

A New Idea

Baby Feet

Freshly Mopped Floors

New Car Smell

Honeysuckle

Green

Old Friends

Sunshine

Freshly Mown Grass

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Shiny Pink Nail Polish

Brightly Colored Flip Flops

Having All My Children Under My Roof

A Good Hair Day

Psalm 116:7

A Bargain

Clean Sheets

A Good Health Report

Lunch with the Girls

The rest of the story?

Report cards went out Jan 10.
After many questions and a plethora
of excuses, 15 yr old Princess brought her
Report Card home on Jan 26.

Here it is.
Highly suspicious, don't you think?

I'll let you know. . .
"the rest of the story".

LOOK!

Look what I saw today
at Old Navy!!

Can Spring be far away?

"Gotcha Day"

We are pleased to announce the arrival

of the newest addition to our family,

"Joey" the Gotcha Bear!

The lovely creature who designed Joey is our youngest daughter, "Princess".  We had a fun day on Saturday, (1/23) celebrating "Gotcha Day".  We went out for steak at Salt Grass Steak House then to "Build-a-Bear" for a momento of this great day.  If you're not famililar with the term "Gotcha Day", it's the day which adoptive families celebrate the finalization of the adoption process; the day they officially Gotcha!  This is our 6th "Gotcha Day" though Princess was with us for 3 years before she was technically "ours".  Yes, it was a very lo-o-o-ng labor! 

Six Word Saturday

Celebrating "Gotcha Day" with our Girl!

Six years ago TODAY the adoption
of our 4th child, a beautiful daughter,
was finalized!

Each year we do something fun together
to *CELEBRATE* the occasion

on the anniversary of this great event. 
She is 15 this year and has chosen to

go out to dinner at a swanky restaurant

for steak.  Then she wants to go to

"Build-a-Bear" (yes, I know she's 15)

and create a keepsake Bear for the occasion.

I hope to have photos of our day
for my next blog post.

We're "outta here"!

Want to participate in "6 Word Saturday"?
Here's the place to begin.

OFF?

Team Jay?

OR

Team Conan?

How does one decide

such a difficult decision?????
Perhaps I'll be radical
and turn the TV O-F-F!
(simply typing that phrase makes
my hands shake)

Be advised-

(cause I know you've been wondering.  NOT!)
I think I'm feeling the slightest inkling of "Mojo"
even though it is admittedly "inactive". 
Went to the Dr. today and came home with
two prescriptions for a Sinus infection that
seems to have been sucking out said Mojo
for the past few weeks.  It feels good
knowing there is a REASON for being
boring, unmotivated and BLAH
"out-of-sorts".  Perhaps the MOJO will
be coursing through my veins again
very soon.

In the meantime . . .
I'll continue to sit on the couch
and stare into space
entertaining deep thoughts...
Team Jay?   Team Conan?
OFF?

Where is the MOJO?

I have lost my Mojo
and can't seem to find it anywhere!

My "edge" is gone, my uniquiness, the "thang" that makes me "ME".

Maybe it began to slip a few weeks ago

when I got the haircut

that was a bit too short and not "me". . .

Or maybe it's the winter poundage that has made

my clothes too snug and uncomfortable...

or the Cold that has lingered for almost

a month now. . .

What's a Girl to do?

I would think if Stella could get her
groove back,
then surely I could

relocate my Mojo.

I really miss myself when I'm gone!

Gotta-have-it-or-I'm-gonna-die

Do you ever get a "CRAVING"?

A real, gotta-have-it-or-I'm gonna-die, sort of craving?
(and I'm not talking about a
Gee-I'm-pregnant-and-you-owe-me
type of craving, for the record.)

Personally, it doesn't happen very often

but it did tonight...

All of a sudden I just felt like I was gonna explode
if I didn't have an Ice Cream Float -

(you thought I was gonna say  "a salad" didn't you???)

Anyway, my sweet husband put on his shoes

and drove to the store to get  -

 

 

This.

 

 

So I could have this.

           

  

God bless my Husband...

and it was totally worth the Bazillion calories!!

What was the last thing you CRAVED?

Random Dozen

Random Dozen
Visit "Random Dozen" if you'd like to participate.

1. So I was thinking about how Jon Bon Jovi never seems to age much. His hair is smaller nowadays, but he still manages to look like a boy somehow. And then that made me think of the story of Dorian Gray. Question: If you physically lock in one age for yourself, which would you choose and why?
30; life was good, and so was I!

2. What is the best dish that you cook or bake (your piece de resistance?)
Chicken Fried Steak - I can make grown men cry with this!

3. When you feel blue, what is one strategy you use to help yourself back to normal?
Chocolate - and a talk with a good friend.

4. When was the last time you danced in public?
I suppose dancin' in the car to the radio wouldn't count, so it would be at my son's wedding a few years ago.

5. Do you consider yourself a realist or dreamer?
I'd like to say I'm a Dreamer,
but really I'm a Realist.

6. As a parent, what is one thing that you have done well?
Accept my children for who they are.

7. Which is your favorite character on the Andy Griffith show?
Opie, for sure.
"Awe, Pa. . ."
Love that sweet little red-haired guy who seems to have grown up
to be a wonderful husband and father & film director.  Yeay Opie!

8. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
4  *blush*

9. Have you never been mellow? Have you never tried … to find a comfort from in side you? (Sorry, Jorge was singing that song just now, and it just seemed to be perfect timing as I was creating this week’s questions.) REAL question: What is your #1 driving pet peeve?
People who drive pass a long line of obviously waiting cars then try to "crowd" in!!  GRRRR!

10. Which color best represents your mood today? Care to elaborate?
Beige. 
Getting over a cold that just won't let go.

11. If your spouse were an animal, which would he/she be?
a friendly, lovable, Golden Lab puppy

12. What activity takes up the bulk of your time on an average day?
What's an "average" day???

Out. Out. Damn Spot!

I was raised in a fun, but very strict household.
We were never permitted to have a deck of cards.
After much soul-searching by my Mom, it was decided that we could however, play games that used dice, though a "Spinner" was much preferred...Bad language was NEVER permitted.  When I was in Jr. High School I once used the word "fart" within ear range of my mom and was sent to bed immediately  for my trangression.  Time marched on - I married and had children of my own; my Mom became a Grandma.  A loving, doting, "Best Grandma Ever"!

The kids spent a lot of time at Grandma's house.
She played games with them.
Rode Bikes with them. etc. etc.

Then one day the unexpected happened . . .

Grandma grew frustrated with something, and a curse word escaped from her lips.
"Damn"

As luck would have it,
one of the Grandkids heard her.

"Ahhhhhm.  Grandmaaaaa.  You said a bad word".

God bless Mom.
She had an explanation -
She had merely been reciting literature
by William Shakespeare.
"Out.  Out.  Damn Spot"

Doncha love it??

Six Word Saturday

Run on over to Cate's if you'd like to participate in "6 Word Saturday".
You know you want to!

GLAD I'M NOT A DOG TODAY!

It's pouring rain here.
My poor 15 yr old doggie finds it very stressful to go outside to "take care of business" today.  Each time I visit "the throne" today I am reminded it is good to not be a doggie on this rainy, blustery, day!

Truckload of Happy

This truck pulled up to my house a few minutes ago and dumped a truckload of HAPPY right on top of me.  The truck was obviously dispatched from Heaven and bound for the Bayou.

Here is what my Sister posted on Facebook this afternoon:

"Just received GREAT test results! All came back clear. Yeah! Ah, the Joys of January. Three more minor treatments & I'm through with everything except routine tests! In March, I'll be officially out of breast cancer hell!"

I had not yet checked messages on my answering machine so you can imagine my joy when my son called and said to look at Facebook!  Thanks be to God and to those of you who have prayed in her behalf!!

Company's Coming

Company is coming for dinner!
10 of my great girlfriends who work with me on the "Woman to Woman" Team at our church, will be my guests.  My hubby put 2 leafs in the table last night so the dining room will be filled with friends, just the way I like it.  Here's what's for dinner. . .

"Lazy Girls' Lasagna"

AND

Salad

AND

Dinner Rolls

AND

for Dessert

Peach Cobbler ala'mode

Then of course the Louisiana gal who writes the

"Sweet Tea" Blog . . .

Must serve LOTS of Sweet Tea!!

Now, if only my good Bloggy friend,
Mid-Atlantic Martha were here
to set me a beautiful table.

"Yoo - Hoo!  Martha!"

Just wondering. . .
Do you like to have friends to your home for dinner?
What's your favorite part?
Least favorite part?

My favorite - preparing the meal
Least favorite - preparing the house.

Gotta run - Lots to do!

Life Lesson 101

"Come pick me up.  Emergency"
I received the text from my
15 yr old daughter at 1:07 pm
while out running errands.

I pulled onto the highway

headed for the school. . .

Can't say I wasn't thinking and wondering

what this could be about. . .

?

?

?

?

Thank God it was none of the above. . .

just a simple case of

acute "excessive teenage drama".

Do I think she over-reacted?  Yes.

Did it cause me a bit of stress?  Yes.
Would I do this again? NO! Are you kidding?
But, today I felt as though there was a
life-lesson to be learned. . .
"when your world goes crazy around you
someone's got your back".

This beg's the question 
"When your world goes crazy who's got your back?".