(my Christmas cactus...the gift that keeps on giving!)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Photo Resolution 2010 and Wordless Wednesday
13/52:
(my Christmas cactus...the gift that keeps on giving!)
(my Christmas cactus...the gift that keeps on giving!)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Love That Lilly!
I've seen that many bloggers find the best clothing deals while out thrifting, but I'm not quite there yet. I'm still not sure how I feel about wearing other people's clothes. It never occurs to me to look through the clothes at the Goodwill, yet the clothing racks are the first place my sister heads to when she goes thrifting. I don't have the patience to sort through each item, piece by piece, and that is what you need to do when going through the clothes. I need to develop the patience because my sister has always looked like a million bucks, but for less!
A few weeks back I was walking past the dresses at the GW and the pattern on one particular dress popped out at me. I couldn't believe my eyes! There hanging was a Lilly Pulitzer summer dress, never been worn, tag and all. I don't know if you can see it, but it has an empire waist with piping and bow. Unfortunately, my photo skills don't do it justice. The dress is waaayyy cuter than this picture shows, and it really doesn't look like a tent!
Take a look at the original price tag! I paid $6.50.
Don't you think it would make a darling Easter dress paired with a cute little sweater and sandals. Never been worn, this I'll wear!
A few weeks back I was walking past the dresses at the GW and the pattern on one particular dress popped out at me. I couldn't believe my eyes! There hanging was a Lilly Pulitzer summer dress, never been worn, tag and all. I don't know if you can see it, but it has an empire waist with piping and bow. Unfortunately, my photo skills don't do it justice. The dress is waaayyy cuter than this picture shows, and it really doesn't look like a tent!
Take a look at the original price tag! I paid $6.50.
Don't you think it would make a darling Easter dress paired with a cute little sweater and sandals. Never been worn, this I'll wear!
Front Door Easter Decorations
Hello, my name is Linda and I am a self proclaimed holiday decorating junkie!!
I can't help myself, I love holiday decorations and I've got the storage containers to prove it!
I love wreaths and flags too!
I've always enjoyed hanging wreaths on my front doors for the holidays but I thought for Easter it would be fun to do something different.
Here is a picture of our front doors. We got these doors about 2-3 years ago and I had always envisioned solid black front doors but my husband was hesitant. He never trusts my decorating abilities until someone else mentions it and then he gives in. Our painter said "you should paint the new doors black" and that was all it took! Of course, now he loves them.
Ok, so getting back to the decorating. Friday I found 4 adorable heavy duty decorative eggs that I thought would be fun, and different, for decorating the doors this year. I used 2 of the eggs and the other 2 I'll be giving away as Easter gifts. Luckily, they already had fasteners attached to the back so I just threaded ribbon through the fasteners and taped the ribbon to the top of the doors. I taped them down really good because if these eggs fall, they'll break into a thousand pieces, plus I'll be really sad!
Isn't this egg cute! I also took some additional ribbon and tulle, made bows, and tied them onto the hanging ribbon...
Here's what my front doors look like now. In addition to the door decorations, I added a plant to the black planter. I've gone through so many plants that I decided to get silk flowers this time. They look real and the arrangement was under $10. I'll end up saving time and money by buying this silk one.
So that's our front porch area before and after. Nothing fancy, just simple and I hope classy. I believe in the old saying "less is more."
I also wanted to mention that I attached adhesive protectors to the back of the eggs. The eggs are plaster and I wouldn't want them to scratch up the doors at all, especially the one door that we open and close all the time. I use protectors on alot of things around my home to avoid damage to furniture or walls. These are the protectors I use quite often...
Do you decorate your front door or porch area for the holidays? Are you a holiday decorating junkie too?
I can't help myself, I love holiday decorations and I've got the storage containers to prove it!
I love wreaths and flags too!
I've always enjoyed hanging wreaths on my front doors for the holidays but I thought for Easter it would be fun to do something different.
Here is a picture of our front doors. We got these doors about 2-3 years ago and I had always envisioned solid black front doors but my husband was hesitant. He never trusts my decorating abilities until someone else mentions it and then he gives in. Our painter said "you should paint the new doors black" and that was all it took! Of course, now he loves them.
Ok, so getting back to the decorating. Friday I found 4 adorable heavy duty decorative eggs that I thought would be fun, and different, for decorating the doors this year. I used 2 of the eggs and the other 2 I'll be giving away as Easter gifts. Luckily, they already had fasteners attached to the back so I just threaded ribbon through the fasteners and taped the ribbon to the top of the doors. I taped them down really good because if these eggs fall, they'll break into a thousand pieces, plus I'll be really sad!
Isn't this egg cute! I also took some additional ribbon and tulle, made bows, and tied them onto the hanging ribbon...
Here's what my front doors look like now. In addition to the door decorations, I added a plant to the black planter. I've gone through so many plants that I decided to get silk flowers this time. They look real and the arrangement was under $10. I'll end up saving time and money by buying this silk one.
So that's our front porch area before and after. Nothing fancy, just simple and I hope classy. I believe in the old saying "less is more."
I also wanted to mention that I attached adhesive protectors to the back of the eggs. The eggs are plaster and I wouldn't want them to scratch up the doors at all, especially the one door that we open and close all the time. I use protectors on alot of things around my home to avoid damage to furniture or walls. These are the protectors I use quite often...
Do you decorate your front door or porch area for the holidays? Are you a holiday decorating junkie too?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
It's A Sure Sign...
I had such a productive day yesterday! It almost makes up for the lazy day I had on Thursday.
I did some cleaning, prepared lots of good mail, wrote some thank you notes, did laundry, caught up on blogs, and had fun doing a little Easter decorating. It felt good to be creative and energetic. For me, that's a sure sign that spring has sprung!
Come back tomorrow to see the fun Easter project I did yesterday.
Happy Sunday friends!
By the way, please keep my close blogging friend Janiece in your thoughts and prayers. She is dealing with some health issues right now. You can read about it and visit with Janiece here. Please stop by and say hello. I'm sure she would appreciate it.
I did some cleaning, prepared lots of good mail, wrote some thank you notes, did laundry, caught up on blogs, and had fun doing a little Easter decorating. It felt good to be creative and energetic. For me, that's a sure sign that spring has sprung!
Come back tomorrow to see the fun Easter project I did yesterday.
Happy Sunday friends!
By the way, please keep my close blogging friend Janiece in your thoughts and prayers. She is dealing with some health issues right now. You can read about it and visit with Janiece here. Please stop by and say hello. I'm sure she would appreciate it.
Friday, March 26, 2010
It's Friday
And I'm nosy...
So here's the question: Do you like "peeps" Easter candy? You know, the pink, green, yellow, blue, and purple marshmallow bunnies and chicks that are ALL sugar! As much as I like candy, I've never cared for peeps. I don't like jelly beans either. Just give me something chocolate and I'm happy!
So here's the question: Do you like "peeps" Easter candy? You know, the pink, green, yellow, blue, and purple marshmallow bunnies and chicks that are ALL sugar! As much as I like candy, I've never cared for peeps. I don't like jelly beans either. Just give me something chocolate and I'm happy!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Las Vegas - Part 2
While we were in Vegas, we decided to walk the strip and head down to the Mirage Hotel. Courtney and I ordered tickets to see the Beatles Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage and we wanted to pick up our tickets. We saw the show on Sunday night and it was fantastic. They have a new Cirque show that is Elvis inspired. I'd love to see that next.
I really wanted to see Donny and Marie but their show was still on hiatus due to the death of Marie's son. Look at how they do the advertising for their show...
Pretty neat huh! They have their billboard on the front of the Flamingo Hotel where they have their show. My sister saw the show recently and said it was the best show she'd ever seen.
I don't know how we got so lucky but we ended up standing right in front of the Bellagio Hotel when their water show started. It's so beautiful and mesmerizing...
It's very entertaining walking the strip, you never know what your gonna see and believe me, Vegas attracts all kinds! Get a load of this guy's outfit! Board shorts, loafers, hat, and striped jacket. Amazing isn't it?!
My sister said no matter how much she loved the guy, she wouldn't be holding his hand when he was wearing that combination. Me, I quickly ran up behind him to take his picture. I knew it was good blog material!
I really wanted to see Donny and Marie but their show was still on hiatus due to the death of Marie's son. Look at how they do the advertising for their show...
Pretty neat huh! They have their billboard on the front of the Flamingo Hotel where they have their show. My sister saw the show recently and said it was the best show she'd ever seen.
I don't know how we got so lucky but we ended up standing right in front of the Bellagio Hotel when their water show started. It's so beautiful and mesmerizing...
It's very entertaining walking the strip, you never know what your gonna see and believe me, Vegas attracts all kinds! Get a load of this guy's outfit! Board shorts, loafers, hat, and striped jacket. Amazing isn't it?!
My sister said no matter how much she loved the guy, she wouldn't be holding his hand when he was wearing that combination. Me, I quickly ran up behind him to take his picture. I knew it was good blog material!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Little Wheeler Dealer
The funniest thing happened to my husband on Sunday...
He went to the grocery store and on the way out, he stopped to buy a couple boxes of Girl Scout cookies. I had just mentioned Saturday night that we hadn't bought any cookies this year and lo and behold, he came home with 2 boxes of Thin Mints.
As he was buying the cookies, the little girl told him "since this box is bent, and since we only have 2 boxes left, I'll sell you the bent box of cookies for $3 instead of $4." In the meantime, the mother is saying "hey, what are you doing!? Now we've got to pay the difference ourselves!" Too funny!
Delicious! One quick question though, when did they start putting the cookies in foil wrappers?
He went to the grocery store and on the way out, he stopped to buy a couple boxes of Girl Scout cookies. I had just mentioned Saturday night that we hadn't bought any cookies this year and lo and behold, he came home with 2 boxes of Thin Mints.
As he was buying the cookies, the little girl told him "since this box is bent, and since we only have 2 boxes left, I'll sell you the bent box of cookies for $3 instead of $4." In the meantime, the mother is saying "hey, what are you doing!? Now we've got to pay the difference ourselves!" Too funny!
Delicious! One quick question though, when did they start putting the cookies in foil wrappers?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Las Vegas - Part 1
We've already been home from Las Vegas for a week now and I haven't mentioned anything about it. Truth be told, I just haven't felt like blogging, either creating posts or commenting. Courtney was home for spring break all week so I've been a little preoccupied.
Last Friday I drove to Vegas to meet up with family and friends. Like I've mentioned, we're not drinkers but we used the excuse of spring break and Courtney being 21 to head to sin city. Courtney flew in from Arizona and my sister Debbie flew in from Orange County, and from the minute we arrived we were on the go. The first night, I got to bed at 4am!
Saturday morning we were up and out the door by noon and headed to another hotel to meet up with friends Deanna and Ernie for lunch. Deanna and I met in art class when we were in the 9th grade and have been best friends ever since. Technically, we've grown up with each other and have experienced everything in life together over the last 30+ years. She has always been like a sister, even living with our family after high school. Together, Deanna and I have experienced getting our driver's license, graduating high school, college, moving out and into our own apartment, engagements, marriage, having and raising children, vacations, divorce, family, careers, aging parents and death, and the list goes on and on. We truly have experienced and lived life together, like family.
Here is a picture of Debbie, myself, Courtney, and Deanna...
Best friends...
Deanna and Ernie...
And there's only one way to describe Debbie, Courtney, and myself when we're together...TROUBLE!
After spending the afternoon with Deanna and Ernie, we headed yet to another hotel, to meet up with my sister Kim and BIL Michael for dessert and coffee. Ok, with Debbie, Courtney, Kim, and myself, now you're really talking TROUBLE!
More on Vegas later...
FYI...Elvis is still alive and kicking, and living in Vegas! I bet he was trying to call Priscilla!
Last Friday I drove to Vegas to meet up with family and friends. Like I've mentioned, we're not drinkers but we used the excuse of spring break and Courtney being 21 to head to sin city. Courtney flew in from Arizona and my sister Debbie flew in from Orange County, and from the minute we arrived we were on the go. The first night, I got to bed at 4am!
Saturday morning we were up and out the door by noon and headed to another hotel to meet up with friends Deanna and Ernie for lunch. Deanna and I met in art class when we were in the 9th grade and have been best friends ever since. Technically, we've grown up with each other and have experienced everything in life together over the last 30+ years. She has always been like a sister, even living with our family after high school. Together, Deanna and I have experienced getting our driver's license, graduating high school, college, moving out and into our own apartment, engagements, marriage, having and raising children, vacations, divorce, family, careers, aging parents and death, and the list goes on and on. We truly have experienced and lived life together, like family.
Here is a picture of Debbie, myself, Courtney, and Deanna...
Best friends...
Deanna and Ernie...
And there's only one way to describe Debbie, Courtney, and myself when we're together...TROUBLE!
After spending the afternoon with Deanna and Ernie, we headed yet to another hotel, to meet up with my sister Kim and BIL Michael for dessert and coffee. Ok, with Debbie, Courtney, Kim, and myself, now you're really talking TROUBLE!
More on Vegas later...
FYI...Elvis is still alive and kicking, and living in Vegas! I bet he was trying to call Priscilla!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
My Thrifty Find
I had some time to spare last week after a physical therapy session so I stopped by the Goodwill for a few minutes. Just as I was walking in, they were wheeling out a cart full of items to be put away. Lucky for me, the store was pretty empty so I was the first one to make my way over to the cart.
Right off the bat I noticed a Ray Ban eyeglass case and picked it up thinking it probably had a cheap pair of sunglasses in it. I was pleasantly SURPRISED and SHOCKED to find these in there instead...
A great pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. Maui Jim's are not cheap glasses and these are in perfect condition, with not a scratch on them. I just couldn't believe someone would give them to Goodwill and I couldn't believe the price on the sticker either...$2!
I normally don't show my husband my little thrifting goodies (because I don't want to see him roll his eyes) but I couldn't wait to show him the glasses. He's got a few pair of Maui Jim's and knows exactly what they retail for. Long story short, there was no eye rolling that day!
I think this may just be my best thrifty find ever!
Right off the bat I noticed a Ray Ban eyeglass case and picked it up thinking it probably had a cheap pair of sunglasses in it. I was pleasantly SURPRISED and SHOCKED to find these in there instead...
A great pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. Maui Jim's are not cheap glasses and these are in perfect condition, with not a scratch on them. I just couldn't believe someone would give them to Goodwill and I couldn't believe the price on the sticker either...$2!
I normally don't show my husband my little thrifting goodies (because I don't want to see him roll his eyes) but I couldn't wait to show him the glasses. He's got a few pair of Maui Jim's and knows exactly what they retail for. Long story short, there was no eye rolling that day!
I think this may just be my best thrifty find ever!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Home Safe and Sound
I'm definitely not as young as I used to be because I'm one tired girl! I'm not used to keeping those late night Vegas hours!
I need to unpack and get ready for work tomorrow so I'll write more about it this week and share some pictures with you. We absolutely had a great time.
Why is it that when you're having so much fun, the time flies by so darn fast!?
I need to unpack and get ready for work tomorrow so I'll write more about it this week and share some pictures with you. We absolutely had a great time.
Why is it that when you're having so much fun, the time flies by so darn fast!?
Friday, March 12, 2010
It's Friday
And I'm nosy...
So here's the question: Have you ever been to Las Vegas?
I'm heading there today for a girls weekend. I'm not a big gambler and definitely not a drinker but my sisters and I are taking my daughter there for spring break. She turned 21 in August so she can at least play a little slots if she wants to. Saturday night we'd like to see a show so we'll see what shows are playing when we get there. Believe it or not, my sister saw Donny and Marie when she was there recently and said it was the best show she'd ever seen.
Also, my longtime best friend Deanna will be there on Saturday so it should be a wonderful weekend. Hopefully I'll have some great pictures to share.
A few of you asked if I had a picture of my friend's daughter Courtney. I'd love for you to see just how gorgeous she is so I'll look for the YouTube video she is featured in. I'll post a link next week.
Take care and have a great weekend!
So here's the question: Have you ever been to Las Vegas?
I'm heading there today for a girls weekend. I'm not a big gambler and definitely not a drinker but my sisters and I are taking my daughter there for spring break. She turned 21 in August so she can at least play a little slots if she wants to. Saturday night we'd like to see a show so we'll see what shows are playing when we get there. Believe it or not, my sister saw Donny and Marie when she was there recently and said it was the best show she'd ever seen.
Also, my longtime best friend Deanna will be there on Saturday so it should be a wonderful weekend. Hopefully I'll have some great pictures to share.
A few of you asked if I had a picture of my friend's daughter Courtney. I'd love for you to see just how gorgeous she is so I'll look for the YouTube video she is featured in. I'll post a link next week.
Take care and have a great weekend!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Tonight's The Big Night!
Will you be watching the Academy Awards on TV tonight?
I used to get so excited for Academy Awards night and would watch the show from start to finish. I'd stop and get dinner on my way home from work, then I'd plant myself in front of the TV for the night. I didn't want to miss one single minute of it. Over the last 5-10 years however, I've only seen bits and pieces of it, if any at all. Since we don't go to the movies often, it seems like a waste of time to watch the awards when I haven't even seen any of the movies. Tonight will be different though. I'll be watching with anticipation, because...
1) I saw Blindside and Julie and Julia. I loved them both!
2) I'll have a connection to the show!
My friend Melanie at work told me on Thursday that her daughter Courtney auditioned and was picked to be one of the girls handing the Oscar to the winner tonight. She'll be one of those beautiful young ladies that brings out the Oscar and then helps escort the winners and presenters off the stage. Although Courtney has Paris runway modeling experience, she's nervous but very excited. Can you just imagine how many stars she'll be seeing face to face tonight!
I told Melanie it's no wonder her daughter was picked because she's tall, slender, and beautiful. Melanie said yes, but so was everyone else that auditioned! I'm so proud of our local, hometown girl and will be watching and rooting for her tonight. Not everyone can put something like this on their resume!
I can't wait to see Melanie at work on Tuesday. I'm hoping Courtney will have some juicy, star-studded stories to share!
By the way, Courtney will be the one wearing the yellow dress.
I used to get so excited for Academy Awards night and would watch the show from start to finish. I'd stop and get dinner on my way home from work, then I'd plant myself in front of the TV for the night. I didn't want to miss one single minute of it. Over the last 5-10 years however, I've only seen bits and pieces of it, if any at all. Since we don't go to the movies often, it seems like a waste of time to watch the awards when I haven't even seen any of the movies. Tonight will be different though. I'll be watching with anticipation, because...
1) I saw Blindside and Julie and Julia. I loved them both!
2) I'll have a connection to the show!
My friend Melanie at work told me on Thursday that her daughter Courtney auditioned and was picked to be one of the girls handing the Oscar to the winner tonight. She'll be one of those beautiful young ladies that brings out the Oscar and then helps escort the winners and presenters off the stage. Although Courtney has Paris runway modeling experience, she's nervous but very excited. Can you just imagine how many stars she'll be seeing face to face tonight!
I told Melanie it's no wonder her daughter was picked because she's tall, slender, and beautiful. Melanie said yes, but so was everyone else that auditioned! I'm so proud of our local, hometown girl and will be watching and rooting for her tonight. Not everyone can put something like this on their resume!
I can't wait to see Melanie at work on Tuesday. I'm hoping Courtney will have some juicy, star-studded stories to share!
By the way, Courtney will be the one wearing the yellow dress.
Friday, March 5, 2010
It's Friday
And I'm nosy...
So here's the question: Do you have an organized plan or schedule with regards to housekeeping? Do you do certain chores on certain days or are you a willy nilly type of homemaker? Are you somewhere in between?
Me, I'm more of the willy nilly type now. I clean something everyday but I have no plan or schedule. I clean certain things when the mood strikes.
When my kids were small, Monday's were always laundry days, and my trip to Target day. My husband would go to work, I'd drop off the kids at school, and I'd head to Target. It was a new week, a fresh start, and I was more motivated back then. Ok, maybe motivated isn't the right word, I was more obsessed about cleaning back then. I usually came home from Target with cleaning supplies or fun little decorative goodies which got me in the mood to nest and clean.
I think I need to start going to Target on Mondays again!
If you have a cleaning plan that works for you or if you have any helpful organizational hints regarding housework, please share.
So here's the question: Do you have an organized plan or schedule with regards to housekeeping? Do you do certain chores on certain days or are you a willy nilly type of homemaker? Are you somewhere in between?
Me, I'm more of the willy nilly type now. I clean something everyday but I have no plan or schedule. I clean certain things when the mood strikes.
When my kids were small, Monday's were always laundry days, and my trip to Target day. My husband would go to work, I'd drop off the kids at school, and I'd head to Target. It was a new week, a fresh start, and I was more motivated back then. Ok, maybe motivated isn't the right word, I was more obsessed about cleaning back then. I usually came home from Target with cleaning supplies or fun little decorative goodies which got me in the mood to nest and clean.
I think I need to start going to Target on Mondays again!
If you have a cleaning plan that works for you or if you have any helpful organizational hints regarding housework, please share.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
It Didn't Hurt Before...
I've been doing pretty well with my ankle and have even started going back to the gym. I'm not up to speed on the treadmill yet but things are slowly getting back to normal.
At my appointment with the orthopedist a month ago, he mentioned that I didn't have to keep my final appointment last week if I felt I was doing ok. We said our good-byes but I knew I'd be keeping the appointment regardless. I've always felt that before it was all said and done, I would be needing a prescription for physical therapy. I'm able to walk ok but I've noticed that my ankle is stiff, especially first thing in the morning. I also don't have the flexibility at the ankle that I once had.
I kept my appointment on Thursday and the doctor agreed to send me to physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Yesterday was my first PT session and all I can say is, if my ankle didn't hurt before I went in (and it didn't), it sure hurts now. They really worked it. The therapist agreed that I don't have near the amount of flexibility as my other ankle does. He said it's not just a little stiff, it's ALOT stiff. I'm functioning at about 75% now but I'm sure by the end of the 3 weeks I'll be at least in the 90th percentile and functioning normal again.
The therapist and his wife (also a PT) own the facility and they are as nice as can be, very personable people. I found out Sunday that my sister and my BIL both did therapy at this place also and they wanted me to say "hi" to everyone. The therapists remembered them well, especially my sister. It's not everyday that they get to treat someone who falls out of an attic. Oh.yes.she.did! Just over a year ago, my sister fell over 10 feet, out of her attic, onto a concrete floor in her garage. Believe me when I say she was in bad shape. She's recovered fully but I don't think she's been up in her attic since!
My next session is tomorrow. Wish me luck!
At my appointment with the orthopedist a month ago, he mentioned that I didn't have to keep my final appointment last week if I felt I was doing ok. We said our good-byes but I knew I'd be keeping the appointment regardless. I've always felt that before it was all said and done, I would be needing a prescription for physical therapy. I'm able to walk ok but I've noticed that my ankle is stiff, especially first thing in the morning. I also don't have the flexibility at the ankle that I once had.
I kept my appointment on Thursday and the doctor agreed to send me to physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Yesterday was my first PT session and all I can say is, if my ankle didn't hurt before I went in (and it didn't), it sure hurts now. They really worked it. The therapist agreed that I don't have near the amount of flexibility as my other ankle does. He said it's not just a little stiff, it's ALOT stiff. I'm functioning at about 75% now but I'm sure by the end of the 3 weeks I'll be at least in the 90th percentile and functioning normal again.
The therapist and his wife (also a PT) own the facility and they are as nice as can be, very personable people. I found out Sunday that my sister and my BIL both did therapy at this place also and they wanted me to say "hi" to everyone. The therapists remembered them well, especially my sister. It's not everyday that they get to treat someone who falls out of an attic. Oh.yes.she.did! Just over a year ago, my sister fell over 10 feet, out of her attic, onto a concrete floor in her garage. Believe me when I say she was in bad shape. She's recovered fully but I don't think she's been up in her attic since!
My next session is tomorrow. Wish me luck!
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