Computer Trouble

I let someone use my computer Saturday night and it was returned with a pesky virus! It's not their fault, it just happened. In the meantime, I've got big computer problems here. I'm REALLY hoping to get everything fixed and back to working order soon.

So for now, have a great Thursday!

Blue Monday

Thank you Sally for hosting Blue Monday each week. To join in the fun or to visit other Blue Monday participants, click here.

Today I thought I'd show you an oil painting of my husband as a little boy, dressed in blue. He was probably around 2 years old although I'm not sure. This painting hung in my in-laws hallway along with an oil painting of his brother for over 30 years. When my MIL passed away and my FIL moved out of the family home a few years later, we inherited the painting. Now I hang it proudly in our home. I've always loved this painting and used to say that I hoped our children would be as beautiful as he was as a child. My wishes came true and we were blessed with two beautiful children, beautiful both on the inside and out!

So here is the oil painting of my husband that truly was my MIL's pride and joy. She loved the two oil paintings of her two little boys. If you notice some small spots on the painting, they are water spots. My husband says they're from a water gun fight between he and his brother, in the hallway, many many years ago. Oh I bet my MIL was not a happy camper about that one!


Happy Blue Monday!

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: When was the last time you had a pedicure and have you ever had your upper lip waxed?

I had both done yesterday. I rewarded myself for having accomplishing alot around the house lately.

When I got home I started trimming the rose bushes out front. My husband came outside and I told him I had my lip waxed. He said "you don't have a moustache do you?"

I told him...not any more!

By the way, only one word describes getting your upper lip waxed...PAINFUL!

What's The Big Deal About Phones!?!

I got this phone yesterday and while it appears to do everything except make coffee, it's just a phone. What's the big deal about phones anyway!?!

My husband and daughter are phone freaks. The minute we're allowed an upgrade, they're on it, ready for the next new best phone on the market. I don't get it. To me, a phones a phone. But apparently I'm wrong.

We received a phone call telling us we had an upgrade coming. I didn't tell my husband because I knew he'd be bugging me 24/7 to go down and pick out a new phone. Well I didn't have to tell him because he already knew, probably had been online checking it all out already! So yep, the bugging started and kept up until I went down yesterday and picked out a phone. I saw this phone (which was recommended by my sister), pointed to it, and said "I'll take that one." Didn't know anything about any of the features, didn't care. Just didn't want to spend the day in the Verizon store.

Too late, over 1 hour later I'm still there. My husband's in his element, loving all the phone talk between him and the sales personnel.

Me, I'm just trying to memorize all the information the lady's giving me. All I want is to send and receive phone calls, and maybe a little texting. Plain and simple. I don't need it to make coffee, I'm not a coffee drinker remember!

So, wish me luck with my new phone...if I ever get it back. Hubby's been playing with it since we got home last night!

Wordless Wednesday...Almost

After 3 months, he still hates this...

OH...MY...GOODNESS!!

You are not going to believe what I got in the mail today...




This is mail that I sent out in November! November 28th to be exact!

I'm so embarrassed!

This package was a Christmas gift for an ornament exchange that I participated in. Obviously it never made it to my partner! You want to know the worst part about this, I received my ornament from this person and even hung it on my tree proudly.

I'm so embarrassed!

The other bad part about this is that I don't even remember who hosted the swap so I can't contact her to verify this person's exact name and address.

Oh my goodness, I'm so embarrassed!

I now again have the person's name who I was sending it to but the address probably is wrong or maybe she moved. I'll google her name and see what I can come up with. With the way the US Mail handled this package (keeping it in their possession for 5 months!), maybe I can have it in her hands by this next Christmas!

Lordy, Lordy, I'm so embarrassed!

Metamorphosis Monday

Welcome to Metamorphosis Monday. To participate or to see other Metamorphosis Monday posts, head on over to Susan's. Thank you Susan for being our hostess each week.

We've had some pretty labor intensive work done around the house lately which would make for great Metamorphosis Monday posts but I'm not good at remembering to take before pictures! I'm new to Met Monday so I've got to get in the groove! I do seem to be good at taking pictures of small projects that I've got going on so hopefully they'll pass for Met Monday posts for now.

Have you seen all of the neat homemade chalkboards that have popped up around blogland lately? Truly, each one seems to be more unique than the next. Well, I don't know about you, but this girl has had a love affair with chalkboards since elementary school so I knew this was something I wanted to tackle. I think I missed my calling when I didn't become a teacher!

I had a large painting that I was going to give away to Goodwill but realized it would be perfect for a chalkboard instead. It was a painting with a gold frame and was bordered by an off-white linen around the picture itself. I completely taped off the linen with blue painter's tape so that I wouldn't get any paint on it. I spray painted the frame black and then painted the picture with chalkboard paint. Just spray painted right onto the picture itself and I'd say I gave it about 4 coats of the chalkboard paint. As usual, I forgot to take a before photo of the painting and frame but remembered to take one during the spray painting phase.


When everything was dry, I peeled off the painter's tape and I had myself a homemade chalkboard. I added a monogrammed letter "L" just to spruce it up a bit.


This was a fun, easy, and inexpensive project to do. I put it in my "craft" room/college daughter's room and plan to use it for reminders for myself such as birthdays, appointments, etc. I've also seen this done on plates and silver. The possibilities are endless!

Not a room redo, but a metamorphosis just the same!

The Weather Outside...

Is absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful April day we're having here in CA. I've got the windows and the doors open. It's not too hot right now but they say it's suppose to reach the high 90's tomorrow and Monday. Wow!

It's been a busy day already with projects and stuff getting done around here. I finished a fun project that I started a few weeks ago and it turned out great. I'll post about it on Monday for Metamorphosis Monday...it really was a metamorphosis in the making.

I also have a plate project in the works so I've been busy spray painting today. Yes, spray painting plates! I'm hoping to get them hung this weekend and you know I'll take pictures.

Been busy washing all of my crystal too. When the carpet was installed we had to take everything out of the china cabinet. Where do you put EVERYTHING when EVERYTHING is getting moved!?! In the spare bathroom of course! We had to empty out closets, china cabinet, clear off dressers, everything...so I just stuck it all in the spare bathroom and closed the door! Well it's been almost 2 weeks so I ventured in there today...and I almost couldn't find my way out! Slowly but surely I'm taking things out, cleaning them, and putting them back in place. Fun job huh!

Good Mail! I received some good mail I want to show you. But first of all, I want to say thank you to so many of you who have sent cards and notes lately. I love going to the mailbox and finding good mail from blogging friends. I received thoughtful Easter cards and continue to get the most beautiful notes on the most beautiful cards, alot of them homemade. There is so much talent and goodness out there in blogland! It's very heartwarming!

I received a precious plaque from my friend Valerie and I knew the perfect spot for it the minute I saw it. It says "Friend, I thank my God everytime I remember you. Philippians 1:3." She even signed and dated the back. I love it Valerie, thank you! If you have some time, stop by and visit Valerie's blog, you'll be drawn in as I was. She is a beautiful Christian wife and mother who shares her heart and life with us...and she has become a treasured friend!



So that's it in a nutshell. Hope you're having a great Saturday and that you're having some beautiful weather too. We're all a little ready for some Spring about now!

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Are you a coffee drinker?

I'm heading out shortly to meet a friend for coffee but I'm not much of a coffee drinker. Starbucks has great hot chocolate so I'm set...and I like their atmosphere...and I love my friend Pam! What a nice way to start a Friday!

Where Has The Week Gone!?!

I can't believe it's Thursday already!

I completely lose track of time...and my days, when I work alot of hours back to back...which is the only thing I've done so far this week.

So I've got nothing to share. Oh, I probably do but I'm just too tired to think about it. I was supposed to meet some friends for lunch today...too tired! It sure sounded good at the time though. It's ok, I'm meeting one of them in the morning for coffee instead. I'll be refreshed and roaring to go by then.

When I work 3-12+ hour days in a row, I feel like I've missed out on something. Like I've missed out on life in the "real world." Like life has passed me by...and in a sense it has.

When I'm at work, I love it. When I'm at home, I love it. But the two don't mix. On the days that I work, my normal life just passes me by...

I've missed you!

I did see the news and video of the Domino's Pizza workers and the sick stuff they were up to. Unreal isn't it!

Metamorphosis Monday

Welcome to Metamorphosis Monday. To participate or to see other Metamorphosis Monday posts, head on over to Susan's. Thank you Susan for being our hostess each week.

We've had a Baker's rack for over 25 years that was handed down to us from my husband's grandmother. It spent 4-5 years in the kitchen of our first house we owned, it moved with us to our second home, it spent some time at my mom's house, and now we've had it on our patio for about 10 years. It's sturdy and very well made, it just needed some updating.

This is how the rack has looked for the last 25 years. We gave it a fresh coat of white paint when we got it 25 years ago. The white paint has held up great even though it's been outside for years.


Two summers ago we finally bought a new patio set and I always thought the Baker's rack would look good painted to match. We've had a few days of nice weather lately so hubby sanded, painted, and bought new glass for the 4 shelves. Here's what the Baker's rack looks like now...



Of course we couldn't match up the paint color exactly, but it's sure close enough. It's amazing what a little bit of paint can do!

Warm Easter Wishes!

This clip is a little long but it's amazing and beautiful. It will really touch your heart.

Happy Easter Friends!

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: When you were growing up, what was your favorite thing to find in your Easter basket on Easter morning? Jelly beans? Peeps? Chocolate?

For me, I loved the hollow chocolate bunnies...and the bigger the bunny the better (say that 3 times fast!)

Thrifty Thursday

Doesn't this bedding just scream Spring!


This is the bed in our guest room. It was one of the first things we bought when got married 28 years ago and hopefully it will be a keepsake in our family for years to come.

So now for the thrifty part...

All of this bedding I've either picked up at Marshalls or TJMaxx for a bargain. I'd seen the duvet and shams at Pottery Barn and loved them (called Trellis if I remember right) but didn't want to pay Pottery Barn retail prices. That's were Ebay came in! I was able to buy the duvet and matching shams for a fraction of the cost. If you've never given Ebay a try, check it out. Only one problem, you may develop another addiction other than blogging!

To read about other Thrifty Thursday finds, click here.

Happy Thrifty Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday

What In The World Took Us So Long!?!

Do you ever finish something, like how it looks, then ask yourself..."what in the world took us so long to get that done?" That's exactly what we've asked ourselves lately when we've finished a few of our latest projects.

In fact, we asked ourselves that yesterday!

We have a telephone outlet on the wall that I've been wanting to cover up(hide) for years now. I long ago took down the wall phone and was left with this...


So the big question for me, for a loooong time now, has been "what to do, what to do, WHAT TO DO" with the unsightly outlet since we don't have a wall phone anymore.

Then the lightbulb went on!

I mentioned earlier that we had a welcome sign near our back door that I took down when I hung up my framed keys. Well my hubby wasn't super impressed with the framed keys because he's always liked our welcome sign with the pineapple on it. In order to make both of us happy, I told him I'd find another place for the sign...and guess where I moved it.


Oh I love it when a plan comes together! Using some ribbon, I suspended it from a frame that I spray painted black a few weeks ago. I also put some double sided tape on the back of the welcome sign to adhere it to the wall outlet. I love how it looks! Hubby still gets to see the welcome sign that he likes so well, I got the outlet covered, and we both stood back and asked ourselves "what in the world took us so long!?!

To participate in Metamorphosis Monday or to see other Met Monday posts, head on over to Susan's. Wait till you see her before and after!

Sunday Memories...

This is a song that I love and fondly remember singing in church growing up. It will always be one of my favorites.



Have a wonderful day...the day which the Lord has made.

My Oh So Productive Day!

I can be so productive when I want to...and yesterday I wanted to!

The day started out slow. I was tired. We went out of town on Thursday and didn't get home until after midnight so Friday was slow going at first. Thankfully I picked up speed as the day progressed.

I spray painted and believe it or not, no black this time. I used white paint for another project/idea that I got from blogland. More on this later I promise!

I spent a good portion of my time working on these...


Yay! I was able to package up lots of "good mail" and get it ready for mailing. I also got 5 Easter gift bags ready for our college girl and her roommates. Hey, you're never too old for a visit from the Easter Bunny!

Speaking of Easter, aren't these carrot bags cute! I packaged these up for the dialysis techs that work in my unit. I'll hand them out at work next week but at least they're done and ready to go.

I was able to make all of these treat bags for about $12! I spent $10 on the candy, $2 for 20 treat bags, and I already had the ribbon. It just goes to show that you don't have to spend alot of money in order to do something nice for someone. I appreciate the people that I work with and I like doing little things for them during the holidays. It doesn't have to be extravagant...just from the heart.

We have a very very busy week ahead of us next week so I'm glad I was able to get some things accomplished yesterday.

Have you had any productive days lately?

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Is it Spring like at your house yet? California can't seem to make up it's mind. Breezy one day, hot the next, then cold again. Yesterday we went out of town to see our son and when we left it was down right hot. He lives 2 1/2 hours away and when we got to his house we were freezing. Crazy April weather!