the search : a couch

So...hubby and I have been wanting and looking for a new couch. We need a bigger one that his legs don't hang off of. I really don't hate our couch and realized last night that getting a new one means finding a home for the old one...that will have to mean sending off an undressed couch then because my mom recovered it for us when we got married and I found myself not willing to part with the red she worked so hard to dress it up in. Maybe this means I'm not ready for a new one...or maybe it means I have a hard time letting go even if it means an "upgrade" case in point...my new car...I missed my old 1992 honda for months!

Well...we looked a little when we first moved and decided that mom would help us with the final decision when she came over the summer...well plans changed a bit with her visit and so I forgot about wanting a new couch. Until a few weeks ago hubby and I decided we should start looking again...we covered all the stores we knew about in town searching for the couch...problem this time...I knew EXACTLY what I wanted. I have dreamed it up in my head and am now on the hunt for it.

Problem is...usually when I dream things up in my head and don't find them my mom can usually make it...for example my guest room dust ruffle {eeekk...that I still need to take pics of to share!} problem here...mom doesn't make couches. goodness!

Friends...last night I found 2 couches that each have bones like the couch from my dreams...problem now...it is way more than I am willing to pay....gonna have to keep dreaming! I actually found the manufacturer by accident today...maybe I can find a dealer locally and at least stop by and have a seat...and I can study its dimensions since I might talk mom into learning how to make a couch!

happy christmas and merry fall...

had a little surprise day on friday... after I took hubby to the airport and planned to pick him up in time for dinner... plans changed... after a delayed flight and several hours of waiting he canceled his trip and I had picked him back up and was home by 10:00am! It was such a surprise treat to get to spend the day together!

We had been talking about getting bikes for a while now. Growing up my siblings and I rode up and down our street every night and we lived in such a neat part of Cleveland on the water that I had always wanted a bike there too. It just wasn't feasible or convenient in an apartment.

We decided to do Christmas early this year and get each other bikes while the weather was still nice and the ground not yet frozen. Friday surprised us to be a perfect day to go bike shopping! Hubby got a red one and I got a pink one...fitting!

We have been enjoying our presents and took them on a trail at the bottom of our hill {mountain...it is no hill like I have ever known} on Sunday. These trails supposedly connect all the way to DC...gonna work up to that of course. I surely don't think that we {ok...I} am up for this challenge yet...I think the 5 miles we rode was a good start. I am still learning about some muscle {can't remember what hubby called it} that I never knew I had!

the color in the leaves is really peeking out strong...they don't yet all seem to be on the same page on the burst, but some are ahead and shining alone in their glory...I just love this time of year here!

{ ps: stanley thanks you all for your comments, songs, messages, and well wishes...he got a new bone and a graham cracker...he had a good day! }

two...

happy birthday my loving little yorkie boy!

stanley marshall you are two today...
its only your second time to have a birthday...
because you are only two...
today.
two years full of licks and snuggles!

our road...

God and I had a little talk this morning...actually it was more listening on my part with a lump in my throat. I was driving back from taking hubby to the airport and it was still pitch black outside. {I know...you are impressed I am up before the sun and operating safely a moving vehicle!...I was armed with a cup of coffee!} I was trying to distract myself from worrying about his flight and prayer of his safety. I have come to really dislike flying {or anyone I know flying} and am bothered by the reliance we still have on it since we are living so far from home. As I followed the signs home I was again so amazed that we are living here. I chuckled thinking how this would never have been a chapter I would have thought to write for my life...I was the homebody...I would have never found myself living this far from home. I quickly thanked God for being the author of my life and for sustaining me through these changes and continuing to be faithful when I didn't feel I showed the same consistency to Him especially living in Cleveland.

I began thinking about when we lived in Cleveland and the times He felt so far away. Days that I knew He was there, but I didn't have words to speak. Times that I had questions and "wait" seemed to always be the answer. Moments when I knew in my soul we where exactly where we were supposed to be, but my heart didn't understand. Cleveland was a time and a place like nothing I had ever known. I was just talking with Dallas last night about the seasons in life where God feels so close and then the times where He feels the furthest. I told Dallas that these are times I believe He hasn't left us, but has backed away a bit and is testing and teaching us. That doesn't mean I don't regret those times that He seemed far...but I know that even then He was teaching me and allowing me to search my soul for His guidance.

I switched off the yapping radio hosts who managed to disrupt my thoughts for some tunes so I could have some noise, but still chat with God without the distraction of their random conversation. This song by Caedmon's Call came on...

http://www.mp3lyrics.org/zKN { LEAD OF LOVE... } Looking back at the road so far The journey's left its share of scars Mostly from leaving the narrow and straight Looking back it is clear to me That a man is more than the sum of his deeds And how you make good of this mess I've made Is a profound mystery (Chorus) Looking back you know You had to bring me through All that I was so afraid of Though I questioned the sky now I see why Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view Looking back I see the lead of love Looking back I can finally see How failures bring humility (I'd rather have wisdom and pain) Brings me to my knees (Than be a comfortable old fool) Helps me see my need for thee (Chorus) Looking back you know You had to bring me through All that I was so afraid of Though I questioned the sky now I see why Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view Looking back I see the lead of love

It was singing to my heart and I heard word for word. It was exactly what I was thinking and yet so much more poetic of course than my own rambling of thanks. I have always seen our time in Cleveland as dark in some ways...I feel that hand in hand together we walked through the wilderness. Please don't read wrong...God blessed us immensely in Cleveland... He kept us safe in a place I never felt comfortable... He blessed us with precious friends despite a city surrounded with people unlike us... He showed us how to rely on Him through each other when that was all we had... He placed a blanket of protection over hubby and I both all those months we lived a part last year while he traveled {I still look back and am completely amazed that me... one of four and accustomed to living with commotion...was able to live alone for a month at a time}. He did bless us in so many ways...but I can still feel the pain and ache of walking those rocks barefoot.

By now I was driving through my little town...my most common route. I was passing the post office and looked over...and up in the hills sat a McMansion! It was still pitch black out and the mansion had all these lights shining up it. I was shocked to see it there. I travel this route all the time and have never seen this huge house before. Then it hit me...I never look past the trees. It took darkness for me to see through the trees into the light and onto the house. A lump formed in my throat as I felt God speaking just to me...in His own way in my rambling way of seeing Him in the little things...to me. You see I shouldn't see the darkness as a regret...or time wasted...it has allowed me to see Him even deeper...to look past the weeds and into the light.

I am so thankful for these moments when God whispers and you can feel the wind in your soul!

orange and tasty!

I got "lost" on the internet a couple weeks ago and stumbled across {can't remember from where} the work of the obviously talented Amy Atlas. Don't you just love the orange! I am so in love with orange this time of year and can't wait until the leaves start popping shades of it {they are so close!}.

I am a sucker {pun intended!} for details and so appreciate when others indulge in the little elements too! What a fun job...and a great job Amy does! I mean...how does she not just eat it all up! For a bit more eye candy... i l.o.v.e. this!

Speaking of a job I want...check out this! I would love love love to have her assignments!

p.s. : if you too heart those precious suckers...you can find them from the super sweet {again pun intended} Andrea here...

{ images borrowed from amyatlas.com and edited a bit my moi }

sista sista...

I must devote a post on this little ol'e blog to my dear old o'le sis. She is {soon.to.be} the proud owner of her first home {...yea!!!} and just started a fabulous new job {moving up the ladder and skipped a few rungs along the way!}. Lots of changes, challenges, and celebrations for this gal!

Well...in an effort to stay in constant design mode without rearranging my house weekly I have {so excitedly!} volunteered to help her with her new casa...she took me up on it! Now decorating via email and phone is no easy task, but I am sooo up for it and already have a few design thoughts up my sleeve {she will have a chandi over that sink if I have to learn to install it myself}...ok so maybe even 19 hours away I will have a bit of a strong opinion in this design challenge!

She is off to a great start though and I am having fun sifting through fabrics! She surprised my inbox with this fabulous find...{yep...she went shopping for fleas} I am so glad she took the time to polish and clean up her new treasures...I am pleading for possession of the little silver compote on top...{maybe this little tribute of a post will help!}

See...my mom taught us well..."always lean on your sister...she is your first and forever friend". We do... Krystal can/and always has been able to wonders with an outfit and I enjoy the interior design side of creating. We are each learning from the other though and maybe by the time we are old and grey {no...I think I will always be redheaded...anyways maybe for another post} we will have balanced out!

{ bottom pic taken by krystal...on an angle of course...she says i photograph on an angle...no comment! }

thank you!

you ladies are fabulous and I pic-ed this flower just for you!!! thank you so much for rushing in with comments and suggestions! I went for a walk yesterday {to the yorkies enjoyment!} and actually began yawning at 8:15pm! I know it will take a few days and probably at least a week, but I think I am off to a great start!

help!!! any & all advice needed...

I need your advice, methods, creative juices, prayers, habits, counting techniques, thoughts, recommendations...all of the above on...s.l.e.e.p.

A little background...since we have moved my sleep schedule is off...way off! Since July I have only had one week that I was able to get on a schedule and get to bed before 11:30pm/12:00am. {do you know how many months that is!!!} That nice little week was accompanied by the Olympics the following week and my schedule went south! I haven't been able to get back on one since! {although I don't know if one week even counts at this point} I can't seem to stop working and get to bed. {make note...I am have become a horrible night-driving boss!} Now...I do still get my hours in of 8.5-9 hours of sleep...but they aren't the hours I want!!! I would ideally like to be in bed by 10pm and up at 7am. I tried fighting my body last week into getting up early hoping that it would force me to bed on time that night...didn't work...I fought a migraine all day! I don't really want to go the tylen*l pm route because messing with meds also messes with my headaches. I just don't understand why my body seems to demand late nights! I just can't seem to quit working and get downstairs to bed...

Here are the facts...
...yes I have one cup of coffee {most mornings}
...no I don't have more than one cup
...no I don't have any coffee after 11:30am
...I have tried washing the sheets more often
...I have tried adding more pillows
...I have tried sleeping with pillow in different positions {hubby gets a kick out of this theory!}
...stanley begins crying for bed around 11pm or so and I distract him for 45min or so to get a bit more work in
...yes I have tea in the afternoons
...no I don't have it past 5pm
...we do not eat a late dinner {usually}
...I do "get up" early to see hubby off {depending on the day}
...I fall back asleep with no problem
...I have counted sheep
...I can hear the silence if I listen hard enough
...we use a ceiling fan on high
...I pray, but it turns to rambling thoughts {although I don't think God cares if its fragmented}
...I toss
...I turn

I am at a loss...do I just give in to my body and become "ok" with being a night owl? If this is what it means for a baby to have its days and nights mixed up I am going to be a pro at that hurdle!

{ image borrowed from superstock.com }

the art of multi-tasking...

{ bath time }

lovely love...

hope you had a lovely weekend too! and your week is off to the loveliest start!

searching for oz...

So anyone who knows me well knows that I am not a fan of McD*nalds. I'm not sure why, but the grease and fake meat in kid shapes {remember long ago when rugr*ats were nuggets} seem to turn me off from the franchise. My family & friends also know {and hear about it all the time} that my most favorite fastfood is Chi*ck-fil-a and I don't step below that level in the food chain of fastfood!

Well...mom called last night on a mission. {At first I didn't hear anything past McD*nald's!} She is on the hunt for the toys in the h*ppy meals. My friends...in case you don't already know...Madame Alexander is back at McD*nald's and has created the sweetest line yet of her mini dolls...our favorite friends from Oz!!

The yorkie boys and I {they needed their nails done} set out this morning to see how many of the 12 I could collect for myself and find for mom to fill in on the ones she doesn't yet have...

As you can see...I haven't yet gotten my hands on the owner of the rubby reds! The lion who earned his courage has to be my favorite so far...I mean check out his curls!!

This isn't Madame Alexander's first time at McD*nald's...these are the few I was able to find several years ago...{love the duck!}

In case you are worried or wondering...you can buy the dolls individually and you don't have to order 12 h*ppy meals! I did not partake in any food while there...after waiting for the kind lady to dig in the back for the numbers I was searching for...I saw the french-fry-filler wipe his ungloved hands on his pants...it was then I decided even against the strawberry milk shake I was considering! So if you too are a huge fan of Oz...head on out to your local McD*nald's and snatch up these little people with moving eyes...but remember...don't eat the fries!!

please pray...

I know you may be reading this from your inbox too...as I just sent many of you an email just now, but those of you who's email addy I don't have...

I have stumbled across this family this evening and...was beyond touched and compelled to share...because they need our prayers...
http://roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com/

They are currently in China to adopt their baby girl. They met her today...in a dirty hospital and in serious need of proper medical care in order to save her life. They have said it will take nothing short of a miracle to get her out of Chin*a alive and back to the states for care all in a short amount of time...sounds like prayers are needed to me!

Please pray for this family as they are walking through the shadows of death. May the Lord hear us all and cover this little girl and her family in the safety of His wings.

halloween style...

have you met matthew mead...well his creative touch at least? If you haven't met him yet {or maybe I'm the last to find him}...you must check him out! His new Halloween magazine hit bookshelves this month and I need to head to b&n to check it out!

this design idea is one that can hang around all year...a great little spot for inspiration...

A few things you won't find in the magazine {i assume}...FREE downloads of some precious pieces and parts to make your own spooky delights!! Check 'em out here...

I mean how orange, vintage-y, and adorable is this...

and this...this...and this...

{ all images borrowed from matthewmeadstyle.com ...top one edited by moi }

blessed with press...

What a sweet treat! We are so excited to be featured in the T*t Trends Weekly birthday bonanza issue! They loved our birthday plates and deemed them "a keeper"!
Along the lines of birthday...I am so excited about this new product...canvas personalized birthday banners!

what a special way to say "happy birthday" year after year with a birthday banner! Sure to make the littles feel so special on their big day ...or choose not to have it personalized and use it for more than one birthday darling!

old school calling...

so if you remember...I obviously spend {too much} time on the phone...cell phone that is. Until I came across this hoot I didn't even realize that I haven't used "an old fashioned" headset in quite a while since we don't have a land line and haven't for years. {red of course!...gives it that modern day edge!}
{ image borrowed from here... }

busy...

playing with spray paint again!

this last picture...what a great wrapping paper inspire for halloween..."now thats an idea!" {family joke}...but think 3 year old with a paci, strong lisp, big bass fish he named "popsicle", and a power wheels jeep! oh the possibilities...priceless!

six...

{ happy birthday little witty! }

......................................

on a side note...we are so very thankful for the safety of all our friends and family...{ and our houstonians directly in harms way... lkh so glad you are out of dodge and aunt nancy so grateful for your safety...despite your stories of "getting to know" ike! } it is such a sinking feeling being so far away and watching these images barrel toward home...

eta: we received our own little visit from ike last night...the sun set on a sky that produced colors we have never seen before. Once the sun was down the winds roared in at whopping speeds...the trees were dancing, the neighbors porch furniture tumbled across our lawn, and the lights flickered...made for an interesting evening to be hosting friends. Many are without power today...what an amazing hurricane/storm/force that somehow found a way to touch all the way to the tip top of the US and started roaring from the bottom.

{ bottom image borrowed from foxnews.com }

yorkie boys...

So I feel like a neglectful "mother"...many of you have asked about the yorkie boys. Yes they are well and swell and they do still get their picture taken...well occasionally! I didn't realize that I hadn't posted about them in a while until I was harassed I mean until it was brought to my attention. Please be assured that although I don't have hard evidence to share that they are truly being well taken care of and now have 24/7 attention. I do believe that Stanley has decided that I now work from home for him...he {well as you will see} is quite demanding at times to either play outside or simply is vocal about wanting to be held. Wilson on the other hand...is the same o'le mr. cool and collective and likes his space and time for his own thoughts!

..so for your viewing pleasure...

11 september 2001

we lived this...
we didn't learn about in history class...
even though it is now in history books...
we didn't see images and wonder what that time must have been like...
we lived this...

this day in 2001 was full of emptiness...
a day of death we lived...

every year we honor those who died...
be fallen heros, victims, families, tireless workers,
but we also remember so vividly...
the day we learned firsthand what terrorism meant...
fresh, raw, and ugliness...
honored or scared...
we will never forget.

nor will we forget what it felt like to be an american that day...
somehow the flag...
it meant much more than it ever had...
because as americans we fought together...
that day...
we lived through it.

I visited NY City 3 months later in 2001. I finished my last college final of the semester and jumped a plane that Wednesday headed for NY to spend a week with a dear friend. ...looking back...I can't believe my mom let me go and I don't remember being one bit scarred to be staying in the city. I just remember wanting to get there...to see it for myself and what had been left behind. What I imagine the terrorists didn't take in to account being left behind...was the strength of the American spirit...and I am so thankful I got to experience it firsthand in the city that year while everything was still so raw... {I scanned in a few of my pics to share...I didn't yet have a digital}

{ Saint Paul's Chapel...located across from Ground Zero }

{ the make shift memorial wall outside Saint Paul's Chapel }

{ fire fighters heading back in after a break }

{ standing guard }

{ peering in the window of a H*llmark store around the corner...still in the same state of disarray that it was left }

one talented momma...mine!

So...I am ready to move back into my old room! My mom just finished making new curtains for "the girls" room...the room my sister and I shared growing up...and I am ready to move back in!!! Aren't they gorgeous!!!

In case you have always wondered where I got my love for fabrics and the slight chance you don't know my mom...now...surely now you will understand where I get it! Aren't these gorgeous! The silks are divine and the ruffles...just precious!! I love love love the way they turned out mom!!! As always...what a fabulous job you did! I tell ya...she can do wonders with the sewing machine people.

And just a little more eye candy...this chair is also a resident in my old room...along with a powder pink ceiling and pink chandillier...{the Lord knew my mom couldn't have gone without daughters!}

she's for hire {don't know that she knows that yet, but I can hire her out...I will be {self-proclaimed} her agent!}...she JUST finished the bedskirt for our guestroom yesterday {can't wait to see it!!} so her sewing machine, talented hands, and creative fabric combinations are available again! In the chance that you don't need curtains or custom work, and like the look of the precious pillow in the above chair...she still has some listed here that she whipped up with vintage peices...lovely!

While we are talking pink and lovely I will show you my favorite one..."lovely lady".

leaves...

I ventured in to B&BW to use this little coupon and was introduced to leaves! love love love this new scent...it is my new favorite! I plugged it into my wallflower and within minutes was hooked! I give this one 2 thumbs up! You are more than welcome to stop on over and smell for yourself...or pick one {or 2 since they are buy1 get1 free} up at your local B&BW. { Remember to print the coupon making it an even better bargain! Enjoy! }

{ image borrowed from B&BW of course }

downtown shopping...

There is a "little area" of downtown that has lots to offer...it is a "strip" of street of sorts and hubby and I have come to enjoy some of the goodies you can only find there. So while hubby watched the games with buds at our friend's place downtown...

Shea and I headed to some favorite spots...

...fresh popcorn in more flavors than your taste buds could savor! This little shop is set up adorably...notice the old movie playing on the wall in the background!

We discovered this Mexican Food store while Krystal was visiting and their fresh flour tortillas are scrumptious! She whipped up some breakfasts tacos the next morning and they have been a favorite ever since...{thanks sis}!

My pictures didn't all turn out {so I borrowed some from our first visit last year}...there is always fresh produce...

...and fresh flowers for the picking too.

There are also a few coffee shops that have fresh coffee...flavored coffee!!...with too many choices to choose from! I narrowed it down to 2 this time and will try them each until I find my absolute favorite. With hubby's early schedule and long days...I might turn him into a coffee drinker yet!

And of course...always the life of the party...Miss "M.K."...as you can see she loves her accessories!...a gal after my own heart!