CRASH!

In all my years {2 plus a few months} T&T has never crashed...well except for the night I turned it live. It was down for a few minutes, but I got it back up. No one even knew it was "open" so I don't count it! Well...my baby {as I fondly refer to T&T} fell hard on Thursday and momma cried & banged her head against the wall!

You might remember this post...well they JUST now {so much for 24 hours} migrated my site to a new platform. It crashed, it burned, and it spoke a new language...Greek! I found myself being so angry that I had created my site myself and there wasn't anyone to call for HELP! The momma bear came out of me raging to protect and fix her cub and tech support was soon on the other line...and wishing they weren't! To top it off I was out of town in Cincinnati at my last event meeting for my "paying job" in which I had spent all day running around making sure some 300 people were where they were supposed to be and happy. I feel sorry for the lady in the business center at the hotel late Thursday night who had to listened to my complete pitiful phone conversation with my hosting company...lets just say she came down and checked on me the next day. It was like getting sick on the road...you just want to be in your own bed. Well...I wanted to be on my own computer at my house!

Not to worry now...many hours on the phone with the tech over a couple days, many levels of blood pressure fluctuations, a few heart palpitations, several hours of Greek script, a few emails from confused customers, and many prayers later she was back up and running on Saturday afternoon. I am just thankful as even as bad as it was it could have been worse...it could have never come back up! I am hoping this will be the only problem during T&T's "terrible twos"!

{ thank you so much again Miss B for coming to my rescue with your recommended friend! }

happy birthday...

to my sister... my first and forever friend

I hope your day is full of candles, true wishes, lovely moments, and new shoes!!

in bloom...

The blooms have arrived in all their loveliness! I believe that this year more than ever I appreciate the them. They are like ice cream on a hot day...exactly what you need after a freezing winter.

this tree is such a gorgeous sight right now...and the blanket of petals below... yum!

It produces the most beautiful blooms!

It is amazing to me that these delicate blooms are produced wildly each year...there is no pulling up of the bulbs and replanting {as in Texas} ...they come back on their own. They lay low under the snow and survive the cold winter until spring comes and they push up through the cold ground and bloom...even more beautiful than last years blooms...because this year they are stronger. It is amazing that May 2008 is next week and hubby and I's spring has arrived! We {yes, I say "we"...it was a joint sacrifice...I just don't get a diploma!} have survived medical school and are moving on...up and out to bloom where God plants us.

expiration date...

I picked up some milk at the store yesterday and as always was picky about the date on the carton...I stopped still when I picked up the milk marked "May 6, 2008". OH my goodness...May is so close they are selling milk for it already!
Yep...the BIG month around our house is May...its not only when the milk expires, but also the expiration date of our time in Cleveland. My day of "retirement" is May 6th, the moving truck arrives on May 12th { yep only 20 days away }, hubby graduates on May 23rd, and May 24th I head to Texas for vacation and time with family...and my little brother's graduation on May 24th.

So friends...please don't worry...I may be in and out over the next several weeks...I will be amongst the boxes!

{ thank you so much for all of your kind comments and wishes to help us move...your thoughts and safe wishes are appreciated! Glad you gals loved the spring pics!...I was most proud to finally post more than just snow! I hope to be back visiting everyone else's blogs in the coming months! }

{ image borrowed from superstock.com }

bbq and bubbles...

Impromptu bbqs are the best! We started the weekend on Friday afternoon with a bbq at the park with good friends, a great view... and bubbles!

We are enjoying our last few weeks in Cleveland with friends to the fullest we can.

Somehow it seemed fitting to start the fire with old test notes from the Boards!

never too old for bubbles!

let's eat!

...amazing to step back and remember our walks in this park the weeks before B started classes 4 years ago. We knew no one in Cleveland, I had no job, and we were newlyweds living in a new city! We have been surely been blessed with our years in Cleveland!

welcome back spring...

You were missed! I realized on my walk today that spring has finally arrived...warmer weather or not the buds are determined to bust...and some already have!

lets take a walk...

The weather was gorgeous today!!! Warmer, bright, and everything is budding! Jessica knew just what I needed to release a little stress from the week...a walk in the fresh air! She was so very sweet to wait until I got home from work to take her walk in the sunshine and invited Stanley and I to join her. Actually, she and Stanley invited me.
You see...she and Stanley usually enjoy walks together ...Jessica believes that you can't take a walk without a dog in tow...he is a main accessory! I tease her that she is a poser borrowing my dog, but the truth of the matter is that I am most grateful for their walks as it means she brings back a much calmer and exhausted pup! I was excited to join them today!

Even Stanley took a little time to smell the blooming flowers and take in the city view!

It is so hard to believe that in a few short weeks things will change...students will become doctors and neighbors will become pen pals! This is what the work was all about though...getting to this point...it is the precious friends and the memories that were the blessed part of the ride.

and away it went...

The weekends are flying by...I'm not sure if its because we only have a handful left before the BIG move or if its because we are trying to squeeze in so much with little time left. Either way I am taking them as they come and enjoying each one...one new memory at a time.

{ good friends }

{ good food }

{ good times }

tgif...

{ bath time for the little boys...drenched in fun! }

on the road again...

We are about to make our next big move. We are state hopping! We are headed to PA...this means lots of changes...new license plates {again}, new business license {urgh}, new address {gotta get those new return labels made}, etc. ...see when you move a few hours away in Texas you are still in Texas...the laws of the land stay the same! Not that I have ever moved in Texas...yep, my very first move was almost 4 years ago when hubby and I married and a month later moved to Ohio for him to start medical school...a long 19 hours from home!

We started this journey in 2004 with full anticipation of heading to Texas come graduation day May 2008. Well...that day is only weeks away and we aren't headed south. God had another plan and has spent the last 4 years molding my heart for the acceptance of that plan.

As much as we have desired to be home in Texas for Residency we have first and foremost desired to be in God's Will. We have tackled the possibilities of Residency placements with prayer and stood amazed and scared when God began to reveal that it wasn't quite time to go home yet. Not gonna lie...I was crushed...but for the first time it was a disappointment that was blanketed with a strong sense of comfort knowing that if we were in his will despite the fact that it didn't match up with "ours" then He would guide us.

We have prayed long and hard about this decision to go to PA knowing that it will mean many unanticipated changes while bringing unimaginable blessings. So we will journey a little longer from home while following God's plan for us. We will once again be starting over, just as we did 4 years ago, but the Lord has already blessed us with friendships through our visits to PA as we learned more about this program and a peace I never imagined as I began to realize it wasn't yet time to go home.

moving sale...

Thank you for the "welcome backs"! It is good to see familiar "faces" again! I can't promise any number of posts a week or even a month...we have yet another busy few months ahead. So I will pop in from time to time and plan to get back into a routine...ummm...come July!

I have opened up T&T's inventory shelves as a "thank you" for two years in business { my how time flies! } and in hopes that you will help me lighten our load to box and move!

Be sure and stock up on these goodies now! There is always something for everyone at T&T...

been blessed...

hello friends! Thank you all for your sweet emails, calls, comments, cards, and texts...I felt so loved and missed and had no idea I had so many loyal readers! I didn't mean to run away from the blog-o-sphere...there are just times in life when you need to kick off your heels and tackle life one day at a time!

March was quite the busy month for us! Among many things I...
...was blessed with God's daily grins
...surprised with unexpected news
...celebrated 3 of my favorite lovlies birthdays
...started planning a big move to yet another state
...began collecting boxes for the big move
...started packing those boxes
...celebrated hubby's accomplishments
...missed Texas when the snow lingered too long
...ate the best pizza in Chicago
...turned in my notice for "retirement" from the "working" world
...planned a trip to Texas for the summer
...found our new home
...weeped with a dear friend
...celebrated the return of sunshine {...oh how I missed it!}
...was honored to find T&T in another national magazine
...and have found myself so proud of hubby as his time as a medical student comes to an end!

etsy finds...

I have been saving this list to share...collecting as I found little pretties! I have decided to take a little break from the blogging world... until I return...I hope you enjoy this list of lovelies too. Enjoy!
lovely friend with just as lovely paperie here...
sweet friend with lots of paper treats here...
pendants with silhouettes here...
unique necklace here...
precious birdie here...
yummy odds and ends here...
sweet notions here...
precious here...
going green here...
lovely bits here...
precious stamps here...
she hearts pink here...
shall we have tea here...
she hearts crepe paper as much as me here...
glitz and glitter here...
yummy ribbon here...
must remember this for a bridal shower...
precious easter goodness here...
sweet goodness here...
I heart paper here... and I adore the littles also here...

{ just a note...I haven't purchased from all of these little spots, but thought you might enjoy taking a look around too }

still thinking spring...

...maybe since Ohio isn't producing Spring I should mail order it!

Have a lovely weekend ladies!!!

{ image borrowed from dandeedesigns }

think spring...

hail...on my car all the way home...on my NEW car all the way home! Now as I type...hail...tapping my windows ...tap...tap...tap...tap...tap...tap. "They" say this is the worst ice storm in years. Great...I am so happy to be a part of it...and so is my car.

Since we have been in Ohio...each year about March I am tired...ummm...my feet are tired...of being cooped up and I begin retiring my boots until next season and breaking my ballet flats back out. I find this a good chunk of time considering that I used to wear my ballet flats year round in Texas. Yes, you say...you are living in Ohio now...umm...my feet don't get that! They are ready to breath and feel loved again with weekly painted toenails!

So as I was driving through the hail and sleet in my first day of the year wearing my flats {obviously not the best day for rebellious feet!}...I just kept coxing myself to "think spring...think spring". Now if these little beauties don't make you "think spring" then I'd love to see the new flats you are eyeing for the SPRING!
PS...does anyone have these? Are they comfy? I have been eyeing them with my T*rget gift card!

drawing back the curtains!

Welcome! The first-ever Parade of our Homes {maybe more to follow...say...around the holidays maybe!} The following lovely ladies have agreed to pull back the curtains and share their favorite spot with us...the place they call home!

• Lolly Lisa will be sharing her lovely home with us...
• Miss B has graciously offered to share a few bits and pieces of hers...
• Swell.Life has offered to show us her swell place...
  
• Have a Lovely...thats me!...you're invited for a tour of my home too...just keep scrolling!
  

If anyone else would like to join in...just drop a comment saying so and I can add you to the list with these lovely ladies!

ETA...thank you so much for all the ladies that participated and all the lovely readers that left the nicest compliments about my home...it makes opening up my space much fun and easier to share.

welcome...come on in...

Hubby and I moved to Ohio straight from Texas over 3 years ago and just one month after we married! {HUGE summer in our lives to say the least!} Once we settled to unloading the boxes...My goal was to quickly make our first home warm and comfortable on our medical school budget.
Now over 3 years later and 3 months from his graduation we find ourselves about to move again...to a bigger place...hopefully. But before we pack up I share with you...our first place!

reminder...

happy March! Just a reminder... the Parade of our Homes begins Monday! So be sure and get your cameras out and start snapping shots of your favorite spot...the place you call home!

Again, those interested can share your home through your blog, flickr, etc. Don't forget to let us know we're invited by dropping a comment below. I will post all participants with links on Monday...please be sure to include a link to Have a Lovely in your post so everyone can enjoy the whole parade!

she blogs!

Have you ventured over to Martha's Blog? She blogs...or someone blogs for her! I venture over from time to time...but haven't since the holidays...I had some catching up to do. Then I came across this post and realized...my silver collection will never top Martha's!

Can you imagine having this kind of "reserves" on hand for anything and everything you might possibly one day might just need? This is enough pedestals to display a new dessert every day all year and then some!
Then this post took me back to my days working in the flower shop...I heart curly willow and never knew it grew so tall! No matter the arrangement...I always think it needs a touch of curly willow! It gives fresh flower arrangements just the right texture among the petals and dried arrangements the best panache!

...take a venture over...its fun to get a glimpse at the other side.

{ pictures borrowed from marthastewart.com }

made famous in a small town...

I was rushing around working on a custom order tonight between bites of leftover lasagna when I stopped in my tracks and my mouth drop opened...and my babbling began...my youngest brother was on national television {ABC news} with Presidential Candidate*, John McCain giving a speech on...well I didn't catch that part...right in front of him in Tyler, Texas! WHAT?!?! My fingers immediately began dialing to find out how in the world this was on my screen...and everyone else's for that matter!

My brother Dallas...Mr. cool-calm-and-collective...played it off beautifully...hey ash...what?...yea, I had a little field trip today...then busts out laughing! He too was WAY impressed. "It was one of the coolest experiences I've had in my life!" Yea, he was excited!! Rightly should be...he was invited onstage shortly before the town hall meeting began in front "of a thousand people Ash!" to be the backdrop of McCain's speech. What a surprise invite for a senior guy in high school who was just joking with his best friend..."how close do you think that I can get to the stage before the secret s*rvice men catch me?"...then not 30 seconds later...the big invite! I am so excited for him!

In searching for the pictures...I found the article for today...when else will you see Cleveland and my home town of Tyler, Texas in the same news article!

{ please note...this is in no way a political post... }

{ pictures borrowed from yahoophotos }

parade of our homes...

So many of you {sweet and lovely} readers have asked for more than my sneak peeks at my home. I am more than happy to open the curtains and invite you in...It got me to thinking though...I thought it would be fun to see yours too. No, I have manners and am not inviting myself over. I just thought it would be fun for all of those interested to participate in a parade of our homes!
So...tidy up your kitchen and fluff your pillows! All those interested I invite you to participate by showing us your home too...through your blog, flickr, etc. Just let us know we're invited by dropping a comment below. The parade begins on Monday...3.3.08. {I thought having the weekend would give time to fluff the house and take a photo shoot!} So spread the word on your blogs if you'd like and invite others to join us...the more the merrier!

can you imagine...

solid white trees {with partial white trunks}, bowing branches full of snow, icicles hanging from your rear view mirror, white slush against your tires, the crunch below your feet and snow past your ankles...

...tis where I live after snow all night and all day long...a winter wonder land!

tidbits about...me!

I have never been tagged...that all changed the day the lovely and amazingly talented Miss B* came over to comment!!! She has requested that I share 7 wonderful tidbits about myself... I am not good at "tidbiting" myself so it has taken me a little while...{and a pushing from Mrs. Diller to get on it!} I asked hubby to help me out with a few...

• For those that don't "know" me outside of the blog-o-sphere...I am a natural redhead. I get asked in amazement at least once a day {when I am out in the world outside of my normal routine of work and home} if my hair is real...umm yes! I do appreciate these compliments, but draw the line when the stranger asks to touch my hair.

• I am a natural born, wish I was still there, Texas gal living in Ohio.
• I am the firstborn of 4 {and only redhead} and was born on my due date...{not too early and not late...just how I seem to live my life!}
• I knew my husband was my soul mate after our first date and told my mother {to her amazement} so the next day.
  
• I already have the names of our unborn children picked out...because, well, I am obsessed with names.
• Case in point...I have 2 yorkies who have bigger names then their 5 and 9 lb frames...Wilson Emory Taylor and Stanley Marshall
  
• I started my first business at 23 years old...Teacups and Tadpoles...and am currently working on my 2nd biggest venture {...to be revealed soon!}

Now for sharing...tag you are it girls...Lauren, Chelle, and Lisa!

*You should head on over to her lovely blog full of pretty procrastination that will leave you inspired!!! She is one of the brilliant designers that I met early on in my quest to find the most unique things for T&T. You can also find her beautiful designs here...

pulling spring along!

Every year...about January 1st I long for spring! This year is no exception...I still haven't put up my spring decor {...but there is always tomorrow!} Until then...I have continued to search and find spring goodies online...
I got an email today with exciting news on a custom J. Murphy bunny...adorable, but I will have to keep saving my pennies and stick to the reproductions for now! I love LOVE love her designs! I would love to have one of her beauties for each holiday...I only have Halloween thus far! Here is a reproduction that I think is just as absolutely precious!...and how sweet are these spring littles by Nicol Sayre... They were part of her 2007 collection...I don't know how I missed them!