I Made A Wreath and Looking Forward

This is how Buddy spent his Christmas morning. Buddy had the couch and I in my jammies all day - had the lounge chair and there were plenty of movies to watch on Christmas day.

After looking at so many beautiful wreaths other bloggers had made I had to try my hand at this. I used red, gold and pewter colored balls. The small pine cones were tree ornaments. I had so much fun putting this together and was proud of how it turned out. Total cost was around $15.

I don't know about you but when my decorations come down I don't fill those spots back up like it was before taking it all down. First the furniture has to be rearranged and cleaned. This is when I begin to pick up items for a new look. This time of year I am looking for something bright and cheery. I am also looking for items to enhance the outdoors too as I plan for the spring gardens.

Speaking of spring gardens - this is also the time of year when I am looking for new gardening ideas - expanding existing gardens and creating new ones. Perusing gardening magazines from last year and gardening books to inspire me to create a pleasant place to sit while enjoying the beauty of the flowers and enjoy a cup of coffee outdoors.

Spring is my favorite time of year.

Hometown Seeds

I know you are like me when it comes to seeds in the mail. I was flabbergasted when I opened this envelope from Hometown Seeds. I was expecting a single pack of wildflower seeds. What I received was 10 packs of seeds. Four packs of flower seeds - four o'clocks, snapdragons, shasta daisy and the wildflower seeds. I also received 8 vegetable seed packs. I am so thrilled especially because just yesterday I was filling my cart with these same selections but didn't place the order yet. Thank you Hometown Seeds.

Maybe you might check them out. I think their prices are very reasonable. You will find a link to their website through the Hometown Seeds logo at the top of my sidebar. They are not paying me to write this - all I expected was a single pack.

On To The New

WoooHooo WooHoo That part is over. Just wanted to say I'm glad the Christmas holiday is behind me and I'm ready for the new year. Counting down to spring. I'll be visiting and catching up on everyone's blogs today so I'll make another post later today or tomorrow. I have work to do in the meantime too after being off for a long holiday. Our hours have been cut last week and this week also. Times will be hard for a month or so but at least I have a job.

Merry Christmas

I just want to wish everyone in blogland a very Merry Christmas. I'll be taking a break till Mon the 28th. Can't wait to see all your family pictures and lovelies.

A Charlie Brown Tree

I did some more decorating this weekend just because I had stuff left I hadn't used. I saw this idea for this sort of Charlie Brown tree. I picked up a couple of the 100's of sticks laying on the ground. I spray painted the sticks white, cut some fresh red berries ( i forget their proper name), cut up some Walmart bags being careful not to cut the parts with writing. This made my snowflakes. This was so easy to put together - just minutes actually. Of course it is placed in one of my Mikasa pieces.

I'll be catching up with you today on your blogs. Have a great day and stay warm.

A Couple of My Favorites

Just a few of my favorites. This is something my daughter did with the 3 grands. These will be treasured for many years to come. I use them each year and place them very carefully so they don't fall. Maybe this is something simple that your grandma would appreciate and is very inexpensive.



My new Mikasa bargain. I so love cut glass and Mikasa is one of my favorites. Purchased this at a store that is going out of business and was marked down to $14.

I only have a couple of santa's and am looking forward to adding new ones. The one on the right I just purchased for $8 at Ross stores. I love Ross - my favorite store. The santa in the center is a Christoper Radko I purchased at least 15 years ago on QVC. I love the detail that goes into a Christopher Radko. The santa on the left was a gift from the Family Dollar store some 20 years ago.

And look what I found under the tree. (I hate the red eye - couldn't figure out how to remove it) He hasn't eaten an ornament since I moved them up.

I am so looking forward to spring now. Can't wait to get those gardens looking all pretty again.

Hope you all have a great day and stay warm.

Buddy's Happy

Buddy got a haircut. He knows he is cute and SPOILED.

The ex husband is doing much better. Thank you for your prayers.

Buddy

My Little Buddy needs a grooming. That pearly white hair is getting matted.




Buddy gets a new toy. Whenever I walk into the house with something for Buddy - I tell him "Hey Buddy - momma got you something in this bag". He gets so excited and starts to dance around. I give him his toy and he starts chewing and tossing into the air and chasing it wherever it lands. He is so fun to watch.

He's like "I gotta get this tag here - it is so chewy" "I love paper"

Still this bad boy is chewing ornaments. He took down 2 glass balls and a ceramic piece. The glass ball is all over the carpet. And an ornament like this one all glittery. Yeh his poop sparkled in the street light last night. This morning I took all ornaments and lights from the bottom branches and moved them up. I scolded him last night and again this morning before leaving for work. It's a wonder I haven't had to carry him to the vet with some emergency over something he swallowed.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and STAY WARM. Today it is in the mid to upper 40's and by Sunday it is suppose to be around 74. We have crazy weather here with the extreme differences. I intend to stay warm in my jammies and maybe some baking this weekend.

25 Things You Did Not Know About Me

I have been tagged by Beautiful Wreck "Ms K" for a meme about me. I am suppose to write 25 things about me that you do not know. Check out this blog. I love to check her blog just to see what she is up to with all of those kids and Mr K.



1. Name someone with the same birthday as me. Jaimy Neidhardt



2. Where was your first kiss? At home in the yard when I was about 7



3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? NO



4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? Yes



5. Have ever sung in front of a large number of people? Yes in a church choir



6. What's the first thing you notice about your preferred sex? Eyes and mustache



7. What really turns you off? Bragging



8. What do you order at Starbucks? Cafe Mocha with topping



9. What is your biggest mistake? Marrying so young



10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? Yes and that is another story



11. Say something totally random about yourself. I am an accountant who wanted to be a nurse and changed my mind after 3 years of nursing school.



12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? Yes - Elizabeth Taylor



13. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows? Yes - movies



14. Did you have braces? NO



15. Are you comfortable with your height? YES - I am 5'4



16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you? Sent me flowers



17. When do you know it's love? When I can't think of anything else



18. Do you speak any other languages? When in Kindergarten and first grade in CA - spanish is taught at an early age. I have forgotten most of it.



19. Have you ever been to tanning salon? Yes - but only 2 sessions - I got sun poison



20. Have you ever ridden in a Limo? NO



21. What's something that really annoys you? People who take advantage of me



22. What's something you really like? shopping when I have money to spend



23. Can you dance? Yes - I can still shake the booty - girls, it is getting harder to shake it too much - I might throw myself on the floor or the sofa



24. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? Yes - more than once and that is another story.



25. Now I am suppose to tag five other bloggers for this meme. Don't be mad at me and if you have already done this just disregard your tag.



Blue Creek Home

Chicken Boys

Raingardener at Gardening by Trial and Error

Darla at More Family and Flowers

Tatyana at My Secret Garden



Hope everyone has a fabulous day. Here is cooling down. By morning we will have dropped 35 degrees for a low 35. This am it is 70 - too warm for this time of year. Thus spurring on some of those terrible snow and blizzard conditions that is blanketing much of the north and east. Be safe and stay warm.

This and That Updates and a Prayer Request

My ex husband, the father of my children, is in the hospital undergoing treatment for 'necrotising fascitis'. What this is is a bacterial infection also know as a 'flesh eating bacteria'. He is in serious condition and has undergone 3 surgeries so far with the doctors trying to remove infected flesh down to the muscle. This sounds gross and believe me it is very gross. I went to the hospital on Thur when he was admitted. I have never seen anything like it in my years of patient care. I am proud of my children when they came into town both went to the hospital and have stayed all day every day looking after their father. The complications he is encountering are heart rythm, blood pressure and kidneys not wanting to function properly. Please keep them in your prayers.



My tea set - I have checked out the website suggested and have googled antique chinese tea sets and haven't found anything in particular. I am understanding a little more about their symbols as in the different dynasty's. I am going to research my tea set. Any other suggestions?

Buddy has started eating the ornaments. Yesterday he crushed a glass ball and ate a glittered ornament made of twine. I guess his poop will sparkle now. My dog will chew on anything and I mean anything. He has plenty of toys and chewey snacks. I have to keep everything picked up when I leave home and the bedrooms closed off. I have tried to break him but so far no success.

Today is my special day in which I claim victory. There are victory's all through the year but today is special. Six years ago today I was attacked in the middle of the night by a man who broke into my bedroom window to rob and rape me. It is hard not to remember that terrible night but I have to choose to remember it another way. It is a day of victory in that I lived. It could have turned out so much worse and I realize that so today is a day to shout Thank You Jesus I am a Survivor not a victim.

Antique Tea Set

Check out this antique tea set Mom purchased for me from a yard sale. Can you believe it - a yard sale. She picked up 2 tea sets and this one is mine. The box is very old and is from China. Does anyone know anything about this tea set or the insignia on the bottom?

I love the silk lined box.

The insignia on the bottom is in Chinese.

There is so much detail.

Please help me out here if you know anything about this china.

We are expecting some possibly severe weather this afternoon and tonight. Possibly 4-6" of rain and flooding and wind with gale warnings. No tornadoes please Lord.

Hope everyone has a good day and stay warm. Looks like bad weather almost everywhere.

This and That Weekend

Little Buddy didn't know what to think when his favorite spot by the window was filled in with what looks like a tree. Santa will leave you something Buddy.

Just a few photos of my Christmas tree and a few of my favorite ornaments. Most of my photos were blurred so I only have a few that turned out good enough to share.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday. Countdown to Christmas is on. I began my shopping 2 weeks ago and did not go to any of the Black-Friday sales. Instead I put up my tree. I enjoyed the long 4 day weekend just relaxing at home accomplishing some chores - oh and watching Christmas movies. If you haven't seen Reese Witherspoon in the Four Christmas's it is a must see. It came on Starz on demand this week. I watched the movie 3 times in the 2 day rental.

I have gotten over my fears of last week. I am planning on purchasing me a handgun and yes ladies I can shoot a gun and have real good aim too. I am not afraid of pulling the trigger. Could it have prevented this bad guy from attacking me - maybe not. I didn't know how to shoot one then either. I am just being very cautious as we all should be. Always be aware of your surroundings and the people that are around you when out in a public place epecially after dark. Be extremely cautious this time of year always looking. Someone could be lurking in the shadows just waiting for someone not paying attention. Those cell phones can distract you too but also be a lifeline in case you encounter a less than pleasant situation. It would be helpful to be talking to someone who knows you are walking to your car at night. Keep you car keys in your hand not in your purse when walking outside. Don't go out the door without keys in hand and holding one key like it is a weapon. I also have a switchblade I carry everywhere.

Anyone else have any safety tips?

I'm a Survivor.

Have you ever been uneasy/frightened in your own home. I am experiencing that right now. My neighbor across the road was broke into yesterday. There are only 4 houses on my little street - 2 on each side. My house is at the end with woods on the back and side of my house. The neighbor called me last night to tell me this. Wouldn't ya know that Little Buddy would be barking as though something was there both last night and this morning.

You see this is the first 'house' I have lived in alone since I was attacked on Dec 8, 2003. And the dog I had at that time also carried on barking. It was then that I also lived at the end of a road.

I have never been one to live my life in fear. After the attack I was very uncomfortable going out or anywhere for that matter. I felt like someone was watching me. Well I had gotten over those feelings and was feeling very comfortable and and unafraid until this happened yesterday. It brings home just how vulnerable I/we are.

On that day Dec 8, 2003 everything was normal till I walked my dog that evening. It was dark when I arrived home and took 'Trip' outside for his duties. Someone had eased to the stop sign and paused enough to make me uncomfortable. I turned and went straight into my house and never gave it another thought. That night Trip was barking and carrying on and I did hear some noises but it was windy that night. At 1:30am I heard a terrible noise at my bedroom window and turned to look at this black silouette in my window - I screamed and he put a hand over my mouth with a knife to my throat. He raped and robbed me that night. This nearly destroyed me but I am not a victim - I'm a survivor. I Am A Survivor. What I later learned is that this person killed his next victim. I was able to ID this 22 year old kid and after nearly 3 years of waiting on trial to take place he pleaded guilty at the last minute. He is serving life for his crime against me and also life without parole for the murder.

Can you see how uneasy I am feeling now. I don't really believe that someone is going to attack me again but I wasn't fearful then either. I do however intend to purchase me a small handgun. That would make me feel a little bit better.

Sorry guys to post something like this the day before Thanksgiving - but this is happening at Thanksgiving. I am going to keep a positive attitude and will not let this spoil my holiday. I refuse to live in fear.

Save Room

Save Room

As meals go, Thanksgiving dinner

Is always a feast--a five star winner.

Her comes the salad, dressed just right

The golden brown turkey--a savory delight;

The stuffing now, and then the gravy,

The jello mold, all wiggly and wavy.

Take some cranberry sauce and candied yams;

Is there room for fresh made rolls and jams?

More dishes tempt me; ah, but I

Must save some room for pumpkin pie!

by Joanna Fuchs

I do love me some pumpkin pie with a dash of cool whip. MMmmm. I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Pecans

This girl thought that she wasn't going have any pecans to amount to anything - Walah - This past weekend I thought I might have a few nuts to pick up. I picked up pecans all day Sat. I wore my house shoes so as not to break the babies and easily feel them under my feet. I thought my back was going to break. I had to get them up though. Couldn't let that kind of brown gold go the waste. I wanted to share them with some blogger friends. Last month I posted about my pecans and a couple of bloggers asked for them. They have received their nuts and now I want to give away some more pecans. Anybody interested?

I am not charging anything for the nuts and here in Mobile they are running at 3.20-3.50 per pound. The pecans I am giving to you will be approx 8-10#'s (I don't have a scale). The only cost to you would be the shipping. The cost to ship in US Postal Flat Rate box is $10.35. What I have left I will send to 2 bloggers who want to pay the postage. If you are interested please email me at the address on my sidebar. Pecans will go the first 2 people to email me with "pecans" in the subject line.

Buddy was in a very playful mood last night and was putting a show for my camera. I hate that every photo of Buddy he has the red eye. Here he is sitting up and begging.

Have a nice day everyone.

In The Holiday Spirit

I love the Olive Garden so we had to stop for a glass of wine. I rarely ever drink but is was nice to have some wine as we talked about stuff. I colored my hair after the photo since I was sporting too much grey. We all seemed to enjoy each others visit even more than in times past. I hated to see her go home, but the time I spend with the sister that lives here brought us closer together too.

I found this bowl at Ross stores for only 3 dollars. I love it. But I am ready to put it away and make room for more festive decorations.

So this weekend I took out one of my boxes of holiday decorations and began to pull stuff out. I just wanted something more cheery.

Here are a few of my favorite things for this time of year.

The little figurines in the next 2 photos were bought when my kids were young. I can't believe the Home Interior pieces are more than 20 years old. My kids loved these pieces.

One of my favorites is the Santa hanging over the fireplace. There is so much detail on the fireplace and the Santa. The piece is a Christopher Radko. The bears are cherished teddies.

I am starting my shopping this week and this puts me in more of a holiday spirit for shopping. Hope you enjoyed a few of my favorite pieces.

Hope you all have a great day.

Tropical Storm Ida

The tropical system came and went. The radar showed T.S.Ida coming right up Mobile Bay shoving lots of water onto the roads and then the wind shifted and is blowing the water out of the bay causing it to look like marshlands. Seems that most of the weather associated with this system ran to the north of it. Everyone expected much worse conditions since the storm still was packing winds of 70 last night when I went to bed.

Ida won't even be memorable other than to say that the timing was a lot off the mark.

We are expecting some gorgeous weather as the system moves away from us. The forecast calls for sun and temps in the low 70's and lows in the 50's. MMMmmm that sounds good to me. The gardens need some attention this weekend.

Hope you all have a great day.

This and That Weekend

I had a great weekend visiting with my family. Teri is visiting from Salem Oregon. We went to the Greek Festival here in Mobile and it was a great time - really just being together.



My siblings minus my brother, Wesley in Atlanta. From L to R Teri, Royce (the baby), Bonnie and me, I am the oldest.




The inside of the Greek Orthodox Church. I think the church is beautiful. I just love art. I don't know why the photo is dark. I used a flash.

The church has a few historical pictures on display obtained from the University of South Alabama archives.

This is the Malbis Bakery. Interesting are the number of vehicles.

Korbets Restaurant which is no longer in business. Korbets is a very famous restaurant in Mobile where they had wonderful southern seafood.

This is my favorite building in all of Mobile. The GM&O building built for GM&O railroad. Everytime I look at this building I am in awe of the architecture. This building has been refurbished is now a complex of business and serves as the hub for the city bus/transit system. The white building in the foreground is the Tommies Terminal Restaurant. Back in 1973 I was coming over the viaduct behind this building and my car brakes failed. My car was speeding out of control, I had only had my license a couple of months, I was scared and didn't know what to do - didn't want to slam the cars ahead of me so I plowed my car right into the backside of this restaurant. Luckily I only broke teeth and scratched up pretty bad.

Royal Street. I don't know anything about Regal Beer. Actually this is the first time I've seen this photo.

This is the corner of Government St and Water St in downtown Mobile. 'Rooms for 50 cents'.

The famous Roxy Theater. Notice 'Gone With The Wind' is playing. Also a few of our Azalea Trail Maids for the premier.

Hope you enjoyed the brief tour of some old photos.

A hurricane on Nov 9. This is rather unusual since this is the 4th storm to form and approach land this late in the season since they began keeping records. Also unusual was the fact that we had no storms in the Gulf this hurricane season. I think it is only going to be a rain event - a mild one at best. The waters in the Gulf have already cooled some and with the cool temps leaves little fuel for the storm to intensify.

Hope you have a great Monday.

Picasa

I did this in Picasa. I have to play around with it but it was easy.

This and That

I have to vent.

Have you ever done something nice to help someone out maybe a relative and it comes back to bite you in the butt. Don't it just p!$$ you off. Back in the early spring I offered to help my cousin out by letting her stay with me while she tried to get back on her feet. I am single and live alone and Brenda is single and I thought we could actually help each other out. Things started going south in July/August and in September I asked her to move out. Then her sister passed away - if you remember I mentioned this in a blog. So me being the nice person I am have allowed her plenty of time to grieve and come get the stuff out of my house. She hasn't stayed at my house since the funeral sometime in Sept. Still as of today she still has not bothered to come up and get anything from my house. Clothes - brand new stuff with tags still on - and shoes - never worn and tons of other stuff including some furniture pieces. Her phone was disconnected for non payment so she can't be reached - don't know where she is staying and she hasn't seen her mother since the funeral. This girl has no morals either.

I have packed her stuff in big brown bags and am taking it to the front porch along with some furniture. I changed the locks too. I am putting out several bags a day till the porch is running over. Next week I am gonna call Goodwill to pick it up. Brenda has taken advantage of me and the situation. Why did I get myself into this situation. I hate confrontations. I don't do well in confrontations. All I wanted to do was to help her out of a bad situation.

Thank you for letting me vent. I just had to get this off my chest - then off my porch.

We are having some awesome weather here in the south. This is why I like living in Mobile Alabama. Temps in the 70's and lows in the 50's. Sunshine all day with pretty blue skies. I hope to get into the gardens this weekend between visiting.

My sister is here visiting from Salem Oregon. She is the baby girl - I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers with me being the oldest. There are festivals this time of year - maybe we'll check out the Greek Fest of maybe go the movies. Whatever it will be nice for me and the sisters to get together. Maybe little brother will want to tag along - we'll let him.

Mom and Pop are doing good for now. She is so happy - there were 2 eggs yesterday. Yeah the chickens may lay some eggs afterall. She has collected probably 25 egg cartons waiting for the big day to arrive when they all lay.

I had the pleasure of meeting a blog friend over the weekend. It was so nice to put a face with the blog. Kim just has the sweetest family.

Well I'm done now. Ya'll have a good day.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween.

A Blog Friend Loses a Loved One

Some of you may have noticed on my sidebar a photo "Praying for Amy" - Amy passed away on Friday Oct 23. I have been following this blog for only a short while and I was checking daily for updates. I am so sad. I do not know this family other than the blog world. We become close to the people that we blog with. Amy seemed like such a vibrant and happy individual before becoming bed ridden with cancer. It is so sad to lose a young person to cancer. Cancer is no respector of persons. Continue to remember this family in prayer. You can visit Debbie's blog at http://debbie-jeremiah3017.blogspot.com/. Other family members blogs at http://countrywingsinphoenix.blogspot.com or http://purplegoatlady.blogspot.com or http://myarizonaangels.blogspot.com or http://penniwigs.blogspot.com All of these have left tributes to Amy.

A Good Vacation

Buddy is waiting to go on vacation.



Buddy got a haircut first. Then we are on our way.

After arriving at my daughters - we were off to Kohl's. This would be my first Kohl's visit. I was so impressed with the clearance racks. I can't wait to get some money to go back to Kohl's. Luci is ready for shopping.

We visited the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson MS.

Ben at the helm.

Luci is showing off her boots. She said that she was doing a runway show for me modeling her boots. Cute as a button.

OK Buddy on to our last leg of the vacation.

Come on now - play with me. Buddy had loads of fun playing. He has Suzy at April's and Copper at Jimmy's.

Ethan loves to perform for the camera.

Ethan had to show off his costume and Buzz Lightyear.

The Natchez is in the background in New Orleans French Quarter.

I didn't load these pictures right and forgot some. Oh well.

Holidays are upon us.

Lovely arrangement to greet you at the door of the restaurant.

Jimmy and his wife Becky. Yeh we have the same name.

Wouldn't take nothing for the time with my family. It was a wonderful vacation. I sure thought I had a lot more photos. Does that ever happen to you?