Happy Memorial Day!

Hello Everyone!

I had a glitch with a recent post and had to remove it.

It is a delicious tropical cake recipe if anyone wants it

let me know and send me an email. I'll send it to you.

Have a wonderful and safe memorial day!

Etsy In Blog Land

Hello Everyone!

Thank you all for your input on my last post.

I really appreciate it!

I want to be sure that you know that I do not have

an issue with Etsy shops being on blogs or some advertising.

I just want to know who my friends are behind the blog is all.

Each blog is unique and there is something for everyone.

I'm really glad we could all share our thoughts.

I thought I would show you my new dish towels I

ordered from Denise at Dens Daily Life. She has a

brand new Etsy shop and makes hand knit items.

Pay her a visit to see more.

Aren't they precious? It's a green frog, red ladybug

and a yellow beehive. So sweet. Thank you Denise!

One of my favorite Etsy shops is Kristen's Creations.
She makes beautiful frames, tassels, arrangements
and has recently added the most gorgeous jewelry.
I have bought everything she makes and love it all.
Pay Kristen a visit to see more.
Here is another M frame she custom made.

When you visit your blog friends it's really

nice to check out the Etsy shops as well.

They have the most lovely items to buy.

I can't believe that 12 years ago this coming weekend

I met my wonderful husband for the first time.

He moved into the apartment across from mine and

the rest is history. By that September we were

engaged and the following February we got married.

Here we are at the Marine Corps Ball in 2002.

I'm feeling grateful to have my best friend

to share life's adventures with. He is amazing!

Happy Memorial Weekend!

A Blog Chat

Hello Friends!

How are you? Everything is going well I am

just out of blog decorating ideas right now.

I cut my finger wide open watering my flowers

and haven't done much. It's finally healing.

Don't drop a plastic flower pot and

then try to catch it in midair. Ouch!

In the meantime how about having a chat

about our thoughts on blogging overall.

I have seen others discussing these things and

thought you might want to share your thoughts.

Why do you blog? Do you advertise?

What are your pet peeves? Your favorite aspects?

What is the meaning of the *follower* widget?

Does it even have one really?

I'll start with my thoughts...

First let me say I blog for you! Really.

The friendships are the most important aspect for me.

I do not accept advertising and don't plan too.

This is just a fun way of connecting for me.

I don't really care to read a blog with a cold feel to it.

I have a few pet peeves and they are *music*

and *comment verification*. I read and

comment alot and I cannot multitask. I mute

the music while I'm trying to read even if I like the song.

Comment verification seems like a step that is not needed.

Try taking it off and see what happens. It really

makes it easier for your readers to comment and you

may find you like your blog better without it.

Finally I will share with you my thoughts on the

*follower* widget. For me it's plain and simple.

It works well! I have to tell you if it wasn't for this

handy dandy feature I would never be able to keep

up with all of you. I have tried using the *subscribe*

feature as well and receiving constant emails

was not for me. I enjoy using my google reader

to browse blogs on my time. Many have said they

don't care for it being called followers as it sounds

like a popularity contest or reminds them of high school.

I admit to having those pesky hurt feelings over it when I

have lost followers and then wondered why. I have

decided no more of that. It's not a personal thing.

I am grateful for each and every one of my readers.

I consider you an automatic friend.

You're always welcome here anytime!

Please feel free to share your thoughts.

I'll be back with a decorating post or a

healthy recipe as soon as I can.

I plan to visit all of you this week!

You are all good people. Thank you.

Blogging is a wonderful thing!

Have a fantastic week!

Painting Our Home

Hello Everyone!

I hope your week is going well.

Everything is great here with some much needed

rain. Whew! I was getting worried about the yard.

Do you paint the walls of your home?

One of the easiest ways to totally transform

a room is by using new paint. It's also the

cheapest and fastest by far. Try it!

Join me and I will show you a few rooms.

The choices of colors are endless these days!

Just looking at this color wheel is making me

want to pick up a paint roller and start again.

Which colors are your favorites?

Are you planning any painting projects?

Check out our formal living room before the paint.
Excuse the blur. I think I almost fell down the stairs.
Here is the result afterwards!
This is a deep gold called Chicory from Lowes.
Don't forget your ceilings. This makes a big difference.
Furniture pops and rooms seem larger everytime.
I love paint!
The formal dining room before any paint.
Here is the after.
The red is called Cooper Molero Fandango Red.
A warm color from Lowes. More Chicory was used.
We painted 4 years ago and these colors are gone now.
Isn't it fun to read all of the clever names on paint chips?
I admit I enjoy everything about the decorating process.
The family room and dinette before any paint.
After! The family room is a sage green from Martha
Stewart called Heath. The kitchen is a lighter gold
called Applesauce Cake and more of the red was used.

I remember this fun process over 4 years ago.
I can't wait to do more painting again one day.
Show us your painted rooms!

Have a wonderful week!

Goals & Plateaus

Hello Everyone!

It has been eight months now.

Many of you have asked about my healthy eating

and weight loss update so I thought I would share.

Total pounds lost-47 B/P -94/63

I am happy overall but I did miss my final goal.

I have only lost 2 more pounds since March when I

reached my 6 month mark. Click here to read my last update.

It's been frustrating to be really close and not hit the target.

Let me explain.

I have not changed my super healthy eating plan

or exercising. What happened is I have hit a plateau.

Clich here to read about plateaus.

My food intake is the same since I lost 45 pounds at

the 6 month mark and then I did not adjust my calories

to a lower amount so I'm weighing about the same.

I'm trying hard but plan to adjust and work harder.

My new goal is to lose 11 more pounds.

I want to drop 2 more sizes.

I'm 5'3" and very petite framed.

I have a date of 09/09/10 to reach this goal.

One year since I started this health journey.

Join me and I will show you my plans.

Isn't she cute with her apple and red sneakers?

My BMI is now in the healthy range.
I am very pleased with that but would like
to be about right in the middle of 18.5 to 25.
Click here to check yours.

We eat healthy and fresh foods daily.
No refined sugars or sodas.
One mistake I made in the very beginning
was not purchasing a tape measure and finding
out my results this way. Even though I have
only lost 2 more pounds since March it could be
I have lost inches due to all the weight training.
I am also probably gaining overall muscle mass
which weighs more than the fat I am losing.
I will keep on moving forward with my plan.


Another adjustment I will make is increasing my
water intake even more. This will also help with the
water retention problem I have been having.
This has been another reason for the 2 pound only loss.
I am now off of the B/P medications and that is
wonderful but one of the side effects was water loss.
I do not recommend anyone to try losing weight
using water reducing medication. It's dangerous.
Please talk to your doctor first.
I hope I have helped to inspire you if need be.

I am certainly not an expert. I just wanted
to share my experience of what has worked for me.
I plan to post some more healthy recipes soon.
I'm hoping with more hard work my next post on
this subject will be a before and after success story.
Have a fantastic week!

Pillows, Flowers & Flops

Hello Friends!

I went shopping and found a few new things.

Join me and I will show you what's new.

Pillows and more pillows.

I found all of these at Kirklands on clearance.

They have the best sales ever.

I decided on a stripe, pattern and a solid.
This is good rule of thumb as long as you stay
in you color family you can mix up designs.
I love the rich colors and the fringe.
A pop of animal print usually works.
They had a floral sale and I found this.
This one is in red and yellow for the guest bath.
I recently joined a flip flop swap over at Kimberly's Korner.
It was so much fun shopping for my partner Beth.
Here's what I received from her.
A floral apron and not one but two pairs
of adorable flip flops. I love it all Beth!
Thank you very much!
Look at the beautiful flower photo card.
That is her photography. It's very pretty.
I can't wait to wear them. Look at that stone heart.
Have a great week!

Those Special Touches

Hello Everyone!

I hope your week has been a happy one.

Thank you to all who entered my blue giveaway.

A total of 115 of your entered and the

random generator chose lucky #44.

Brittany at The Fogleman Family.

Congrats Brittany! I'll be in touch.

Join me for a tour of the special touches

throughout our home. They show you care.

A HOME sign makes us all feel comfortable.

A tray of glowing candles says welcome.
Another set of candles and a sugar cookie diffuser.
This smells good enough to eat.
A small lamp for the powder room sink.
I leave it lit all the time.
A set of hanging plates with sweet words.
They make me smile everytime I read them.
A grouping of my favorite pillows and the glow of a lamp.
Have you added special touches to your home?
Please join Richella at Imparting Grace for
her newest party celebrating this lovely idea.
Have a wonderful week!

Blues For You Giveaway

Hello Friends!

It's time for a celebration giveaway!

I have been blogging for exactly 1 year and 6 months.

I never dreamed I would be still be doing this and

loving every minute of it. It is all thanks to you.

Leave me a comment here and I will draw the

winner on May the 5th to ship on the 6th.

If you read and don't usually comment then do.

I would love to hear from you and meet you.

There are no special rules to this giveaway.

If you would like to follow along or post on this

then by all means you are always welcome to.

I do appreciate that and thank you in advance.

I enjoy shopping and buying giveaway items.

A lovely cross print and display stand.
A set of 4 nature themed napkins.
Woman's Day & Southern Livings May issues.
Blue candles and an aqua glass holder.
Some milk chocolate Hershey Bliss candy.
A pair of lovebirds. Crystal Waters lotion & shower gel.
One more look at everything you will win.
Good luck and thank you for entering!