We've Only Just Begun....

Awwww...."We've Only Just Begun" by the Carpenter's...can you all remember THAT song? I wish I was savvy enough on this ole computer that I could send the song along with my post...but alas...I am a little "slow" in that area...plus my speakers aren't working properly...so I couldn't be sure that I was sending the correct song. For all I know I could be sending something like "Redneck Mother" or a song equally as crass...hmmmm...kind of sad I know that song....huh?



Now...for one of the reasons I am posting today. We've just begun the process of interviewing architects and builders for our new home. We met with a builder on Saturday...and we liked him...but of course we HAVE to interview more... RIGHT?...so we can make an informed decision...RIGHT? I mean after all we will be retiring in this home, hopefully...RIGHT? So, it is very important to do all of your homework when getting started on a project of this magnitude...RIGHT?. Please tell me I am RIGHT...AND...because lovin' hubbin' is having to travel so much with his new business venture...I'm the LUCKY gal who gets to do all the touring of homes in various stages of completion and a large part of the interviewing process...and all the phone calling...not to mention...looking for brick, colors, designs, roof lines, stone, faucets, crown molding, front porches, doors, well...you get the picture. Actually, I am rather enjoying it( but again I have JUST started the process, talk to me in 9 months )...but there is so-oooo much information to take in...so-oooo many questions to ask...and so-oooo darn much to remember. Of course THAT IS the hardest part for me...I am so afraid I may leave out a bit of valuable information to pass on to hubbin before we make this decision...and NO that would NOT be a good thing...Martha! I thought about investing in a tape recorder to record what each builder and architect says...BUT I won't because I absolutely hate the way my voice sounds on tape. Vain...yes...much! Luckily I am off the hook a bit on the whole "recall" aspect...because as of now...I'm just doing the leg-work...setting up meetings with potential picks...so I am playing the role of hunter/gatherer at this stage of the game (ewww-weee I've always WANTED to do that)..later I will play the role of decorator, buyer and project manager! I even have a "pink" hardhat...can you believe that??? Yes, I do...and I'm going to WEAR it...well... maybe...yea, it's all about the accessories and outfits...RIGHT? I mean if I am going to play a "role" I might as well have the correct wardrobe to go with it...RIGHT???..actually the hard hat was a gift from my husbands office staff a couple of years ago while he was completing the latest big project...we had to have them to wear on the site!

Anyhoo the REAL reason I am posting is...I received an email from my blogging bud...Sandi...as in Aunt Sandi...Kari's...Aunt Sandi...and she asked...I mean told me to quit slacking and get going on my blog and start "dishing" the dirt on what's happening in my life...and when she tells me to do something...I do it!! Cos I lover er' that much!! So there you have it, all the scoop about my latest adventure!! I'm really up to my eyeballs with building plans, pictures, samples, swatches...ok...ok...not the eyeballs yet...but soon, very soon!! I will try my best to report in as often as I can...in fact I MAY set up another blog-site to keep a diary on the new home progress. Not sure on that one yet (so don't hold me to it...Aunt Sandi)...in the meantime...hope all is well with each of my cyber-friends...ummmm yea...that's what I call you because...sweet hubbin' just doesn't know who I'm talking about when I call you by your real names or your blog names...he just kind of tilts his head to one side with a very puzzled look on his face...so now...you're all my "cyber friends"...is that kind of like an imaginary friend??? hmmmmm


This is a picture I took of a home a few weeks ago when we were first looking around to see what was out there to copy...I mean build!! It is an older home in a beautiful neighborhood in Dallas...I love the older neighborhoods and figured it was a great place to start. I think they are calling my style French Country... I call it Country French w/a traditional twist...and a little kick of serendipity to boot! No way are they going to BOX me in!!

I'm so LUCKY...

Lookey....Lookey...Lookey....I am so LUCKY! Please don't hate me...b/c I happened to win THE most incredible give-a-way from Dawn at "TheFeatheredNest"....if you haven't visited her site, please take the time to do so...she is one very talented woman. Today she has the most incredible blog, too...it is all about blessings...she is wonderfully talented but more than that she is such a lovely person inside and out. I know she has MANY fans out here in blog land...and I think I'm going to offer to be her fan-club president....love her....

So please enjoy taking a peek at all my new treasures from Dawn...I took pics before I opened the packages inside the parcel because...WELL, as you can see Dawn went above and beyond in packaging these goodies. Just look at the lovely paper she used to wrap the silver plate and the precious gift cards...PLUS she used the most GORGEOUS shredded paper to pack around the gifts...I had a hard time opening them b/c I didn't want to disturb the thoughtful packaging...plus she included the sweetest note on the back of the bird gift tag...this woman EVEN writes beautifully...this is now my favorite book mark.






And of course with this awesome magazine she included...THIS is what I did last night...it was cold...the dogs wanted to snuggle and I just needed to put my feet up....so I DID!! Ummmm...that glow in the background is SUPPOSE to be my roaring fire...it was roaring...but for some reason I haven't learned to capture those moments on film...of course I'm no professional...so I do cut myself SOME slack.




Thank you Dawn...I am enjoying each one of your lovely creations...and I have found many places in my home where I can enjoy them...starting with this at my front door....

Happy 52nd!!!

Today this wonderful man turns 52 years of age...I just love this picture of him...with his sideways grin...and the calm about him...he just makes me smile...I decided in order to honor him...I am going to list 52 things about this man that I LOVE about him...I'm sure there are more...this is just the top 52!


1. He loves the Lord.
2. He loves me.
3. He loves our children.
4. He loves our children's spouses.
5. He loves his family.
6. He even loves my family.
7. He is funny.
8. He is my rock.
9. He lets me be me.
10. He is a great baby rocker.
11. He is crazy about our dog.
12. He gives the best hugs.
13. Children love him.
14. He gets me.
15. He "gets" my crazy personality.
16. He is my calm during a storm of any kind.
17. He thinks I'm funny.
18. He thinks I'm beautiful.
19. He is a hard worker...sometimes too hard.
20. He has always been there when I needed him.
21. He always puts others feelings first.
22. He is extremely smart.
23. He laughs at my jokes.
24. He takes great care of me.
25. He thinks I'm smart...crazy fella.
26. I trust him with my life.
27. He trust me with his life.
28. We both love to dream big.
29. He loves to make my dreams come true.
30. He always makes me feel safe.
31. He is handy around the house whenever needed.
32. He manages to stay calm during any type of situation...and that's a good thing for me...b/c I usually don't.
33. He tries really hard to leave a positive impact on others.
34. He is a man of great integrity.
35. He is so honest.
36. He is a great athlete.
37. He likes my cooking.
38. He trust my taste in decorating.
39. He is sensitive and caring.
40. He is a great cook and doesn't mind cooking.
41. He likes to take me out to dinner...often.
42. He appreciates the little things in life.
43. He is strong both physically, spiritually and mentally.
44. He is a great listener.
45. He is unselfish.
46. He loved my parents very much while they were still with us.
47. He called my mother "Ma" and she loved it...and so did I.
48. He cried with me when my mom, my dad and my brother died.
49. He is a great snuggler.
50. He lets me sleep in late whenever I want!
51. He prays with me...for us...for our children...and many others.
52. He is the strong silent, sexy type...and I love that!

Whew...I DID it!...he deserves every ounce of praise I can give him...I could probably come up with many more...but I said...52...so that's it!

Happy, Happy Birthday...to the man I call my Stud Muffin...or Lovin' Hubbin'...you still bring a smile to my face...and a flutter to my heart. Thank you God, for giving me such a sweet man...to love all these years.

American Bandstand...

Mama says, "When you stumble...make it part of the dance!"



I ran across this quote the other day...I saw it a while back and thankfully wrote it down. I would not have remembered it if I hadn't....I was going through some old things trying to "organize" and I found it...I am so glad I did!

This picture also evokes great memories...it's from American Bandstand...oh! my...what a show that was...I remember watching it with my mother and dancing around our living room! It was such a great show for me b/c I loved to dance and I loved the music!! Dancing...every dance they came up with...the "Twist"..."Whaaatoosie???"..."the stroll..."the jerk"...Wow...I can't remember all of them...but I remember loving imitating those gals dancing on that show! Can any of you remember some of the great dances that were debuted on this show...or some of the new acts of that era? I'm not sure how long the show ran...I think I read somewhere that it was for about 30 years or more...WOW! I was young...but I do remember what an impression this show left on me...and times with my mom!



Blessings

Not Pretty...Really...

You know I had to post about my strange week last week...all types of things happened to me that would take a month of Sundays to elaborate on...but I'll just clue you in on one of a few...it's about my hands...in particular one hand...well, let's just start with the before shot....ok... while I know this isn't exactly a great shot of my hand...b/c I was actually trying to capture my new ring on Christmas morning (not a good shot either)...and this is what I have to work with...so bear with me...I am not going to try and convince myself or anyone else about my hands...folks...they are just not the prettiest of hands...but hey...they work well and have served me wonderfully through the years and I've accepted that fact...they have held the hands of two very amazing children and soothed them to sleep many a night...have rubbed the back of one very amazing man and held his beautiful strong hands...they have stroked my mothers hands and folded into prayer with her when she was sick...they have sewn and created many a meal and craft...and they have never let me down...so I cut them some slack and applaud them for what they have given me...beauty...well, that has evaded my hands in appearance...but not in the things they have touched...Now other parts of me...are not so bad...such as my neck...YES...my neck...I had a guy tell me one night several years back when my lovin' hubbin and I were in Boston at a reunion for his Harvard Business Class...we were out late and stopped by "Tasty's" hot dog stand at about 1:00 a.m. in the morning...we were there with friends from his class...we were dressed to the nines...and this man was sitting at the counter staring at me...I was a bit perplexed b/c he seemed to be talking to an invisible person next to him...when all of a sudden he shouted out...I LOVE your neck...YOUR neck is so beautiful...I just want to...well, I just need to BITE it...ok...so he was drunk...I think he was the neighborhood wino...but hey...he liked my neck...so it must be true...I have a nice neck according to one drunk man in Boston...so I was cool with that...yea, right after I pulled my collar up...and ran like the wind! Anyhoo...all this to say...there are parts of me that are alright...decent in fact...but I will never kid myself about my hands...I have swollen veins...a few freckles (some may call these age spots...but I refuse... they are freckles...dangit)! And they are always dry and I never have a good nail day...unless I spend the time to get solar nails....in which I've had...but I don't like being tied down by having to have them done every 2 weeks...makes me crazy...but they DO make my hands look more youthful...All this to tell you about this...This is my hand today
Uh huh...this is my hand after last weeks craziness...the week that I think I must deem the clumsiest week of my life...not only did I fall twice (don't worry it was b/c I was wearing my dream shoes and probably not picking up my feet properly)I fell once...but caught myself on the walls...just kind of braced myself up before hitting the ground...the second fall came after being outside playing and goofing around with the dogs...I was through with the running, the fetching and the wrestling...just to turn around take 2 steps and trip and fall on the rock patio...YES folks I am sure it was the loveliest of sights...b/c it most assuredly HAD to be graceful...RIGHT...hitting the ground while taking a few things down with me...to land on my side...and then hop up, look around...and proclaim to the "girls"...I'm alright...BUT this...this silly hand injury...was the kicker...I was trying to get organized around the house last week (which didn't happen) but I did manage to carry in tons of organizational components I purchased to "get" organized...and while doing so...I was carrying a bunch of huge Rubbermaid containers in from my truck filled to the brim with other organizational goodies (b/c heaven knows WHY make 2 trips) and w/o knowing what lay ahead...b/c my view was blocked I rammed my hand into the door jam with the rubbermaids...Man...did it ever hurt...in fact I was sure I broke a bone b/c I heard a crack...but then later determined it was my wrist...but my hand immediately turned blue and started swelling and went totally numb leaving me unable to type for almost 24 hours..yikes :(:(... my hand swelled to almost twice its size on the one side...it's fine now...tender and VERY UN-ATTRACTIVE...but hey it does make me appreciate how good they looked before!

and how thankful I am for my hands...they may not be beautiful...but they are the best hands I could ask for...and I hope for just one minute I have been able to "touch" someone with the kindest of touches... I look forward to many more years...with age spots or freckles, bulging veins and rough skin touching many more things in life...including holding hands with my children's children...stroking my husbands hands...and folding them in prayer and thanking God for all he has given me. I think I have learned to appreciate the hands I was dealt...thank you God...for healthy hands. Oh and for equality sake...I thought I better include a picture of my left hand...just in case it has a problem with me posting too much about the right and decides to rebel or something...you never know...I DO have lots more organizing to do...but I think I've learned my lesson and will make more than one trip from now on...

Blessings my friends...and remember to "touch" someone today...either by word or prayer, a tender hug, or a little applause about a job well done! Your hands will feel better for it not to mention your heart...I promise!





Hmmmmm....maybe next week I'll post about knee caps....who knows???? Now that's not a pretty site either...so maybe not!!

Christmas Delights....

Thought I would just pop in and give a little "thumbs up" to a few of my favorite gifts I received this year....I LOVED everything!!!...But most importantly I loved being with my family...of course a girl always likes unique gifts...so here is a pictorial of a few of my favs....


These babies are Heavenly...my hubbin bought them after MANY a dropped hint to him and most importantly the "girls"...b/c I can ALWAYS count on those two darlings to keep hubbin on the straight and narrow of the "perfect" gift giving path...yes...they never steer him wrong!!
I wore these our entire road trip to & from Colorado...YES every gas station, truck stop, diner, and more, you name it, I was probably wearing THESE little babies on my tootsies...b/c they are so darn comfortable they are almost sinful...AND they kept my toes ubber warm. In fact we stopped in a little diner in a precious town in Kansas...I think the town was Goodson, KS (I have pics for a later date on this sweet town)...we walked into a diner where we saw a cute little girl of probably 8 or 9....folks, you should have seen the look on her face! I think she must have thought I was a bit "off" or something...b/c she looked at me as if to say...."what the *^%#@*^ does that women have on her feet?"...and folks I don't think she was EVEN old enough to know what *^%#@*^ meant....I thought it rather funny b/c you know how it is when you are traveling...you MUST be comfortable...at any cost...and I just figured as I always do...these people will NEVER see me again...I wish I could relax like that ALL the time! Funny how you think like that when traveling...I can get by with NO makeup, crazy shoes...and disheveled hair...and it never bothers me...but get me home...no way!

This is what my children gave me...I LOVE IT!! It is something I have wanted for a very long time...but obviously did not go on and on enough about over the last few years!!...so this year...I made sure I told my "girls" that I have ALWAYS wanted one of these...thinking and praying maybe lovin hubbin' would purchase it for me...well, to my surprise...my girls and guys bought it for me and had it monogrammed with my initials...it fits perfectly ( I know the girls went to great lengths to make sure it did). I love this ring...but I love what it symbolizes more...and that is the LOVE OF and FOR my children...I wear this ring all the time...looking at it reminds me how wonderful my life is...and what amazing children I have...all four of them...two by birth and two by marriage...I am blessed beyond words with all of them!!

This is one of the most unique gifts I received...my daughter-in-law found them through some type of service??? and she sent them a picture of my sweet "Maggie"...she downloaded it from this very site...and sent off for these...she knows how crazy I am for this girl YES!!!
These are STAMPS...you can bet I WILL NOT be sending any of these off with bills...I will save them for special occasions and friends....I just think these are the coolest idea for stamps... I learned about these AFTER we sent daughters wedding invitations out (but had totally forgotten about it...it was such a neat surprise to receive these as a gift...I would not have thought of this in a hundred years...love them!!!)...I learned of them while the gal at the post office in the midst of hand stamping each of our invitations asked me if I knew about the service that would make pictures into stamps...that was a pure V-8 moment!! So gals...if any of you have a wedding coming up...snap a picture of the prospective couple...and buy some of these stamps...YES they are more expensive than the nominal (cough, cough) 41cents the post office charges...but aren't they worth it??? My DIL is using these to put on bridal shower invitations she is sending out for a friend...well, not THESE...but picture stamps with the prospective bride and groom...too cute!!

Hope all of your Christmas dreams came true...I know mine did...NOW back to reality...cleaning, organizing, purging and getting back into shape...whew...I'm just tired thinking about all I have to do....

Blessings to my new friends of 08'....striving to feel good....look good...and be good in 08...Hmmmmm...this could be a tough year for that!

Drum roll please....

Ok...so the big question is..."What's this picture all about?"....well remember a few months back I mentioned that we were starting the process of re-modeling our current home...the home we have lived in for over 16 years...the home we raised our children in from elementary on...Jackie was 11 and Marcus was 8. So...we have been meeting w/ an architect and a spacial concept designer...who specializes in kitchens...we live on 2 acres in a wonderful little area south of town! We have the best of both worlds...we kind of live in the country but we are in the city and close to everything! Well, folks...I CAN NOT come up with a design I am totally ga-ga over...and I want that for my home...It is a good design but it is one that we have outgrown...it has been a great place to raise 2 wonderful children...but now that we are older and our lifestyles have changed...WE need a change...we need more open spaces and we need it to be more on one level versus two...and we haven't seemed to be able to come up with anything that we are totally comfortable with. We were all set to get started sometime this year...in fact we should have started last winter and to be completed by now...but something kept holding me back! I just couldn't commit. Believe me when I say...we looked at every angle of re-doing...including taking the home down to the existing foundation and starting over...we have also looked in town and in surrounding areas at everything imaginable...from old historical homes to be re-done to new homes in old communities to condos in the city to land way out in the sticks....We NEVER found anything that we just knew was IT!! So, we just put things on hold for a while and figured we would know when we found what we wanted. We actually found a house that was newly built about 3 or 4 years ago...ON our VERY SAME road...we loved it! It was ALMOST everything we had been looking for...we could make a few cosmetic changes and then it would be OURS...well, in the midst of looking at this home...and we looked at it a LOT...just ask our realtor! My very dear friend who recently built just about 5 minutes from me...my friend who helps me and gets me into all these weddings...called to let me know that the old house down the road from her...actually just one 5 acre lot over from her house was on the market...it is a 3 acre piece of property that has an old pole barn way in the back and a house that was built in the mid to late 50's! People...I LOVED that piece of land the minute I drove by it...it has trees....lots of trees...mainly in the back 1/2 of the property...but they are great...plus it has some other features that I adore...such as it is a rectangle shape...not a pie shaped lot of land like we have now...I know it's my OCD...but I like things a little neat and orderly and to me...rectangle shaped acreage is the answer! So....WE BOUGHT IT!!!...we closed right around Christmas...but I've waited till now...when I had the key in hand to tell most of you....I knew if I listened to what God wanted me to do...he would find the answers for me...and as always He did. However, I must admit there were times that I became a bit anxious and antsy about the whole thing...but boy am I ever glad I waited and listened!!

Now this is the crazy part...the house isn't a house we can make work for what we need...and truly the value of this place is in the land...so we are having the house excavated (we are salvaging a few things to repurpose or give away) and then we will build close to the current home site...we also may have the opportunity to buy up some land on one side of ours...and possibly the land behind us...which in total will average more than 10 acres plus our land...we're still working on that...and if it's meant to be...it will be...but for now...we're tickled pink about being able to build our dream home...on a little slice of heaven...It can't happen fast enough for me...but we are just in the earliest, earliest of stages...I fear it will take well over a year by the time we choose our architect and design...clear the house off...do some new fencing and building a workshop/barn for hubbin! But...we'll get er' done...so if you have any great ideas feel free to email me...

Glad I could share this with all of you...I know some of you have been wondering what that picture of trees was about...I can't imagine what you may have been thinking...I'll soon have more pictures of the place...and I will post them...b/c you know I'm going to have a pictorial diary of the WHOLE process. Now I just have to come up with a clever name for my new little ranchette...hubbin and I are already disagreeing on that one...hmmmm...this could be dangerous or fun...but what the heck...we're moving forward with it!!

Thanks for listening...

blessings...
Teresa

We're Home....and I'm pooped!!!

We are HOME....we are tired...and I think we are a bit crazy!! Just wanted to let you all know we made it home late New Year's Eve around 10:30....we drove straight through from Golden Colorado to our home in Texas...we drove for 13 hours and 23 minutes...not that I am counting...but you know...I had to do something to pass the time. When we headed up to Colorado we made the trip in 2 days...we drove because we had so many things that needed to be delivered other than all the Christmas gifts...so we decided we would drive it this time...I don't think we'll do that again...for a very long time. Splitting the drive up in two days isn't so bad...but we were anxious to be home...needed to have a day to re-group before life had to go back to normal...and I still had decorations looming large at the Ponderosa...so we threw caution to the wind...put on our fav CD's...loaded the ice chest w/fruit, granola and water....and headed south. We thought all was well...that we were just trucking right along like we were in our 20's or something....we made it home...thrilled to be back...but oh my goodness...Tuesday morning when I woke up...I thought my body was literally attacking me...I was sore, tired, bloated and so very stiff....I know poor hubbin was feeling the same way...b/c we were both slow to get going! But...being the troopers we are...we got some things done...I put on a big pot of black-eyed peas...visited with a couple of friends...and then had our son and DIL over for a good luck NY's dinner! I'm still tired though...being fifty and out of shape...kicks my butt!

All in all we had a fabulous time with our daughter and son-in-law...just not quite enough time to do all we wanted to do...we will go back soon...I am sure...and you can darn well betcha we will fly!

I'll post more about Christmas when my hiney isn't so numb, when my bones stop creaking...and my head stops spinning...till then...I am praying all is well in your world!

blessings....
Teresa

P.S. Remember this picture I posted a while back and mentioned I had a surprise to share...well...stay tuned...I'll post all about it this week...!!