Thrifty Miss Priss

Happy Birthday Mom!

So the dilemma of what to get my mom for her birthday was solved. I ended up foofing up the picture I had of her and my Grandfather.

 

I took an 8x10 canvas board and added the some pink satin, some sheet music from my stash, that happened to say "Variations on A Norwegian Air".  My mom is from "Good Norwegian Stock" and I could NOT believe my luck when I found this in my stash Saturday Morning.  I added some bling from the thrift store at the bottom.  I Glued a transparency over the picture because I knew she'd probably be handling it quite a bit and the sheet music is from 1903 and super fragile.

Her reaction when she opened it was priceless.

  We hung it right where she'd see it every moment of the day in her room. 

 

The little card hanging above is one I made her for Mothers Day last year.  She's so proud of that too.....it's her high school graduation picture.

The facility where my mom lives is a private home dedicated to the care of residents with Alzheimer's and Dementia.  It's the most wonderful place ever.  It's not the first place she's lived but after a lot of searching and driving, we found this wonderful home.  It has a total capacity of six residents.  Everyone gets such individual care and attention.  It's so homey and warm and cozy.  Everyone is allowed to have their own schedule and not be regulated by time.  The family who owns it are the most dedicated people ever.  Never a day off. Never a night off.  They are truly angels walking on earth.

 

Look at the spread they prepared for my mom's birthday!

 

My sisters and I had such a wonderful day on Saturday hanging out with mom, teasing her how old she was (we let her choose to be 79 or 97!) She had such a great day.....very little loss of words and she seemed to be "there" more than ever!

Happy 79th Birthday Mom! Five years ago you would have been sitting at the computer beaming over all the sweet comments you always receive every time I write about you.

The end of Summer....

Wow! Thats all I can say to the end of the best three day weekend ever!  The concert was THE most fun I've had in a long time!  The tailgate party started at 2:30ish and went all the way up to 7:30!  The tailgate was just as fun as the concert!  Lots of crazy friendly silly Jimmy Buffett fans doing it up right.  The show was standing room only.....no sitting......lots of dancing and singing and just being goofy with my girlfriends.....my daughter arrived to pick us up at midnight and taxi'd us home....not before we got stopped at THIS

(not my picture!)

Yep......about 3 miles from my house there was a HUGE checkpoint.  They stop everyone. They stuck the flashlight in the car...asked my daughter if she'd had anything to drink....her reply was "no sir" then he said...."someone in this car has had alcohol tonight".....she said...."uh...that would be my mom and her friend...."  not too embarrasing!  She told him that she was my "designated driver" and we'd been at the concert.....he did not question her any further..in fact he said "thank you for being responsible!"  It was quite the talk of the evening when we got home!  Of course I'm thrilled that our men in blue are out keeping our roads safe.  And the one time in oh, say 20 years I went to a concert and had a few beverages....I made arrangements for safe transport......I wish I could say the same for 90% of the rest of the people in the crowd...

On to further fun...the crab feast in our yard was FANTASTIC...but crabs are way too expensive now.  For a once a year feast I suppose it's worth it.  Lots left over that my daughter and her fiance took home and picked, and brought back as crab cakes on Monday...YUM O!

Also, went to the HUGE thrift store on MONDAY.....every holiday is 50% off.  We got there at 8:30 a.m. and we were number 100 in line......needless to say it was a madhouse.  Very organized though...got lots of great vintage trims....laces, ribbons, and BUTTONS!  I want to make a button tree between now and Christmas....I have not had a chance to go through the bag yet....but lots of cool things in there! 

Finally got some of my mirrors hung too......after I distressed them.....

 I decided to hang the broken frame.   One day it might be moved and turned into an inspiration board with chicken wire.

this little cutie is hand painted.  Bought it at a thrift store in a dime store brown frame.  I found this frame at another store....it was gold.  I just painted it white and added brown craft paint.  I was so impatient to hang it...I had to glue the ribbon on it and add the hook....

 And topping off the end of the weekend with this sweet little friend.  Crab cakes, sodas, cake, whatever you want...sure no problem......Frisbee in the backyard with the entire family.....looking forward to fall and new and exciting things!

The weather is here...I wish you were beautiful.....

I'm setting this up to post on Saturday....I'll be busy getting my daughter ready for her first day of school on Tuesday.......

and I'll be joining my best friend forever...since she was 3 and I was 4......we're going to see this guy...

and consume a few of these....

and basically act like we have no sense what so ever.  Don't worry....I have hired a designated driver....and I'm so looking forward to this night!  We chased Jimmy Buffett all over through three states way back when......I haven't been to a show of his in way too many years. 

Sunday in celebration of my oldest daughters 23 birthday....we'll be enjoying these-

and one or two of these....

I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe labor day weekend!

Swaps and Pups!

I wanted to post the pictures of the beautiful panels I received from Karla and Beths Birds and Bonnets panel swap.  I can't get the links to work!  So sorry!  I wanted to link to each artist but it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to do that!

On the left is by Valerie www.flickr.com/people/akacreativity (he the link worked!) and on the right is from Mellisa who does not have a blog. 

The beautiful one on the left with the fluff did not have a tag.  It makes me sad that I don't know who created this beauty!  The one on the right is by Karen at http://bluemuf.blogspot.com 

The one on the left is by Melissa also.  The baby on the right is by Valerie. 

The Pretty lady on the left is the other side of Carolyn's and the sweet bird on the right is the other side of the panel that did not have a tag.

I'm so happy with the selections that Karla and Beth put together.  I'm sure it was a lot of work for them, they both did a beautiful job.  Thank you so much!  To Karla and Beth and to the four ladies who created these beauties!

Swaps are a fun way to meet people and explore others creativity.  If you hop over to http://sweetgoodnessswaps.blogspot.com/  you can sign up for email notification when they host another one.  It's too late for their current swap but you'll be notified at the next new announcement!

Last weekend I attended a pig roast for my Niece's college graduation.  Lots of fun and lots of food. Everyone (except me) brought their four legged friends too!

Marley the boxer

Baxter peeking underneath Marley's belly

My Neice's babe, Baxter.  He's spent the last four years living the college life...now he's back home and is looking for an internship somewhere....Time to grow up Baxter and go out in the real world!

And this little cutie, 12 weeks old.  Poor thing is named after a brand of Vodka.  (another College graduate).  She is a Brittany Spaniel and was shivering and wet so I stole her for over an hour before her mama knew she was missing.

Hope the rest of your week is terrific!

You are never too old.......

You are never too old to sit at your mothers feet and listen.

I had a wonderful Mothers Day!  It was raining cats and dogs, and freezing cold, but time spent with my family, sisters and mom was precious.  My mom was not feeling good, she was getting a bad cold.  She was pretty confused about the gifts and what to do with them, and what they were for.  I sat there and practically opened them for her.  Kind of like that bratty kid at the birthday party that has to horn in and "help" the birthday girl open the gifts.

I enjoyed reading everyones sentiments about their mothers, and the women in their lives who have shaped and molded them.

Sunny skies are here again!  Have a terrific week

I want to be the biggest looser

I tried to add a new banner, a freebie from Counting your Blessings.  She has created some really cute FREE ready to go banners.  When I uploaded it unfortunately it came out a little wonky.  Thats o.k., because I can be a little wonky at times myself!

I joined Weight Watchers last week with my older daughter.  It really all comes down to be conscious of what you put in your mouth.  I guess I can't sit at my desk at work and eat one mini candy bar after another unless I am going to be honest with myself and count those points!  Having to weigh in every week (in private of course!) makes me way more accountable.  I mean, week after week if nothing moves....then they'll likely say "Houston we have a problem".  I don't want to find myself in that situation! 

NOW...I just have to motivate myself to exercise.  I have a free mini gym available to me 24/7 and do you think I've taken advantage of it?  Also, I spent about 4 hours at the grocery store reading every label and fat content.  Then I came home and pre packaged all the foods into snack size bags so I wont be tempted to sit with the cereal box on my lap while watching HGTV or American Idol.

See....this is cute....but when your 44?  Not so much!  photo from flickr

I spent the day Saturday with my mom at my house.  She really enjoys coming over and visiting with the dogs, napping, and sitting outside in the warm sunshine.  She asked me twice about my dad and again I had to remind her that he had passed away in December.  Having her over is very nice, but she seems to get confused when I take her back to the assisted living facility around 8:00.  She didn't recognize her room last night and I had to show her family pictures etc. to convince her.

Next weekend I plan on thrifting and yard sailing so I hope to get some great deals!

Have a terrific week!

Easter Greetings!

Easter Greetings to all of you out there in Blogworld!  The weekend went too fast as usual!  I got a few things accomplished that have been on my list of things to do.......

remember this?  It was brown and old and dirty and I bought it for $10.00 a few years ago.  It has been hanging in the powder room at the old house.

I repainted it last weekend in my favorite color of late and put it on the counter in the master bath. 

I thrifted all the glassery things on top, including the bourbon bottle.  It now holds my mouthwash!  So now every time I brush my teeth I pull that cork off, tilt that baby back and take a long hard swig. Something about taking a fast swig out of that bottle makes me feel mean and rebellious.  In all honesty , I have never tasted bourbon, whiskey or anything else hard.  I'm just not a liquor person.  Give me my ice cold beer and I'm happy.  (more about that later in the post!)

I love the way I don't have to have all that junky stuff cluttering the counter top now.  I spent an average of $1.50 per glassery item, and it makes me so happy to see it!  I also wallpapered the back of the cabinet, since it shows in the reflection of the mirror.  My husband thought I was going a little overboard until I explained to him about the reflection and how I didn't want to stare at that crappy brown backing every time I walked into the bathroom!

Saturday I picked my mom up and brought her back to my house.  I washed her hair in the kitchen sink (like she used to do for me when I was little and my hair touched my rear end) then I used hot rollers to set it.  She looked like a million bucks.  She is going to my sisters today for Easter and I wanted her to look nice.  Afterwords I took her up to my bedroom so I could get some stuff done (I've been trying to organize my closet for months and have not been able to get to it)  So mom is stretched out on my sleep number bed (number one best investment EVER) snoring away and I'm organizing the closet.......lets just say I was in there soooo long (because the longer she napped the more organized I became.)  Now all of my clothes are COLOR Co Ordinated.........but what a great feeling to walk in and find my stuff!  It was all mixed in together before, husbands, mine, stuff that fits, stuff that doesn't...what a great feeling!

For the Easter dinner my daughter and her extended friends/family came over along with my father in law.  He is such a sweetheart...he always brings each dog a bag of treats and me......his one and only daughter in law.....he brings me this.....every single time......

Is that hilarious or what?  My husband does not drink and my father in law will not join me...so I'm left on my own with this....Even if he just came over two weeks ago...he still brings it to me.  When you randomly yell "pop pop is here!" the dogs start barking and going nuts...they know whats coming....TREATS!  I guess my heart starts beating a little fast too knowing the ice cold Coronas will be walking through the door at any moment.......LOL!

Everyone tells him he looks like Kenny Rogers!

I was so not into Easter this year.....my husband and I dragged ourselves to the store last night at 9 p.m. to do the dreaded grocery shop.  He asked me if I had candy for Liliana and I said, "no, she'll get plenty from the Easter Bunny"  he could not believe that I had not prepared a big whopping basket for her....so we were scrounging the candy isles in the grocery store and nothing was left.  Then I started feeling so guilty I made him go to Walmart at 10 p.m. and I ran in and got her some art supplies and a little candy....(I'm not real big on the candy thing....a little yes....but not overloads of it)  She would eat it all in one sitting anyway if we let her...like she did the year she was three....I made her a cute little basket...turned my head and bam!  her face was stuffed with it all at once!

She was so excited to get this set made by Crayola.  It has markers and paint brushes that won't ruin walls and tables...it only works on THEIR coloring books.  It's magic I tell ya!  She ripped it open and we all took turns coloring with her!  She also got A small bag of candy from us as well.

So Friday I ran into the thrift store quickly and found this bunny.  He was two bucks.  I didn't notice until I got home that one of his ceramic flowers was missing/broken!

  So I found the little rose flower and hotglued it on there and tied the tulle around the neck.  Then I took inspiration from Karla at Karlas Cottage and pulled all my little bird nesty things from around the house and Wa-Lah!  Instant Centerpiece....(heidi is resting comfortably in background!)

Karla also inspired me at Christmas and I came up with this...... (if you click the link you'll see her Christmas Centerpieces!)

So use what you have and don't go all out.......

My middle daughter said "I think you are going a little overboard here"  just like she said at Christmas.  I'm not a real "showey" type of person so it seemed to be a bit much for her.  Even the table cloth is a thrifted Laura Ashley twin sheet!  So the entire Easter table is completely thrifted....(all the glassware was from Goodwill too)  We had a ton of food, fried chicken (took me hours!) and my daughter brought a spiral ham and potato salad.  We had more deviled eggs than all 9 of us could possibly consume....wonderful Chocolate cheesecake....mashed potatoes, green beans....So I guess it's time to roll into the kitchen and unload that dishwasher for the THIRD time today!

Have a great week!

It's officially over

Well, it's come and gone......only 364 shopping days remain until Christmas 2008! 

We had a very low key Christmas this year with both of my parents being hospitalized in separate hospitals.........This is the first year in my entire life I did not spend Christmas eve with my siblings.  We stayed home and had some extended friends and family over.  Good food and good company.  My 14 year old woke me in the middle of the night...not looking for Santa.....she had the flu......yes, up and down all night with you can only imagine.......she sat for 20 minutes this morning and opened presents.....pale as a ghost....and spent the rest of the day in bed and in the bathroom!  Poor thing!  Talk about a spirit crusher!

My two older kids did a role reversal and spoiled my husband and I like none other.  What I THOUGHT was going to be a box of electric curlers was actually this:

I wouldn't even open it for at least 15 minutes.  I kept insisting that they return it.  Way too much for young adults just starting their independent lives.  They were so insistent.  I was just so speechless.  The rest of the day was spent playing and learning (man do I have a long way to go on that)

Well, I guess I'll be practicing quite a bit - first I think I need to learn Russian....or maybe become a rocket scientist.

Wishing you all A wonderful week to wind down and re charge your batteries for 2008!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope You all have a wonderful day of Food, Family and Happy Memories (just like the folks in this picture!)

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  I hope your day is full of food, family memories and blessings!

I'm showing you a slide show of some of the things I'm thankful for today.  The number one obvious thing of course is my family and my our health.  That goes without saying.  I don't want to put everyones pictures out there in blogland because my kids aren't entirely comfortable with it.  The doggie girls didn't get a vote! All the other pics are things I've thrifted over the last year or so.

As I've said before, Thrifting is my therapy.  It's my "escape".  After a day of thrifting all is right with the world.  I can run down to the basement and foof & Fluff & glitter & rip/tear/sew to my hearts content.  I love the words to this song..."If I could escape....and recreate a place in my own world, then I could be your favorite girl......." in other words......if I don't get my thrifting therapy once in a while...then mama aint happy....and we ALL KNOW when mama aint happy nobody's happy!

Enjoy your day!