Passport..Check. Toothbrush..Check. Euros..Check

Passport , check. Toothbrush, check. Who ya gonna call when ya need more money? Daddy, check... Why shouldn't she call him, if you google
DADDYS LITTLE GIRL this picture would pop up. (Not really). She really is just the daughter every parent dreams of. Although thinking back she was also the typical Terrible Three. (When she was three she rubbed Vaseline all over the walls in the hallway when I was on the phone.) Of course her daddy said "Were you not watching her?"

My first born is jetting off to Italy. It makes me so proud that my children are getting to be world travelers. My dream has always been to travel to Europe. Well what would the next best thing be? Let my children experience it. (My son went to Europe in eight grade as a People to People ambassador.)
She worked very long hours as an assistant manager at 'Justice Just for Girls' while maintaining a full time student schedule. She has managed to pay for her entire trip by herself. This semester she has been named to the Presidents List at the university. But as Susie mentioned in her blog, our family has been so blessed that her boyfriend is such an important part of our family. So we are hoping that he hangs around the house even though she will be across the world.. I do need my blog friends to say a little prayer for her while she is gone. I was not nervous until today when I opened the USA Today and the front page was The Dangers of Study Abroad. Now that I have prayers...I can rest easy and know I have done all I can.

Bratnie (not her real name)... know that I am so proud of you and I want you to learn everything you can while you are there. And don't forget to mind your southern girl manners, try food you normally wouldn't and take tons of pictures(for my blog friends). Oh yeah you can bring me back a some great Italian fabric !!!
LOVE YOU..MOM

Welcome Home Mr. Rooster

Isn't my rooster just what I need to have a french country kitchen?
I just LOVE him. I was not to sure about him, he was a budget buster. I told Camo Man that he needed a home so bad. I think he let me get him cause he felt sorry for all the counter top crap I am going through. He is silver with a black antique finish on top, I can't seem to get a good picture of him.

OH, and yes that is orange mean machine you see in the pic. below. It is still floating around my house. Camo Man is finished painting. I will post a before and after of that soon. Still no appliances...or sink ...but actually I am getting used to this life. Sorry about the wining before...you know I think that I was in remodel shock at first.

This is a picture of our foyer...

We added a little porcelain tile.. they still have to add the grout and wipe.

Max wanted to see what I was doing... In the picture below he reminded me of that show Tim Allen had where his neighbor only showed half his face over a fence. Do you remember the name of that show? I can't right now..

Now we are on the hunt for hard wood flooring to put in the living room, study and bedroom. The decisions to be made... Then the money pitt just got bigger. Camo Man has to now buy shoe molding that I did not plan on. Did not realize you don't have shoe molding with carpet. Do you think I am gonna remember how to cook? I can't believe I am typing this, I DO miss cooking and having everyone around the table to fight...(oh I mean discuss the days activities).

Inspiration Friday

Be who you are and say what you feel

because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

What wonderful words...if only it was this simple
Have a great weekend ...Missy

FAG (Fabricholic Anonymous Group)

I had to go this morning to the bank that is located in our local Walmart. I don't go there but maybe once a month or so.
Well today I fell off the wagon. For those of you that don't know , I am not allowed near ANY fabric departments. I have an addiction to it. Have tons of the stuff. I am starting a local Fabricholic Anonymous Group.

What happened next really is not my fault. Walmart is closing the department. ALL fabric is 80% OFF....There was not much left, but I could not stop myself. Look at what I got....

Love this bright rooster fabric. I bought what was left on the bolt.
Won't this make the cutest aprons, place mats , table runner, the ideas are endless...

Even though the department was picked over there must have been about ten ladies. We all stood and talked while waiting to get our bargains cut. You know you are an addict when you are checking out their buggy to see what they snatched up. I even tried to listen to their conversations to get ideas.

I did find my mean girl side of me today, and yes I felt bad for whole minute ...this trim was marked to .40 cents a yard. The lady cutting fabric could not believe how cheap when she scanned it . She said she wanted some. I told her sorry, don't take the plastic off, I want ALL 12 yards. She gave me a ugly look. But when you are addicted you could care less what looks you get.

This is some cute flannel...don't know what I'm gonna do with it, but had to have it.

Got 2 yards of each of these. The lady behind me wanted what was left. She is going to make pillow cases and boxers for her grandsons. I know now I need to get busy making stuff with all this. It really is not a bargain unless I use it. If I could have just walked past and looked the other way....Well I did not pay full price for any of it, I know it is a poor excuse when you are a FAG (Fabricholic Anonymous Girl).

Are you a FAG?

Have you ever bought fabric that you did not even know what you are gonna make with it?

Holy Cow...They Swim

A couple of months ago I spotted these cows swimming to get back to their barn. It had been raining for a couple days and everything was flooded. We were in a hurry to get back home, but Camo Man turned the truck around so I could get some pictures.
Look closely can you see the little baby calf? (Click on picture for a closer look)
I wanted to jump out the truck and help the little guy, of course Camo Man said NO.
Really it is a good thing I have him to help me think clearly cause I surely would have took off across that pasture. Did I mention there was a bull and I can barely swim to save myself much less a calf....



We sat about fifteen mins. on side of the road watching them. Sometimes its just good for the soul to just pull over and enjoy an unexpected moment in life.
I challenge you to find an unexpected moment this weekend, HAPPY WEEKEND TO YOU!

And the winner is...

What a great day to announce a winner... the day after Mothers Day. The winning cabinet knob is....

The top one. The bottom white and brass is the old one. I am going for a French Country style. Now on to the really important winner.

The winner of the famous stolen tassel is... Laura , a retired school teacher. Her blog is White Spray Paint. Isn't that just the catchiest name? If you enjoy gardening stop by for a visit and let her know I sent you over. http://whitespraypaint.blogspot.com/ .


Just an update the kitchen is moving along. I found the answer to my problem.
Seems Mr. Owner and I belong to the same high school alumni internet site. I know he would not want pictures of his work posted on there!! Mr. Owner sent someone over to work on my counter tops. The island turned out GREAT. The rest passed my inspection. Tomorrow they will be back to install the sink. Susie will be here, I can't miss work. But those of you that know her, know she is gonna make sure it is done perfect. Thanks in advance Susie, I owe ya....

Countertop Catastrophe Continuation

Thanks for all the support. I can not even express how great it is to come home from work and read all of the wonderful words of encouragement. I so wish that when my makeover was finished ya'll all could come over for a huge party!!!

To keep ya'll up on the kitchen drama. The installer arrived before the owner of the shop. I told him that I was not upset about his installation. He stood there and admitted that when he and his helper loaded the granite on the truck he asked Mr. Owner to look at the piece in question. Mr. Owner told him to "Go with it" .

The Installer was upset and told me, "Between you and me, I would not accept it. "

Girls, I said an not nice word that rhymes with ******oh never mind Iwill spare ya the nasty language. Before I could say or ask anything else of Installer, Mr. Owner walked in.
In my life I have learned that if someone is upset you just listen, they can not argue if the other person is not responding. Well I be doggone, Mr. Owner took the same life lesson as me...

He said in a real cool, calm voice 'What do you need me to fix?'


After showing him the problem area, still being calm as a cucumber, he let me know there is no more granite like mine on lot. He has no plans on getting anymore. He is going to send someone over to buff it out...Did not know you can buff out a crack.
Lets see that was Monday morning, it is now Tuesday night...wonder when he will be back? Maybe I should give him a little buzz in the morning. Yeah, I am quickly finding the assertive girl in me.

Just in case you are wondering if Camo Man left me and headed for the woods. Well, yes he still lives here...lets just say you learn alot about your spouse even after 22 years.

Lets look at the positive...Grannie fried us chicken and mac n cheese for supper tonight. Nothing like a little comfort food. Doesn't her chicken look YUMMY? One day I am gonna do a post and pictures on how she makes the best fried chicken in the south.


I am moving on...next post winner of one stolen tassel and cabinet knobs...

IS THERE A MEAN GIRL HIDING SOMEWHERE IN ME?

I am sitting on a little chair in the corner of my bedroom. I feel like I could throw up. I just need to type out my feelings. So please this will be a blah blah blog post. Please stop reading if you like me.
I have to tell the marble guy to rip up the counters and replace them, they are unacceptable.
Why does confrontation make me ill. In high school I would let anyone who got in my way have it, Now I can't even stand up for something I have had to work very hard to pay for (cash at that).
The guy is bigger than me? No that is not the reason. Is it that I have not had to be ugly in so long that I have forget how? Do you just become a softie? Can it be I have learned to just settle? Maybe I need professional help. I always use the excuse that " Being ugly won't make the world better." Well it might make my kitchen look better.
When I built the house I had to settle with the first counter tops, and the crappy excuses. Now I feel like I am reliving that experience.
The difference I have now is it makes me sick, really IBS, chest pains
WHY WHY. I hate being nice!! Why can't I be a mean girl . I really don't care what people think. Now my palms are sweating. I wish he would be here already.
OMG, I just saw something out the corner of my eye looking in the window at me, a squirrel. Oh how cute. Now how can I pump myself up to be a B after seeing that? AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS TROUBLE BEING MEAN WHEN I NEED TO BE???
SUSIE WHERE ARE YOU??

Stole A Tassel To Give Away While Being A Guest Blogger

I am so excited that I was a guest for Susie's Blog today. http://susieharris.blogspot.com
Sorry Sue you had to had to have dental work to let me be a guest blogger!
I never have time to do all the cool projects or painting that she does.




But, if you have taken time to come over and visit, jump on my follow button and I will enter you in a drawing for one of Susie great tassels and a few little goodies. If you already follow just let me know.
She does not know I am giving one away, but I am sure she won't mind. It's the least I can for making you read my blah blah blah...(and taking her 300th post)

No Inspiration

No Inspiration Friday ... While at a seminar for work I noticed after lunch that I had six missed calls from my daughter. I excused my self to go and call her. She informed me that a classmate from high school had passed away. She was so up set I hurried home. This was a boy who had been in her class since second grade. She adored him. His parents only have him and his sister, she is graduating from high school this month. They are a very close family. You know there are some children that you NEVER see the parents, but both of his parents were at every school event, football games, field trips. My heart is just breaking for them. Two other teenagers passed away that were very close to my daughter in the last 8 months, now this. She is also trying to write a ten page/three thousand word essay for a final in an education class. She also needs me to edit that for her.

So I hope you understand, I always search for the perfect thing to post on Fridays, but I just don't feel up to it....Maybe next week I will have new pictures of the remodel, have a great weekend everyone and please pray for his family.