It's all about the Halloween!!

Every where you look you see Halloween, from magazines to cookbooks, craft stores and gift stores. I found these items at Home Goods. Its a new store in the area that carries housewares type stuff. I think that it is partnered with TJ Maxx. They have really good stuff from decorating to kitchen to bath.

This pumpkin above is a Country Living item. I didn't even know that Country Living had items like these for sale. Very vintage.
And then these little guys. How cute are they. I think I will put a little light bulb behind them to give them a little glow from behind.

I wanted to show you what I was working on. Just some little o'l bingo cards. I really like working with vintage bingo cards.

Only 5 more days until Zapp Hall! Cheek it out www.zapphall.com Best antique show I have ever been to. Junk Gypsy here I come. www.gypsyville.com

XOXO

M

Hurrican Ike

Well we survived the Hurricane. We decided to ride it out, they kept telling us to hunker down. 3 years ago when Rita came thru we left with the whole city of Houston,Galveston and surrounding cities. We went to Wimberly to stay with friends. The trip usually takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours we left around 11:00 p.m. and arrived around 9:00 am the next day. Come to find out that we didn't really need to leave. I really didn't want to go thru that again and it just didn't seem that this storm was going to come for us.

This was a big was a big woke up call for me. Well I was wrong it did come for us. The electricity went out at 8:45 Friday night (my movie was almost over, it couldn't wait 20 more minutes). I had not really prepared for the lights to go out so I didn't really get out until Thursday to get anything and by that time most everything was gone. Bread, water (had enough water) canned foods. You know all the things you are suppose to stock up on. Toilet paper. Stalk up on toilet paper if you are a toilet paper snob like me or you will just have to deal with it. Yes I had to deal with it.

I am thankful that we were only out of power for 22 hours. (that was long enough for me.) My sister and mom and dad who only live 20 minutes from me still have no power. We also have friends that live 3 min from us that still don't have power also. We are so grateful that we also had no damage, and to think of all those people in Galveston who have lost there homes and business. There are also alot of people who live in the Houston area that don't have power or ice and water.

So what I have learned. Get your supplies early with at least 3 to4 days of food and water, fill up your cars, and when they tell you its a mandatory evacuation that means GET OUT!!! the storm is coming for us. (Yes some people in Galveston stayed to ride it out. What were they thinking???)

My prayers are with everyone who lost there home, business, family, and pets.

XOXO
M

Summer almost over!

Well band camp is in full swing and that means that summer is almost over and back to the books. Zach loves marching season and what I have seen so far the show looks like its going to be a great one. These kids work so had in 95 degree weather and they are so tired when they get home. Its so cool to see there dedication to what they are doing. I don't know if I could do what they do.

I love this picture with all the trumpets lined up.

XOXO
M

pictures are from the band web site.

More of San Fran

We went down to Pier 39 and saw the famous sea lions. This time of year most of them are mating so there wasn't as may as what we had expected, but we got to see them. One day we took these cars for our tour of the city. They are called Go Cars. What it is is a go cart that has a GPS system (we named her veronica)that tells you where to drive and see the city. This was the best, this little car took us all over the city but not on the busy high way. It was much better than taking one of those bus tours because it took you to places that the buses couldn't go. Our first stop was the golden gate bridge, then thru a neighborhood that Robin Williams lived. She didn't really tell us which one it was but we guessed it was the big one on the corner with the 2 security trucks parked out front. We also went to the beach,golden gate park(that was just unbelievable this is also where Strawberry Hill is that was made famous by the Beatles) the pseudo(sp)(also where George Lucas has his studio where he does the star wars movies Chuck and Keeley
Zach and I. He really wanted to drive but he had to be 18.

and last but not least we drove down Lombard St. the crookedest street there is. It was just out of this world with all the Hydrangeas in bloom.

More later!

XOXO

M

Back from Cali

I have finally uploaded my 763 photos from our trip. Here are a few pictures from our window of our hotel room. We were one block from the water. Very cool. Cool electric trolley car!!

This is Alcatraz. We could see it from our window. We told the kids that if they weren't good this where we would send them. We tried to do the tour but it was booked up. If I had know that we need to make reservation to see it I would have done it before we left.

More Later

XOXO

M

So Cal

Having a wonderful time in Southern Califorina!!! Write more and have pictures to show when I get back. Going to the beach today S.M pier.

XOXO
M

Keeley left for church camp today. This is her first camp to ever go to. They best thing is that it is at Texas A&M in College Station. This is were my husband went to school and now the kids want to go there as well. I think she is going to have such a good time. Before she left we did a little family Birthday party for her. I gave her this box that I found http://artsymama.blogspot.com/ . This box is very rair. They no longer make this candy. It's so
cool that it is her name to the T. We can never find things with her name on any thing unless we have them put it on after the fact.

This is what was inside the box. Kari asked me what her favorite color was and what she was into these days.

These are for Keeley's birthday. When do you stop doing party's for little girls. Boys are so different. We stopped doing party's for Zach a long time ago, but it was always hard to do party's for Zach being his birthday is Dec. 26. Anyways I thought that they came out so cute.

XOXO
M

Student driver on the road!!!

Watch out Zach is on the road!!! He went and took the test to get his permit on Friday. He was really hesitant about taking the test because he didn't want to fail. Well he passed it by this much. ( a little agent 86 humor) His dad let him drive around the neighborhood after they got back and Zach was a little trimmed but today they went driving again and has gotten the hang of it, except the parking thing and I just told him he has gotten that from his father. I don't know what is up with chuck and parking but i can pull into a spot and not have to pull out again to get it straight. I give him such a hard time about it.

Hurray, Hurray!!!!

It is official Zach will not be attending summer school. As some of you may know that our big worry was that Zach would not pass Algebra and have to do summer school, but some how some way he passed. This always seems to happen with him and math. We get all worked up about it and then he comes threw, although not with the best grade but no summer school. We are still proud of him.

Goodies, Goodies and more Goodies

Look at what I found this weekend. I was taking Keeley to her volley ball game Saturday morning and came across some signs that said estate sale. So I dropped Keeley off and headed out. She told me to make sure I made it back before the game started and I did. I was so excited I could hardly stand my self, plus everything was 30 to 50 percent off the marked price. What a

deal.

American Idol

I knew it, I knew it was going to be the two David's at the end, I called it weeks ago. For the record It's going to be David Cook to win it all. I don't think that David A. is ready for the big time yet.

XOXO

M

It's been a while!!!

This is what I got for Mothers Day. I sleep shirt with flamingos on it which the kids thought that this was funny because I bought 2 flamingos for the pool area and they thought they were a little cheesy. Next is a digital picture key chain and then a new camcorder(haven't gotten it yet, chuck found a really good deal over the Internet, but it comes this Friday just in time for Keeley's 5Th grade play next week). I had a really great Mother's Day. We went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast with my mom,dad and sister and Cathy thinking that there would not be a big wait. Well I was wrong. After we ate we headed to the movies to watch Iron Man. This is the second time that Zach and I have seen it. We had gone on a date when Keeley and Chuck had gone to the father daughter dance. It's a really good movie. The special fx are out of this world. After leaving the movies my family went to Best Buy to check out what my new camcorder looks like. . We have needed one for a long time. There are so many things that we have missed out with the kids. So I had to go pick out the color, well the kids picked out the color a dark blue. After doing that we were a little hungry but it was only 2:30 so we went to Willies and ordered a sampler plate with onion rings,fried pickles,fried cheese, and hot wings. As we were waiting for it to come out I though that to balance out all the fried food that I would order a small dinner salad, well when the waitress came she had our order and boy was it an order. It could have feed 8 people and there we were just the 4 of us. We hardly made a dent in it. Won't do that again. All in all it was a great day to spend it with my family with hardly any complaining.

Manuf Systems ie: Wood Shop

I had to show you guys what Zach made in what we use to call wood shop. I really love it. One is a cutting board and the other a top that really works. The cutting board is so pretty I was afaid to use it. He loves to work with wood. Him and his dad built an entertainment center for his room. I don't know where he gets that from (his grandfather (my dad)use to build houses, his great grandfather (Chuck's grandfather) worked for Hughes Tool for many year and built many pieces of furniture, Chuck who also helped my dad in the summertime when he was in college and has also built me many things for our house and art room.) Sorry that the picture is sideways.

XOXO

M

Warrenton Texas

Went to Warrenton this weekend. I t was so much fun> I could have stayed longer but things were starting to slow down and it was getting late. I am hoping to go back during the week or even on saturday. We did'nt even get to see half of it. I should have taken more pictures. There was so much to see.

XOXO

M

A junking we will go

I made this for my sister's partner for her birthday. This is her favorite word. It always shows up when she is not expecting it. I was inspired a picture that I say on another blog but can't remember where I found it. I really like the way it turned out.

I am so excited!!. Today me and my sister and her partner are going to Warrenton, TX for some junking. This is the show before the BIG show in Round Top. It should be a fun day! I will show you some pictures when we get back.

XOXO

M

Spring is in the air!!!!

Well Spring Break has begun for us this week. We don't have really have any plans. Keeley is going to spend the night at a friend's house and Zach will have a sleep over as well with 4 of his friend playing Halo 3 all night long. Can't wait for that one.

OMGOSH!!! I found my camera. (as you can see by the picture above)I am so excited that I found my camera. I do not know what I would have done with out it. (maybe get the one I really want) So I wanted to show a picture I took when we had to go to Pittsburgh Tx. The flower above is a wild daffodil. this was in the cemetery. How beautiful is that.

I hope that everyone has the Luck of the Irish today!

CAMERA,CAMERA WHERE IS MY CAMERA!!

OM GOSH!!! I can not find my camera. What is a girl to do with out her camera? Went to Pittsburgh,TX last weekend to bury my husbands grandfather and took some great pictures of some wild daffodils. They were everywhere. I didn't know that they were wild flowers. Now I can't find my camera. What a bummer!!!!

Speaking of wild flowers, if you live in Texas, the Bluebonnet Festival in Chappell Hill is April 12&13.. It has lots of crafts and fair food and of course Bluebonnets.

http://www.texasbob.com/travel/tbt_chappell_hill.html

Sickness,Dental, and Death

Been out of commission for 2 weeks. First I got sick with a sinus cold then my daughter had strep. So we were both sick at the same time and my husband had to leave to go out of town for a week and a half,while I was sick I started having some tooth pain, well come to find out I have to have a root canal redone over. Had that part of that done today, I have to go back in two weeks to have the rest done due to infection. Earlier in the week my husbands grandfather passed away so he had to come home early from his trip. WOW what a couple of weeks. Not so good. Tomorrow is the funeral and then his body will be transferred to Pittsburg, Texas to be layed to rest next to his wife. I hope that next week will be back to normal.

XOXO
M

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!

This morning I got up at 5:30 am. I hate it when I do that, then I can't go back to sleep. I still had another hour to go. Well I turned on the t.v. for a short time then decided to get up, and this is what I did. Made my kids a Valentine breakfast! I used cookie cutters to make the heart pancakes. What fun was this. They did'nt eat it all but it was a good breakfast for them since usually they eat cereal every morning.

Went to lunch with the Lunch Ladies yesterday.I always enjoy these days. I go to lunch with these ladies every week and we talk about mostly our kids and what they are doing. There are only 4 of us and 3 of them have kids at the same school and in the same class, so they compair notes on what the kids are doing. I just kinda sit there and listen why they talk about all the homework and projects they have to do and say to myself WHEW!! I am glad my child does not have to go through all thattwo hours of homework everyday. Anyways I hope that everyone will get to spend Valentine's Day with the one they love.

XOXO

M

Weekend

What great weekend weather we had and now here comes the rain and cold again. What is up with the weather around this part of the country?? I wish it would just make up it's mind what it's going to do. I think I would like it to just stay warm now, but that would mean bathing suit weather and I am not ready for that yet. Although I wish I was at the beach right now, just relaxing with my family with a fruity drink in my hand (of course with an umbrella in it). Haven't been crafting in my room but have some ideas roaming around in my head. I really need to get in my art room and do some organizing. That can wait another day.



XOXO

M

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!

Today is my 22nd birthday. Man am I looking good. No not really it's my 44th birthday I thought that I would make myself a little younger. I guess I feel 22, wish I still had the body of a 22 year old. But I'll just have to live with what God gave me.

XOXO
M

Birdie, Birdie

I found this little birdie the other day when I was out shopping for a birthday present for a friend. I always seem to find stuff I like when shopping for other. I am going to put hi, in my art room to watch over me as I create. I also made these little houses that I wanted to share with you. I made one at Christmas and now I think that I will make some Easter ones next.

Update!

Well there is good news to report. Both my dad and chucks grandfather are doing great. Chuck's grandfather had surgery on tuesday and came thru with flying colors. The doctors were suprised how well he came thru. My dad is feeling much better but still has swollen feet and has a hard time getting around sometimes.

Two week ago

I wanted to show you some pictures that I took of the kids. We went the park and took these pictures. Chuck was a little concerned about the way Keeley looked. To grown up.

Cold,Cold go away!!

Is it ever going to warm up again?? I am tired of this cold. I also wanted to update you all on Chuck's grandfather. Yesterday he went into surgery but before they could start he started to bleed thru his rectum. They had given him 7 units of blood but didn't know where it was going now they know. They are going to try again Tuesday.





I wanted to show you what I have been working on this week. I just love the way it turned out.

LOOK AT FIRST POST. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. NOT SO GOOD AT IT.

Chuck's Grandfather

Chuck's grandfather is doing better and will be going in tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. to have hip surgery. Please pray for him.

Week of Whoe's

This week has not been a good one for our family. First my dad (83) went into the hospital on last Friday. The doctor finally told my parents that he has COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and they wont be able to do anything for him just let it run it course. He didn't go home with oxygen but I am sure that will happen soon.

Then Chuck's grandfather (93) was found on the floor in his living room on Friday. We don't know how long he was on the floor. He fell and hit something on the way down and he has this big black and blue mark on his forehead. When they got him to the hospital the doctors said the he also has a fractured hip, he also has a virus which they think is the cause of him falling and making him weak. He is not awake at this time. If he starts to get better they will do surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday, but if he doesn't wake up he could get pneumonia. Hopefully we will hear some good news today.

Why Blog???

I have finally started my own blog. Which is really kind of laughable because I know nothig about these darn computers. After months of lurking at many very talented women out there, I finally decided to start my own. I also started this blog to let friends and family know where this wonderful life is taking me and my family. I couldn't be anymore thankful for it. Stay tuned!!

xoxo
M