It's a home tour.

I don't know about you, but I love to go looking around in other people's houses.

It's so fun to get new ideas or just be nosey.

I've posted before about our local magazine, Talk Greenville. They have a section where they spotlight beautiful homes in our area and I thought you might like to take a peak at this adorable quirky "cottage".

Come along won't you......

I love how "lived-in" this home feels and how the homeowner has let her quirky personality shine through with the furnishings. (I can't imagine dusting all of those things but maybe she doesn't have to either.)

Well, that ends our tour for today. So tell me.....what did you think?

a sad day....

Today we got some sad news.

My daughter's head gymnastics coach and gym owner passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

The next few months of competitions are going to be tough for these girls, but especially for the older ones who worked directly with her.

Please say a prayer for those she left behind and a special one for her husband/partner as he continues on at the gym without her by his side.

Mrs. Tamara, you had a wonderful impact on a lot of lives and you will be missed!

Because it's my blog & I can.

I know a lot of people don't like to "bog down" their blogs with controversial subjects like politics or religion but I'm not one of those people. I do like to paint my walls, re-arrange my furniture, tell you about my kiddos and fluff my pillows as good as the next girl, HOWEVER I do believe we need to take action when and where we can so that's what I do from time to time.

If you don't agree with my views, that's just fine & it's what this great country was founded on, HOWEVER don't leave any ugly comments - I don't really care and we've probably heard it all before on the network news.

Have a great day and remember - it's my blog & I can!

Using my Imagination

Happy Friday!!

Not much to blog about here. We've got a busy weekend of sports planned. Tomorrow we're heading to Columbia, SC for a gymnastics meet and then quickly back for B's basketball game.

I'm kind of glad things are getting started again after the holidays. My children love to be busy and active.

I think we all get cabin fever a little during this time of the year - especially since the weather's being so weird and freezing. Trust me when I tell you that mild winters are one reason I've chosen to stay in the South and right now I'm thinking of moving even further south - like Australia!

So, I'll leave you with the image I keep in my head so I don't lose my mind completely.



Summertime's calling me......What do you have planned over the weekend?

Rebel without a cause

I need HELP!

My house is rebelling against me.

I know it seems so hard to believe.

I try my best to love her.

I take care of her and decorate her.

I try my hardest to keep her reasonably clean and tidy.

Oh no, that must be it!

She's tired of looking cluttered and dusty.

That's the only reason I can think of for her to rebel against us all of a sudden.

Let me tell you all about her latest antics......

Well, it all started on Christmas Eve. Hubby and I were bringing in some things from the garage and then all of a sudden - BLAM! "What in the heck was that?" I say. "Ummm, the garage door." he says. So, we investigate the problem and apparently this spring/coil thingy is an important part of operating the door up and down.

Take a look:

Yep, my official diagnosis is.....It's Broken.

But, that's not all. Let's move on to Christmas Day.

We all got up to open gifts amid a torrential rain storm. That was ok. We enjoyed staying inside in front of the fireplace with all of our new loot. That is until I was in our bathroom and happened to notice some "water" in our bathtub. Hmmm. That doesn't look normal.

Yea, well I've since discovered that septic systems don't really like torrential rain storms.

It tends to fill them up. Completely.

That's really fun when you have out of town guests staying with you. Thankfully, it was just my mom and we survived until we could get the appropriate people out here to fix it.

Let's move on, shall we?

While we're discussing the potty. See the one above? Well, a couple of months ago, it sprang a leak. Not from the bottom but from the tank when it was refilling. It would be a pretty little fountain of spray that would come out and onto the wall. Lovely.

Let me ask a question. Does anyone know what happens to wood floors when they get wet?Anyone?

Right! They decide they want to buckle.

Here's a picture of it - you may not be able to see exactly what I'm talking about but trust me. It's buckled.

This is only a few of the problems that have developed around here lately. I won't give you stories with all of the following pictures but let's just say that something is wrong with each one.

We may even be able to make a game out of it.....you know - kind of like "Where's Waldo" or "What's Wrong with this Picture?"

Sorry for such a long post but trust me, it's much worse when it's on a to-do list. At least you can just read about it and go on with your life - I have to walk all the way out the front/back door to get to my car.

I've gotten so spoiled and lazy.

{Sigh}

Ahhhhh.

Do you feel it too?

It's a sense of calmness.

The holiday rush is over and now I can take a deep breath and set my sights on all the possibilities of a new year.

It's so refreshing and I always love a new beginning.

Here's hoping there are good things in store and God blesses you and your family in 2010.

Our 2009 in Review

Zoom!

That's how it feels when I think back on our 2009.

Time is moving so quickly and it just reminds me that I need to appreciate each and every day.

Here are some of my favorite memories from 2009:

Sorry there's so many pictures - apparently there are a lot of great times that I want to make sure we don't forget.

May you have a great New Year's Eve and a blessed 2010!

Family Gathering '09

It seems like this year all of our family gatherings aren't happening until after the Christmas holiday.

This past weekend we traveled to NC for our annual get-together with my extended family.

Want to come along?

We all met at my cousin Kelly's house again this year - she's centrally located and it just worked out better for everyone. (I kind of like it there cause her house is beautiful.)

Here's Aunt ReeRee and our newest family member Mallori.

My mom & Rita - sisters.
Miss G had to get her hands on Mallori as well.

Here's a close-up of all that sweetness.

More beautiful Christmas decor.
Here's our hostess, Kelly with our cousin (& Mallori's mama) Tori.

Let's give Mallori's daddy, Jeremy, a little face time. Well, that's about it for this trip.

Lots of good food, fellowship and gifts were had by all, but you can probably tell who really stole the show that day......Miss Mallori.

And, don't worry - I didn't spend all day behind my camera.

I got in a little Mallori cuddle time too.
Hope you're recovering nicely this week - I'm off to re-arrange something.

Christmas Wrap Up 2009

Whew....finally a moment's peace to sit down and visit some long distance friends.

It has definitely been busy around here as I'm sure it has been at your house as well.

We're just getting back from a quick two day trip to NC for family gatherings and
to tell you the truth......I'm pooped.

I'll just post a few pictures of our wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and just let me say that we are blessed beyond all measure with good family and friends. Thank you all so much for what you do for our family, and if we haven't seen you yet during this hectic season, we're still making the rounds and hope to be in your neck of the woods soon.

The aftermath:
That's all I have time for now - my rubbermaid containers and I have a date.

Christmas Greetings....

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.....

Check. That part has been done, however there is still lots for this mom to get done before Thursday and Friday arrive.

Since I'm sure we're all in the same boat I'm taking this opportunity to wish you and yours.....

a Very Merry Christmas

from

our family to yours!