Dining Room Pick-Me-Up

I'll have to admit, I think I have cabin fever. I'm tired of staring at my boring walls day after day. I've been cleaning and making subtle changes here and there, but my dining room was driving me crazy. It was plain and boring and needed a little pick-me-up. The problem was my budget. I had very little money to part with. After perusing a few online blogs, I made my way to Kirklands to scout for some bargains. Here's the before.I picked up this little center piece arrangement for the table.

And got a great bargain on these pictures! 2 for $16!

For Christmas my mom gave me this tea cup display case. It had been my Nana's. Ever since I was a child I had admired it on the walls of Nana's dining room. I went up to the attic and brought down the tea cups I had been collecting for the last 18 years.

It's looking a little better. Still needs some curtains and some nice dishes for the table.
I run to Kohls in search of curtains. No luck, but I stumble upon some nice dishes. They are on clearance...90% off!! I love bargains!!

Did I say 90% off? Here, let me say it again...90% off!

The bowls were $9.99....I paid .99

The salad plates were $12.99...I paid $1.29

The dinner plates were $24.99...I paid $2.49

I love saving money!!!

Look at the bottom on my receipt!

I saved $191.00!

Wow!

A few close-ups of my tea cups. My mother-in-law has brought me tea cups back from her travels to Columbia South America, Mexico, England and Ireland. I have a few of my Nana's and a few of Dennis' grandmothers tea cups too.

From Mexico

From England

From South America

From my Nana

(the saucer was too big to fit in the case, but it was one of my first tea cups and I love it!)

Who Said Life was Fair..

Friday was a big day for Evan. After school he went with his dad to the license branch and got his drivers license!! He passed the test with a 99% - awesome! We're very proud of him. Then, through the night we got hit with a huge winter storm. 6 inches of snow was dumped on us. Unfortunately for Evan it was a little too unsafe to let him drive, so he has a license, but can't use it. Life is not fair.Secondly, get this, the license branch now MAILS you your drivers license! What??? Yeah, he took the test, passed, and got a PAPER with his stats and picture on it. I was so looking forward to taking a picture of him with his new license. Now I have to wait until it comes in the mail! Life is not fair! (he cried)

Saturday morning, we made our kids shovel the driveway and sidewalk instead of sleep in and play video games in the warmth of our home. Life is not fair! (they cried)

Saturday afternoon we went to the gym and worked out. The backs of my arms and stomach muscles are crying out in pain now! It hurts to move. Life is not fair! (I cried)

Finally, as we drove to church Sunday morning, we oooohed and aaawwwed at the beautiful frost that froze and painted the trees and grasses white with ice crystals. The horizon was tinted pink, fading into that beautiful, crisp blue shade you see on a clear winters day. It was 10 degrees outside. The rising sun cast a yellow glow to the frosted landscape. It was truly a beautiful sight to see and I didn't have my camera! No fair!!

I'll leave you with a picture of my girl playing in the snow this morning.

1 Year Ago Today

We woke up to the worst ice storm to hit the Tri-State area in history.

I vividly remember hearing the weight of the ice snap the limbs off of my century old trees, cringing each time wondering if one would land on the house and leave a gaping hole in my roof.

We had no power for 3 days. Dennis was out of town. Keeping the water lines from freezing, the kids warm and fed was top priority for me. It was the worst winter moment in my life.

Here is a little flashback. More can be seen HERE and HERE and HERE

Tree lands on car at the University of Evansville

Cherry Street - The road I take when I drive into Downtown Evansville

My backyard

The back of my house all dripping in icicles

More backyard

The road I normally drive down to take Isaiah to school

Are You Listening

Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant and a host of other voices encourage us to reach out in any way we can. Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti.

A Break in the Clouds

Today the weather man has said this is our 8th straight day of overcast skies. However, last Thursday evening while I was driving to pick Isaiah and a friend up from a basketball game the sun popped out for a brief moment. I used the opportunity to run down to the river and take a few sunset snaps.

Celebrating 41 Years!

I would like to wish my parents a very happy anniversary!
You guys make me proud.
Love you!

SURPRISE!!

They asked me about 2 months ago if they could throw a Sweet 16 "Surprise" birthday party for Evan. "Of course" I said and we began to plot, scheme and plan. They made the guest list, invited all the friends, arranged for a live band and decorated the house. I just paid for everything. Oh and I asked my sister and her husband to come do all the cooking and food prep while we got Evan out of the house.
Who are they, you might ask? Evan's best friends. Carlos, Halie, Harley and Hannah.

Evan was completely in the dark they whole time! It was a great surprise!

We planned an Ice Cream Sundae Bar
And a Nacho Bar
Decorating for the party
Uncle Matt ~ we call him Uncle Chefy because he used to be a chef ~ came to set up the refreshments
Aunt Tracee~ party refreshment coordinator
Here we are! SURPRISE! I think he was shocked, speechless, unable to compute why more than 25 of his closest friends were in our game room.
Oh, wow, a surprise party....for me!
I have great friends!!!
I rarely smile
Carlos, in line for the Nacho bar
Feeding the herd
Fun with friends


Concert in the garage ~ sorry for the less than stellar photos. Do you know how hard it is to photograph kids in the darkness with strobing lights? Now you do.





Midnight is fast approaching. We fill 25 glasses with Sparkling Cider.
And we toast in the New Year!
Uncle Chefy and Aunt Tracee
Me and Dennis
The aftermath.

Overall, about 35 kids were here to help Evan celebrate his birthday. It was a great party!