A great man

Well, it has been ages since I last posted. With Duncan off from school for the summer I have been busy with the business, him, the horses and life. I have still made a point to be Thankful on Thrusday, but haven't managed to post about it here. I am sorry I have been missing.

I am more sorry today that I am posting for this reason.

Saturday morning I was informed that Friday July 9th, my farrier (horseshoer) passed away. To many, this would seem like an unlikely reason to be overly sad, but he was a fantastic man. His name was Wayland Arney and he was also my friend.
I will share my memories of him here:
Wayland was so respectful of clients that most are shocked when I tell them he smoked, because he didn't in front of them. He loved my son, not in spite of his disability, but as if there was none. He told me a mere 10 days before he died "Life is short, do what you want". He smiled often, and the smile lines around his eyes, said it wasn't a new thing. He couldn't say enough good things about his daughters and family. He was loyal to those he loved, to the point of being willing to fight for them. He helped me to get a truck and trailer and in a way, made it so that now that he is gone I can find a new farrier even if I have to haul to them. He was loyal to a fault, even when my horse was a difficult case, there was drama or whatever, he came when he was needed. I believe that there are just people with whom we click, and because of who Wayland was, he was that person to alot of people. He didn't talk constantly and wasn't verbose, but when he spoke he was truthful and what he said mattered, well unless it was a joke and he was harrassing you!
I will find someone to shoe my horse, I hope they will do a good job, but my horse will never be as good without him and I will never forget him. Like all the too short relationships in our lives, he changed me forever. In his case for the good!

Goodbye Wayland...you were truly awesome!

Thankful Thursday

This blog post was a no-brainer. This week my dear Farrier (guy who trims horse hooves) worked me an awesome deal with some other clients and I got:

and a horse trailer...pictures later.

It means no more "asking friends" to go on to a lesson or clinic. YAY!

So I am thankful for my wonderful farrier (see friends post last week :D) and for patience paying off with a good deal. I am blessed!~

Thankful Thursday

Thursday already?

It is easier to be grateful on a SUNNY Thursday!

Today I am thankful for my dear friends. The other day my dear friend Daryl called to tell me she thought I rocked...or something like that. Then I asked her if she was dying or something. After she explained she was reading a book that said if you have friends that you trust, can tell your life to, laugh with, cry with and trust you need to tell them.

I guess the deal is if you have ONE of these friends you are doing well....I seem to be pretty blessed I have a couple of them.

So today, I am Thankful for all my friends, be they "A list" friends, acquaintances, family and even my bloggy-pals. They make my life better...even their quirks make my life more fun.

Love you guys!

Look even chickens know things are more fun together! :D

Special Ornaments Volume 1

Each of my trees has a few very special ornaments. Most of the special ones go on my family tree which has a 'non-theme' theme.

The woodland tree on my sunporch, seen here last post, has just a few 'special' ones.

First is an ornament Duncan "made" in school when he was in 1st grade in art class. They pressed real pine tree parts into clay. I think it is genius, I think he probably actually was able to help with most of this project and I love it.

The one below is a beautiful REAL leaf that was gold-plated. It was a gift from my dear friend Daryl several years ago. It is from main and each year as I take it out of it's box I see the gift tag she put on it (taped inside the box) and am reminded that these friends MAKE Christmas for us.

If you have some special ormanents share them with the rest of us. I think unpacking those memories is one of the best parts of the season.

Shiny AND Smart

This is my beloved friend, Daryl. We have a funny saying we share. We are Shiny AND smart. It all started when we barely knew each other. We were both groomers, discussing online our desire to become certified. We became 'list pals' and realized we both had similiar plans. We chose to do our certification together. One of our first 'big trips' was to Dallas, TX for a symposium. As I was buying the little toothpaste, little shampoo and other trip essentials I got a cute little thing of facial scrub and mud mask. We arrived at the hotel, still relative strangers and began to chat and unpack our luggage. As I got to the facial stuff and said "oh I bought this for us...." I then said "so we can be shiny and smart" It struck Daryl as funny and became a theme. I think of it when I am hyperfocusing on something. We learned alot that weekend, had flawless skin, laughed until we almost died, nearly made an instructor asphyxiate during a demo we did (with classmates) and generally laid the foundation for one of my favorite friendships.
Daryl is kind hearted, sweet, a great cook, a great hostess, shiny, smart, a talented writer and much more. She is the perfect balance of support and reality. Never allowing me to wallow in negative emotion, but yet letting me have a moment when I need it.

You are welcome to 'share' our saying. :D We have plenty more!

Click on her picture (above) to see her blog.

Oddly, this picture said 'shiny and smart' to me....b/c the point is we are multifaceted like the jewels that we are. She is shiny and smart and can shoot the lint out of your belly button. I am shiny and smart and am unafraid to gallop on a 1200 pound beast through the woods.

I love you Daryl!

A big Thank you

Mary sent me a housewarming package. Lots of goodies were inside!
Even the box was very sweetly done!Included were these cute little blue lovebirds who just cried to go in my china cabinet.

Mary remembered my pink and blue addiction when she added this plate.

The cutest little birdhouse. I must admit I have already put a little Christmassy bird in there perched on some holly. :-D Shhhh...I had to do some 'creative construction' to pull this off.

A lovely set of mismatched silverware. I put it right in my drawer as is. I warned my hubby STRONGLY against using them for now. I like to savor the 'giftiness' of things beribboned.

Underneath all the things you see are two very pretty floral prints. I can' wait to find the perfect frames for them and hang them after Christmas decorating season wanes.

A few months ago when I began blogging it was to make myself focus a little more on my inner creative self and I did just that. What I did not expect is the friends I am making. You made my day Mary and am glad to have made you as a blog friend.

A bit of fall decoration and an ommission fixed

Despite wanting to pack, I want some 'seasonality' to my house since this is my favorite season. I found the cute silver mirror at Dollar Tree and the silver candle holders for a buck each at Goodwill (surprise surprise). The planter on the left I hand threw back when I took a pottery class. The one on the right I found on clearance a few years ago. They both make me smile. I put little gords, pumpkins and acorns on a tiered tray. I got the pretty crocheted tablecloth at my friend Roxanne's yard sale. (four dollars).
It is a little island I will keep decorated while I pack.
My horrendous OMMISSION was from my "Birthday Blessings" post a few days ago. My good friend Shelly and I have lunch together on Monday's and last week she paid and got me the cutest card and a couple of gifts. I completely spaced putting her gifts on the blog, because in all honesty they were still in my vehicle. The card is a 21 boot salute and with me being a horse girl, how perfect is that? Also a WW cookbook and a points calculator. I know some of you are saying "What kind of pal would get you a diet book?" Well, she is my friend because we met at Weight Watchers meetings. She is actually my leader, my Zumba instructor and first and foremost a funny and great friend.

Yesterday my friend Duda and I went out to see my new house (from the outside), went Goodwilling and to dinner together as a belated b'day celebration. She is on of my horsey friends so she especially wanted to get me 'out' after euthanizing Ruby on Tuesday. We had a great time and she bought me a set of plates at Goodwill I have been eyeballing as my "new everyday" dishes. I already had the bowls, they die like crazy around here! Oddly I got her plates for her 'early b'day gift' a few days ago! LOL
I am blessed with great friends!

Today I went to turn my horses out and saw THIS on the pond and thought I would share the 'moment' with you all! It is a Great Blue Heron, waiting for supper!

This is my 'second attempt' at a tassel and it goes with Rachel's gift from this post.

Have a wonderful night!

Birthday blessings

While yesterday was truly hard with losing Ruby and all that entailed. I still can count my blessings. Without the obvious I have a house to live in kind of stuff I will get to the meat or cake of the matter.
My husband woke up early and made me a cake. It stayed uniced most of the day, as he was at work, but he came home, frosted it and used chocolate chips for words.
I also received several cards. My hubby's sister and her family sent those adorable little bear cards. My grandmother sent me one I forgot to photograph along with a check. I put the check in my savings account and I intend to use that money for my downpayment. Along with money my other grandma (deceased) kept for me for YEARS. I will feel as if they had a part in buying my home.

I got call after call and I think I may have used up all my cell phone minutes in one day? :D


I had to reschedule dinner with my dad and his wife until Thursday, b/c DH was working and I didn't want him to miss Pork Chops and Gravy. My dad makes the best gravy EVER and I asked that for my b'day he teach me to take mine up a notch. Mine is good, his is the stuff of legend...and I am not sucking up he has no internet access! LOL


When my day was over and I was exhausted my neighbor Karen came across the road with a gift from Randy and her. What a lovely pitcher, I can't wait to put it in my dining room in my new home.
Last, but actually first to get here was a gift from my pal D'Gaye. Along with the pumpkin and doily she sent me the following picture is all the wonderful things she sent me. I love you too, girl! She is also the one who got me drinking that wonderful Godiva Dark Chocolate hot cocoa....mmmmmmmmmm!
So her package included those really cool candleholders, silver colored coasters, a potato baking bag (for micro), an adorable sign, a cookbook and some really fun summer napkins for lunches on my back deck next year! I am still amazed at the pals I have made in my grooming world!
My good friend Daryl, who is as postally challenged as me....sent me a card, we are always sending late! LOL She knows me so well, so she is sending me money to go buy BULBS for my front yard. I intend to put in some Daffs, Crocus and maybe Tulips. I love this as a gift, b/c I will be able to enjoy it now and then again when they bloom in the Spring.
Last but not least...I tried my hand at making a tassle last night. I used a little bird I got at Goodwill and I don't think it is bad for my first attempt! I will never be a pro, but sure was fun! Thanks for being a part of my day!


EDITED: to add, D'Gaye says coasters are aluminum!

My take on Joy's project

Those of you who haven't found "Joys of Home" need to find it now! That link will take you to the project I did today.

My pal Daryl has a teenaged daughter. She is 19 and she has just moved into her first apartment. When I saw Joy's project I knew I had to do one for Rachel's room. She has done her roome in hot pink, black and white. So I went and did this!
I had a hard time finding a black and white piece of scrapbook paper I loved, because I wanted it RIGHT...and I didnt' want to buy a whole book to get one piece.
Then I found all the pieces of 'wood' around here were 4 or 5 dollars, Walmart, Michaels, you name it! So I went to my neighbor Randy and he cut me a piece, rounded over the edges and then we even made it have it's OWN stand!

I hope Rachel likes it as much as I enjoyed doing it. It really didn't take any time at all. I would put on a coat of spray paint, then run an errand. I did have to mix up the 'hot pink' to get it as dark as what I had hear her color was!

I hope you like today's project!

Exciting day!

Today was a busy day. I had clients all morning and then was invited to a Fall party. The party was thrown by a family who will be my neighbors in a few weeks. They asked for our information and invited us already. How great is that?
I also finished a project I started Thursday. I found the following poor, sad and neglected framed mirror at Goodwill. I nearly walked away, b/c even with paint I didn't want him on my wall. Then when I found NOTHING else I came back to him. I sat him in the little basket and stared until I pictured him covered in candles (and of course white paint).
So home he came and I quickly removed the mirror, cleaned everything and then painted the frame. Something still wasn't 'right' so I just stuck some pumpkins in him to make him feel like he was loved. :-D
Then last night I tooled around trying to find some 'feet'. Everything was too big or too fussy for the size of this project so I ended up getting those wooden buttons you put in furniture to cover holes. It doesn't make it tall, but just gets it a little off the table. I will keep my eye out for better feet.
Here it is with just candles on it. I like it
Here it is all decked out for Halloween, complete with shelled Indian Corn and some various squash.
I also did this quick project with a simple glass vase, Indian corn and a candle.
Then to add YAY to a great day I got a package from a good groomer pal, D'Gaye. She sent me several things I will show more later, but for now the cool pumpkin below and the doily (especially for Grandma's drum table). I am going to find some cool coordinating Indian corn (whole) and other stuff to make that little pumpkin shine.

Then......on my way home from the party and the barn....I see sitting by the road....................

Yes, yes that is right this was FREE on the side of the road. Jealous? How about if I tell you there was a PAIR? LOL

Yes, a pair of wing back chairs with Queen Ann legs for FREE! The fabric isn't in bad shape, they are comfy ad how pretty will those legs be painted? They may earn some slip covers or maybe a reupholstery down the line. For now they are going to get a good cleaning and see where they choose to live in my new house.

More new house pics soon, I promise, but SOOOOOOOOO much excitement today who can add any more pictures?

Why I love Cottage Style.

Whether your cottage style is Bright colors or pink roses we All have a reason we LOVE this style.

First of all, I don't know that I ever heard or paid attention the the 'term' until I met my friend Daryl. I remember spending a night in her house and feeling like I really could STAY there and BE there. It didn't look a bit like "mamaw's house" but it had that feel. She had taken the effort to put a photo I had emailed her of MY family on the nightstand next to my bed, right next to an iced carafe of water. With those two things I felt so at home.

I have always loved a place where you could put your feet up, where you could have the things you love even if they don't all 'fit' perfectly together. Then, when I realized you could do all this AND it had a name I fell for "cottage style".

I can completely appreciate a modern kitchen, I can appreciate a house with very 'stiff' lines and rules, but I just don't feel HOME there.

I want my friends to come and want to linger. I want my family to LIVE in my home. I particularly love that you don't have to have a 'second' home to have the cottage feel. It makes me smile to think that we can all have cottage style from our 600 sq. ft. condo, to an actualy beach house to the 4000 sq ft. home.

I have had a few 'naysayer' friends continue to overuse the word 'little' to describe my new house. At first I get my feelings hurt. Then I remember that this style we love came out of making the best out of a small space. Taking a summer cottage and making it home while you are there. Making a cute house out of 'found' items and furniture. I look forward to taking my 40 year old sofa and chair (grandma's) into my LITTLE house, shopping for end tables on craigslist, flea markets and goodwill. Finding a way to make alot out of a little. When people come over there will be no question they can put their feet up and stay awhile. We can sit on the sunporch and discuss whether cicadas or crickets make better sounds. I look forward to people sitting around my dining room table while I cook and the dogs trot around on the back deck (or underfoot). I enjoy the challenge of redecorating without having a huge (any?) budget for it.

Thank God for Cottage Style and cottage friends, may you all come over for sweat tea in the summers and hot cocoa in the winter.

So, if YOUR cottage is bright and cheery, all white or your only cottage element is a pink slipcover on your sofa....Three cheers for Cottage Style.

By the way the cute guy on the back porch of my 'new LITTLE house' is my Fossil. I assume I will have to do a whole post about THAT. Let's just say, for now, he and his wife took in a heart wounded, newly motherless, obnoxious sixteen year old once upon a time. What crazy people they were? Well, I can't thank them enough and Fossil even came out to walk through with myself and the inspectors this week....still coming through for me.

The Power of One!

Well, for those who don't know I am a Weight Watchers girl. Sometimes I am watching my weight go up...and wishing it would go down. I can lose weight with the best of them, but can get overwhelmed by the "big pile" of weight I need to lose.
Today our wonderful leader (Hi Shelly) did a meeting on the "power of 1" Meaning one pound at at a time and MORE. Stuff like: Eating 1 more veggie a day, walking 1 more mile, doing 1 more good thing and 1 less bad.
So I am going to put it on my computer and think about it ALL week. One more "I Love You" for those you love. One less bad attitude in traffic. One more thing you have procrastinated. One more smile.
How can you do "one" thing? One less impulse purchase on something pricey. One more hour in your worst room, picking up?

So in that 'vein' here is just ONE picture that makes me smile. A good friend, Jill, asked me to repaint her frog...she did NOT specify HOW....I had a bit of a paint party with it. I figured if she hated it I would repaint boring green. However, this made me LAUGH while doing it, while handing it over and while watching her S.O. see it.

This just shows you ONE of my many facets...the goofy one. Notice Frogetta is wearing PEARLS, has eyelashes and you cant' see her LIPS...she has red lipstick. :-D BTW, Jill LOVED it and has it just as it is in her garden.

Spiritual Sundays

A Late entry!

Better late than never! I spent a weekend with fellow pet stylists in Chicago Illinois. I enjoyed the freedom from housework, work and responsibility. I was with my best gal pal, Daryl and we stayed in a marvelous hotel it decorated very modern and beautiful. We both joked that we would have to buy ALOT of white paint if we lived there.

We found time to visit a little group of antique shops and even a flea market. She gave five lectures and I gave two.

Last week my 'theme' happened to be friends and I can't help but say it is again! I am a better person for having known Daryl. She is a great role model. She has shown me how to be a better wife and mom by example.

So here I am road weary and yet content of spirit. So I searched for an appropriate quote and it's related scripture (again in my grandma's book..God's Little Insturction Book).

Real friends are those who, when you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job.

beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth...

1 Corinthians 13: 7,8

I really feel we can learn such great lessons from our friends about how it is to love, We can even learn from moments when we feel on of our friends have not 'measured up' take a moment to consider how we may need to work harder on ourselves or even our relationship to God. How often do we fail to do what He would want and yet we are forgiven? Grace is really the most powerful thing.

So, I often feel that Daryl is the friend/gift God gave me when He knew I would need her. He knew I would need a friend who was a good example, who would laugh with me, cry with me, work beside me, nag me when necessary and encourage me. Some days I see thorns....Daryl points out the roses. In the garden that is my life one of those very roses is HER!

Go find the roses fellow bloggers....Thank God for them...count the blessing and not the trials...it is in feeling and finding blessings that we become MORE blessed.