I really need . . .

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 15:15:05 -0500

to get myself organized. Fall is coming - today it is in the upper 60’s, low 70’s and I know it’s going to be here in full force sooner rather than later. While participating in Liz’s charm bracelet Saturday (see previous entry) I had to dig through a couple of drawers and my jewelry box, which is on the floor of my closet under a pile of junk to find those bracelets. What you see above is one of those drawers.

I have a little bowl and an ironstone soapdish - from my sweet friend Memmey from Louisiana Cajun country - that I throw my day to day “jewels” in. I’m pretty much a creature of habit when it comes to jewelry. I have worn the same pair of gold hoops for years - my kids tease me about it. And back in the day when I had a job that required me to look like a “real” person, I wore a watch, a bracelet that belonged to my grandmother and my wedding rings. Heck most days I barely put my wedding band on.

So I think I need to set aside some time to start “falling” up the house and cleaning out those drawers and closets!

I’m Embarrassed . . .

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 11:01:53 -0500

because I keep committing to staying on top of my blog but then I let other things get in the way of doing this.

Today is September 1, which to me is always the start of the
“real” new year. Anyone that has kids will agree with me; this is when you start cleaning out closets, getting organized, getting back into a routine, setting new goals. Even when the “kids” are all adults, years of having Labor Day be the new year . . . well it’s just become ingrained.

So in addition to my commitment (or I may be committed!!) I want to have more fun with this blog. Which means, some changes will be coming, I’ll do some give-aways and will share on a regular basis other blogs that I just can’t stay away from.

Here is one that is full of fun -
http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com/
I could not resist the charm bracelet contest. The two bracelets on this page are very special to me. The silver one was my grandmother’s - one “coin” for each grandchild with their name on one side and birthdate on the other. (You’ll notice I show you the coin with my name but not my birthdate!!)
My grandmother passed away more than 30 years ago, leaving a pile of jewelry to my Aunt Pat. When Pat died about 15 years ago, it all came to me. I always loved this bracelet and when my daughter had her first child - my princess, Grace, I knew I wanted a bracelet for my grandkids.

The gold bracelet was a gift that Christmas (Grace was born on 12/14/00) and I added the baby cup with her initials and birthdate to the bracelet. The following December Grace had a baby brother, Eli (born 12/17/01) and another cup was added.

None of my sons are married yet, though the oldest is engaged and will be married next spring. They are planning on having children, so there will be more cups added. And I do have wonderful grandkids through my husbands kids.

I regret getting rid of a charm bracelet that was started for me as a young girl. It had many mechanical charms and memories but somewhere along the line I thought it was just too “old fashioned” and got rid of it. Glad I am past that phase!

What’s your favorite thing?

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:20:14 -0500

Cindy of the famed www.romantichome.blogspot.com has (once again) come up with a clever idea to “introduce” many of us to new blogs and websites. She wants fellow home enthusiasts to show off one of their favorite things. This is a real challenge for most of us, I expect. Since I am sure I am not alone - I kept trying to come up with one thing that I loved above all others -HA!!

Those of us that blog about our homes are pretty much in love with most of our things - that’s why we want to show them off! We hope you love our things, too. We want you to engage us and ask “where did you find that?” and “you paid HOW MUCH?” (this is shock at how little, not how much we spend on our things!).

So here is one of my latest favorites. If you read some of my entries you will discover that I live in cold Wisconsin with a best friend in warm Louisiana. We both love a bargain, have love affairs with old stuff and want our homes to be places of joy, comfort and love. I bought this sweet little bird and nest candle holder while with my best bud this past May. It’s just one of many “gotta haves” that came back home with me.

Soon this little sweetie will have a new dining room to enjoy as I am about to re-do the living room and dining room.