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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Blogation....

Please come on over to what will hopefully be my permanent home from now until....well....eternity. :) www.perrysparadiseshares.blogspot.com. Make sure to "follow" me there!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Favorite.

This is one of my mostest favoritest photos from the last month or so. This is our family frien, Jamie, and his Jaden.

I missed blogging yesterday. I've been sicky sick, thanks to the fact that Fred's closed their pharmacy early on Saturday, and I had to go without my high-dose medicine for three days. OMG. Never again. I remember when PiePie woke me up at 11 to see if I needed to take any meds before he went to sleep thinking that I hadn't blogged, and then thinking that I didn't care. I'm feeling somewhat better now, though, so hopefully I'll be back on track soon. :)

Monday, May 30, 2011

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Be.....patient.

Today's lesson, brought to me, by the letter "Bb". Not a fun lesson.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Proud.

This award was given to the Junior or Senior who had the highest GPA. We both about fell out of our chairs when his name was called. :)

Friday, May 27, 2011

Breathe



According to Merriam-Webster, the word "breathe" when used as a verb means to draw air into the lungs, to pause and rest before continuing, and to feel free of restraint.


Today is one of those difficult-to-breathe days, x10, and that is also following a long string of other difficult-to-breathe days, so guess what? Not the best scenario for the breathing-challenged girl here.

I find myself wishing for more time, more sleep...you know...those essentail things that your body needs to keep up with your mind. (Not that my mind is all that to begin with!) Mostly, I picture myself above the clouds, floating along in a plane, enjoying the hush of an airplane and the beauty of the sky and the land below that God created for us. And then, I try to remember that my life is in His hands, as are the lives of those I love. And as long as that is the case, I may as well just quit fretting and JUST BREATHE. (New tattoo asap coming with that one...)

Hoping for a better tomorrow....I get to see my family, so it has to be good, right? :)

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Pillow Case




My next one is going to say, "My favorite day is Sundae."

Monday, May 23, 2011

His and Hers Mingos

Lookie what my mommy made for us! I will get better photos one of these days, but these were the best out of the 12 that I took. (GRRR!) ANYHOOOOOOO.....they are MOST awesome...especially since we have a necklace and a bowtie, and they are on our NEW Memory Foam pillows! Thank you, Mom and Dad!!!!!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

This....

is my FAVE-O-RITE photo from the entire weekend, hands down. I think because I *know* that it was a true hug, a moment they didn't know was being caught for eternity...and I know how much they love and care for each other. I hope they remain friends like this for as long as they both are living on this earth.

I'm proud of you two, and I love you both! :)

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Today....

I got to spend time with Navy....
...and my sisters.....


and my parents...but their photo did not show up, grrr.....


and my kiddos....who were all there, just Anna was not present at this moment:

to celebrate this: ...and it was a happy day.


The End.


















Friday, May 20, 2011

Creations....

I would like to be creating creations! As soon as I get the energy. As soon as I get the time. OK, maybe never. BUT.....

tomorrow is an exciting day...so maybe that will help me find some energy to get up and do something besides be tired....we shall see. (Sorry for the photo....it was just a random one I could find that I don't think I've shared before.)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

I have hope...

that I will feel better soon.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Chad, Kalani, Mark.

Let the good times roll.....

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Yesterday's Feet...

yes. Those belong to me. :)

Monday, May 16, 2011

Tonight....

This is what I've been doing:

creating leopard spots! I'm not sure yet whether I am going to call this one done or not....the verdict is still out! I will be participating in a barn sale this fall that can be viewed here: www.thestrawberrypatchjunk.blogspot.com and this will go there if it has not already sold at the Butter Churn between now and then.


I've had a bad head/neck ache today, and I'm thinking that working on this tonight was maybe not the best decsion...what do you think? LOL. This table is maybe 14" longish and 12" widish. Those spots took me a total of (at least) 5 hours. Yup. I'm nuts. And the 2nd coat is not on the white part yet. I normally find this very theraputic....when my head/neck doesn't hurt! :)



Sunday, May 15, 2011

At Perry's Paradise...

...you never know what you might find! We have a Puggle puppy, named Lucky. He is *Lucky* because Emma didn't eat him like she did his brothers and sisters. We have 11 Boxer puppies. And we have these.... 6 of them. Those are just the babies we have here right now...I'm thinking we could charge admissions and start a petting zoo! :)

If I were able, I would have a goat here for Kate for her graduation. She's always wanted one.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Happy...

It makes me happy that my good friend thought of ME when she saw this. I need to own it, doncha think? Gotta work on that.

Friday, May 13, 2011

It's My Day!



35 years ago, I was born! As my lil sis said, "I am glad you were born." :) Gotta love her. I'm going to try to post 35 things I have learned...but I dunno if I've learned that much. Guess we'll see how far I get on the list....


1. Those times when people (myself included) are the least love-able is likely the times when they most need to be loved.

2. Never judge a book by its cover. Ever.

3. Sometimes, it is best to just be quiet. Yes. I have learned that. I just don't always exhibit that I have...

4. Walk a mile. It's good for lots of things.

5. Don't say, "I can't."

6. Never say you are bored. (Thanks, Dad.)

7. Always do your very best, and then some. You work marks the kind of person you are.

8. Be nice. Even when you don't want to be.

9. Smile.

10. Choose to be happy, in ANY circumstance.

11. Eat when you are hungry. Stop when you are full.

12. You're never too old to break a habit, and likewise, you are never too old to start one.

13. Believe in yourself. Believe in your gut. God gave you instinct for a reason. (Thanks, Mom.)

14. Even the longest nights turn into day.

15. God does have a sense of humor.

16. Don't make plans. (See above for the reason why.)

17. Family isn't always defined by blood.

18. I've learned who my true friends are.

19. I've learned that those who truly love you will believe in you and be your true friends.

20. If a relationship ends up causing negative energy, it may need to be re-thunk.

21. You never know how you are affecting someone, and it could be someone you have no idea is even paying attention.

22. Your children WILL repeat what you say. Better make sure you say good things.

23. If people have to tell you what they are, chances are they are not what they are telling you.

24. It's always good to say please, thank you, I love you, and I'm sorry.

25. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

26. Don't let bullies run over you, but know when enough is enough.

27. Stay true to yourself.

28. Your parents are not as stupid as you once thought they were.

29. You can't poke words back in your mouth once they are out, and some can be pretty regretful.

30. You may as well "forgive and forget" because what other choice do you have?

31. Don't look back to yesterday and dwell on it, and don't spend too much time worrying about the future.

32. Don't worry about others; worry about yourself.

33. It's better to be early than late.

34. Always over-dress, not under-dress.

35. God is in control, always.


Wow. I did it. :)


What have YOU learned? Please share.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Inspiration...

I like to read this blog: www.sara-mincy.blogspot.com. I get all sorts of inspiration from there...and I'm not just talking about for art and creativity, but for life, and being a better mom, and being a better Christian...and so on, and so forth...this is the door to her home. What's not to love? Go and take a gander. You might find something that inspires you, too!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Goodwilling....

So, I haven't shared any finds as of late, simply because I've lacked the will and the effort...sorry. I'll make it up to you now, though.

The following actually came from the flea market, where I scored these vintage pillows that were hand-um....quilted? who knows how many years ago? All for the high price of a whopping $3.00. Yup. Really.
The rest of these, I actually ditched my son while he was getting root canals done and went across the street to the Goodwill. The best part of this story is that after he got done, he just walked across the street and waited on me in the Jeep while I shopped....I had no idea. Gotta love that.

Can you believe I found this baby still on the card??? Yeah, me either. But here she is, in all her cardy glory.....

she was a little on the pricey side, weighing in at $2.99 and was full price, which is basically against my Goodwill religion...but just this once....I did it.


Next, I found the pretty pink and white flowery chic-y sheet for .99 as-is, because the sides were a bit "chewed", then it was also 50% off, so I got it for .49, and Anna and I have already converted it into some fabric balls. They are awesome. The ice bucket up there will remain mine for the time being...it goes back to my love of typography. Can't let it go. The 2...not sure where it will end up just yet, but I have some ideas. It was all of a quarter. Oh---I paid full-price for the ice bucket, too. $2.99. The tray came from the same person as the pillows up there ^^^^ and it was a buck. It will also be converted at some point. Hanging there on the tray is a pair of vintage ballet slippers that have been repurposed as a pot pouri *sp?* holder....for a quarter, they had to be mine. I will put them in my booth, though. They don't fit here, or I'd keep them. Or, if I knew someone who was having a girl...maybe I should hold onto them....since 2/3 of my sisters are...ahem...with child. (For you, Betsy. I didn't say the *other* word. Aren't you proud of me???)



Last, I bought these for work, and totally went against my religion of buying policies on these, too. How could I resist the glass with CC already printed on it when I work at the Crystal Couture store??? Yeah, I couldn't. So I forked out another $2.99 for it...and then a full-price glass for $1.99...but we need these, and that is less than if we got it at the antique stores, so...well...had to. I can see the jewels in them now. :)



So, there you have it. Totally not a Twinkle post, but totally fun, right? I'll get to the Twinkle post, promise. Just not tonight.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Kiss

Have I showed you this before? We went to a yardsale at this house, and the woman who lives there is...eccentric. Who wouldn't want to live in a house that is this fun? Isn't it awesome? Yeah, I know.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is a kiss to you from our grand baby, miss Avery Grace! Isn't she just adorable!?!?!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Fun x 3.

So, today was an uber-fun day spent with my oh-so-talented sister, Betsy, who is going to be a photographer when she grows up. See???? Told ya so.

Friday, May 6, 2011

I wonder....

if this would be a safer new vehicle for my son....

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Frustration!

How do you keep your mouth shut when you care, and when you KNOW you are right, but there is nothing you can do about it? If I could make a face to show you how I feel about that, it would look sorta kinda reallllly like this one: ...only not nearly as cute!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

D is for Dinosaur

And when Katie loves you, and you are the birthday boy, and you turn 47, then you get a dinosaur cake for your birthday. Who can't feel special when they get a dinosaur cake?

Monday, May 2, 2011

On Apples and Trees.

They just don't fall far, folks. It is undeniable that this one didn't, at any rate.
Katie edited this photo: and I edited this photo:

Do you notice anything the same? Like that it is the same photo, perhaps? Or that we edited the same way? (Blurry, focused on them in the center?) I love this kid. :)



Sunday, May 1, 2011

Under the Wire...

I'm enjoying my mommy tonight, and I keep saying I need to blog and I keep not blogging, so here is me not blogging....



He's not a complainer. He's really not. Not in any way. He's happy to be here. He knows he's lucky. He's thankful. (But, he's also sad.) He should be enjoing his next-to-last year as a varsity baseball player...there are just a few games left. Instead, he has no truck, no freedom, and a lot of hurt, so therefore, no baseball. Could ya'll please pray for this kid? It's obvious that God has a plan for him...and a BIG one...but please pray for his pain to go away, both the mental and the physical kind, ok? OK. Thanks! :)

Saturday, April 30, 2011

I miss the piggies....

we cut them off for her fifth birthday, so that someone who is sick with no hair can have hair again, made from HER hair, because she is giving them hers. She told me last night, when she had a light bulb moment, that she knew what we could do with the wig when we got it made....we could give it to PiePie! :) :) :)

Friday, April 29, 2011

Carl.

It's been almost a month. He's doing better. He showed me how he could stand today, all on his own (with the help of the brakes on the wheelchair and a walker). I was sad and happy, all at the same time.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

I love him.

And I'm so lucky to have him. More of the story later, when I can think straight...but I'll just close the day by saying THANK YOU to my God who is loving and caring and protecting and almighty, for He is good. (And He has big plans for this kid. I just know he does.)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Patience.



Today, I did not get my dose of patience. It seems the Patience Fairy forgot about me. I hope she remembers me tonight, and sprinkles me with extra "Patience Dust"...cuz I'm here to tell you I need it. (My kids will also tell you the same, very readily.)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Beauty...

it's everywhere. It amazes me how a day that started out so badly..storms, wind, rain...I did NOT want to get out of bed this morning!...could turn out so beautifully in the end. See? I took this photo (turn your head to the left, please) on our walk this evening, on what was a beautiful afternoon to take a stroll before eating supper.

I had a small encounter with the mailman today when he came into the store to drop the mail off, and he told me he liked days like this one...and I guess that I had a look on my face that was more than a little questioning, and he said, "Well, after all, what good would it do me to be upset? May as well like it and be happy! Life's too short to be irritated by things I can't change!" Ya'll. I think I would have proposed to him RIGHT. THERE...if not for the fact that PiePie already stole my heart. (Lucky him!)

The photo up there ^^^ just reminds me that this is true...even beautiful things come from not-so-beautiful situations. With no water, there would be no beautiful flower. :) And without bad-weather days, we wouldn't fully appreciate the good ones! (Remind me I said that when I'm up all night long tonight listening to the weather since we will be under tornado warnings and thunderstorm warnings for much of the night.)

Monday, April 25, 2011

Basic Need...

If you are married to PiePie, you need one of these, right? Leave it to Cracker Barrel to have this. Now, I have to find something to do with the bag. I have an idea...Oh! Have I told you that PiePie LOVES to hear me say that I have an idea????? Yeah. :)

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter!

I am thankful today for a God that loved me enough to sacrifice His son for my sins, so that I may go to Heaven and rejoice with those I am reunited with when I die.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

Just a Frame...

going to my booth at the Butter Churn sometime soon. (Unless I find a photo around here I decide to put in it.)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

My Friend: An Essay

I didn't want to like her. I didn't want to let her in. I thought it wouldn't be worth my time to become attached. Friendships have never been my forte. I was annoyed with the situation, so therefore, I was annoyed with her. And it surely wasn't her fault! Funny...I tell PiePie that all the time...dont' be too hard on the person on the other end of the line; they didn't do it, it's just their job to try to talk to you, so be nice. And with this situation, I surely did not follow my own advice. Oh, how I've regretted it, and oh, how I wish I had enjoyed it when I had it.

We found ourselves talking one day...and I would say it sort of happened on accident, really. And we learned that we had both been caretakers of unhealthy people at very young ages, and we both understood the strength and ability it took to be able to do the jobs that we had done. She spoke with such compassion. With love. With caring. And then, I realized that she was a person, just like me, and that I needed to let her in. I don't think it was a conscious choice.

We learned throughout the days to follow that we both loved mint chocolate. That we both cherished our children above all esle. We learned that we were both lefties. We learned that we both like shoes, and that while we were very different, we were much the same. We learned that we had a sense of humor, and that we could laugh. A nd laughing over the day taht we researched Elephantitis was the day that we learned that we were both "OK". (At least, I think.) That day really opened doors for us, as we learned that neither of us were as "stuffy" as what we had been acting. We started to appreciate being together a little bit throughout the next days and weeks, and then we learned to appreciate that a lot.

We learned taht we both had had childhood friends that were irreplaceable, and both were taken from us and left us devastated, and scared to love again, for we knew that those friendships could not be replaced. We talked about how we missed those friends daily, and how we felt, and though our situations were different, they were still similar. And we agonized together, for we could feel each other's pain.

At some point throughout all of this, she became my friend; someone I couldn't go without talking to. Someone I depended on, leaned on, and cared about. We compliment each other well...she is monochromatic, I am colorful. She is somewhat quiet (until you get to know her) and I am...well...not quiet. But we are the same. We love the Lord, we cherish our families, and we care about the same things. We have a similar outlook on life, and we balance each other there. I've leaned on her in a way that I never could have imagined, through the very hardest part of my entire life; I hope she never has to lean on me that way, but she knows she can. We share the same frustrations, we love the same things. We agree to disagree, and we don't try to hide what we think or feel with each other. We are honest, even when it may not be what the other wants to hear, because we love each other.

Somewhere throughout all THAT, we learned that we couldn't go through our days without our friendship, the friendship taht started out rocky, and turned out to be just what the docrtor ordered, so to speak. She helped me heal from my past friendship heartache, and while I know I could never be a replacement to hers, I am a friend to her she thought she could never find in this lifetime. I need her friendship like I need to eat and breathe, and I need the smile she provides me. I also need the stability of knowing that no matter what, no matter where, no matter how...she is there for me. She is my friend. Friend. Yes, my friend. For life. Oh, how I love you, Friend.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Only?

It's been a year. Only a year! Yesterday was our anniversary. It was an interesting day, for sure. The best part, though, was just knowing he was here, and when I came home, well...he would be here. OK, the beautiful flowers and the card and the necklace were nice, don't get me wrong, but really, he's given me so much more.


My Grandma was telling me that she was having some anxiety issues what with my uncle being in the hospital, and my reply was that I knew *exactly* what she was talking about, but that PiePie had made that all better, and maybe she needed to borrow him? :)

Really, though. This guy...the one who from the *very first* conversation we had instantly "got it" and was instantly my best friend...he has given me so much. I may as well just start a list.

1. He gave me a best friend. Someone that I can tell all my thoughts, feelings, joys, and sorrows, that's him. Someone that I don't have to have words, but with a look, a touch, or on instinct, he just knows. That's him.

2. This best friend is so easy to be around. I have, on numerous occassions, told people that he is just *easy*. Being in his presence is easy. Talking to him is easy. Loving him is easy. He is just *easy*.

3. Because he's easy...he's helped me heal. I'm not so nervous any more. I can breathe! I can eat. It stays where it should. (Except it likes my hips and those places under my arms that no one likes for food to go.) Even with that extra 50 pounds, even in the morning, even when I don't feel well, he still makes me feel beautiful. Always.

4. Ok, this is a big one. I mean a BIG ONE. How did my sister know that he loved me, for real? He let me paint his walls. :) Yeah....in a BIG way. I don't have photos, but trust me...it's graffiti, folks. On his walls. Unsupervised. And better yet...he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw it, and told me that he thought it looked great. And he meant it. He also gave me everything he had. From the moment I was here, it was all ours and not just his. I had a home. I was free to do as I wished, and I did. The neat thing is that we took his things and my things and we made this home into OUR home. Those things meshed together like we did. Just right.

5. You know how there are people that have "step kids" or what have you? Not PiePie. He has children. They are his. He takes care of them. They are ours. And with that, I have been given a child, a daughter. She is also ours and I have free reign with her, as if she were mine. My children all three adore him, love him...but it is mutual. I'd like to think Makayla adores me (mostly) and that feeling is also mutual...and we love each other. A lot.

6. He has given me the gift of his time. He makes time for me. Even in all this craziness we call life, each day, we have time for each other. And we do things together, because no matter who you are, spending time together is essential to any relationship. Don't you agree? He has shared his passions with me, as I have shared mine with him, and together, we have fun with those. We also do the not-so-pleasant things together...like the laundry, making the bed, and dishes. Yep. He does all that. And I *never* ask him to. It is so nice to know that when I come home, things are done...what I don't get done in the morning, he will pick up and finish when he gets home. How can you not love an active husband that will help with the housework? That's what I thought. You have no choice, do you? You *have* to love him.

7. He keeps track of those I love. Most days, he talks to my *other* best friend. If he hasn't heard from her, he asks me about her. Yeah, for real. He keeps track of my sisters, my parents, and my grandparents. How are they? How was that doctor appointment? When can they come and visit? How can we get there to see them? He cares about those I love. Actively.

8. He knows the importance of I love you, and thank you, and I'm sorry, and please. And he uses them. Every day. Nuff said.

9. He loves me just the way I am...quirks and all. Now, this time, I'm not so much talking physically...we touched on that up there. ^^^ This time, I'm talking about the oddnesses that make up who I am. The quirks I have. The flaws I have. The thoughts I share. My hair in the mornings...oh, wait...that is a physical attribute, but if you could see it, it could be a whole nother post on psychology or something. :) But yeah, he takes all those things that are not-so-love-able, and he loves them. Because they are what makes up me.

10. He trusts me. Whole-ly, and completely. Without a doubt. He trusts me more than he trusts anyone in the world. He's let me go places no one else has dared go...he lets me see him. He'll tell you he didn't mean to, and I'll tell you the same, and though we can't explain it, here we are, trusting, understand, getting each other. And, I trust him the same.

I'll stop at 10...you might have a cavity by now, reading all that sweet stuff up there, but it's what makes up our friendship, our relationship, our marriage, our lives.

Thank you, Mark Perry, for being the PiePie to my Honey. I love you.



(This is the first photo of the two of us ever taken.)




Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Bargains...

So that photo I took this morning. Yay me...two photos taken the actual day of the blog in a row. Score! I just finished the frame, and I must say...I'm loving it! It will go in my shop...so if anyone wants it, better say MEEEE before it's gone.

Now, this morning, I was folding Kate's loot from the GW yesterday, and I felt a post coming on. We all know that I love a bargain. Kate had to have khaki (I NEVER spell that word right...) pants for work, and she said she was going to go shopping for some. You know my shopping spirit went into overdrive RIGHT. THERE. You can't go *shopping* for those unless you go to GW...I *know* you can get them there for $4 a pair or less!!!!! My kids HATE going shopping at GW, because they don't have the patience for it. The never find anything, but it's because they are not looking the right way. In fact, when we went yesterday, Katie went and "looked" but came back with nothing. I'm like I KNOW you can find those here. Let ME look. After flip, flip, flipping through the rack, I guess I came up with about 20 pair for her to try on. No joke. She did find some capris while I was looking, so off she went into the dressing room. She surfaced an hour later with the following: work pants: 2 Hollister, 1 American Eagle, 1 LEI, 1 Rue 21, 1 Old Navy, 1 GAP, 1 Express, and I think three other pair that I'm not remembering. There were 11 pair total. THEN, she got 4 pairs of capris. So, 11 work pants, 4 pairs of capris. Anyone wanna guess what her total was, after tax????? Yeah, you are probably ALL high. It was a whoppin $28.00. Yup. I'm pretty sure she couldn't have gotten 2 pair anywhere new for that price. Maybe a pair and a half. :) She came away a happy girl, and hopefully one with a bit of a different attitude about shopping there, too.

I found a Burberry shirt with the tags still on. A few pillow cases, and I think 6 pair of shorts/capris, and a skirt, and 2 pairs of pants. My total was $22.00.

When are YOU going to go and look around? Be sure to tell me what kind of bargains you find!