Collections....

everyone has one. Not everyone knows they have one....but if you have two or more of any one thing (and I use "thing" loosely) then you have a collection. It seems that we here at Perry's Paradise have taken on collecting Boxers, only ours tend to be the living, breathing kind. Oh. And the eating kind. Don't let that escape your attention. Folks. Boxers eat a lot of food. A. LOT. of. FOOD. You can imagine my delight at this rather extensive, yet smallish, collection of Boxer-y dogs I found at the antique store next door to the Crystal Couture store on a little break I took with LouAnn one day....can something be rather extensive, yet smallish? I vote yes. What do you collect? Please leave a comment and tell me. Or if you are like the rest of the world and can't leave a comment, I'd say you could tell me that, too, only you would have to leave a comment to tell me, which isn't working out so well for the entire population of the three readers that come here regularly. Hi-rumph to you, Blogger. You can always email me at complexandcolorful@gmail.com and comment that way....especially if you can't seem to comment any other way. :)

This is how I spent my day.....

Lovely Weather

I'm pretty sure only in Tennessee could the weather be both this:

and then T-shirt weather alllll in the same week. Woah.

25th Year

It seems like only yesterday that I watched, on edge of seat, as the Challenger took off in two separate directions on the television screen. I was so frustrated because no one told me which part I was supposed to look at....and then, I remember hearing the broadcaster talk about how something was wrong, and that wasn't how it was supposed to happen, and then the days and weeks that followed that brought new pieces of information here and there. I had a book. In that book, I kept all the newspaper clippings. I kept photos. I kept all of the things that had to do with that spaceship that I could find. I remember how badly I felt for the families of that crew, for the students of the teacher that was on board. I remember how I thought about how those that had tried to be the teacher on board must have thought their poor luck at not being picked changed to the best luck ever that they were not aboard that ship. I remember the sorrow I felt that each of the people on board had a dream, and it was their dream to travel into space, and that such a good thing for them, something they worked so hard for, was ultimately what ended their lives. It's funny that it was 25 years ago, yet to me, it seems like yesterday. It's funny to me that I can't remember things I should, like what I need at the grocery store, or what day the electric bill it due, or if the check I just wrote for the trash pick-up was for this month, or if I forgot to pay it last month, but I always, without fail, remember that January 28th was the day that the Challenger was no more. I *think* that that is the first real thing in history that I remember...that I can remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and even at that age, I knew that it was a significant piece of history. Next to that, I remember when the Berlin wall came down, and, of course, 9-11. I'm sure there were other things in between....but off the top of my head, that's it. I know the profound effect it had on my life, the way I thought...think....and it gives me a renewed empathy for the families and close friends to those who were on board. I wish I could thank that crew and their families, personally, for the sacrifice they made, for they are, indeed, true heroes.

What is your first memory of something that you knew was history happening right before your eyes?

A Quote

Dad sent this to me quite a while back, and it was in the file that I was looking through, perusing for a photo for the bloggy post, and this one seemed appropriate as I am feeling crummy today....broken....that's me. I'm going to curl up with my Superman blankie next to my PiePie and have a long winter's nap.....maybe when I wake up tomorrow, I'll be fixed. Here's hoping.

His, Hers, and Ours....

So, yesterday I promised you photos of our home....and here are a few I found on the computer....I think we've done a good job of combining our things and making it work...

Below, you can see the vintage sign replicas that he had before I was around....and the flag that I picked up on a trip to Minnesota. Also, you'll see the copper sampler on the wall and the brown cookie jar that we picked up on one of our garage sale outtings over the summer. Hodge podge? Yes. Perfectly mitchy-matchy? In my opinion, yes. Below, you'll see a rooster that he possessed, the "a" and "m" that I swiped from the house that's not my house any more, and the vintage tin flowers that we purchased when we were in the mountains this last spring. And that's us, having fun in Talladega.

We found the wooden tinker toys at Home Goods (the donuts) and at the flea market where our friend, Jimmy, gave me a super deal on the duck that waddles when you pull him around the room. The glass jar used to house my buttons, but Kevin and Wyatt kept knocking them over (as well as the plant that used to reside there), so its emptiness begged for his baseball collection to be added. The grandkids love playing with the wooden toys. :)

Below, we have a photo frame we picked up somewhere, which houses a photo of the grandbaby...the rump end of a fun little wooden folky sheep that we picked up somewhere, too, and cute little chickie couple, I think given to us by Malinda. (???)

I really like the photo below. These were in his possession before I came along...and I do believe they were his brother's. I don't want to ask him and make him sad....but I'm about 98% positive on that one.

So, there you have it....just a few examples of how we have combined our things to make our home ours, comfortable, and inviting. :)

Happy Almost-Friday!

A Real-Life Castle....

This, folks, is where my very favorite Granny lived when she was a little girl. As I was thumbing through photos for my post this evening, this one caught my eye. Oh, how I would love to see the inside of this house...can you believe it? I love going to Van Wert because of the fun houses that are there, and this one is by far NO exception.
Speaking of houses in Van Wert, while we were there, I was able to stay at Steve and Lois's house, which was, for all practical purposes, also MY house...at least in my mind. :) You see, that is the last time I will be in the house that I grew up in, made memories in, thought of as my own. They bought another house, and I was able to see it, and hear their plans for it, and imagine it as theirs. The funny thing is that I was prepared to hate it. I wanted to hate it, because I selfishly didn't want them to move out of the house that I knew to be theirs....didn't want to embrace the change that was coming. But....after rambling through their new house, hearing their plans, and seeing it, I could actually see it as theirs, and put the selfish part of me away, and be glad for them. I can't wait to get to see it with their things in it, to go there to sleep in the comfort of their home, to sit in their living room and chat into the night, to curl up and be surrounded by the love that they have surrounded me with throughout my life, in so many countless ways.

That trip up north also was the first trip that I was there that the house on 223 Bonnewitz Ave. was not frequented by me. And it made me sad. Very sad. The porch where I grew up, counting cars with my Gramps....the living room where I shelled countless peas and snapped a few million-billion beans while listening to Granny's sewing machine, the land that used to be a garden that was taken care of by my Uncle Doc, Uncle Ron, Gramps, and Dad...and me, of course...all those things came back to me, with a thousand other memories all coming to me at the same time, and even though I was sad, they were such happy memories that it was hard to be sad. The other part of me realized how very hard it would have been for Granny to move away from that house, those memories, and the town where she and Gramps had raised their children and grandchildren....and what a good job those children did with getting things that were in that house that made it a home together to bring to Tennessee to make her new house into a home....and they did so quite successfully. I'm sure I'll see a lot of the same when I get to visit Steve and Lois....at some undetermined time in the (what seems like) very far future.

Here on the home front, I think that PiePie and I have merged his and hers into ours quite well, too....and that will be a story for tomorrow's post.....

**Disclaimer** If this whole post is choppy or doesn't make complete sense in any way....blame it on the TV show I'm watching whilst trying to type......

I've been busy....

blooming and growing. What have you been doing today?

Anna-ism....

So, I'm telling Mother that she needed to get blue beads for one of the sisters, because said sister likes to wear bluejeans, and blue goes with bluejeans; therefore, it goes with anything. And Anna pipes up and says, "And black, Mom! Black goes with anything!!!!" She was so proud.

Now, As I sit here typing, she belts out, "Nationwide is on your side!!!" And to think there are those that don't believe that music makes you smarter. Hi-rumph.

In other news, I was able to bring home this "Welcome" sign hand-stitched by mi Madre' at Christmas, and also a housey one that I love. (Pix of that saved for a later date...) And then, today, I got a fun surprise....she made me a bracelet. Not just ANY bracelet, either. Nope, no way. This one was the FIRST one she made...and she picked the oh-so-yummy beads out JUST for me. Wanna make a girl feel special? Just make her a bracelet! :) I'm impressed because she actually wired the beads together to make it....I'll show you photos later...I tried to get some tonight, but it's just too dark and you can't see it well. At any rate, it made my day. Thanks, Ma.

One other fun thing that happened today is that I got a random "thank you" from someone that was very special to me....and as we all know....THANK YOU is a good friend of mine. :)

I'm watching the Jets with PiePie, making rosettes out of vintage scarves for the store, hoping the jets win, listening to Anna talk to me.....

Blank.

That is how my brain feels. Blank. Long, tiring day. I had the lucky privilage of being across the aisle from the perfume man at the flea market today. Chemical smells, fragrances, and other random smells make me very, very, very sick. Today, I did surprisingly well, compared to what I expected when we got there and I saw our neighbor across the aisle...but....headache and nausea are not my friends. We'll just leave it at that.

In other random news, I was trying to think of something good to talk about, and the first thing that came to my mind was the fact that my new medicine seems to be working. What you may not know abou tme is that I have recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. What this means is that I am no crazy, and all the little things that have been wrong with me that I haven't mentioned finally got out of hand and I told my doctor, who has been my doctor forever, and he said, ever-so-matter-of-factly that he *knew* what I had. It just took us...oh....er....15 years or so to figure it out? Yeah. Better later than never, right? It has gotten way worse, which was why I couldn't ignore it any more. I haven't been able to move my hands in the mornings, especially, and then there was pain and no movement for a long time....and then there was the same pain in my whole body in the mornings....and we've been working for several months now to find the medicine that would work for me, and at last, I think we may have a winner. It seems to be helping. My hands are moving better in the morning, as is the rest of my body. This, my friends, is very, very exciting. YAY for Vimovo....hoping and praying it keeps working.

And now, for the third and final random piece of news I have to offer today: we have had WAY. TOOOO. MUCH. SNOW. WAYYYYYY too much snow. We missed most of last week's work because we were iced in, and then we had to miss yesterday for the same reason. This morning, it was apparent when we got out that the salt trucks randomly came through on our backroads and just sort of dumped salt here and there...but it was enough that we were able to get out to the highway and get to the flea market. This is good....but now, I hear there is more snow coming????? Not good. ANYWAYS.....here is a photo for today, since you know that I cannot blog without a photo......

And, I will leave you with a real, true message that I just sent my friend, *M*...."I tried to send you a message this morning to tell you happy Sunday, but I see now that i tdidn't go through. I wonder if it was waiting on tomorrow when it was actually Sunday."

Happy SATURDAY, friends!

Plant Kindness...Harvest Love

This is a little corner of our home...in the bathroom, actually. This morning, for some reason, it caught my eye, so I went and got the phone and snapped a pic to share on my blog. See? I'm getting back in the blogging mode...slowly but surely. Maybe it was the sister's post about blooming and growing yesterday that made me notice it; I don't know. (You can view her bloggy here: www.roamcounty.wordpress.com ; she ever-so-reluctantly was a great sport {what a contradiction} and said she would *try* to post every day this year with me. I think she will last longer than I will...we shall see.) ANYWAYS.....after I snapped the pic, I was speaking to the Pops on the telly-talker and we hashed out all the problems of the world...and did a bit of talking about the blogs we have, and Boo's post from yesterday came up again....it was just. that. good. SOOOOOoooooOOOOoooooo....I am going to leave you with that today, and just direct you over to her blog so you can check out what she said. :)

These make me happy.

Spreading Sunshine....

So, this morning while waiting at the doctor's office, I drew on the paper that you sit on. Weird, maybe. Entertaining? Yes. Spreading sunshine? Literally, yes. Figuratively, I hope so.

Tonight, the thing that keeps coming to my mind to blog about is a few fundamentals that all of human kind should know about. Let's meet them. Ready? We shall begin.

Our first fundamental friend is called "I Love You". These three words can never be overused, so long as they are said from the heart. And, really...how else would you say them? So, the rule of thumb here for this friend of ours is that if you think it, feel free to say it.

The second friendy friend we have here should be called "I'm Sorry". This is actually a friend that can be overused, but rarely. The profuse apologizer is the friend that we don't want so much..you know the one...I'm sorry the sky is blue, I'm sorry that I just said I'm sorry...you know...it wears on you. BUT...rarely is there a time that you can say these words (unless you are the profuse apologizer, in which case you need to go to apologizer therapy, perhaps...) too often. Normally, the time when this should be your friend is when it stinks the most to have to say it, because you know you should. However, again, if spoken with love to someone you love, the friend is less bitter to have in your circle. Never hesitate to speak the words that our friendy friend number two has to offer....because if you are wrong, you should say so, and then move on. Right? (And sometimes, both parties can be wrong, in which case an "I'm sorry" begets an "I'm sorry". And though if you are the wronged one and you are not waiting on an apology, it is still nearly always good to hear that someone acknowledges that they hurt you and that they are regretful of the situation. Did I chase my tail enough about this friend? I'm sure I could go on....but I'll spare you.

Next on our list is the very important friend called "Thank You". I am hard pressed to think of a time when "Thank You" is not appropriate. Sometimes, even a cheeky "Thank You" can be appropriate. I really have a huge problem with those who cannot or do not utter these words. One of my proudest mommy moments is when Anna was not even two, but she knew how to say "Thank You" and did so with gusto, taught by her older brother and sister. I've rarely had to remind my children of this, and again, I will say it is a proud mommy moment. (Anna even thanked me for giving her a bath last night.) :)

Last on our list this evening, but not least, is....you guessed it...."Please". Anyone, I dare say, always, I dare say, will be more willing to do things for you, with you if you use our friend, "Please". It's just polite, so why not?

I'm sure there are other friends we could add, but this is my list of my four best friends in the world of human kind 101.

And I will now step down off my soap box and return to my stitching.

That's all. Good night! :)

On Doing Good....

Recently, there is a certain individual who shall remain nameless that has supported me and helped me through a lot of things, no questions asked, no expectations of a repayment plan in sight. Today, said person called to share with me some more news that was awesome to the nines and I decided as I was hanging clothes this evening that I knew that it must be the topic of today's blog....doing good...not because we *should*, but rather, because we *can*, and even better yet, because we *want* to. Because when we give with a cheerful heart, out of love, and because we can and want to...I think sometimes it is the giver who is just as much (or possibly more) blessed than the receiver. Kapish? I think sometimes, being the receiver gracefully is as much a thank you as can be put into words, too...I know I have told people that on numerous occassions...and sometimes, it is way easier to preach than to do...but then, that is with a lot of things in life, no? Soooo....today, I was left being thankful for said person(s) on yet another level of goodness...and probably when I didn't really think that there was another level of goodness that could be reached by this person(s)....because in this instance, this "person" is in all actuality 2 people, even though I see them as one....which is a huge compliment....means that they must be doing something right, huh? I should think so. I only hope (and I do believe) that PiePie and Honey love each other and time together as these two...er...1???...do in 5 years...10 years....50! (Or more....) I will say again that I am very blessed to be loved by this couple, and I only hope to be able to give so freely of myself and my belongings, support, and love as much as they have given to me....thank you, you who know who you are.

So this evening, as I reflect on the day, the past, and the future, I vow to do unexpected, nice things for those I love, and perhaps those I don't really care for so much, because a kind word and a gentle touch and an act of love can never be a bad thing. And...I will challenge you to do a kind thing, too, for there can never been too many kind things done!

Happy Tuesday!

This boy....

There are so many reasons why I love him so....I'm going to name just a few that come to mind quickly...

*He is a lover and a carer.
*He treats people the way he would like to be treated.
*He is loyal.
*He loves his Momma.
*He is a care-taker. (This is different than being a carer. Just trust me on that one.)
*He is a protector.
*He is an excellent older brother.
*He cares about his older sister, even if he doesn't act like it sometimes.
*He chooses others over himself.
*He laughs, and gives me a reason to laugh when I don't feel like it.
*He stands for what he believes in, even when it is not the most popular choice.
*He told me the truth when it would have been easier for him to lie.

And these are just a FEW of the reasons why I am proud to call him my son.

Kebble-Bubble, I am so very thankful you are alive...I love you more than you could ever know. Don't beat yourself up too bad, Son....5 years from now, even a year from now, it won't be such a big deal. I promise.

Art...

I have spent this week reading and drooling over the photos here: http://www.sara-mincy.blogspot.com/ . When I am in a rut creatively, or I need to be inspired to clean my home or to do laundry or to cook or to breathe...lol...I love to blog surf. It gets me back in the mood to live every time. It also has gotten me in the mood to blog (creatively) like I used to again. I'm trying, folks, really, I am!

I decided to share with you today the first photo of something from our home, and this was it! I absolutely love eating out of fun dishes, and I love the fact that they are mismatched. Love, love, love that. This photo is an oldy but goodie...it really does show quite the variety of colors, patterns, and styles. :)

And I will leave you with a quote from the ever-knowledgeable Winnie the Pooh:

"It just shows what can be done by taking a little trouble," said Eeyore. "Do you see, Pohh? do you see, Pigliet? Brains first and then Hard Work. Look at it! THAT'S the way to build a house," said Eeyore proudly.

From The House at Pooh Corner

Bragging on Anna....

She has become such a big girl lately. We all know she's always thought of herself as a big girl...but today....she learned to tie her shoe! She has one very loving aunt who happens to live in her back yard, and who enjoys having her company so much that she has her very own bedroom there. This is also a right-handed aunt, which proves to be more useful in the shoe-tying department for a little right-handed girl than a left-handed mother!

I'm not sure if I have posted this photo or not...which was taken by a different loving aunt...and I love it. I love her braids, and I love her feet that are holding up the wreath, and I love that her brother and sister are holding her up....that's how it normally is for this special little girl who is loved by so many...how else did you think she got so smart? *wink*

So....if I did share the photo, you have my apologies, but in case I didn't, it was too good not to post....so here's a happy-Saturday smile from my three to you! ;)

Surprises....

As I was posting my blog post for the Crystal Couture blog, I knew it was worthy of posting here as well, so I am going to put the link, and you can go and read it. It's long, but I think it's worth reading, even if I did write it. I'm really trying to get my mojo back, and get writing again, and get this blog happening again! (I wonder if I could say, "Again," again????) Sooooo, go here: www.thecrystalcouturestore.com/blog/ and be sure to bookmark the page as well because I try to write on there several times a week. Ideally, I would post there every day as well....I've got to get better at that! Happy er.....I think today is Friday????....yes, happy Friday, all! :)

She's mad at me.

And I'm ok with that. Really, I am. Why, you ask? Oh...because she broke her nose today at practice, and didn't want to go to the doctor. Terrible mother that I am....she is mad becuase I made her go. Geez...what was I thinking, taking care of her like that?!?!? Apparently, she hasn't gotten the memo that it's my job. :0)

Happy Shnoz Day!

Embellish Yourself....

Always make sure to embellish yourself properly. ~Anon.

1,000 Paper Cranes

When I taught 5th grade, we did a study on Hiroshima and the "Atom Bomb". One of my favorite parts of that study was learning from the eyes of Sadako, the main character of "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes". The culminating activity was making our own birds. When I saw this photo, it took me back to all that folding I did with a class full of children that I loved dearly, of children that were eager to learn, who all had the neatest personalities...and I am thankful that I spent their 5th grade year being their teacher. :0)

Snow Day = Cozy Day

I so love snow days when the family is all at home and nice and warm. I love to cook on days like this, love to be crafty, to read, flip through a magazine, pile up on the couch and watch movies...just love, love, love being at home.

The picture below is one of my favorites of all time, and will likely remain so no matter how many others are taken over the years. Just look at the look on her face!!! That, my friends, is pure joy!

What do YOU like to do on snow days? Do you have a tradition, or is there something about these days that you particularly enjoy? Do you cook something special to stay warm? Serve hot cocoa? Make a pot of chili? Bake cookies? Share with me!

Do you see them????

There are three....neat idea from the sister, eh? I thought so. This one...oh, how she misses her Carter Bug....she got to play with him today, and she was so entirely happy...until he had to go home. My favorite quote for the day is this one...Carter is holding up a multi-colored bag of mini jaw breakers and says to Anna, "What are these???" And Anna's reply: "Yum."

Little Things

I hope I am always amazed by such small things as these....

This Day Has Been Stinky.

Literally. Anna just sprayed a bottle of someone's smelly perfume or something while I was gone to retrieve the eldest. Now I am in my bedroom, door shut, and I can still smell it. Smells give me a headache and make me nauseated.

In other news...I have discovered that I like Salami. A lot.

I didn't want this day to end without posting, since I would hate to only take 6 days to not be able to live up to my own challenge.

Here's to a better day tomorrow.

Retail Therapy...

So, I've found myself under a lot of stress lately...and I had to stop at KMart the other morning for...well....for something I can't remember now, but that's trivial and not a part of my little story...and I found myself wandering around the store. For over an hour. Just because I could. I think I was just reveling in my thoughts, enjoying my alone-ness. I found myself, like always, and not surprisingly, in the book and office/school supply section. What is so relaxing about that area of the store? I'm really not sure....but I do know that one of the only better things than an hour in the supply section is time to color with a fresh new box of Crayolas and a coloring book!

Thankful?

There has to be something to be thankful for in any situation. I'm still trying to find something about the situation happening in my household today.....it's got to be there somewhere, right? Maybe it is that a lesson will be learned, no matter how hard the lesson is...I dunno.

Hope

Even when it all seems hopeless, even when we think we are all alone....we can rest in God's promise given to us in Jeremiah, chapter 29 verse 11: (Paraphrased by mu-wah.....) God gives us HOPE for a future.

Today, I am thankful for children that choose to do the right thing, even when it is the hard choice, and I am thankful for children who care enough about someone besides themselves to ache for someone they know who is hurting....empathy is a good thing to have about you.

HOPE is a good word, no?

Today is a Gift....

This is the newest pillow case I've completed....and I love it. It is way better in person...the colors are so bright and fun and cheerful.

Today IS a gift...what are you thankful for today? Me? Friends who love me. And a dog that lays in front of me and lets me use him as a footstool/footwarmer. :)

Love Grows Here

I am so very thankful to be a part of a loving and caring family; a family that uplifts and loves me just the way I am. I am thankful to be a part of a family that is not jealous or spiteful or selfish, but rather, is giving and loving always. I can't think of a better way to start the new year than with this family...each and every last one of them. I love that it is important to all of us to get together and be a family....to love and to laugh and to talk and to....well, eat. Ha!

I hope love grows in your family, too, the way it does in mine.

Happy Sunday.

And it is a new year....

which means new resolutions. I have had the pleasure of watching my son keep his resolution all year....which has inspired me to do the same, and of course, it has made me one stinking proud mama. So I am here to say, out loud, even, that I am pledging to post a blog post a day for the year 2011. I have really missed posting over the last year on a regular basis. You see, blogging nearly daily, sometimes more than once daily, over the last 6 years or so has really helped me to see things in a different light, as I would "look" all day for something, that one thing about my day, that called to be noticed by posting a blog post about it; something that was worthy of calling the attention of others to it. Doing this really made me pay attention in a whole new way. Over the last year, I've seen those things, and thought those thoughts that were blog-worthy, but I lacked the "oomph" that I needed to get to the computer and actually get the post made. I think this was in large part due to the fact that I was uninspired to keep up because I was starting from scratch, starting anew. I've decided to embrace that this January 1 and start...because if you don't start somewhere, friends, then you don't start at all. And starting somewhere is, after all, better than not starting at all. Right? Right.

Sooooo....here's to a new year, a new start, a new outlook, and a large goal. Does anyone want to follow along with me and help prod me to blog? I know my buddy *M* will. :) Anyone else? I would love for someone to pledge to do a blog a day with me....or a few someone's....comment and link me to your blog if you are so inclined. (Boo....you are stuck, comment or not....because you repeated after me.) :) Love you, Sister.

Please follow me, comment on things you see that you feel led to comment on, and encourage me in my endeavor. Let me encourage you, too, if you choose to participate...we'll prod each other on to see that we can resolute together. :)

Happy 2011!