Happy New Year...& Happy 21 or 22 years Anniversary to us????

If this is anyones image, please let me know,
I will give you credit for this wonderful picture


I hope everyone had a Wonderful Christmas!!! Things here have been somewhat hectic, we have had some emotional, tiring, yet thankful moments (u get the picture) and we have been taking whatever quiet moments we can to get some quiet time and just relax. I have even stayed away from the computer for a bit to focus on family and somethings that need our attention...(but I will be back very soon to visit all of you...my wonderful friends, how I have missed you! ) Our idea of fun these last couple of days is just staying home and enjoying some dvds and family time...before everyone goes back to school and things resume the normal hectic routine of our day to day lives...As I am sure this is the case in many of your own homes...

But.....

I just wanted a moment to wish you all a Beautiful New Year... filled with lots of love, new & cherished friendships and laughter...lots of laughter... less tears and may this New Year bring us all a more brighter outlook on whatever difficulties we may be facing...I mean lets face it... many of us haven't had the greatest of years, some of us have faced personal losses such as loved ones passing on to a better place, job slow down or even losing them completely, Possible home loss, finding someplace new to call home, financial or even family troubles...sadly many of us might be facing more than one of these issues at the same time, (God bless, everyone of us right now) so here is to hoping ...hoping that this New Year brings closure to many unhappy things and opens our hearts, souls and our lives to many new, wonderful and promising things and adventures! (Me personally, I need to start listening more to my heart and not my fears...)

Now....

I was just thinking, today is New Years Eve.....this in our home is a very special day! !! My husband and I celebrate our 21st or 22nd Wedding Anniversary today :)...hmmm...yes you are reading it right...I am not even sure which it is lol ....

So my dear amors...this is where I need your wonderful help & insight :)

We got married on New Years Eve 1988....so I am thinking we are celebrating our 22nd Wedding Anniversary....BUT...yes I know....theres seems to always be a BUT....

My husband swears that this is our 21st anniversary....soooo everyone... which one of us is right???

No pressure here everyone....just keep in mind that I have threatened to divorce him if he is indeed cheating me out of one of my years of wedded pain err Bliss, yeah that is it.... lol...I am just so tried of trying to figure this out & arguing about this.... year after year :) My dad poor amor, always sided with me...he said he knew me since I was a child and knew my will...hence he knew better :) My husband after all these years is still working on that lesson (wink)

Before I end this post...

I just saw that I am up to over 80 Followers!!! My stars...thank you everyone that has started to follow my lil bebe blog, how I appreciate each and everyone of you and I will be by to visit each of you shortly (I always love this part...because I find such wonderful new blogs to visit & dream!)

I see a giveaway in my future...wooohooo!!!! Finally my turn to giveback to all of you...my wonderful friends!

So....until next time my dear & wonderful friends (I have some new things to share...I promise)

Besos,

Rose~

Merry Christmas....May your heart be filled with Joy & Happiness today and everyday of the year

Isn't this a beautiful Christmas image...Thank you "The Graphics Fairy" :)

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for making this...one of the hardest years of my life...into one that gave me such hope and inspiration...The friendships that I have made here in Blogland have made me so thankful everyday for all of you...your creative minds and hearts are truly a blessing to be embraced...

Thank you Dawn amor.....for pushing me off that precipice on the cliff of hope & wanting to one day...be part of such a world of creativity, friendship and love...that dropped me like Alice ...who fell down the rabbit hole...I so fell into..."This wonderful land of blog!"

So My Christmas wish for all of you is this....That your Christmas be full of the love of family and good friends...that your tables be full of wonderful foods and warm tummys...that your homes be warm and constantly filled with love and laughter and may all these things be abundant in your homes & hearts... everyday of every year...and that when you glance at the open space at your table for the ones our hearts so miss, may your memories bring you much warmth, love and laughter and not saddness and pain...Besos to you all!! Merry Christmas and God Bless!

p.s. I have so missed visiting all of you, as soon as things calm down, I will be by again to see what wonderful things you have all been up to! I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas in every language of my herritage...but at almost 3 am Christmas Day...I was just too tired to look up the spellings for 5 different languages... I am lucky I remembered it in English :) Nite!

Until next time dear friends.

Besos,

Rose~

Rose boots????...and a lil Christmas cheat & peak :)

**Giveaway Update** Lulu Kellog is having a giveaway and she is giving away this lovely crown...isn't it gorgeous!! Her blog and creations are just beautiful!! I thought I had lost her blog when we reformatted but I was lucky enough to find her again thru The French Bear...Thank you Margaret!

Giveaway ends Sunday Dec. 20 at 7pm est.

Clik here to enter to win! Good luck everyone!!!


Do my daughters know me or what...My eldest Ashley found these Uggs for me, both my girls decided that they were "me" and that I should have them for Christmas, they are tall, almost to my knees & ohh so warm! :) Well as you know...Being in So Cal. we are pretty spoiled with our weather..under 50 degrees and we are freezin :) more than a sprinkle and we are on "Storm Track Watch 2009" My out of state friends tease me and say that this is our whimpy way of keeping track of our sprinkes lol....although in all fairness, these last few days we have had much more than just sprinkles...it has been down right freezin and wet and yukkkk! Don't get me wrong we need rain....I love the rain when I am layin in a warm bed, reading....or sitting in front of a warm fire...but not out drivin in it and doing lifes day to day things...to be honest...the cold, dreary weather with all that has been going on, makes me a lil bit depressed...So my girls decided that I should have these pink rose Uggs, my Christmas gift from them, early...so that I could be warm and hoped it would give me a more rosy disposition....well...at least I look cute & warm when I go out :)

I know right....Sooo me~ You know being in So Cal...wearing Uggs whether you are wearing shorts, a dress, jeans, sweats and yes even a bikini...it is the norm, your arse might be freezin...but your feet will be warm...and well I don't know about you, but if my feet are warm ...I am good to go :)

Now before I continue with my post...just thought I would share another of "pudges" friends that has gone on to that loved toy bin in the sky...I think for Christmas I might get her a muzzle hmmm maybe one of those lil shock collars so that each time I see her getting that look in her eye..that says...destroy!!!... when she is playin with her toys...I can Zapp her :) lol Oy I have been listening to mr wonderful too long :) Just kidding...but I like to think that like with my kids...threats might keep her inline...although since it doesn't work with my girls..I guess with "pudge" it is wishful thinkin huh :)

RIP munkey, you served your master well....

Now these next few pictures are my Christmas cheat pics, they are from the dining room last year, but my decor this year as we get it done, IF we get it done, will look like this again...I liked the colors that we used, we added more browns, ambers & bronzes to our usual golds, reds, greens, pearl & creams...so I thought I would share that until we get this years decor up :)

Oh yeah...we were also in the middle of changing out our smaller china cabinet for a much larger one and had dishes and things on every flat surface in the house :) So please excuse the mess :) These were the dining chairs we had before the parson chairs we have now...I am thinking of putting these on Craigslist...maybe someone else can use them :) They are huge and really comfy but I wanted parsons with slipcovers...sooo....got the parsons, now working on getting the slipcovers :)

This my gorgeous mirror over the buffet, we do a swag over it every year...the mirror was $30 and it is huge and heavy!!! but was on clearance in the scratch and dent department....because it has a scratch on the bottom left that you can't see...but hey, reduced from over $200 :) so I was calling mr wonderful to hurry and help me because I saw others looking at it too...or maybe they were just looking at the crazy excited lady jumpin up and down :) nah it was definately the mirror lol....

Can you see my chandelier in the mirror? twas under $30 on clearance at JC Penny a few years ago, in a box brand new, I changed out the crystals, fruits just weren't my thing, so last year I bought some huge amber color crystals at Target and loved how it looked so much I left them on year round....oh and I painted it too...I will do a post on that another time...

close-ups of the garland...

This next picture also shows our buffet, I love it along with my mirror, it is a swapmeet find from a few years ago...under $60! I know right...what can I say...Sumptuous living at its best....cause this is how I roll :) I am still trying to decide...paint in a cream with a darker glaze to antique it and distress of course or redo it in the darker color it already has...it is a very huge, tall, heavy, beautiful piece that just needs some love :) I can see finished either way in my minds eye...gorgeous!

These next 2 pictures are a sneak peak at our tree...will post more pictures soon!

Night time picture with the lights on....no flash, but I loved the way that the picture looked..what can I say...I'm a goob :)


Daytime picture...

Well until next time dear friends....

Besos,


Rose~

The ultimate in Giveaway Love :)

I think that we all have favorite blogs that we visit, we might even have a select few that we visit everytime we see they have updated with a new post and then there is yet maybe a handful that we consider our peeps...You know...those special blogs that you have made a real connection with their owners, perhaps you have met them in person, email back & forth alot or talk to them on the phone regularly and have become your "friend" in every sense of the word, other than actually meeting them in person and getting to give them a hug and touch them in some way that tells you...I am real...but you know in your heart...just how real your friendship is, because of the wonderful heart that they have and it comes clearly across on their blogs...well Dawn of The Feathered Nest is one of those friends for me :) I loved how Anne of Fiona and Twig called people like that, who give unending support and are just there when you need them in anyway, encouraging your blogging efforts as a "Fairy Blog Mother" or "father" I think she nailed it with that phrase...that is how I see Dawn....I even call her my art guru and my lil blog yoda, because to be honest I am not sure who Yoda is, but I remember my brother always saying that Yoda knew all and was all lol ....sooo regarding Dawn.... nuff said right :)

Well Dawn is having a Giveaway celebrating her....are you ready for this....seriously...you ready???

Dawn is Celebrating her 1200th post!!! Can you believe that!!! Not only that but she is also Celebrating over 400 Followers!!! Dio Mio!! lol I am still counting till the day I reach 50 posts or 100 Followers...which ever comes first :) I will be over the top crazy doing the happy dance to the blog gods and have to have a giveaway lol

Click here to ENTER to win...

**Remember...drawing ends Sunday, Dec. 13th at 6 pm EST**

Dawn is giving away this beautiful lil fairy bebe in a jar & that's not all...

She is also giving away this beautiful French themed journal !! And that's still not all....



She is also including 3 of her beautiful "The Feathered Nest" egg soaps in your favorite color, besides some other lovely lil gifts that she will surprise you with!!!....My stars how sweet and generous is that....



So this is where I tell you...Run...Visit her blog and enter...and oh yeah....good luck...my mama said I have to say that...even if I wanna be the one to win it all... because it makes me not seem gracious if I don't... and her and my Ita raised me if anything to be gracious...even when I don't wanna...dang it... lol So there mama...that was for you :)

But seriously...Good luck to you all :) !!!!

Until next time dear friends.

Besos,

ROSE~

A quick note & more giveaway love :)

Hi everyone...Just a quick note...I seemed to have caught a nasty lil bug...see I knew I shoulda kept up with the 5 mile walks, I stopped awhile back and I am going downhill fast lol I am so slow right now that a snail could pass me up :) I have some good posts coming up...I promise...I just need to wait a couple of days so that I don't feel like I keep getting hit by that same semi truck each time I stand up...by the way...did anyone get it's license plate number? :) just askin...but in the mean time, I wanted to share a lil funny that our lil Lola or for those in the know...."Pudge" did yesterday, while I was crashed out on the couch...gotta love those good cold meds :) my eldest took these pictures with her cell...ahhh lil pudge...just wait till I am better and can string you by your eber luvin tush :) After you see these pictures keep going...there are some wonderful giveaways that you have to go enter and you know what I love most about these giveaways??...That I always find such wonderful new blogs to visit...and add to my Favorites List....Enjoy :) &.....GOOD LUCK!!

Awwww....Doesn't Lola "pudge" look like a lil angel???.......

Ha.....Don't let her lil cuteness fool you....see her lil eye???? she is squinting as my daughter Ashley was taking these pictures and asking her "What did you do??? Course "pudge" just kept on keepin on...but here is what she was up to...while I was in a cold medicine enduced sleep coma and not even havin a clue what she was doing at my feet....

Awww Pudge :(.....another one bites the dust...that toy basket of hers is getting awfully low in toys...but ya know...I am feeling like...this lil walrus looks lol....So we took pity on it and tossed it...no more stiches poor thing...pudge had the nerve to whimper around for hours looking at us like..."How could you???" Do dogs understand taking responsibility for your own actions....I wonder lol

Now......On to some important business :) Hurry and visit these blogs for your chance to not only win some great giveways but even better....for a chance to find some wonderful new blogs to add to your own list of "Wonderful Places to Visit and Just Dream"......

*** I put these in order of how soon they end....sooooo Good Luck...and yes I really do mean it...I am telling you these cold meds...are good! :) Now hurry up before I come out of my medicinal stuppor and start crossing my fingers...eyes...and other parts...so that only I win...me..me..me :) hey I warned ya...now RUN.....

Click on the names of the Blogs to enter their Giveaways!! :)

The Junk Exchange This one made me laugh...& cry and then ooh & ahhh....these are the best...aren't they...

Vintage Lizzie Very lovely blog...

My Bella Rose I know great name right??? :) Lovely & Beautiful Xmas decor too

My Trinkets Lovely Blog...

Now this last giveaway is just genius....sheer genius ...I tell ya....These are 2 sisters...yup TWINS...and by entering on both their blogs you get a chance to win some great gifts...gifts that btw...complement what you win on the other one's blog...GENIUS....I told you :)

Six Divided By Two & Six In One Hand Sooo much to see and & do... lovely X2

I just can't wait to feel better so that I can go back & visit these great "new" blogs and leave some comments on my favorite posts :) I will be back to visiting the rest of you (My peeps & U know who u are :) too...in the meantime...I hope this bug hasn't found it's way into your casa....so far I am the only one here....oh joy :)

Oh My Stars....did you see??? I have 73 FOLLOWERS :) WOOHOOO...Thank you all my newbie and past followers...you guys are truly my peeps :) Doin the happy medicine induced dance....I am writing this so that I remember later when I wake up lol

I see a Giveaway in my own future :)!!!


Until next time dear friends....

Besos,


ROSE~

Does anyone know how to get rid of all this empty space?? It wore me out trying to fix it and nada...still there :(

**Update...Thank you Nancy of Fete et Fleur & Tracey from French Larkspur for helping me get rid of all this empty space :)

Giveaway Love :).......

Good morning everyone, I just wanted to share that the lovely and sweet Tracey of French Larkspur is having a wonderful giveaway! She is giving away a copy of the current Christmas edition of Jeanne d' Arc Living Magazine (and its in English, so not only will we get to enjoy the beauty of it...but we can understand it too :) along with 5 lovely ornaments from the vintage inspired line she carries in her store! My stars....how generous is that...she has the sweetest heart...Please, if you haven't been to her blog....It is absolutely gorgeous as is her store soooo...darn my stars... guess there go my chances :) But....go...run...don't walk..!! You are running now right??? wait!!! let me give you the link :) Wouldn't you running amok all over the internet, now would we :) .....and your welcome! Good luck to us all! (is it bad to say that and cross my fingers and eyes at the same time...hoping that I get to win?? :) Just askin...

Hurry...The giveaway ends tomorrow Dec. 2 at midnight!!!

Clik here to enter!!

Be Back a bit later with my new post...just wanted to make sure I remembered to share this wonderful giveaway with you :) You guys are soo sweet to thank me for telling you about these great giveaways....but.....pssst...just between you and me....I get 99 % of all the wonderful giveaway information from my wonderful friend and yours...Dawn of The Feathered Nest! :)

Until next time dear friends.

besos,

Rose~

A Wonderful Giveaway...

Hi everyone, I just wanted to tell you about a wonderful giveaway that Anne of Fiona and Twig is having. Please go visit her and see her lovely blog, I loved it, She has such a wonderful way of writing and making you feel so welcome, I haven't yet visited her Etsy store, but I plan on it...Enjoy your visit, I know I will be going back myself to visit and peruse her older posts. Good luck...The winner will be picked Sunday Dec. 6th so don't forget to enter....Good luck...No really...this time I mean it :)


Clik here to enter

I'll be back tomorrow with a new post...camera battery ran out and darn it just when I needed your opinion on somethin :) Please check back so I can get your valuable help, because your opinion matters :)

Until next time dear friends,

Besos,

Rose~

My wish to you for this Thanksgiving....

My Thanksgiving wish for all of you is this....MAY YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING, FILLED WITH THE LOVE OF FAMILY, GOOD FRIENDS, DELICIOUS FOOD AND LAUGHTER & HAPPINESS AS WE REMEMBER THE CHERISHED MEMORIES WE HAVE OF OUR LOVED ONES THAT ARE NOT AT OUR TABLE THIS YEAR....AND GIVE BLESSED THANKS FOR ALL THOSE THAT ARE.

Here in our home the last few days have been a whirlwind of getting the ideas together for dinner, the shopping and prep for this years Thanksgiving dinner and get-together. We are all looking forward to it and somewhat dreading it at the same time. In the last 2 years we have lost 5 beloved family members...I know there are so many of you out there that have your own losses of loved ones this year...my heart and thoughts go out to each and everyone of you. With our family as I am sure with many of you, our get together will be kind of small this year, everyone is grown now and making plans of their own, but so far in our house, it will be my mama, my sister and her 2 beautiful children, my husband, my girls and myself and even though some of our most loved ones will be missing from our table they are here... in our hearts, thoughts and memories, as I am sure they will be in yours.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful day, it reminds us not just of all the yummy foods that I and I am sure some of you :) give yourself free license to enjoy as much as you want even for just one day or like me the left over heaven that is the WHOLE weekend (lol, I can always start my diet Monday) But most importantly reminds us...sometimes thru our painful losses...just how much we truly have to be THANKFUL for.

The wonderful June of Laughing with Angels did a beautiful post on this HERE and it inspired me to write my own...

Please indulge me a lil moment...

Even with so many losses to our little family there is still so much to be thankful for...
Me..myself...I am thankful for...

Our family being in good health and even though some of our family members are off with plans of their own, they are still with us in heart and spirit knowing that we will see each other through out the year on special occasions and on my favorite get-togethers of all...the just because :)...

That we have gotten a blessed chance to stay in our home...because so many others out there are not, and we are very close to being one of them...My prayers & thoughts go out to all those that have lost their homes or are in the process of...Things have to get better regarding this...they just have to...I don't think anyone should give up hope on this. But all prayers on this, for us and everyone else in this situation are welcome :) beacuse we never know how quickly our lives can change...

That we have a warm (well kinda, in a 1916 house, you can only get so warm :) home filled with the love of our family and good food to keep our tummys full...what else is there be at this moment for me to be more thankful for? Well good health...How in the world did I forget that one...

That even though we are missing some of our loved ones so much it hurts to breathe...we have been blessed with the gift of memory...to bring forth all those cherished memories of all those our hearts so miss...

That I have "met" so many amazing woman & men, here in Blogland that have so enriched my life....so much more that I could ever imagine....

That I "met" my wonderful friend Dawn of The Feathered Nest that is so full of love and understanding and gave me the gift of this Beautiful blog she made for me....that has so changed my life and given me so much...I cry just to think about how much it has enriched my life in so many ways!

That I am soo blessed to have so many amazing people in my life that love and support me unconditionally and trust me....I can sometimes make that not so easy...(who knew...right....lol)...

Thank you Chris...my own mr wonderful...for keeping my head above the water... when I was only too happy and ready to let the tides pull me under....

Now...I ask for just one more indulgence from you....(well in this post at least...see if anything I try to be honest....and your welcome :)...

Thanksgiving other than for the good foods and the days off from work, and getting to spend time with loved ones, well...I will be honest...since I was a child this was the reason I liked the holiday, for I had many more "important" ones ie...Christmas, my families birthdays...MY birthday...Hey I never said I wasn't some what selfish :) & yes we consider birthdays a holiday in our home...we celebrate you the whole day...week if you have been extra good :) lol

But these last few years with all our family losses...things in my mind and heart have changed....See like I have shared with you before....My dad...he made all the other holidays about us...Christmas, birthdays..forget about it...he made us all...his focus...But...Thanksgiving was his holiday....we all made it about him, his favorite foods, the whole family getting together...even if everyone came in shifts on the actual day or over the long weekend...but we all understood...it was his day....the day he ate the dreaded sour cherry pie in a bowl with milk over it :) yes...he always said it was a "Southern thing"...you Southern ladies will have to tell me if that is true or not lol He had so many favorites...chicken noodles with lots of gravy over mashed potatos turkey n lots of gravy.. and my ham! He LOVED my ham, our last Thanksgiving with him, I took it over whole to save time and cut it once we got there....he saw the pineapple on top of the ham...and had a fit...like only he could...lol I can laugh at this memory now :) He HATED pineapple (in my defense, who knew?) ...he was so mad that I had it on there and I told him" But Sonny, I have always made my ham with pineapple" he said "since when Dammit" lol like I said, he was a pistol and never held anything back :) I said in reply..."like since I made my first ham....the pineapple juice is even in the sauce I make to baste my ham....you ALWAYS tell me how much you love it and how sweet and moist it is, my stars your a big ole grump butt :)"....(dumb..dumb...did I mention DUMB on my part!) I shoulda just said I'd take the slices off the ham....but nooo....we loved to go rounds with each other...did I mention that before? lol

Well to my heartbreak now....he didn't even have a bite of my ham...I could see his mouth watering with each slice someone took from the platter (not to mention the dirty looks he kept giving me and the grumbling :) but he stuck to his guns...If I only knew that this was our last with him....I would have cut the dam ham at home and bought it on a platter like I always did...If I had only known.....oh god....give me a moment.....

This year...I will bring it to my mamas table on a beautiful platter and we will all have an extra piece in his honor....along with all his favorites...minus the sour cherry pie...although knowing my mama...it might be at the buffet...just incase anyone gets brave...I just hope she adds a lil sugar this year :)

The picture below is of our Beloved Sonny, where he was his most happy...besides being with all of us...his family...although he and my brother Perry loved playing golf together (it was their time)...it is a loss his group of friends and my brother couldn't get over and their weekly golf group broke up (I hope my brother will one day enjoy it again, I truly believe our dad would have wanted that)...to them all...I am so Thankful for giving my dad much deserved fun and happiness and a reason to leave the hospital...see I promised I would drive him around the golf course chasing all the hot big chested lady golfers...Sonny...so sorry I didn't get to keep that promise...We love and miss you more than words can say...but are FOREVER THANKFUL for the honor of having loved you in this life....




Besos to you all and until next time,

Remember to be Thankful for all your blessings no matter how small :)

***June...sorry I broke that long ass post promise :) Besos & hugs to you anyways!



Rose ~

Craigslist finds...Meant to be? That is the question...What is your answer?

Before, I start this new post...I have to tell you how thankful I am to have found and made so many new friends here in Blogland...Your inspiration, love and friendship mean soo much to me, with each comment that you leave me and each visit that I make to your blogs...Well it just proves to me...that no matter how ugly, sad or blue things sometimes get and feel...that there is so much goodness out there...you just have to be open...to receive it....accept it and embrace it!

And Kelly....Thank you for another wonderful Kreative Blogger Award! Is it cheating if I go ahead and accept it and use what I already wrote in my last post here ? :) The only thing I would love to change is this...I love what Lorraine of Paper Bird said when I awarded it to her...she went Rogue :)!! and gave the award to all the wonderful, inspiring blogs...and THAT is exactly what I wanted to do..but I was afraid of breaking the rules....but....you know...sometimes you just have to bite it... and do what feel right! :) So ladies congrats to all your wonderful blogs... for being so beautiful and inspiring!

Now to my new post :) thank you for indulging me that lil moment...

Have you ever come across something that you just loved and knew it was meant to be yours? I seem to do that ALOT lol Sadly my house isn't big enough to cater to these strong whims...err feelings!

I LOVE CraigsList...I can't tell you how many amazing things I have found on it...that I have not only bought... but even gotten for free....but as much as I love these things...it has been the wonderful people that I have come in contact with and made wonderful friendships that I know will last...That has made me such a fan of it! Each time Mr wonderful has taken me to go pick up a new "treasure" he knows that it will be a few hours...even if it is 20 min away :) because we end up talking for hours and even getting together to visit again with many of these neat people :) So it is because of these amazing experiences that I have decided to write my Craigslist Chronicles....small random...out of order stories of my found treasures there....the wonderful people I met and how I have used my treasures...Every now and then I will add one to not only entertain you....but to make a permanent record of it...so that I will hopefully never forget these wonderful people that sometimes came into my life for what might seem a moment...but left such an amazing footprint in my heart....

My Craigslist Chronicles Part 1 :
Sonny's lil cabinet...



See that beautiful cabinet above??? I saw it on Craigslist just this past February and Fell in love with it...is it possible to fall in love with an object??? I think so...All I know is that I wanted it....I felt it MUST be mine...almost to the point of tears did I beg Mr wonderful that as tired as he was after work...that he just HAD to take me to go look at it (BUY IT) but knowing me...he already knew that :) On our way to look at the cabinet my mom called me...If you are familiar with So Calif...I live near Long Beach....the cabinet was in the Valley...we went on a Friday evening in rush hour traffic, took us over 2 hours just to get there.

As I was saying on the way there my mom called me...she said and I will never forget...."Sonny wants to go to the hospital...can you come take us?" I remember feeling sooo sick..like a bucket of cold water was dumped on me, I was suddenly sweating and with the chills... and trying not to cry...or vomit...sitting in the front seat of my husbands truck between him and my youngest daughter...I especially didn't want to scare her, she was only 12 years old. I was trying hard to keep it together. The last time I remember feeling that way was when I was told my dad Bob died...I was 10...and when my Ita (grandma) got sick and we lost her...just a couple of years ago...although it feels like yesterday...I hate that feeling and hope to never feel it again...wishful thinking I know...but it makes me feel better to say it to myself....



I explained to my mom where I was and that it would take me a few hours to get back home in Friday nite traffic! I asked her to call my sister and that I would meet them at the hospital...you see my dad Sonny....has NEVER asked to be taken to the hospital...not even when he had a massive coronary heart attack!...He was after all...a Marine...it just wasn't his style. BTW he had 3 of those and survived! I think that is why I was so scared...we were 1 block from where we were to look at the cabinet, my husband trying to calm me said " we're here....they are waiting, lets just look at it, and if you want it...lets take it home now" I agreed...When I saw it...I didn't even open the drawers...I wouldn't touch it and hardly looked at it, I asked its history I was told the original owner of their home had made it for his garage to hold his nuts and bolts back in the 50's from what the original owners wife had told them...I smiled because it reminded me of my dad and all his neato things in his garage...we paid and we left...from there straight to the ER, all I remember is that it was the longest drive... like we were driving through a few states....





At the ER that night we found out my dad had pneumonia, but then even worse...after 3 am we were told he had cancer...in his lungs...It wasn't good the Dr said...I am sorry but when the hell is cancer good??? The next 2 weeks my dad was in the hospital....we were all there with him everyday...trying to find out what exactly we were looking at, what Stage, what were his chances? We knew nothing....till I finally felt beyond over whelmed and I yelled and threatened the Doctors and was finally told "he has 4th stage lung cancer" and I was the lucky one that had to go and tell that information to my mom, my sister and brothers....hmmmm now I understand the story of Pandora's Box....a little too well...don't know if I will ever push for answers like that again....

During all this time this lil cabinet sat on our porch...I would walk by it...NEVER touching it...almost hating it...because I wasn't where I should have been the nite we got it...and I wasn't about to forgive that stupid cabinet for that lil tragedy...much less myself. Funny thing is that during those long days in the hospital...I told my dad all about it and I promised to show it to him when he got home...the idea of all those lil drawers intrigued him too :) We never got that chance....and still the cabinet sat on my porch. My husband finally said "we need to clean it and bring it inside, it is going to get ruined outside"...to be honest after we buried my dad...I could have truly cared less about that stupid cabinet...all those great ideas that I had for it...seemed ludicris to me now...I just wanted to give it back and have that nite we got it never happen....

I forgot to tell you...my dad Sonny was one of the few people that always supported my art work, my creativity...my quirkiness...he said it made me special..made me stand out...he always looked at what I created and made my head and heart swell with his praise...he also would listen to my ideas and add his 2 cents when he wanted too :) He thought the cabinet was great for my supplies and doo dads and said that when I didn't want it...he would take it from me anytime...and still I wanted nothing to do with the stupid cabinet....

Mr wonderful bought it in for me to clean...I had decided to do that and sell it...it actually made me sick to even look at it...so you can imagine how I felt cleaning out over 70 lil drawers! late at night as I took each lil drawer out to clean, I suddenly realized that at the bottom of the drawers there was writting....I figured it was the company that made the metal studs ( I know this, because hubby is in construction so I learned some lingo :)...that is what all the lil drawers were made of with lil blocks of wood as drawer fronts with tiny handmade knobs....I didn't pay attention to what the writing said...It was late, I was tired and I didn't feel like hunting down my reading glasses....but if you look closely there are a few drawers that are double the size of the medium size drawers....when I held it to the light....this is what I saw...

ALCOA....Now this is where my heart stopped...see my dad worked for over 4o years for his company...It started as another company called Voi Shan...where he met and fell in love with my mami and I like to think with my sister and I :) from there it was taken over or merged with other companies, I think that is what happened... anyways because the last I knew it was Fairchild...but I had forgotten that it had changed names one more time... in the end and even now... it is named.....Ready for this??????? ALCOA

All I remember is sitting on my couch with the rag and hugging the drawer and crying... I truly believe with all my heart that it was his way of telling me it was ok...that it wasn't my fault and to be happy and let creativity back into my heart and life... Or as he would lovingly say to me..."Go play...Artsy Girl"

As you can see from this last picture...we kept it...it is one of my most favorite possessions...That and the fact that everyone in our family has told me that when I am tired of it...they want it...even my mama when I told her the story...well she walked out of the room, I thought from her reactions that she was angry at me for telling her about my cabinet...but she left because it made her cry for a moment and being so soon after we lost him...she needed a moment that was just theirs...she went to their room to shed her tears...away from us all..but she did say if I still was intent on selling it...that she had to be the one to buy it....In this picture you see all the craziness that is my bebe studio...it is almost done...and when it is, you will see it in its new home and you know what? when I look at that stupid lil cabinet...it always makes me smile....so you tell me....Meant to be??.....what is your answer???

P.S. I love you Sonny...

So for those of you that have read this LONG post to the end...I thank you from my heart for indulging me in my story telling or as my best friend used to say....long ass stories that make her cry :)

***Just incase your intrested...it is craigslist.org and you just clik on your state and cities you are intrested in...also I always look at the Freebies section first...I know I just gave myself a ton of competition...but hey with friends, you share and do what you have to do right?....Good Luck treasure hunting :)

Today I get to visit everyone....feels like I have missed so much in just 2-3 days :)

Until next time dear friends,



Besos,



Rose ~

Beyond words & a"lost" treasure...found.

When Rebecca of Rebecca for Vintage Living first gave me the Kreative Blogger Award, I was overwhelmed...why? Because of the simple gesture of someone who's work, blog and beauty of spirit so moved me...to have some one like her give me an award...well to be honest...it seemed backwards...I feel I should be the one thanking her and all the other wonderful woman that I have met through their beautiful and creative blogs a HUGE thank you for sharing their visions & thoughts with me. When I join in a Giveaway, I always feel guilty...I feel like I should be sending them a gift for sharing their beauty with me, for allowing me to peek into their lives and thoughts, hopes, dreams, artistic creations, love and yes even their pain and loss...without ever meeting these woman, they have become my friends, I care for them, I cheer them on when they want to try something for the first time and I bask right along with them when they are thrilled with the results of their creations...I laugh, cry and even get angry right along with them, when they share their stories, good or bad, heartbreaking or enlightening, I learn and get strength from them all...I can visit at anytime of the day or night and they never complain that I am visiting them in my finest...my AC/DC jersey, sweats or whatever was comfortable, hair in a bun on top of my head with strands falling out everywhere, and trust me there is alot, my hair is to my waist now...my "Ita" (grandma) used to call them my baby bird hairs :) and my make up...well lets face it, sometimes it is the makeup from the day before :) but none the less, I always feel welcome when I visit their blogs...So when one of the rules of receiving said award was to award it to 7 other blogs....well it was really hard because there are so many that I love and admire...but I chose the ones with people that I had made a connection on a personal level, who's artistic souls...keep calling me back and who's eye for beauty whether it is for an art creation or a found treasure from their beloved treasure haunts...they spoke to my heart...my mind...I think that Dawn, said it best... when I told her how I felt about these woman in Blogland, she said " isn't it amazing how woman we have never met, share our same tastes, love the same old tattered beautiful things...it makes us kindred spirits"...I thought I understood it, but now...I know it. (Dawn, I hope I quoted you right :)

So when I chose these ladies for their beautiful blogs that I love so much because...when I need to get away for a moment alone and refuel my heart...their blogs are always an inspiring welcoming place to visit...but the irony of it all is this...I gave these woman an award...yet... they all came back and left me the most beautiful comments...they made me cry silent happy tears...because the words they left for me...well...they made my heart and soul smile beyond words...Thank You Ladies!!!

Now on to a not so sappy moment...betcha thought I didn't have any of those...right? Go on... admit it...I feel you smiling! :)

I think over a year ago, while on a treasure hunt at one of my favorite thirft stores, I found these 2 gorgeous pictures with these 2 beautiful bebes...and to be honest I am not sure if they are boys or girls...but I just fell in love with them. The pictures...well please forgive them, I am a work in learning process (on so many levels lol) so the pictures aren't that great and the frames might look a little gaudy in color but really they are not, they are a lovely antiquey (is that even a word :) tarnished gold color, but they have the prettiest details in the corners...I forgot what they are called, appliques ???. When I first spoted them, I thought they were paintings, but when a nice man got them down for me (did I mention I am short lol) I saw they are seem to be printed on material like silk or satin, whatever it is...they are beautiful and I love them :) The pictures are about 8x10 maybe a bit bigger and the frames 11x17...couldn't find my tape measure, so I am totally guessing :) They had been "put away" whos knows where and to be honest I forgot about them, but when going thru things for my bebe studio, I found them in the back of a closet and I felt just like the first time I saw them in the thrift store...my lost treasure...was found! Anyways here are the pictures...please let me know what you think, I value all your opinions because I am always loving and drooling over your finds and wondering....my stars...where are they huntin and when can I go lol

This is the first picture...girl or boy, does it even matter? He/she is beautiful

Close up

This one is my favorite though...I just love this little bebe...again, boy or girl?


close up

I added these last 3 close ups... because I thought they were so pretty and could be enlarged to use for a project...if I am doing it wrong, please let me know, I have no idea how I would scan them to make it a better picture :) the material they are printed on feels puffy.

Heres the best part...they were only $4.94 for the pair!

Woooohooo I don't believe it...2 posts in 1 week!! I finally learned how to upload my pictures (cruddy or not...tis what you get :) and save them...hoping to start posting more often now that I don't have to wait on Mr. wonderful to help me on his free time...but nahhh don't count on it :) lets face it...I am still me :)

***One more special thing...did you notice??? I sure did, I now have over 60 followers!! After following and visiting so many of you, to have followers myself now is beyond amazing! Thank you, hmmm, maybe soon I can have my own 100th Follower Giveaway....one can wish right :)

Until next time dear friends.

Besos,

Rose ~

A wonderful award & Honoring our Veterans....

I am truly honored and humbled to accept this Kreative Blogger award from the very lovely and talented Rebecca of Rebecca for Vintage Living. (if you haven't visited Rebecca's blog you must...it is so beautiful, not only for her beautiful pictures and art, but her studio and home will leave you practically drooling if not down right green, I know it did for me :) Once you start looking at her blog, it is kinda hard to stop, it is just one beautiful image and post after another...enjoy! ohhh and your welcome...(sorry couldn't resist.)

Rebecca was so sweet that she had already given me another lovely award when I had dislocated my arm, being that I couldn't really type I thanked her for it but didn't honor its rules (bowing head in shame) But honestly...in my sorry defense... being new to all of this, I wasn't sure what to do or how to do it, luckily, after I finally got to the nerve to admit and ask for help...I went to my wonderful friend...Whom you all know...Dawn of The Feathered Nest, who took a few minutes to explain things to me...Dawn what would I do without you?

So according to the rules on Rebecca's blog....I have to tell you 7 things about me and then award 7 other blogs..Soooo...ok ready?....seriously are you ready?....I know I am stalling but I am starting to hyperventilate and I am starting to see stars and my ears are buzzing....kidding...kinda lol.

1~ I fell in love with my husband when I was 16 and in high school, I saw him walking across the quad and said to my best friend..."see that guy, I am gonna marry him one day and we both laughed...We married...over 2o years later and I am still laughing :)

2~ I, like Rebecca and many others of you out there lost my dad this year, March 14th and even though I still miss him so much it sometimes hurts to breathe...the holiday I associate most with him is Thanksgiving because he always made birthdays and Christmas about us and all the grandkids, but Turkey day was all about him and his favorite foods...I hope we carry on those yummy traditions...even the tart cherry pie (mouth is puckerin just thinking about it lol)

3~ I have 2 daughters ages 19 and 13, who even though I love them with all my heart....and sometimes wish they were still like I see them in my hearts eye...little and sweet...sometimes wish they would grow up and actually act their age :)

4~ I have had the privilege and heartbreak of having and losing... not 1 but 2 wonderful, amazing, loving daddys in my life. My first daddy I lost when I was 10 and he was only 35...then like I said earlier, my dad Sonny, we lost just this year, he was 73 and amazing. As painful as it is losing these wonderful men, I thank God everytime I think of them, because I was loved so much by them both...the most amazing thing though... I was their step daughter...but never once did they call me that or treated me like that...to them, I was their daughter, they were my daddys...and that is all that mattered.

5~I am so thankful for all the wonderful woman I have met and become friends with thru this amazing thing called Blogland...in my darkest moments...visiting you and talking to you has helped pull me out of some of the darkest moments... you will never know how truly thankful I and my family who have seen what this means to me, are.

6~I have so many ideas, so many things I want to do and try....but there just never seems to be enough time with all my excuses :)

7~I have the biggest weakness for chocolate and that is why I will forever battle the same 10-15 lbs lol (pathetic...I know but tis me)

Whewww that wasn't so bad....really, the shaking is finally subsiding :) Now the 7 blogs I want to give this award to are as follows...( if you feel you can't accept this award...because sometimes...life gets in the way) that is ok, because you know how wonderful you guys are...this is just away of letting you know, others think it too :) *I forgot to ask if you can give the award to someone the person who is giving you the award, chose too?

If you get a chance, visit these wonderful blogs, they are truly beautiful and inspiring.
Dawn of The Feathered Nest
June of Laughing With Angels
Carole of Maynard Greenhouse
Nancy of Fete et Fleur
Ana of A Petite Cottage
Carolyn of Little Bear Studio
Lorraine of Paper Bird

***I wanted to award these 2 wonderful ladies also, Rebecca, who originally gave this award to me and Tracey of French Larkspur, although Rebecca gave her the award already, I wanted to also....In fact there were so many more I wanted to give it to, all you have to do is look at the right side of my blog and see all those wonderful blogs...and you would know that this post would then be more than a few pages :)
Thank you, Rebecca!


Now to Honor all our Veterans and all who are still serving now...Thank you for so unselfishly serving our Country to protect and honor it and us...May you come home safe to those that love you...Thank you, thank you, thank you, I think a thousand thank you's would never be enough. To our dad Sonny, who will forever be a Marine....Thank you Dad, we love and miss you everyday!

Until next time dear friends...

Rose~

Please indulge me in this lil mamie moment...

My stars I remember the day that this picture was taken and how she laughed and ran on the beach and had her sister Ashley and her cousin Alisha chase her. She like me and my older daughter truly love the beach and the ocean...



She was walking on the beach leaving her footprints and when I realized what she was doin, I wanted her to turn and walk away from us so that I could take a picture of her, because it reminded me so much of my favorite poem "Footprints In The Sand" but she was tired, grumpy and cold...so this picture was as good as it got :) Never once did we think to GO behind her and take the picture lol

When I look at my daughter Anaissa now, this is still what I see in my hearts eye...she is now 13 and about 5'8 and I coulda swore 5'10 because she looks so freakin tall, I am 5'4 so it amazes me still...that I have to look up...if I want to look into my babys eyes...not to mention that it breaks my heart sometimes too :)

Both my daughters are brilliant...at least in my eyes :) They are both equally talented and love to draw, write stories, do journals and are just so artistic and talented that it blows my mind...I often wonder how, where did this talent come from? At just 13, Anaissa speaks like an adult... an albeit pompous adult :) hey I am "ama"...I can say that lol She loves big words and loves throwing her sister off with them...I can't tell you how many times I hear her leaving her big sister in a huff simply saying..."look it up" after insulting her and you know....(pssst don't say anything, this is stickily between us..but I sometimes have to leave the room because the need to laugh is just overwhelming...especially when I hear my older daughter yell "Mamie" and I have to define for her what her baby sister just called her :)

The other day, Anaissa left a paper at my desk that she was typing up for her English Gate class so uhmmm I stole this little piece...I couldn't help it...I thought it was beautiful :)

The Brightest Star...

A young girl. Full of love. Full of happiness. A bright girl.

One that literally shines with enthusiasm. A girl...that glows with

happiness & joy. She's carefree. She's young.

She is enlightened. She smiles & every other person in the world

can't help but smile with her. Star...That's what they call her.

The brightest of them all. The one that's not afraid of strangers &

embraces them with open arms. She's never afraid...

She's the girl I want to be. A girl, not a woman.

But sadly, that's a girl...no one will ever see.

Oh Nissa amor, if you only knew... that when mamie looks at you....that is the girl... I see :)

Update on me :) I am doing somewhat better...you know how it is...mom is always ON so too much too soon rehurting my arm and so I am slowly recovering...my stars feels like forever! but my arm is better each day...thank goodness it has been warm here in So Cali. because cold makes me literally see stars lol I hope to be back to posting more often and leaving more comments than I have...sorry, I have been visiting but was just too sore too type because well...I always have alot to say :) lol

Until next time dear friends...

Rose

A quick thank you and an update...

How can I tell you how blessed...happy...surprised and even a little sad all of your amazing comments on my last post about my dads pancakes have made me. When I wrote about my dads pancakes...it was all because a beautiful picture of a plate with delicious and beautiful..yes beautiful looking pancakes bought such a loved memory of my dad from my heart to my head.

When I wrote about my memory it hurt a bit, especially when I told about his last days... remembering that is still so hard...but it also made me soo happy to remember him, his pancakes and his smile and even the grumpy comments he made when we asked for his recipe...I just never thought how many of you could identify with this memory and feeling too.

I feel so blessed to have soo many beautiful, wonderful memories of my dad, I am even thankful for the not so happy memories...because, you know my dad was after all only human...like the rest of us...but none the less, they are memories that bring him back to me if only for a few precious moments...but I am so thankful for them. Now for why everyones comments made me a little sad too...I think the realization that so many of us have lost loved ones recently, or are going thru something painful with a loved ones illness is heartbreaking...Also the fact that cancer is so often a part of this factor with so many of us makes it even harder to deal with sometimes...But I wanted to Thank All Of You, that took the time to read my LONG post and left me such amazing heart felt comments....Thru my tears from reading them...I thank you from my heart and hope that you all have some amazing memories of your own loved ones in your heart that bring you happiness when you most need it. Again, Thank You!!!

Now for my little update, I also want to thank you all that have been so sweet to email and ask how I am, it is a wonderful feeling when friends realize they haven't seen you around their blogs and wonder why (makes you feel special..right :) What wonderful "friends" I have made here in Blogland...Dawn...I forever thank you for that :) I dislocated my shoulder...thinking that I just pinched a nerve and that is why it was hurting so bad, I proceeded to try doing windmills (slowly)with my arm, thinking this would help losin up my arm and make it not so sore...SMART...yeah I get that now lol. After Tylennol and Advil did nothing and the pain was to the point it was making me ill, I finally went in to get my arm checked and found out I had actually dislocated my shoulder...yup and let me tell you not fun getting it put back either lol Guess those windmills were a really bad idea :) So I have been trying to visit your blogs still, because I miss seeing what everyone is doing but I haven't left comments...(typin with 1 hand is sooo slow lol ) and it was my right arm I hurt..., I am right handed, I know....only I could do that much damage...so well lol Hopefully in a few more days I will be back to commenting as well as visiting :) Hope everyone has a wonderful week....And if you are in So California....yay do you not just love this new cooler Autumn weather...just lovely, we are getting the sweaters and lap blankets out :) Tine for lovely delicious soups and oven dishes like meatloaf and pot roast with mashed taters....loves it!

Well until next time dear friends....

Rose~

A Time for Pancakes...

Picture by the lovely Mari Eriksson

Is this not the most beautiful picture of pancakes you have ever seen? It was taken by the lovely Mari Eriksson of the gorgeous blog An Angel At My Table, this picture literally bought me to (happy) tears and inspired this post, It's with a happy heart that I thank Mari for sharing her beautiful picture with me and allowing me to use it in this post :) If you have never seen her blog, you really should visit her...Her blog is so beautiful and her pictures are truly gorgeous!


Have you ever noticed that there is ALWAYS a time for pancakes? Day or night...breakfast..lunch..or dinner...shoot or like me...a 2 in the morning snack :) Everyone likes them different...in our house, my kids slather them with syrup..my youngest Anaissa...always steals MY apple cinnamon syrup...my husband loves them however I make them, I love them with warm strawberry compote...but my dad...my dad...well he made the most delicious...scrumptious pancakes that I have EVER eaten. No one else can match his...my mom has tried poor dear...but I am always the first to tell her...good... but nope!! ( I know even in my 40's I give my mama a hard time :) I have eaten them at some fru fru restaurants and some not so fru fru mom & pop joints and still no one made them like my dad....

When I was a young girl I remember waking up on Sunday mornings when he would make pancakes...mounds and mounds of delicious tiny... fluffy... yet crispy melt in your mouth...yes so good you wanna smack yo mama pancakes!! I would eat soo many that you could probably roll my lil butter ball butt back to bed! On weekends I hated...did I mention HATED waking up early...In fact...I hated it so much that most Sundays they... notice I said they all got up early and went out to breakfast, my sister getting those stupid mickey head shaped pancakes with tons of whipped cream...but not I...even at a young age I had a more upscale palatte (but looking back now...maybe I was just lazy lol) I preferred to stay in my warm bed...but when the smell of his pancakes wafted into my room...no matter what ungodly hour it was...I sat straight up in bed and smiled! I also knew I better get my lil butter ball butt in there before they were gone :) My sister is 7 years younger than me but let me tell you for someone as tiny as she was...that child could pack them pancakes away!!!

To say his pancakes were good...was an understatement...everyone loved them, when he took us camping as kids...we begged for them...when later in years my parents took all the grandkids camping without the adults...they begged for them and I would actually grumble when my kids came back and said "Pampa made pancakes!" Did I sound and act like a 2 yr old..yes and I don't care lol

He would make what seemed like hundreds of tiny lucious pancakes and we would literally devour them...but he would as a "surprise" make a bunch more and leave them on a pretty lil plate for later...just incase someone had a hankerin for a mid day snack...miday...heck I made excuses to walk into their kitchen and snatch one or two.. many times through out the day...plain..with nothing on them...they were even more delicious...they had such a light taste and just enough sweetness that to this day I haven't found anyone elses to compare...NOT EVEN CLOSE !

Everyone asked for his secret recipe...he response..."No secret...just follow the directions on the box, not too damn hard"...then he would smile....

It had been awhile since I had his pancakes...my tummy and my heart were craving them...He was in the hospital still processing the diagnosis they had given him, just like we all were. That morning for breakfast they bought everyone pancakes...but they came back to his room because they had made a mistake he was to have oatmeal...he didn't mind...he said he actually preferred it...he said "you can't mess up oatmeal but the pancakes looked and smelled like shit" (sorry but he didn't believe in mincing words :)

The morning after he shared his last wishes with us all...he was preparing to come home and trying to make him smile I said..."just think Sonny...you can eat all the pancakes you want when you get home....course you have to make them" ( I know selfish of me to say but...Hey he smiled!!) He was walking around on his own...although a lil tired..he still insisted on doing things on his own, joking...just happy he was finally coming home...Well we never got that chance...to have his special pancakes...He came home the next day on Sunday, early evening...and by Monday morning he couldn't really talk or walk much less stand...By that night you couldn't understand what he was saying...it was heartbreaking because when he spoke it sounded like he was drowning...By that next Sunday he was with us only in spirit and we were all hanging on to each other to survive and we were planning his funeral...

How sad that with everything going on that all too short week we had left with him...no one thought to make him pancakes...no one thought to get his recipe...no one will ever get to eat his melt in your mouth..soo good you wanna smack yo mama pancakes again.......

The holidays are quickly approaching...I think we are all quietly dreading it here, Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday because my mama made it all about him and all his favorite dishes...because you see, he made Christmas, all the other holidays and all our birthdays all about us...but sharing this memory and others like this with my mom, husband...my girls...my sister and her lil ones....I think helps us ease into the upcoming holiday season...

So you see...sometimes a picture isn't just worth a thousand words... sometimes it is worth much, much more...like one special, precious..albiet...delicious memory....Again, Mari thank you sooo much for reminding me of my beautiful memory...And helping me to smile once again when I think of him...


Until next time dear friends...




Rose~