Girl child and mama

Friday night. Movie night. She's home visiting us from Texas for only the second time in 2 years.  Yay!

DIY Bride Feature ~ My Daughter's Thrift Store Wedding

Greetings to all my beautiful peoples. 

 

No time to talk.  My son and I are outside painting furniture. 

BUT...wanted to share with you our good news today. 

 

 

We just found out my daughter and her husband's wedding was featured at

DIY Bride. 

 

That would all be MY WORK (a full year's worth of work and tons of thrifting). 

But you know moms...we love our only daughter's and will jump in front of a moving train to make ANYTHING happen for them. 

 

 

This was a $5,000
Thrift Store & Family Heirloom wedding.
(ok, maybe a little more than that, but at least under $8,000.  I did a good job keeping it around $5,000, give or take a few, until my husband, the saint, decided everyone needed to eat dinner).

 

IT CAN BE DONE. 

 

Lot's of things we wanted to do, but just ran out of time. 

That happens when you're doing your own wedding. 

It's better to be rich and hire people to do it all.  LOL 

 

But that wasn't the case and being forced to work with a teeny tiny budget encouraged our creativity.

I HIGHLY recommend doing business with the following people:

Meegan Weaver, the best photographer for a good and fair price. We LOVE her.

Amanda Rose Studios did our bridesmaid dresses. She is wonderful to work with

Lone Oak Ranch and Retreat was a God send. Book your Texas stuff here.

Me and Matilda did the mens ties. Beautiful and for a good price.

  

 

Isn't she the most beautiful girl woman you ever saw?

I miss her so much I could throw up.

 

 

OK, BBL.  Gotta run.  Paint is drying.

 

xoxoxoxo 

 

****waves to adoring crowd****

Sharing with the SWEET places:

Homemaker On a Dime ~ Creative Bloggers



Something Blue ~ Grandma's Lace Hem

I am snooping on my daughter's computer looking for old photos

These triggered a memory:

 

Allyson's grandmother-in-love is an Alzheimer's patient in a nursing home.  Her house had not been "closed down" yet.  We were allowed to store wedding things in her house and the storage spot just happened to be by grandma's sewing machine. 

We found some old blue lace in her notions box. 

Score!

 

I hand sewed the lace all around Allyson's petticoat inside the dress.  

It turned out so pretty. 

It added a sweet touch of sentiment,

as Will's grandma was a part of his bride's gown.   

 

 

Which leads me to another "thrifty" wedding tip:

 

The more sentiment involved, the cheaper the wedding. 

Borrow or perhaps ask to be given family things to be a part of your day. 

Not only does it make your wedding more meaningful,

you're spending less money. 

The more money you save here and there, the more money you'll have to spend on food, the photographer or the honeymoon, etc.  :) 

 

Regardless of money saved, I'm just a big fan of "Sentiment". 

If we were wealthy people,

and given the choice,

we still would have chosen sentiment over costly wedding swag.  :)

 

And maybe it's a little creepy of me, but I miss my grandma's hands and how they looked when she was sewing or crocheting. 

I made Allyson take photos of me working on her dress. 

I told her she'll be glad she did, someday. 

 

 

Photo taken by Meegan Weaver. Book her. You will love her. 

 

Meegan Weaver, Photography, Wichita Falls, Texas

 

Here is a link to other thrifty wedding posts I've made. 

I'll be sharing more ideas so I hope you'll return. 

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Hosea 2:19 And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.

 

Be blessed and Be a Blessing to those around you.

(((group hugs)))

 

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Zoey, the not so innocent cat get's busted.  Doh! 

She promises to leave pony tails alone and said she was sorry. 

~ The End ~

 

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I'm sharing this with:

 

Thrifty Thursday at Living Well Spending Less

 

Pride and Prejudice afternoon

I'm still in Texas visiting my daughter.  I got a new phone today.  We took the afternoon off and wallowed in laziness.  We opened windows, cuddled in yummy smelling, freshly washed blankets, fluffy extra pillows, an extra needy cat who loves to love, pajamas, and Pride and Prejudice.  I miss these days with my girl child. 

 

sharing with

camera critters 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Wedding Run Through Sign

Meegan Weaver Photography. Love her! Book her!



My new grandson ~ Bruiser the English Bulldog

My daughter and her sweet husband adopted an English Bulldog on his way to the Humane Society.  His owner had to move, so he gave Bruiser to his brother.  It wasn't working out.  So Ally and Will stepped up and gave Bruiser a new home.  He's 4 and well mannered.   

 

Isn't he beautiful? 

I'm so proud and excited. 

Can't wait to go meet and play with Bruiser, the English Bulldog. 
I don't know much about this breed so I'm looking forward to learning and enjoying him. 

 

A face, only a grandma could love!!! 

 

 

I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!!!!!!!

 

1.  Are you familiar with this breed and do you have any words of love and wisdom to share?

2.  Won't you consider adopting a pet, if you're able?  Shelters are exploding because the poor economy means many abandoned pets.   

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Pooh has no comment. 

 

Children's love notes

I was digging through some stuff and this turned up. I thought it was so sweet and funny. Don't you just love finding old surprises from your kids? I think my daughter made this card for me years ago. I can tell it's her handwriting.

My son is (was) a great little artist and drew dozens of pictures everyday for years and I would find them all over the house. I miss that.

Kinda sad when your little ones grow up. You miss all the little things they used to do.

It's ok I guess....*sigh*.... Now I'll just enjoy all the NEW little things with my BIG kids. They don't fit in my lap any more, but they're still just as sweet.

If you like the little magnets, they are from my friend, the most amazing artist and human being. Here is one of her websites. Journal Junk

You can buy her collage sheets of her "inchie" work on etsy. Lia's Collage Sheets

Friends Forever

"And summer's lease hath all too short a date." ~ William Shakespeare

These are Allyson's best friends/neighbors.

They were all friends when they were little.

They are still friends now.

 

It makes me happy to see their loyalty and unconditional love they have for each other. They don't have to be anyone but "themselves" for each other. That's the way friendships should be. You love the person for who they are and don't ask them to be anyone else. My heart is joyful witnessing how these little girls have become women...who still care for one another.



"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world." ~Ada Louise Huxtable

"Waitress" and Blueberry Pie

What did you do this weekend?
Did you stay out of the heat or did you go out and play in it?
I worked on a rag rug...oh so cute. It's white, aqua and red to go with my kitchen.

We ate blueberry pie and napped with cats.

That's about it.

We have a good life, don't we?

What greater gift than the love of a cat? ~Charles Dickens

 

Did you see "Waitress "?

 Allyson and I love that movie. She invents pies and gives them great names now.

This cream cheese blueberry pie was named

"This Is So Much Better Than Math Homework Pie"

"Baby don't you cry, gonna make a pie, gonna make a pie with a heart in the middle.  Baby don't be blue, gonna make for you, gonna make a pie with a heart in the middle.  Gonna make a pie from heaven above, gonna be filled with strawberry love.  Baby don't you cry, gonna make a pie, and hold you forever in the middle of my heart"

If you want to sign up for  Amazon Prime  now, 

you can Instantly watch Waitress

for $2.99.

Do it!! You'll LOVE it.

Home from College

They move out - they move back in. They move out - they move back in.
Girl Child has returned from her first year in college. Um, sure she was only 30 minutes away but what's that to a Mother? She might as well be on Mars - cause she's my baby and the home was missing her light and presence. We're all going to enjoy the "friendship" she brings to our family. She's a delightful companion to have in your life. And did I mention she's a hard worker? We're kinda like tag-team home makers. Maybe that's not healthy, but she's been such a big help (a God send...thank God for my good daughter!!!!) to me all these years since my back was ruined 4 years ago in a fender bender. I'm so proud of the woman she has become...she's such a wonderful, happy, witty, faithful joy in our life.
3 months with her, then she'll move back out - hopefully to move back in, again and again....cuz it's gonna be hard to let her go. Awwww...as I type this, I hear her foot steps over head just waking up...what a sweet sound to hear the feet of your child creaking across the floor upstairs...   I just read this page on my Kindle, a free Grace Livingston Hill download, and it made me smile at this familiar feeling. The context is a Presbyterian minister watching his just returned daughter sweeping the front porch:   "...as he wrote an article..... he was more keenly alive to the song on the lips of his child, who had but lately returned from college life in one of the great universities for women. He smiled as he wrote, and a light came in his deep thoughtful eyes. She had gone and come, and she was still unspoiled, mentally, physically, or spiritually. That was a great deal to have kept out of life in these days of unbelief. He had been almost afraid to hope she would come back the same." "The City of Fire", 1922

Just thought it was interesting that parents were worried about the same things for their daughters back in 1922. As Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun.

 

Hooches and Smugs

(((group hug)))

Godspell in Lutz, Florida

My daughter is part of a theater school here in Lutz, Florida, called the Acting Studio

 

Every year they pick the play, get the script in August and perform in February and March. It's a dedicated, talented group of kids who have basically grown up together. I wish everyone could see their performances. The directors are amazing!!!! I love these people and what they have done for my daughter.

Before the first performance, I went back stage and took some pictures. I love this one. This is Allyson, putting make up on "Jesus", her friend Michael. He's a meek, sweet soul and a the perfect person to play Jesus.

 

Here is my sweet beautiful actress...she can even cry on cue. LOL  Honestly though, if you've ever seen Godspell, it's easy to cry.   

If you're interested in theater for your child or teen in the Tampa area contact the The Acting Studio.

Learning to Knit ... Ugh

Methinks it is a token of healthy and gentle characteristics, when women of high thoughts and accomplishments love to sew; especially as they are never more at home with their own hearts than while so occupied. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun, 1859

 

So last year's New Years resolution was learning to knit. With the help of books, lots of You Tube videos & practice, we did ok. My daughter did well and picked it right up. While I enjoyed it, I was ready for my crochet hook by the time all was said and done. I still want to learn more, but I want to take a class so I can watch someone do it. Books are hard for me. I'm a hands on learner, which is always inconvenient as you have to wait for a patient teacher who has time to deal with you to come along and save the day.

This is "photo essay" of our first knitting adventure. Wow! Using the words "photo essay" makes you feel so smart and artistic. LOL

Getting started...


I loved this picture because my dog's nose is trying to get me to pay attention to her while I'm trying so hard to concentrate! Geeze! Someone always wants mama...give me a break!




She is a natural! She loved it, which made me very happy. She needed a craft outside of what her mother loves, to call her own.


I'm TRYING!!


Had to take a mental break....scream....add a fake eye ball impalement for dramatic effect


LOOK! We invented something. A toe blanky. We're going to make a million $$$'s off this pattern some day. LOL For realz!


I surrender. Give me my crochet hook!

Look at her go! She's a genius. I love this kid!


If you want to teach yourself to knit, there are some great books out there, but we learned the most from You Tube videos. I hope to eventually move on to hats and socks.

Be blessed! Choose Joy! Love you all!

Post Christmas update la la la...

Hey there folks. Been busy here in Florida trying to keep warm, reading, quilting, cleaning and snuggling.

All our Christmas company (we had 11 people here at one time) went back home to the great state of Texas (without me). Boo hoo. This is my mom with 4 grandchildren. Who is ready to open presents and is sick of taking pictures? LOL



My daughter left for her second semester at college. This is her in the green. She's the oldest grandchild and everyone's right hand girl. Our home doesn't glow nearly as bright when her light is gone.



My husband left to work in Pennsylvania. I'm um....pretty certain he's coming home at the end of this week...Lord willing. :)



My son and I are working hard on his school, and started back to co-op last week.



I've bound 4 quilts, started a new one and my fingers are super sore. Ouch. No, I can't use a thimble. I try, but I can't. "Tex" is what I'm called by the people who will receive this baby quilt. I guess if your going to be called something other than your name, Tex is at least a kind endearment


...But the real reason my poor blog has been abandoned is because I got a Kindle for Christmas and I've read 4 books. Time to put it down and get the house put back together. I still need to put Christmas away. Yikes! Look at my domesticated "shadows". They go every where with me and they think they own the place. They're always invading my body bubble!



2nd Degree Hot Wax Burn

**This is my most read, google searched and found post.**

If this happens to you,

DO NOT TOUCH THE WAX ON YOUR FACE.  LEAVE IT THERE AND GET TO A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. 

 

DO NOT TOUCH IT OR

TRY TO REMOVE THE WAX!!!!!

 

You need to see a doctor or  the emergency room.  You will need burn cream, a possible tetanus shot and probably antibiotics.  

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My poor baby. My heart was broken in a million pieces Wednesday helping my daughter in agony. She was melting wax, PER EXACT INSTRUCTIONS, in the microwave. I guess she was going to work on her eyebrows without me. *sigh*

She saw it bubble up like a volcano, shoot out as a Yellowstone fountain right at her face. It covered parts of her face, her neck, up her nose and right hand. It got all over her clothing, but who cares about that. I just keep praising God it didn't get in her eye.

In a panic, we tried to get the wax off her face. DO NOT EVER, EVER, EVER do that if this happens to you. Just leave it there, and the burn creams you use will soften the "concrete super glue like wax" in time. Good God, we peeled the skin off in the process, only making things worse. It was the most heart wrenching, disgusting thing I ever witnessed with one of my children. We took her to the emergency room and they treated the burns and gave her some meds.

Look how pitiful she looks the first night. Doesn't she break your heart? I'm sick over it. She cried for hours and got tears in her burn. I finally got her to lay down, so the tears would run down the other way. *sniff*

Yesterday morning, her hand looked some better. Her face looked worse. Her nose was swollen and the burn was all crusty. I thought I was going to be sick, so Daddy had to come in and save the day. I can't handle pain or blood with one of my kids. My insides freak out and I feel faint.

She's having a hard time finding comfort. You have to wait a burn out. There is no quick healing. Last night was miserable. She tried to snuggle but it just wasn't working. Today her face wound bled a little and I guess it's trying to finally scab. I can't tell yet. To top it all off, she now has a cold and her poor little nose is dripping. I want to wrap her up in a blanky and rock away all her tears.

Every time I look at it, I'm so mad I could spit nails.  No one hurts my girl and lives to tell about it. 

Here is her courageous self-portrait, attempting to be brave and hopeful of no scarring. Her burn is in the shape of India or Africa...we can't decide. So if she scars, she'll at least have a cool looking shape on her face. *sigh*

a Thrifted Vintage 50's Green Chenille Bedspread

My daughter performs with the Acting Studio for teens here in Lutz, FL. They are putting on "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Steel Magnolias". Allyson is Ouiser in Steel Magnolias and she's an extra in the Horror cast.

I've been assigned the fortunate task of thrift shopping, looking for costumes and set pieces. Look what we found for $5.00. A 50's green vintage chenille bedspread. I was supposed to be shopping for clothing, but I can never pass the linen isle.

Another thing that's been going on is...my stupid dog ran away. I knew we shouldn't have named him Jack Sparrow. He loved me and left me. 

Vintage Sweater Reunion ~ The Yummy Butter Yellow Sweater

My daughter and I ran outside and took this picture in 10 seconds then ran back in the house. Florida is freezing right now. LOL Y'all think that's funny don't you? 

 

This was my Aunt April's sweater, who graduated in 1964. I know she wore this sweater when attending Tivy High in Kerrville, Texas.  I've been wearing this scrumptuous sweater every winter for 30 years. I always pack it when traveling in winter months. It's been to some pretty neat places, around the world and back and experienced many memorable days as my warm companion.

I'm not normally the kind of person who makes friends with my clothing, but hey...this is a pretty special sweater. 

It represents what I like in a friend. Strong but soft, natural threads, knitted losely not uptight, in a simple yet striking pattern, who never unravels even after 45 years of use. 

Plus, it's yellow and who doesn't want a sunny warm friend during the cold days of your life?

What qualities do you look for in a faithful sweater and friend?

God bless you today. Stay warm.

Mother~Daughter~Grandmother~Great Grandmother and our DNA

I can’t find good pictures looking straight at my daughter's face, but here are a few.  

This is girlchild with Daddy.  

Here we are on a good day. Mother and daughter. I love this girl. She’s never given me a moments grief. Always been a very easy, loving child. What on earth did I do to deserve her???? God has blessed me.

Homework:

I don’t think she’s enjoying this. She’s procrastinating concentration.

Awww…yes, it’s finally coming to her. Ah-ha! Latin really is easy if you think about it long enough.

Here is my sweet better half on my birthday. I’m sorry we’re always squinting, but we live in the Sunshine State, you know...the sun is always in our eyes. We smile with our eyes half open.

So here is my grandma (Thank you Melinda for posting it). I have her nose and lips. My daughter has the same nose, lips and chin as her. My daughter and I have grandma's high pitched sqeaky voice too.  DNA is funny AND fun.  I look a little like my mother too I guess, but I'm too lazy to dig those pictures out.

Dorothy Belle Seitter