Awake last night until 3 am . . . not sure why [ LIE ] . . .sleep doesn't come lately since mom's been diagnosed with acute myloid leukemia.

Yesterday was a rich, filled-to-the-brim-joyous- yet-heartbreaking day . . . so most likely that kept me up.

Jay & I went to a charity bowling event from 9 am - 12 pm - proceeds to benefit local women's shelter. Had great fun, bowled terribly & didn't care, laughed & talked with friends; went out for lunch afterwards [hoping to have some great pictures, but I am too tired today to even attempt connecting camera to computer].

Then we went off to purchase a new mattress set for mom; her's was way too soft & possibly part of the back pain she's been having. I had noticed this while at her house - she no longer showers if alone - although we purchased the shower bench for her, she is too weak. Anyway, I was "spotting" her whiel she was in the shower and sat on the bed to watch TV, then laid down and went "WHOA, this mattress is terrible" . . . decided she needed a new one. Her comment was, "I'm not buying a new mattres set with 3-4 months of life left in me" *sob*

We got a great deal on the mattress set - - -when I explained to the sales lady we were buying it for my mother she took another $100 off the set PLUS the guy said he'd deliver later the same dayfor FREE. So off we went to mom's house to meet delivery guy. Jay I moved her old mattress so I'd have time to vacuum under her bed, etc.

Mom was soooooooo happy and it was a delight to watch her try it out! We stayed until about 6 pm. My sister was there as she spends the weekends with mom to cook & be with her. It was good to see my sister, however, after about 2 hours she started with her comments about black people, gays, all laced with profanity.

I have many gay friends and black friends and I REFUSE to participate or listen to those comments regardless of whether you are an aquaintance or own my sister. So I paced a moment and told hubby we needed to head for home before our team's kick-off. We had to make a stop for Lucky Dog food on the way home.

Sister was on her 2nd bottle of wine & her personality starts to change when she's been drinking all day. Usually she's a "holier-than-thou-baptist-bible-quoting-bible-studying-knitting-church-lady-prude" and is offended if I say "sheet". Therefore, when talking with someone using alcohol - I find it useless to verbally stand up for my gay & black friends - I have found instead of talking to my sister, I am really talking to the alcohol and the situation becomes worse. Had she been sober, damn-skippy, I would have had a lot to say to her.

*Gag me with family-dynamics*

Bought our Lucky Dog food; got home, TV on for football, shoes off - - - Ahhhhhh, time to relax.

BUT, my BFF just got back into town from a creative retreat in Blowing Rock, NC [I passed on it due to mom's condition ] She stopped by the house to share the wonderfulness of the retreat and what she had created. Great conversation, spiritually & creatively uplifiting - laced with bubbles of laughter and both of our creative juices flowing!!!

Mr. Wonderful watched the game AND managed to put together snacks & sodas while we chattered on and on and on and on. She left about 11 pm just my son Mark got home so I HAD to stay up & spend time with my him!!!

I know - - - I've not written about mom's condition and have been absent from my blog. Not sure I can "go there" and write about it here. I will have to eventually put my feelings out there on paper, in print, or in my art, but I am scared.

Necklaces

Went to a great GiRl FrIeNd PaRtY today!!! Met fun, wonderful, new women and saw some girlfriends I've not seen in awhile!! I had to buy loads of fun home decor also. AND, will be hosting my own home show in mid-November! I am a huge fan of hosting and helping women who are in business for themselves. Especially in today's economy! Kudos to you fabulous women who take on so much!

Tomorrow I am hosting my GiRl FrIeNd PaRtY and have invited 54 women! What is with you gals that don't know the meaning of "r.s.v.p"? I'll break it down for you with a little help from Wikipedia . . .!

According to Wikipedia, RSVP means "Répondez s'il vous plaît", a French phrase that translates to "please respond" & word for word means "respond if you please". It is with this meaning that invitation cards and similar documents are often marked with "RSVP." It is standard practice to reply to an RSVP request whether confirming attendance or declining. It is incredibly rude to not rsvp to an invitation. And be cautious of a date given for an rsvp! And remember, never rsvp for more persons than the invitation requests"

*Whew* sorry to get a bit crabby, but for those who won't, can't, forget, to rsvp, you are missing out on some of life's joyous times. After awhile you don't get invited anymore and then you'll be all alone wondering where your friends are.

Dryer Sheet on Journal Page

Washing & drying load after load of laundry today got me thinking about dryer sheets !

So I went to my art journal and used good ole' "YES!" glue and attached a dryer sheet to my journal. Painted over it with green. Underneath you can see some personal writing - I love covering up my secret thoughts with art.

I am a big fan of texture too, so this page works for me. Of course more will be added, but that happens bit-by-bit and may be awhile!

In the meantime, I've been on a house-cleaning roll! I know, spring cleaning has passed and it is full on HOT summer, but it works for me! In the spring, I'd rather be outdoors instead of cleaning!

My life is sooooooo gooood right now!!! Thanks Universe!

Look What I Made! ! ! !

I really should post a picture of what these look like being worn !!!

Stained glass with thin sparkly paper wrapped with wire - of course coated so that I am not cut by glass and wire while wearing! Simple and fun to make. I couldn't believe I did this!

I've worn 3 of these now and get complimented every time! Wearing the yellow one today!

Could I sell these? Where? How much?

B&B Antique Store

Oh my goodness, the things I saw while visting B&B Antiques!

So much to see [ and kiss!]

Life-sized Blues Brothers for sale $4,000

I didn't get close enough to check the price tag on this Red Hot Lady Lamp - it kinda scared me.
I love this lamp! If it was in green instead of blue it would be in my bedroom right now!
Love the red hot mama table [above]!

My son would like this suit of armour in his home!

And wonderful Dominoe Jewelry for sale too! Oh-My!

New Tool Used

At my book making class I had the fun of trying another fun tool that I had to purchase while at Stacy's store.

Tim Holtz's Ideaology Sander Grip!!! This little gem cost me less than $10 bucks and I've used it all day on creating what is now my 2nd board book! WOO - HOO!

Here's a sneek peak of my 'House' board book before I've done anything to it!!

Okay, I am too, too excited about my efforts, so I will go ahead and show you the background papers added. All purchased at Stacy's store, Scrappin' Creations. Of course, more papers, embelishments, photos & ephemera to follow!

This books will be a gift for my father-in-law with photos of his parents & his siblings from his childhood. All the papers were added with the previously posted YES! Glue . . . gotta say it, this glue is fantastic!! Use your Michael's 40% - 50% off coupon because it is worth $5.00 spent!

- - FRONT - -

- - BACK - -

First Board Book

Saturday morning I took a book binding class at Scrappin' Creations and made this adorable recipe book! I learned a lot of great tips for making chipboard books. I am a hands-on-learner so this class was a real help for me.
Check out the new Scrappin' Creations store here:
http://www.scrappincreations.com/

The book has 5 tabbed sections.

1) Thanksgiving Feast
2) Traditonal Christmas dinner
3) HJ's Parties [for mother-in-laws fantastic party pleasers]
4) Carolyn's Best [mother's recipes]
5) Italian [because I am & have grandmother's recipes]

I am going to include inchie photos on the tab pages of each women and food along with some well-used quotes!

Love this new Zutter binding machine I used and hope to buy, beg, win one!!! Of course Stacy sells this at http://www.scrappincreations.com/.
My next project is a HOUSE BOOK and I am ready to go!!! I know, first I need to embelish my book and write my recipes. I get my creative juices going and forget to complete a project before beginning my next one!

Everyone I know will now be recieving the gift of a BOARD BOOK for Christmas from me with a personal theme and photos!

Yes! Glue

I purchased Yes! glue because it came highly recommended, i.e., the only glue that does not wrinkle when creating board books, scrapbook pages, and art journals.

I've used Matte Mod Podge forever, and it does tend to wrinkle a bit if I am not careful, but it has been my favorite glue. If you want to give Yes! a try, the price is approximately $10.00 and can be found at Michael's crafts. Use a 40% or 50% off coupon. Michael's also accepts Hobby Lobby coupons.

One more el-cheap-o suggestion . . . good ole' Elmers glue . . . mix some up with water to the consistency of Mod Podge and use a paint brush. It will dry glossy if used on top of the item being glued. I'm not a fan of glossy so that is why I've used the Matte Mod Podge.

I'll let you know what I think of Yes! glue after a class I am taking on Saturday!

I forgot to tell you . . .

Working on another Soul Journal prompt - - my mission, to begin journal on a 2 page spread using the prompt "I forgot to tell you . . . ." and keep on writing until both pages were filled. When stuck, just begin again with "I forgot to tell you . . ."

I had no problem filling my pages and thankfully they are all covered up now! [No photo of my writing.]

Both pages are then covered up with tape. I used what I found in the garage, silver electrical tape, red electrical tape, and my favorite paper tape. Tape burnished onto pages then sanded and gesso. Photo shows that process.

I sanded some of my gesso rather than wipe it off. Words and tape show through [Sarah says they should peek out a bit.]

More fun - - pick acrylic paints and go nuts! I didn't like the way some of my red tape was showing through so after green paint, I used red, then some black around the edges -- to dark for me - - - then some gold paint.

So, here is what it looks like now.

Still see my red tape, so the lesson is be sure and sand your tape well so it holds onto your paint!! So what do you think I should do with this page now ? ? ? ? ?

I know, I know, the larger photo is blurry, but I am not excited enough about this page to take another picture.

Ooh My Goodness!!

What a week! The transmission on my car "crapped-put" for lack of a better word. Boy, I hate spending money on my car unless it is for a road trip and seeing how I have several planned through the end of the year, I will "put-on-my-big-girl-panties" and deal with it.

I also went to a Podiatrist for the first time ever - must be because I am maturing! From aerobics and water aerobics I've developed a "heel spur" which is just extreme pain in my left heel. Doc of Feet gives me lame exercises to do for 2 weeks and a Rx for Motrin. How about hook me up to a morphin drip pronto, Trapper John!!!! I want immediate relief! I go back in 2 weeks and hopefully he will give me the magic shot in my foot [cortisone, yes I googled 'heel spur'].

Now, I've returned home and instead of "working" I am waiting for the gesso to dry in my journal. Yes, I normally speed it up with the heat gun, but needed to vent about my car and my foot!! I am doing the Soul Journal prompts by Sarah W. entitled, "I forgot to tell you . . . " Find Sarah's fun prompts here http://www.souljournaling.com/prompts.php. I promise you'll be glad you've joined in!! There is also a yahoo group you should join to continue with the prompts and fun!

ATC I put together . . . I call it "Head Games" which is a fitting description of my week so far!

Naked Art journal page

Loved this newspaper clipping and had to journal it!

Art Journal Page

Page created with watercolor on background . . . "Chimps, Toddlers share traits" . . . just cut that out because I like chimps and toddlers! Journaled about my twisted childhood - "see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil" monkeys reminded me of how I had to behave as a child to survive.

Soul Journal

Soul Journal - prompt re: Soul Armor

Background Challenge

I made this background months ago because I love the fun old-fashion border I placed at the bottom of the canvas.

Your mission is print yourself a copy and play and make something that may inspire me and others!!

Please share your finished work!!

My Creative Space

So here it is . . . I offer for your viewing pleasure a peek into the room where I create!

I love the energy of Mary Engelbreit and have decorated one of the rooms in our home with her fabrics, colors, and purchased items.

The bed is a twin bed and I spend time pouring over art books or listening to my ipod and even in meditation. The larger picture over the bed is a jigsaw puzzle of a country fair that I put together and then framed. I loved the colors in and print of the puzzle.

I hand painted the table - I should post a close up for you! The lamp base was painted black and I hot glued multi-colored buttons on the lamp shade.

My husband and I made the dollhouse with a kit and little-by-little I add to it. I made the french memo photo board from my son's old cork board. I covered it with batting and then had a yellow sheet I cut to fit over that. All staple-gunned on the back of the memo board. Black elastic criss-crosses the board.

Stacked underneath the french memo board is my moveable scrapbooking kit. Several albums in progress and ready to go at the next scrapping weekend. I only scrapbook with large groups for days at at time where I am able to spread everything out and get tons done.


My crafting desk is a complete mess! Hubby removed the closet doors, installed a counter top and made shelves and cabinets over and on the side of the desk top. Black file cabinets hold tons of ephemera, canvases, water color paper, etc. Over the desk top I have a bulletin board and a dry erase board. The dry erase board is so handy to make a quick note when an idea pops into my head.

I know . . .! The chair does not match at all, but it really is comfortable. I have purchased fabric to cover it, but covering a chair just hasn't been a priority for me!

Girl Day Out

Meeting the wonderful Ann-a-man for lunch at Olive Garden today. Trip to Michaels involved to obtain more art supplies [matte gel medium]. Also, have 40% off coupon that I will use to purchase the large sticker making machine-y-thingy [don't know what it is called, so I'll have to post a picture here later].

Friday's Child

Child abuse ain't pretty.

Mixed Media - gesso on both sides of 140 lb. watercolor paper; multi-painted background with splattered water to remove paint layers; wording stamped with gesso over purple background. "Friday" stamped with ink; female magazine image used as stencil twice on left & right of original; the original image altered; more painting, scratching, journaling; word cut outs used and adhered with gel medium. Edges lined with oil crayon and smeared. Fine tip sharpie for details. Sprayed with Matte finishing spray.

"Softly Spoken" Workshop

My first online workshop taken at

http://adonlineworkshops.ning.com.

This is one of many I made, but the only one that I like. I am currently redoing one piece and hoping I will like and post the finished product here!

Altered Diva Online "Landscape" Workshop

My 2nd workshop at this wonderful site: http://adonlineworkshops.ning.com/

The suggested canvas size was HUGE - and being intimidated and not wanting to -in my mind - ruin a wonderfully large canvas, I downsized, and felt uninhibited. Medium used is old scrapbook papers, book papers, acrylics, and charcol. I may like the process enough to now make the larger size!

My Heart Leaves Home

I completed several canvases following the tutorial in Somerset Home, by Amber Oaks on Page 93.

2 canvas = 4" x 4"

1 canvas = 6" x 8"

1 canvas = 11" x 14 " [not shown]

Amber's art moved me and I identified with her broken heart she had at the time she created her "City of Hearts".

My "broken heart" feeling was more I saw and felt my son leaving home for college in Hawaii. His heart & soul fly away from home toward his own live path. . . .

I see him fly over cities and other lands.

The art not shown has 3 flying hearts each one representing an important soul in my life that has passed on.

Missing Dad on Memorial Day, 2009

Lt. Col. John F. Padula, Jr.

January 8th 1933 - December 21st, 1976

Dad was born in Chicago, Illinois, the 2nd son of John F. Padula, Sr. & Rose Pedote Padula. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college. His father had a 3rd grade education and his mother completed 6th grade. Dad's early dreams included professional baseball or perhaps the priesthood, until he met Carolyn Nancy Boucher on the train traveling to college.

Dad served in the Marines and then went to work for pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Inc. He missed the life of a soldier and joined the Army retiring after 18 years of service as a Disabled Vietnam Veteran. Dad served two tours in Vietnam. He requested the 2nd tour of duty.

He was Chief of Personal Services with the First Division in Vietnam [ The Big Red One ]. Dad was awarded two Air Medals and the Commendation Ribbon and the 5-Cluster Bronze Star. He attended the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington.

My father loved to fish & boat on Lake Marion at Santee where he purchased our vacation home. He bred bulldogs and showed and owned several champions. Dad was a fierce competitor on the hand ball and racquet ball courts, and in life. He loved the horse track and placed many a winning bet. He'd study those race sheets for hours. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix - he seemed to know it all - electrical, mechanical, building, etc. He made painting the house, cleaning the boat, and yard work a family activity. He had a "green thumb" - my garden's harvest doesn't come close to what his yielded. Dad was a lover of photography and home movies. He took pictures all the time, everywhere we went and even around the house.

He demanded only the best from himself and his troops; i.e., children. None of us were perfect, but that didn't stop him from attempting to make us all perfect. Being surrounded by his loud noisy family eating home cooked Italian food was his greatest joy, second only to fishing. He never passed up a party & hosted plenty himself. Dad loved to cook and made Italian sausage so hot when you ate it you'd sweat and tears would drip from your eyes.

He loved his wife and children and bestowed nicknames on all of us. I saw my father cry only twice in his lifetime. One, when his Uncle Phillip passed away. Two, the day my little brother, Michael, was born.

I believe if my father were still alive . . . . .

He'd be all over the WWW and FaceBook posting a million pictures & videos of his grandchildren. He loved "new" technology - we were the first family on the block to have the silver Christmas tree with the color wheel; the first people I knew to own the "new" video game "Pong". He'd most likely have an ipod, flat screen TVs, digital cameras, the iPhone, a wii, and every new techie gadget that came out as soon as it was available.

His grandchildren would all have learned to cook, fish, bet the horses, and water ski under his direction. Each grandchild would have been given a bulldog puppy. He'd be the one to give them their first alcoholic drink, probably at Christmas dinner, "just a sip for a toast". I imagine he would have the grandkids for a couple of weeks each summer at "Papa's Santee Summer Camp" - no parents of these children allowed. He'd tell his grandchildren how horrible and naughty his children were.

John, Tony, Marguerite, myself, and Michael would all have reached perfection in Dad's eyes for the simple fact that we each reproduced giving him exceptional grandchildren. He would tolerate us, his children, and openly love and bestow affection on his grandchildren in a way he never could with his own children.

I often envision Dad organizing the painting of the outside of each of our homes - "we don't hire people to do that!" . . . Supervising moving day as each of his children moved into larger homes. Dad would never have missed a grandchild's kindergarten graduation, b-day party, ball game, race, talent show, award banquet, high school or college graduation. He'd be in the front row, tripod set up and camera flash going off so much it was annoying! And after said event he'd have a full Italian meal prepared and ready to eat.

This Memorial Day long weekend, would be another Papa Padula tradition spent in Santee with the grands [ok, possibly their parents would be invited ] water skiing, tubing, eating fried catfish and whatever else was caught that day. The day would end with an obscene amount of money spent on fireworks & eating too much homemade peach ice cream. Dad loved South Carolina peach season and any kind of homemade ice cream - everyone gets a turn to crank it!

Next big shindig - all the troops would be commanded to embark on a trip to Pelion, SC for the 4th of July Peach Festival!

I believe if only my father were still alive . . . . .

The Tea Room in Sumter, South Carolina

The Tea Room

I love this place!! Such a femine, lady like dining spot, with a huge tea list! Love the raspberry tea.

Fine china, cloth napkins, old silver, tons of vintage items and pictures; roses on the table.

They deliver your check in a vintage ladies evening bag & you place your credit card inside. When they bring you the sales slip to sign, it is on a antique silver tray.

Poinsettia

I recieved this poinsettia last Christmas, 2008. It has been on my sun porch all year growing new green leaves. And look what has happenend = = = > it has bloomed!! Yes, a little late for Christmas but still pretty remarkable I think! In the past Iread about how to get last year's poinsettia to bloom again, and it always involves months of complete darkness and lack of water. I've thrown a tad of water on this once a week and occasionally have sprayed some green algea plant food on it when spraying my other house plants. Don't know what worked, or didn't work, but I am pleased. I can't wait to see if the bloom grows bigger!

::Hungry for my son::

I've got to type this as fast as I can before I go eat my entire box of NS food!!!!!!!!!

My son is in college . . . he use to be 2 hours away and he would come home every 3-4 months for a weekend visit. This semester he transfered to the University of Hawaii - we are in South Carolina. Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, he cannot simply come home for a weekend. I am really really missing him today. I have a strong desire to buy the largest bag of M&Ms and nestle on the couch and eat them all. Yes, I know that eating crap is not going to bring my son home, it is going to make me feel like crap afterwards too.

I need support from other moms with children that are far, far away! Believe me, I would rather have him in Hawaii then with a shaved head fighting in Iraq. Those mother's amaze me how they continue to move through their daily life day after day after day.

I have a box for my son to take to the post office this afternoon. I am mailing him his valentine card & gift: Quicksilver Board shorts, madras cargo shorts, Tshirts, micro popcorn, trail mix, etc. My husband and I plan to go to Hawaii in November and that is so far away. I would love nothing more than to surprise my son with one-third of his mom gone for good - - the fat part.

My son does call about once a week, and sends the occasional text msg, and we communicate on facebook. I write him an ongoing letter and send upbeat, happy news. The last thing I want is for him to know how much his moving leaves a hole in my heart.

After going to the post office, I have to go to the grocery store for dog food - Poor Lucky Dog is completely out of food. On second thought, it would be better for me at this point in time to stay out of the grocery store, so instead I will pay more and go to the pet speciality store instead!!

Thanks for reading this far . . . typing has kept my hands buys!!! All comments are welcome and will be greatley appreciated!!

The Beep-beep-beeping stopped!!!!

No sooner did I publish the previous post, then "volia" the beep-beep-beeping stopped!!! YIPEE!!!! I can now head to the shower and I hope like hell it does not start up again and startle the hell out of me!!!

Time to Replace the Battery in the Smoke Detector

Great, sitting here typing and the smoke detector in the master bedroom begins it's piercing beep-bee-beep signaling the need for a new battery. Scared the shit out of me and Lucky Dog. Lucky Dog came under the desk and the poor dog is quivering and shaking - it has to hurt his ears too! I let him outside immediately and headed to the garage to get the ladder to at least take out the old battery.

Back inside, even with the ladder and me up high on it, I cannot reach to remove the cover and thus, remove the battery. So, I am listening to the beep-beep-beep and may go completely mad before the battery runs out of juice to even beep-beep-beep!

Almost 3 minutes before the beep-beep-beeping began, Jay had called to let me know he was going to be late tonight because he is in Beaufort. Great! I have more than 3 hours to listen to this sound. I was heading to the shower, but now don't think I can actually enter the master bedroom. I know, I know, the shower will cover up the beep-beep-beeping, but it's when I get out of the shower that I'll have to listen to it while I am doing all my beauty routines! Jeesh!

Thinking . . .

Yesterday was the inaugration of President Obama - still sounds too weird to even say that for some reason. I loved watching all the pomp and seeing our men in uniform. There is something extradorinary about seeing a new president elected and take office - I get goosebumps watching this stuff. Mrs. Obama looked beautiful and their children are adorable. The First Lady wore J. Crewto the swearing-in ceremony! How cool is that?

I really, really liked watching & hearing George W. Bush's welcome home speech he gave in Middleton, Texas! He is a hoot. He spoke of the principals he used daily in his life; how he didn't always do the popular thing, but he always did the RIGHT thing. He said his new domestic policy will involve taking out the garbage and mowing the lawn. His first day at home he would wake up, make Laura coffee, read the paper, go for a long walk, fish, and by then it would be 8:00 AM - - - laughter --- that's how it is when you are a Type A personality!

I didn't see any of the balls or what Michelle wore, but I assume in the next days we will be bombarded with pictures and fashion critics will be taking their shots at Mrs. Obama.

On a different note, I have started the Nutra System diet program. All is going well. I have not yet tried the exercise DVD nor done any exercise to be honest. Need to. Want to. Have become a little too addicted to facebook since connecting with so many high school classmates.

Facebook: my addiction, checking up on people, looking at their photos and reading their information about jobs and family; then there's BINGO, and CASINO, and SCRATCH-OFF-TICKETS, and SUPER-POKE-PETS . . . I need to put an end to my daily obsession! But I do like to check in on Mark-a-Doodle-Bug!!!

I talked to Barbara G. yesterday - we were both online at the same time and I told her to "CALL ME" and she did!!! Her voice was exactly the same and the years fell away. She is a dear sweet friend and I am so proud that she went back to school and became a nurse! She was meant to be one - - she was too, too, adorable in her candy-striper" uniform as a high school student.

Working today: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm; 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
May get more hours if available.

Sad note: Last night watching TV there was something on the show about a husband dying and leaving his family without money or security.

I said to my husband, "If you die tonight, I am screwed."

He said, "WHAT?"

I reply, "We don't have wills!"

He became very upset and aggravated and got up huffing & puffing and said, "Social Security will pay you more money than I make now - your not going to be screwed! You said you could do it online for $12 bucks so go online and do it!!!"

Wisely, I paused between the time of thought and reaction and made no comment. I never said it cost $12 bucks, that's ridiculous and untrue. I had told him it could be done at LegalZoom.com for around $70.00 per will.

He got up all annoyed and paced around and then headed back to the bedroom. I turned off the TV, took the dog outside, smoked a cigarette, and went back to the bedroom. He was already in bed reading. I did my nightly beauty rountine and got into bed.

I said something light and cute that I don't even remember, but just to kill the wall of silence. He commented back. We both read for awhile and then he put his book down and turned out his light. No "good-night" was spoken. That was it.

This morning I woke up at 6 AM took Lucky Dog outside and then went back to bed. His alarm was going off and he pushed snooze a couple of times. Next thing I know, it is 9 AM and I am waking up from a deep dream filled sleep. I come out to get coffee and he has left for work. No note on the table. His silence continues. I haven't checked my email because I don't expect there to be a mesage.

Do I owe him an apology???? Based on my experience of loosing my father when I was 15 years old, I guess I believe that if the man loves his wife and family he pre-plans for his demise. Looking back, after my father passed, we continued to live in the same house, my mother did not go out and get a job [she had never worked], my brothers did not have to leave college and come home to work, all three cars were paid off. Nothing in my life changed. It was not until I grew up and had 20/20 hindsight, did I realize how our lives could have changed.

My father had lovingly pre-planned for not being able to provide for his family. I wish my husband felt the same way. Perhaps instead of spending money on redecorating [which could have waited], he could have used the same money to get some of our affairs in order. *Sigh* Don't know how to communicate this to my husband or if I will even bother to use my breathe and vocal cords.

We had a fun weekend:

I had a great weekend and as the picture shows my hubby had a good time too! Yellow roses are my favorite and this arrangement is perfectly beautiful!

Re-decorating in Annette Ville

It has been a busy time at home. Now that Mark is in Hawaii we have redecorated his room. Jay painted last weekend and this weekend we made the headboard, got two new lamps, and new bedspread and pillow shams. We are in the proces of figuring out what will hang on the walls.

See our new headboard? It is made of plywood, covered with thick foam: the middle panel is covered in a textured gold fabric, the side panels are black, and between the panels we added black and garnet colored trim. Hubby added some crown molding along the top with a shelf - painted bright white to match the room's trim.

Here is a close up of the headboard details:

We are having all of Mark's Cross-Country and Track ribbons mounted in a shadow box to display on one wall above his XC & Track trophys.

We are now in the process of culling through old photographs to display on the larger wall. Old photographs include our grandparents, great-grandparents, and our parents. Love the look of these old photos as we've begun spreading them out on the bed to arrange for hanging.

New window valance, new lamp, & hubby's childhood desk:

Close up of lamp shade on the night stand:

Close up of the new window valance:

A close up of the new bed comforter colors:

Close up details of the desk lamp [ I love the texturing ]:

One thing we've put on the wall above the closet, as our guests lie in bed they will see this sign our daughter gave us:

I'll update as we progress in the guestroom and get pictures and accesories added!!

*SIGH*

Mmmmmm.....finally got some sleep! The boy sent me a text message late yesterday that he was able to get the math class he needs for Freshman year and will now have enough credit hours to remain a full-time student and received his financial aid monies. Sigh of relief for him and myself!

New Picture

This is the view from Mark's dorm room window....Diamond Head can be seen in the background. I can't wait for him to post more pictures!