This is just a quick post, as I have a boatload of boxes to unpack and find something to do with the contents. I would venture to say, we have probably unpacked half our boxes, which is A LOT!!!!! I am grateful to my parents for coming and helping. Not sure what I'd do without them; probably go CRAZY!!!!


Anyway...


I'll blog all about our moving experience at another time. Right now I just want to say how excited I am to be involved with the next Bead Soup Blog Party. I am part of the last reveal the end of August. I was hoping I could be the late one, with the move and all, and I am! 


I only have the internet sometimes, as I am stealing it from the neighbors. Kinda feel bad, but I couldn't find our computer stuff until AT&T was closed for the weekend (it was in a box marked "garage"). Well, I have it now, so I have been able to find out who my Bead Soup partner is and she is Shawn Marie Myke-Mills. She lives in West Virginia. OH!.What a gorgeous state! You should check out her blog. She has just gotten into making jewelry, and is hooked! As I've been unpacking everything, I've been searching for my beads, and found some fun stuff. I will eventually post some pictures after she gets them. Anyway, I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew right now with the move and all. It's been quite the adventure, since the movers really didn't mark the boxes too well. For example, I found part of my master bedroom lamps in a box marked "garage." I'm still in search for my light bulbs and shades. They are beaded, so I am a bit worried about them....

Wish me luck, and hope the next time I'm posting, I can share some of our moving adventures.....

What color should I do the foyer?


Monday, we did our final walk through, and Tuesday, we became official Kentucky homeowners. It's a done deal, and hopefully Thursday, late afternoon, we will be able to walk into our new home, if not, then first thing Friday morning. 


Our home in Louisiana was brand new. It was so nice to walk into a clean, fresh new home. Nothing had to be done, just a little bit of dusting and vacuuming here and there. The house we are about to move into though, not so much. On top of cleaning and replacing some light fixtures, we are going to also need to paint. It won't get done before our furniture comes Monday.


I think the first place I want to start is the entry. The chandelier in the entry is horrible. It is one of those gold brassy ones from the 80's. I was never a fan when they were in style.

I thought maybe I could just spray paint it. First I thought about black, then a dark brown. 

(source)

I still was not sure, so I went to Lowes to get inspired. I saw some pewter ones, and thought maybe that would look nice. The one chandelier I saw that I really liked was marked down from $278 to $178. Even though it was marked down, I still didn't want to pay that much. Spray paint is a lot cheaper. Bill and I decided we could try to paint it and if it didn't look good, we could always come and get something. Although this one would probably not be available. 


Well, today after lunch, I went back to Lowes to check out some paint. I went to look at the chandelier and it was GONE!!! Well crum. Oh well...As I stood there in disappointment, the sales clerk came by and asked if I needed help. I asked him where the chandelier went that was just there last night. He told me he had just taken it down and then lead me to it. It was in the cart. He told me he had that one and one in a box, then showed the box. It was marked to $74! Yes, $100 less than yesterday, and $200 less than originally. I nabbed it! I'll post a picture when we get it hung.


Now for the paint. The entry is green, and I really don't want green. I liked what I had in our last home, but I've had the same colors in our last three homes, and I'm getting a little tired of it. Besides, I'm not sure the beiges are going to be that popular much longer. But then again, if I do blue, like I'm thinking about, will I tire of that quickly? I've got to pick something that is going to last long, as painting this foyer is going to be a challenge with the high soaring ceilings that it has.


The blue I have picked out is a very, very light blue. So light, in fact, that my husband is calling it white. It is under the "Cool Whites" category. It is Breath of Blue by Valspar. I'm not sure it has enough color in it. I am planning on keeping all the trim and stair railing white, and I'd like that to pop somewhat against the walls.


Then there is a step up from that called Sky. It has been my experience, that paint color does not look like the swatches you get from the store. Usually, they tend to be deeper or brighter. I like the Sky better, but for the foyer, Breath of Blue might be better. Oh how I hate picking paint colors. I guess I need to just get a small sample of the colors and put a big section on the wall.


One thing I do have to keep in mind too, is the flow of the rest of the house. There are four rooms that go off the foyer from the downstairs, then upstairs, you have all the bedrooms and one bathroom. I'm not so worried about the upstairs. Downstairs, there is a half bath that comes off the foyer, and I'd probably just go in there with the same color. The living room and dining room are all one room, so whatever I do for one will have to go into the other. 


The kitchen is another room that comes off the foyer. I've always loved yellow kitchens, and I do believe I will be able to have one now. At first I didn't think so, but I saw two beautiful kitchens with the same color cabinets and counters I have, that had yellow walls, so I just might go for it! You can see the kitchens by going here and here. I actually like the first of the two because it seems a lot brighter. I've got some yellow swatches that I'll have to put up against the granite counters to get my opinion. 

Here's our kitchen. We have cherry cupboards, so with the dark wood, we need to brighten it up some. It kinda looks like the walls are already yellow in the picture, but they are more of a creamy beige.

Shelf Reliance

Quick post...

(source) 

I was just reading some of the blogs I keep up with and what did I see? A free giveaway that I sure hope to win.


The giveaway is by Thrive, Shelf Reliance. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then go here, and check it out! Just before we moved, I had gone to one of these parties and wanted to order a bunch, but due to the move, I am having to wait. Wouldn't it be cool if I could win some of it?! 


Anyway, check out IHeart Organizing blog to see if maybe you could be a winner.

(source) 

My Three Sons....are bored....

I grew up in a house full of girls. For the past almost 18 years (our youngest will be 18 in Oct), we have had a house full of boys (with my one bonus girl). I have learned boys are a whole new breed. It makes me laugh.

So, this is what we do when we are being bored and in the motel. You see here one of my sons is playing on the computer, the other is texting, and not sure what the third son who has his leg on the wall is doing, but it's my guess that it has something to do with electronics; probably texting or talking on the cell phone.


One of our sons has started working a full time job at the plant where his daddy is working, so no more boredom for him. As far as the other two, well, there are just two more days of nothingness, so enjoy it while you can...First thing Friday morning, starts the cleaning and moving...hehehehe!

YES!!! Another Bead Soup Blog Party

 I am about to do my third Bead Soup Blog Party and I am soooo excited about it!

This was what I made with my first soup.

This is what I made with my 2nd soup. 

I wonder who my new partner will be. I wonder what I will send my new partner. I wonder what fun things I will get and make with my new soup.

I've been making jewelry for quite some time. It all started when I was about jr. high school age. My sister and I use to go to the craft store in the mall and get things to make earrings. Pretty soon we  macramed necklaces and bracelets.

Fast forward to when I was college age, and we pretty much stopped making our jewelry. Eventually, my sister picked it up again after she finished her master's degree and was married. She decided to make some jewelry for Christmas gifts. She took all her creations to work to see what other's thought. They started asking her what she would charge for the pieces, and pretty soon, she sold everything. As her and her husband discussed what happened, they decided to start a small business. She now has her own blog--The Crafty Princess Diaries, is the jewelry guide for about.com, and has written several book. Her name? Tammy Powley. Just google her name and you can see, she has been quite the busy little crafter and writer. 

A few years later Tammy got me interested in making jewelry again. I then started a small business and called it Treasures by Terry. For several years, I sold things here and there. We had four small children, so I kept the business at a minimum. Eventually, I started homeschooling, and pretty much stopped making jewelry, except for gifts and a few weddings here and there.

I still haven't really gotten back into the business much. I am planning on changing that, though. As soon as we get moved and settled, I plan to check out all the tax laws in Kentucky, and start Treasures by Terry again. 

I already have a Treasures by Terry Facebook. You should check it out. I also do a little photography too, which I would like to start getting more into also. My photography I call, Jeanette's Photography (I have a Facebook for that too). I named it after my daughter and myself. Both of us share the same middle name. 

Well, that's a little history of my jewelry making. I am really excited about this Bead Soup Party. Since I've been so busy with the move and all, I am hoping my reveal date will the the last date, 25 August. That should give me plenty of time to get moved in and find my jewelry making stuff.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD

Yep, that's me and my dad, many, many years ago.

Funny, how it really doesn't seem that long ago that I was daddy's little girl.

Today is Father's Day, and I would just like to wish my dad, the best dad, a wonderful day; and say thank you for always being there for me.

Armadillos

Yesterday afternoon, Miles came in asking to borrow my camera. Now I am very protective of my camera, and really didn't want to loan it to him. He then told me why he wanted it.

There were five armadillos in the woods.

He took a gazillion pictures and was very surprised that they didn't seem to be bothered by him.

Foto Friday

Enjoying the great outdoors.

The weather here in Tennessee has been absolutely gorgeous!

We noticed a few of the blackberries were starting to ripen.

 So we decided to pick some.

We got just enough....

Now maybe Grandma can make some blackberry cobbler!

The Dog Version, The Cat Version

Our little girl dog, Sox just turned 6 last month. I love her black and white coloring. She is so soft. I've had people ask what type of conditioner we put on her "hair". Isn't that a silly question?

We've been spending a lot of time with my in laws. They have several animals, one has always caught my attention. I'm not usually a fan of cats, but I really like Cuddles. I call her the cat version of Sox.

Cuddles doen't like to have her picture taken either....just like Sox.

Countdown Has Begun!

In just under a week we will be homeowners once more. In a little over a week, we will be cleaning and getting ready for our furniture to come. The day is finally approaching us, and boy am I ever ready for it to be here! I am really getting pretty bored. 


During the past few weeks, I have been on the computer A LOT!!!! I've been doing research on how I would like to set up the house. Mostly on how to organize and clean stuff. Last move, we pretty much just threw stuff in the house, and I never really got to have it like I really wanted it. Not this time!

Most of you know what Pinterest is, in fact you probably have your own boards. Lately, I've been posting on my boards; mostly ideas for the new home. Here are some ideas I hope to use.

On Tidymoms blog, she has eight smart organizing tips. I see a couple I would like to use in my kitchen. 

 

Doesn't this look like a great idea?

 

I really like this idea. I'm always having problems trying to find the right size measuring cups and spoons!

How many of you have issues with all those plastic container lids? I know I do! I saw somewhere, where they used a dish drain in their cupboard to store them. Great idea!

Have you ever had issues with dust sticking to your baseboards? I'm sure all of us have. I know I did, and it is very hard to keep them clean, as I have always had to get down on my hands and knees to clean them. Well, I just read about something I want to try. I heard that you can take a dryer sheet and just go along all the baseboards, and the dust won't stick. Then you can just vacuum the baseboards each time you clean. I think it is well worth a try.

Something else I want to do is to use one of my canning jars to put my cupcake papers in. For some reason, the container they come in seems to always get smashed, along with the papers. Not only will the glass jar keep them nice, but they will also look pretty through the glass.

 

http://masonjarcraftsblog.com/

Well, ya'll stay tuned for my before and after's. I'm sure I will be doing a lot of blogging about what I am able to accomplish in our new place. There is a lot to be done, but I won't be doing it all at once for sure. 

I will be putting liner paper in all the closets and kitchen cabinets, taking wallpaper down (uggggg!), setting up a craft room, trying to come up with some sort of storage area (if anyone has ideas, I would be sure happy to hear any). I will be taking light fixtures down and repainting them, painting rooms, fencing in the backyard (probably our first project), and eventually, we want to add on a new sunroom. As I have said before, we have a lot to do to make our new house OUR home. At least it will keep me busy and out of trouble, lol

A Giveaway!

Check out this great give away on Lorelei's Blog. There are some beautiful beads she wants to give away....

These are my favorite. Go to her link and look at the other two style of beads she will be giving away.

http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com/2012/06/3-giveaways.html?showComment=1339548850865#c1118897181974529856

I GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE I WANT TO GO, NOT BECAUSE I FEEL I HAVE TOO

I have a nephew that is on a mission in Minnesota. Each week, the family gets an email from him talking about what he has been up to. He writes about some of the people at church and some who he is teaching, and always bears his testimony.


A few weeks ago he said something in his email that really struck me. He spoke of a member who explained to him about how he wants to be. The man said that he does not want to be just anyone who goes to church to check it off the to do list. This type of a person goes to church because they know they are suppose and that they don't want others to think bad of them. They just show up and then that's it. 


He explained how he wants to be that person who is excited to go to church. He is there because he wants to be there. That he is happy to smell cigarettes and alcohol; he looks for people who are truly sick (spiritually) and are in need of a "physician" and want to feel the love of God. He goes to church to be uplifted and seek guidance in his own life so that he can be of help to others.

One thing that has always bothered me is when people judge others. Now I'll have to say, I am no saint when it comes to anything. We all judge. But I try to think twice before I go judging others. I ask myself what I might do if I was in the same situation. I also think about whether or not I know the whole story. Many times when I have judged others, and then learn the rest of the story, I find that maybe what they did was not all that bad.  For example--years ago I was sitting in church just before services started and in came a family dressed in grubbies. They were not in their Sunday best; not even close. I remember thinking, "Wow..." Then I found out that they had just flown in late the night before. They had had flight problems, and their luggage had been lost. Boy, did I feel bad. Would I have even tried to go to church? Probably not. This family did not let that stop them. See there, I had jumped to conclusion before I knew the whole story. All of us do this, and all of us need to think twice before we go judging others. 

ALRIGHT!!!!! EVERYONE, GET UP!!!!!

Living in a motel get's old REALLY fast! It is just after nine in the morning...a Saturday morning...and everyone is asleep. No one wants to do anything but sleep. I understand that our middle son wants to sleep, as he will be working the 7pm to 7am shift tonight. But the rest of us, no excuses.


So, the question is, "What do we do?" I really don't have an answer. We could go to Evansville, but the gas it would take to go there would be pricey; and once we got there, then what? Benjamin needs new soccer cleats, shorts and guards, but I do believe we could get them here in Madisonville.  


I've been wanting to make some jewelry, but it is all in storage...in OHIO! Probably won't see my jewelry making stuff for several weeks now. I knew I should have pulled it aside to take. Oh well. 


If we were to go to Evansville, I could go to Hobby Lobby or one of the million other craft places they have and get some jewelry making stuff. I wonder if Madisonville's Walmart has any. Probably not. Seems like all the Walmarts have been taken craft stuff out of their stores. Wasn't Walmart originally for the small town folk who couldn't get stuff like that unless they traveled to the bigger city? Why, then are they taking that kind of stuff out of ALL their stores?


So, here I sit...in the dark. 


Too bad there isn't a class up at the Y this morning...I believe Saturday mornings will be full of a buch of guys lifting weights, don't think I'd fit in, so I guess I'll just play on the computer for awhile and listen to everyone snore........................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Foto Friday

I love beautiful flowers.

I love beautiful colors.

I love different shapes and sizes

and textures.

You Bet She Can Tap Dance!

As I have mentioned before, my daughter has been dancing pretty much her whole life. She now has a degree in dance and a certification in Yoga, and is teaching a various studios around the Baton Rouge area. 


One of the studios she teaches at is primarily a tap studio. They do other things, but are known for their great tapping. At this studio she only teaches contemporary, and, therefore, the kids have not seen her tap. A few days ago, I posted the rehearsal for contemporary dance she choreographed and performed for their recital.


Just the other day, one of her students at this studio asked if she could tap too. Well, Ashley went out and bought a small piece of plywood, did some improving, and posted it. In a few weeks, she will be hauling this plywood up to Indiana for a family reunion (for the talent show).


I would now like to share the little bit of tap on her new toy...

Hope you enjoy!

It's Senior Picture Time!

 Our youngest is a senior in high school; unbelievable!

Anyway...I found out that the high school my son will be attending, they do their senior pictures different than I have ever seen. Usually, your child goes into a photography studio and has a session with cap and gown, and formal wear. The boys wear a tux and the girls have a drape. At this high school, all the seniors have their pictures outside, or with a prop. I was so excited about that, so I took Benjamin out by the bayous in Monroe and did a photo shoot.

Isn't this area nice? The picture was taken at the bayou that surrounds our old neighborhood. Now I just need to get my subject to look at the camera and smile.

Let's try a different scenery...

He's looking at the camera, but no smile. What is it with teenage boys? They just won't smile for the camera!

Bayou Bartholomew

Hmmmm, I think maybe we will go get a haircut and come back another day.

Black Bayou Lake

This time, we went out to Black Bayou

Black Bayou Lake

Is that a smile?

the bayou around our neighborhood

Oh wow! Is that a smile I detect on that handsome face? I do believe it is! My subject looks good and the background looks good. Believe this may be the photo for the yearbook!

Gardenias

Have you ever experienced the sweet smell of a Gardenia?

Their petals are pure white

Gardenias are very Southern

and very beautiful

I sure enjoy my mother in laws

Gardenias. 

They smell sooooo good!!!!

Foto Friday; Where Am I?

This week's Foto Friday theme is.....

Where Am I?

YMCA in the background

We are no longer residents of the great state of Louisiana. Actually, we aren't residents of anywhere. We are half way between my in laws in Tennessee and our future home in Kentucky. We can't move in 'til the end of the month. 

In the meantime, all of us are back and forth from one place to another. This past week, I went up to Kentucky to take care of some business. 

We stayed in one of the local motels just outside the main part of town. Kentucky is known for its coal production, and this area has a lot of people who work in the mines. I looked out the window and noticed a train passing by full of coal.

I am now back in Tennessee for the weekend. 

I'll be headed back to Kentucky in a few days.

Sure will be glad when we are finally settled!