Let there be light.

Ya'll, I'm crazy! When I first saw this fixture, I loved! I had to have it! Well...I'm now the proud owner and I'm very afraid. I opened the box and this thing is huge, long and the light bulbs are the size of my head. Mr. T is outta town on a work trip (thank God, he would die) and I have a electrician friend coming over to install and ya'll he's going to know that I'm crazy and tell others. Oh he's calling me now...he's here. Gotta go.



"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?" ~Maurice Freehill

FYI

As much as I want to keep this to myself, I know that just wouldn't be right so let me tell ya'll...

My Monogram Tahoe
is having a great summer giveaway, that you might want to get your hands on, check it out!

Aren't they the cutest things ever...

And then over at Be write there
she's hosting a fabulous giveaway, that I love kill for.

Good luck!
Both end at noon Saturday...

One more thing that I've been wanting to pass along,
While I was exploring the aisles of Target the other day I saw that they had all of Emily Griffin books on sale for $10
They are great reads and perfect for summertime by the pool. When I was done reading them, I'd wished that I hadn't read it so I could read it again....

"Maybe that's what it all comes down to. Love, not as a surge of passion, but as a choice to commit to something, someone, no matter what obstacles or temptations stand in the way. And maybe making that choice, again and again, day in and day out, year after year, says more about love than never having a choice to make at all."

— Emily Giffin (Love the One You're With)

Heading to the pool today with the latest People and Us, a diet coke (its been 2 days!!!) and SpF 30. There isn't a cloud in the sky, it's already 75 degrees at 10 am. I have my iPod set to Jimmy Buffet and I'm going to let my mind relax. But I was sure wishing I had this bad boy, you'd have to drag me out of the pool, I'd stay til I was a prune or lobster... or both.
Frontgate



H2O: two parts Heart and one part Obsession. ~Author Unknown

This little light of mine

I love anything that smells good, especially candles. I believe firmly that burning your favorite candle(s) and wearing your favorite perfume are ingredients to happy life. I can go into little gift shops and smell 100 different candles until I find that right one. It usually is a clean airy scent and I have found a few candles that I'm totally loving right now.
The restoration Hardware Honeydew Quince.
I was first taken to them because they are the same color as my living room but now it's the clean scent that takes the prize.
So I have a few in my Living room/Dining room.

When I was in Mississippi I was in a gift shop around the courthouse and found these great soy candles.

Auuiesse Rioja candle
I'm saving this one for my new bedroom and I can't wait, I think we are about a week away from it being all done.


"When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing - just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blowing the tree limbs, or waves rippling on a pond, a flickering candle or children playing in the park? "
~ Ralph Marston

Praise you in this strom.

In the midst of everything going on with my family, I tried to enjoy my weekend as much as possible. "Praise you in this storm", was my theme song for the weekend, I haven't purchased a CD in like 5 years and I had to go get it, they just weren't playing it on WayFM enough.

Saturday morning Mr. Tea had to go into work so mom and I headed to Delray Beach for the annual Delray Affair. It's the largest Art/Craft show under the sun in South Florida. I always enjoy myself every year, in fact, I met my husband for the first time at the Delray Affair. We met up with my girlfriend from work and her twin girls. They are super fun! There is such an innocence about these girls. They saw a girl that they knew from school and started to YELL her name until she saw them and then they all ran and gave each other a hug...it was so sweet and was followed by this conversation...
Girls: You came to my daddy's work today (there dad is a police officer and was working the event)
Friend: Oh.
Girls: He must be so happy you are here (dad never met friend)
Friend: Oh.
Friend: I really like your shoes
It was then proceed by all three girls telling what they liked about each others shoes.
Even at 5, shoes are a common bond.

And specking of shoes, I finally got a pair of Bonanno shoes.
Notice I left the Stephen out...
After I bought the shoes and walked away I was looking at them and wondering why it was just the last name...so being the curious person that I am, I went back and ask.
And her response was I divorced Stephen a year ago and I got 50% of company.
I didn't know what to say, I told her "sorry, to hear that", smiled and walked away.
They are usually 95.oo dollars and I got a post divorce...I mean show rate of 70.00 dollars.

And what would it be without a trip to the park.
It turned out to be a great day even in this storm.

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
~Casting Crowns

I guess it's safe to say that every family has there trials and I've been dealing with a lot this last 4 days with my father and uncle. Without going into details, I'll just say that no matter what we think the decisions that we make effect everyone around us. I've had many questions running though my head, trying to figure how to fix this and make this better. After 4 days of sadness and trying to understand, I've handed this to the Lord. Please keep me in your prayers, I need them!

Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything ~ Philippians 4:6

Did anyone happen to see Oprah today? I was at work but luckily I was recording it! I don't really watch Oprah much but will watch re-runs when nothing else is on. But a girlfriend called and told me about the show and I just got done watching it. I just love Country music! And loved today's Oprah. Today she had my favorite things...
It has me so excited for August, I'm going over to Tampa with my high school friends to see Kenny and Sugarland.
Can't wait.

"Sometimes I think God can dream a bigger than you can dream for yourself" ~ Oprah Winfrey

He Lives.

And a great Easter Sunday it was. I could not have asked for a better day. We woke up early went to church, this was our new pastors first Easter at our church, so I was so excited for him and to hear his message. The worship was great. The message was awesome.

Here are a few pictures after church...

My mom and I



Mr. Tea and I
After church we went to eat at Charley's crab in Palm Beach, it was so good!
Then to the pool to lay out and relax.

Hope you had a great Easter Sunday!

He is not here; He has Risen, just as He said. Matthew 28:6

Thankful Thursday...a bit late

It's been a super busy week, I had a list a mile long of "things-to-do" but Thursday afternoon I look some time and did some things I love and I'm ever more thankful.

Of course my friends, family and God, I'm the most thankful for but here are a few other things that I'm thankful for...

First, my new found hobby of rollerblading or one I've picked up again. It's a whole better with a view like this...

Here is a picture of us going over the Boynton Inlet (yes, like a good blogger I always have a camera)

Then to the beach.

Second, my new sewing class, I had such a great time and I'm so glad that I finally am doing this.

And last but not least, my new hair oil treatment. With the Florida humidity, thick curly hair and years of trying to tame it, I think I've found the best product yet, Moroccan oil.

After my Chi of course, this is my favorite hair solution.

Learning to live in the present tense, one that's free from failures of the past
and the anxieties of the future,
is a wonderful gift and one you always should be striving for.
~ Rick Pitino

Easter on my mind...

I had the perfect outfit picked out for Easter, I was all set to go and then I saw this...

I went to the mall with my friend "M" so she could get a few things she needed and while in Ann Taylor Loft, I decided this was a better fit for me and now I have a new Easter dress. The good thing about it is that I had seen it a few weeks ago and it was 70 dollars but today it was on sale for 49 dollars, which meant I had to have it! It will look really cute with my new pearls and I have the perfect shoes. So then it was off to Macy's to find a tie for Mr. Tea that would look good with my dress. So both of our outfits are pressed and ready for Sunday.
I painted the bedroom today, it looks so good. I can't wait to share with you when it's done. It's going to be the best room in the house, as well, it should be. Tomorrow's agenda...gym, baking for Sunday then my sewing class!
My girlfriend sent me this picture of her daughter (the little one I took to pick strawberries), She insisted on bringing her dollar bin hat and purse from Target and I'm so glad she did!!! She looks like a little old lady. How cute is she???

Can't you just eat her up...

"You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap!"
~Dolly Pardon

Weekend on the go...

After getting back from Mississippi, I've been super busy! I worked 2 days then Saturday afternoon we headed to the West Coast to Clearwater for a very good friend of ours Engagement Party. We arrived about 5pm after a wrong turn onto the wrong bridge and you ask how this could happen, after all we have made this trip 1000 times, yeah, we were day dreaming of the things we could do if we won the lottery (considering we don't even play) it truly is a dream. We arrived safely after having to change clothes in the car. It was a great night for the party.

The soon to be Mr. and Mrs. are super cute and tan...


It is alwasys nice to see my high school BFF's


Here with the bride and a few of us bridesmaids


We woke up early Sunday and headed home. We had tickets to one of the last hockey games of the year, we had been trying all season to get to a game and this was our last chance. I had never been to a game before and really never had any interest in hockey...until I went to a game. It was so much fun! I really got into and couldn't take my eyes off of the game for a minute. Next year we will definity have to go to more games!


We had such great seats, it felt like we were right there.


I'm so thankful to have the next 3 days off to get organized after being gone the last 2 weeks. Plus we sold our furniture on Greg's list within the first 30 minutes and I need to do some ordering and painting!!!


"The only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend." ~Chuck Palahniuk

It's better to have gone and left then to have never gone at all...

So on Monday morning I woke up and headed South towards home. I've never been good at good-bye's, let me restate that I'm REALLY bad at good-bye's. It usually takes me a good 24 hours to get past the tears. When I was at my Miss BFF's house the night before she gave me a card to read that I had written to her oldest son when he was born, she had kept it and now he keeps it in a special place. I wish that I would have made a copy, I was a 17 year old who nothing about a baby, but I told him I wanted to be the first person to ever write him because I knew I wouldn't be there for a lot of his firsts and that it made me very sad. But that I loved him so very much and he would always be in my heart everyday. I hope those two little ones know how much I love and miss them. I pray everyday for them and God's plan for them. Thanks to texting being the cool thing to do, they have no problem giving me a "shout out" almost everyday and I love every minute of it.
Leaving Granny is even harder... it's been a week and I'm still fighting the tears. She is my greatest supporter. Words can't express how I feel for her. When I was a young girl, I stayed the summers at my grandparents house from the day school got out til the day before it started. I can remember growing up every Sunday morning while getting dressed for church they would listen to Charles Stanley, a well-known preacher in Atlanta. I never thought much of it at the time. But now that I'm older as I'm flipping though the stations getting ready on Sunday mornings (or lying in bed when I should be getting ready) I turn to Charles Stanley and watch. A few years ago, he was preaching a sermon on the value of telling your children about Christ and how that was the most valuable inheritance you can give them. I sat on the bed listening and weeping. And I had the opportunity to do something I will never regret and I hope one day will bring me comfort. I picked up the phone called my grandmother and asked if she was watching Charles Stanley and of course she was. And I said "thank you". I was 13 years old when I gave my heart to the Lord in the living room of their house. I wasn't a perfect child/teenager but I knew I always answered to someone much bigger than my mom or grandparents. I knew there was someone who loved me more than they could. And I praise him everyday. We talked til we both missed Church. I told her everything that I appreciated about her and my grandfather and told her stories of things that I remembered about their love for their family and each other, that she didn't even realize I'd noticed. I feel so blessed that I was able to tell her how I felt while I have the opportunity.

This was going to be a post about my trip home but it brought me to another place. But thank you for listening.

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"
~ Dr. Suess

Burp clothes, veils and pure happiness

Tonight I just had to stop and buy a camera after work to show you all my goodies that I've been working on, I just felt like a piece of me was missing without a camera, so I got the new version of my old camera a Cannon powershot.

So on with my trip...

Friday was Granny and I day, we sewed our little hearts out, well at least I did. It's really hard to look at the work of someone who has been sewing their whole life, I wanted to be just like her (more ways than one). She is so talented. I watched her every move. I think she was very proud to know that I wanted to learn from her, it was such a wonderful time we had. She gave me all kinds of scraps to start with, I made more dish towels than anyone would ever need. I practiced...practiced and she made me practice more.

Until I made these...

My first burp clothes. I know the pictures are large but I'm very proud.

This is my next set...


I also worked on a project that has been running though my mind awhile. I have tried many different ways to make veils and I think that I finally got it right.
I wanted to start making veils for Bachelorette parties that didn't consist of plastic penis's and condoms. Being the classy girls we are, we need something that displays just that but fun at the same time. These aren't actually the best ones that I've made but maybe you can invision where I'm going with this.
And tell me what you think...



Saturday I was able to met up with a few old friends for lunch in Corinth at the Pizza Grocery, I really had a great time. It's always so nice to spend time with old friends, They both are mommies now and it's hard for all of us to get together, so it really meant alot to me.


Sunday was the big housewarming party for my Miss BFF. I really wish I had pictures but it was a great time and she got so many really nice things but I have to say that I think Alanna Grace got the best gift.


Didn't it turn out so great! Kim did such a great job.
Check her website out at smallwords.

And there is still more to come.

"Love the moment,
and the energy
of the moment
will spread beyond
all boundaries."
~Corita Kent

There's no place like home...except Granny's.

I'm finally home from a wonderful trip home! Sounds kinda funny huh? I had a great time, there is so much to tell but my camera decided it wasn't into this whole picture taking thing anymore and went on strike, so I have no pictures to share :( What's a story without pictures.

Last Tuesday morning my girlfriend and I started our roadtrip home. We looked long and hard for a chick fil a north of Palm Beach and folks I have to tell, someone needs to open one along I 75. My girlfriend suggests we stop at Wendy's but says it's in a gas station "do you mind", Girl some of the best restuarants in Mississippi are gas stations, that is the least of my worries. We jammed out to old school the entire trip, I dropped her off in Gulf Shores and headed to Jackson to spend some time with my crazy Cousin Bill and Aunt Judy, we went out for mexican, my favorite! I had a really nice stay and enjoyed seeing them. The next morning I headed on up to Tupleo, to visit with my dad and met Granny at the mall. Dad was good, actually not so good but we will get to that on another day. Granny and I met at the mall, got me some warmer clothes, wasn't expecting 50 degree weather, I brought shorts, for crying out loud! Then headed to the Singer store where I purchased my very first sewing machine, I wish I could show ya'll this bad boy! (Pictures soon to come) and then on to Hobby Lobby, if you have one in your town, consider yourself very lucky. It is the ultimate craft store, I can only dream about the aisles of ribbon and gift wrap until my next visit home. That was the start of our many projects and I got all my sewing materials on my checklist for my class, I start one week from tomorrow! After finishing up at Lobby Hobby, which wouldn't be my last time this trip, we headed to Abners.

For the best chicken tenders around.
Then north on 45 to Corinth.
I had been talking to my Mississippi BFF thoughout my day, she asked me for a round-about time of arrival, I responded with around dinner, 5ish. When I pulled up in her driveway, I was greeted with two large hugs and big smiles from my BFF's children. We decided about a year ago that we would only tell then that I was coming a week in advance, for BFF's sanitity. BFF's husband said that AG (5 year old) had been asking all day if it was 5 yet. She decided next time, it's going to be a surprise. There is NOTHING in the world that thrills me more than those two kids. When B(12 year old) was younger he was always right under my feet and now it's AG's turn. B told me that he understood but he knows I loved him first! We spent the rest of the evening laughing and playing.
More to come tomorrow, plus, I think I'm going to go get a new camera tonight so I can share all my sewing projects.

“To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi”
William Faulkner