Time...

I can remember this time last year. I had a migraine the night before and slept until after one. At which time I was awakened by Jessica screaming and Eleni laughing. There was a field mouse in the house and Jessica was scared to death. Eleni thought this was so funny. A few minutes after waking up and getting my thoughts together Ray came in. He saved the day scooped the mouse in the trash can and took him out back. It was hot just like it is this year. I can remember the AC being set and 73 and the house staying about 90. Even with the heat we were so happy to be in our own place. Ray's nephew and his friend were in town and let's just say boy's can eat. I remember cooking and there being nothing left. LOL! I just can't believe how much my life has changed in a year...today I sit here alone with my thoughts and memories. I still can't help but wonder why? Why Ray why then? I am feeling very alone and bored today. Jessica is in NJ to see Taylor Swift. Eleni is on her way home from SC. My girls are doing better than me. I still just don't feel like getting out and doing much of anything. I'm really missing my Ray today. Wishing he was here with me today.

Thanks for all the nice compliments on my last post. I hope to post more pictures and soon of other rooms in my house. It's the one thing that keeps me going. If it weren't for tweaking I wouldn't have anything to do other than clean. Thanks for stopping by once again!

Donna

Kitchen Pictures

Here it is my kitchen is finally done. Well, for now anyway. When we moved in the walls had flowered wall paper. I am just not a fan of wall paper so off it came. Underneath was another layer that would not just peel off. We tried everything nothing would work. So the plan was for Ray to skim the walls with mud and then paint. Ray died before he could get to it. I was blessed his friend Mike came and finished it for me. Then the land lady insisted on painting. Hey I was not about to say no. So here is the finished kitchen.

These are one of the scales Ray found in an old Ware house. I love it. That's a fake cider jug. It's made of card board or paper.

Ray picked this out for me. This was the last craft show we went to together.






Here are my other scales he found. The lamp was my aunts and she let me have it. The little whiskey jug was a souvenir my parents bougth from the Smokey Mountains.

One of my many lamps. Ray loved Tiffany style lamps and I loved little lamps.

A few of my many baskets.

Love my table decorated. We don't eat at it so might as well decorate it.

This is a table bench my dear friend Tammy and her hubby Jason made for me. I so love it. I believe Tammy also made me the stitched picture. The sheep in the bowl are from my dear friend Carmen. I won her give away last year.

As you can tell I love baskets. I try to use all the big one's I have and the small one's use to decorate with.

This is a butter churn Ray's mom gave me.

This is an old coke crate that was given actually to Jessica. The lantern came from my Nanny's house.

I used to have 3 hutches but got rid of my two big one's. I am trying to down size some and only keep the things I love. Love my Grandma's old bowl. I love whiskey jugs and old canning jars. I am also a huge candle lover. You will see them all around my house.

This cast iron stove was my Nanny's also. When she died I was the only one who wanted it or would appreciate it.

Yes, I love my baskets but I must say this is my favorite. This was made by another dear friend Pam. If you have thought about buying one of her baskets they are so worth it! They are made wonderfully and are absolutely gorgeous in person.

Finally my window. I love the big window sill. I found the metal flag/candle holder at the Good Will. You will also see tucked in here and there are a few of my favorite Boyd's bears. I have a huge collection and have decided to down size. If anyone is looking for a certain bear or moose let me know I may have it. Thanks for letting me show you my kitchen. Most of it is old and I have had for years but I love it that way. Along with all the things I have been blessed to win or just been given have made my kitchen what it is today. Thanks for dropping in.

Donna

ALL BY MYSELF

This weekend my girls went to visit their Aunt and Uncle in SC. yesterday.. So I have had the whole weekend to myself. I was looking forward to the time alone but it was also lonely. I woke up early and washed clothes. Abby my four legged friend kept me company. I tried to sit in the sun awhile and she insisted on coming out. Then 10 minutes later she was so hot she had to go in. Needless to say I wasn't out very long because I was tired of getting up and down. I came in and painred some shelves and hung them up. I will post pictures soon. No girls means no camera. Then I sat and ate dinner and watched a little TV. It surprises me how much people pay for cable and there is never anything on. I finally got tired of channel surfing and went to bed. Once again Abby had to be right by my side. Can I just say a 20lb dog is small until you put them in your bed. hen today I tried to sit in the sun but it was I who kept getting hot so in I came. I was bored so I mopped, cleaned, vacuumed, and colored my hair. That was all before 1pm. So then I ironed all my clothes for work for the week. Then I watched a little TV and rook a little nap. So all in all I may have been bored but I did get a lot done.

I called my daddy today just to say hello. He complained about the heat. I said it's hot but it's so much better than snow. I could live like this all year. The vegetables and fruit are cheaper and taste so much better. I had my first tomatoe sandwhich yesterday. Can I just say yummy. I bought some fresh fruit and the girls ate it all before they left. I just love Summer time, but I am becoming a fan of Fall decor. I have been collecting a lot over the past few years, and I look forward to putting it out.

When looking around my house I see so little compared to what I once had. When country was mauve and blue I had enough decor for my whole house. Then the colors changed to navy and red. I so loved these colors so much more but I realize I need some new items. All of my new decor came from gifts or giveaways. I have been blessed with Spring decor, Fall decor, and even Christmas goodies all from my wonderful blog friends. I have made so many great friends. I hope to have a give away soon when money allows. I want more new but being a single mom other things come first. I will show you what I have as soon as I can get Jessica to take pictures for me. I hope everyone gets a glimps of the wonderful items I have been blessed to receive.

Yesterday my baby girl Eleni turned 18. Seems just like yesterday. I can still see Ray sitting there holding her before he went to dialysis. He never got to play with her the way he did with Jessica but he made sure they did other things together. We celbrated Eleni's birthday last weekend so she could be in SC for her birthday. This time last year we had our first cook out to celebrate her birthday. I think she wanted to make some new memories which was fine. I just want to see my girls be happy. I guess that is all for now. Thanks again for sticking with me.

Donna