I Thought of You Swap

My "I thought of you swap" goodies are officially in the mail!

This is my first swap and I had so much fun!

Stephenie from 'A Little Bit Pink' blog is the host for this swap. I have enjoyed getting to know her better too!

What a neat idea. Who hasn't been in a thrift store or yard sale and noticed the most perfect gift for an online friend? I was so excited to start gathering things for my partner, Dolly.

Basically, I read Dolly's blog and learned so much about her! Then I got to shop for little things that I knew from reading her blog and from her sweet emails to me that she would enjoy!

It was nice to have something to take my mind off of my upcoming move and my sick grandfather.

I also found a perfect little gift for Stephenie to thank her for hosting this fun swap and for being such a sweet person.

It is truly people like Dolly & Stephenie who put a smile in your heart!

Once I am sure that Dolly has received her goodies, I will share with you the pictures of the items I chose.

The Storyteller

My Papa Bud is an incredible storyteller.

Sometimes his stories are fictional, sometimes factual and sometimes a mix of both but nevertheless, his stories always put a smile on my face.

They would also get in me in trouble when I was smaller. I believed everything Papa Bud said. And sometimes, this caused some conflict.

When I was 3 he told me the story of how when I grew up, I would become a boy and we would go fishing on his bass boat together.

I took it to heart! I wanted to go on that bass boat so badly! I decided from that point on, I was going to change my name to ROBIN----after Batman's sidekick of course.


Once while shopping with Mama Jo (Papa's wife and my grandmother), I wandered away from her side. I hid under a rack of jeans.

Mama Jo frantically called for me. She even had the store manager go on the overhead system to alert shoppers to be on the lookout for a small girl named TRINITY.

A man looking thru the rack of jeans found me. He asked me, "Is your name Trinity"?
I said, "No. I'm Robin".

Mama Jo just happened to be a few feet away from this exchange and she pulled me out of that rack of jeans lightning fast and proceeded to spank my butt all the way to the car.

That was the last time I was Robin.

Yesterday I stopped by Papa Bud's & Mama Jo's house for a visit. Papa Bud was having a horrible day. He had fallen twice and was a little shaken up.

While we were talking he seemed to have trouble remembering what we were talking about. This has never happened before.

His memory and mind have always been sharp as a tack.

I am praying this was just due to him being a little shaken up and upset by his falls and not something going on within his mind.

I left heartbroken. His heart disease and diabetes have robbed him of the use of his arms and legs. But I was always comforted that inside he still was Papa, even if he couldn't use his hands or walk with his feet.

His mind, his beautiful sensitive, detailed, wonderful storytelling mind was still Papa. And I am praying that it will remain so.

Vacay Pics

Justin, Jonathan & my brother Andrew at K'ville

There goes Kyle Singler

The boys inside of Cameron. Notice #4 in the rafters?

2001 Team in the final game

The Chapel as you are leaving Cameron Indoor.

Andrew, Jonathan, John & Justin at King's Dominion.

The Drop Tower, one of the only ones we didn't ride.

It Pays to stop at Goodwill

Today was a busy day, as most are. Three dental appointments for the younger kids and two basketball practices.

It seems like the entire summer has been full of days like this where I feel like the taxi driver rushing children around to various appointments/activities.

Today for some reason, I was determined to stop off at the local Goodwill where I find most of my Ebay treasures.

If I am going to be running around, I might as well do something for myself too.

There is something calming about looking for antiques.

Especially when I find pretties like today. On my first aisle a vintage Fenton overlay pitcher caught my eye. It has a small hairline crack but its in the inner part of the vase. PERFECT.

I also found a vintage oil cloth towel. And a very unusual handmade paper crepe sleepy eye doll.

So, the lesson I repeat over & over to myself is no matter how tired I may get from all the running around I do, taking just 15 minutes for myself in the midst of chaos is not only needed but can be rewarding too!

Another thing that put a smile on my face after this exhausting long day, a package on my doorstep that had these inside:

My Holt Howard angel collections! I won the entire set on Ebay last week! =)

NEW at my Ebay Store!

I heart Ebay!

I'm too old for roller coasters!

Hi everyone! We made it back from Richmond safely!

We began our weekend by stopping at DUKE University on Friday morning. My little brother, Andrew had never been and I wanted him to see Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Cell phone pic---can't find my USB cord to my digital!

Official Cameron Photo--not mine

Just as we were walking in, Kyle Singler was walking out. That was pretty cool.

We took some pictures and shopped for a while and then we were back on the road.

On Saturday we went to Kings Dominion.
Kings Dominion was a lot of fun! We rode most of the rides (with the exception of the Drop Tower---free falling some 200 ft just didn't appeal to me)...

We stayed from opening to close and I truly felt my age---O L D by the end of the night.

I physically HURT. My sons thought I was overreacting but at one point while we were standing in line for the Grizzly Ride I pointed out to them not many 34 year old moms were in line. It was mainly a sea of teens! But it was worth the pain and soreness to spend some wonderful time with my two oldest.


We also looked at a few condos in the Richmond area but none that I felt great about.

This move has my heart in knots. On one hand, I cannot wait for our family to be reunited under one roof. On the other hand, leaving my home, my family and our children's schools is tough.

One day at a time I suppose.

Once I find my USB cord to my digital camera, I will post some of our pictures.

Have a great week everyone!

Vacay in Virginia!

Hello blogging friends!

I am busy packing for a quick weekend trip to Richmond, Virginia.

Me and the older boys are driving up on Friday thru Sunday. My husband was transferred to the Richmond area last fall and it looks like me & the kids are finally ready to put our house on the market so that we can join him.

Friday we will be looking at a few properties to rent and Saturday we are heading to King's Dominion for some roller coaster riding!

We are heading home Sunday and I hope we aren't too tired so that I can stop By DUKE and visit their bookstore. They have the best DUKE gear at the campus store! Me & the boys are HUGE DUKIES! (Even football!)

We are leaving the little ones home with grandma so that we can tour as many homes & condos as possible without them tiring out. Also, its hard to take Tate to amusements parks becasue of his seizures.

I am a little nervous to say the least...I have basically lived in my little hometown my entire life. Richmond is about 5 hours away and with Papa Bud not doing so well, it makes me nervous to not be just down the road from him.

But God is good and even though I don't know what the future holds, I know who holds my future!

Have a GREAT weekend and I will be back on Monday sharing stories and pictures from our quick little vackay!

Please keep us in your prayers!