This is a few items, I won at the auction on Saturday night. I wasn't paying attention and I heard them say letter set. So I threw my hand up ( I can use these in my scrapbooking, I thought) And I got them, and a the rest for $5.00. But now as I look at them closer, I might put them on E-bay. I also got a sofa, to be recovered and another post. Got a new calender for Christmas- ( thanks Jenn) with chocolate Quotes. So I am leaving you with Chocolate for thought, get it, instead of food 4 thought...
Anyway...........
I often lie awake at night wondering if in this huge mysterious universe there might be planets with nicer chocolate than ours.- anonymous

Valentine Tip

With Valentine just around the corner, I wanted to share a tip.

When Grandson #1 was about 5, the Valentine Bandit came to visit every morning starting

Feb 1st. He would leave a heart cover pencil or a sticker, something inexpensive. The child looked so forward to it that he jumped out of bed ready and eager for 14 days. ( which was a reward for us, he has never been a easy child to get up, and still isn't)

On Valentine's day, he woke up to a curtain of hearts hanging in his doorway, and a Valentine Cupcake.

He still talks about the Valentine Bandit.

Why don't you play bandit, you can be the Valentine Bandit to your hubby, or friend that needs cheering up.

Give this a thought .

I think I will once again pull out that bandit mask, so beware the Valentine Bandit may strike again.

Last night we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the auction we buy the bulk of our stock for the store. I lost out on a gallon jar of buttons, $30.00 was too much for my pocketbook. We did buy a beautiful antique sofa, which needs recovering. BUT....

This morning I got a e-mail that the auction house had been destroyed by fire. As I sat there last night ( as I have many times) I looked at the large skylight and tried to decorate this big open space into my home. This was a old store but it had many many more years left in it. They will re-build or move the auction but I hate to see a old building gone forever. Goodbye old friend.

Just a quick post of the goodies I got in the mail on Friday from my friend and swap partner Dianna. I have already been playing with the contents. I had my camera with me at the shop and took pictures in stages. It is so cute and I love it!

Thanks Dianna!

I have been doing this wrong all along.

But if you are reading this please stop by and help me off the floor.

Tag you it!

I have been tagged by my friend Jennifer, now I have to do for her since I had a hand in her starting her blog. So in away it is my fault. So here it goes....

1. I have been telling my hubby that I am going through the change for about 5 years now. It is the only way I can explain my out burst of anger. But it is usually when he leaves his underwear in the floor next to the hamper. Boy is he in for a shock when I do really go through it.

2. I need to Think less- I can make a mountain out of a mole hill. In my head anyway.

3.I love flowers, I love to get flowers. I don't care if they will die in a day or two, I just like them. And I buy them for myself alot. Not from the florist but just at Wal-mart.

4. I don't have friends my own age. They don't get me.

5.I am obsessed with my weight. I always have been. I cry almost weekly. I go on a diet every week. This has been going on for years. And I just watch my scales move higher each week. I have been on a so called diet for 2 weeks, I have gained a pound each week.

Per #2 Think less

6. I want a new car, but without payments. But the thing is I want a convertible. A sports car. A red convertible. I want the scarf flying in the wind. My hair blowing behind me. ( I have short hair) But I want it...... Now how can I go junkin and buy anything and get it home in a convertible. I have the answer, I can just put the top down....

7. I will eat anything once. I have tried squirrel dumplings, gator, raw fish, squid and much more. But it may be a one time meal. Life is too short, not to enjoy all of it.

Okay Jennifer you ask for it.

This is one of the Many items you will create when you join Teresa Mcfayden- Winter Bella. I made this one while we were waiting for snow to hit Alabama. As you seen in my last post NO SNOW. So I will hang my little snowman and women on my door in hopes of another chance. I have told my hubby the reason we did not get snow was because he was a non believer. Short post today, have been having back spasms all weekend and sitting at the computer doesn't help.

Happy Tuesday!

Alabama Snowman

Well, kinda.

It is a Christmas snow man that didn't get put up.

Fooled ya!

No Snow for us, this time.

Maybe next time.

Saturday Morning

7 a.m

Still waiting for the snow to arrive,

and waiting, and waiting.

"SNOW" yes I said that four lettered word. Snow is coming to Alabama, or that's the forecast for tonight. Bread is bought........Milk is in the fridge.........I am going to put on a pot of Taco soup for tomorrow...............I bought a cake mix, hubby's favorite, yellow cake- chocolate frosting - oven is preheating................. Marshmallow are ready for roasting......Hot chocolate is waiting to make me warm..................more blankets have been put on the beds...............but I forgot toilet paper.

Power can go off, we may have to sit by the old heater to keep warm, but I can't do without tissue. Since there is not a Sears and Roebuck catalog in this house I will make one more trip to the store.

Clink Clink ( clinking my hot chocolate mug)

Here's to the snow, bring it on....right after I get back from the store.

How does your work space look? I can't find anything if it is in it's proper place. Who am I kidding, it is in it's place. I know where I left it and new goodies doesn't get

lost in a baskets or drawers. So this is my Space and I am proud of it. My challenge to you is: BE PROUD. Show us your space. It can't look any more cluttered than mine.

As promised, a picture of my swaps. I can't show the contents, and the gals that will receive them, do not know which one is theirs. I still have a few items to add before they are shipped. But by next Monday , I feel sure they will be on the way to Florida and California. ************* Side bar*************Oh, how I wish I was at the beach tomorrow. Listening to the surf, hot sun beating down on me , a cool drink in hand, a small breeze, and sand at my feet. Instead high 30's, cold, chapped lips, hands and toes feel like ice cubes, and a runny nose.

I been working on Swaps for the last few days. The picture show the Alphabet swap, I had "H", and the month swap, I had December. One is not due until March, but I have to keep ahead of these things, If I fall behind, I will never catch up. I enjoy swaps in the winter, but when things get going in the Summer, I have to step aside.

No Auctions, yard sales or Thrift stores this last week, Hubby and I went to a few Antique stores yesterday, of course, it is all for me.He is going to be working all this week so we took the afternoon to enjoy each other. I really hate that he works late hours sometimes and I do tend to give him a hard time about it. How does he put up with me, I will never know. Anyway, I have joined two other swaps, both one on one Valentine swap. You buy a box of candy and fill it with crafting goodies and alter the box. I will have pictures of them soon, they are almost finished.

No, I did not leave you off my Christmas card list, and I am not upset with you. To tell you the truth I did not have time to make my cards this year. I tried, I bought rubber stamps, 3 sets, I bought cards, envelopes, paper, had it all in one place ready to create. I just run out of time. But I did enjoy all the cards I received. They are still up, so I can admire them a little longer. So look at George, ain't you glad I didn't have time.

I am in morning. I must say goodbye to my old friend. She would give me freedom, warmth and comfort me almost every night. My old ragged, worn out many years ago night gown has to be thrown out. I realized last week that she had gotten tangled in the dryer and ripped once again. I stitched her up and wore her one more. Just to feel her rip again in my sleep. Oh , how can I throw her out. She was always there for me. But it is time, time to say good bye. Have you ever had that piece of clothing that is worn thin, and feels so comfortable, you should have thrown it out years ago. But it is so hard. As you know I hate change, I can't stand to try and find that perfect gown again. I know it had passed it "SEXY" stage over 5 years ago. And I could not wear it away from home. It might take me another 5 or 10 years to wear in another, but I guess I am willing to try. Goodbye old friend.

I can't believe we have been having beautiful weather the last few days. Last week it was in the teens. This week it is in the 60 and 70's. That's Alabama for you. I still have hopes for snow, neither one of the boys have seen snow. Malik, says he does not remember it. But there was a dusting when he was about 2. I have pictures. School started back yesterday and I accomplished alot before work and at the shop. Today I am not as gunho. I am creating along with Teresa Mc Faydens WinterBella Group. I am enjoying it, 3 projects each week. I have complete all 3, this week. I am rearranging at the shop too, a new year, new look. I like that we are back into our routine. This is a picture of Malik, one of the days he was out of school. I had to keep him busy, so I bought him a big pack of coffee filters and he made snow flakes. They are all over the shop windows, and he has me a stack for replacements too. He really got into this, and stayed busy. But we are still sweeping up little pieces of paper. The price you pay to keep a 9 year old from being bored. I hope you are have a productive week. P.S - There is a family in our community that has lost a child to a 4-wheeler accident. I do not know this family but Please say a prayer for the them. He was in the 7th grade.

I loved these pictures of my mother the minute I took them. (please enlarge the photo to see it up close. ) If you know my mom, you know she hates having her picture taken. I have very few. But I try. We were at the strawberry patch, and I love how surprised she looks.

I have many pictures I have been taking but not enough time in the day to download them and write a few words, so relax and let's play catch up.

This is my pearls I got for Christmas. We didn't go anywhere for new Years, so, New Years morning, I wore them while cooking brunch. I think they looked good with my gown and fuzzy house shoes.

Went to auction On New Years Day and was so excited to see this hat box full of buttons. And they was going home with me no matter what. Thank goodness I didn't have to sell a kidney or grandchild to get them, this time......

The top picture is of one of the projects on Teresa Mcfayden Winterbella Zine. I did her 12 days of Christmas and was so excited she decided to continue with a Winter Zine. This was a gift to myself.

Today stats basketball practice for grandson #1, seems there will be a lack of time once again.

I have completed a 2 page layout but forgot to take a picture. So check back.