Staging Her Home

I knocked on Brooke's door when she opened it with a "Welcome" and a graceful fling of her arm.

As I walked into her Christmas wonderland I caught all the special touches as she staged her home for my visit. Her home clean, candles strategically lit with a delicious scent in the air, the Christmas tree glowing in the corner, and upon my knock she pressed play as her flat screen streamed a Christmas song of her choice to fill the air.

She's always been good with special touches and I smile seeing her do this with her home.

Her Christmas tree sparkling in the corner of her living room decorated in rose gold. Holiday table decor set, her stockings hung on a shelf she put up and decorated with a snow blanket and ornaments.

Everything is so pretty and I'm happy for her as she creates her own nest.

Well done, baby girl. She said, "I learned from the best."

Christmas Cutout Cookies

It's been over a month since Brooke moved out. Her and Alex have such a cute apartment and as they are getting in their groove, I am settling wonderfully in life as an empty nester. 

I smile and laugh when I listen to Brooke share about her and Alex adapting to life together. She's funny and witty and I've always thought Brooke would be an excellent stand-up comedian, add her material of coexisting and this girl should be on stage with a mic. 

Tomorrow evening I am invited to their home to see their Christmas decor. Hugging them both as they stopped by this evening, to hear they are heading home to put lasagna in the oven, decorate for Christmas, and make Christmas cutout cookies makes me smile.  

They are cute together and perfect for one another. I love Alex, he's a good boy and he's a hard worker. My daughter deeply loves him and I love that for her. 

This Momma watches from afar to make sure they have what they need and to see they are adjusting well. My daughter is exactly where she needed to be and she is blooming. 

I Almost Ended Up In the Toilet

Today I get to see my Sofia. It's been a week since I've seen here and I desperately miss her.

I know she misses me, because when I was talking to her momma the other day on the phone, Sofia started crying. The moment she was handed the phone, she stopped and ran off with me. She misses me, too.

Sometimes it's hard to connect due to schedules, but a week a part is more than I can handle.

Nothing makes my heart burst into happiness like when I see my Sofia's little face pop up on my phone. When she sees its me calling, she quickly yanks the phone out of her momma's hand and runs through the house from room to room. Little Miss Independent loves to talk on the phone. Sometimes I prop the phone on the counter and continue doing whatever I am doing so she can spend time with me.

It's like riding a roller coaster being clutches of a toddlers hand, carried and shaken as she whisks me off. Oftentimes, I have to look away before she throws me into a vertigo attack dizzy watching her on my screen.

Yesterday, I almost ended up in the toilet.

Toilets are so much fun when your a toddler. The height is low and perfect, it flushes and there's water! It's a combination of lid lifting fun and a place to throw all things. Just not grandmomma.

My view was dangerously close when Mariah stopped me from being thrown in.

The bathroom is the first place we run when we realize Sofia has slipped out of sight. What does she have in her hands and when her binky had gone missing, it's the one place we hoped it wasn't and ... there it was.

I'm so excited to see her today! Mariah & I are having a mommy & daughter date day, then my girls are coming over for the unveiling of my new holiday decor. I have a fun chocolate surprise treat I can't wait to give her! Snuggles, hugs and kisses are about to be mine.

Christmas Table Decor

 

Christmas table decor is complete, the snowflake plates arrived in the mail yesterday.

The snowflake plates are the same collection of plates I already have and love. Imagine my surprise when I saw they did a holiday plate shaped as a snowflake.

There I am in Pier 1 seeing pieces of what I really liked throughout the store, when I began to clear off a table to create my own arrangement at the gasp and awe of the staff working there watching me.

Voila! 

I'm really into chargers and when I saw the wreath chargers and I knew I loved the snowflake plate, I wanted a contrasting charger to go in between. With my home in bone colors and black accent pieces, the black charger was perfect. I am also in love with my snow leopard faux fur.

There it is world wide web, my Arhaus high top dining room table with new Christmas table decor. 

Christmas In My Home

It is Christmas in my home and my home has an entirely new look and feel this Christmas.

A flocked tree, dark red velvet decor and snow leopard faux fur is the theme. It's striking and beautiful!

Finding fabulous deals on pieces I really liked, a few a bit pricey, it was all coming together, but it needed something. I'm pacing and unsettled trying to figure it out.

The feng shui was off and I needed something completely different, but what? What is missing? An idea, turned quick online search, then I found it. A snow leopard faux fur for my tree skirt and matching stockings to complement my snow leopard table runner.

The tree wrapped in the snow leopard faux fur blanket gives it a more elegant look than a traditional tree skirt, the soft stockings hanging and the flow of the bone color with my deep red velvet accent pieces is the PERFECT touch to my new theme.

I'm Getting Flocked This Christmas

It makes me laugh to say this, but I'm getting flocked this Christmas. 

In all things new, it is time, time to change my Christmas decor. I have spent weeks in and out of stores, looking online, holding photos up in my living room of the many different varieties of Christmas trees, all sizes and shapes to find the perfect fit. 

Good grief there is a lot to choose from and the pricing spans from minimum to shocking. 

It isn't about price, it's about the next perfect Christmas tree to grace my home each Christmas and after weeks of debate, I am going with a flocked tree.

Son-in-laws are the best! Especially when it comes to hauling a new Christmas tree up a couple flights of stairs. 

Going through all my holiday decor, much given to Brooke and Alex for their 1st Christmas in their own place, I am keeping very little from the last couple of decades. Decades of purchases that transformed our home into a warm and nestled Christmas cottage. It was perfect for that home and now those pieces are going into my daughters homes for the familiar and nostalgic. 

In Black Friday tradition, as the shoppers become crazy and chaotic, I will be home decorating with Christmas music filling the air, hot chocolate or perhaps a glass of wine, and welcoming this Christmas season, because this girl is done Christmas shopping! 

My Irrational Sick Day

Big, fat snowflakes are falling softly and the view from my sick chair is of a picturesque winter day outside and a perfect day to stay nestled with warm blankets inside.

Seldom to I get sick and I've always claimed to have the stomach of a crow; until this weekend. Add vertigo onto a stomach virus and I am a nauseous mess. I found taking a shower this morning to be an accomplishment.

Grateful it was fast and furious, I am worn out.

Its the week of Thanksgiving and I am thankful for many things in the midst of being sick.

I am thankful for my daughters, parents and friends who call often to check on me, willing to bring food and meds, even though I prefer to die alone when sick.

I am grateful for the delicious new teas I recently picked up at a holiday event, because tea, toast and apples have been my staple diet for the last 24 hours.

I am blessed to sit inside a warm & comfy home that in a comfy chair with a super plush soft blanket that provides a place to rest.

Ridiculously (rediculously), I am thankful for Netflix, I believe I watched an entire season yesterday of Hart of Dixie in between naps. For a couple hours, I contemplated if I was having a heart attack or not. My heart physically hurts me when I am stressed, hurting or sick. I wonder how on earth I will know the real thing when it really happens, because I am convinced that is how I will go.

My phone beside me in case of the need to call emergency, then the thoughts going through my mind:

1st - I haven't showered.
2nd - I will have to walk down two flights of stairs. How on earth would paramedics get me down?
3rd - Would they know where to find me here?
4th - Would I really know when to call in time before it's too late? I delivered Mariah naturally because the doctor said I should go to the hospital when I couldn't handle the pain anymore, obviously I have a high pain tolerance, thus her crowning at home in bed! I managed to keep her inside for a 25-minute car ride to the hospital (thanks to Lamaze breathing) and made it to the hospital delivering her naturally, by accident begging for meds.

So I decided to pray and list the many reasons God needed to stop my heart ache and decided I should turn on a good show to focus my attention on something else. That's when I realized while watching Hart of Dixie, my heart wasn't hurting. Being sick causes stress and I was stressed my date with my daughters was canceled. I don't claim to handle everything perfectly.

While getting sick was wildly inconvenient, as it canceled a date day with my daughters enjoying a tree festival in holiday tradition and an appointment I had scheduled this morning, those things can be rescheduled.

Today I was supposed to start decorating the country club, that isn't even going to happen when taking a shower wore me out. I am getting hungry, that's a good sign.

One more day of rest today and I should be back to good health tomorrow.

She Said Yes To the Dress

There I stood with Brooke in front of me in her wedding dress and veil and time stopped.

Believe me, it's a milestone moment in life when you see your daughter in her wedding dress. There is a clash in the universe where you see your little girl, yet a young woman. It's the moment most every girl dreams about her whole life and now in the beginning stage of that dream. It takes your breath away. 

I want to tell you what it looks like, but her dress will have to wait to be revealed on her wedding day. Know I am not being partial when I say it's stunning, it is a fairy tale dress and seeing Brooke look at me bashful, hopeful, with a do I look pretty look in her eyes, sometimes happiness and beauty can only be described in tears. Yes, you look stunning.

Brooke said yes to the dress and I made the purchase all-inclusive with her tiara and veil. 

The venue booked.

The best DJ in town booked.

The dress purchased.

The color theme, exquisite.

Invitations chosen.

Centerpieces chosen.

Brooke has selected a few cakes she is contemplating.

I already have in my mind the best complement of hors d'oeuvres and dinner selection for presentation and taste with a solid grasp on rental décor to transform the venue into the princess wedding she's always dreamed of. 

Wedding planning I do well. This evening I hosted a wedding and reception at one of our country clubs and it was more than the bride envisioned and hoped for. Sometimes brides know exactly what they want and sometimes they don't. When they don't, I fill in the gaps to create what they cannot envision. Hugs of thanks and appreciation are mine at the end of their special day. 

Tell me what your hoping for and I will make it happen. It's all fabulous experience for me for the weddings that matter most, my daughter's wedding. 

We weren't planning on dress shopping yet, it was serendipitous we stopped by the bridal shop the other day. Two steps in the shop I saw the dress, only one like it and it fit Brooke as if it was designed for her. I do believe in divine intervention and I cannot help but think how flawlessly this has come together, as if it was a gift. 

Today was our appointment with the seamstress and Brooke enjoyed the process. 

I am grateful and blessed she found a dress far more beautiful than she hoped. It's what every mom wants for their daughter. 

Wedding dresses are pretty, sometimes, not always. This dress, is unbelievable and I for one cannot wait to watch the expressions of everyone her wedding day as they see the Brooke as a bride walking down the aisle. 

Freezing Rain and a Fabulous Day!

Letting out a wild scream as I stepped onto the parking lot, I realized I stepped onto black ice, that's how my day started. It was a freezing rain turned fabulous day!

An ice covered Jeep, Christmas music filling the air, I was ecstatic!!

Perhaps I am excited for Christmas, but Sofia's pillow lounger for her playroom arrived yesterday (Thank you Amazon Prime) and I couldn't wait! I stopped by the store to pick up a Santa sack for presentation sake, when I walked past cute socks and an outfit at the store, a quick stop at McDonalds, and this Grandmomma arrived in Christmas glory!

This pillow lounger was an idea I had years ago I was going to make. Someone perfected the idea and  I stuffed this over 8' long pillow lounger with extra firm pillows (Walmart $5 each) and Sofia now has a fabulous floor lounger for her play room all-inclusive with a flat screen tv and all her toys.

Snuggles, kisses, hugs, lunch and a visit, I was off to meet up with Brooke shopping for wedding details. It was a spur of the moment idea to stop into a store, when stepping in I immediately saw it, an absolutely beautiful wedding dress! We looked at the selection of wedding dresses and grabbed a couple for her to try when we had our "Aha!" moment. 

When you gasp at the beauty and tears fill your eyes, you just know, "this is the one." It's perfect and stunning on Brooke. We found a veil that also took our breath away and I have a call out to the stores seamstress to schedule an appointment for any necessary alterations. 

We are pinning down the wedding date, the date is available at the venue we are looking at, and I already have checked the best DJ's in towns schedule for his availability. 

Her wedding invitations picked, everything is coming together beautifully.

As I was heading home, I passed a holiday event at a local plaza I had forgotten about with each store offering the hustle-n-bustle of holiday cheer with Christmas music, drinks & food and discounts. 

Me, I enjoyed a holiday fruity champagne beverage, wine, cheese, chocolates and treated myself to a variety of teas. 

Still freezing rain, I am happy to come home, curl up on my comfy chair with a warm blanket, select a new tea and marathon watch Hart of Dixie.

It was a wonderful day.

Shrimp & Grits

Oh my gosh, I am in heaven!! Shrimp & grits are a favorite combination I can enjoy now that I cook only for me. 

It's been a busy day and I'm glad I am in for the evening. I wake up early and do all my running around before I go into work. Due to time change with it being dark in the evenings, I don't want to be out and about. Theft increases during the holidays and being dark out just isn't safe anymore. So I shop in the mornings during the week when stores aren't as busy and it's light out. 

Not to sound braggadocios, but I am 85% done Christmas shopping. The small details of Christmas cards, gift bags, tissue paper, and stocking stuffers are complete. 

When Black Friday arrives I will be all, "Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!  My home decorated in new decor, Hallmark Christmas movies enjoyed nestled in my chair with a warm blanket and hot beverage, Christmas music playing all the time, the perfect excuse to bake, Christmas services, and I even have a Christmas book I've got last Christmas I've been waiting until this Christmas season to read. 

10 more days begins ...

Life As an Empty Nester

It's been a couple weeks now that I've had an empty nest. 

My home is cat hair free, everything is perfectly clean, highly organized and quiet. Exactly how I like it. 

Buying food is a slight adjustment scaling back on what just I am going to eat so I don't have to throw anything away. Now, cooking for me, well that is a whole new world. 

In the middle of a 12 hours work day event, I had a 3-hour window to come home to relax and refresh. Waking up to snow and the ambiance of snow dusting on my balcony I was thinking about a new pasta dish I wanted to try. This is a Pumpkin Chipotle pasta sauce with Italian sausage over a bed of angel hair pasta with fresh Parmesan on top. Absolutely delish! 

I enjoyed this delightful dish while watching my first Christmas movie of the season. 

Yes, I am busting at the seems ready to spring into full Christmas decor the moment Black Friday arrives!

The Flutter of Her Eyelashes

Some moments are so sweet, I want time to stop.

It was fun having everyone over to celebrate Brooke's 19th and Alex's 22nd birthday. Presents for Brooke & Alex, dangling decor for my sweet grand daughter.

Wonder ...

      Look ... 

            Touch ... 

                  Yank down if you want, it is for you!

Minutes before, everyone began to arrive and my Sofia gets very timid when she is sleepy. She saw my brother and jumped in my arms.

It was the sweet and chubby softness of her one year old body, her baby scent with little arms wrapped around me tight and her little face buried in my neck that I felt the fluttering of her eyelashes and her warm little breath on my neck.

Oh time, stop for just a moment longer.

Poor Jason gets his feelings hurt and he spends the evening taking baby steps to win her acceptance. It's like groundhogs day with these two, but Jason perseveres and by the end of the evening he gets a couple smiles and a giggle when she's feeling generous.

Mariah had her doctors appointment that morning and heard a strong heartbeat. Thank you, God.

New Look

ONLY because so many people asked me to post a pic, did I agree to take a dreaded selfie and post on Facebook. My Facebook page and my phone blew up! 

So here it is, my new look. 

It was embarrassing to take a selfie and post it. I don't seek attention and doing this very act, upon request, it gave me a brief inside peak in the mind of a person who do selfies willingly and constantly.

What on earth is wrong with them? 

Outside of the circle of those I love, I don't care what you think of me. 

Who glances at themselves in a mirror and thinks, I have to capture this moment so everyone can see how good I look? 

"I'm happy" 

"I'm so pretty (or handsome)"

No, your empty.  

Especially the in the car selfie. There is something wrong. I can see teens doing this or a vacation selfie to capture a destination, life provides opportunities where you want a photo captured, capture it. 

It's those who have a constant diet of posting selfies that have glaring issues. Certainly, they have to know other adults cringe.

This is my one and only selfie and my new look.

Happy 19th Birthday!

💖To my hysterically witty 😆, thoughtful 🤔, loving and kind 💗, compassionate, artistic, and 🎶 musically talented with incredible rhythm (thanks to your dad) daughter, I love you and I am so proud of you! Birthday💕Happy 19th birthday, 🎂 my last little birdie that flew well from the nest! xo 💖 🎉

Wedding Bells

Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get married

Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get married

Gee, I really love you

And we're gonna get married

Goin' to the chapel of love

Will you be my Maid of Honor? Brooke asks Mariah to be her Maid of Honor (Matron) for their 2019 wedding. 

2019 now brings a grand baby arriving in June and a September wedding. Congratulations Brooke & Alex! 

I need a day off from my day off. 

Getting 8" cut of hair cut off wasn't enough, I went back in yesterday morning and, "Let's go shorter!" I had several more inches cut off! My hair now bounces on the top of my shoulders and even I am surprised how thick and how much body my hair has with so much length cut off. It's a fun new look. 

Grandmomma to the rescue! Let's color! I stopped and picked up a coloring book, crayons, and donuts to teach my Sofia the fun of coloring.  

My girls together, we had a date day planned and while Mariah was struggling with morning sickness, she felt better once she was in the sunshine and out of the house. Brooke had a surprise question for her. Looking at beautiful Christmas decor, an absolute delicious chocolate dessert we went back to Mariah's and enjoyed conversation as my darling ornery grand daughter was eating her lunch. 

This is the furrowed brow of I don't want to stand here. She gets that expression from someone, I just don't know who? :D

My sweet Sofia is strong-willed and when I tell her she's rottenness, she laughs. She knows it, I know it. 

I love you Sofia. <3

A birthday lunch for both Alex (November 4th) and Brooke (November 8th) was strategically coordinated into the day between our work schedules.

I puzzled in Happy Hour with a bestie with a delicious glass of wine and my day ended with Brooke coming over and us marathon watching the rest of the season of Schitt's Creek. 

It was such a good day off and now I need a day off from my day off.

A Business Plan

It always begins as a thought that simply comes to my mind. 

A thought ...

     ... intrigue that captures my attention I ponder; 

           ... suddenly, I'm on a path I had never considered before.

Yesterday morning I was thinking about a business idea. Let me back up, actually its been an idea I've entertained in my thoughts lightly for a couple years.  

About a month ago I started giving it more thought and doing some research. My ideas began coming together and growing in different directions. Without an open opportunity it simply stays as an idea in my mind.

Am I capable? It's an honest question we ask ourselves. I hopped online and started doing some research and the gates opened in a lot of directions where I was saying to myself, "Yes". 

Yesterday morning I am doing some research and becoming more firm in my mind it's a really solid and needed idea, but there is one person who could open that door given the unique position that I am in. 

Do I have the energy to pull this off? I mentioned in conversation with God, "If You want this to happen, our paths are going to need to cross and You will need to make that happen." I'm not certain I would really pursue it left to my own will.  

That was yesterday morning.

Last night as I am cutting cake for a huge event and guests were lining up to select chocolate, vanilla or marble, there he was. 

The Mayor.

Okay, the challenge is on. I had said a prayer, God produced the person, in the same day! He's challenging like that. My smile was for God's humor and the Mayor who I've had only a couple short conversations with.

I told the Mayor when we last spoke he mentioned something that caught me off guard, because he mentioned something that I was very interested in. I shared I have an idea I'd like to share with him.

He said to call his office to arrange a time for us to meet. I confess I cowered a bit here, because I don't want to take his time up for an idea he may not be interested in and told him that I would put together a business plan and email it to him. If he is interested, perhaps we can talk.

He pulled out his business card said to call his office.

Listen, if you challenge a mighty God who produces a prayer upon not a challenge, but kind of a I will do ... if You ... it's time to put my big girl panties on and follow through giving 100%.

God's response was immediate. I will do my best and present my business plan to the Mayor. If it turns into something, wonderful. If it is doesn't and it is simply a seed planted, I was faithful to my prayer. Either way I have peace. 

Me being responsive to God is more important than a business plan. If He wants it to work, it will flourish. If the timing isn't right or He has another plan for me, I've seen His work and I know I'm in the perfect hands. 

Resolution

Resolution:

a. the act of resolving or determining up an action 

or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

b. the mental state or quality of being resolved or 

resolute; firmness of purpose

I'm reading this book, The Resolution for Woman" by one of my favorite authors Priscilla Shirer. When I go to the bookstore I always say a quick and simple prayer, "Help me find the perfect book."

Done. That's all it takes.

I saw the title Resolution and it struck a cord in me. This years resolution was financial. I went from short goals which had been hard to accomplish without a plan, to me far exceeding my expectations.

Thanks to the Christian author Dave Ramsey of Financial Peace, the thought of $1,000 in a savings account was impossible. Life is expensive and something financial was always draining what I had. My 1st baby step was to save until I had $1,000 in a savings account. Then, I started paying off small credit card debts one at a time in a snowball effect which lightened the load of bills that came in the mail. Selling my home propelled me into a far better place for me in a beautiful new beginning, wiping all debt, paying off everything including car loans and it provided me a nice nest egg. The only expenses I have now are rent & utilities.

I highly, highly suggest financial freedom as a resolution.

My gosh, I remember the year my resolution was learning to say, "No".

As we approach the holidays, what is my resolution for 2019?

Always loving and seeking to learn I couldn't wait to dive into what Priscilla has to mention with biblical truths. She covers topics:

• Surprisingly Satisfied
• Purposefully Feminine
• Authentically Me
• Faithfully His
• My Best
• My Blessing
• My Forgiveness
• My Integrity
• My Heart
• Loving my Children
• Living with Grace
• Leaving a Godly Legacy

Each choice you make determines the path you take, which determines the life you'll end up living, because of the tomorrow you end up shaping.

Perhaps being intentional about what we chose is a wise thing.

The secret to contentment was what I was reading last night and I confess, this an area I do well in as well as my daughters.

"Today we hear philosophy of happiness that's actually been training us for a long time not to be happy. It says there is always something else, something more, some additional requirement we need before we can really enjoy life the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Advertisements bombard us with suggestions, encouraging us to get rid of the old and acquire the new, to be dissatisfied with what we already have. Fed by such a steady diet of unclaimed desires, caught up in this vicious cycle, we consequently feel incomplete and substandard. Unhappy. Uncontrolled. Unfulfilled. Dissatisfied.

This is precisely why a satisfied woman is such a surprising woman. The rarity and uniqueness of a woman who has chosen to be satisfied with what she has, with who she is, and with where she lives is as uncommon and worth celebrating. She has chosen contentment over displeasure." - Priscilla Shirer

This chapter dives into a worldly view, a life of contentment view, and biblical truths.

Contentment is life-changing.

When you are happy and content you are at peace.

Both my daughters live content lives as well. They are content and grateful for what they have, they live enjoying the moment they are already in, not running around with their hair on fire seeking fulfillment, seeking sensationalism, seeking "things" to fill a void, or embarrassingly seeking attention.

I'm am proud of the young ladies they are, in a world out of control.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned
to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is
to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned
the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty
or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
- Philippians 4:11-13

Happy Halloween '18

Her card arrived in the mail and I was ready on Halloween with a new book and a yummy treat. 

Aunt Brookie and Alex showed up in costume, because my girl loves to dress up! 

Brooke & Alex are settled in their apartment and loving life living together. Yes, even though he leaves wet towels on the floor and she junks the bathroom counter with girlie products. I knew she would love it and she does.

It may be raining and cold outside, but there is always something going on at my place!