Past and present Halloweens...

This was taken of my children a few years ago at Halloween. Cole was the monster from the movie 'Scream', Garrett was "Woody" from the movie 'Toy Story' and Christy was just "Blue".

Christy was already married and gone from my nest (LOL) but she came over and went with me and the boys, trick or treating.

This picture is dark but I wanted to put it on here anyway. I love how Garrett had his little head tilted. He was tired of me taking pictures, he wanted to go! He was so excited.

This is an old one of Christy and her Papaw when she was only 5 years old. She was 'Tinkerbell'. I always took her by her Mamaw and Papaw's house on Halloween. They loved seeing her all dressed up in her little costumes.

Me, dressed up like 'Dolly' one year at work. Everyone thought I was 'Mae West'. LOL

I worked at a pharmacy /home health store and I was able to use some extra large enhancements...if you know what I mean. I wore them all day at work and then I took my kids trick or treating that night. When I got home, my back was killing me! I couldn't wait to get rid of those things! They were so heavy!

Christy was 2 years old here and I was 19. I dressed her as a clown. This was taken at her grandparent's house. I remember how Mamaw was worried about me getting all of the orange spray paint out of Christy's pretty blond hair. See that potholder that is hanging on the wall? Mamaw made it and now Christy has it hanging in her own kitchen. I will have to do a post on that one day.

Look at that sweet face...

Well...look who came by the store to see me last night for Halloween! It was just like seeing Christy dressed as a clown all over again. My sweet grandson Jason. He even had the orange spray paint in his hair!

He loved the little bear that we had for him. Here he is giving it sugar!

He wanted to get out of his stroller and help me work. It brought back so many memories seeing him dressed up in his Halloween costume. I miss those days with my kids.
I hope that you all had fun on Halloween. Even though I had to work...it wasn't too bad since I was able to see my little clown.

October Fest

Last night was the 'October Fest' in the town where I live. The Art's Council had a membership drive to encourage new member's to join. I originally wasn't going to be able to go because I didn't have the extra money to spend. However my daughter was asked to perform and this was her first time to sing somewhere and actually get paid!!! She was so excited! Extra Christmas money!!!

It was held in the old 'Ice House' building downtown. They served all German food and German beer and wine. Since I don't drink, I thought I would at least enjoy the food. I drank water...that is the only other thing that they had and boy did I need it! I tasted many different things... that I had to chase down with water! I didn't like German food very much. I took a few pictures, most of them didn't come out because it was so dark in there. This is a German Christmas tree that they had decorated with old German ornaments.

Here is Christy singing one of her songs. She sang about 12 different songs. The one that I have playing now is one of them. (Stand By You)

She also sang 'At last', 'Heaven', 'You were always on my mind', and a few others. I was so proud of her.

They also had a costume contest. I had to go straight from work so I didn't get to dress up. I loved the little couple that dressed up like Dale Evans and Roy Rogers. They were in their 80's. They were so cute. The lady on the left was 'Mother Nature'.

Here is 'Flash' and a Greek Goddess.

A football player and a gypsy. There were others too but I forgot to take pictures of them all.

This is Kristen, a friend of Christy's that sings and plays the harp. I could have listened to her all night long.

Christy really loves to perform. She always has ever since she was a tiny little girl.

They sang together on this one and it was so beautiful. They sang "Listen To Your Heart".

Stevie took me because he knew how badly I wanted to go. Thanks Stevie!

Christy and her husband Phillip.

I watched her face and on certain songs, she looked at Phillip and was singing them just to him. So sweet...

I'm so proud of her.
I hope that you all have a Happy Halloween!

Enjoying my day off

Yesterday was my day off and I decided to just stay at home and get a few things done on my 'to do' list. It felt wonderful just to relax at home. After breakfast, I put some soft piano music on...Christmas music...my favorite and I decided that it was time to give 'Rosie' her first bath. She was so sweet and she was such a good little girl. I bathed her in the kitchen sink because she is so tiny.

She was a little scared of the sprayer so I decided not to use it.

Here she is all wet and clean. It only took a few minutes to bathe and dry her. Afterwards, she ran around the house for about 10 straight minutes! She was so excited!

Then I decided to go ahead and start wrapping some of my Christmas gifts that I've bought during the year. I always start shopping early for Christmas because once the rush hits, I will be too busy at work to shop! I think the Christmas music playing in the background got me in the mood the wrap! I like to use these bright colors on some gifts to put under my 'southern rose' tree.

I like to use this pastel colored paper to wrap gifts that go under my Shabby Pink and White tree. Isn't this paper adorable? I got it all at the Dollar Tree. I will put bows on all of the gifts when I gets ready to put them under the trees. Right now they are going to go into storage for a month or so.

Since I was in the Christmas mood... I decided to fix a cherry cheesecake for desert. I had already cooked red beans and rice with cornbread for supper.

Hailey, Stevie's little girl came over and ate supper. She and Garrett loved the cheesecake! Here she is with a mouthful!

Garrett loves cheesecake but not the cherries. Next time he wants me to make it plain.

Hailey with another mouthful...

Garrett says "Not bad at all...thank you Mama."

Amazing how a boxed cheesecake can make them happy!
Well...I'm off to work now. I owe, I owe, so off to work I go!

Have a wonderful day!

Giving gifts and getting a gift for myself.

I just got back last night from visiting Cole and Shanna in Southaven. We had a wonderful visit except that is was way too short. I had to be back for today to go back to work and we also had 'Friend's Day' at church and I didn't want to miss it. I went ahead and took them a few of their Christmas presents early because I knew that they would be needing them. They were so happy! They finally have their own apartment and they are trying to get it all ready for when the baby gets here.

We also took them an old washer and dryer that I had in storage. They will really be needing that!!! All those baby clothes! Christy sent them Jason's baby swing and I brought them Garrett's changing table from when he was a baby. I know how hard it is when you are young and first starting out. They really appreciated everything.

Cole was even excited about getting more baby wipes!!! You just wait Cole!!!

Got them a mixer...they didn't have one yet. Shanna can bake him plenty of cakes and brownies now. LOL Cole called me a few days before I went and said that he really wanted some panny-cakes...that's what he use to call them when he was a little boy. Of course I had to bring them some groceries and I couldn't forget pancake mix and syrup. I made some for them while I was there.

A cake plate for all of those cakes that Shanna is going to bake.

They really loved this one. Pizza Stone! They eat lots of pizza!

Sweet little calendar to keep up with all of Gabriel's doctor appointments, first smile, first tooth, first words, etc. I'm getting all 'happy' just thinking about it!!

Garrett was so happy to see his brother. It had been months since they had seen one another. Garrett loved Cole and Shanna's apartment. We all went to a huge flea market before I left and I just had to get me something!!

Her name is "Princess Rosalie" and I'm gonna call her "Rosie". Isn't she beautiful? I've been wanting a little inside puppy ever since my sweet 'Sassy" died. I just didn't know what kind...I thought I would get another Sheltie but they are so hard to find down here. When I saw this little sweetie...and I held her, I knew that I wanted her for my own. Her little face is so precious and she cuddled up to me just like I was her mommy. Last night was her first night with me and I ended up letting her sleep with me because she kept crying in her kennel. Tonight she is just sleeping so sweetly by herself. She turned 2 months old today. Tomorrow I'm taking her to the vet just for a check up.
I hope all of you have a great night!!! I'm so happy!!! I will probably have baby dreams and puppy dreams!

My little boys

I just wanted to show a few pictures of my boys when they were little. This is Cole holding his brother Garrett. They look so precious here. Cole was 10 years old and Garrett was only a few months.

Cole got a little bit grossed out after Garrett spit up all over his outfit! Look at that face on Cole!

Get over it Cole! It won't be long and you will have your own little one that will spit up on you and many other things...LOL Garrett thinks that this is the funniest post! Cole your face says it all!!!

I love this one of Garrett. I always called him my cabbage patch baby! Look how chubby!

My sweet little man all dressed up and ready to go....shopping with mom!

He has grown so much and so fast! He is 8 years old now.

Garrett was such a happy baby! Always laughing and giggling! I've kissed those cheeks over a million times!

The biggest eyes and cheeks! I love them!

You loved your teddy bear room and you loved playing in there.

Garrett in one of Cole's old baby outfits. I couldn't button it in the back. You were precious and you still are.
I'm getting so excited about my new grand baby coming next month! Can't you tell?

Happy Birthday MOM

Yesterday, my sister and I took our mom out to eat and shopping for her birthday. She really enjoyed it and we did too. We went to Don's Seafood in Hammond, La.
We love their seafood gumbo and hush puppies. It was a perfect day for gumbo and a perfect day to spend with Mama. It was just a little bit cool outside. I love this time of year.

Mom and Melinda. We took her shopping after we ate and we had so much fun! They just built a new shopping center in Hammond with so many new stores. Mom had never been in a TJMaxx before. She was amazed! We bought her a purse that she liked and some earrings. She bought herself an outfit and some boots.

The day went by way too fast. We will be doing this again soon.
Happy 60th birthday Mom. We love you!!!

"Show Off Your Cottage Monday" with A Southern Rose

Today is the first day of 'Show Off Your Cottage Monday' with Cielo at "The House In The Roses". I think this is a wonderful idea to show off rooms in our cottages that we have decorated and also projects that we are working on. Maybe this will motivate me to get a few more projects finished on my to do list.


My front door has been painted several times. Two of the times by me. It is layered with years and years of different colors of paint and in spots you can even see the rust starting to come through. It is an old metal door and I have wanted to change it for months but I will have to wait a little longer. I'm trying to live with my new motto that is on my new blog banner. "Being happy with what I have". My door is a shelter from the cold and I am happy with that. Come in and see my living room...

I love the colors that I have in this room. I love reds and yellows, they make it feel so warm in here. This is the first room that you walk into when you enter my cottage. It use to be dark brown paneled and very dreary. I love paint! It does wonders! I have a china cabinet in here because I have so many dishes that I had to put one in several rooms. I love dishes! A good friend of mine bought this Tiffany lamp for me a couple of years ago. I love stained glass too.

I've had this music player for years now. It plays old records, cassettes, and CD's. I love to go into this room and put some peaceful piano music on and just sit and relax. That is the reason that I don't have a television in here. I love to sit and have my coffee or tea and read or write letters to my friends. Yes, I still do that even with the conveniences of email. I love to send and receive letters and cards. They seem more personable to me.

I've had this old mirror for about 17 years now. It has been moved to several different houses and rooms. This is the buffet that my daddy gave me when I was only 19 years old. I keep all of my cassettes and CD's in the top drawer.

This is the secretary where I write my letters. It is full of stationary and little trinkets from my children.

I have loved roses since I was a little girl and I always will. I wallpapered the side wall for an accent wall, with roses of course. I used that same paper in my old house.

I bought these rose prints years ago at the Atlanta Market. I use to go buy merchandise for the gift store that I managed years ago. Oh how I loved that job! I always had to buy something for me too! LOL One print is called "Entwined" and the other is called "Touchable". They were painted by Deb Collins. I wonder the reasoning behind the names. I have a larger one too that goes with these and I will post about it on a later post.
Thank you for joining me for my first "Show Off Your Cottage Monday". It was fun seeing other people's cottages too. If you would like to see more just go on over to 'The House In The Roses' and Cielo has the different links set up so that you can visit them. That is where I'm heading right now.



Have a great day!