I'm a slacker...

It's true.  I really am a slacker.  Thanks to all of you dear friends for still commenting and stopping by even though I haven't returned the favor.  Apologies. Noticed I've even lost a few followers in the process. But it's summer and I've been taking a break from it all.  Had a blast on vacation with the kids. Returned back to reality of unpacking and getting settled in.  It's a sloooow process.  Motivation is eluding me.  For any of you who have moved a lot, do you just get sick and tired of your decor?  I've arranged and rearranged the same stuff over and over. Never does it work the same in each house.  I used to enjoy that challenge but am now tired of the shuffling. Determined not to buy anything new while renting.  Holding out.  19 months and counting!  (That's when hubby graduates and we go somewhere more permanent.)  My house still pretty much looks like this...

Well, I do have a dining table sitting there but that's about it.  We're drowning in a sea of beige so here's what I pulled from my inspiration folder. This inspires me to add some new life into my red sofa for the family room.  Going green this time, just a touch of apple green.  Maybe that will wake up my decor senses and I'll get on a roll.

 Courtesy of Houzz, My favorite place for ideas.  Sorry I do not know the specific owner of this picture.  Please come forward if it's yours.  I'd love to see more. 

Will post pics of my completed room some happy day!

I've decided to chill out for two more weeks and just concentrate on my kiddos.  They are growing up and summer is almost gone.  Prince A is entering 7th grade, eekk.. Prince O's going to pre-k.  And of course, the Princess is off to college.  Never have figured out how moms keep up a weekly blog all year long.  I've even considered giving mine up but know when school starts, I'll have some "me" time again.  Until we meet again, happy trails!

A Life of Cardboard

Since when did life become cardboard boxes and packing tape?   We're back from our trip home to TX, back to the reality of unpacking in our new place.  We've had a lot of kinks with this house to the point I've questioned staying in it or not.  You know how when you buy a car and everything goes wrong?  Sort of a lemon.  But moving is major.  So I'd prefer to work out the kinks.  Therefore, it's taking me a little longer to unpack.  I'm planning another trip, this time a little vaca with my kiddos.  I like for them to go on at least one adventure in the summer.  They're all voting for theme park.  Did I ever mention how much I hate theme parks?  Especially in this heat.  The things we do for our kids.

After that, I'm hoping to find some good white sand in FL.  A little beach time should help me recuperate.

Wishing you all some R&R in the next few weeks.

What I'm loving...

I'm back! I could complain about how tired I am from moving, the inconvenience of not having a computer for a week, my a/c going out on the day we moved in and still not fixed, waaah, waah, waah..So how about I just focus on the positive and tell you what I'm loving about the new house...

A special nook in the kitchen for my computer!

Real plantation shutters! The kind that open and close from the middle so the windows can be completely open if you choose.  I've always wanted these but could never afford them.  Hooray for renting!

French doors!

 And a huge backyard!

Now off to unpack more boxes.  This could take a while.  Right in the midst of all of this, we're leaving this weekend for our (pre-scheduled) annual trip home. Looking forward to seeing family and getting away from the moving madness!

So... hello and goodbye.  It'll be a while before I can post again.  Thanks to all of my friends who have not forgotten me!  Hope you're all having a great summer!

Early Bird Breakfast and a Message from God

A couple of weeks ago, our church hosted a group of college students traveling with a choir. I volunteered to take 4 of the girls even though it was not the greatest of timing for me.  Imagine my shock, when on the way home, I discovered one of my Canada blogging friend's (Cindy from Oakview Cottage whom I've never met in person) niece was in the car with me!  It gave me chills honestly.  To think of all the people in the world, she'd end up at my house.  Ever had a day when you think "God do you even know where I am?"  It was one of those days so I was pretty overwhelmed that God would say, "sure do!"  Had a nice visit with all the girls. The next morning they voted for a simple breakfast.  Had to hurry and meet up with their group so this is what I came up with.  Wish I would've had fancy linens but, oh well the monogrammed paper napkins sufficed.

Thank goodness for fresh hydrangeas from the backyard.  Couldn't have planned them to bloom at a more perfect time.

And thank goodness for Publix bakery!

A little seasonal fresh fruit...

Not shown was cereal, milk and juice bar located in kitchen.  I think the girls enjoyed this quick breakfast.  My boys did. They polished it off when the girls left!

More views of the table.  We normally don't do fancy this early. But it was a special day.

Thank you God for unexpected blessings.

Posting to Tablescape Thursday over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Ok, girls (and guys if you're reading,) we're about to make the journey to move so it'll be a while before I can blog again.  Don't even have internet service at the new house yet.  See ya on the other side of the moving truck!

Woo Hoo!

Hello again everyone!  I'm having many Woo Hoo moments today. One is I made it through surgery, and woke up! Woo Hoo!  It's been a rough recovery though.  The first day home, without thinking, I twisted to grab a falling water bottle and ripped one of my incisions.  My tummy looks like it's been beat black and blue.  2nd hard lesson in recovery: Do not take pain med on empty stomach. Yes I did and it set off a bout of nausea/dizziness which lasted 2 days.  I quit all meds cold turkey.  Been painful but I'm surviving. 

My other woo hoo moment is--- we finally found a house! God led us to this house.  When we were driving around there a couple of weeks ago,  I noticed a for sale sign and pulled a flyer.  Upon returning home, we called the realtor.  Come to find out, the listing was expiring last Wednesday.  By Thurs. we were striking a deal.  An answer to my prayer of "let me sell my house and find another one before surgery."  Well, isn't God humorous?   Ok, I didn't specify how long before my surgery.  He answered 12 hours before. His time line is not ours anyway.
So here are some pictures.  This will be transformed when decorated.  But you can see the good bones it has.  Need ideas, especially for the kitchen.  Black granite and the oak stained cabinets (think that's oak?) are my least favorite in a kitchen.  

Not liking that little thingy over the sink either.  I mean, who puts those in newer houses any more?  Sorry if you have one, I just don't like my window blocked.  The crazy thing is, we've never been inside this house!  Has anyone ever done this?  We based our decision on the market, the area, the realtor's opinion, and the pics.  So send me your suggestions and remember a rental means no major changes.  Probably not even paint if the doc has anything to do with it. 
Oh boy, now the packing starts.  It'll be a slow process so my blogging will be limited.  My  next Woo Hoo moment will be when I'm unpacked in the new house.
Posting to Marla's Woo Hoo Wednesday over at Always Nesting.

Good news

The good news is....We SOLD our house!  I started to title my post good news/bad news but didn't want to be negative.  So, the not so good news is..  I don't have another house to go to.  We've looked everywhere this past weekend.  Seems rental properties are scarce.   
Here is a little slide show/snapshots of our current house.  I intended to showcase each room on here but this will have to do.  It's about to all come down.  The boxes are coming out of the attic, the packing paper is ready to go and we're out of here by June 10th! 

This picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

The other not so good news is I'm having gallbladder surgery this Friday. In addition, Prince O has to have dental surgery but no date has been set yet. Needless to say, I won't have much time for blogging over the next few weeks. Please don't forget me! Sorry I haven't had time to respond to comments. As you can see, my life is just plain crazy right now.

  I hate to be put to sleep but even more hate for my baby being put to sleep.  I appreciate your prayers!

Pink Saturday and the winner!

The time has arrived to announce the winner of my 100th follower celebration! 

Here is Prince O doing the honors...

Congratulations to....... 

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove!!!  Diann is the winner of a $25 Target gift card! 

Her blog is really cool!  Go check it out! 

Thanks to all who entered and to all of the new followers!  Now I can work towards my 200 goal. 

I am back from moving the princess.  We were so busy getting her situated that I actually didn't have time to cry.  Then I was too tired to cry on the way home.  I miss her already. But I'm holding up!

The dr has been very nice to me lately.  I guess he knows all of these things like moving, selling the house, finding a new place, princess cutting the apron strings, etc are putting a little wear and tear on my emotions.  So for no reason, he brought these home for me...

This is my lovely Pink Saturday.  

 My flowers may not keep but the dr.? Well he's a keeper!