A Day in Preschool

Well, I'm still in the borrowed house.  More about that in a minute.  Today has been  fun because I spent the day in Pre-K!  (Almost made me want to return to work, almost... ) 

It was my turn to read to students in Prince O's class.  Can't believe my baby is in school!  He has to be on the bus at 7 a.m.  So early! 

Can't you see how happy he is to be awake at this hour?  He's like his mom when it comes to mornings.

He chose the books for me to read.  His top pick was:

Love illustrations in kid's books!  These are especially colorful!

To go with the elephant/circus theme, we made bags of popcorn for snacks.

Look at this cute popcorn bag, purchased at Dollar Tree.  Pkg of 10- $1

Cute until you fill 20 bags with microwaved popcorn.  My house is smelling very buttery!

For the teachers, Halloween pails from Target $1 bin.  (All of the goodies came from Target.)  Don't you love those fluffy little pens and fall themed sticky note pads? Ok, maybe not.  That's the teacher coming out in me.

 I saved the best for last.  This was my audience after I read two stories.  Aren't their expressions hilarious?  My little guy is posing for me in the back.  Otherwise, I'm sure he'd be as enthused as the rest of the bunch!  Oh to be in preschool!  Not a care in the world.

Speaking of reading books, this cute "boy reading book" statue was outside of a restaurant we visited a few days ago. Would love to have him in my backyard!

Thanks to so many of you who offered encouragement over my a/c issues.  Such a minor thing in life compared to what some are going through, I'm almost embarrassed to have mentioned it.  We've decided to stay put in the borrowed house simply b/c we can't afford to move.  The a/c is working for now and thankfully it has cooled off so we don't need it as much.  We will deal with it again when the weather changes. 

I keep promising a give away.  I really do have one.  I'm in the process of changing my blog but waiting on the designer to deliver my template.  Would like to do everything at the same time.

If you want to do something worthwhile, go volunteer in a school.  If you can't do that, gather your children, grandchildren or any kids you can find, and read them a book.  Great way to forget your troubles and see the world through the eyes of a child!

Vintage Find and the Unknown

Found this little pillow from, where else? Goodwill.  It's vintage and I love the pattern of the fabric.  Wish I could find an entire bolt somewhere.  In fact, it is inspiring me to redo my living room again.  

But...on a more serious note, the Borrowed House.  Oh the woes of the Borrowed House.  You may remember the a/c problems, etc we had.  Well, we're 5 months into the lease and still having major issues.  Repairmen have been out no less than 11 times.  Yes, that averages 2x per month.  I've been smelling mildew for about 2 weeks so I started cleaning with bleach, sniffing around but could never locate the source. Bingo, our a/c quits again. Some of you may be wondering why I need a/c in Oct.  Southern GA.  Temp inside is 81.  Actually cooler outside than inside this a.m. Repairman says there's terrible build up in the drain, even on the insulation.  Eeek!  So glad I do not own this house!  We have to give 3 months notice to get out of the lease. Let's just say the landlord has been less than accommodating with all of this.  Nothing to do but move. However, when you're on a med school budget, you do not attempt paying double rent.  Prayers please. 

My blog just turned a year old! I've been playing around with the layout to give this baby a spruce up but stopped in the midst of my drama. It occurred to me that I'm sort of at a blank spot in life anyway. Simplicity is what I crave.  

A blog b-day giveaway is all ready to go and will be posted asap. So check back!  In the meantime, my blogging may get sporadic all things considered. 

"All things work together for good!"

More Fall Touches

Here are some more fall touches scattered in The Borrowed House kitchen.  I'm not through with overall decor in this kitchen just yet.  Thinking of window treatments.  I love the shutters but it looks a little plain.  Still debating on which direction to take things.  Maybe some black toile plates over shelf too..

The best part of fall decorating...Bargain Hunting!

Metal pumpkin: Ross on clearance last year.  I need to spray paint it black but just kind of stuck it here to see how it'd look.

 My little black shelf.  I'm constantly tweaking it.  

Silver candlesticks: Pottery Barn from Goodwill $4!  They are $28 ea in PB catalog!

  (oops, the cord came loose from back of shelf)  

Arthur Court Waves Bowl: Gift from one of Dr's friends as a reminder of the Caribbean Sea they swam in on a medical missions trip to Honduras.  For my souvenir, Dr brought me back a huge container of pure vanilla extract from Honduras. (big spender that he is)  The best stuff ever! Totally transformed my dessert dishes.  Wish I could get my hands on some more. 

About the rest... 

  Apothecary filled with pumpkins:  Someone commented they could not find the sugared pumpkins- that would be Wal Mart.

 Clown: Ok, I'm not big into the Halloween decor per say, but this little clown was free at a yard sale last week.  Can't pass up free.  Especially in black and white.

Tray:  How do you like?  Dollar Tree!  That's right.  $1.  Yep, it's cheap but like it, love it.  The colors are so vibrant.  Go get one before they sell out!
                                                                 Happy Fall!

Fall Bargain at Target

A little trip to the dollar section in Target and I found this adorable little wreath for only $2.50!  I don't think it could even be made for that price.  I love the dollar section but you have to hit it at the right time to find the good stuff.  Just thought I'd share for the Target shoppers out there.  Happy October!

It's just a season...

Just as seasons change in nature, seasons change in life. My chalkboard inspiration- "To everything there is a season.."    Reminding myself of this Proverb.  I'm in a season and seasons don't last forever.   Grateful for all the seasons in life.
I'm even feeling a change of season with my blogging.  Next month my blog turns a year old!  We'll celebrate with a giveaway.  More about that later.

Speaking of seasons...AuTumN is here!  Scattering a little fall around the Borrowed House kitchen. Remember my orange toned cabinets and back splash?  I'm embracing the color as an accent to blacks and creams. Not a bad combo I tell ya. 
If you can't beat it, join it.   

Touches of fall and vignettes...

Love using my zebra rug here.  It was just the right length to go in front of my working area.

And the above picture is a sneak peek of more to come.  Can't wait to show you my bargains.

Fall Greetings

Today is fall (at least that's what the calendar says) and I have no camera!  That's right, my camera died.  Guess I'll be shopping for a new one.  I need cheap.  Any suggestions?  I was all ready to show some autumn in The Borrowed House.  It'll have to wait.
(above photo courtesy of traveldestinationpictures.com)
This past weekend, we took a road trip to a little town called Thomasville.  It's where my hubby is doing one of his rotations.  He told me I'd love the town. He was right. Just adored it. Downtown is quite historic. My favorite were the homes. Here are glimpses from someone else's camera. 

  Let's go inside this one.   Beautiful staircase-

 

Love the door..

Nice columns...

I'd have to chop down those two trees covering the columns but I could certainly sit a spell here....

Inside -this staircase is so pretty and what a unique landing....

Closer up under the wainscoating looks like painted graphics or wallpaper?  Either one, it's beautiful.

Room for improvement here but look at the great bones.  Bead board and fab doors (sigh)...

Nice dining with plenty of windows. The hutch is driving me crazy.  Needs a buffet there...(easy to pick things a part when I don't live there.  My jealousy is showing. Forgive me.)

My hubby is now required to take me back to this quaint little place.  I want to stroll the streets and shop downtown.  Can't wait!

This is my idea of a delightful fall day!
(photos can be found here)