August 2011

Seems as though this summer just whizzed by so quickly. I have been in a funk for several months. Just have not felt very good at all. Have been so tired. I get out of bed, and usually just lay on the couch and doze until 10. I try and push myself to keep up with the house work, but that seems to be as far as I get. I have been to the Dr. several times, getting all sorts of tests done. Did get changes in allergy meds, since I was having some breathing issues. We are now trying to figure out why my hemoglobin is so low, and my liver and spleen are both enlarged. Had and endoscopy yesterday, just waiting for some biopsies. Dr. says everything looked fine, but they did have to dilate my esophagus. Hopefully things will improve soon, sick and tired of being sick and tired.

One thing that I have done a lot of this summer is spend my Saturdays with my daughter Joan. We have done a lot of garage sales, antique stores and just general junking. We have had a blast, and have done some more changes to the house.


In 2005 my granddaughter Katisha was staying with us so we painted the one bedroom pink. It has since been referred to as the Pepto room. It was time for a change. Don and I found the wonderful little desk at an antique store down in Valley Junction in Des Moines. A week later, found the little stool to go with it, at a different store in V.J. Don did extend the shelves to the ceiling, on the right. We tore out the carpet, and am going to leave the hardwood floors.

We painted the walls a darker green, Valspar Green Peppercorn. It turned out so gorgeous. It is perfect. This jewelry hanger, I made from an old window that we replaced a few years ago. I took all the glass out, put screen in the bottom panes, to attach pierced earrings on. I attached a small curtain rod, across the top panes for bracelets, and the bottom has 4 decorative knobs, from Hobby Lobby attached, for necklaces. It has a crackle finish to it. I first painted it red, then crackle medium, then white.


I made these two canvases for the Pepto room. Just decoupaged and added some of this and that.

Don also built shelves on the left side of the window. They just so happen to fit some of my suitcase collection. I numbered the suitcases, and I made tags so that I know what is in each one. Yup, do use them for storage and I love them. The photo on the right is the shelves Don extended. I also have a few more luggage pieces, and lots of my scrapbooks stored here. I am going to get some pipe and fix the ladder like a library ladder that slides from side to side. Will also be able to attach it to the shelves on the left side.

I was lucky enough to be looking at my emails one day when an ad for two old trunks were listed for FREE. I busted my backside and was lucky enough to get them both. The people had been moving them all over the country for years and decided they didn't want them anymore. This one made it's way to Russia in the 1920's. I love it. The violin, and case I got for $2.00 at a garage sale. The dress top was from my husband's grandmother's wedding dress. I have acquired the other items from thrift stores, junk stores, garage sales, etc.
This to die for mirror I got at Junk Jubilee. I totally love it so much. I was going to put it above the bed, but couldn't do it, so put it above the window. Have I said I love it?

This is the wall between the closet and the door to the room. The two cup and saucer holders were purchased at different times. And to be honest, when I purchased the first one, had no clue what it was for, lol. The cups and saucers were Don's grandmother's. The shelf I purchased at a Farmer's Market in MN. a couple years ago. The other things have been purchased here and there, thru the years. On the right is the headboard that Don and I made with our old fence boards. The red items were all purchased for a total of $6. I think they are so awesome. Love the patina.


I made these quilt wall hangings. No, I don't quilt. These are pieces of quilts that I cut up, and added some other things, buttons, lace, postcards and flowers. Love the look.

This is what you see when you walk in the door. Just want to lie down and rest.

Well that is the basics of my former Pepto room. I just love the way it has all turned out. Next you will see the "Red" room. Have made some changes there also. So til next time......

Way Behind, I know............

Last year as I was doing all the work in my basement, I also did our bedroom. When we bought the house, it only had two bedrooms upstairs, and a huge family room, with a fireplace downstairs. We put the girls in the bedrooms upstairs and we took the downstairs room for our bedroom. We had painted it before, but never put a whole lot of work into it.
When Katisha and Tyree were little we did put up the fence, and the three of us stenciled the flowers, insects and tree on the wall. Everyone wanted me to leave it all there, but I wanted to change the whole theme of the room. This is what I came up with.For the headboard, I used two old gates that were in our back yard when we moved in. I love the color, it is so soothing. The red baby buggy is a gift from Don, many years ago. I had spotted it in the Salvation Army window, and told him that I wanted it so bad. He surprised me with it for Christmas that year. The window with the 6 pictures is from our house, when we closed in the bathroom. The frame with 5 slots was my grandmother's. Just don't know if I want to put anything in it.

The Spinning wheel was brought over from Sweden by my great grandfather in the late 1800's. Most of the stuff was either hand me downs from family, or garage sale finds. This fireplace was the reason I loved this house and had to have it. The red jacket on the left was Don's when he was a little boy, back in the 40's. Wish I could find a picture of him wearing it. The yellow quilt was made for him by his Grandmother Perry, in 1957. It is dated on the back. The blue one was made for me by my grandmother Thomas, in the late 70's. The dresser was made by Don's great grandfather in 1876, and signed. The drop leaf table was my grandparents, the Thomas'. Figure they got it in the 1930s, when they got married. I love having these pieces that give us fond memories, of those that loved us.

We are all doing pretty well. Kids are growing like crazy, Teddy is now a teenager, and Grace will be 12 in July. Will try and post again, soon.

Hello Spring.........

Are you out there??? I haven't complained about this winter at all. I have actually enjoyed it, especially after last year. I am getting very anxious for some sunshine and spring. Haleigh did inform me that the rain today means it is SPRING, so I'm going with her on this. Although when I took Chester out a while ago, there was snow, not rain. Hey, it's IOWA.

Joan has had a complete recovery from her surgery in Dec. Blood work has been fine. Then, a month ago her Meniere's Disease flared up. While suffering from this she can't drive. She went back to the doctor and is now on more medication for it, and thought it was getting better, but then she got the bug that the entire family has had, except Katisha. We have run fevers, severe sinus headaches, coughing sore throat, just feeling crappy. We are all recovering, and Joan says that hopefully she can drive in the next few days.

So just trying to keep up with everything going on, and running constantly everywhere, not much else going on. Just wanted to update.

Doing great

Figure I should at least post an update on how we are doing. Joan is healing well. She said yesterday that she felt great, still tired, but more like her old self. I can't explain what this ordeal has done for our family. There are so many things that just don't matter anymore. As long as we are all alive and healthy, nothing else matters.

We have all looked at each other and realized just how important we all are. We have all learned that our family is as strong as any power out there. Others may try and stomp us down, but united, nothing can come between us.

This past year and a half, have really put a huge strain on all of us. Katisha moving to MN., losing Don's mother, Katisha moving back, losing my dad, Tyree graduating, my mom disowning me, and then almost losing our daughter seems like a horrible nightmare, mixed with a couple of good dreams.

The thing is, we are so very thankful for so many things. Katisha has grown into one of the most beautiful 20 year old women I have ever seen. She has seemed to have gotten over that hump, and is figuring her life out, and owning it. My mother-in-law lived 98years, with a very clear mind and the most beautiful skin in the world. Yes, I miss my dad, my hero since I was 9 years old, but I thank God for every moment I had him, and also thank God that we had the last 16 years, to really get to know each other, and love each other.

Yes we got Tyree all graduated, lol. He hasn't figured out what he wants to do with his life yet, but how many 18 year olds do know what they want to do the rest of their lives?

As for mom disowning me, well, what can I say? There is nothing to say...........

Almost losing Joan, that has changed us all forever. I know that what I want in life is to surround myself with the truth. I refuse to allow people to treat me with anything but respect, which is the only way I try and treat everyone. I refuse to lie and put other people ahead of myself, my wonderful husband, my gorgeous daughters and my amazing grandchildren. I only have to answer to my God, and myself.

I will never be able to say THANK YOU enough for all the support, love and prayers we have been shown the past 18 months. They have let us know that we are loved by many, and no one can ask for more.