Gettin' in the Christmas Mood a Little Early

If you've read my blog for long, you know I lurve Chris Tomlin. Just hearing his songs makes me smile. Have you heard Glory in the Highest? Oh. My. Word.

This song never fails to make me squall. Squall? Is that how you spell that? Anyway, so, we have established the fact that CT is probably my fave singer.

And you know what my fave holiday is? CHRISTMAS! What do you get when you put my fave singer and my fave holiday together? CHRIS TOMLIN'S FIRST CHRISTMAS CD! Woo hoo! I danced a happy dance when I heard that it was coming out today. But I didn't think I'd get it before at least November.

When Sound Man came home he brought in the mail and handed it all to me, a bunch of junk mail that was full of paper and catalogs and junk. I was working on tassels at the time, and it really annoyed me that he just handed me the pile. He told me there was lots of stuff in the mail...lots of good stuff, if I would just look....

I squealed. I didn't expect my sweet Sound Man to actually get me this the day it came out. He's just too good to me.

So, what have I been listening to? Christmas music! Thank you, My Sweet. You know you rock!

Pumpkin Tassel Giveaway!

I can't believe it's October. So it begins. The hustle and bustle of the holidays. I lurve it. To start it off right, Cheri from It's So Very Cheri is hosting a huge...no...bigger...ginormous giveaway, and she graciously asked if I'd like to participate with one of my tassels.

Well, YEAH! So, head over to her blog and get signed up for one of the many prizes she has to offer, including my tassel.

And if you don't win this time, don't fret, my dearies. I've got another one lined up really, really soon. Like, soon. Meanwhile, why don't you browse for Christmas gifts or for fall decorating (I've got some new fall tassels in there!) or just because they're so pretty you can't live without them.

Hey...I just remembered....if you order in the month of October, you get FREE SHIPPING! Unless, of course, you live near me and are my friend, and then you get free shipping all the time. Lucky you.

You can just click up there on the left hand column where my Etsy shop is, or you can just click here:

Okay now, head on over to Cheri's. If you do end up buying a tassel, make sure you let me know in the buyer's notes that you heard about it through the giveaway and I'll throw in a free bookmark. I have some of the prettiest bookmarks that I just can't decide which ones to keep and which ones to sell, so I'm just giving them away. How's that for decision making?

"Get ready....get reeeeady..."

Sorry, but every time I have thought about this post I've thought about that song by the Temptations.

I'm getting ready for something. Actually, a few somethings. Cheri from It's So Very Cheri approached me about doing a giveaway for her big, huge, GIGANTIC giveaway starting this Thursday, October 1.

Excuse me a moment...ACK!!! IT'S ALREADY OCTOBER?????

We now resume our regularly scheduled freak out.

Sorry, I just had to throw that in there, because I'm about to get panicky that I haven't started on Christmas yet. I even have a reminder that pops up on my calendar every day to remind me what I DIDN'T get done last year because I waited until the last minute to do stuff. Well, not this year, baby. This year I have determined in my heart that I will. not. procrastinate!

Sorry, that was a rabbit chased if I've ever seen one (and have you noticed how many times I've said "sorry" in this post? Sorry.)

My point is that I'm getting ready for several giveaways that I can't wait for. The first one will be Cheri's, starting this Thursday. Here's a reminder...

I don't even know what else is being given away, I just know Cheri is really excited about it. Of course, if you pop over there and see my little tassel (which, by the way, I think is stinkin' cute!) and want to enter to win it, that's fine by us. AAAAAND, if you decide you want to head over to my Etsy Shop (ahem...here's the button:)

...then feel free to browse and buy! I have a few Christmas tassels, but I'm loading several more fall tassels (pumpkins to be exact) this week. Beautiful orange and yellow, and even a green one. MMMmmmMMM. Purty.

I think I have totally rambled this post out. Probably because I'm sitting at my desk with the window right beside me open and the fan in the window blowing chilly air on me. Ssssso I'mmmmm frfrfrfreezzzzing. But you know what? I LOVE IT! It means FALL IS FINALLY HERE!

Good thing I gave those tassels lots of fringe to keep them warm. *snicker*

Kat's Birthday

This weekend the fam loaded up in the green big van (what Kiddo used to call our Astro) and headed down to Kat's to celebrate (albeit a day late) her 40th birthday. And I'm not spilling the beans here, people, she confessed her age on her blog. I heard that collective gasp.

We had the best time. It's been way too long since just our families got together. Sound Man and The Bob spent the first part of the evening grillin' some mean steaks.Actually, I think The Bob did all the grilling and Sound Man just kept him company.
They love each other.

Kat made the salads while I did nothing took pictures. The kids ate croutons while we waited.
I think Fep is choking on hers!

Meanwhile, Dixie the doggie posed for me...She's lickin' her chops for summa that steak!

After we ate (of course I was too busy feedin' my face to take any pics of our wonderful meal!) we brought out the cake!If you wonder who in the world placed those candles...well...I never said I was a cake decorator.
That, along with the fact that they were melting extremely fast, made us laugh. Hard.They were pretty sad.

Fep accompanied us with her violin while we sang "Happy Birthday". This girl is good. She also played a few other selections for our listening pleasure. She tried to show Kiddo how to play. Hmmm...I think we'll stick with piano!

Then it was time for presents. Moose wanted me to see the butterfly he got for his Momma. They pay attention to their Aunt Heather's blog, too!
Then Fep gave her some sweet chocolate, so Kat gave her a sweet kiss. But the highlight of the evening was THE card.We opened that Hoops and Yoyo card (I lurve Hoops and Yoyo!)probably ten times during the evening. It was just so catchy...

After the hoopla settled down, we adjourned to the dining room to play games. First up, Farkle. My husband needs to work on his photography skills.

The girls won both games (I won Farkle and Kat and I as a team won the next game, Pictionary) so I guess my husband decided he didn't want to take a picture of us drawing our hearts out. Oh well.

It was so good to spend the evening with them. Our families love each other and have since the mid 90's, before any of our children were born. Kat and I have a friendship like I've never had. I cherish it!Happy (late) Birthday, Kat! I love you!

Giveaway at Creative Home Expressions!

Y'all know I love giveaways. Well, it turns out this one is VERY timely. Kathy at Creative Home Expressions is hosting a giveaway from Warehouse Fabrics Inc. And boy howdy do I need it! I was rifling through my fringe last night lamenting how low my stash is. Time to replenish! And $25 worth of fringe from Warehouse Fabrics would be really helpful! Thanks, Kathy!

Got any projects that require fabric? Then get over to Kathy's and enter the drawing!

Honest Scrap Award!

I have lots of pics to download and share about the last few days (Sound Man's 5k, the CD concert, etc, etc.), but I wanted to do a quick post because Missy from Southern Queen Bee awarded me the "Honest Scrap" award! As with other awards, here are the rules:

1.) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award. ~ Thanks, Missy!
2.) Share "10 Honest Things" about myself.
3.) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4.) Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.

Okay, ten things...let's see...

1. I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was a little girl. Then I realized I'd have to see blood and stuff. Changed my mind really quick.
2. My husband and I had been dating six weeks when he asked me to marry him the first time. I turned him down.
3. My dream vacation is actually a combination of vacations. Driving to the mountains, enjoying them for a few days, then heading down to Disney to have some fun, then over to the beach to relax for a looooong time.
4. I eat weird things. Not gross things, just weird things.
   
5. When I was little, all of my stuffed animals were named Mary. Even the stuffed clown. Which, surprisingly, didn't creep me out.
6. I dream about what my dream house would look like to help me go to sleep at night.
7. I wish Sound Man and I could spend more time together. We don't go on enough dates to suit either of us.
8. It sometimes disappoints me that I never had a little sister for Kiddo. And I'm thinking that by now, if it ain't happened, it ain't gonna happen.
   
9. Making tassels is one of the joys of my life!
   
10. And since I'm being honest, let me say lastly that I wish my home was as pretty as some of yours. I have parts of my home that I'm very proud of, but there are others that make me cringe when I look at them. Like my kitchen. And my front porch. And my master half bath. But, instead of becoming jealous, I want your blogs to inspire me to do more for my home, to make it the haven God would have it to be. Keep inspiring, ladies, keep inspiring!
    

Here are the seven lovely ladies I would like to award:

1. My BFF, Kat at Reflections. How could I not award her with an award about encouragement?
2. Darlene at Darlene's Days. She always has the sweetest posts about her family, and she always leaves me the sweetest comments.
3. Katy Lin at The Great Adventure. She and her husband, Austin, are starting a ministry that just blesses my heart!
4. Richella at Imparting Grace. She has already written a heart felt honest post that I hope you'll read.
   
5. Kari & Kijsa at, well, Kari & Kijsa! Not only do they have a beautiful blog, they can also write beautifully, too!
6. Katie at Intentionally Katie. She is about as honest and transparent a blogger as I've ever read. Not to mention she's a cute preggo.
7. And finally, Teri Lynne at Pleasing To You. This girl is chock full of encouragement. She never ceases to put a smile on my face. And I bet if you go to her 100th Post, she'll give you something sweet. I laughed. I cried. It moved me. No, seriously.

So, there you have it. My Honest Scrap. I giggle every time I read that. Say it fast and see if you don't, too! Thanks again, Missy!

Preparing My Fingers for the Burn

Fall just seems to bring out the decorator in me. Not that you can tell by looking at my house. However, it also brings out the crafter in me. After months of taking care of Momma, starting school, getting ready for our Worship Team's CD, and visiting the ER I'm ready to start tasseling again! I still have TONS left from the A'fair, so I'll be loading a lot over the next few weeks. Just in time for the holidays. Funny how that works out, isn't it?

So, if you're in need of a fall decoration, or a Christmas gift, or just something pretty to add that little "something" to your home, check out my Etsy shop! Just added a few new ones today, and I'll be adding more this week!

Linked up with Pretty Organized Palace's Weekend Boutique! Every Friday she highlights different crafters so that we can all get a jump on our Christmas shopping!

I Don't Have Time for This!

To my sister and cousins who may be reading this: sorry I didn't call you. It's been kind of hectic today.

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Take Mom to radiologist. Check.

Educate Kiddo. Check.

Rehearse for CD recording. Check.

Get tassels ready for Etsy. Check.

Visit the E.R. Che....Wait...What?

So, last night I'm lying in bed, reading. As I'm about to turn out the light, I realize that my right leg is sort of asleep. Weird, because I didn't sit on it funny. But, I thought, whatever. I turned over on my side, only to have my leg feel worse. Okay, turned over on my other side. Not helping. I lay there for an hour, hoping the feeling will come back in my leg. It doesn't, so I get up and sit in the recliner for a little while, hoping that will work. Nope. It's at this point that I realize that my right arm is feeling like it's asleep, too. Not. Funny.

I stayed up until four, trying to imagine the weirdness away. It didn't want to go. I went back and laid down in bed, worrying, crying, and not knowing what to do. Go to the E.R? Not go to the E.R? I woke Sound Man up with my crying, and I told him what was going on. I had asked the Lord to let me know if I should go to the E.R. or not. When Sound Man asked me if my face was numb, too, I realized then that it was. Not completely, just enough to feel like it was going to sleep. That did it. We got up, got Kiddo up, and headed to the emergency room. It was 5:00 a.m. My blood pressure was 185 over 114. I almost fell over. By 11:30 they had run a CAT scan, had drawn 100 (okay maybe just 5) vials of blood, and had done motor skills tests on me. My blood pressure came back down, and everything seemed normal.

Except I don't feel normal. My leg, arm, and face still feel like they are trying to go to sleep. Especially my foot. I have to follow up with a neurosurgeon to see about other tests they can do. They let me leave with the diagnosis of "peripheral neuropathy." Basically, it means my nerves are wacko.

I told some friends tonight that if I had known I was going to fall apart a month after turning 39, I'd have stayed 38!

More updates when I know more. I do have lots planned for the fall. I have so many more tassels to load on Etsy, and my shop is going to be featured on a WONDERFUL girl's blog when I can get my act together.

IF I can get my act together.

Getting Ready for FALL!

Right now, at 4:30 p.m. on September 2, 2009, it is 80 degrees. In Memphis. What's wrong with this picture? Well, actually, NOTHING! In an area of the country where summer temperatures last until October, having an early autumn is loverly. I haven't yet been able to convince Sound Man to turn the air off and open the windows at night, but we're getting there.

With the temps so uncharacteristically low, it puts me SO in the mood for fall. In the past couple of years I have realized that fall was my favorite season (not to be confused with Christmas, which is my favorite holiday...oh yeah...been thinkin' about it since, oh, February).

Here's what I love about fall...

I love the colors...

I love the food...

I love the sky...

I love the food...

I love the decorations...

I love the food...oh, did I say that already?

And the thing that warms my heart the most about fall? I guess it has to be this...

Keeping the Swine Flu at bay.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

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