AND THE WINNER OF THE ROMANTIC COUNTRY MAGAZINE IS:

I finally got the little guy over here 

last night to draw a name

to see who won this:

CJK stopped by with his daddy 

and before you could say

Hoponpopyourheadsnellslikeatomato

it was time to go home.

Wait!

Let the crying begin!

Is that not the most pitiful face ever?

I don't WANT to go home!

I want to spend the night at 

NANA'S HOUSE!

Daddy says- No! No!

You have to go home, CJK.

But wait!

Nana has to take me to preschool

in the morning anyhow..right?

Right!

Might as well spend the night then, right?

Right!

Oh!  The prefect logic of a 

three year old!

And---before I could have him

draw a name

he had fallen asleep.

So- this is later than I usually post

because we had an 

EARLY MORNING DRAWING!

What?  Can't read it upside down?
Slightly blurry you say?
You want good pictures you have to 
go to a "real blogger" that has 
GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS.
Me?  Well.....you know....
Anyway-

Ta-Da!

The winner is:
(speaking of said skills- you can only
see PART of the NAME)
Trust me-- it is---

CINDY-DWELLINGS
The heart of your home-
Congrats, Cindy!

Couldn't go to a sweeter person....

Send me all your money..

your full name and address and 

I will get this out to you 

sometime in the next century

today or tomorrow.

Thanks to all of you that left a comment.

Wish I had a copy for everybody...

Sadly, I don't.

Do you suppose MyHero would pitch a

image

if I bought a copy for everybody that signed up?

I haven't seen him do that in a while...

might be fun, huh?

Nah...never mind-

Christmas is coming and I don't want a

image

again this year!

Have a great Wednesday!

HAPPY BELATED FOURTH BIRTHDAY TO OUR LITTLE CHARLES-IN-CHARGE!

I am a little 

"off-my-game"

most of the time 

this month.

Time has just gotten away from me.

I didn't even get this little guy's present

in the mail until yesterday.

Crazy ol' Nana-

I am pretty sure that is what 

his mom & dad are saying.

Anyway,

Charlie was born after a 

LONG LONG LABOR.

It was SO LONG that we were all getting scared.

All of a sudden- WHOOP-

they took him by C-Section.

He was a big boy and they would have had

to break his shoulders to deliver him via

the "normal route" and 

I am gonna leave that thought

right there, thank you.

I could not find my folder with 

his baby pictures in it.

So, I will just post these in no particular order.

He USED TO LOVE riding in his car seat.

At least most of the time he did.

However, here is

Mr. Pouty Pants

NOT LIKING HIS CAR SEAT ANYMORE!

As you can see, my daughter's sense of humor

is as warped as my own.

His big brother has loved him
since the day he was born.

And---

We hoped, kinda like a puppy,

that he would grow into his feet.

He has entertained us in more ways than one.

Just give him a microphone!

Or some hay-

 Or some leaves-and he is a happy boy.

(with an unearthly glow)

Sometimes he is a real stinker-

trust me~

Sometimes he is kinda spooky-

but not nearly as spooky as I am 

scrubbing greasy mouth marks 

off frosted glass doors.....

And now he has a wonderful little sister 

to love on, too.

He is her best audience.

 We miss being closer to him and his family...

now that they live several hours away...

but we know they are happy and that is 

A GOOD THING.

That was a year ago.

This year Charlie started pre-school!

He wants to be a race car driver..

Please make SURE it is an ORANGE car!

So---Happy Birthday to our little guy that 

is full of monkey shines during the day....

But is an angel baby when he is fast asleep.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLIE!

You are growing up 

WAY TOO FAST!

You'll be a 

CAR HOP before we know it!

I do want you to know that the

name I dubbed him with when he was a baby

Charles-In-Charge

fits him perfectly!

Do I know how to call them, or what?

 I will announce the magazine

winner tomorrow.

Gotta get a little hand here to grab a name!

ps.  that means you can still

sign up HERE today!

It's Tuesday- so you all know where I am!

Listening to some war stories!!!

PRAYERS PLEASE AGAIN---FOR THISTLE/LAURA

Years ago when we first got our computer

a friend told me about on-line groups.

This was long before blogging.

There were small groups on MSN-

gardening groups, support groups,

women's groups, etc.

We all went by "screen names" 

and most times never knew anyone's

REAL NAME.

Kind of like some bloggers today.

I met Laura in a women's 

"1960's group"

I knew Laura as Thistle.

She is shown here with her hubby on vacation

a few months ago...

between treatments...

Isn't she a pretty lady?

Thistle has always been a dynamo-

living a life most of us dreamed of-

they were out of the rat-race-

building their place,

growing their own food, etc.

She was peace-filled and serene.

Fast forward several years.

The groups fell apart and many of us

lost touch with each other.

However, Thistle stayed connected 

with my friend,Jettie.

 Jettie reconnected me with her..

When Thistle was diagnosed with cancer 

she started sharing with us 

what she was going through.

By now I was calling her Laura-

and knew that she was fighting a hard battle.

It appeared the treatments were working.

She felt pretty good- tired- 

but committed to doing

what she needed to do to

GET WELL.

She had a rest between treatments.

When she restarted treatment they told her

that her chemo 

WAS NOT WORKING!

They said that there is

NOTHING THAT WILL WORK 

for her type of cancer.

Laura is NOT A QUITTER!

However, she DID quit her doctor 

(that she dearly loves)

and is seeking alternative treatment.

She is scared but resolute.

She feels that this is her best option

and has been studying everything 

she can get her hands on.

This means that she must leave her home 

 that she loves and go to 

another area of the country for treatment

for at least three months.

She has asked for our prayers,

good thoughts and/or well wishes.

Whatever you can give her-

she will take.

She is going into this with a clear head

and her eye on the goal of 

living a long time.

That  is what I am banking on.

I, personally, am praying for a miracle

and sending her my love and best wishes.

Thank you everyone that took the time to read this.

You are all special and,

the truth is,

this could be any one of us.

Don't forget to sign up for my little giveaway.
It's short and sweet.
Just pop over HERE to sign up.

I will be around today sometime.

Lord willing~

A LITTLE TEENY TINY GIVEAWAY...JUST FOR YOU

EVERYONE LOVED

sweet Debbie's home in 

Romantic Country Homes.

You can read the whole post here.

Well-GUESS WHAT?!?!

It just so happens that I have

AN EXTRA COPY 

of the magazine for

ONE OF YOU!

No big hoops to jump through.

YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER

and

LEAVE ME A COMMENT 

saying you would like to win.

IF you want to include your 

social security number, 

your mother's maiden name and blood type

and what your sweetheart calls you when

said sweetheart thinks no one is listening...

well, that is strictly up to you....

might be good for a few laughs-

pooky-wooky.....

Some little kid in the family will

pick a name on Monday night

whether they want to or not.

 I will announce the winner on Tuesday.

Easy-peasy!

Wish I had a copy for everybody 

because the magazine is THAT GOOD!

You all have a GREAT Saturday...

EDITED TO ADD:
I won't be around today-
I am catching up from a late workday yesterday and I have grandkid duty later today.
See you all tomorrow sometime.

FINISH IT UP FRIDAY---FIVE FOTOS

Well, LUCKY LUCKY YOU!

I found a whole other file full

of pictures that 

don't really have a "story line"-

although I could probably 

CREATE A STORY

to go with them.

But-here you go!

I love the colors

of fall shown here.

This house is in NY state.

image

This is what it looked like this week

as a storm was coming in from the west.

Today it is raining----again---

Our trees are all bare now.

While MyHero was away a few weekends ago

my son(s) came over and put in a new

office floor for him

as a surprise.

We have hardwoods 

through the whole upstairs

but put carpet in this room 

on a lower level.

Hated it from day one.

New floor-old rug-

MyHero loves his nautical theme.

I saw this converted closet and thought it was a

GREAT IDEA!!!!

image

And another cute idea that would work

in a dorm room or an efficiency apartment.

Isn't that clever?

buy the plan here

Getting my  picture files cleared out feels

SO GOOD!

Speaking of feeling good...

Losing weight has FELT GOOD.

BUT............

It is not without its pitfalls.

What?

Losing weight has pitfalls, you ask.

Why, Yes!  Yes it does!

What most of you don't know is that I wear

SKIRTS or DRESSES

sometimes, most of the time, all of the time, often.

Pitfall there?

I also wear a half slip under my skirt or dress

because I don't like it "clinging to me".

Yep- I am old school that way.

Still no problem, right?

WRONG!

I was walking 

IN A STORE THE OTHER DAY

when I felt something "tripping me"..

ummm...

my SLIP had SLIPPED and was around 

MY FEET!

This is a re-creation at home.

I was NOT going to take a picture 

in WALMART!

YESSSSSSS!  WALMART!

I fit right in with the best of them.

What did I do?

I cleverly stepped out of it,

picked it up with the toe of one foot,

caught it with my hand,

stuffed it in my purse,

 and continued shopping.

I expect to see my picture on the internet

with my slip around my ankles 

ANY DAY NOW!

Hope YOU ALL have a good day!

If you are out and about 

LOOK FOR ME.

I will be the one with no clothes slip on!

Oh- Yeah!

BE CAREFUL!

It is 

FRIDAY THE 13TH!

You know what that means!

BAD LUCK!

Like YOU might LOSE 

your marbles something 

in Walmart yourself.

I WON! I WON! I WON A GIVEAWAY! Wait til you see THIS!

Several weeks ago 

I threw my name into the hat 

at

SISSIE'S SHABBY COTTAGE

for a sweet 

Jeanne d'Arc bag.

I told Sissie I had the 

PERFECT outfit to wear with it..

IF I won!

She probably thought-

yeah-right....

Well, I DID win

nanya nanya booboo-stick your head in doodoo

and I DO have the perfect outfit 

for this bag!

Here, my friends, is what I won!

HELLO GORGEOUS BAG!

Is that not one of the prettiest bags you have

EVER SEEN?

And- I DO have the outfit to match!

I know- things look kind of

BLAH--just hanging--but--

that is what you're getting!

Want to see more, do you?

I LOVE it, Sissie!

I REALLY LOVE IT!

What else do I have to go with it?

How about THESE pieces?

WHO does that OLD ARM belong to?

Certainly it can't be MINE!?

Oh- I am so thankful for this beautiful gift!

And..IF you don't know Sissie

you need to pop over to her blog right now.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage.

She is just a love!

Yes!She!Is!

Thank you again, Sissie!

When my youngest daughter was here

I thought she was

EYEING UP my NEW BAG!

No you don't sister! You are NOT getting my bag!

I quickly diverted her attention by telling her

I was making 

VELVET pumpkins and asked her if she wanted a couple.

She said Yes!

She took ALL TEN of them.

Hmmm...I "might have" had a few

stashed out of sight!

How about you?

Do you give your kids the things they love?

Hmmm...know what else they love?

Wonder which one will end up getting

THAT PRIZE?????

BLESS OUR VETERANS! Happy Veterans' Day!

After volunteering at the 

VA CLINIC

for about a year now

I have a whole new appreciation

for our servicemen and servicewomen.

I love the older veterans.

They are so proud and even though they

may be feeble physically

their pride burns strong and hard.

There are some hard moments

as you watch them struggle to walk

to their appointments;

they are often too proud to

ride in a wheelchair.

AND there are some tender moments-

a son holding his dad's arm

on his way to treatment-

a daughter doing the mechanics

for her mother who is unable

to check in on her own-

all part of their every day life.

If this picture of an elderly vet 
hugging a young vet that has lost his arm
doesn't put a lump in your throat

or a tear in your eye

you might not "get it".

image

I will never ever take our freedom for granted

and I hope you don't either.

Today, my GREEN LIGHT burns proudly.

It is the little bit I can do to say

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING

OUR COUNTRY.

THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING 

OUR FREEDOM.

BUT- MOT OF ALL

THANK YOU  FOR PROTECTING

MY FAMILY.

GOD BLESS YOU TODAY AND 

EVERY DAY!

Show your support and if you see 

a veteran today,

shake his or her hand and say

Thank You!

You'll be glad you did!

And go get yourself a green light

and let it signal to the world

that you appreciate our veterans!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Do You Know About GREEN LIGHT FOR THE VETERANS

Well, you all KNOW how much

FUN I make of WALMART.

Let me bow my head in shame.

Shame, Shame,Shame.

Do you know they have launched a program

for Veterans?

It's called  the

GREEN LIGHT FOR VETS

 I know I am a little late getting this on my blog

because 

TOMORROW is VETERAN'S DAY!

Here is what Walmart is doing!

At its core, the project is calling on Americans from coast to coast to display green lights at their homes and workplaces on Nov. 11, a symbolic show of gratitude for the service and sacrifices made by more than 2.5 million military families since the nation went to war in 2001. More broadly, it's calling attention to several veterans advocacy groups, including the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, Team Rubicon and Blue Star Families.

 “A veteran can sit for an average of twenty-two weeks in unemployment between their last military paycheck and a new job ... and they just need to know there is a support network out there for them."

Walmart, under its “Welcome Home Commitment” program, has pledged to hire 250,000 veterans by 2020. The company recently hired its 100,000th vet, and has promoted 9,000 since 2013, according to its website. Since 2011, the company's foundation has pledged more than $40 million to veterans groups that provide job training, transition help and education

So-If you want to put a smile

on a VET'S FACE tomorrow

POP OUT AND 

BUY ONE OF THESE TODAY

and turn that baby on 

for the whole day and night tomorrow.

l'll be getting mine as soon as I am

done pushing the old boys around at the

VA TODAY!

Oh- Wait---

Apparently SOMEONE got 

the wrong message...

They thought they 

were supposed to dress up

LIKE A LIGHT BULB

No! That is NOT me-

thanks for asking!

UMMM---those shoes are a 

NO with outfit....just sayin'......

I hope none of YOU make 

that same fashion mistake!

Now-hurry- RUN to WALMART

and buy a green light bulb.

You'll be glad you did!

THE LAKEHOUSE! Shabby Chic At Heart

For those of you that love

SHABBY CHIC

you are in for a treat

here today.

ROMANTIC COUNTRY

did a TEN PAGE spread

on Debbie Koperski's

LAKEHOUSE

(which is also the name of her blog)

I "met" Debbie shortly after

I started blogging and she is a

"sister-of-the-heart".

We have lots in common, she and I.

Our decorating styles are very different,

but I sure love the 

ROMANTIC LAKEHOUSE 

Debbie has created for herself and her hubby.

It is soft, romantic and beautiful.

The bedroom is full of cottage charm with

its deeply slanted ceilings.

Doesn't this sunroom make you smile

and go OOOOOH?

Want an extra mantle but don't have a fireplace?

No problem!

Build yourself a faux mantle.

All photos/styling/article by Lohman/O'Neill/Soria

I know Debbie is just bursting with pride

to see her home in this issue of

Romantic Country Homes!

BUT
she is too humble to brag on herself...
so I will do it for her!

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU, DEBBIE!!!!

I am also PROUD to call her a friend.

And, as my friend, she has promised me that

SHE WILL NOT

go to Walmart

dressed like this again!

Sorry, Debbie...

I just couldn't resist!!!!

okay-that is NOT her...or...

is it?????