Score!

Hubby mentioned to me a while back that my S-I-L Vickie was getting rid of some furniture, and thought I might want it.  I was interested, but it's been so crazy around here I didn't think about it again.

Until last week...she texted me some pictures of a vanity, a dresser, and a bed.  This was her furniture when she was growing up.  She just wanted to gift them to us for Meredith's room.  When I saw the pics, I was so ecstatic!

I've been wanting to re-do Meredith's room at some point...but there are some other things on the list before I got to that.

So here is what I'm working with...

Brass bed...Headboard + footboard...look how tall it is!

Vanity + mirror..

I might just have to steal this for my entry way...hmm...

And Dresser...

There is a story behind the dresser.

My father-in-law brought this piece home to my mother-in-law.  (can't remember the year)  Mom said, Oh, I used to have a dresser like that when I was little.  She remembered her mother getting mad at her for carving ABC into the jewelry lid.

Guess what...

dodododododododo

So I'm really happy that now Meredith has some special pieces with history, that we can keep in the family.  Especially those from Vickie...because Meredith adores her.  (well, everyone adores Vickie)

Thank you Vickie & Dennis!  We love you!

I doubt I will paint these pieces...I will probably sand them down and re-stain a darker finish...

But what about the brass bed?  Keep? or Paint?

Give a sister some feedback!

Like I always say, Stay tuned.

Maybe I'll complete a project before the end of the year.

Linking up to

Today's Thrifty Treasures with Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality

Hubby's 25 Year Reunion

Hubby is 10 years older than me.  His 25 year reunion was this past weekend.  I've been looking forward to it more than him, I think.  Mostly because it meant a night out for us with a babysitter!  Can I get an amen?

It was great to meet his friends...a lot of people he grew up with since kindergarten!  So here are just a couple of pics from his reunion...Don't want to bore you too much.  But we had a great time!

hmmm...change much, honey?

Um, I think I had about 30 creme puffs

Mike & Terry...friends since they were 5 years old..

but we see him everyday..not that special.  j/k!

Mike, Penni, Rhonda, & Cathy--friends since Kindergarten! 

So cute!

Makes me think of one of my favorite sayings...

"Make new friends but keep the old...

one is silver, the other gold."

South Beach!

This past Labor Day Weekend I went to South Beach with three friends from work.  When the idea was first presented to me, I was on the fence.  I had never been to Miami, and honestly, I just imagined a dirty beach. (for whatever reason, I don't know)  And mostly, because I could do a lot around the house with the money I would be spending.  So I put them off, and put them off, until I gave in.

After giving in, I still wasn't too excited.  But with work pressures piling on, and just general life/mommy pressures, the week before the trip, I couldn't wait to get on that plane!

Here we are about to board the plane....Mayzelle (the funniest lady on the planet), Me, Sarah, & Tracy...

Our gorgeous hotel...If you visit SB, you must stay at Loews!

On our first day we did a little bit of shopping...and of course we had to go to DASH.  If you watch the Kardashians, you know what I'm talking about.

But girls...DASH was a bust.  I knew their clothes were expensive, but we thought we might buy a little something, just to say we bought something at DASH.  They had some little candles...for $42!  I'm talking 3" candles.  Seriously?  And a bottle of water with the 3 girls pic on it was $22.  Um, yeah.  NO. 

And I have to say, the beach was gorgeous!  And the water was crystal blue...you could see down the bottom...and there were no fish nibbling on our legs either!   It wasn't choppy, either...we floated in the ocean for hours.  Our schedule was pool/beach/pool/beach/pool for 2 days.  Ahhhh...

And the vibe in Miami is pretty cool...very laid back...anything goes...it just doesn't matter.  I thought I would be the whitest girl on the beach (I'm either Red or White--no brown tones for me, well, except my freckles)...but I wasn't :)  And it really didn't matter if I was anyway.  Nobody cares.

Here we are before our night outs...These were Sarah's shoes...Sarah can rock some heels.  I lasted about 10 minutes in these before I just walked barefoot down Ocean Drive.   (see--I told you I am white!)

Lots of great restaurants...but my favorite meal had to be my Chocolate Martini and Caramel Cheesecake.  One word = LOVE.  And you read right...my meal.  I did order a salad...only because I didn't want to seem too crazy...but all I wanted was this...

Here are me and Sarah in front of Miami Ink.  I loved that show and have a huge crush on Ami James...but no sign of any of the guys...

I did keep my eye out for David Bromstad...but no sightings :(

A good time was had by all...
Can't wait to go back next year...

Why I Work--Happy Monday

There are weeks when I struggle as a mom who works outside the home.  I have to work to pay bills and support my goodwill habit.  But there are days when I miss my kids.  But then there are those moments when I know they are in a good place, and learning waaaay more than they would with me.

The other night Meredith sang 'My Country tis of Thee'.  Me and hubby listened from the kitchen with our jaw on the floor.  I don't know if that is 'normal' for a 3.5 year-old, but to me, it was incredible.

Because if she were with me, she would be singing songs like this little girl...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbbG88nIwY

Happy Monday!

Snap Out of It!

Not you...I'm talking to myself.

I've been in a funk lately! 

You would even think a trip to South Beach would help.  Me and some girlfriends from work went there for Labor Day weekend.  It was awesome, gorgeous, beautiful....

(view from my pool-side lounge chair)

Maybe it wasn't long enough.  I'm still in a funk. 

But I'm thinking maybe some fall decor will help.  Mentally, I'm ready for fall.  Decor wise--notsomuch.   

I did find inspiration over at Sweet Something Designs...

Check out this wreath...

And her mantle...

Maybe a trip to HobLob will help....We'll see...I sure hope so.