Packing My Bags

I've had a busy day! 

I did my income taxes, laundry, cleaned litter boxes (ewww....but if your a kitty mama you do it) and started packing for my 4 week visit to my Mom.

I recently found a great deal on a new suitcase at Ross.  I have been looking for one of the 4 wheeled suitcases in the hardside finish.  I want one for my trip to Paris (of course) and decided a 24" bag was a good size!  

I could not resist this Fushia Samsonite suitcase!

Then when I got closer to it I saw this....

Do you see it?  Reduced down to $27.99!!

I love it! 

These wheels make it so easy to roll through the airport. 

 It's lightweight and fairly roomy inside!

I'm taking it to Houston to test how much it holds before heading to Paris in Sept. 

Another new item I'm trying are eBags packing cubes!  I have been reading about how easy it is to efficiently pack using these.  I had some Amazon gift cards earned from Swag Bucks and so I used those to purchase a set of 3 cubes (large, med, small) and another set of 3 small cubes.  

They come in many colors and I choose the Turquoise!  

A nice contrast to the Fushia suitcase

I like being able to group my lingerie in one bag and nightgowns in another.  Easy to keep organized when living out of a suitcase.

This is the large cube and I've packed pants & tops.  So far I like the small and medium cubes better, but this would be good for sweaters. 

I will let you know how I like them after using them on this trip.  These were purchases I made with no compensation from either company! 

I travel a fair bit with my Mom in Texas and my oldest daughter in Calif.  Not to mention vacations!  I am hoping that I will like these cubes and that they make packing and unpacking easier!

I'm sharing this tweaking of my packing at

Tweak It Tue

and 

You're Gonna Love It Tue

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Gratitude Sunday #8

I just returned home from a visit with my grandson Tiger, son-in-law Blake and my lovely daughter Sara!  Today is Sara's birthday and it was such a JOY to be able to spend time with her!  

She and Tiger are just coming off of some wicked colds but I used lots of antibiotic soap and hugged on them anyway! 

Born in 1982, Sara is my second (and last) child!

She has always been a JOY and I thank God for her every day! 

She is the best wife and mama!

A Blessing to all who know her!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

I am flying to Houston, TX on Tue to visit my Mom for several weeks!  I will be blogging and will have the Gratitude Party up each Sunday evening!

What are you Grateful for today?

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Kookie Friends!

When I started blogging 3+ years ago I didn't realize I would also make some of the best friends ever!  Several of these friends live in the Atlanta area and we try to get together often.  We did so the beginning of the month for a Valentine's lunch at Joyce's house!

from l to r: Cheri, me, Sandie, Rose and Sue

But the really funny photo was 

when our hostess Joyce donned a hat and blanket to cover her jeans and tshirt in the photo!

We all loved her hat and another party was thought of!

The sweetest gal in blogland Sandie (Chatty Crone) is turning 60 so we of course had to party!

We met at La Madeleine for lunch and talk and then decide to visit the store where Joyce said she had found cute hats!

Here are a few of the kookie gals I call best blogging buddies! (Sandie, Joyce, Sue and moi) We all donned hats and sunglasses and the lady at Versona took our picture!  We were having a great time!  I liked my hat but didn't buy it because I found two other hats I love!  I think both are going to Paris!

A Pink beret and a cute cloche! 

I had a blast and Sandie had a great birthday celebration!  

Thanks ladies, you are the best!

Oh and my hats were on sale...$2.99 for the beret and $5.99 for the cloche!  

(I want to thank Sue who blogs at Rue Moffetard, for all the photos except for my hats....thanks Sue!)

I'm joining these parties:

Thrifty Things Friday

A Favorite Thing 

I will be heading over to see my daughter Sara to celebrate her 31st Birthday tomorrow and of course visit with Tiger!!  I'll be back on Sunday evening for the Gratitude Party!

Wishing You JOY,

Linda

Changing The Cubbies

Now that Valentine's Day is over I'm ready to change the cubbies...but to what?

St Patrick's Day? Easter? Spring?

I'm not ready for any of those just yet so I grabbed my small collection of egg cups and just added them to the spaces left when the Valentine items were removed! 

It's a bit of a mish mash but OK for now!

It's been sunny but cold here today

So I'm not ready for bunnies and eggs and Spring yet

The egg cups have been collected at yard sales, thrift shops and vintage malls

This egg cup has a cute saucer that goes with it

Keeping it real....this side isn't tweaked yet and just has a bunch of stuff sitting here waiting to be put somewhere!  I think it's time for the pinecones to go.

Did you notice these?

These little shoes belong to my baby girl Sara who will be 31 this coming Sunday!  

I will be visiting my daughter and family for her birthday this coming weekend.  You know what that means right?  Tiger Time! 

Here he is helping Daddy in the yard! 

I can't wait to see him and get some kisses and hugs!

I'm joining these parties!

Tweak It Tuesday

You're Gonna Love It
Budget Decorating Party

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Gratitude Sunday #7

Welcome to Gratitude Sunday

If you were looking for the link yesterday I have decided to put the link up on Sunday evening.  I am often away from home on Saturday so this will work better for me and I hope for you also! 

This week has felt like an upward climb

Cloudy rainy days left me feeling down in the dumps

Wishing for some sunny days

The sun came out and I am grateful for that.

Somehow I lost everything on my hard drive this week.  I know!!  Awful.  I had not backed up my files in many months, so I lost many many photos. It's my own fault and I know better! 

I'm grateful I have the photos that I do and that so much of my life is shared on my blog but still...

So lesson learned, back up anything that you would hate to lose! 

Like photos of this sweet boy!  

What are you thankful for this week?

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

A Favorite Thing!

Today I'm sharing a new favorite thing!

My friend and fellow blogger Z at Old Grey Mare and I are both doing the purging challenge.  We have committed to purging 100 items from our home.  So far I've shown 50 of those items here.  Z has shown about that many also and if anyone was interested in an item to contact her!  When I saw this item...well I had to...really I HAD to!

An orphan salt shaker and not just any orphan a vintage milk glass orphan!  Well sweet Z said she would be glad to send it to me! 

When this sweet shaker arrived from Z it wasn't alone....she had sent a few other items she knew I would love

A couple of white creamers for my collection!

Thank you Z!!

I'm thrilled to be sharing my Favorite Thing at 

Claudia's party at Mockingbird Hill Cottage!

I'm planning to make a display of all my orphans soon! 

 ** I have decided to start the Gratitude Sunday party on Sunday evening instead of Sat evening, It just works better for me.  Hope to see you tomorrow! **

Wishing You Joy,

Linda

Valentine's Table Reprise

Lot's of craziness lately so I'm sharing my Valentine table from last year....I hope you enjoy!

I thought I had my Valentine's table decorated....that is until I found this table runner at Home Goods marked down and I could not resist!

Red and Pink!  So here is one last Valentine tablescape for all of my sweet blogging friends!

This is one bright table but it makes me smile!

The crazy pink placemats are perfect!  I used a red glass plate at each place setting

I have two red heart bowls and used them with a hot pink plate underneath

The other two place settings had a pink heart bowl on another pink plate

I love the mix n match of it all!

Pink & white napkins (used previously) with an acrylic red pier 1 napkin ring

Two milk glass wine glasses 

Two milk glass tumbers

I love it! 

I added the nut cups I won in a giveaway

Two pink

Two red...I will add some M&M peanuts later

of course they will be....pink and red!

I found this white ceramic heart at the thrift for .25 and knew it would be perfect to write little love messages on!

I had the Camellias on the table again but they are really starting to wilt.  We had a cold snap so no new blooms to bring in.  

Today I changed out the Camellias for these lovelies!

I love Tulips!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

I'm joining Diann at Thrifty Things Friday

Wishing you Joy and much Love,

Linda

Oui Oui Paree!

The dates are set for my trip to Paris!

I will leave on Sept 4th arriving on Sept 5th and I will depart on Sept 17th~~ 

 Yes 12 nights in Paris!

I am so lucky! 

source:ParisPerfect.com

So where am I staying?  I have rented an apartment on the Rue Saint-Dominique

Rue st-dominique is utterly charming, you will walk along constantly turning your head in fear of missing a shop window on the opposite side of the street. Enjoy taking a stroll without any time constraints bc there are plenty of boutiques, patisseries etc that will lure you in. If you have time make a small detour down rue jean nico where there is an amazing bakery/patisserie - you cant miss the pink facade. Also give yourself a good 30-45 min detour down rue cler a bustling charming market street with great cafes and restaurants. This region of the 7th arr is charming and delicious!

(review from TripAdvsor)

I am renting a studio apartment from Clickappart

This is the photo that made me fall in love with this apartment

A bed with a view...now this is Paris

A little living area with flat screen TV, internet connections 

and more space then a hotel room

A small kitchen so I may eat in after my long days of sight seeing! I can buy fresh food daily and save money since eating out is very expensive!  

Oh I will eat out some of course!! 

On the fifth floor with an elevator this apt will be my home for 12 glorious days! 

I am renting this for 1520 Euros which is $170 a night, the same or less then many hotels and I will get so much more! 

(all apt photos from clickappart website)

Here is a map and as you can see I am walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, the famous Rue Cler shopping district and several museums.

I can't believe I will be there in less then 7 months!

I am now starting my lists of things to see and do!

I am so excited and happy and so I had to add some goodies to your Paris Bag

Cute notepad and cards that match the 

Paris bag that one of you will win after my trip

So that is the latest news on Paris! 

I'm so happy to be sharing my trip with all of you!

I'm joining 

You're Gonna Love It

and

Tweak It Tuesday

Wishing you JOY,

Linda