so many new things.....

I know it has been awhile since I've Blogged (is that even a word?) but I've been so busy with so many new and wonderful things in my life!!

Saw one of my Idol's Kathy Mattea and I will never be the same. The voice this woman has moves me. We went to see her at Agnes Scott College, the venue was Presser Hall,Gaines Chapel. Impressive place with soaring ceilings and great acoustics. Kathy sang and talked about her life and growing up in West Virginia near the coal mines. Her latest album COAL are all songs she found to get across the desperation and hardship of coal mining. She sang some of her famous songs and at one point she asked us to sing with her on 18 WHEELS AND A DOZEN ROSES! I sang out in that lovely chapel with several hundred other fans! I sang with Kathy Mattea!!!!! If you ever get the chance to see her, you will not be sorry.

Last weekend, Carter and I went to the Mountains of North GA and North Carolina ~ more of a road trip! The leaves were just starting to turn and we saw some beautiful scenery. It was a welcome respite from our jobs and the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. Of course we hit some Flea Markets and went Junkin! We had to be careful because we were in the Miata, but we had fun and found a few treasures!

This weekend was a stay at home weekend, well that was the plan. But after some housework and errands the beautiful weekend beckoned and today we went to the Botanical Gardens (the site of our very first date). The flowers were beautiful and there was a display of Scarecrows of all shapes and descriptions. We took our cameras and spent a few hours taking pictures....pure bliss! Once developed I'll share some here if they turn out.

Since it's October my heart always turns to two things, my Mother's birthday (on Oct 18th~Happy Birthday Mom) and Breast Cancer Awareness! SAVE THE TA TA'S! I wore a pink t-shirt today and my pink breast cancer hat and tried to take as many pink pictures as I could. I hope I got some good one's. This has been my "cause" for many years. I had an Aunt with breast cancer and I lost a good friend to this dreadful illness. I support the Susan G Komen organization!

I can't believe how quickly the Month of October is flying by! It will be November and time for Thanksgiving before I know it. I'm enjoying the crisp fall air and spending time with my Honey. I told Carter I am so content! Can it get much better this this?

THE KINDNESS OF NEIGHBORS

My Mom who will turn 78 this month, lives in Houston and recently went through quite an experience. She stayed in her house during hurricane Ike and then endured 10 days without electricity. I have spent several hours without power, but 10 days! My Mom was lucky to have very caring neighbors. A wonderful couple who live across the street, Ricky & Angela Smith, who provided her with ice and warm food. They checked on her several times a day and helped her with any thing that needed doing, A friend of Angela's brought Mom her small generator to use once she got power herself. Kathy then came by everyday to make sure it was running, checked on the gas to run the generator (which she also brought) and provided Mom with some bread and milk. I was so very happy to know that my Mom was so well taken care of when I was so far away. I called her everyday (the phone worked) and she was a real trooper during a very long week! So when I think I miss the "good old days" when neighbors knew each other watched out for each other, I can just look to Sagepark Lane in Houston, Texas and see that the kindness of neighbors still exists!

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS..........

And what a week it has been!

Ike hit Houston and while my family did not suffer any major damage, they are still without power! I have had some trouble contacting them via phone but have had enough information to know they are all ok. My 78 year old Mom has taken this like a trooper! I am so proud of her!

Back at the home front, Carter and I continue to sift thru my belongings and try to merge our two households. We are taking our time as we both have full time jobs. I am finding that I am very happy in my new home! Three weeks and while we are still figuring it all out, we are doing great! The commute has been fine, even with the gas prices.

Carter and I have managed to include a little fun into the week. Last weekend we went to a Photography Store's "yard sale" and my oh my we had a good time. As most of you know Carter and I are true "junkies" and "collectors", well this was right up our alley. All these old cameras and equipment! We found some wonderful old light meters, just the coolest things! A guy that worked there seemed to delight in our joy of finding these light meters and before we knew it he had brought us several more. Ignore the price tag he kept saying. We had a box of finds and he gave us a price of $10! Oh yes and so we now have another "collection" and more inventory!

The weather has cooled down and I am enjoying this even if the ragweed is making my nose run and my eyes itch. Still it is a beautiful time of the year. This weekend we are planning more work around the house and of course some fun! After all that is what life is all about.

LAST WEEKEND...

LAST WEEKEND...was the last of my moving and then the dreaded cleaning of the duplex! It was hot and humid but with Carter's help we got it done. Took a couple of loads to the thrift shop and a couple more loads home,but finally got the place empty! Sat we cleaned until around 4pm, got cleaned up and took a break to go to a concert. Carter is a big fan of Chris Isaak's and he was playing in Peachtree City at "THE FRED", it's an outdoor amphitheater alot like Chastain only smaller. We got lawn seats and they had beach chairs for us to use. It was a lovely rainy night, but the show goes on rain or shine. We had a great view of the stage and with cheese, crackers and a bottle of wine we were set. We had forgotten our ponchos,but had trash bags to keep us dry. Like I said I wasn't really familiar with his music but let me tell you I AM A FAN! He was awesome. Chris is very influenced by Roy Orbison (PRETTY WOMAN) and it shows, but more then his music is his personality. He just won me over. It started to rain and it was a pretty decent shower when Chris Isaak's took a hand held microphone and came out from under the covered stage and right into the rain with his audience! He sang a couple of songs out there and really let us know he appreciated us! I have never seen an artist do that. Carter bought me the coolest
t-shirt from the event! 

BECAUSE IT'S TIME...

Sometimes I get a little nostalgic about things that others might find silly. This might be one of those times. Today I sent my China Cabinet to a new person to love. It has been with me for over 25 years and I've treasured it. One of those "new" pieces of furniture that were so rare in my early married days. Not that I didn't appreciate all the hand me downs but to have something brand new was a big treat. I bought the China Cabinet along with a matching table and chairs and was very proud to host my first family get together with my new furniture. This table saw many a family dinner, homework and projects. The table left me about four years ago when I moved into the duplex. No room for it, but the china cabinet came with me, because as one of my friends said," where will you put all your stuff?"
Over the years the contents of the China cabinet has changed. From it's first years showing off my Noritake China to the more casual displays I've become fond of. It has been the display of my ever changing collecting habits. Pressed glass, Blue Ridge China (such pretty patterns and colors), teapots and tea cups and saucers (OH MY). Even my growing collection of old salt and pepper shakers, pairs and of course the "orphans". In the picture it shows the last of the displays before it moved to a new home. There was just a little bit of everything, one last hurrah so to speak. Teapots, cups, saucers, plates (Blue Ridge and Fiesta) a set of old Pine Cone dishes picked up here and there until I have a set of 6(well almost). Egg coddler's, Milk glass and a cat cookie jar that is just the cutest thing. In the drawer below the display area I kept cloth napkins and napkin holders. On the shelves below, more treasures too numerous to mention. All with a special meaning at one time or another.

I gave the China Cabinet to a young friend of mine. She is so excited and has made a special place for it in her home and can't wait to fill it with her treasures. Time to make her own memories.

Why you ask am I sending such an old and treasured friend on it's way? It is just time I answer.