A Favorite Thing 03.02.13

I forgot that the last time I was here at my Mom's I found some things thrifting, but didn't take home yet...so this greeted me

I love this pink pottery vase

The soft pink color was hard to photograph but it reminds me a ballet slipper

Graceful curves...it is marked 

USA 680
**I saw this listed on ebay as a Shawnee vase**

This girl will be going home with me to join my other pink pottery!

Joining Claudia for

A Favorite Thing

I'll be back tomorrow for

Gratitude Sunday

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

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