Just a little history...

Memorial Day is a holiday that has evolved dramatically over the years. Memorial Day observances began after the Civil War to honor the Union soldiers who gave their lives in the conflict. They were expanded after World War I to become a tribute to the dead of all the nation’s wars.
When Memorial Day began, the war dead were placed front and center. The holiday’s original name, Decoration Day, came from the day’s main activity: leaving flowers at cemeteries.
More recently, the last Monday in May, and the weekend preceding it, has come to mark the unofficial beginning of summer for many. Along with parades doused in red, white and blue, cook-outs in the backyard and excursions to the local beach fill the long weekend. (NYTimes)

May we not forget the reason for Memorial Day. God bless those that gave their life for our freedom & what America stands for. As we hold our fallen soldiers and their families up in prayer, include thanks for the freedoms they have preserved in the United States for over 200 years.

Catching Up...

In the next few weeks, I plan on doing some major catching up. Lots of changes in life, that have altered things. We had a wonderful vacation in Key West in January, February was never really cold...cold like we expect winter to be, March blew in my Dad's health issues which in turn, my husband and I moved in with him to care for him. My wonderful husband, filled  in one weekend for me to leave for a art event and I have pics and fun things about that. So come back and hopefully to next few day, weeks, I will be back on the roll of blogging.

Taking a Break

As you can see, I have been on break here for a couple month. Vacation in January to Key West...great pics to post. And February came with my Dad's illness. Lots of changes in my life. Caring for a parent and seeing them unable to care for themselves is one of the hardest things we do in our life.

Review of Christmas 2011

I was having tons of problems with my blog during November and December. And due to my work schedule, preparing for the holidays, a Christmas stocking swap are just a few of the reasons it never got fixed. So, I am playing catchup and I will show you some pics I took around the house over the holidays. Hope you enjoy!

Christmas Tree Prep

Since we have our new baby this year, everyone said be prepared for him to climb the tree!
So...I wanted to share my husband's great idea. He put an eye bolt in the wall and  strung fishing wire to the center of the tree. This gives the tree security from anyone thinking its a climbing pole.

Santa Cat

I had this bright idea, that we would photograph Chopin in a Santa hat for our Christmas photos...this didn't work out the way I had hoped it would...

Anaheim

Returned from Anaheim for the National Realtors Conference. Did something that I normally don't do and rented a car to see some of the surrounding area. I had one day, so I headed to Laguna Beach. There was lots of good shopping with tons of art exhibits. 

These homes up on the hillside started at 1.5 million in sales.  I thought I would only need to sell 2-3 houses a year and then I could take the rest of the year off! That would be the life.

My longtime friend, Leslie and I went to the Girlie Show in OKC ...it was a great time, good food, excellent artist and live music. Held every year in November, in the old Farmer's Market Building in Oklahoma City. A really neat building, that is perfect for this type of event. 

Fall is simply the best time of the year…..the weather starts cooling off and all the plants that were struggling through the end of the hot summer start to perk up again. This is the season where one can bring the outside in - where inspiration for decorations is the outdoors.  Fall is such a beautiful season that brings endless possibilities for the creative soul.

The pumpkins and guords are absolutely beautiful in all the varieties the come in. I have started changing out the floral arrangements in the house with touches of brown, rust and golden tones. A few pumpkins here and there, inside & outside the house. I bring out the Halloween décor throughout at the same time.  Check out some of my falls picks on Pinterest.

Please let me explain

Please let me expain where I have been. I have been suffering inside and lost all my interest. Blogging, crafting, all creative juices gone. Reason…. I lost my wonderful friend of 11 years, Butch, my Burmese Cat. He came to me at a time in my life that I needed company. I was very lonely and his companionship was priceless. When I met my husband, they both became friends instantly and formed their special bond. Most said, they never had met a cat like Butch. He stayed next to me wherever I went and every room I went to…Then, one day, he got sick. Out of the blue. I just noticed that he was not himself. I’ll never forget that morning when I petted his head and rubbed his nose, that it was dry. Generally, moist like most cats. Something was wrong. I sensed it. I called the Vet and he didn’t see anything through an exam so he said he needed to run blood work. He was stunned, I could tell. He said that his kidney readings were off the chart. If he was a human, he would be a candidate for a kidney transplant. He immediately took him to the other exam room and ran a sonagam. I couldn’t believe it, he said his one kidney was gone and the other nearly gone. Kidney failure. He kept him, pumped him full of antibiotics and fluids hoping to save my friend. Two days later, they called and we had to go say goodbye. He was suffering. He didn’t act like the Butch I knew. He was in pain and suffering. Dave & I said our goodbyes and shed a million tears. I miss that boy. My special Butch.