I WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well, life is finally settling down a bit at the old homestead.  My grandson is doing great and we are so very blessed and thankful for his recovery.  Hubby has had some health issues but after a hospital stay, medication and a lifestyle change, he is recovering also.  I have tried to keep up with the blogs but just didn't take the time to post.  Thanks to all who have emailed and kept in touch.  I sincerely appreciate your prayers and concern. 

I wanted to stop in and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  It will definitely be merry at our home this year.  God Bless!!  Chatty Kathy

PRAYERS PLEASE....

We just learned this week that our eight week old grandson, Bradley, will have heart surgery on August 24th at MUSC in Charleston, SC.  When he was born, we were told he had a slight heart murmur but that it would probably correct itself.  We were not too concerned since our other grandson had the same problem and after one month it was gone.  Bradley's did not go away so his pediatrician sent him to a cardiologist and he found a coarctation of the aorta which is basically a kinked aorta.  He will be admitted on Monday, the 23rd for pre-op testing and another ultrasound and then surgery early on the 24th.  He will be on a ventilator for 24 to 48 hours and if all goes well should be released in 5 to 7 days.  Please pray for this little guy.  I know God is in charge but a few extra prayers can't hurt.  I will try to post more details as we learn more.  Thanks!!  Chatty Kathy

Happy Father's Day and new additions!!

I miss my Daddy but I know he is celebrating Father's Day with my brother so all is good.  I have the greatest memories and think of him every day.  He will always live in my heart.

Happy Father's Day to my husband, my son Toby, my son Lee and my son-in-law Todd.  They are all wonderful Dad's!!!  Lee just gave us another beautiful grandson on Thursday.  Meet Bradley~~~

Weighing in at 6 lbs 14 ozs and 19" long.  He came home in the same gown that his Papa (my husband) wore almost 60 years ago!!  What a wonderful Father's Day gift!!

We have another new grandbaby too!!  Toby blessed us with this little bundle of joy~~~Meet Jaxon~~

He weighs 4 lbs. and is 10 weeks old!!!  LOL!!!  I am puppy sitting him today. 

We have had an eventful week with these two new additions.  God is good!!!

Have a blessed week everyone.  Hugs to all, Chatty Kathy

Have a great Memorial Day!

Gosh, I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted.  Spring has been really busy.  Three of our grandchildren were playing ball, of course, all at different fields and times (although some were at the same time!) so we were all over the place.  But it was fun!!  Glad it's over for now. 

The house is painted!!  FINALLY!!  Took the painter a while to get started but he did a great job and we have now hired him to paint the porch railings, stain the deck and replace the screen on our porch.  Did not plan on spending the extra money but time has not permitted us to get much maintenance done on the house this year.  I also did not plan on spending over $2,000.00 on a new washer and dryer either!!!  Not happy about that but when the repairman told us it would cost over $800.00 to fix the washer we decided we could probably get a new one for not much more than that.  So shopping we go and hubby wants a matching set.  Yes, I said hubby, not me, wants a matching set!!!  My washer and dryer are behind closed doors so I really don't care if they match or not.  Anyway, we got 'em and they will be delivered after we get back from vacation in a couple of weeks.  Anybody have the ones with the steam features?  I have heard they are really good but haven't used them myself so we shall see if the "steam" is worth the extra money.  I sure hope so!!!

My post on this Memorial Day is in memory of my brother, Kenneth Allen Mason, killed in Vietnam on January 5, 1969.  Thanks brother....I love you and miss you.....

Have a wonderful Memorial Day folks!!  Don't forget to says "Thanks" to our military.  All gave some.....but some gave all.  God Bless!!!  Chatty Kathy

GOD IS ALIVE!!!

Happy Easter everyone!!!  Enjoy the day with the good Lord, family, friends and chocolate bunnies!!
Hugs!!  Chatty Kathy

I'm baaccckkk.....

but you didn't know I was gone, huh?  Took a trip to San Antonio, Texas for a few days.  Enjoyed absolutely beautiful and warm weather and came home to cold and yuck.  LOL!!  Except for spending 14 hours in airports trying to get to Texas, the trip was great.  Don't think I want to fly Delta again.  The first delay was because of weather conditions in Atlanta with fog.  That delay caused us to miss our flight out of Atlanta and the next flight was 6 hours later.  Well, we got reassigned to the later flight and when we checked in the exact words out of his mouth were "you are not on this flight, you left on the 1:42 flight".  Huh, do you not see me standing here?  After about 15 minutes, he finally confirmed our flight and we were on our way, thank goodness!!  It only took a little over 5 hours to get home and that was with a one hour layover in Dallas.  Here is a view from our hotel on the Riverwalk.

On Saturday that river was lime green!!!  Yep, St. Patrick made a visit and turned it green.  There was lots of festivities with music, food, street parade and then a river parade.  Lots of people and we had a great time!! 

I haven't been up to much since my last post so nothing really to tell.  Maybe something exciting will happen soon!!!  Heading off to work, take care!!  Hugs, Chatty Kathy

I'm a scatterbrain...

can't seem to keep focused lately.  I am on this computer every day but don't seem to get anything done.  I log on with the intention to post to this blog but then never get to it.  I start reading emails, then answering emails and before I know it the clock says its time to leave for work.  I get home, get dinner done, clean the kitchen and do whatever needs to be done around the house, get on the computer with the intention to post and.....well, you know the routine.   Do you feel like you waste a lot of time by not getting to what you intend to do or is it just me?  I think I'm getting old and forgetful.  LOL!!

Anyway, let's see what has been happening around here.  I finally got my trashy swap items complete and will be mailing those out tomorrow.  I didn't mean to wait until the last minute to finish up but with all the snow we have had, I didn't get to the thrift stores until just a couple of weeks ago.  I will be so glad when winter is over.  We don't usually get much snow but this winter we have had more than we have had in many years.  Maybe that's what is wrong with me, my brain is frozen!!! 


Oh, look at what I got.......

and look at what I did with it......

I am having lots of fun!! This is one of those market totes with the zippered top that I embroidered on.  I have been invited to two baby showers this weekend and have embroidered on some receiving blankets, burp clothes and socks.  Still have lots to learn though.   I put Shelby's initials on one of her pullover tops and they ended up being inside out.  LOL!!  She was so sweet about it and said "Nana, that's OK, I can wear it when we paint together."  Thank the good Lord, I never do wrong in her eyes. 

Speaking of painting, the house is still not done.  The painter called Monday and said it would be another two weeks before he could start.  I'm glad he has plenty of work but I really want this house DONE!!  I don't like living in a mess...arrgghhh!!

Well, I want you to look at this, I actually got a post done!!  Ha, ha~~big hugs my friends.  Chatty Kathy

Need a chuckle? Read this....

A taxi passenger leaned forward to ask the driver a question, gently tapping him on a shoulder to get his attention.  The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a truck, drove over the curb and plowed through the window of a store.   Still shaking, the driver turned to the passenger and asked "Are you OK? I am sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me."  The badly shaken passenger apologized to the driver.  "But I didn't realize that a mere tap on the shoulder would startle you so badly," he added.  "No, no," said the driver.  "It's my fault.  Today is my first day driving a taxi.  I've been driving a hearse for the past 25 years."

Enjoy!!  Chatty Kathy

We got SNOW!!!

This is what we had when I got home from work yesterday.  Not bad, just a dusting....

Now, this is what we had when I got up this morning!

It is beautiful, but dangerous.  Three to four inches of snow that is covered with a sheet of ice and it is still sleeting.  It was so bad during the night, both hubby and I woke up to the sleet hitting the windows.  So my plans of working in my woodshop today are not going to happen.  I will try to stay warm inside and pray that the power doesn't go out.  The winds are picking up and that together with the ice is not a good thing with all the trees we have. 

We are having a birthday party tomorrow evening for my daughter.  She will be 36!!  Now, how she got to be 36 and I'm only 39, I don't know.  Started very young, I guess!!  LOL!!!  Have a wonderful day all.   Chatty Kathy

Got a few before and after pics

Family room before  

and after.  

Only the fireplace wall was painted to match the rest of the room.  We haven't found a firebox to fit the fireplace yet.  I think we will have to raise the outside cabinet floor to make room for a different firebox, so that is another project after painting.  I made a box frame to put my sign on and hang a few items above the mantel. 

Dining room before

and after

Moved my buffet to one side and turned my table a different way. 

I didn't find a before picture of the back door entryway but it was the same green as the before dining room pic and all the doors and trim were white.  It is now sienna walls and bittersweet trim.

Foyer before

and after

Walls are now oatmeal and I added a table with lamp and my Miss Liberty doll.

Still got some tweaking to do that I will get to sooner or later.  This painting is taking way to long to suit me.  I had wanted to hire it done in the beginning but got lots of resistence from Hubby.  You know how it goes....why do we want to pay someone when we can do it ourselves?  Well, he finally gave in and decided to hire a painter.  Of course, he has several jobs lined up so it will be next week before he can come by and give us a quote, but that's OK.  I can live with the mess a while longer but I won't have to come home from work and pick up a paint brush.  I have some orders I need to get done so now maybe I will have the time. 

Here are a couple more pics of my great-grandson.  One with me...

and one with Great-Grandpa....

Hope you enjoyed this picture heavy post.  I'll have more when the painter finishes.  LOL!!!  Hugs, Chatty Kathy

I'm a Great-Grandma!!

Yes, you read correctly, as of a little over two hours ago, I AM A GREAT-GRANDMA!!!!  Technically, I guess I am a Step-Great-Grandma, but I'm not a technical person so I will wear the label Great-Grandma with lots of pride.  Look at this little bundle of love.  Little Bentley weighs 6 lbs. 9 ozs. 

I haven't seen him yet except this picture but I will see him and hold him in the morning.  Just wanted to share some exciting news.  He-he, I think I'm in love........Chatty Kathy 

I'm not lost.....

I'm still painting.  At the rate this is getting done, I may not see you again till spring.  LOL!!!  I had to change my plans for the dining room.  You remember (not you don't remember, who am I kidding) anyway I had picked out the paprika for the dining room totally forgetting that my table and hutch are RED.  Big clash!!!  So, the dining room is oatmeal.  I went from paprika to sienna which is a little more brown instead of orange and will use that in my back door entryway and in my bathrooms.  The bittersweet trim is a lot darker than the paint card so I may leave the trim in the bedrooms and bathrooms white.  Who knows, by the time I get to those rooms, I may not paint at all.  I so want to be finished!!!!  As soon as I find my camera among the mess, I will get some pics done.  Take care....I miss you!!!  Chatty Kathy

The painting is underway......

and I am wondering what in the world I have gotten myself into!!  Why didn't someone warn me?  My house is a disaster with furniture in the middle of the floor, ladders blocking doorways, paint cans scattered around and I have more paint on me that the walls!!  LOL!!  I'll be posting some pics soon.

Today would have been my Mom's 82nd birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom!!! I know that you, Dad and Ken are having a wonderful celebration.  I cooked a good ole' chocolate pie in memory of you!!  I love you and miss you very much.....

Have a great Sunday everyone!!  Hope 20~10 brings you much love, happiness and good health.....Hugs, Chatty Kathy

Paint colors.....

Color on the left is what I picked for the trim color and is called Bittersweet.  The middle one is called Baked Scone and was used in my living room and kitchen.  The Paprika card will be used in my dining room, the entry way as you come in from the garage and maybe the top wall in the master bath.  We are planning to put bead board in the bathroom and then paint above that.  The remaining two bedrooms, hallway and guest bath will be oatmeal (I forgot to take a pic).  Do you think this is too many colors?  I don't want a crayon box but I do like having some color instead of just neutral.   

All we've done so far is paint the red wall (see about four posts down at my Christmas pictures) the baked scone color.  I went today to pick out a new insert for the fireplace.  We are going to remove the tile, put in a larger insert and finish the fireplace out in wood instead of more tile. 

Should I paint the fireplace bittersweet too?  Arrgghhhh, I am already second guessing myself.  Good thing I haven't gotten the paint yet!!!  Going tomorrow though, so I need some input prim  friends. Any suggestions???  I would appreciate it!  Thanks!!  Chatty Kathy

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, 2009 is coming to a close and a new door will open introducing 2010. As with each new year, I hope to make positive changes in my life and home. More exercise is always on the list and for the past couple of years that has been a permanent change. I will try to step it up a notch in 2010 and work a little harder. I have already started making changes to our home. The red wall around the fireplace....well, it's not red anymore. I decided to paint it the same color as the rest of the room and we are going to change the white trim to a color called bittersweet. Also, changing colors in other rooms as well. I always second guess the colors I pick out but hopefully it will all come together. I will try and get some pictures posted of the colors and see what you think. Heading to work now so have a great New Year's Eve!!!! Thanks to all who have been a part of my life in 2009 and I look forward to more great friendships in 2010~~~Hugs, Chatty Kathy

Merry Christmas to my dear friends!

December has flown by and Christmas is here!!  It has been a busy month and I think all I have left to do is wrap a couple of gifts and buy all my canine friends a little something.  At last count, I needed twelve doggie treats ...LOL!!!   I’ll pick those up tomorrow after work, get a few things at the grocery store and then head home to prepare for our family get together on Christmas Eve. 

I’m not sure I will have an opportunity to post over the next few days so I just wanted to leave a quick note to wish all my friends a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and say THANK YOU for your visits and comments.  I have made lots of new friends through blogland and look forward to more friendships in the coming new year.

May God shower you with blessings at Christmas and all through the  year!!  Merry Christmas everyone!!!  I hope Santa is good to you!!!

Chatty Kathy

My Olde Fashioned Christmas Swap

goodies arrived this week from Tammy and they are wonderful.  Look at what I got!!!

The textile item is a great snowman stitchery which now sits on a cabinet shelf, wooden item is the Joy to the World sign, lighted item is a wonderful smelling jar candle, smell good item is a bag of Lemon Rose Creations (you put 3 T. in a sink of hot water and man it smells sooo goooood!!), three ornies are a snowman head, candy cane and Santa cat which has found a home on my tree and the wild card item is a great little Annie doll who also found a place on my tree.  Tammy, thank you so much, I sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness and love all my items! 

Well, yesterday my g’daughter and I tried making some cinnamon salt dough gingerbread men but hmmmm, while baking, they turned almost white.  Don’t know what I did wrong but I am not pleased with them so I am on the lookout for a different recipe that will keep my gingerbread men looking like gingerbread men!!  LOL!!!  We also made a few jars for her to give to teachers as gifts.  Very easy and fun to make.  Click here for instructions.

Oh, I almost forgot!  I purchased myself a Christmas present….well, actually two Christmas presents.  I have been wanting a snowman from Arnett’s Country and just happened to come across their Christmas Open House the other night.  I tried to purchase a Santa and a Snowman from the open house but she sold out of ALL of them on the site.  So, after many emails back and forth, I called her to see if she had anything left and she was finishing up on a Santa and a snowman.  I purchased them, site unseen while on the phone.  I still can’t believe I did that without even looking at them but I have never seen any of her items that I didn’t like so I took a chance.  Take a look……

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Did I go wrong?  I don’t think so, I am very pleased.  So the tweaking continues and my mantle got another makeover to add these two pieces.  I will definitely be saving my money so I can start a collection and get a snowman and/or Santa each year!!! 

Have you wrapped all your presents yet?  I have not wrapped anything yet so that is what I will get off of here and do now. LOL!!  Take care and remember the reason for the season!!  Hugs, Chatty Kathy

I’m kinda, sorta finished….

Well, I have the trees up, decorated with ornaments and the outside stuff up but the tweaking continues. LOL!!  I have a few pics to show you.  I’m not the best at taking pictures so bear with me please…first is a couple of pics in my living room

the foyer

dining room

a couple of the breakfast area

reading corner in my bedroom

The outside pictures didn’t take very well.  It’s probably the operators fault and not the camera—hehe!

I added three smaller trees on the front porch

Love my moose and trees hubby and I made about three years ago.

Also, put a tree in the upstairs of our workshop

This is a close up of a porcelain Santa that my Mom made me several years ago.  It is my most favorite Christmas possession.

I don’t know how to make the pics clickable to enlarge them.  Hopefully, you can get the idea of how my home looks.  I’m sure I will change a few items around.  I would like to get some gingerbread men ornaments made to add to one of my trees, but not sure that will happen this year.   We have decided to have a Christmas drop in on the 20th so I am now planning what foods and goodies I will have.  I used to have a drop in every year and for some reason (not sure what the reason was now) I stopped.  Kinda looking forward to having this one.  I wanted to plan for a Saturday but all our Saturdays are already booked up so the 20th was the only day I could do it.  If you are in my area, you are more than welcome to drop in!!!  Come early enough and you can help me cook!!!  LOL!! 

Have a great week!!  Chatty Kathy

You got how many trees?

Some big, some small……..but so far 12 trees are out.  I have more for outside.  I’ll get to those later today….maybe!!  More pics when I finish…..well, more pics when  get more done.  I don’t think I ever completely finish decorating. LOL!!

I need to get my Olde Fashioned Christmas Swap in the mail today too.  Guess I better get up off my behind and get to work, huh?  Have a great day!!  Chatty Kathy

What goes around, comes around...

I received this email today and thought it was a great story and lesson for Thanksgiving. Enjoy!!

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before."Leave me alone," he growled... To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked. "No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away. The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone."

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked. "No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?" The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?" "See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile." "Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!"

Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.." "This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it." Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?" "This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered. "Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place." The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?" "Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms." "And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?" "What business is that of yours?" "I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company." "Oh." The woman smiled again.. "I thought that might make a difference."

She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?" "No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty." "Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?" "Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice." The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer." The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said. "That was not my intent.. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?" Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar." "I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry." "Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry. "I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get somethingto eat." Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy." "I know," the woman continued..... "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble.. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said. "I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I wantyou to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked."Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. He led me to you." Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for your help officer," she said. "On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget, And thank you for the coffee."

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!! Chatty Kathy