Happy New Year's Eve!!!!

Well...
All of the christmas decorations are down and put neatly away and now im POOPED!

Im sooooo glad Tim and TJ helped me dismantel and pack everything away.. they were a HUGE help :) We managed to get everything down, packed and cleaned up within 5 hrs!!!!

Now it looks so clean and BIG in here!

Looks like tonite will just be me and my man..snugglin' on the couch..enjoying some thomas's muffin pizzas and wings..and then popping the cork at Midnite!
A great nite to take a deep breath.. enjoy the clean house..and look forward to a new Year filled with wonderment and surprised (all good i hope!!)

Hopefully the creative bug will bite and I will be magically inspired by morning! lol

ohh..and I have THIS to look forward to .. what a way to ring in the New Year! JURY DUTY!!!

Ohhh joy.

Happy New Year friends!!! I hope you all with the ones you love and all get that magical New years Kiss at midnite!

Love and Hugs..

Sam

over????

...already???? over????

wow.. all that prep work..a month of shopping for the perfect gift.. a month of wrapping.. a month of stressing..a month of cleaning.. cooking.. decorating.. and POOF!!
RIP!
TEAR!!

OVER???
But it was allll so worth a day full of having my kids home..together.. laughing..joking.. hanging out.. watching tv...eating good food together...just wish it could have lasted longer :)

Tippy says .."is it over yet???"

Honey:

The tree:

TJ and Tim (doesn't he look cute in his santa hat????) :

Me and Sara:

Andy being Crazy:

TJ and Sara Christmas morn:

Honey..looks like she's had too much eggnog!

The matt our InLaws gave us :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALLLLLLLL!!!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and HEALTHY New Year!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Lisa Williams has a Blog!

I love this gal.. and could sit and listen to her talk for hours!!!!! :)
I'd love to someday meet her and have a 'reading'..i think it would be sooooo totally amazing!!!

http://lisawilliamsmedium.squarespace.com/welcometomyworld/

Tippy's Nite of Terror!

He was naughty last nite and managed somehow to get outside!!! I didn't know he was missing..and while sitting at the computer last nite...I heard strange noises coming from the side of the house.. and I thought TJ's friends were coming thru the side gate and into the house.

But no one was there!!!

I freaked a little (cuz Tim is outta town)..and naturally, I got a little scared!

I called TJ downstairs..and had him go out to investigate..and no one/ nothing was there!

THEN.. before I went to bed...while tidying up the kitchen..i heard SCRATCHING at my Kitchen window!!!!!!!

Ohhhh my goddddd... I was SO FREAKED! so I turned on ALLL the lights..and then realized I hadn't seen Capt. Tippy in a while. I went to the back door.. and peeked between the blinds..and SURE ENOUGH! There he was!!! THE STINKER!! Outside!!!! That musta been him clawing at the side of the house..at my computer room window trying to get in then!!

GOSHHHH!!!!

So Tippy's "grounded" today lol and Im a wee bit angry at him for sneaking out! I think he knows it...as he's been very affectionate this morning..and wanting all of my attention! So i snapped his pic :)

oh me .. oh my... look what arrived...

...my Gift from Becky!!!!

Isn't she just SO SWEET????
I love her Becky!! She's the perfect size to tuck on my mantel!!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for such a sweet surprise waiting at my door today :) :) :)


and.. I thought I had posted these.. but musta been dreaming..

I can't leave out Becky of Sweet Dreams Cottage!!! She sent me this ADORABLE.. MY FAVORITE lil Elves Tote, Sweet Ornies..and Vintage Blocks!!!!

I used this Sweet tote as my Carry On bag when I traveled back to NY..and got a ton of Compliments on how Cute, Fun and Festive it was!!!

It was the perfect size..and the straps wide enough and long enough and hang over so nicely from my shoulder :)
Her Sewing Skills are amazing...everything finished sooo neat and nicely :)

Check out her blog..she has some for sale..they'd be perfect for Gift Giving!
Thank you Becky!!!

:)
Life Is Good!!

let the shopping begin!!!!

Click to Shop!

I've Been Tagged to play the MeMe Game!!

Ohhh lordy...

That sweetiepie, Becky, has tagged me to play this silly little game..and now I must put on my thinking cap..as this is HARD!!!

8 Things I Am Passionate About:
My family
My friends
Reading Diana Gabaldon novels
Creating

Laughing
My Pets

Grilled Food my Hubby makes!

Taking Mini vacations with my hub!

8 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
Have so much money and not know what to do with it all lol

Become famous for something

Have a Photography studio
Travel through Europe

Visit Alaska
Watch my children grow into happy, succesful healthy adults
Skydive

Die before Tim!

8 Things I Say Often:
Oh my God!

Get out!

I wanna be a Mushroom!

I miss you!

Tippy..NO BITE!

Love you

Mother of Pearl!

i dunno

8 Books I've Read Recently:
Voyager - Diana Gabaldon

Dragonfly in Amber - Diana Gabaldon

Outlander - Diana Gabaldon

Dark Melody - Christine Feehan

Night's Touch - Amanda Ashley

Safe Harbor - Christine Feehan

Mind Game - Christine Feehan

Night Game - Christinee Feehan

8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over Again:
Ava Maria

Have a Holly Jolly CHristmas
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (sung by Judy Garland)
Halleluia sung by Jon Bon Jovi (Leonard Cohen)

I'll be Home for Christmas

Where are you Christmas?

My Sharona

Anything by Keith Urban :)

8 Things that Attract Me to My Best Friends:
Sense of Humor

Wanting to Learn and Experience New things!
Shared Interests
Kindness
Compassion
Willingness to lend a shoulder or an ear in time of need

Loves Life!

Loves Creating

8 People Who Should Totally Do This Meme:

1. Kim - The Smiling Goat

2. Shirley - Standing on the Edge

3. Lori - The Vintage Palette

4. Pam - Soft in the Head

5. Nicole - Raggedy Old Annies

6. Toni - Rabbit Hill Creations

7. Kitty - Sweet Invocations

8. Sherry - Esprit*d'Art

...just the ticket!

...aren't these so kewl???? I love 'em!!!

Buy a pack of 4 small , aged "Ticket" Tags for only $6.50!

FREE mailing to anywhere in the US

Add them to your Journals, Scrapbooks, Collage Work or Just for adding a Touch of Vintage Fun anywhere!

...Ohhh the weather outside....

.....is

WARM!!

waaaaaaaa :(
no more snow :(
Im back from NY..and already missing the white covering of heavenly glittery-ness!!!

It was almost strange to get up this morning..and see green grass..crystal blue skies.. and a bright glowing yellow thing in the sky! lol

ahhhhh... trying to get back into the swing of things.. first things first...LAUNDRY (oh joy)..and finishing orders to be sent out today :)

While I was making tags this morning..I decided to make extra's of this image..i just love it! The dark background..and the old fashioned santa and kids.. too sweet :)
So...Im offering these for sale...

a Set of 4 small Tags for $6.50..

and that includes shipping to anywhere in the USA :)

...snow... FINALLY!!!

yeahhhhhhh!!!!!!!

finally... some accumulated SNOW !!! Im in NY..surprised the family and popped back home for a lil visit...and last nite around midnite..it FINALLY began to flurry...and this morning upon awakening.. i was pleasantly surprised to see about 4 inches outside..and drifts!!!!!
:) :) :)

Im SOOOO Happy !!! heheheheeh I even got to go out and play and help my dad and brother shovel the driveway and walks! I think its been about 6 yrs since I've had a shovel in my hands!! It was fun :) (but am glad I don't have to do this for the next 3 months!!)

ahhhhh...

I feel like Im in a Winter Wonderland now :)

Life is Good!

....on vacation...

.... hi all...

just a quick note...

im on a lil holiday vacation...

and shall be returning dec.5th...

please send me lots of snow!!

:) :) :)

...shabbalicious....

got a diva on your christmas list?

a friend with a shabby fetish?

a diva that loves pink?

then these charms make the perfect lil stocking stuffers!

check 'em out on My Etsy...

Purchase or Order any two items now thru Dec. 15th and receive FREE priority mail shipping to anywhere in the US!!

whoohooooo!!!!!!

ok.. off to bed..so i can get up early and start putting up my tree and decorating!!! YIPPPEEE!!!!

(hope the mood is still with me when i get up! lol)

ahhhh... the tummies are full....

...the dishes all cleaned and put away... the kitchen is back to normal... the fridge is full of leftovers...and Im thankful for yet another day of leftover pumpkin pie :)
hehehe

All that prep work.. all the planning..organizing..stressing..and POOF!! The meal is over within a half hour!! How does that happen?? I wish I had a 'pause' button some days.. to keep all the kids here.. home with me.. safe and protected..

Sara flew out early this morning from LAX allll by herself to head to S. Carolina to visit her best friend. Her first time flying solo.. I am so proud of her.. she is so brave! Tim keeps reassuring me that if she can manage to find her way around LA and all the freeways...she'll surely make it thru the airports just fine :) (Im so thankful that tim keeps me in 'check' and keeps supporting my heavy heart) But still...Im the 'momma'..and momma's worry...it's our job :)

Heard from the family (back in NY) yesterday..that they were blessed with SNOW for Turkey day!!!!! How unfair is that?? lol We sorta kinda came close to snow here..it dipped down to about 40 overnite the other nite lol... thats about as close as we'll come im afraid. :( Although one year, we did have one freakish snowstorm day back in March? a couple of years ago! It was SO WEIRD!!

We had a couple of inches...and some places in Murrieta (at the higher levels) got more!!! ahhhhhhhh how i sooooo miss that exciting weather!!! :(

But Im thankful for where I live..where the sun is usually shining every day of the year..and our family is alot healthier since moving here.

And Im thankful for those wonderful childhood memories filled with Snow days and Blizzards..the sounds of the snowplow coming down our street..the icy crunching underfoot..snowmen making.. making snowangels.. catching snowflakes on your tongue..sledding down our back hill.. iceskating on the frozen Erie Canal.. and making the trek across the frozen canal to my grandpa's house for fresh, warm homemade Polish cookies.. for me to reflect back on and smile :)

Happy Post Turkey Day to all of you.. Im thankful for having met such wonderful people thru blogland

:)

...reflecting...

.. our last family picture.. taken on Thanksgiving 2006..
lots of changes since then..not so much 'appearance'-wise..
but can't wait to see our picture this year :)

Is it Time yet??

anyone else feeling this way so soon?? I feel like getting my tree and all of my decorations out already and its not even turkey day!!

Im itchin' to start!!

So is Tippy!!

New on Etsy!

New Altered Images!!!!

Check 'Em Out!

My PFATT Marketplace Offerings...

The November issue of the Pfatt Marketplace has been released! I hope you'll stop by and take a peek! :)

We Have a WiNNeR!!!!!

..but only one winner...

I am so happy with all of the Entries..and the Infectious Excitement you all have Created with my Blog Giveaway!!!!
Thank you to Everyone for making this so much fun :)
We have picked a winning post...

Mary Isabella!

Congratulations!!!

Please Email me your snail mail addy and I will pop your Surprise in the Mail for you!!!!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for making this SOOOOO MUCH FUN!!

To Dolly...THANK YOUUUUUU for being SOOOO Super Charged about this Giveaway!!! You made me smile Everytime I seen your posts!!!!! I appreciate the support :) :) :)

hugs to all!!!

....The ExciTemenT BuiLds!!!

wow..

88 posts...

I am going to have to have another cup of coffee while I print out all of these posts...and print out 5 extra entries each to those who shared my Giveaway pic on their blog..

wow...

Im so excited!!!! :)


Give me like an hour..and hopefully I will be back with a WINNER :)



Here is a pic of the beach to 'tide' you over.. heheheeeee
Dana Point - California

..off to the beach..Keep Posting to WIN!!

Ok folks..

Im off to the beach for two nites.. but Keep Posting for a chance to win an Objet d'art!!!!! (make sure your post is on the Blog Giveaway post below this one)

Thank you for all of your comments.. I love all the excitement being created!! Its Infectious!!

TGIF !!!!!

See you on Sunday!!

xox

Sam

A Treat Giveaway!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

Im having a Treat Give-Away!!!!

Leave a Comment on my Blog for a chance to Win a Special Treat!

Post anytime between Today (Halloween) thru Monday Nov 5th for a Chance to Win an

"Objet d'art"

handcreated by Me :)

Visit once a day to Enter...Tell all of your Friends.. Tell Strangers.. Wear your Costume.. Scream and Shout...Dance and Make Merry!!! ITS HALLOWEEN :) :) :)

Post my GiveAway Picture on YOUR Blog..and Receive 5 extra chances at Winning!

Just let me know you've posted my Pic to your blog with a working link to my site..and I'll enter your name in the 'hat' 5 extra times!!!!

I will draw a winning Post on Tuesday and announce it on my blog then :)

Happy Trick or Treating!!!!!

..more objets d'art...

.... i keep hearing that "Tiny Bubbles" song play thru my mind :)
More Objets d'art..as promised..

a larger 'bubble' with your choice of initial.. featuring two vintage kids.. backed with various scrapbook paper.
A black Initial on a 'wood block'.. hand soldered..and polished..and comes with a 24 inch ball chain.
Email to purchase or ask questions..
$16 will come giftwrapped
Please add $2 for shipping (first class)

~~~

click twice on the arrow to enjoy the sounds of Don Ho:

~~~

Today's found beauty in my yard..
a little leaf.. still wearing the morning's dew drops.. rests on an old weathered bench..
this leaf pretty much sums up my week.
feeling fragile.
on the edge of tears.
emotionally delicate.
weathered.
a drift.
a long way from home.
showing signs of wear.
alone.
holding it all in.
letting go.

"It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily
existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to
us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts."
~K.T. Jong

Peace, Hope and Joy

Objets d'art:

French.
an object of artistic worth or curiosity, esp. a small object.

Introducing my lil Objets d'art!

Little glass bubbles.. with various words.. perfect for gift giving.. adding to a charm bracelet..or 'just because' :)

I find soldering and putting together these little objets d'art have been my stress reliever these past couple of weeks. Seems like when my world starts getting hectic..im drawn to my worktable to create. Maybe its a need to 'get things in order'.. or just the need to distract my mind? Whatever the reason.. I love the results :)

I will have more to offer.. but for now.. these little bubbles are available..individually.. and will come with their own 24 inch ball chain.

"hope" is sold

"peace" is sold

Also available are "Initial" bubbles.. with your choice of Initial..

A black letter on a brown block..over aged paper..and on the back of each bubble, I've soldered a real dime.

The silver solder has been polished and waxed for a nice shine.

$14 each..includes 24" chain
please add $2 to ship (first class mail)

Email me to purchase..or to ask questions..

...Im Safe...

Thank you to everyone who's emailed to make sure that i am okay :)
Here's a pic of an area map showing the fires south and west of me. (I live in Murrieta)

The skies have been brown and 'weird'..with an eerie feeling the past couple of days.. but we are safe.

Here's a link to a great google map showing where the fires are..how much containment they have..where the Evacuation centers are..etc..

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571

Here is a shot taken a couple of days ago..over our back fence.. looking south to Temecula.

My friend, Shirley, has posted fire info on her blog.. as her hubby is one of the brave, hardworking Firefighters helping to save the many homes in harms way. I applaud all of these guys for giving it their all and for their continued fight! I hope some relief comes..and Shirley's hubby can get some rest..and a good hot meal!

Thank you for the prayers.. please keep them coming for those who are without their homes.. or those who are still awaiting word about whether or not their home made it thru this awful firestorm....