My Old Rocking Chair

I am lucky enough to own many of the toys I grew up with. Hopefully my kids will want some of these items when they are older...

All of my childhood toys evoke some memory or feeling.

Here's Sebastian sitting in my old rocking chair. Behind him, in the kitchen, is my old wooden kitchen set.  These toys have been used and abused, but keep on rockin.  (Get the pun, hahahhah!)

My Ring

My precious wedding ring...with no diamond in it.  (This is NOT the new diamond ring...rather my original wedding set)

Lawry's

I am sooooooo behind in posting!  This was months ago! One of Chris' longtime clients/friends came to town and wanted to take him and I out to lunch. We went to Lawry's, which was fabulous!  Great company and great food!

Tissue Paper Flowers

Last month I wanted to do a craft for the nursing home we visit. After some surfing I decided on Tissue Paper Flowers. (I'm so sorry, I can't find whose blog I found this on.)

I had forgotten all about this simple yet pretty craft! It simply entails accordion folding tissue paper, wrapping a pipe cleaner around the center, snipping the ends, and opening the layers!

A few moms and teens came over and we whipped out a few baskets!

They were very appreciated at the nursing home.

My 1st House

And, here's my first house. I loved it. I loved having my own home, I loved the floorplan, I loved the neighbors, I loved the backyard, I loved the Street. I didn't love the taxes LOL!

The House I Grew Up In

Here's the beloved house I grew up in. The "new" owners took off the shutters, and added more modern big wide open plate glass windows all over. It was more traditional looking with the shutters and nice wooden framed windows. The house sits on 3 acres of wooded land. Big back yard surrounded by a clothesline that mom used all the time. Neighbors close by but not too close....and so much fun to offer in the woods.

It's on a road that dead ends...the first bit of the road is paved, and then for years the portion that led to my house was dirt. Now it's tarred. Every few years they come along and re-tar it. One and a half lanes, through the overhanging forest, down about a mile. It's beautiful. It was paradise to raise kids in.

Mary's Shower

We had my sister's Bridal Shower at a local restaurant. Here's the happy couple opening their presents. This one happens to be from me.

I was in charge of the Ribbon Hat. I am so awful at things like that, but it looks ok, huh?!

Here we are, minus one bridesmaid....Michelle, Mary, Me, and our sis-in-law, Kristine.

1st Pedicure & Manicure

My sister wanted to get tips on for her wedding, so we decided we'd do our toenails too. Neither one of us had ever had a pedicure before, so we went together! We each got a pedicure, she got tips and I got a manicure.

Don't they look great!

Of course, noone ever told us that during a pedicure they rub your lower legs. We were HORRIFIED when the guy grabbed my leg and started putting on lotion. (I was about 5 minutes ahead of Marian) Neither one of us had recently shaved! ACHH!!!!!

Still, it was fun, and fun to do together! I'd do it again, they came out so pretty!

The Diamond

Look what I got to come home with!

Ever since I got married I always said, "At 10 years I want a "real" diamond in my wedding ring."

A few months ago my (small) diamond fell out of my ring, leaving the prongs exposed. I couldn't continue wearing it like that. Since my rings are soldered together I couldn't even wear my wedding band! This has been very rough on me.

Then I went back East , and my brother was trying to sell his ex-wife's engagement ring. This sweet and wonderful, compassionate and understanding woman knew she could only have the best. Even though they were young and buying a house, she chose the most beautiful platinum band and setting, with a diamond chip on the side, and one of the most high color and clarity diamond she could find! It's .975 ct and just beautiful! (Can you read my sarcasm).  It set my brother back about $7,000.  Nice huh, can most of us afford that even after 10 yrs of marriage?

So, we went around and got prices for re-selling and "note to buyers", diamonds only re-sell for about 1/3 of what you bought it for, and each and every place will give you a different quote on the same diamond....shop around!!

Long story short, my husband bought me the ring! YEAH!!! Now to figure out if it can go in my wedding set or if we need to purchase a new band.  That's a problem for another day, meanwhile I watch the pretty sparkle!