Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Our Christmas Journey

Usually I absolutley love white christmases, not this year.  Phil and I were able to just get in the car and drive 1200 miles to see our babies and grandbabies.  We were almost there at about 3 a.m. and ran into one of the worst snow storms about 8,000 feet up.  I won't get into how terrified and alone we felt, but I know we had angels intervene!  Seriously!!!!

I hope you all had a great, maybe peaceful, Christmas.


We left our cozy, beautiful, home.  I had to take pics of the great fire we had.  I'll miss a fireplace if we get the house we want.  It doesn't have one.



I love to wrap presents.  I bought these great, handmade tags from ebay, but you can find even better ones on Etsy.  




We packed all the beautiful gifts and headed out west.




After a seriously terrifying drive through the mountains, we arrived safe and sound.  Let the festivities begin.



The 1200 mile trip was worth it to be with my beautiful children and grandchildren.  Below is my gorgeous daughter.
 Our son drove 6 hours from L.A. to be with us.  He too is gorgeous.  What a blessed mother I am.


And how could I not mention my soul mate and husband of almost 35 years.



My lovely granddaughter looks like she's right out of the movie The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.


I wonder if he wasn't really a Kennedy.  Sweet, handsome grandson.




Our youngest will certainly be president some day.  He thinks he's big enough to drive.  Truly he does. Momma has to convince him (unsuccessfully) that he's not.





And yours truly happy as ever...cherishing the moment.
Peace to all, will write next year.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Is this really good bye????

So, we have another contract on our home.....after the last one fell through. (We waited 3 long months and then had to put it back on the market after our buyer's financing didn't go through..It's a real estate jungle out there.) We found out this morning that another buyer accepted our counter.  Now for the inspection and appraisal, which is a bit nerve wracking in itself!  ANyway, will this really be good-bye to our home of almost 20 years?  Just in case, I've taken pictures to remember exactly how it looked, up until the last few weeks.  We have a closing date of Feb. 15th or before. Soooo, we'll see.  Now we have to find a home in AZ.  I'm sooooooooooooo ready. 



Below is the entry...what you see when you first walk in.  I love it!





Below here is our beautiful old dining room table.  It was free...yeah, that's right, free.  We need to find a home that will suit our table..that is a must.




Another view of our great room.  We knocked out walls...added windows......This was to be our 'dream home'. 








We did soooo much to the kitchen since we've moved in.  I do love these cabinets although they may not be the most trendy of cabinets.  I stripped them and whitewashed them years ago. When we moved here they were painted white.  They are original to the home which was built in 1969.






Our half bath has also been turned over and over from the original.  We stripped wallpaper, added a new "old" vanity. The vanity was a library table from a church in KC. 







Our master....I love it.  We have collected solid wood six panel doors over the years and now our home has nothing but those.  Quality for sure.  





My pride and joy, the master bath. We 'borrowed' a closet from the bedroom behind the bathroom and enlarged the bathroom to fit a jet tub.  We used marble on the floors and around the tub and sink, real wainscotting from an older home in KC, MO and converted a 1940's buffet into our vanity.  I sit in the tub, glass of wine and perhaps a magazine, every now and then glancing up and admiring the chabby chic chandelier.  I'll miss this for sure!!!!







This used to be our daughter's room, but is now just another guest room.



This used to be a guest room but is now an office.




I love our blue glass entry lights.










This room used to be the dining room, but we opened everything up and now it's a sitting room off the kitchen. 




I looked and looked for lights like these and lo and behold they were at Lowes. Who'd a thought????




We tried to make perfect use of all space in our home.  So, these are the steps going to our basement. At the bottom of the steps is an office area with a door to the left that leads into another large room. We use the room as another guest room. Phil's mom loved staying here when she visited from Israel.  It has an on suite bathroom with the laundry at her desposal.  When she was here we added a small fridge in the office area in case she wanted a late night snack. 







And so it is......lots of memories here.  BUT, I'll be keeping you informed with pictures and comments about our new home, which we havent' found yet.  Wish us look and keep checking.  Love it that you read this! Peace to you all and to all a good night.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Memories Are What Dreams Are Made Of.....Christmases Past

So, feeling a little nostalgic, I'm going through pictures of Christmases past.  I'm going to try again  posting my family memories.(I tried earlier today and after posting ALL the pics, I did something wrong and it all just disappeared, after an hour and a half of downloading!!!)

Dedicated to the deep loves of my life...the gifts God has given me....the riches of life in family....





































I am so in love.  I never thought love could be like this...My first grand baby...and now my princess...My heart is full.



My girl will wear black and denim...Her Poppy bought her the outfit.

Sorry Aunt Sherry, you might have said my baby Shauna was yours, but this one is MINE!!






The boy in the middle is my nephew.  He was always extra special to me.  Still is!

My second daughter and her soul mate...finally...So happy for these two.




Always my beloved Sisters.



Princess Maya's first bit of 'real' food other than breast mile...Ice cream...thanks to Poppy...Enjoy my baby Maya.


My son Ian is seriously handsome...and so much like me.




Uncle Ian with Princess Maya Moo Moo


Okay, so I'm a drama queen.





That year I used all white paper for gift wrap..and of course different ribbon..it's all about the ribbon.





My angel dog, Lexy.



Ian is the best uncle ever.

Just overwhelmed!



Uncle Ian was super for remembering his Jewish roots and wanting to pass them on to his neice...






Amazingly handsome and talented!!!!!










We are fam i ly....I got all my sistahs and me.................







I love it that my kids have a bond!





My soulmate Phil....married for almost 35 years now.








Phil and I spent Christmas '08 in San Miguelle De Allende, Mexico...It was AWESOME...It spoiled me forever as far as cool weather at christmas.





2009 will be up next...this is to be continued...have a great one!