And here it is, the winter garden...Sorry it's taken so long to blog again, Matt changed settings in our Kodak ap, so I've been struggling around trying to figure out how to do this, again! This is the first winter we've been here and have had less than a foot of snow! Knock on wood! And, yes, I am looking sooooo forward to spring, to see some color again in the yard! I've never been crazy about winter, snow or not, and can understand why some people get so darn depressed during this season! Hope my sisters are all healthy and enjoying some nights cuddling next to the fire with their someone special! more later, t

Me - a DIY'er!

Not having enough to do before the big sit down dinner for 18 on Christmas Eve, I decided to paint my bathroom counter tops. Big Guy was going to buy me new counter tops for Christmas (romantic no, but much needed & appreciated!), but I decided to see if they could be painted.

After googling "painting laminate counter tops" I found a few sites that gave me loads of ideas.

Here is the "before":

Okay, no offense, but purple is not my thing. Either is oak. I painted the cabinets, which were a Hodgepodge collection of leftovers (not complaining, this house was VERY inexpensive!)

This is during:

I didn't know whether to shoot myself or go blind at this point!! Pretty scary looking, I know.

BUT, I did persevere, and this is the finished product:



Pretty cool, huh? I must say so myself. When I showed Big Guy, he about fell over - "when did you have these installed" I have to laugh - he knows how much of a crafty type person I am NOT!

This is a close-up. I used about eight different colors of paint, and threw in some stain also. I didn't like the sponge look, so I ended up pouncing my paintbrush on the surface. All in all - a nice finished product.


Now off to the kitchen - first I have to learn how to make veins....Love to all - Mo

Welcome 2010!

Last year certainly was a year of changes for me! Stunning grief and soaring joys, and always, those little moments of pure happiness and love.

After a HUGE amount of conflict, I became a Christian. For so long I had a side of myself that looks at people who are Christians and wonder why they can't be nice? That issue has always been a sore spot with me, but I am learning not to judge (not my job!) and to accept people as they are. They are the ones who have to answer later.

I learned the Lord works in mysterious ways. If my life hadn't traveled the path it did in 2008, it wouldn't have the outcome it did in 2009. Sounds mysterious huh? Let's just say I learned things really do happen for a reason, we just have to be patient to allow life to unfold. Of course, patience isn't one of my many virtues, but I'm learning. Kinda....

I learned there is definitely life after death. Marge, you mentioned this via your work in ICU, but I know for a fact it exists. There is a time in passing when they can see in the hearts of people, and that's good enough for me. Just make sure I get that pedicure, T. I'm just not sure what form this takes, but my enquiring mind doesn't need to know that fact for many years. I think the words "scary" and "wondrous" sums that up.

I learned not everybody likes me, but I can live with that.

I had to let go of a cherished friendship, but embraced many new friends I didn't even know I had. When Big Guy and I announced our engagement, so many people told me what a lucky guy HE was, when all the time I was thinking how lucky I was. Go figure. I miss Kate, but have Marilyn - wish I could have them both every day!

Last year brought the greatest change of all - Brady KNOCKED on the front door before coming in my house! I guess he's all grown-up now, huh?

I enjoyed lots of laughter, tiny specks of pure happiness (I just wish we could put those in a camera for later). Kharsyn laughing on the swing, Kharsyn's face with the Christmas lights reflected on it as he checks out the tree, Keeley SMILED at me!, Clyde's face when I asked him to walk me down the aisle (or whatever) when BG and I get married, oh the list for 2009 goes on and on!

Thank you, dear sisters, and if anyone else in Bloggerland follows our journey, for walking with me during these past two years of many changes. Love to all - Mo