A Gift and a Tip :-)

Going to the post office anymore, for me anyways, has been a really big dread.  Anyone who has anticipated doctor bills coming in at the worst times knows what I mean!!  But today..a silver lining!!  I received my fall friendship swap package in the mail from sweet Mrs. Lydon!!  I received a nice jar of some potpourri that smells of pumpkin and apple butter..yum!  Also a candlestick "ring" for decoration!  Thanks again Mrs. Lydon!  I'm glad we got to "swap" fall items with one another!  :-)  Here is a picture of the items I received...



Now..onto the tip!!  I was reading my current issue of Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) last night when I came across this amazing tip for moms!  If I was a mom, I would definately check this one out because it sounds like a fantastic idea!  Anyways..there is a website called http://www.thredup.com/ that makes it easy for parents to trade gently used clothes for new ones from other people!  Basically your exchanging your clothes with someone else's!  You can search for the size you want, boys or girls clothes, and browse through the choices and pick your favorite box.  Yes..you get a whole BOX of clothes here!  To get clothes, you must offer clothes in exchange.  Just post your swap on the site, and when someone selects it you put on a free shipping label thats provided and schedule a pick-up.  There is no basic membership charge, but a $13 shipping fee for each box you order.  Still..$13 for a box of clothes doesn't sound bad to me!!  Plus your getting rid of things your kids have outgrown in the process!  To me..thats a win-win situation!  If anyone has tried this or checks it out..let me know!  Might be something good to try if we ever have a "Baby Green" in the future!  ;-)

Blessing Box

Head over to Natalie's blog to link up with the Blessing Box today!

ONE

I'm very thankful for my health.  Though I may not be the 'healthiest' person in the world..I can't complain either!  I see so many who have health problems..both young and old..its a great blessing to say I'm not one of them.  :-)

TWO

I think everyone can relate to this one..but FRIENDS!  I'm so thankful for the friendships I have..both on and off of blogger.  I've made some great friends on blogger since I started back in May and its a major blessing to me!  I never knew the support I would get during some trying times in my life (as well as exciting points as well!).  I also have wonderful, strong friendships with those not on blogger that I wouldn't trade for anything!  People I've known for years on end and we're just as close today as we were several years ago!

THREE

My hubby, of course.  I can't do a post like this without mentioning my love, Damon.  He is my rock, my best friend, my love.  I'm so glad we have each other to walk through life together.  Nobody knows just how much he means to me..simply because I just can't put it into words!

FOUR

My furbabies!  Not a day doesn't go by that I'm not thankful for them.  They bring such happiness into each day..I couldn't imagine my life without them and their antics!

FIVE

Jesus, my Lord and Saviour.  Truely, He is the one who stands beside of me each second of each day.  I'm contantly leaning on Him and His understanding and literally I could not live my life without Him in it.  I don't know why anyone would want to live in this ugly world without a Saviour like Him.  His gift is free..all we have to do is accept it.  :-)

What are your blessings your thankful for today?

Miscellany Monday



~One~

Is it my imagination..or does it actually feel like fall out today?!?!?  After the 90 degree heat of last week..this is truely what I've been waiting for!!!! 

~Two~

Since we are having a nice cool day..I thought it would be the "perfect" time to wear some new lounge pants I picked up at Aeropostale over the weekend!  LOVE that store (its become my newest fav though I can't fit into the teeny tiny shirt they have..the lounge pants, etc are up my alley!) and have also come to like Rue 21..not so much for me (though I have found a few items in there the past couple times for myself) but for my MAN!  Wow..what sexy clothes for a guy!  Me likeys!!

(Necklace I got at Rue 21 recently..please excuse the un-ironed white shirt!)

~Three~

Had a wonderful sunday homecoming at our church!!  Along with special singing and preaching we had a potluck dinner afterwards!  Gotta say..never seen so much good food in all my life!  Just wish Damon could have went too..work kept him from attending.  :-(

~Four~

Just got back from yet another trip to H&R Block..ugh!  If the government wants to give people a first time homeowners credit..why do they have to make it so stinkin' hard?  *Hopefully* it'll all get straightened out this time and we'll get some moo-lah!

~Five~

On the menu today (in lieu of fall) is Pasta with Pumpkin and Sweet Sausage!  Sound crazy?  To some..yeah probably..but I'm tellin ya..don't knock it till you try it!  Its fabulous!

~Six~

Not sure if I should do this or not..but I feel the good Lord is leading me to..so here goes.  My dear friend Kristin did the same for me a couple months ago when I was going thru the same thing, and now unfortunately a new friend of mine is experiencing the same thing I did.  Head over and give Mrs. Lydon some words of encouragement..she could really use some uplifting (and prayers) right now. 

TV Shows



Since the new fall season started up this week..I thought I'd do a little post about our favorite tv shows (and find out more about yours too!).  What was some of the shows you looked forward to the most this season?  For me it defiately had to be DWTS (Dancing with the Stars)!!!!  I've gotten addicted to this show the past few seasons now and my only regrets is that I didn't start watching it sooner!!  Every season has its drama..unforgettable dances..and of course the stars (and pros)!  My favorite pros would have to be Lacey and Maks (who doesnt love Maks?)..so you can imagine how thrilled I was to see Miss Lacey back for this season!!  I can't wait for each monday to get here to see how everyone does now!



I'm also a fan of "Kate Plus 8" and "19 Kids and Counting" on TLC.  I don't really know why..but we started watching those quite a while back and I just like keeping up with how they are all doing.  Isn't it weird how if you watch a reality show..you feel like you know them?  Anyone else ever feel this way..or is it just me?!  Another reality show I like..and this is on the TOTAL opposite end of the universe compared to those I've already listed..but I love love love "Teen Mom".  Its another one of those deals where I've watched for so long..I feel like I know these girls (and their precious babies)!  And I think maybe be part of why my 'baby fever' started in the first place!  Don't you just love the name Bentley?!  Too bad I can't get Damon to like it..the first time I mentioned it he just laughed at me..laughed!!!!  Oh well..he can forget the name Zebulan..thats right!!!!



How about shows of seasons past..ones that have ended or been cut short?  I have a few I can list in this category..like last seasons "FlashForward".  I absolutely got into that show!!!  I couldn't believe it when they said they were going to cancel it..ahh the agony!!!  I was totally bummed.  Also..anyone remember "American Dreams" from a few years back?  Now yall..when that show was cancelled..I actually wrote the networks over it..I was highly ticked!  It had such a great story line and was a wholesome show for the whole family, which isn't easy to find.  I managed to score the first season of it on dvd at Target a short while after it was cancelled..would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have the whole series on dvd but have never seen any seasons other than season 1 that I was able to purchase.  Another show that some of you may agree with me on is when "ER" ended..how sad!  That show was on air for-ever and I had watched from practically the beginning  (back when I was in high school!), but at least I can say the way it ended was good..nothing was really cut short but I would have loved to of seen a spinoff of Mark Greene's daughter following in his footsteps of being a dr!  I should try to watch "Grey's" sometime..I hear so many say they love it..but I was so dedicated to "ER" while it ran..I just can't help but compare other shows to it!  Maybe I'll get over that! 



Oh and my most favorite show that sort of 'fizzled' out a few years back..a reality show called "The Mole".  Anyone remember that one?!  The first and second seasons were the best (when Anderson Cooper was the host)..but once they started doing celebrity versions..it was all downhill from there and didn't have the same spice.  I've been searching high and low (though not in a long while now) for the first and second seasons on dvd, but to no avail. 

So I'd like to hear from you guys!  What are some of your favorite shows you watch now..or watched in the past that are long gone? 

Its Fall Yall!



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Today Cait at The Blessed Life is having a fall link-up!  Head on over and join in..and lets all talk about our favorite season..fall!

Yesterday I did a post on some of my fall decor that I've put out this year.  I hope you'll hop on over and take a look-see!  I love this time of the year..not just because of the fall decorating..but so many other things!  I love that the temps start to fall and we can enjoy the cool weather again (I LOVE colder temps..not a hot weather gal at all!)..I enjoy the fall foliage..the comfort of soup graces my dinner table as soon as the first inkling of fall weather arrives, and the best photo ops come at this time of the year!  Each year me and Damon head up to Babcock State Park here in WV (its one of the most photographed places in our home state) to take lots of fall pictures.  Nothing beats the crisp air and fall leaves at Babcock!  So many others are there doing the same thing we are..whether its amateurs (like us) or professionals.  We all have the same common theme..try to get the best shot possible!!  But, in my opinion, you can't take a bad picture there!  God's beauty is everywhere to be seen.  :-)  Some of my favorite pictures taken from there in the past years...



To celebrate the season that is finally here..I'm gonna go bake some pumpkin bread!!!  Now if only the weather would cooperate (its suppost to be 95 degrees today)!!  Here's to praying for some fall weather!

~Fall Decor~

I've wanted to share with you guys a few of my fall decortions..in particular..new ones in my home this year!!  Our recent vacation brought some cute fall items back with it!  Gotta love this time of the year when houses smell of pumpkin and cinnamon, fall leaves are everywhere, and the crisp evenings fall upon us.  A great time to cozy up to your loved ones or have a roaring bonfire with friends!  I'm ready for some of that fall flavor..how about you?!

(Dining Room Table)

(Dining Room Curtains I just made!)

(Dining Room-behind DR table)

(Jelly Cabinet)

(Living Room)

(Cute basket I scored while in AC..and the little pumpkin was a freebie!)

(My favorite fall picture)

Thats about it for today..hope you enjoyed touring my home decked out in some fall-ness!  Have a great wednesday everyone and don't forget to post some comments!  I always love hearing from you guys!

Blessing Box



Head over to Extraordinary Love today to check out everyones blessings for this tuesday and link up if your a fellow blogger!!



My blessing I want to talk about today is my little furbaby, Ravey.  She is my girl!!!!  Just ask Damon..in the evenings when we're relaxing on the couch watching some tv..Ravey is laying right beside of me (not on my lap since she's so not the lap-cat type) and won't budge!!  She's always got to be close to her 'mama' and I wouldn't trade it for anything!  I love feeling her warmth next to me..her unconditional love..her purrs.  Isn't that something you just love about animals..their unconditional love for their humans?  They don't care how you look, how your feeling, if you don't have any make-up on, if your in a bad mood..they just love you unconditionally.  They also seem to always know when your troubled and are right there to 'take care of you'.  Also they always seem to know how to make a person laugh!!  Just the other day Ravey got into a rather uncomfortable pose on the couch that I just had to snap a picture of (and have a good laugh over)!

Yeah..I'm blessed to have Ravey..she's the best girl a mama could ask for!!



Miscellany Monday

~One~

Maybe one of you dear ladies out there can help me out that are currently expecting..but ever since I had my miscarriage a couple months back..I am now having second thoughts about trying to conceive.  Its not that I don't want a child..that desire is still there..I'm now scared of the DR BILLS that said pregnancy could incur!  It seems the bills just keep coming in from the dr visits I made during that 2 week time period..and I'm finding out..our insurance isn't the greatest.  Just leaves me to thinking..my goodness..what would it be like if I was in the hospital actually delivering?!? 

~Two~

I just finished staining our new bar-area topper thingy..not sure what you call it..but we custom ordered a piece of character hickory from a lumber company while in Amish Country called Keim Lumber (it puts Lowes and Home Depot to shame!). We installed it over the weekend..ripping out the old countertop that was there..that incidentally we found wasn't even secured properly..not one nail held that thing in place!!! Anyways..I used a wood conditioner first..then applied Minwax 'Natural' stain to bring out the beautiful highlights in the wood. Its GORGEOUS!! Now I just need to get some poly to gloss it up a bit and it'll be done! Look for some pics soon!

~Three~

I'm really looking forward to Damon getting back to his normal work schedule. Every morning I just can't seem to get going and I don't feel like I have enough time to do things around the house. I guess night shift is just in my blood!

~Four~

Speaking of Damon..his EMT-M test is this thursday..please remember him in your prayers!! The poor guy has been studying his brains out lately. He's not the best 'test-taker'..he tends to overthink the questions. I'm trusting in God to be with him during that final!

~Five~

I'm really excited that tonight the new season of Dancing With the Stars begins!!!!  Anyone else out there a big fan of DWTS?  Not sure who I'll be rooting for this season just yet..we'll have to see how tonight goes (and so I can remember all the celebs dancing this time around)!

~Six~

I am hoping for the crisp, cool fall weather to catch up with the season!! The forecast for here is showing 80s this week..ugh!! I'm ready for jeans and jackets..anyone else?!

Hope everyone is having a great monday!!



And the winner is....

Ok yall..so today is the day!!!  I'm pleased to announce the winner of my first ever giveaway here at Country Roads is..Callie Nicole from Through Clouded Glass!!  Congrats Callie!!  I will be in touch with you shortly to get your car jars out your way (so your car can smell yummy)!  Thanks to all who participated..I hope to host another giveaway again soon!



Today I'm also participating in Kristin's first ever "The Pick of The Patch" at Windy Poplars!  Its a great way for us to get ideas..share good and/or bad posts we've had over the past week..gain some inspiration..you get the idea!  I don't know about yall..but I could definately use some inspiration!  This week I felt like I was in such a rut..blogging wise.  Maybe it was because me and Damon are on a totally different schedule this week.  Maybe it was me getting so darn aggrevated with my slowww internet connection (yall..I still have dial-up..no jokes..not because I want to, mind you..I just can't afford high speed around here!).  But I am glad to have had my first giveaway..I felt like that was kinda a big deal for my blog! 

My "Pick of The Patch" for my blog this week would have to be my blog post I did this past sunday titled "Acts of Kindness".  Though it didn't generate but 2 comments..I felt like it really made an impact on the 2 bloggers who did leave their kind comments for that day.  It was about an article I had read in a magazine on acts of kindness shown by leaving post-it notes out for complete strangers to see.  I thought it was such a great idea!!  And am still inspired to give it a shot myself (note to self..pick up post it notes next time at Walmart).  Anyways..if you havent read that post..head on over and give it a read..maybe it will inspire you to perform a random act of kindness!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Lazy Thursday Afternoons..

I don't know about where your at..but this lazy, thursday afternoon around here has me very thankful!  We are getting some much needed rain today and it couldn't have come any sooner!  So for a simple post for the day..I'm going to share with you some pictures from our recent vacation of some nice, country scenery!  Hope you enjoy!

(Views from our front porch)



(Our dream home!)

(Plowing the fields)

(Traditional scene)

Hope yall have enjoyed another glimpse into our vacation!  Last reminder guys..tonight my giveaway will be closing and the winner will be announced..so if you haven't entered in yet..do so NOW!  And another note..there is a cute headband giveaway over at the Love you, long time blog..so head over there as well and put in your entry!  Hope this thursday is full of blessings!

Reminder for Giveaway!

Just wanted to remind you guys that tomorrow night is when my giveaway will be ending!!  Up for grabs is a couple of fall scented car jars from Yankee Candle!  There have only been 5 entries so far..now I know you guys love a giveaway..lets get that number up higher!!!  Pretty please?!  Remember..if this one goes well..I might have another giveaway in the near future.  I have one I've been thinking about doing for a long while now and its a BIG ONE..so come on over..sign up..spread the word..who knows..you might be the winner!  Good luck!!

The Blessing Box



If you haven't went over to Natalie's blog, Extraordinary Love, head over now and join everyone in sharing your blessings this tuesday!

Ok so right now..expressing my blessings has probably been the last thing on my mind this morning.  Why, you ask?  I've been dealing with our rotten insurance company on the phone this morning..basically begging asking why they won't pay things they are suppost to pay in the first place.  But anyways..I'm not gonna bore yall with all of that..this has been ongoing for some time now..I just wish I could see the end in sight!  That is one thing I am thankful for..that even though we sometimes go through really rough things in life..there is always a light at the end of that hardship.  I can say that I am thankful we DO have insurance..because while Damon was laid off last year from work..we didn't have any and couldn't afford it.  Anyone who has been through unemployment knows that every-cent-counts.  And then some.  I know, in God's time, that this insurance stuff I've been dealing with will come to an end..that it'll be taken care of one way or another. 

Another thing I am very blessed for today is that Damon is getting the opportunity to take an EMT class for miners (EMT-M).  Its a GREAT opportunity for him..something I've always wanted and hoped he could do since he's been in the mines.  It has a few benefits..one being that its a big plus on a resume and two..it sometimes helps in your rate of pay!!  Poor guy fell asleep reading his book last night.  Do keep him in your prayers with all of this..he has to pass a test by the end of this short course (not sure if its going to be this saturday or early next week when the testing will happen)..I know with God's help, alot of studying, and prayers, it will happen!!

What are some of your blessings your thankful for today?

Miscellanies and Giveaway Reminder :-)

Let's kick off another monday with some miscellanies..shall we?

• We are on a schedule this week that is very unusual for us!  Damon is actually NOT working, but rather having to attend an EMT-M class at the college I graduated from!  His work sent him for the class and I count it as a blessing because its another plus he can add to his resume!
• Hoping to get a few things done around the house this week..like some much needed mopping and doing a little canning..fun!
• Enjoyed a nice church service last night followed by a birthday party for our pastors wife!  Always have alot of fun being with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!
• Is it just me..or is there an enormous amount of butterflies this year?  Don't get me wrong..I'm lovin' getting to see them flutter around my house..but wow..don't remember seeing so many since I was a little girl!

• Since hubby is on a different schedule this week..I'm up WAY earlier than usual.  I've already done my house cleaning and its before 10am..wow..now THAT is a first!  AND the best part?  I get to watch Rachael Ray's talk show now!
• Just a little reminder for any who may have missed my post over the weekend..but I'm having my very first giveaway!  I've done some work on my blog over the weekend..so you can click on the link on the right side under "Recent Posts" or to make it easier for yall..just click here.  The more entries (comments) I get for that days post..the more likely I'll have another giveaway soon!!  So go over now..leave me a comment..and your entered!   Easy enough..right?

Here's to wishing you a happy monday!