My Little Project!

Finally I'm able to share with yall my project I've had ongoing for the past several weeks now!  I finally finished up my yard sale find just this week and although it didn't turn out 'exactly' how I planned..I am happy with it!  Let me start with a bit of background...hubby and I went yard saling several weeks back when I came across a little corner style table.  I thought it was really cute and at just a couple bucks..thought I'd snatch it up and turn it into a little craft project.  So as my wheels turned after my purchase..I decided to try to do it in a crackle finish.  Now mind you, several years back I crackled a big window I found and decorated it up shabby-prim style and it turned out fantastic (imo, of course!).  It resides now on the wall over our bed and I still love it today as much as when I first made it.  Anywho, I bought some craft paint at Michael's and got started!  I painted the base coat Antique White and the top coat in Espresso using the crackle glaze in between, of course.  The top part I like the way it turned out, the bottom shelf, not so much.  It was my brush-stroke technique I used...after doing the bottom shelf first (which was a good idea), I learned to paint the top coat (top shelf) all in the same direction.  I also gave it a once over with a spray on clear coat for added protection.  It now resides in the corner of our dining room and is rather cute and "old" looking..which was my desired result!!  Here are a few before, during, and after pics....

(This is what it looked like when I purchased it)

(After the base coat of Antique White)

(Finished project!!)

A Night of Tears...

You'll have to excuse me..I'm feeling a little down tonight.  I had planned on posting about my project I've been working on the past couple weeks..but as I was downloading pics from my camera onto my computer, I came across this picture.....

You might see now why I'm feeling a little down tonight.  When I took this picture..I had hoped to share such joyful news with my fellow bloggers of our blessed news..only for things to change so quickly after that test was originally taken.  At the time..everything seemed to go by so slowly..from first dr appointment, to ER visit, to dr appointment.  Looking back now, just a few short weeks later, it all seemed like it went by very fast. 

I'm the type of person (usually) when something happens, it takes a little while for it to really "hit" me.  I guess tonight must of been the night God wanted me to really let out the hurt I felt surrounding the past few weeks.  Though I do know that it wasn't God's timing for us right now to have a child, it still doesn't make it easier.  I think I'll remember that April "should have" been my due month.  I know I have to trust in God now too..to know that His timing is the perfect timing and that He ultimately knows what is best.  Sometimes I think maybe all of this was a test..seeing as how basically all my life until this past December..I thought I'd never want a child of my own.  It did show me something..that this IS something I do want..and I'm 100% sure of it now.  I need to deal with this now..so I can look forward to the future and what God has in store for us.  Be praying for me..no matter how strong I may seem at times..deep down..the hurt is there.

The Blessing Box

If you haven't read about Natalie's "Blessing Box" meme..I encourage all bloggers to head on over and join in today!   We're going to talk about some things we are thankful for..aka "blessings"!

• Like Natalie, I'm thankful for my health as well.  After going thru what I have the past couple of weeks..it was nice to hear my doctor who I saw during that time, tell me that I'm perfectly healthy and was so positive and encouraging!
• I feel so incredibly blessed that Damon has a job.  This time last year, he was still unemployed and I was starting to wonder when he'd ever get back to work again.  God always provides!!!
• I'm thankful that due to Damons job..I don't have to work and can stay home (and someday be a stay at home mom!). 
• I feel blessed to have met so many people online.  Truely my online friends ARE my best friends and the best people I've ever met in my lifetime!!
• Our new home is a wonderful blessing.  We searched for several years before we found our "nest" and I'm glad we were picky.  Several times we could have caved and bought this house or that..but we didnt..we waited out until we found exactly what we wanted. 
• And last but not least..I'm thankful our vacation and FALL are right around the corner!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings to you this tuesday!!!

Miscellany Monday

• So, the weekend I just had was FANTASTIC!  After the past couple of weeks we'd had with the miscarriage, ER visit, doctor visits, power outtages, and everything else life could possibly throw at us..we sure did need this weekend!  Some highlights..we saw the movie Cats and Dogs (very cute and funny), did some shopping (I'm now set for vacation, clothing-wise!), went on a 4-wheeler ride in the mountains with my man (nothing like holding onto your love while enjoying nature!), waded in the creek with our dog, Blaze, and enjoyed a lazy sunday afternoon!!  Bliss!!!
• Ok this might be a little 'much' for some of you..but anyone out there have a larger-than-average chest like me?  I try on button up shirts in stores all the time in HOPES that one might fit me in the chest area without it looking like I'm going to pop a button!  Someone seriously needs to take us larger busted girls into consideration!!!
• I'm about to finish up a project I've been working on (on and off) for the past couple weeks and hope to display the end result on here sometime this week!  Fingers crossed!
• We are starting to have a bounty of apples from our apple tree out front.  We cut up some over the weekend and froze them (to use for fried apples)..and I made a homemade apple cake (Damons fav).  I'm hoping to make some apple jelly in the near future..anyone have any ideas what on earth I can do with all these little gems??
• When I was dealing with the miscarriage a couple weeks ago..I went ahead and bought a baby name book at Walmart even though I knew at that moment..things weren't looking good as far as the pregnancy went.  I bought the book in faith you might say.  Anyways..while looking thru it last night and talking on the phone with a good friend..we literally were howling in laughter at some of the names I was finding.  I mean come on..who is going to name their kid Chandrakishore?!?  *Disclaimer..I apoligize if anyone out there does indeed have a child named the previous name mentioned.  Its a very 'unique' name indeed!!!  :-)
• Don't you just love phone-free weekends?!  Each time Damon is off for the weekend..as soon as he walks in the door from his last shift..all phones immediately are turned off..until he walks back out the door when returning for work.  Its just a rule I've adopted..some might not like it..but we found that its almost a must for us..if we want to relax any that is!  And after he works 12 days straight..relaxation is top priority!!

Hope your having a great monday full of miscellanies!  :-)

Sleep Confessions

Today I'm talking about my sleep confessions..so here goes!

• I have a very different sleep schedule than most people.  Hubby works night shifts..so while most are asleep..I'm up doing my cleaning, organizing, blogging, and sometimes even cooking!  Its not unusual for me to not go to bed until 4am (gasp).
• In the winter months..nothing will do except for flannel sheets.  I love them!!!!  Nothing like slipping into a nice cozy and warm bed!
• Most days I count myself lucky..I get the normal 8 hours of sleep.  But there are times when my getting into bed late gets the best of me when I have to get up early for an appointment or something..and as a result go all day on 3 hours or so.  Yuck.
• I'm one of these people who loves to sleep.  I know I shouldn't..but I can't help it..I'd rather be sleeping than doing housework..hehe!
• Unlike the winter months when I have quite the array of flannel sheets to choose from my collection..in the summer I only have 2 or 3 sets that I really like to use!  Anyone have any good affordable, cotton sheets they like to use in the summer?  Where did you buy them?

That about does it for my confessions for the day!  On a side note..wanted to ask everyone to pray for us and our area..we were hit with some storms yesterday that knocked out our power (thank goodness we just bought a generator)..but are about to get hit with MORE storms in the next couple of hours.  They are talking like they are pretty severe with high winds and hail..please pray for us!  Hoping the power gets restored very soon and that everyone is safe along with their homes, etc. 

Have a wonderful thursday everyone!!

Happy Anniversary!!

Today is me and hubby's 9 year anniversary!!  I'm going to brag a bit in this post on my 'better half' and incorporate a few confessions to relate to Kristin's blog theme for the week as well!

• My sweet hubby is the best!  An example..today when I got up and went outside..I found he had scrubbed the backporch for me.  Yesterday, he fixed up a spot in the backyard for me to plant some new moonflower plants I bought over the weekend..removed weeds and all girls!! 
• Confession..as most couples do..we have nicknames for each other and we call each other by so called nicknames SO much that we rarely use our 'real' names around each other!  My nickname for him is "Bear" and his nickname for me is "Bug"..both are shortened versions (a nickname for a nickname..confusing?)..his is actually "Red-headed Bear" and mine is "Love Bug"!
• We have celebrated most each anniversary the same way..we order a cake from the same place that made our wedding cake!  A special treat to look forward to each year and a little reminder of that special day back in '01.
• Confession..with the job Damon has now working outside at the coalmines as a tracker..he calls me from work..every night!  Its really nice to hear his voice on the phone long after he's left for the night. 
•  Damon has been known to leave me little notes all over the house..its funny how well he knows my routine because he'd strategically place them everywhere he knows I go once I wake up!  On the bathroom mirror, my toothbrush, my hairbrush, my makeup vanity table, etc.
• Confession..I knew after the first week of us dating that Damon was 'the one'.  Alot of people thought we were crazy..alot were concerned..but I learned that when its right..it doesnt matter what the world thinks..it all boils down to the two of you and what God thinks.  I'm glad I didnt listen to what some were saying at the time..cause Damon is my soul mate and God brought us together.  :-)

Food Confessions

This week over at Kristin's blog..we're all 'confessing' this week..and today is one of my favorite subjects..food!!  Go on over and hook up..we'd all love to read what you have to confess for the day!

Confession 1:  I just ate a strange combination for a dessert..or at least I thought it might be a bit on the odd side..what was it?  Chilled rice pudding and peaches I canned last summer..yummo!

Confession 2:  I love to eat..maybe a little too much at times.  I need to get a handle on it before I can no longer buy clothes at Walmart..ha!

Confession 3:  The state fair here in our great state of West Virginia is just around the corner!!  My favorite part?  THE FOOD..its so awesome..and I make a rule every year..I only get to eat this or that one time of the year..so I'm going to and I'm going to enjoy..every..single..morsel.  And count down the days to next years fair!  Some of my favorite 'go-tos' at our fair...little homemade donuts, calzones, frozen lemonade, and some of the freshest tasting milkshakes I've ever enjoyed!

Confession 4:  When I was younger..there were alot of foods I wouldn't touch.  Thankfully I've outgrown alot of that since I've been married and I can't imagine my life now without onions and garlic....and mexican food (with lots of lettuce)!!!!!  20 years ago I would have told you that your completely insane if you told me I'd be eating that "stuff"!

Confession 5:  I have slacked off in the past several months on my weekly menu.  I was trying a new meal once a week..you know..a recipe you come across in a magazine..or something recommended by a friend.  I really need to get back into that..because it adds such variety in an otherwise sometimes boring weekly menu!

Well there you have it..my confessions for the day!!  Hope you'll hop on over to Kristin's and join up in the confession challenge!  Hope you've had a great monday!