check, check, and check

engagement photos taken, edited, and printed.

let me tell you in this  digital age..

.seeing the pics on the monitor is Not the same as printing them.

CHECK

invitations designed, printed, assembled, and mailed

CHECK

design by Miss G

I *love* them

wedding dress here, altered and hanging in her bedroom

bridesmaids dresses and accessories gathered

decisions on refreshments (i think)

flowers ordered
ceremony planned 

stage and  table decor designed 

(in my head that is)

CHECK

girls, it is less than 4 weeks 3 weeks 17 days until W-day!

It will be here in a flash.

She has had 2 of her 3 showers.

They have found their apartment.

It is starting to feel really real.

I'm excited.

I'm scared.

I'm sad.

She is glowing.

so ready to set  up house

think of me in these next days as I try to pull

all of the details

out of my head

and bring them to reality

at the same time

remaining calm

for my girl.

I may not be around much but I promise to come back

and show you all the yummy details

for now

I've been sworn to secrecy.

bye

a little sonshine....

I don't usually post everyday
but
this 
was a thirddayinarow-worthy post.


My oldest daughter had her 18-week ultrasound
at 
the high-risk dr. this morning.
Everything is a-ok
and
it's
a
boy!

Ya'll sure know how to make a girl feel special

THANKS bunches for the birthday wishes!

My girls spoiled me with a tea party luncheon

and

an afternoon of shopping.

It was so fun and relaxing to get to shop

at the antique stores 

instead 

of doing business at them.

 Here 

is my birthday present:

after much research and deliberation

I chose the Canon SX Powershot 30

because

1. It is a bridge camera

(supposedly a step-up from a point and shoot but not quite a DSLR)

2.  I 'm a little afraid of the DSLR's.

3. I wasn't sure I wanted to invest in and carry around lenses.

4.If June can take pictures like she does with her point and shoot

then there must be plenty for me to still learn at this level.

5.  It was more in my price range.

6. It's a Canon...my old camera was, too.

AND

7.. Wal-Mart gives a 30-day  return policy.

If I don't like it- I can return it.

I figured how could I really go wrong with that?

Let's just hope that I have some time to play with it in the 

next 30 days...

I don't have anything else I'm supposed to be doing!

Here are a few shots that I quickly took:

straight from the camera

after: 

because I  do  love me some photo-editing

This one is straight from the camera

I'm trying to get that blurred background effect

It is amazing the things there are to learn.

I know more about cameras than I did a month ago

but 

 I fear

I have only scratched the surface!

and more editing

~

~

~

The days are starting to be really full.

We are in the final stretch of wedding planning.

The weather is changing...

my painting days are numbered for the season.

Sales at the shop have just suddenly picked up 

after months of being s-l-o-w.

That means it is *empty* and needs re-stocking.

 It's  all good.

Take care, girlies...hope to have a wedding post up soon.

Rene'

P.S.  ASK ME A QUESTION is still open....

hello..5-0hhhh

 aging gracefully

as graceful as a bull in a china cupboard

~

~

Mid-life Madness

tis true

just sayin'

this is my attempt at making light

 of a very SeRioUs (insert dramatic music)  event...

one that I've been dreading.

like. the. plague.

but here it is...like it or not, ready or not.

because
 if there is 1 thing 
I've learned in 50 years
is that
I take life too seriously.


seriously, you heard it here first.

no supersize photos here...these may  be the last ones you see of me like this:)  

I'll probably be mortified tomorrow when I look back...and then  hit delete
and
now
 because I am in such an (unreserved) mood
I'm going to do something I've been thinkin' about for awhile .
YOU ask  me  questions.
all sorts of questions
(and i'll answer)
that will give me plenty
to blog about
in my spare time.


Now, I'm off with my girls...it's a surprise!


I'll be back tomorrow to show you my birthday present.
I know you want to see it.

just a few fall pretties...

YAY!

I get to play this week

for

White Wednesday.

These are last year's pretties

I don't even have any white pumpkins yet this year

but

they

are on the grocery list!

Enjoy.

Thank You 

all 

so very much 

for the sweet comments on my last post.

I realized that I had you a bit scared

but

so was I.

It is a hard thing, to watch your children suffer so.

Even though, we know 

God is able 

and 

is taking care of them at every point.

It's just the mama in us.

I am thankful for the good report...we continue to wait.

And pray.

And hope.

~

~

~

I also wanted to let you all know (and thank you again) that the hospital went to bat for us to get the insurance company to pay for the Mr.'s heart procedure....and they have  agreed... 

You all encouraged me to not let it go...the hospital has been great to work with and we are so thankful for this outcome!

helpless...

but 

not

 hopeless.

Again...

I am at this place.

the place where my mama's heart just wants 

to fix it

to kiss it better

to be the one 

who takes care of it all...

but i  can't

there is not one thing I can do

my dear firstborn 

some of  you will remember this and then this

she is 16 weeks along in her (current) sweet 7 pregnancy 

her words from her blog last night:

Sweet 7 Update

How I am doing depends on which hour of which day you talk with me.   Most days,  I have a good stretch,  and then, a not so good time, too.  Some days are mostly good,   and very rarely (every few weeks or so!) I have a day that is all bad.   I am very thankful for this....not everyday is all bad.

Today I have been working with the boys and around the house,  finishing school and getting ready to (hopefully) go hunting this weekend.   As this afternoon wears on,  I am feeling the tensions increase,  since tomorrow is my 16 week check-up.  It's been 4 long weeks since I've heard Sweet 7's tiny heartbeat.

We last heard Benjamin's at our regular 15 week check-up.  3 weeks later,  there was none.   We have entered the window of loss for me,  and I am very frightened to walk into the Dr's office tomorrow.       Will I be broken,  or will this sweet baby live on, while we wait some more?

God's mercy is all we need.   Pray for it to pour down on us.

I know this pain, this fear, this moment of truth all too well.


I may be helpless
but there is ONE who is not.


What comfort.
What hope.
What peace.

these  words  were are  my anchor 

But I trust in you, O Lord
I say, "You are my (her) God
My (her) times are in your hands"
Psalm 31:9

We have put our HOPE in the living God.
1 Tim. 3:10

As for God, his way is perfect:
the word of the Lord is flawless
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in Him
for who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
2 Samuel 22:31, 32

So for now,

I wait

I pray

I hope


update:  she just called...all is well...today we rejoice