What happened to my blog??

OK - I've given it several days, and I still don't know ---- What Happened to My Blog???

Where did my background go? How do I fix it? I don't want to lose everything on my blog just to add a new background or try to replace the original one.

Can anyone help me?

July 4th tables

Well, after a long hiatus, I am finally back to posting a new tablescape. I've had my table up for quite a while, but didn't get any pictures taken until this weekend. Hope you enjoy them.

I started with a scrap piece of fabric - dark blue background covered with stars. Next, I layed a red and white checked runner. Uncle Sam stands on top of a glass cake stand covered with red and gold stars.

Old standards: wicker chargers and every day dishes. The blue ones are $1 Walmart specials. The 2 large red plates are actually more like pasta bowls. Not exactly plates, but they worked just fine. It's all about the looks, right ladies?!? The "goblets" were a Walmart find this season. I've been on the lookout for red glasses for quite some time and I couldn't seem to find what I've been looking for. These seem to be just right. They're plastic, but I love the size and shape.

I only have 2 star napkin rings. I just put one on each end of the table - perfect patriotic stars. I think tucking a small flag into each napkin adds a special flair.

We decided to invite some more people over for grilled burgers, so I needed to create a second table. It's definitely not as fancy, but I think it still says, "Happy 4th!"

Red and white checked tablecloth, red placemats, patriotic napkins and plain white dishes - what else do you need?

I layered a blue and white checked dish towel, a crocheted doily, and a decoration from elsewhere in the house. Easy peasy centerpiece.

Now that I've made some new tablescapes, I'm ready to make some more. Keep checking back for the next installment. In the meantime, hop on back to Between Naps on the Porch for some more amazingly creative tables.

4th Decorations

It sure has been hard for me to post. It doesn't help that I think my Mom is the only person who actually reads this, and she doesn't even read it that often. I am definitely still a blog stalker and eagerly look forward to Tabletop Tuesday and Tablescape Thursday! I decided that I would jump in this week and go back to stalking next week.

Welcome to my home!

The mantle all dressed up in Americana!

I purchased these fun balls at Terry's Village many years ago. I love them in this vintage container from my grandmother.

Collection of antique dominoes.

This photo is pretty blurry - sorry. It was taken at Stone Mountain last year. Dr. Dave and I went to Georgia on our vacation. We had a great time with my brother and his family.

A favorite Thomas Kinkade print. When the lights start to drop in the house, it looks just like the lights at the capital start to light up. It's really quite something!

I should post this tray for Metamorphosis Monday. It started out as a nasty, brass candle tray. A couple of coats of spray paint and it makes the perfect candle tray for the 4th of July!

This picture was taken the 1st weekend I met Dave's family. His nephew was home on leave from the Air Force. We met at the annual 4th on Broadway Street Fair.

Dr. Dave is from Pennsylvania. Imagine how excited I was to find this 100 year old map! I think it looks great with these patriotic decorations.

Gotta have at least 1 decoration made with my Cricut!

Of course the guest bath had to get all dressed up!

And every bathroom needs some reading material!

Well, that's all of the decorations. I'll post the tablescapes in time for the party.

Now, be sure to head back to Tabletop Tuesday!

See you next time!

1st anniversary

One year ago today, I started my new job as the Director of the Westminster Presbyterian Preschool. Whew - I really can't believe it's already been a year!! It has really flown by!! I still LOVE what I get to do everyday! How many people really get to say that? I am so blessed to work in a place filled with loving, supportive people who love children and Jesus. I see God every day in so many ways. I am blessed!

I have learned a LOT these past 365 days and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Pre-K Graduation

Yikes - Can't believe it's been a month since I've written. Lots has happened, but I've been too busy to write. The biggest news is staff changes at the Preschool. 2 long-term staff resigned at the same time. One was the Assistant Director/Lead Teacher and the other was her best friend and long-time co-worker. It's no secret that we have struggled quite a bit this year. Still, I didn't expect them to resign. Life will certainly be different. Is it OK to say life will be better?

Tonight was our Pre-K Graduation. It was a beautiful night! We have had an amazing year. I can't believe it's gone so quickly! Wow! Tonight was very special and I will treasure it always! The staff even gave me a gift - a $130 gift certificate to a local spa! Whoo Hoo!!!!

Spring Break - Day 7

Well, today was my last day of Spring Break. I know I got a lot done but it still feels like I have a lot to do. Guess that's part of the joy of homeownership. Lucky me!!

After spending so much time this week looking at other people's houses, we decided to spend time in our own.

Today we:
-Did tons of yardwork.
* Weeded
* Pruned the roses
* Cut off the bottom part of the spruce tree
* Moved wood from the garage to the shed
* Cleaned out 5 flower beds
* Planted new flowers
* Added edging to 2 flowerbeds
- Went back to Ivey Gardens to buy what I didn't buy earlier this week.
- Went back to Lowe's to get some new pegboard pieces.
- Went to Wal-Mart
- Took a NAP!

I'm exhausted! We did lots of stuff this week and I loved every minute of it! Now it's time to head back to work - life as usual. I'm ready.

Spring Break - Day 6

Another full day! Today we:
- Went to a really cool clinic at Smith South Plains - the Ford dealership in Levelland. They had a special clinic to teach people how to use their Synch system. The people were all great and Dr. Dave and I learned a lot!
- Visited 2 builders' model homes.
- Visited 10 Open Houses
- I spent a litte time on files
- I stressed about possibly moving.....

Sound familiar??

One more day left in my Spring Break. Wonder how I'll fill it?!??

Spring Break - Day 5

Another day spent with my hubby!! Love that!! Today we:


- Enjoyed a DELISH breakfast at The Breakfast House. This is one of our favorite places and today the food was exceptional!
- Talked more about a new house and drove all over town looking at some.
- FINALLY opened joint accounts!! We've been talking about it since we got married so we finally took the time today to do it. Yeah for us. We can now cross that off the list!
- Went back to Lowe's to get an ornamental grass for my new flowerbed and some more edging. Oh yeah -- some stuff to kill the grub worms I found while digging that bed. YUCK!
- Dr. Dave had a meeting so I spent the time browsing through a garden catalog and talking to my parents on the phone.
- Went to the laundromat to wash cleaning rags and Riley's towels and bed cover. I'm not putting those nasty things in my washer/dryer!

To think we did all of that with a cold dust storm blowing us around like crazy!

Yup - I still have tons of stuff to do around the house, but they'll wait. This was more fun!

Spring Break - Day 4

Another full day. When do I have time to work? Ha! Dr. Dave was off again today, so we were able to spend the day together. Yippee!!

Today we:
-Met the Betenbough New Home Specialist to tour a couple of homes (one is ready and one is still being built)
-Went to Lowe's to find one of those things you put on your garage floor to let you know when to stop before you hit the wall!!! Also checked out the garden center.
-Spent lots of time trying to figure out if we can put in the fence by ourselves for less than the builder will charge. (We can, but not for a lot less. Is it worth the hassle? What am I saying - we haven't even decided to move!!)

-Took my Tribute to the shop to have a few things checked out.

-Went to Ivey Garden's to check out their pretties.
-Stopped by Sutherlands - they didn't have any pretties at all!
- Took a NAP!! : )
- Dr. Dave went to class and I dug a new flowerbed and planted cannas. After I add a couple of things I'll take pix to post.
- Dr. Dave brought me a YUMMY Blizzard!!! Good man!!!!

Whew - wonder what we'll do tomorrow!

Spring Break - Day 3

Spent the day House Hunting and Golfing.

House Hunting - are you kidding?!?!?

Dr. Dave and I have started having "the talk." No - not THAT "the talk". The other one. The one that starts like - "We sure are running out of space. Maybe we should start looking at larger houses." I don't know what we're thinking!! This house is beautiful and we only moved in 3-years ago. In fact, we built it. I love it, but do admit that more room sure would be nice. We've started looking at some existing homes that are currently on the market.....haven't been impressed. Also started looking with our builder - Betenbough Homes. Definitely have seen some houses we like. Now, just have to look at our budget. We're not planning to move any time soon, but you never know......

Golf

Well, I have a true "love/hate" relationship with golf. I want to love it - really I do. My loving DH loves it and I want to love it like he does. The problem is that I'm REALLY bad!! Actually, it's more like painstakingly, pitifully, horribly bad! I've only played about 30 times and some days I don't think I've gotten any better.

The course was super crowded today and that made it even harder for me. I'm easily intimidated when there are so many other people around. (Remember how bad I am?!?!) We were paired up with a father/son so I didn't end up hitting many balls.

Oh yeah - I'm also easily distracted!

Guess this little fella is hoping no one hits him with a slice!

This one is hoping I don't get his back foot - I need all the luck I can get!!

Still, it was a beautiful day and I got to spend it with my hubby. Life is good!

Spring Break - Day 2

Well, second day of Spring Break was MUCH better than the first! Not a single work call or text!! No chip in my windshield. No grumpy mood! My throat still hurts, but I'll live.

The weather was cold and damp this morning, so I opted to stay inside and work. I tackled Miles and Miles of Piles!! Yup - I'm an information collector. If it's something related to early childhood, I keep it. Well, today I was ruthless and tossed tons of stuff. Know what - it felt great! I can't wait until tomorrow so I can trash some more useless stuff!

Today I:
- Cleaned out Miles and Miles of Piles
- Dug weeds out of the front flowerbed.

I know this doesn't look like much, but trust me - those 2 items represent hours of my life. Hours I'll never get back.......

Spring Break - Day 1

Since I worked all during Spring Break, I am taking this week off. Can I really consider it a day off when I got texts and calls all day long?!?!? I also had to go back to the Preschool 3 times!! Augh!! It's OK - I have 4 more days to relax.

Today I:
- Went to the bank
- Paid the cable bill
- Spent my $20 Kohl's cash (Thanks, honey!!)
- Finally put away all of my Easter and spring decorations.

Yes, I know Easter was a long time ago and we are still in spring. I was just ready to get everything put away.

Hopefully I'll get more things accomplished tomorrow. My list is pretty long.

Teacher Appreciation Day

On Friday, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day. I first started planning this weeks ago - I wanted it to be a surprise for the teachers and I was SUPER excited because It Worked!!!

The teachers were overwhelmed with the gifts, notes, and cards from both the parents and the children. It was so special to see their faces and hear their stories. I know they work extremely hard and I wanted the teachers to know that the parents know it, too.

Dr. Dave and I prepared a homemade lunch for everyone. Dr. Dave spent the day at the Preschool - cooking up a storm. He wore his chef hat and Mickey Mouse apron. Needless to say, he was a HUGE hit with the children and the teachers. It was great fun!

Leslie, Children's Ministry Director, put together a milk and cookie bar. It was so adorable! The teachers talked about it all day long! (Well, in between bites, that is!!)

It was a great day and we're already thinking about what to do next year!

Lubbock Arts Festival 2010

Today was a gray, rainy day, so Dr. Dave and I decided to go to the Lubbock Arts Festival. We were glad we did. Check out these amazing sculptures made entirely of legos!!

This one looks a little funny. Actually, the tiny blue person is walking into the big person's belly.

Notice the front half is an actual bike - the back half is made of legos!

When you stand up close, this looks like a random design. When you look through the camera or you stand back a little bit, this amazing face becomes clear!

This is called "My son".

This is another one that became clear when you stood back a little.

It's hard to see in this photo, but this person is literally building himself! His left arm is working on his right arm. How crazy!

How in the world did he create all of those? Wow is all we could say!