moving forward

There will be a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth around here tomorrow (that will be me)

Number two daughter is leaving to go back home to Atlanta. Even in this painful time, I have enjoyed having her with me for the past two weeks. 

It reminds me of how quickly time passes. From her days of dancing to her days on set in Hollywood.

to her days now as as loving daughter, sister, and aunt.

She brings so much joy to all of our lives and I will miss her presence here. 

But, it is time to move forward. Yes, I still have a lot of healing to do and lots of icky physical therapy, but I am finally starting to feel like myself again. I am ready to start blogging again. I have missed it and I have missed catching up with all of you. 

So tomorrow, after she takes me to PT and the doctor, Katy will be heading back to Atlanta. I will be praying for a safe trip for her and know that she will be happy to get back to her own life. I can't wait for my move there later this year so that I can spend more time with her and my other sweet daughter and grandchildren. 

Life is great.

 

Read More »

group hug

I am sending out a great big group hug to everyone for all of your well wishes. I have read every one of them and feel so blessed. 

I had a complication in the past couple of days that sent me for a very unpleasant 10 hour stay in the ER on Wednesday. It was caused by the anesthesia and narcotic pain pills, that even though I had cut way down on this time, still caused me problems. 

I am taking this time to rest up and heal, and trying to deal with the pain without pain pills, but can't wait to get back to visiting with you. 

With Love,
Laura

Read More »

healing at home

I'm home and

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes. My surgery went great and I am doing well.

I came home yesterday and although I don't seem to want to do more than sleep,

I didn't let them over medicate me before or after the surgery this time, so I am more in control of my own healing. 

I know there will be lots of pain and physical therapy won't be fun, but I am excited to be moving forward. 

#2 daughter came up from Atlanta yesterday and having her here is a big boost to the healing process. She has me laughing a lot. 

I will be easing back into blogging as I feel up to it and I can't wait to catch up with everyone. I have 5 kazillion emails in my inbox. 

Love you all,
Laura




 

Read More »

have you ever....

seen or heard something you wish you could change?

We often think we can't make a difference, but even the small things we do can have a big effect. 

So follow your heart if you think something should be changed. 

Short post today because of surgery tomorrow. I will plan on seeing you in a few days. 

P.S. I checked my spam folder this morning and found I had several comments from the last month that had been put in there by blogger that were not spam. So, if you commented and I didn't get back to you, please accept my humble apologies. I will try to remember to check it more regularly.

 

Read More »

No Winter Whining

Oh my goodness. Have you ever heard so much whining? 

Too much snow. Too little snow. Too cold. Too rainy. Too gloomy.

Well you get the gist.

A few friends and I have decided enough already. No more winter whining. 

So we have decided to band together and start a linkup on Sunday mornings called no winter whining. There is Heather at Life Is Like a Garden , Jen at Muddy Boot Dreams, Lynn, who is not blogging yet, but can be found on Pinterest here, and of course me at ImSoVintage,

Each Sunday morning we will take turns hosting the link up.

Our first topic is going to be Finding Color in Winter. I know you all have lots of color to brighten up winter.

We have a Face Book page, where we would love to have you post your thoughts, and photos of winter, and “like us.” 

And we have a No Winter Whining board on Pinterest if you would like to be added to that board just drop

us an email at nowinterwhining@gmail.com.

We will be letting you know more details as they are sorted out before Sunday. Please check with one of the other bloggers, as I will be away from my blog Thursday through Saturday. (They better let me out of the hospital Saturday so I can join in on Sunday morning)

This is so exciting. Can't wait to see you there.

 

Read More »

You Inspire Me Monday #2

This is the second week of my You Inspire Me Monday series. 

I feel that I have been blessed to be inspired by so many of you in the blogging world. Each and every day I am inspired by your wit, your whimsy, your life stories, your strength, and your love of home and family. 

Today, I have chosen to feature Brenda from Cozy Little House. 

I am inspired not only by Brenda's darling little house, but by the fact that she is working to overcome the adversity in her life and to bravely share her story with us.

Her blog appeals not only to my love for decorating, but to my interest in women's issues and the changes that we face in our lives. 

Brenda, loves color, especially red, and it is this sense of color that brightens up her blog and the lives of those of us who read it.

Brenda shares her cozy little space with her precious little fur babies. It seems to me that they are taking pretty good care of her as they diligently watch for any intruders.

If you aren't a follower of Cozy Little House yet, you will probably want to pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee, because you are going to want to stay and visit awhile.

I know that I am happy to have called Brenda a new friend this past year.

P.S. I will be taking next Monday off from the series as it will be too soon after my surgery, but hope to resume it the following week.

Read More »

simplicity

Today I am grateful for simplicity

for it is in the simple things in life that we find the most joy.

sharing today with:
Gratitude Sunday

 

Read More »

favorite thing

Popping in quickly to share my favorite thing of the week.

 It's a wall pocket thingy,whatsit, catchall that my daughter made me last year. I love it. It's made from a vintage tea towel and the word vintage has been embroidered on to burlap patches. I'm currently using it in my bathroom to hold extra finger towels and washcloths, where it is part of a farmhouse wall I have created. I'll share that another day.

Linking today with:
A Favorite Thing Saturday

 

Read More »

where have they gone

When I was going through some of my late father's papers recently I came across this poem he wrote when my older sister and I were in our twenties. It had been many years since I read it, and I had forgotten about it as time passed.

Now that my daughters are in their thirties and there are grandchildren, I thought it was fitting to share it. I know my father would be so proud of the beautiful and special women my own daughters have become, as am I. 

Where Have They Gone

by

Reece Holloway

Where have they gone our beautiful children

Little girls dancing, laughing and singing

Playing and singing in the soft summer sunlight

Singing and laughing with their friends and playmates

Playing all day in the soft summer sunlight

Blonde curls flying, skipping and laughing

Singing and laughing in the land of the Bluegrass

Bringing pure joy to a young mother and father

Playing in a doll house the young father built them

Starting a club called "The Five Cherry Blossoms'

Dreaming their dreams in the warm summer sunlight

Through the soft summer days for ever and ever

Where have they gone, our beautiful children

Gone and left us, grown to adulthood

Grown to young women incredibly beautiful

Bringing joy to parents grown older and grayer

Still they are with us our beautiful children

Little girls dancing, laughing and singing

Blonde curls flying, skipping and laughing

Deep in our hearts for ever and ever

Time flies so quickly, and as the caption above tells us, when we leave this world the only things we can take with us are the things that are packed inside our hearts. I hope you are packing your hearts full, my sweet friends. It is so comforting to know that my father did.

 

Read More »

a good soaking

last night after another day spent running around, packing and shipping large boxes, cleaning, organizing.........I wished that I had a big bathtub to sink down into.

via

well, actually I was also wishing that if I sank down into that bathtub, I would be able to get back out of it.

a bathroom with a beautiful chandelier would be lovely

via

how about a clever sink made from a bicycle

via

a cozy spot with vintage embellishments

via

maybe an old water trough tub would be best

source unknown

simple

source unknown

or elegant

via

which do you prefer? 

they all look pretty good to me and my aching muscles

 

Read More »

January?

We are having crazy weather here. This is January, right??

Today the temperature was 52 degrees which is definitely above normal. 

I wanted to pretend that it was spring so I thought I would play around with the camera on my phone and take some photos of some indoor flowers.

This Saturday it is supposed to be 66 degrees. That will definitely feel like spring and I know that people will be riding around with their tops down on their convertibles. 

As for me, I'll probably clean out the bird feeders and try to drive around and get some photos. After my surgery next week, it will be awhile before I will be able to get around outside much, so I plan to take advantage of the day,

and if there were really some roses outside, I would definitely stop and smell them. 

Next week cold weather will return, but this sure is a nice respite.

Linking today with:
Wow Us Wednesdays
What's it Wednesday

 

Read More »

Hoppin John

This is my ususal New Years Day meal, but as I seem to be a week behind in everything, I am just getting around to making it tonight. 

Here in the south, we welcome in the new year with black eyed peas for good luck. Since I am a week behind, maybe it means just 51 weeks of good luck. What do you think?

I do traditionally share this recipe on the blog at the beginning of each year, so if you have seen it before, please excuse me ( also, there was the problem that I was completely tuckered out and too lazy to come up with something new)

Laura's Hoppin John

olive oil cooking spray
1 can vegetarian black eye peas (drained)
1 large green pepper chopped
1 cup chopped onion
brown rice (I use the quick cooking kind when I am feeling impatient)
shredded cheddar cheese
fresh tomatoes cut into bite size chunks


This will generally feed four people


cook enough brown rice to serve four people (I generally double what it says on the box) set aside.
saute the onion and green pepper in olive oil until fork tender. add the black eye peas and cook until heated through
spoon black eye pea mixture on top of rice on individual plates. 
top with shredded cheese and fresh tomatoes to taste.
Very easy peasy, but extremely tasty

I really only have one other tradition and that is Hot Browns and Mint Juleps on Kentucky Derby Day, so don't expect a lot of do-overs on the recipes here.

 

Read More »

You Inspire Me Monday

I feel that I have been blessed to be inspired by so many of you in the blogging world. Each and every day I am inspired by your wit, your whimsy, your life stories, your strength, and your love of home and family. 

I am awed by your creativity and your handling of all the things our crazy world throws your way. So, I have decided to start a weekly feature called You Inspire Me Monday. Each Monday I will feature one person and their blog that has in some way touched my life. I had thought to wait until after my surgery next week, but I decided I wanted to go ahead and get the feature rolling. 


Have you ever met someone in your life that you feel is one of the most unselfish and caring people that you have ever met. Well, if you have met Diane from Lavender Dreams  you know just what I am talking about. 

She certainly fits the whimsy part that I was talking about above.

her doll room

She shares photos from her home in Florida that make us long to join her for shelling on the beach

save a couple for me, Diane

and the beautiful area near her other home in North Carolina.

There is lots of nature

and she takes us with her on her shopping excursions

but best of all she holds your hand, and sends you get well cards, and cares about others. 

There is so much more, but I hope if you haven't done so yet, that you will hop on over to her blog Lavender Dreams, because even though she has lots of friends, she will embrace you and welcome you in just like she has known you for years. 

I know, because that is just what she did for me.

Thanks Diane, my sweet friend.

 

Read More »

I choose happy

source

How awesome is that photo.

Is there anything more wonderful than the sheer innocent joy of a child?

Each day when I wake up I say thank you that I am here, and then I say I choose to be happy today. No matter what happens in my day I will choose to look at it as a lesson in my life. 

Yes, there are aches and pains. Yes, there are financial problems. Yes, there are people in my life who cause me hurt, but I choose to be happy. 

I can remember the joy I felt being on roller skates for the first time. 

Can you?

Read More »