Sadie Olive

I've moved yet again!

2008-12-22T14:02:00.000-08:00

Well since I have already tried Blogger and Typepad... I decided to give Wordpress a try now! :)

My new blog is at:

http://www.sadieolive.com/theblog

Please update your bookmarks.

Thanks.

I'm moving....

2007-07-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

I am making the switch to typepad.... I am still in the process of designing the new blog, so please bear with me if you see any glitches. :)

Please update your bookmarks to the new site: here.

Thanks!

weekend to do's

2007-07-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

My youngest sister, Morgan received the keys to her new house this week. She and her finance Mike, both just graduated college, sold their condo in Utah and are well on their way to setting up their new "adult" lives at home in Orange County. They are busy finding their dream jobs, buying a home, (and all new furniture since their condo was sold furnished with their stuff!), and on top of all that - planning their wedding for November! I am so proud of them both.

I must say I have been excited all week for her to get the keys, because I'm dying to get in there and help decorate! Although Morgan and I share the same tastes in clothes and a lot of other things, she and Mike have a very different style than I do; they like clean modern pieces with a sparse uncluttered look, adding a touch of the islands here and there. The condo has great bones, new carpet, cathedral ceilings, lots of windows, but needs a little updating with the fixtures and colors. It's going to be amazing when they are done with it, I'm sure. The best part is it's only down the street from me!

Her bridal shower is fast approaching too. I have been trying to come up with a few great ideas for that one too. I will share pictures for sure!

I am also expecting a shipment of some new pretty things for the shop, (glass cloches are among them for those of you who have been asking) as well as a few new cake stands, frames, and fun black and white signs. I will be trying to get these all online ASAP!

Hope you are all having a great weekend. :)

the o.c. fair

2007-07-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

We went to the fair on Sunday with my sister Lindsey, her husband Nate, daughter Lauren, my other sister Morgan, her fiance Mike, and her Dad Craig. It was the perfect day to go, not too hot, and not so crowded it was unbearable...

Thought I would share a few (ok.... a lot) of photos from our day....

I am crafty!

2007-07-21T18:19:00.000-07:00

I was home alone today all day (Josh was out riding dirt bikes with my nephew and brother in law), and was growing a little tired of the computer. In my boredom I decided I would attempt my second ever craft project.... the first project was earlier this week... which had cute but not quite so perfect results... (a sign for the fence to accessorize the new garden).

I am in love with all of the vintage ephemera I have being finding at flea markets, etsy, ebay, and fellow blogs... and have acquired quite the collection of ephemera and craft supplies over the last few months. I love what I have, but I haven't really been inspired to do anything with it... until today.

I purchased these cute cut outs from Deb a few months back and decided they needed to be decoupaged with some of my favorite vintage papers and given some personality. (Deb is having a give away, by the way, so head on over and enter, or just buy some of these cute letters).

I covered the "2" with some old ledger paper and only put the writing on the bottom. I added a bingo call tag at first to embellish it, but I liked the plain buttons much better.... The "s" I covered in old pages from a recipe book, and added some buttons again to tie the two pieces together... The sides were difficult for me to handle so I painted them white to get around having the decoupage them.

I liked how these two came out so much, that I decided to keep going... I grabbed a frame with a green mat that I have had in a cupboard for a year or so that I have been unsure what to do with (because of the color)... and decided I would decoupage the mat.

I used a few of my favorite pieces and took care to the leave the dates showing on all the dated items. The board started to warp a bit, but I figured once it was pressed tight in the frame it would straighten back out.

I love the way it turned out. The boat photo inside is just the print it came with, I haven't chosen a photo for it yet... I love the way the sepia looks with the papers I chose... I might have to start telling people I am crafty now. :) I never thought I was, but I am so proud of these little projects, I just might keep going....

new goodies

2007-07-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

I added a few new items to the shop today. Like these lotus flowers lined with gold leaf. Candle light looks so pretty when it is reflected in the gold.... I think the smaller one would be so pretty with a flower frog in it too.

These french gray stripped linens are the newest in my tablecloth collection. The one above is 60" x 60" but there is also a 60" x 140" over sized version (pictured below).

And for those of you who like runners, in lieu of tablecloths, I also added these over sized table runners. 20" x 105" (really long!)

And the collection isn't complete without a set of matching napkins. (Over sized, of course!)

You can see these items in the shop. (They are on several pages, but in case you can't find them, you can click here, here or here.)

eight random facts

2007-07-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today is my Mom's birthday. Happy birthday Mom! I love you.

Kimberley has tagged me, and although I have played before, I decided to try to come up with some more random facts so I can play along.... These are the best I could come up with at 10:30 at night....

1. I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate. I actually don't really care for milk chocolate at all... but I will sometimes eat it anyway.

2. My Dad's side of the family (as well as my Dad) are all from Texas. A few of them have southern accents and I have an "Aunt Lola", "Aunt Dot", "Aunt Virginia", "Uncle JD", and an "Uncle Billy Ray"..... My Dad lived in Odessa before moving to California as a kid. I have never been to Texas.

3. The only travel I have done in the US is to four corners, Trout Lake - Colorado, Sedona - Arizona, Squimm - Washington, Portland - Oregon, Las Vegas - Nevada, and once to Michigan for work. I haven't seen any of the US monuments, aside from the Grand Canyon. (I hate to fly, and I get home sick very easily). I do want to travel more... at least by car.

4. I am a t.v. fanatic. I am addicted to many shows that I watch faithfully (thanks to my Tivo). Here are some of my favorites: Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Related, Traveler, Hero's, Brothers and Sisters, House... (there are many more but my mind is blank at the moment). I am not really a fan of reality t.v.

5. I collect wire baskets. I love the old ones with character and a vintage look.

6. I am VERY afraid of bees and spiders. And even more afraid of wasps... (they can sting you many times!)

7. Mosquito's love me. When it's hot, like it is now, I have to sleep with bug repellent on. (Or at least Avon Skin-So-Soft lotion). Josh and Hannah always seem to let them in the house, but I am the only one they prefer to devour! I look like I have the chicken pox today!

8. I can't take naps. No matter how tired I am, I can't manage to sleep during the day. If I do manage to fall asleep it always makes me feel worse when I wake up. (I get a headache, and I'll be groggy for hours afterward).

floral facelift

2007-07-13T19:58:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I warned you that my yard is ugly, right? Here are some of the main problems. A chain link fence for our back wall, dead ivy roots woven into the fence, a hump of dead roots about a foot and a half into our yard. Here is the photographic evidence.... On Wednesday, our gardener, Gil, dug up the "hump", tore out the grass, and gave us a three foot section for planting in front our our fence.... it's about a 50 foot span... and he hauled at the waste away. (He's a trooper!) Here's the progress photo...

Today, Sharon and our friend Catherine, came to give my yard a "floral facelift". They planted iceberg roses, miniature olive trees, lavender, hopseed bushes, pittosorum tenufulium, and some verbena. They are not tall enough to hide my fence yet, but already I love it! They make for a very french (or italian) looking garden.... I can't wait until they fill in, and we add some pretty stones to edge out the new planter. Here are a few pictures from their hard work today....

And now some of the "after" photos....

Thank you Sharon and Catherine! I love it! And it's just my style...

new ad and a feature...

2007-07-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

I am so excited today because I have signed up to start advertising in Romantic Homes magazine. I have my ad all ready (thanks to Hope at Paper Relics) and I just made the deadline for the October 2007 issue.

It's a modest sized, 2" x 2" ad in the back "Market Center" section, but it's a huge deal for me. I am a new subscriber to this magazine ... I just got turned onto it when I read about it on some one's blog a few months back, but already I love it. I have been noticing more and more in my last few issues that I am starting to recognize some of the people and shops featured that I have come to know from blogging. (A few of my favorites, I might add.) Inspire Company, Corey Amaro, French Garden House, and Bella Pink, to name a few. So I decided to go for it! It's a pretty big commitment (a year long contract), especially considering I just started my store early this year, but then again it's a dream come true. Here is a sneak peek at the ad....

In other exciting news, Gabrieal at Vintage Indie also has featured my store on her site. You can check out her article and great shopping guide here. Thanks Gabrieal!

feeling inspired

2007-07-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's not a Friday... but at least I have some new inspiring photos to share.... My new office space is on the brain, so these photos are in keeping with that theme...

As I mentioned before, I love urns. Especially in this color tone. I love the ruffled edge on this one and the maiden hair fern and orchids are perfect in it.

I love the pale green on the walls in this one, the black and white bird prints, the great old desk lamp, the wire basket, the old books, and I love, love, love the topiary. I adore them, especially this style with the petite balls and baby leaves. (Pardon my lack of plant knowledge).

Isn't this stack of books so pretty! That Martha Stewart is so dang crafty! I love the stamped effect on the first book. And grouped together, they look so great!

This picture may have to be my favorite. I am loving the whole thing. The wallpaper, the desk, the chairs, the topiary, the citrus prints... consider this exact picture recreated in my new office (as if that were possible).

This one too, same thing! It would be recreated exactly in my home, if possible. (Except maybe the "Kerri" items, I think they would say "Sara" if I were actually going to recreate it). I love the patterns, and the color combinations, the french items, the old botanical prints...

This last one is a "someday" kind of fantasy of mine. My new office will have french doors that lead to our backyard, and I love the idea of it being this rustic and beautiful.

floyd evie

2007-07-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

The puppy is so darn cute, I can't get enough... as you can see from the many photos. It's hard to pick just one when your subject is as cute as he is. Josh's parents just love him to pieces already. (Not that there's any question as to why they would). Evie can hardly stay awake long enough to play with us. He is exhausted from his "adoption" day jitters, and first car ride home.

I was wrong before about his eyes, Evie has one brown, and one half brown / half blue eye. It's really stinkin cute if you ask me.

I love the way he pounces in the yard when he goes exploring...

He has no idea how spoiled he is going to be....

I'm on a roll...

2007-07-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

Pictured above are my newest items for sale at the shop.

I received another shipment of goodies for the store today! It's been so exciting to get them all in. I just love how romantic all these pieces are. They have such a lovely finish and an aged look. I have collected urns for awhile now, so it will be fun to carry some for the shop. This one is small enough to display indoors. The pedestal plates I have loved for awhile too. The tall one is pictured above, but there are also two smaller versions online. I actually bought some of them awhile back from a local store, and they sit on top of my piano. I was lucky enough to find the vendor who sells them so I could start carrying them myself. They look amazing with a glass cloche, which I also plan to start carrying soon.

........................................................................................

While I have been busy with the store, Josh finally got started painting my new office space. We primed the walls and ceiling today, so I'm hoping it won't be much longer before I can move on in. I have hated being in my temporary space, as I am very quickly running out of room for everything! I have been picking up some fun pieces here and there to decorate my new office, so I can't wait until I finally get to have all of them displayed. Pictures will be coming soon, I promise.

My friend, Sharon is also helping me with my backyard. She has put together a plan to camouflage my ugly chain link fence. I haven't done a thing to hide it in hopes that we would have the money to put in a wood fence or (better yet) a block wall sometime soon... but it doesn't look like that will be soon enough for me, so I have decided to do some planting in the meantime. My hope is that I won't mind the fence so much when I have something else to look at when I look outside. Right now it's a 75 foot span of chain link fence with dead ivy roots. (Not pretty).

My youngest sister, Morgan is getting married in November and we are hosting her bridal shower in my yard in August. My goal is to have the space beautified by then. While I'm sure the plants won't be filled in enough to hide it all, I'm sure it will be a vast improvement on my current situation. I will share some photos of that project too, if you promise not to judge me by my hideously neglected "before" photos. (I already mentioned I was a garden tard, right?)

Josh and I are off to dinner at his parents house. They got a new puppy today who is just insanely cute. He's an Australian Sheppard, white with black and tan spots. He has one blue eye and one brown. I will take some photos and add them when I get back. They named him "Floyd Evie" or "Evie" for short. They had their first Australian Sheppard pass away suddenly a few months back, and have been heartbroken for awhile now, so this new baby brings some much needed joy to the family. Not to mention Hannah (our pup) will get a kick out of her new cousin.

thank you for your patience...

2007-07-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy bee over here trying to find new products for the store and getting them online for you all. I finally have a few new things to introduce and they are already up and in the shop. (Check me out posting at 10pm after I worked a 14 hour day today!) I am exhausted, and I feel like I can hardly see straight from the computer glaze-over I have, but I think these new goodies were worth it. :)

Here are a few of the new items:

They are all soooo my style, and all goodies I want for myself, so I love sharing them. I am hooked on tablecloths, it's such an easy way to change the look of a room without actually moving anything around! And is the plastic bag holder and dispenser not the cutest you have ever seen!?!? I am so in LOVE with it! I am for sure keeping one of those for myself!

I have placed a few orders recently for new items so there is much more fun stuff to come. This is just the first batch of goodies I received.

For those of you who love journals, and vintage ephemera, I will be carrying a new line of journals soon. My friend Sharon (who started Floral Face Lift, and who I mentioned in my previous blog) makes them. She posted a photo or two on her blog today. Have a look-sie....

I'm off to bed, and to rest my weary eyes. I'm sure I'll be back on the computer first thing in the AM. Isn't it sad, I have no life?!!?

Good night!

proud aunt

2007-06-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

My nieces and nephew had a big week this week. Brandon graduated eight grade and is now officially in high school (yikes!), Hailey graduated from sixth grade, and Kiki got a math award for her smart genes (inherited from me, I'm sure).

Today we are having a family BBQ in their honor. I thought I would share a few pictures of the over-achievers.

Brandon also just got the rest of his braces put on, so he is ever-so-modestly, modeling them for us. He's going to be trouble for his parents, I can already see it in that face....

lazy sunday

2007-06-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

Josh and I took Hannah to the dog beach for some Sunday family fun. She absolutely loves it there. It's strange we have only taken her three times in her 2.5 years of age, but she remembers it well each time. She will get all whimpery and excited the moment she can see the other dogs playing in the sand. Even when a year passes between visits she knows the smell of the beach. She loves to swim after the ball in the ocean, although she takes time warming up to it each time we go. I worry that she will exhaust herself, so I always have to be the one to say it's time to go. Here are a few of my favorite shots of the day...

I hope your lazy Sunday was as enjoyable as mine. Now I'm off to do some laundry... (the least favorite part of my Sunday's). Hannah and Josh are both napping from their exhaustion.

happy list

2007-06-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

I read Heather's post about things that make her happy (about a week ago), and I haven't been able to stop thinking of my own little "happy list" since. I decided I would share my list with you all and hope that you will do the same (or at least make yourself a mental list).

Here is my "happy list" with a few random pictures that make me happy sprinkled in.

kiki, me (tan for once!), hailey, and morgan

First on my list is this this face lotion by Eucerin. I am a bit of a weirdo when it comes to lotion. I hate feeling greasy, and I have very dry skin at times, and this lotion is the only one I will use faithfully. It feels more like a light sunscreen and completely disappears from your skin without a trace in minutes.

While we are on the subject of beauty this soap, is the ultimate! Josh got me hooked on it, when I met him and we have used it for the last five years religiously. He first heard of it at Mother's Market when he had cancer. He had very itchy skin and was having reactions to most soaps. This soap, is pricey and hard to find, but is well worth it. We buy ours at Henry's Markets.

libeco home tablecloth

While at Henry's this bubble bath is my next splurge. It's simply the best smelling bubble bath I have ever used, with one exception. Bubble baths make me very happy. I have one every night before bed.

Music tops my "happy list", especially anything by Patty Griffin. I have all of her albums. You will hear her latest cd on my stereo every weekend. I also chose one of her songs as our first dance at our wedding, "When it don't come easy". Modest Mouse is a new favorite of mine, especially "Missed the Boat", I have listened to the song about eight times already today.

me (in the sink), denise, and mom; me helping lindsey on her wedding day

I have three movies that make my "happy list" (although I could easily list several more). I could watch all three over and over again and never tire of them. The first is "Beautiful Girls". I am in love with Timothy Hutton in this movie. I would leave my husband right now and run away with his character if I could. This is also the movie that made me love Natalie Portman. The second is "Elizabethtown". I think I would also leave my husband for Orlando Bloom. (lol... I hope Josh is not reading this post..lol..) The third is "Garden State". Something about this movie's message that 'home is really a feeling you get from the people you love' really hits home with me. It makes me feel good every time I watch it.

Here are a few other random little pieces of happiness in my life:

* vintage music sheets * vintage school books * vintage keys * bingo cards * my dog, hannah * my cats, annabelle and mason * my nieces, hailey, kiki, and lauren * my nephew, brandon * my sisters, denise, lindsey, morgan, and ginger * country home magazine * romantic home magazine * country living magazine * shopping * photography * flickr * blogs * web design * wire baskets * urns * cary nowell pottery * old chippy painted wood * my new business * getting orders * ordering new products * making lists * cherries * peonies * mossy gardens * flower frogs * lip gloss * converse * jeans * getting packages * old french signs * typography * catherine's black and white pillows * tablecloths * anthropology * white bowls * nordstroms * flea markets * etsy * emma falconbridge camera straps * old vintage ledgers * decorating * old wooden spoons * swedish antiques * tarnished silver * my new necklace * barns * pigs * bunnies * the beach * starfish * ice cream * peanut butter * finials * mercury glass * pedestals * ironstone * hydrangeas * french peat pots * vintage linens

my sister, denise and i ; my new necklace from french general

romantic flickr

2007-06-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

1. Creamy Drawer, 2. Key Collection, 3. Olive Ribbons, 4. Gifts from the Sea, 5. I Spy With My Little Eye..., 6. DSC06720 Reflections, 7. DSC03853 A vain creature, 8. DSC06863 Circular-stairs of castle Hartenfels - Torgau, 9. DSC07347 Giants, 10. DSC07220 Autumn..., 11. 3 please, 12. Promenade., 13. Tour Eiffel Through the Paris Fog, 14. l'embarras du choix.., 15. ., 16. Meninas na medina 1, 17. meninas na medina 2, 18. The Wanderer, 19. The Gathering, 20. timeless (2), 21. once upon a time..., 22. ornamental touch, 23. Sepia Butterfly, 24. Allium, 25. DSCF1468

flea market heaven

2007-06-17T15:08:00.001-07:00

Well I don't know if I lucked out because of Father's Day, or if God himself was just smiling down on me today.... but I had the most luck I have ever had at the flea market. There were so many treasures, I ran out of my cash, Josh's cash and started in on checks! I couldn't believe it! I was all upset because we got there pretty late (9 a.m.) and it was packed with cars in the parking lot. But for some reason, there was a ton of good stuff, and everywhere people were talking about how slow they were and how sales were just terrible today. It was amazing! Josh and I got some really great stuff and wheeled and dealed with prices because they were desperate for sales! I was in heaven! We were even late to Fathers Day lunch, because I just couldn't bring myself to leave!

Here are some of the neat goodies I purchased today.... a shabby blue screwdriver, a yellow sprinkler, a "potted ham and tongue" meat pot, a black and cream meat pot, 2 french babydoll style nightgowns..... (The meat pots I have been wanting for awhile. They are very old english antiques, and I love the black and white... they go with my kitchen very well.)

I also got these pretty french plates that are black and white. There is a total of six, and they will look great on my display shelves. A french linen pillowcase with D + J; a black and white sign (not sure what it was for, I just like the black and white). Two old bread pans used for commercial baking; a pretty old grate and a few old flower frogs.....

Then I found this neat old metal purse top with a cute little chain. I loved how it had small holes at the bottom, so I can hang things from it.

Here are my two new nightgowns hung up so you can see them better. They look so summery, I can't wait to slip into one tonight after my bath. They are prefect for these hot summer nights we have been having.

Josh even found a few treasures for himself. (Mostly beer paraphernalia... like a new tap for his keg-orator, and some beer mugs). All in all it was a great day! And there are still several hours of sunlight left! I am off to try and get some color on my very white legs! Hope you are all having a great Father's Day!

envy (and inspiration)

2007-06-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome, to my new dream home.

Oh my goodness! Have you seen the new Country Home? I am just in LOVE with one of the featured homes. It makes me want to just throw away everything I have and start over. I love the mostly white decor and faded old wood pieces mixed in. And the home owner has such amazing accessories. I am so envious of the blue and white ceramic piece in the kitchen and the large footed bowl... I love, love, love everything about this kitchen. The white bright cabinets and the dark solid counter top.... the white panelled hood, the dark wood floors. It's perfect.

Have you ever seen a home that made you crazy like this? I mean I am fairly certain that this is supposed to be MY home. Just look at the dining room. I sooo want that chandelier. I love the buffet, and the white walls, the simple window shades, the grain sacks on the window seat, the white creamy bowls on the perfect dining table...

And now for my new living room... isn't she pretty?

I want that large basket, and the wood piece next to the fireplace. The linen cushions... I want it all. (I have to admit though, as much as I like the sofa, it doesn't look very comfortable. And now that I'm thinking about that, where is the t.v? I can't just watch a fire every night...). Ok, I think I'm calming down, my reality is slowing setting in, and I may not actually throw away everything I currently own. Thank God for flea market Sunday tomorrow. I may be able to find a new piece that will make me just excited enough to lose some of my focus on this home.

six new santos

2007-06-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

1. hands, 2. joan, 3. bust, 4. crown, 5. her, 6. angel, 7. tears, 8. hands, 9. mary

I just got in some pretty new Santos figures for the store. I will be working on getting them online this weekend. There are tons more photos of them in my flickr account, if you want to see more pictures. (You can click on one of the links above to get there.) I just love having them around in the meantime. They are so expressive I swear I can see emotion on their faces when I look at them. They also look amazing as a group. I received a wide variety of sizes, so it's been fun getting to know each piece and picking my favorites. There is a total of six.

I'm not feeling very talkative at the moment, so you'll have to forgive my brief post, I promise to catch up with you all later. Have a great weekend. :)

my friend

2007-06-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine at work is setting out on a new adventure. She is following her dream of becoming a small business owner and starting a landscaping business. She is an amazing gardener and has received tons of recognition from friends, neighbors, and strangers for her own yard. Her new business "Floral Face Lift" will allow her to share her talents with the rest of us garden tards. (I speak mostly of myself on that one, I'm sure).

Anyway, I am helping her set up her website and blog. Please stop by to check it out and leave her a note to wish her good luck. If you happen to live in Orange County, and need a "floral face lift", contact Sharon, I'm sure she would be happy to help!

Here are a few pictures of her handy work.

hannah and the roses

2007-06-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

I admit, I am a very picky person, and have expensive taste. Unfortunately, this makes me a very hard person to buy gifts for. When it comes to gift giving holidays, I always have a hard time offering suggestions to friends and family about what to buy me. (I don't want to ask for things that are ridiculously priced, but I don't want to end up with things I will just inevitably return). This has been an on going dilemma for years. Josh's family has gotten pretty good at reading me these last few years, and have come up with some clever gifts that I love to receive. One of which is roses. For the last few Christmas's I have received several rose bushes from his family. (Even Josh's grandmother in Wisconsin, sends me roses.) I love it.

First let me say that I know very little about roses, so please pardon my lack of correct terminology. What I do know is that when they arrive they are not in dirt, and have no greenery. They are bare roots, and trimmed back thorny stems. My mother in law taught me to soak the roots in a bucket of water for a day (which usually turns into a week and a half because I forget about them), and then I get to plant them. I have planted five or so over the past few years.

For some reason, Hannah (our daughter who is also a chocolate lab) is mysteriously drawn to them. She tries from the day they hit the water bucket to destroy them. She will grab the whole bush (thorns and all) out of the water and chew on it. A few have survived the soaking long enough to get planted in our yard, and Hannah still will pull them right out of the ground to chew on. I can't figure it out? She definitely does not have a shortage of toys, or lack of sticks in the yard to play with... she simply fancies rose bushes. It's really quite perplexing... She has never done this with any other type of plant, nor any piece of furniture, nor any other non-canine related toy, she just enjoys roses...

Last Christmas I received two of these rose bushes. One came in a bag of shavings, and the other was bare roots. I soaked them and planted them in the yard. Hannah paid no attention to the one with the shavings, but she did pull the bare rooted bush right out of the ground. When I caught her, I gave her probably the meanest, most severe scolding she has ever had from me. (I am a push over for her sweet face, so my scoldings are never very harsh. I spank her butt, which doesn't seem to phase her, and I call her a bad girl, which is usually followed by her crouching down, dipping her head in shame, and then kissing my face while I yell at her.) Since I caught the whole incident right when it happened, I think I was able to get the plant back in the ground quickly enough to let it survive.

Well , my scolding must have worked, because (I am proud to say) this time I have a survivor! It has leaves and has been sprouting buds for the last month or so.... but today I discovered the very first bloom. I am so proud. I am also shocked and amazed it survived not only my far from green thumb, but Hannah too! Here she is in all her beauty...

Hannah has not paid attention to them now that they have leaves. She seems to prefer the bare roots and stems. So I think I will get many more beautiful blooms from this bush. (Or at least I'm hoping!)

tagged

2007-06-04T18:02:00.001-07:00

Above picture shows my newest (and slightly older) pillow made by the lovely and talented Catherine at Red Shoes LLC.

Becky at On a Wing and a Prayer, and Debra at Hip Hop Jingle Boo tagged me to list 7 random facts about myself. And provided you are all not sick to death of reading about my random facts, I have decided to play again. :)

So here goes:

1. My closet has to be organized at all times. I buy all wooden hangers and color coordinate each item from camisole, to short sleeve, to long sleeve. It makes me feel like my clothes are prettier for some reason?
2. I don't drink juice (of any kind), all of them are hard on my stomach... I got sick once after having orange juice, so even the smell of it grosses me out.
3. I love Dr Pepper. I have one just about every day.
4. I hate to fly.
5. I was on the "Year Book" staff in high school, my senior year.
6. I once played "Sister Margarite" in my 6th grade play, the Sound of Music.
7. I love french fries. I could eat them at every meal. Some of my other favorites are fried okra, baked yams, any way you can cook a potato, Hawaiian rolls, squaw bread, pumpkin pie, butternut squash.... basically all the starches, that are bad for you. (It's dinner time and I'm hungry, can you tell?)

I'm not sure who's left that hasn't been tagged, so I tag you if you haven't done this already and want to play! :)

P.S. Thanks for the sweet comments about my job. I was feeling pretty down this weekend, but I feel much more positive today.

flickr favorites

2007-06-02T16:02:00.001-07:00

1. IMG_2397, 2. Wash Day, 3. bike alleyway, 4. Windows without windows, 5. Shhhhh..., 6. Grandpa relaxing place, 7. Old typography, 8. Foggy Dew, 9. Front View, 10. Bicycle in the Rain, 11. dragonfly / Virginia Beach, VA, 12. seahorses, 13. a, 14. zincletters, 15. i'm a famous drummer and i've lost my arms, 16. vernazza stairway, 17. behind the green doors, 18. good smells, 19. Typewriter Paper, 20. perfectly formed, 21. round, 22. Lichfield Road, 23. Blue Boat, 24. Año de 1842, 25. unfurling fern

bitter sweet

2007-06-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was another tough day for me. The mortgage company I work for had yet another lay off. (Only 2 months after the last one). We all knew it was coming the night before, making Thursday a very rough, sleepless night. I worried not just about losing my own job, but also about the fate of my sister, and my very close friends, who work with me.

Friday morning came and my sister and I were spared, but unfortunately some of my very best friends were not. While I am of course relieved to still have a job, (I was demoted), it will not be the same without my friends there to make it the place it once was. This one was particularly tough on me because the friends I lost were the ones I actually went to work to see. They made work fun, they were my lunch buddies, and they were the friends that made the mundane job I have worth having.

I will miss seeing them everyday, I will miss the sarcastic jabs, and I will miss having them as a fixture in my everyday life. My life already does not feel the same without them.

I will miss you my friends! Please stay in touch.