The keepsake place....

This week I have a couple days off between Summer School jobs....


For over a month (or two :D) now....my bedroom has been...

Staring at Me....Shouting at Me....in desperate need of a good cleaning!

Most of you know, I am the clutter queen! Oh, I clean, wash & scrub my house...but, for some reason there are always piles in every room! And, there definitely NEVER seems to be enough closet space for all our clothes, as well as other "things"! (Which means when I need a quick pick up...I can't open the closet and toss anything in :D)

Yesterday, I managed to get the whole house clean...except for that one room??? And, boy was it glaring at me last night. So, today, top of my to-do list was to get the Bedroom dusted!!! As I begin the task (did I mention I hate to dust???)....I began a journey...as I lifted items here and there, I realized....this room isn't the clutter-all...and, it's more than our bedroom...it really is our keepsake place....So, thought I'd snap a few photos and share some of those keepsakes with you! Ready or Not.....here it is in all it's glory....Our Bedroom! (NO worries, all the pictures have been censored and are appropriate to be viewed on this blog :D)

This is the top of our dresser....the doily was handmade by my Grandmother...the Birdhouse by my Grandfather...the antique coffee warmer...I found at a yard sale when I was 17 and for some reason it's been my keepsake. The silk flowers touching the background came from a special women's retreat...and hiding in the very back are two red dried rose buds that came from the bouquet of Roses my Mr. placed for me inside the dressing room on our Wedding Day!

This check is held in place on the mirror of the dresser by one of the mirror prongs. It came from my Mr....during our "dating days"! And, it is made out to me...forever :D (I am blessesd by an amazing, creative romantic man to call my husband!)

Here's a shot of the dresser full length....there's a story behind our bedroom set...it's been with us the whole 21 years of our marriage...and two years before that as my college furniture. My Dad found it at an Aution in the small town I grew up...(Richland, Oregon)...He got ALL 5 pieces of it for $125.00! I Love it...and even though it's not new...and I really don't know how OLD it is...I treasure the fact that it holds many memories...and I wonder what memories it held before it became ours???

I'm a Teddy Bear collector too...Here's some of my favorites....that were gifts from favorite friends!

This is the vanity that goes with the bedroom set...it holds LOTS of mementos :D

The box my engagement ring came in...flowers from a special spiritual weekend, an Angel, (I like to collect those too ...& yet another gift from my Mr. :D)

And our Bed!

And, finally...here's the lampstand that goes with the set...

So, there you have it....not our bedroom...but really our keepsake place....a place to relax, ponder, remember....a place that holds all the things that warm my heart and makes our house a home! I'm glad I finally tackled that task of dusting our bedroom...because it was a sweet trip down memory lane! Hope you enjoyed the tour...and that your bedroom holds a keepsake or two...that warm your heart! Sweet blessings!

Gum...

Gum....it's GREAT! There are so many choices.....

Bubble gum
Trident mint
Dentyne
Big Red
Juicy Fruit
Bubble Yum
Chiclets
Wrigleys Double Mint
Bazooka (wasn't that the best when you were 5!)
Then, the all famous striped, different fruit flavored with the Zebra on the front...for some reason the name is escaping me :D....That was definitely the gum when you were 8! (Okay, it was driving me crazy, so I just googled it.......and it's actually called Fruit Stripe :D)


And....my new favorite Stride...for flavor that goes on & on!!!

Don't you just Love to pop a piece of gum in your mouth and chomp away?!?! I do! And, so does my Mr....

But, you know GUM comes with rules......
-You may NOT swallow gum (do all Mom's say that?!? :D)
-No Chewing Gum at school
-Never spit your gum out on the sidewalk....you always must throw it away in a wrapper in the trash
-No buying Gum in the airports....silly one, right??? Everyone knows you are suppose to chew gum on the plane to keep your ears from popping!
- No sharing chewed gum (Okay, that one is my own germ aphobic rule : D)
-No sleeping with GUM in your mouth....

Now that last rule...well, I KNOW it is a RULE...but, here's the deal...someone at house doesn't!!! And, sometimes, someone at our house actually tries to sleep with gum in their mouth...no matter how many times I insist it is against the rules. Plus, I add a few others...like I DO NOT want to wake up with gum stuck in my hair...or what if you swallow it and choke and I don't hear you.....Well...that someone is NOT a rule follower...and so, I just might wake up one morning with a big wad of gum stuck in my hair.

Gum is just one of those simple pleasures in life....so, what is your favorite kind??? And, what kind of Gum Rules live at your house??? Most of all...I hope you find time to enjoy a stick of your favorite kind today....and may it bring back many sticky/sweet memories to you! Happy Monday....and many, many Sweet Blessings!

Wanted...

On Friday at the Pendleton Farmer's market..something happened...something that spoke unto our hearts...something that we will always remember....

It's always a crazy mad rush on Friday to get to Pendleton...the Mr. spends the morning from 9 to 1 in Richland at the Farmer's market...packs up...gets home, replenishes a few things, and we are off to Pendleton (where we are suppose to be by 2:30...but, somehow can never get there before 3:00 or later!)

On Friday, we arrive late...check in (you have to go to a booth & get your vendor packet..which simply consists of a Manila envelope to enclose your space fee and a slip to report your sales.) drive down the street, turn the corner, another corner, and onto the market street...to find a police car blocking traffic. All non-market vehicles are suppose to be off the street by 3:00...and lately, if they are not the Pendleton police have been helping in the matter :D....Finally, we get to our space...I get out and guide my Mr. into the marked off spot...and a gentleman greets us as we get out and start the unloading process....

The unloading process is all very organized...after doing this for quite awhile..there is a system! The gentleman asks if he can help...my Mr. politely tells him "Thanks, but we've got it". I also know my Mr. well enough to know at this point, he simply wants to get the job done without any interruptions. The tables come out next, and I begin to set them up...the gentleman steps over to help me...."Thanks I say....my name is Tammy"..."My name is Clay". And, he starts chatting...we keep working ....next comes the Tent...without hesitation Clay goes to the middle of the tent and balances it as we begin to pull out the legs & set it up.....as this is happening...he speaks these words..."It's nice to be wanted". That moment, that very instant, it was as though the spirit of the Lord was standing in the midst of it all. We finished setting up..and Clay asked if he could sit in one of our chairs..."Sure" said Pat. So, Clay sat for awhile, watching people go up and down the street...several passers-by would pat him on the shoulder and say "hi".

Clay is one of those people that everyone in the town knows...you know...someone who spends a lot of time on the street...someone wanting to feel a part of something....someone needing to feel wanted. Every town has a Clay. And, he touched our hearts that day in a way that made us stop...stop in the midst of the hustle...and see...really SEE...everyone needs to be WANTED! Everyone is SOMEONE....everyone is SPECIAL.

As we drove home that night...we talked about Clay...and my Mr. told me...when he spoke those words..."It's nice to be wanted"...it struck straight into my heart. But, the story doesn't end there....my sweet man is also an Elder at our Church. And, this Sunday it was his turn to serve and give the Communion Meditation. (Which he was writing as I left for Sunday School! ) He always does an AMAZING job...and it's always last minute :D So, this week, as we are preparing for Communion, my husband stands to go forward...I realize as he is half-way to the front of the Church he had left his Bible and message in the pew. "Oh, no"....but, I know God will carry him through it....(Of course, being a good wife, I opened up his message to see what it was going to be about :D...Okay, so I'm a little NOISY...and usually I get to hear it at home before we get to church...) When he begins his message, I realize it's not at all what he'd written...instead it was the story of Clay...and how everyone needs to be WANTED...and that God WANTS each of us...so much that He sent His Son for us! I couldn't help it...the tears were rolling...God had used us, Clay, and my husbands message for His glory! It was so heart-touching and amazing. And still the story is not over....

During coffee hour...a couple came up to my husband...and, they said "We know Clay...we use to have a business in Pendleton and he would always come visit us, and we would let him help out...but, his name was NOT Clay then"....he changed it later because he wanted to be like the other Clay. They had made a difference in his life! WOW!!! Nothing that happened was a coincidence....not a chance meeting....it was ALL part of a story...a story that is part of God's plan! A story that will always live in our hearts!

May each of you experience a moment when you stop, & SEE...and offer someone else a chance to feel wanted! Happy Monday.....and Sweet blessings!

Happy Friday!

It's Friday...WHOOOOOHOOOOOO....can, I just say that again...WHOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!! For some reason it's been a very LONG week...maybe it's the little boy that keeps hitting all day long at preschool....maybe it's the little guy that talks to me ALL day long in his native language :D (Even though I simply LOVE it..by the end of the day, I'm feeling a little tired!!!), maybe it's all the things on that to-do list....or maybe it was ALL just me...but whatever the reason...I am so glad today is Friday!!!

I just know this DAY Is going to be filled with GOOD Things....

* A Starbucks Ice Tea :D
* Time with my Mr...(even if it is working at a market !)
* The rain to even out my freshly cut lawn ...to that perfect golf course green
* Little preschoolers ever so excited to be at school....and begging to play outside
* Visiting with Farmer's market "family"
* Cuddles from my Missy Cat

And...most of ALL....God's amazing Love..Hope...& Faith!!! What could possibly be better than those three things!!!

Happy Friday Sweet Friends.....and many, many Sweet Blessings on your Friday!!!

Checking things off...

It always feels sooooo good to make a list and check things off....there's just something about it that brings a feeling of great accomplishment & satisfaction!

As most of you know, for some reason, we are "collectors" at our house...it seems anything that comes here stays here....and because a large portion of the time, life is a little busy...wherever something drops it tends to stay for awhile. Hence our back patio, has really become a collect all space for "outside things"!

That was until yesterday...when I'm happy to say, we could CHECK-OFF clean off the back porch!!! Why did it happen you ask??? Of course there was a reason....it was because my Mr. just acquired 3 more freezers for our meat business. ( Oh...and, they aren't staying there permantely....just a couple weeks until he finds time to add-on to our current meat room!)

But, Whoooohoooooo the clutter is gone! It's amazing the things you can find when you start to "declutter" :D There were flower pots, hoses, missing tools, a birdhouse....and LOTS & LOTS of miscellaneous Powder River items :D

So, Monday was a very productive day...one thing checked-off the Summer To-Do list...and more to come :D It's ALL Good!!! May each of you get to check something "off" today too.....and may it bring a little extra smile to your day! Sweet blessings!

P.S. The BEST part...it was a team adventure :D And...you just have to LOVE those!!!

Reign in me

Today was an awesome day of worship at Church! Sometimes, the music just speaks into my soul, as if God himself were whispering the words into my heart.


There's a song our "song team" has been ending our service with for a while...and today, we had a visiting song team...called "Men in Black"...and they played this song...it simply resonated within me today....so, I wanted to share it...



LORD Reign in Me....Four great words to use each day (words that NEED to become a part of my vocabulary!!!)...as I begin my day, in the middle of it, and as I end it....."Lord, Reign in Me." When I imagine just that....I am in awe of ALL He can do, if I simply ask Him and let Him! May the words of this song speak to your heart today too....and may this week be filled with HIS Love and many, many Sweet Blessings!

Barbie turns 40

There were fresh flowers waiting at the table....
Gifts in pretty packaging....

Scrumptious Chessecake...Mmmm...Mmmm....good! (I have to confess...it came from a box....but, I added all the chocolate and Cherries to the top!)

A great dinner......(on the patio of Nookies!)

And....it's all true...Barbie turned 40 on June 9th! And, it was a great celebration.....mostly because she is one special girl!!!

Oh, maybe I should confess again.....Barbie here...is also known as my little sister...and her real name is Lori. But, for as long as I've known her, she's been my real live Barbie Doll :D And, somehow, I just can't believe she has actually joined the 40 club! She's a great sister...she's always there when I need anything, makes me laugh, and knows all my secrets! God gave me the BEST Sister ever! (Plus, she had the coolest clothes in high school for me to borrow back to college :D)

Happy Birthday to my favorite Barbie! I Love you more than you will ever know..... I can't wait for 50!!! Many, Many Sweet blessings!

June is ready....

Can you believe June is here????

It is.....and whether I'm ready or not...June is ready!!!

Just like the sweet, beautiful, red, ripe Strawberries on my new banner....(thanks sweet girl, for always blessing me with the sweetest surprises!)

June is ready.....
to be enjoyed...
to be filled...
to offer new opportunities...

And, like those big, red strawberries...I'm feeling ready....

Ready to enjoy the season....
to be filled with time spent growing...new friendships, closer to my husband,
and hopefully more like Jesus!

....And....to find those opportunities that are just waiting to
be discovered!

So, what about you??? Are you READY.......?????

May you enjoy this month, be filled to overflowing with the many amazing gifts of
His Love...And, cherish each opportunity that comes your way!


Happy June!!! And, many, many Sweet blessings!

My three days...

This week I had three days....a little time before I started my Summer School job...three days...I like to think of it as a mini-vacation...but, somehow, it's not quite fit that description.



So, just exactly what have I done with those three days...Okay, here it is, even if you didn't really want to know :D



* Monday...up bright and early to make the most of my day :D......which consisted of....

- Running errands in town

- Laundry

- A hair appointment...now, I'm a little more the color I imagine in my mind :D

- Cooked Dinner

- Headed back to town to a meeting a church

- Walked a mile with my sister...Yep! That's the new plan...to actually walk

every evening :D



* Tuesday....

- Up early to take my Mr. to the Tri-Cities to pick up the rental car he is using this week..so, I can keep his truck loaded with the freezer and ready to go the the new market starting on Friday morning!

- We get there...and, ummmmmm....there is NO rental car...apparently, he was suppose to pick it up in Pasco??? Ohhhhhhhh...not a fun moment. Thankfully, they would deliver it to Hermiston on Wednesday morning....

- Next, on to Basin City to the meat packers to pick up some more meat :D (I probably should confess that I was not a happy camper at this point...my poor Mr.....The original plan involved him going there, and me heading back home to do a few of my own "to do list" items!)

- God is good! And, even though, the change in plans earlier in the day appeared to alter my lunch plans to celebrate a friends birthday....well, you know how God works it all out...I Made IT, just in time to join the girls for lunch! Did I already tell you how GOOD GOD IS!!!!

- There is nothing better than a lazy, warm afternoon spent in the company of friends, eating, visiting, catching up...drinking Ice Tea, and eating homemade chocolate cake...watching three little boys totally happy to dig, build, and play, checking out the pigs, chickens, sheep, & cows....it was the PERFECT afternoon...one I sooooo was in need of :D

* Wednesday.....

- I finally slept in....Whooooohoooooo!!! (although, sometimes, I think that's not such a good idea...it seems to throw my whole energy level off :D)

- I'm pleased to announce the bathrooms are sparkling clean, the floors shiny and fresh, and the dust is gone (even if only for a few minutes! :D)

- A little more laundry

- A tune-up at the chiropractors

- A trip to Pendleton to pick up the Mr. because he was leaving his "other" farm truck at the diesel doctors!

- Dinner out...if McDonald's counts :D (It's hard to believe when we were dating...dinner out was McDonald's for $5.00....now, it's $11.00!)

- Bible Study with my favorite girls....another much needed, oh so sweet, refreshing, reviving gift to my heart!

So, there you have it....my mini vacation! It's all good....because even though it was a little different than I had planned...God still blessed me with the opportunity to spend a little extra time with my husband, time to catch up with friends, and most of all...some time to catch up with HIM!!! Here's to having the BEST Friday ever....Sweet blessings!

Being a Lady....

Being a Lady has certain benefits.....

* Gentlemen hold the doors open for you

* You get your car door opened, tucked inside and the door closed when in the presence of a Gentleman

* You get protected as you are walking down the street with your man...girls are always on the inside away from the street...(a lesson my Dad taught me long ago as we walked down a sidewalk in town :D)

* At a restaurant Ladies get served first :D

Sometimes, I just LOVE that special feeling that comes from being so pampered! What a blessing to be a lady...except.....here's what I discovered....

Ladies do get to go first when a Gentleman opens the door for them....and it's all good...

EXCEPT

When you are LATE to Church...and your husband opens the door to the Sunday School classroom (and ALL eyes are on you), because he is a gentleman and lets you go first!

It's at that moment...that being a Lady doesn't feel so good at all! So, there's my confession for the day ! To all the Ladies out there....enjoy your title, wear it proudly...and on those rare occasions when you show up late and are gifted to go in the door first....SMILE GRACIOUSLY through the embarrassment! :D Sweet Blessings!