Paintings and Mirror

Here is a picture of my living room wall. As you can see, I love art. My Mom was an excellent artist and even though I didn't get her painting talent, I got her love for art. The mirror on the wall between the paintings was a buy from the Salvation Army (I think I paid $2 or $3) about 6 years ago when I lived in Florida. I love the mirror and my beautiful paintings.
PS Sorry for the bad photo but you can get the drift. I will take more pics of my paintings after I move :)

Peace!

I Belong In Paris

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?
Peace!

Moving

We are moving! Back to my roots at the Jersey shore! We were living close to the shore (about 30 min drive which might as well be in Philadelphia because as much as I would try, I never seemed to get to the beach living out here). I was born and raised right on Absecon Island...Atlantic City and Margate, NJ to be exact. Now we are moving back to Atlantic City with the beach and the ocean and the boardwalk right in my backyard! I am wayyyyyyy excited to have such beauty at my doorstep. Once you live at the seashore, you never get the sand out of your shoes!

Peace!

I'm a Doer :-)

You Are a Doer

You are primarily concerned with what is actual. You tend to be a practical person. You love to stay busy, and you are always immersed in projects. You are in touch with your senses, and you enjoy indulging them. You're likely a crafter of some sort. You crave different sensations in life, whether it's working with your hands, playing sports, or eating your favorite meal.

Are You a Dreamer or a Doer?

Peace!

Just an Observation

I'm just in a rambling sorta mood today. I have a lot of thoughts in my head today and am going to try and get this one out on "paper" to sift through the mess.
I was reading some blogs this morning. Do you know how many people have little nicknames for their children that are disparaging names? Many too many! I read one that called her child a neat nazi...i mean...OMG! Another called her child fat! Oh and the references to the "little bus"....too, too much for me to handle! I'm sure these people would defend themselves and say it was just a joke but there is no joking when it comes down to calling names. It is hard enough for children to cope with their peers and the name calling that goes on in school but to have your parents down grade you (even if it is in jest) is wayyyyyy too much! Love your children, raise them up on the pedestals they belong on, teach them by example (it's NEVER ok to make fun of another person). Maybe this is my issue but I feel so strongly about self esteem and how it starts from a very young age and will continue throughout a lifetime. Be kind to your child (it's a tough world out there as we all learn soon enough in life). Tell him/her everyday how great they are and how much he/she is loved...you are your child's best advocate.
Peace!

Our Family

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Peace!

States I've Visited

visited 17 states (34%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or Best time to visit North Vancouver

Peace!

Heart Icon

See my heart icon? Whatcha think? I LOVE it! and...I made it (almost) all by myself (with the help of my computer wizard son) :-D.
Peace!

Weekend

Good morning all! Hope y'all had a great weekend! I had to work on Saturday and Sunday nights but that left me the mornings and most of the afternoons to myself. On Saturday morning, I stopped by a very small local thrift shop where everything on Saturday before noon is 50% off! The only thing that I found was a cut glass creamer (I LOVE cut glass) that was marked $1.00 so my cost was 50 cents. Above is a picture of the creamer in the middle of the table next to the covered candy dish that I bought at Good Will about a month ago.
I then stopped by 3 garage sales on my way home. The first 2 didn't have anything that caught my eye. There were a couple of frames but they were small and unadorned and the man had them marked at $1.00 :-|. I could buy the same thing new at the Dollar General for the same price so I passed them up.
The last sale that I stopped by had an old lamp. It was big and wood w/a brass base (I figured I could paint it or something) but the shade was nice (white w/embossed white butterflies) but she had no price on it. I asked the lady how much. She hesitated and then said $20.00. I raised my eyebrow at her and she quickly said $18...I said thank you and started to walk away. She said $15. I said no thanks so she asked me how much I wanted to pay. I said $3.00 and she said no less than $15. I left without the lamp. No biggie cause I only wanted it for the shade which I really don't need but thought it was interesting. Hope ya were more successful this weekend than I was...Have a beautiful day!
BTW, everything on the table in the pic was from thrift stores except the beautiful sea glass. The glass candy dish was from Good Will-$3 or $4, i forget and the clock was from the local thrift store-$3.00! I have a thing for cut glass and clocks...love, love, love!
Peace!

Sea Glass Collection by Benjamin

My older son is a collector. I guess he got it from me, lol. He collects mostly beach glass and other cool things that he finds on the shore. He has found pottery, an old compass, glass toppers, a message in a bottle (it was some kind of foreign money that was worth a few cents but was still a cool find) and other assorted neat things. I am fortunate that he likes to share these things with me and has gifted me some of his treasures. Oh btw, all of the jars that he displays the glass in were purchased at Good Will and various other thrift shops. I don't think he paid any more than $5.00 for any of his glass containers. A man after my own heart!
Peace!

Mix Up At School

Summer classes were supposed to start for my son today. He usually gets picked up by the bus by 7:35 AM so when the clock struck 8, i figured something was up :-|. I called transportation and they said his name wasn't on the list. Wasn't on THE list??? Well, how could that be possible when it says right on his IEP that he is eligible for summer classes?!? Go figure! The lady, Marie, said she would get in touch with the sending district and get back to me. I guess Ralph gets a reprieve for one more day.

Update: I got tired of waiting to hear from transportation so I called Ralph's case manager. He said there was a huge mix up (he blames transportation and transportation blamed the sending school district and the sending district blamed Special Services :|...I'll say there was a huge mix up! but how is that my problem?). The most important thing to me is that now it was all (supposedly) straightened out. Ralph missed first day but I was assured that he will be picked up tomorrow morning. We will see what happens next...it's never easy :P.
Peace!

God Bless America

Busy weekend at the shore! The boardwalk was packed with families, couples, and kids everywhere! I had to work but I did get to see the fireworks on TV from Philadelphia and Boston. There's just something so beautiful about the fireworks on the 4th of July. I love my country and I'm proud to be an American. I am thankful and honor and respect the service men and women who serve this great country and forever grateful to them and their families. I pray for their safe return. God bless America, land that I love!
Peace!

Wrought Iron Chair

ok, i admit it! Free is for me! A couple weeks ago, I was on my way back from my MIL's house and low and behold, there were 2 wrought iron chairs next to the curb for trash pick up. I drove by and said...nahhhh. By the time I got to the corner of the street, my car had done a "K" turn and I was at the curb, loading the 2 beauties. I posted a pic of the one with the arms. They need a coat of paint and the seats need to be redone but otherwise, they are perfect! They match my Mother's wrought iron bench and table that I have been schlepping around for years! The little side table was given to me by my FIL...he said he was going to trash it if I didn't want it. I jumped at it before he could change mind. It needs to be painted white and I need to make a new mosaic top (the tiles are cracked and not really my taste) but thats no problem. Free is for me! :-)
Peace!

Pots

Here are some pics of the mosaic pots that I make. I started making them about 4 years ago along with decorated frames, address plaques and some original mosaic "pictures".
Peace!

Field of Dreams Baseball

Yesterday was a baseball game. My son plays in a league for physically and mentally handicapped children, The South Jersey Field of Dreams. Every kid can play and enjoy the all American sport of baseball. Everyone is accepted no matter what their handicap is. There are kids with autism, mental challenges, walkers, wheelchairs and respirators. Everyone has the opportunity to play, bat and "run" the bases. Every game ends in a tie. There are no losers at the Field of Dreams, only winners. You can tell by the smiles on their faces!

If you would like to donate, volunteer, form a league similiar to this one or just want to see the pure joy on a child's face when his disability turns into an ability, even if it's just for an afternoon, then visit the web site listed below.
BTW, my son, Ralph, is the one in the top row, third from the left...he's so cute!

www.sjfieldofdreams.com

Peace!

Here goes nothing...

This is my first post on Blogger and I'm not really sure where i should start. I have many interests. I love music even though I can't sing a note or play any instruments.
I love art. I used to paint but haven't done it in years but I do craft. I make mosaics, decorated planters, address plaques, and mosaic paintings. If it stays still long enough, I will tile it. I also do quilling and crocheting. Eventually, I will post some pics my crafts.
I love to go to garage sales, yard sales and thrift stores. You can find such cool things. I have also been known to pick up other peoples goodies that they put out for trash collection. Free is for me. :-)
I love the beach in the summer, winter,spring and fall. It is so calming to hear the ocean waves beat again the shore.
Thanks for reading my thoughts and for your inspirations.
Peace!