Loving it!

Yes...I am loving it! The weather that is! What did you think I was talking about??? geesh! ha!

I can't hardly believe that it is August tomorrow and it is so nice out!

What I don't like though is how it is affecting my allergies ( I get headaches) ...and my hubby's (he snores and gets all stuffed up!). I woke up in the middle of the night and I thought a car was in our room....SERIOUSLY! I have NEVER EVER EVER heard such noises coming out of my husband's nose/mouth. It sounded so strange...like a car...a REALLY LOUD CAR! Love you hubs...but wow...it was impressive the noises you were making! He told me I just needed to roll him on his side...SURE...you try to roll a 270 lb guy over on his side in dead sleep. I don't think so! Let's hope tonight isn't like that.

Anyways....Hoping that the rain comes quickly early tomorrow morning and moves out just in time for my garage sale!

Speaking of my garage sale...I am already having more success at this one than the one with our neighborhood subdivision! If you ever have a garage sale...post in detail what you have on craiglist.com and add pictures too. Let me tell ya....I have 7 of my bigger items already sold!! I am making them wait until tomorrow to come and pick them up...but I know they are checking my list out. Woo hoo!

Hoping to make some cash....and of course...get rid of our prized possessions! Ha! And we are changing a few things up a bit in our house....so if we get rid of a couple of items...we might be getting something new. How in the world did we get so much stuff?? Feels good to get things cleaned out too.

Have you noticed I added new music to the blog??? I just love music and have been finding new things to listen to....so wanted to share with you some of my favorites!

Still working on handbags too.....Sunday will be dedicated to them! I promise to post more pictures on Sunday!! And I have several recipes to add to the blog....homemade spaghetti and meatballs, carrot cake, and more. Will get this all accomplished for sure!

Anyways, I have nothing else new to report, except that I am excited it is the weekend! Enjoy it!
Hugs to all my blogging friends!!

Number Thirteen

Today is "Y""s 13th birthday! I can't hardly believe that he is 13!! A teenager we now have in our family!

Five years ago, Y and I met for the very first time. I will admit our first encounter with one another was not the easiest...in fact it was rather difficult for us both. However, over the years we have grown with one another and developed a great friendship and bond. I am not his Mom, nor will I ever try to be, but I am here for him any time day or night and he knows that. I love him as if he were my own and I am so thankful that he has accepted me to be a part of his life.

Being a stepmom is a tough job and a big responsibility. For those of you who read this and have been in the position, you will understand.

Y has changed a lot in the last year. He is now taller than me and thinks that is so awesome! His feet keep growing like crazy....he is already in a size 13 shoe!! The interest in girls is beginning and his love for baseball continues to grow. And his appetite for food is HUGE! I love spending time with him and only wish we had more time together.

What I absolutely adore is watching him and my hubby interact with one another. Talk about a spitting image of hubby! They talk, walk, and act just the same as well as look just like one another. The bond that they have with one another is something I can only hope and dream to have one day. I am so thankful that God has brought Y and hubby into my life.

He is an incredible thirteen year old that I look forward to watching grow into a young man.

Happy Birthday Y!! Your Dad and I love you very much!

Last minute ideas..

Tonight we have decided to have another garage sale Saturday morning...(well...maybe I should say...hubby agreed...but it will be me running the show).....what are we,...or I mean...was I thinking?? We started discussing a few items we would like to get rid of and since we are going to begin working in the basement soon I thought I would give it one more shot.

Our neighbors two doors down are having one this weekend to, so I figured it would be a good time to set some stuff out to see if we can get rid of things.

Most of the items are priced, and I have several items to add....so hopefully it will be a success!

I have been busy with cutting fabric....be sure to check out my blog to see a couple of the items I worked on and the fabric colors.....I have so many different ideas running through my head.....I first thought I would do more than just handbags....but I think I am going to stick with handbags and accessories first...and then may venture to more items. I hope to get about 10 bags complete by the end of the weekend.

I am moving along so well that by Monday I hope to post them on my etsy site and they will be available to purchase.

Phew...what a week it has already been. I am finding that I am keeping myself so busy that I can't remember things...ha! I found the bag of baby carrots that I had used on Saturday evening in the freezer Monday morning.....I had too much on my mind! It sure was a good laugh for me Monday morning!

On another note....I follow MckMama's blog and her youngest son, Stellan, is in the hospital and is going to need surgery soon. Please say a prayer for them and if you want to read more go to www.mycharmingkids.net. Also, I have been praying for a young girl named, Kate, who has just begun chemo as she has a brain tumor. She is so young and her and her parents are fighting for her life. If you would like to read her story you can find it here... http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate/journal. I know there are so many others out there needing prayer...but these are two I focus on each day and I know they appreciate all the prayers that they can get.

Off to enjoy my evening with my hubby and cut some more fabric. Good night all!

Sewing has begun

My material and labels are in....the sewing has begun....and I just had to share what I worked on today.....more pics of the fabulous fabrics I ordered will be on my other site tomorrow.

Enjoy your Sunday!

UPS Disappointment

So....I was so disappointed this evening.....I kept checking the front door every few minutes to make sure I hadn't missed the UPS delivery.....finally at 8:00 I decided to check the tracking again and it stated they had the incorrect address.....UH NO!!! They did not! I saw the UPS man leaving our subdivision earlier in the evening....I know he drove by our street...and yet they tried telling me that I didn't know our own address....ERRRR!

Needless to say...I was a bit perturbed. They have told me it will come tomorrow.....it had better! I was so looking forward to checking out all the new fabric that I had ordered!

The one thing I must say is that I ordered labels to put on my bags......and they have arrived....so I am anxious to show them to you once I sew one to a bag!

On another note....I had a disastrous night making dinner. I tried a new recipe....and played with it a bit....who me!? Ha! (I know.....my sister and family are thinking...just like Granny K!) Anyways....I baked it...and ate a small plate of it....and it was disgusting! seriously...what was I thinking....I had just enough time to boil some water throw in some ravioli and warm up some pasta sauce so hubby had something decent to eat! The "odd dish" went down the garbage disposal.....learned my lesson on that one!

However, I did bake my friend Jurist's famous carrot cake recipe to take to work tomorrow! Will share on my recipe blog tomorrow....SO GOOD! Hubby has tried ....ummm...excuse me....for saying...but 4 pieces! LOL! He is trying to put on weight so that he can try out for a strong man competition this fall....I have promised to make him his own cake tomorrow....as I didn't think I would have any left to take to work!!

That wraps up my night....met our new neighbors for a brief moment....both were nice and their daughter is really cute...it's nice to have a full block.

Can't wait for tomorrow....fabric delivery day two! LOL!!

Wordless Wednesday

www.wordlesswednesday.com

Rearranging

When I was a young girl.....I would get in these "moods" where I wanted to rearrange my bedroom. Don't ask me why....but I just couldn't take the way things looked and wanted to try and make it look better. My parents would come home from work and often find that I rearranged all of my bedroom furniture...and as I got older...I would sometimes even rearrange other furniture in the house! (remember those days??)

Since owning a home....I don't find myself doing it quite as much.....but I still have those moments....for example...last night....I got home...and decided that the entryway by the stairs needed a new look. I had wanted to buy a small table to go there...but just didn't want to spend any money.......and I remembered at Christmas time I had moved our sofa table there to allow more room for the Christmas tree....so.....I moved the sofa table to the wall....hunted around the house for some decor stuff...and voila! The before and after pictures are below.

Oh...the clock was already hanging there.......I couldn't find the picture of it...so had to use a picture from when we were doing the wainscoting.


Before.....

I even got the entire downstairs cleaned...well except for the bathroom....I love a clean house and fresh and new decorating ideas!! It's exactly what I had been wanting...and it cost me nothing!

And what is even better is that our family room and dining area now has more space!! Now...I must get back to making handbags! Ha!

Off to babysit my little "I" tonight....more to come tomorrow.

Opening soon...August 15th!!

There is a lot of work still to do….but I just couldn’t wait to share with you all what I am putting MY EVERYTHING into.....

I should probably do a little explaining too…..I have enjoyed being a part of the Thirty-One family and I will try and remain as an active consultant (at least for the next three months), however I have received many requests for handbags that I have been making and after having many discussions with my hubby, sister and mom (thanks to you all for listening and offering advice), I feel like this is the direction I am suppose to go. I think that Thirty-One gifts offers amazing products for everyone and I have enjoyed my time with them, however I want to do my own thing….find great products to sell along with my own…and see where God takes me with this.

So…onto a little bit of information about Anna Phyllis Designs. First…the name…are you wondering about it??? I thought about using my own name or a portion of it…or using some crafty wording…but the more I thought about it…it only seemed fitting for the name to be Anna Phyllis Designs. Anna (Mae) and Phyllis are the names of my grandmas. These two ladies meant more to me than I can put into words and they are the ones who taught me so much while they were here on earth….especially sewing and baking! Plus…their names are unique!!

I have set aside a blog (you can view at www.annaphyllisdesigns.blogspot.com) that will display some of my work and other information about items I will be selling or any craft fairs/shows that I will be participating in. This blog will also link up to my Etsy shop. If you have never been on Etsy…I highly recommend it! I have bought several items and love the site..I could spend hours on it! My etsy shop will be www.AnnaPhyllisDesigns.etsy.com. I also have an email set up for my business at annaphyllisdesigns@yahoo.com.

As stated above…my shop will be opening on August 15th!! I can’t wait to share with you the ideas that have been running through my head! Oh..one more thing….the products I will be offering will be more than just handbags!! As I am getting requests for other items to be made too….so be on the lookout!!

Also, if you have any suggestions, ideas, comments I would love to have them!! Thanks for all of your support!!

Off to bed I go....as you can see I have been working on this blog tonight...no movie tonight...looks like it will be tomorrow...more updates on the blog later this weekend.
Nighty night.

Weekend plans

This weekend I am REALLY looking forward to being at home with hubby and doing whatever we feel like doing…here is a view of some of the things I hope to do:

Rest on the couch.
Do some baking and making homemade salsa
Laundry
Golf
Walking with Bella
Reading
Organizing and cleaning our pantry
Redesigning my blog
Making some handbags
Begin to decorate our master bedroom
And working on a special project

As you can see….I do have a plan to rest a little! Last night we were so tired we were in bed by 9:00. It felt so good to sleep. Tonight will be another late night as we are heading to another late night movie, Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp. I am hoping to venture out tomorrow morning and do some exploring while hubby is at the gym….more to come on that later.

I am meeting Kid and Little “I” for lunch today and I can’t wait to see them both! Little “I” said his first sentence this week (if you want to see it check out my sister’s blog- so cute!) and every time I call her I hear him chatting away in the background. I can’t wait for my kisses from him! And I can’t wait to see Kid too. The older we both get the more alike I realize we are. I am so thankful we can meet up for lunch and that we live not too far away from one another.

The weather sounds like it is going to be absolutely gorgeous around here! I can’t believe it is July and it is so cool out this morning. Loving every minute!

If you see some craziness happening on my blog tomorrow or Sunday…just know I am working on it and I will have it up and running as soon as I figure out what I want it to look like.

Enjoy your weekends!!

Home

We have made it back home....laundry is in the dryer and Hubby and I are sitting down and relaxing this evening. It is good to be home. I missed our king size bed...a queen bed just doesn't work for us anymore....I don't think I have slept good in over a week!

Bella arrived home late this afternoon. She spent the week with Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks for taking great care of her! She is passed out on her bed now...they must have worn her out.

Not a lot planned for the week and I am happy that nothing is planned. Just need a week to try and get myself back in the grove of working....sure was nice to be off for so long.

I am excited that the new Harry Potter movie is out tomorrow. We will be heading to the theater to see it this weekend! Can't wait!

Off to relax some more. Enjoy your evenings.

You win some you lose some

We started out our day today bright and early at the ballfield. Game 1 began and due to a referree error, Y's team took a loss. Bummer....it was as the game was tied and the runner was tagged on a double play, but the ref saw it a different way. We had just enough time to eat some lunch and then headed to another park for game 2. Y pitched four of the 6 innings and team A won 8-1. And we even had a homerun during game one! Pretty exciting! Can't beat that!

Next up is a tournament next weekend in SLCity. If they win this tournament they will advance to the WBBA world series tournament.

I posted some pics on my FBook page...but wanted to share some here too since some of you don't have FBook.

Waiting for game one...

Getting ready to bat.....

Y up to bat...

On his way to stealing 2nd base......

Pitching in game one....

Feeling good during game 2.....they got an early lead and never stopped....

This evening we got to meet our two step nieces for the first time and played some mini golf with them....as you can see below everyone is waiting their turn....patiently in the heat.

Y.....who turns 13 in just a few more weeks!!

Kaylee..

and Lauren...

It is hard to believe that we head back home tomorrow. The rest of this week has gone by fast and I am really not looking forward to heading back to work on Monday morning.

Thank you to those of you who have sent notes of encouragement to me and prayers for me and my family. I appreciate them all. Each day gets better and I am ready to get home and get in routine again. I am thankful for my hubby and stepson who have kept me occupied this week. I love these two guys and can't imagine life without them.

Tomorrow will be a sad day as it always is when we leave Y....but we hope to see him again soon. He has agreed to fly out to see us as he was against it for many months. Hoping and praying that he doesn't change his mind.

I have been reading a book this week, 90 minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. My aunt had bought the book for my Grandpa and he had begun reading it before he passed away. I found it at Walmart this week and spent time between Y's games reading it. I have one chapter left and I must say that it has been helping me cope this week. If you haven't read the book, I suggest it. The first few chapters where he describes heaven is amazing. I know one day that my grandparents will all be standing there with open arms welcoming me home and I look forward to that day.

Off to spend time with my guys.

Family time in Idaho

Vacation has been going well. I finally got a little sleep last night, but I am still so tired. Hubby and Y have been trying to keep me busy and occupied so that I don't have to spend a lot of time to just sit around and think.

I told Hubby yesterday when I arrived that I didn't want to have to make any decisions nor did I want to be in charge of anything. Last night we spent the evening with my hubby's parents and today we did the same. It is nice having them in town and we went to visit the history museum here that has the Titanic exhibit displayed and then we went and played some bowling.

We took a few pics this evening in the hotel as my in-laws leave tomorrow morning and we are heading out to Y's baseball tournament for the whole day. Looking forward to sitting in the sun as the weather has been nice out here. 70s and sunny. Can't complain.

It's almost 8:30 here and I am in my pjs and ready to try and catch some zzz's. Hubby and Y are watching some tv. Hopefully, I can try and catch up on some sleep again tonight.

I realize that my post the other night was a bit of a downer.....each day gets better. I know it will. I know that all four of my grandparents are looking down on me now and they wouldn't want me to be sad for them. I am not. It's just hard...life is hard. We were playing golf yesterday with a couple that were in their late 70s and I started to cry....My grandparents were amazing people.....and this couple was so sweet with one another...and it reminded me of who I will miss seeing in my life.

Both sets of my grandparents were married for 65 years and not a lot of people can say that. They were amazing examples to me and my family. I want that. I want to strive to be like them. I will probably write more about this later...but for now... I will close with this.

Each of my grandparents passed away in their own way. I look back on it now and I know that God had his hand in it all. He knew where I needed to be each time I received the news. He knew what heartache it would cause me and knew how I would need to be near my family. I know for some of you this may make no sense....so I will explain this as best I can. When I was in college, I watched my Grandpa K take his very last breath with family by his side. When I received the news about my Grandma B, I was already on a plane headed back to Missouri, when my Granny K passed I was at home and when my Grandpa B passed, I had not yet left for vacation. For his plan I am forever thankful for my God taking care of me and giving me the comfort and strength that I need. God is always good.

Ending to a chapter..

I know that I had not planned to blog again until next week, but I am back at my house tonight...alone........and I am missing my family, my hubby and my dog. This week has been a whirlwind and I am exhausted.

I am still in a state of shock of what all has happened in the last few days and it still doesn't feel real.

Hubby and I had been up to my parents house on the 3rd and part of the 4th to spend some time with my family. I knew my Grandpa did not look good on the 4th, but I had no idea that I would be turning around and heading back to my parents house the very next day. I look back on that day now and wish I had just spent a few more minutes with him in the living room. I am dealing with regrets and the realization that all of my grandparents are gone.

I was so blessed to have all 4 of my grandparents through out my life up until I was in college. However, losing 3 of them in the last two years has been so difficult. As my sister described on her blog, we are numb.

I have been numb since Sunday. I can't hardly describe it. Hubby and I were suppose to leave on vacation to see"Y" on Monday morning. After being notified of Grandpa passing away, I asked hubby to go ahead to Idaho to spend the week there and I would stay behind to attend the service and spend time with family. I know that is what Grandpa would have wanted as he loved them both and thought it was so important for those two to spend time together. This was a difficult decision for both of us, because Grandpa meant so much to my hubby and my Grandpa thought so much of him. They related to one another.

So here I sit tonight at home..I am suppose to be packing for tomorrow. As I am scheduled to leave on a plane at 6:00 am and join my hubby and Y in Idaho. I am exhausted....I have been running on adrenaline for the past few days...and I am all of a sudden feeling like I am crashing. Tears are flowing and I can't seem to get anything accomplished. I know I should go to bed, but I need to get packed first.

I am sitting here hoping and praying for the strength and energy to get through vacation this week. Y is playing in a baseball tournament this weekend....so I know that should keep my mind preoccupied. I just don't feel like putting a happy face on and pretending all is okay when it isn't.
I am wondering if I made the right decision in joining them as I don't want to be a downer.

I am not sad about my Grandpa. I know he is in a better place and he is no longer in pain. As we told the pastor last night, he had his heart broken twice - Once when my Aunt Lynnette died and the second time was when my Grandma died. He was never the same after. I am sad for my siblings and my cousins. As Grandpa was our last grandparent to leave us. No more grandparents...it just feels strange to think about it...I miss them all.

Another chapter in my life has ended and this one I don't like.

Unknown plans

Tomorrow we were suppose to fly out to spend vacation in Idaho with my stepson. However, at this point plans are on hold and we are not sure what will be taking place this week.

My grandpa passed away this morning and we are now just beginning to make arrangements.

Please keep my family in your prayers. I am numb and can't put into words the way I am feeling.

I will be back in a week or so to post again.

Our garage and yard

Well....I have been participating in all of these...but this week since I am off on Friday I decided to take some pictures this morning of our garage and yard.....thanks for stopping by and checking it out. Hope you enjoy!

Here is the landscape in front of our house. Our plan is to work on it this fall. We have several items we are wanting to add and we are going to add a different border and build up the far left side.

This is our backyard....haven't done a thing with it. We have begun discussing a fence and we hope in the next two years to build a patio and add some trees and landscape.

One of my favorite potted plants that sits in front of our garage. It has done so well in the heat.

Our front door...my poor plants are trying to survive the hot sun this summer.

I have more hopes and dreams for this side of our front porch....but this is what I have so far.

Not the best picture of the tree in the front yard...hubby wants to cut it down...but I am trying to convince him otherwise.

I just planted these last weekend...so far...so good.

And our garage...hubby is constantly doing things in here...

His shop side....he just built the big table last weekend. He is going to use it to cut wood and keep his saw on and he talked about other stuff....so it's a work in progress.

See the wood on the floor and the door....he has begun buying supplies to start framing out our basement.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Friday!

Great weather

So, I have been slacking on the posting lately...it's just been too nice outside during the evening to get on the computer. Monday night...hubby and I sat outside all night long....watered the lawn...played with the dog...and just enjoyed peace and quiet in our neighborhood.

Last night, Hubby's friend... "bachelor E" came over for dinner and to hang out..so yet again..we were outside enjoying the weather.

Two good nights...I can't complain at all! I am totally neglecting our housework...but I really don't care! Ha!

I have added a few recipes that I tried on my recipe blog. Click here if you wish to take a look at them. I will add a few more in another day or so.

On another note....I have several extra handbags for sale.....all from my Thirty-One line that I have left over from shows. If you are interested in finding out more leave me a comment or email me and I can send you a picture of the item. I am selling them for less than the regular value too. Here is the list...

Small Sassy Sac Black Polka Dot "l" in hot pink polka dot appliqué -$25.00

Silk scarf pink dot/lime -$10.00

Small Bow Purse lime/brown stripe – no personalization- $25.00

Accent Purse Navy Circles- no personalization -$28.00

Shoulder strap aqua -$8.00

Thermal Lunch Bag – Animal Print – no personalization - $12.00

Thermal Zipper Tote – Multi Dot – "My Lunch" Aqua - $12.00

Thermal Zipper Tote – Pink Ditzy – "On the Go" – New Blue - $15.00

Julie Tote Pink w/Julie Stripe- no personalization - $20.00

Julie Tote Black Floral Dot – no personalization - $20.00

Dome thermal lunch tote blue/green medallion- no personalization -$12.50

Hobo Bag in blue/green medallion – no personalization- $30.00

No tax on any of these items and shipping is $5.00.

Off to do more work....so looking forward to vacation in just a couple of days! Happy Wednesday!