Its Been A While

I took quite some time off from blogging as we were so busy getting ready for "the" wedding and all of my creativity was being poured into that...and really still...is as Ash & I make our debut as event designers this weekend when we host a reception for them here at home.  My Nate will be taking those photos so hope to post some of them next week.  This is just a quickie blurb to share our wedding photographer Juliet's blog with you and how she was able to capture Ash & Kirk's special day.  Thanks so much Juliet you rock!  Also a shout out to our amazing wedding planner Liz Demos and her assistant Meg Sutton who were able to capture Ash's vision and the details...well its all about the details! The flowers by Whitney of Branch Design Studio were simply stunning...especially the coral peonies and the dahlias.  More shout outs to Cheryl Day from Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah for the yummy cake & cupcakes, Ron & Kim and the crew from Beyond Expectations for the delicious and beautifully presented food, and last but not least to Sinclair Ray for hosting an amazing dance party!  I will share more later... hope you enjoy!  It was definitely one of the top 10 weeks of my life!

Wedding Junkin'

Quick trip to the local flea market this afternoon on my way home in the pouring rain...that was starting to change to snow...resulted in this.......a few more vintage bottles to add to the ones we already had....can't wait to see them as part of the tablescapes.

A couple more vintage china dinner plates...two of the hundred we'll be using.

An old spool which will make a lovely candlestick...don't you think?

Also found one of the LARGE blue Ball Mason jars for the Brides Bouquest to go with the smaller ones we have for the bridesmaids....

And lastly my big SCORE of the day was this whole box of vintage glass Christmas ornaments for $2.00!!!   You will have to wait and see what we will do with them come next Christmas :)

xo

WARNING!! Its Gonna Be a Long One (lots of catching up to do)

So I've been pondering about where to even start this post and exactly what it is that I would talk about...I've decided to start with the past couple of days and move backwards as my memory...well let's just say its not so good some days when I've been multi-tasking my multi tasks!

Sweet hubs complained on Tues eve about some "chest pain" but convinced me that it was muscular, so although I am a nurse and and well aware regarding chest pain that "IF YOU DON'T KNOW...THEN GO!"  I gave him a pain pill and a muscle relaxer and he and both of the animals were snoring in & around the bed by 10:00 pm, whilst I worked on my laptop until well after Midnight...see said animals below...along with said King size bed minus 2 people and 1 cat...ha ha

About 4:45 am hubs was woke up by pain in his left shoulder, back, & chest and was miserable enough that I convinced him we needed to go to ER...so we both got dressed, teeth brushed and all...but then he said..." No I think I will be ok."    I had a very busy day ahead of me at work so I selfishly allowed him to go off to our business and I went off to work...all day hoping that he was fine. 

 Now let me start my side story if I may...while driving home, to Sandy Creek that is, as I never actually made it home until very late... and was extremely exhausted from awakening so early...I called a friend who has been having a rough time lately to check in...convo ended and although I worry about her I thought everything was fine between us.  I got to Sandy Creek and saw that dear hubs was still in a great deal of pain so shut the store down early and off we went to the hospital where I ended up being until about 11:30 pm.  When I got home I noticed that my friend had called so I texted and asked if all was ok but got no reply.  I had to go out early this morning to open our business and then be at the hospital as Trick had to have a stress test and while I was sitting in his room waiting, I again tried to reach my friend but no answer...a few mins later I received a very hurtful and distressing phone call from her husband accusing me of "talking" about them yesterday eve...when in fact I had talked to no one...as you can read above I was a little busy and wouldn't do that anyways!  So this is where I am and I know many of you have posted about similar situations...I have to let go of this friendship and it hurts deeply!...but I have been the one who has tried to keep it alive now for years and I simply do not have the strength or energy any longer...and honestly after today no longer have the desire.  I will continue, and I ask you as well, to pray for my friend in her hour of need.  I felt the "old me" rise up in anger and wanted to lash back and say if you don't want people to "talk" then don't give them something to talk about... BUT  I am trying so hard and it is a daily stuggle and lesson...to learn to lean on Jesus in the good times and the bad... like my dear blog friend Paige or Lissa who's testimonies inspire me daily... or like Jess who touches so many she doesn't even know....I was also disappointed by someone else's seemingly lack of compassion for me today and let that get to me...and then felt weary as I was advising my sweet and beautiful daugher about her disappointments in the "working world"...and heartbroken, sad, and helpless to change a situation that one of my family members is suffering... but as I have been weepy and tired today the Lord has given me the words to a few songs and I have been singing them all day...

The world will try to satisfy that longing in your soul, you may search the wide world 'oer but you'll be just as before, you'll never find true satisfaction until you've found the Lord, for only JESUS can really satisfy your soul

(Lesson being for me to get my eyes off of people because they are just that...people.. and not perfect and will disappoint..but HE is perfect)

Broken and beautiful, come just as you are, surrender your heart, broken and beautiful

(Lesson being that even when the "old me" tries to take over or messes up HE still takes me back Just As I Am and that I just need to surrender)

His strength is perfect, when our strength is gone, He'll carry you, when you can't carry on, raised in HIS power the weak become strong

(Lesson being I need to quit trying to be self sufficient and allow HIM to be ALL SUFFICIENT!)

Anyways, back to hubs...Praise the Lord he did not have a heart attack and at this point it looks to be something musculoskeletal, probably from lifting 1000# beef...go figure!!  He got out of the hospital earlier this afternoon and just awoke from a 3 hour nap which I know he very much needed! (see him & his best friend in the whole world above)  This man works very hard (physically& mentally) and NEVER complains! He will be having a few more tests over the next couple of weeks regarding some other possible health issues so we covet your prayers!

Going backwards...I had a little Miss America party with Ash, my sis, & my Mom last Saturday so we could watch Miss WV of whom we are terribly proud!   I am especially proud of her talent and choice of song and it is well worth a listen...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjmE9Mz53vM...pay special attention to the first few words that she chose to sing... Ash & Tal grew up together and were roomies Sr. Year at UC.  Anyways, Mom decided I needed to build a fire in my newly done fireplace...well, hubs wasn't here and apparently I did NOT have the damper completly open because about 10 mins into the fire my entire house filled up with smoke within a matter of a minute...had to get the burning logs out and in the process burned a hole in my fairly new rug from Ballards...it was rather dramatic but thank goodness its only a rug!!! ....could've been a lot worse...so now my sister says we had a Miss America CAMPFIRE! ha ha...Ash made these lovely red velvet cupcakes which we, not Button, enjoyed in spite of the smoke!

This is getting long so for those of you who only read to keep up with Cinderella's quickly approaching wedding here is some of the latest...I won't go into details...but I will say that not having my dear sweet friend, Mr. R's mom, around for all of this has been just downright awful at times!  I miss her terribly!!

Invites are supposed to arrive here tomorrow so we will be getting those in the mail...I or Ash will try to post you a pretty pic of them soon.  Also some other goodies arrived this week...bridesmaid's totes lovingly handmade by Jeanne Oliver...you can shop her "pretties here http://www.etsy.com/shop/abushelandapeck

and just arriving today from http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/ the sweet ring bearer pillow and garter

Maybe this will make you giggle, as I did, sorry to embarass you honey, but I have to share...when sweetness asked what the hanging ribbons on all the pillows were for??? ha ha...

I explained...to tie the rings with...since after all that is the purpose of this item!  Sometimes her innocence cracks me up! :)

Little Miss has been busy in my basement on weekends when she is home... restoring furniture for her new nest!

Well this needs to come to an end so I leave you with this view that I have seen far too many days lately from my kitchen window!

Oh Summer how I long for thee!

Love to All!

xo

Taking a Respite from Blogging

Hello there my friends! Its been a while since I last took/had the time to post. I have been very busy with year end and holiday duties and looks like I am going to stay busy clear through the end of May when Cinderella finally marries Prince R...so please know that even though I may not be posting...(probably noone will even notice..ha ha)...I am always keeping up with you! Also I am attempting to give time to improving my "image" and my marriage (started the Love Dare) today...its 24 years this May...time to "spice it up a bit"! :)




Hubs & I and Nate & his g/f Chels took a little jaunt down to SC after Christmas for a few days...did a little tasting for the wedding which was delish...so now we finally have a caterer. You can check out Chef Ron's work here...http://www.beyondxpectations.com/








Also met up w/Prince R and his Dad and finalized the Rehearsal Dinner at htttp://www.mccradysrestaurant.com/ and its going to be simply amazing! While we were in Charleston's fly shop, as in fishing...we never miss one of these when Nate's along...the owner told us that McCradys is Charleston's BEST restaurant...made me feel good as we had no idea when we chose there just how great and "special" things were going to be. There's a story behind how we picked that involves Kirk's Mom, who I know sent us there, and not by accident! Let me digress for one minute and just say how very much I...WE...all miss her so in this process!







We then jaunted up the coast for a night at Myrtle Beach where we enjoyed some of my favorite She Crab soup from The Gulfstream Cafe on South Waccamaw in Garden City...in case you're in the area...you won't be disappointed! While we were driving to MB from Charleston I was busy making a room reservation and the debate in the car was whether to spend the extra $30/night on an Ocean Front room. My 19 y.o. son says, "hey if your're going to "waste" $30 then you can just put it in my pocket." Don't get me started about all the dinero' he wastes! :) Anyways story goes like this, when I checked in the very nice gentleman at the desk says, "well I see here that you are an Honors Club member so I have upgraded your room to Ocean Front! " Yup thats right we stayed in a beautiful new room, Ocean Front for the regular old rate, and you ask me if God is good my friends, YES HE IS!...and just to prove that...check out this amazing SonRise my baby boy caught with his camera the next morning!
























Well I must be wrapping this up as I stayed up 'til 3 am last night but managed to get Cait's Jr. Bridesmaid dress ordered...she will look so cute...AND















found an AMAZING house to rent for the week of the wedding! You can check it out at http://www.vrbo.com/209885... and lastly secured the Block of rooms at The Hampton Inn-IOP on Sessions Way in Mt. Pleasant...so if you are reading this and coming to the Wedding...call to grab a room at the discounted rate before they are all gone...just use code RRW.

Don't know when I'll be back but know that I am having the time of my life and WISHING & HOPING & PRAYING that each of you have a Happy, Healthy, & Blessed New Year!!!

xo

'Tis the Season

So 'tis the season and a time that we can chose to be all stressed out with shopping, baking, decorating, year end duties at work, and even taxes(yuck)...OR we can chose to CELEBRATE the real reason for the season and that is the birth of Jesus, our Savior and soon coming King and the true example of selflessness and GIVING!

I must admit the past few weeks in my work & at Sandy Creek Farms have been VERY stressful and busy (the reason my poor blog has been neglected)...which then lends itself to tiredness and crabbiness :(

I decided on my way home from work tonight, after a very long day, that I am NOT going to let all this "busy-ness" stop me from CELEBRATING and being a cheerful giver! I want to continue the spirit of thankfulness from November as I am very blessed with family, friends, health, and a job!!

So I thought I would share a few pics from around my house with you that make me happy and I hope they will make you smile as well! (Remember I do not have a fancy camera nor am I a skilled photographer)

This Nativity atop my piano is a reminder of what Christmas is all about... made by my bro-in-law for us many years ago.

My tree which I love! Sorry I cut off the Angels' head in the pic...shes bumping the ceiling anyways...ha ha

GREETINGS

from my front door

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...hubs painted my brick whilst I was in Charleston, SC...isn't he the best?...it was a lovely hideous pink color...now waiting for that monstrous wood burner to be removed so I can add a lovely screen and again start using the open fire.

Please stop by for a visit and when you hang your keys by the door you will be greeted by my ANGEL!...she was given to me last Christmas by my dear friend Candi who is watching this Christmas from her new home in Heaven...oh how we miss her, but we know she is in GREAT HANDS and we will see her soon!!

I already have the table set....JUST FOR YOU!!

I love decorating for Christmas, even small things like tassels on your cabinet doors are happy!

and lastly the two things I wish for all of you, my family & friends....!!!!

xo

Jerri

A Romantic Carriage Ride for Two...errr Three!!

Some of you know that Ash & I made a little trip down to Charleston, SC this past week/weekend to do a little wedding planning...and Kirk too, who flew down on Thursday.

Just a few notes then on to the fun things...the pics!...but don't get too excited "cause I don't got no fancy camera"...(sorry just a little hillbilly humor there)


*On Wednesday when we were driving down we got stuck on Fancy Gap mountain in Virginia (no detour out) where it took us 2 hours to go 7 short miles...ugh

*The weather in Charleston was cold and rainy up until we left to go to Savannah, GA on Friday evening...it was warmer in St. Charles, IL than in Charleston...go figure :)

We got a few items taken care of and most importantly were able to do them in person with Liz Demos, our most awesome wedding planner & her cute, talented, & VERY organized assistant, Meg.



Meg, Liz & Claire from Magnolia Plantation

First of three cupcake tastings & a sneek peak of Rehearsal Dinner locale

When we finished up with "business" on Friday we headed down to Savannah for our third cupcake tasting session and to just be tourists for a day...which was the best part...relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery and weather!

And who wouldn't want to buy cupcakes from here homemade by Miss Cheryl herself...they were by far the best of the three sets we tasted...and she is just as sweet as her "treats" ! This girl has happy hour at her place where they serve up shots of her yummy icing!!!

Corner booth at Back In the Day Bakery

Of course we visited here....and isn't that a "yummy" wall of Christmas stuff! A scrumptious dinner and then our time in Savannah concluded with our faithful guide "Cricket" taking us "3" on a most awesome carriage tour of the city!

In case you're interested, "Cricket" is a blue Weimaraner who loves to run in the "forest"...
or so says her German owner! :)

Let Me Introduce You

Well it seems I have been a bit too busy for blogging lately...doing what, I am not sure, but anyways taking the time for a quickie post tonight. Even though I am not posting, I have been keeping up with all of you :)

In case you haven't met them, let me take this opportunity to introduce you to the ones who mean the most to me!

To my left is my Number One...some of you refer to your as hubs, but I affectionately call mine Trick. :)

This photo was taken by Nate when he & his Dad went fishing in Wisconsin for his Senior trip. Oh and by the way, this man is always happy!! Yes, I did say always! Sometimes, I don't even realize how really blessed I am!!!

Some of you already know my first born Ash, what an awesome daughter she is! Beautiful inside and out!...and with her is my sweet son-in-law to be Kirk, who is also such a great young man! (I know it seems I am bragging but thats what we Mom's do best)...I love to read and see what your children are up to as well, so please do share!!! Miss Ash graduated from UC in 3 short years and then went to WVU where she graduated her Masters in August and is now making her own way in the world as an employee of the Federal Government! Yay!! Kirk graduates with his Industrial Engineering Degree in May, just in time for the big Wedding and then he, too will be kicked off of the Parental Payroll program!...ha ha

This is my handsome and talented "baby" Nate!...who is probably too much like his mother for his own good. I can't wait to see what great things he is able to accomplish in his life. He is a runner, avid fly fisher, photographer, and most importantly a college student studying to teach high school and coach.

Check out some of his photography here http://ncrphotography.wordpress.com/

This is "Dub" our spoiled rotten 10 yr old Boxer/Lab(see photo as to how he owns our leather couch) who also gets me up at least once, if not two or three times in the night!! Sweet "hubs" just can't seem to hear him. Does any of this sound familar, like when they also couldn't hear the baby? hmmmm I see a pattern.

Sorry about the poor photo...he kind of blends in with the couch...ha ha

And last but not least, this is "Button" who is very soft and furry but leaves her very soft white fur everywhere all over my house...ugh! Thank God for lint brushes!!

Hope you enjoyed meeting the members of my family(if you didn't know them already) as much I enjoy getting to meet each of yours!

PS I remember now why I do not have time to blog because I can never seem to get this thing to look like I want, but hope you enjoy anyway!

xo