Great Weekend!

It's been a wonderful weekend.  I have received phone calls from both of my out of state children and my dad.  I was blown away with all the best wishes sent to me by former students, friends and family on facebook. 

Yes, I celebrated a birthday. 

I am thankful God has blessed me. 

We went to the movies last night and saw "The Help".  It was a very good movie.  If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend doing so.  I have heard the book is even better, I intend to read it this week.  That period of history in our country was so painful, but necessary.  Unfortunately, I am afraid there are still similar attitudes today - 40 years later.  :( I pray you have a wonderful week, and God sends blessings to you. xoxo 

I missed August

August arrived and went.  August the 8th was a monumental day in our family.  We drove to Knoxville to see our middle child leave what was familiar and comfortable.  He was sworn in to serve our country through the  Army.

I took the above photo with my cell phone.  It isn't great, but I think the look on her face is precious.  I am so glad I caught this.    Letters from Oklahoma indicate, it isn't for the faint of heart.  I am so proud of him!  His beautiful wife celebrates her birthday tomorrow, September 6th.  School began, which is why my blog has been neglected.  I will get things caught up.  I have several projects in the works. Our daughter begins a new journey tomorrow.  Growing up can be a real pain, but she has grown up beautifully and gracefully.  Many prayers are being sent up for her as she embarks on this new adventure. Oldest son and wife are doing well.  His precious wife has also begun a new adventure.  She is working as a law clerk for a judge in Frankfort, KY.  It has rained in TN all day today and I am thankful. XOXO

From July 29, 2011

Learning new technology

I love this photo.  :)  The look on his face says it all!

I am trying to update my blog, learn new techniques and basically avoid organizing my closet.  :)

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pK_-7pYEF3QfvFrrCwvd6g?feat=directlink

Sunday Reception!

We had a great afternoon! 

Brownie bites! 

I have a respect for those who bake and decorate cookies.  I also love Martha!  We made 109 heart shaped cookies using this recipe.  They were delicious!  Soft, not hard, and maybe my new favorite sugar cookie.  My creative daughter and daughter n law  helped decorate those cookies.

This dear lady is a sweet friend, she is a new grandmother!  She just returned  from Singapore, where she spent a month with her beautiful new granddaughter.  :0)

 The happy couple!



 The candelabra was my mother's.  She had used this in our wedding 32 years ago.  I had thought to paint it for an update, but my daughter wouldn't let me.  She liked it just the way it was!  :)

One of the tables.

Chocolate chip cookies!  Seriously, I found this recipe here, and they were fabulous!  The recipe made 120 cookies, which is perfect for a party.  I added pecans - love pecans! 



These sweet ladies drove down from West Virginia and KY to be with us today!  Thank you!

Three weeks - that's all that's left of my summer!

I have homework that I must do before school begins and yes, I've waited to the end of the summer. 

XOXO

Theresa

Wedding Part 2

We had a beautiful weekend in the mountains of Pigeon Forge, TN.  I thought I would give you a break down on how we pulled it all together. 

The sign came from Guam.  The bouquet; flowers from WM and arranged by my friend.

It would not have happened if there had not been a lot of effort from friends and family.  There were 4 weeks between the end of school and the appointed weekend.  What did I do those weeks you ask?  Well, I went to Gatlinburg one week for a conference in Personal Finance.  It is absolutely my favorite conference to attend.

Week #2 saw me in Nashville, attending a workshop on Work Based Learning - which  was a requirement for me, as I will be teaching an Introduction to Education Class this fall.  I brought back homework!  :(

Week #3 I spent in my sewing room.  We had found the "perfect" dress, but it needed a little something extra. The bride wanted a yellow sash with silver sparkle.  Famous words, "I can make that!"  :)  She also wanted the groom to wear a yellow vest.  I was able to make 2 sashes, one vest (did I mention I haven't made buttonholes in 14 years?), 3 table runners and hem the wedding dress ( this made me nervous). 

Our friends from Hopkinsville, KY.

At the end of week #3 I began to not feel so well.  I diagnosed myself, and began taking over the counter drugs to ward off the illness.  Ha!  Each day I would tell myself I was getting better, but on Thursday(day we were leaving for the wedding) morning I realized I needed help.  I was at the Dr.'s office right after she opened and pleaded for a "fit in".  They were so kind.  A shot of antibiotic + B 12 + antibiotic horse size pills + good friends and family = a much more enjoyable time.  :)

Tablecloth found at a K-Mart in Nashville, on clearance.  Flowers 1/2 off from Micheals, wooden statue from Guam, tea lights from "It's really a Dollar", the wooden initials from Hobby Lobby.

 Our longtime friends from KY arrived early to help.  She has the best, "get r done/organizational" skills and immediately had the decorations organized and the husbands helping to get everything put in place. 

Thanks! 

With their help, I was able to stay focused on the food.

Garden Lights - TJ Maxx, yellow buckets - Target, bride added the bows;  hanging flowers bouquet borrowed

The men hung the lights, flowers, swept the porch and basically did a lot of manual labor.

Flowers - Wal Mart, arranged by friend
Vase - Green bean can from cooking
Fabric on vase - given to me by an elderly lady in our church
Yellow tablecloth - Clearance K-Mart
Brown Table runner - sewing project

Brown tablecloth - T J Maxx
Yellow table runner - TJ Maxx
Ties - JC Penney
Dress - David's Bridal

Candles - Hobby Lobby 1/2 off
Yellow napkin - package from TJ Maxx
candle plate - found in the cabin
We have another party planned for this sweet couple.
Have a great weekend.
XOXO
Theresa

Wedding Food!

The bride and groom chose the menu.

I think it went well.

Mashed potatoes was #1 on the list.

Fresh fruit, yum!

The bride, so pretty!

The groom, enjoying his reception.

That beautiful wooden bowl has a story - it was a gift from my husband to me.  It was hand made and has a wonderful drawing on the base.  Solid maple.  I will show more photos later.

I wish I had left overs!

BBQ chicken. 

Thank God for slow cookers!

Yum! 

Bare with me as I share wonderful memories of a very special young couple.

XOXO

Theresa

Cabin Wedding!

We had a beautiful weekend! 

Family and Friends gathered in Pigeon Forge, TN to celebrate!

Well Wishes

The setting for the ceremony was the gorgeous mountains of Appalachia.

 The happy couple. 

 Food was a part of the festivities.

The bride and groom led the way.



One of the many diy projects prepared by the bride.

The cake made a 2 hour drive, in a cooler with dry ice, located in the back of a mini van.

More wedding projects and photos to come. 

How is your 4th?

Happy Birthday America!

Wishes and Blessings to the newly wed couple.

XOXO

Theresa

Long Time - I know

I know,

I have neglected my blog.  It wasn't intentional.  Really.  Every weekend in May was brimming with birthday celebrations, graduation activities and end-of-school deadlines. 

I only had 24 hours in a day. :(

These beautiful young women have been a part of my life for four years!  I am blessed.  Yes, I was a little teary eyed when I took the photo.  I am so proud of the women they have become and am excited to see them venture out on a new journey.  Yes, we will be keeping in touch.

I brought home "Emme". Emme is the name I gave the beautiful, professional embroidery machine I was able to acquire for my FACS program.  She has been a frustrating, aggravating, annoying and enjoyable addition.  The company that made the transaction, failed to mention they were going out of business just weeks after her delivery.  Thank goodness for research skills, internet resources and "youtube".

 After many hours of trial and error, learning from my mistakes and basically, not giving up, I can say Emme is no longer the frustration device she once was. 

My daughter has had several bridal and baby showers invites. Her designs and my labor have produced unique, much appreciated, gifts.  :) 

Lest, you think I have nothing to do, the young couple below will be saying "I do" in less than 14 days.

Save the Date!

July 1, 2011

Pigeon Forge, TN 

I have many more projects to do. 

I will try to do better on posting.

XOXO

Theresa

This Week - I Missed Her

My mother's birthday was May 4th.

She would have been 69 years old.

She left this world when she was 59.

She was beautiful and she loved me only as a mother could. The above photo is of her and my brand new baby daughter, September, 1989.

Our family celebrated many milestones this weekend and I desperately missed having her with us as we gathered and shared 0ur joy of the accomplishments and honors.

Thirty years ago, this very weekend, my family gathered to celebrate a milestone in my life. Mother was a huge supporter of education. She encouraged me to always do my best in school, and was very pleased when I applied for college. There were many times I would call, " I can't do it", and she would be there to listen and offer unconditional love. I have missed her terribly these past, almost 10 years, but this week, there was a void that I couldn't help but notice.

On Friday we made the trip to Lexington, KY

to celebrate our daughter-n-law's graduation from the University of KY's Law School. She graduated 16th in a class of 150. I have watched this young woman the past couple of years read books that seem larger than she. I am in awe! She will be working with a judge in the court system. This is a great honor.

I was so pleased that my Dad and Pat were able to meet us in Lexington for this great celebration! We don't spend near as much time with them as I would like.

We returned to Kingsport, TN at 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning, slept a few hours and then began preparations for the next graduation and our son's birthday. 28 years ago, on the First Saturday in May, in Louisville, KY our oldest son made his entrance into our world( which was also known as Derby Day). My mother was there with me that day. I will never forget how she patted my leg as tears ran down her face, when I would cry that I couldn't do it! :0) Of course, I could, but at the time, I was very scared and very much needed my mother. She stayed with me that first week I was a mother, - I never told her that I cried the minute she and Dad were out of the parking lot heading back to Western KY.

On Saturday, my mother's youngest grandchild, my beautiful daughter, graduated from East TN. State University. While I was sitting in the crowd, I couldn't help but think how proud my mother would have been. All four of her grandchildren, and all three of her daughters have college degrees. That doesn't make us any better than others, it is only a testament to how much our mother/grandmother(dad too! ) believed in the need for an education.

Yes, I missed my mother this week. I selfishly wanted her there to witness the blessings I have as a mother and to thank her for her role in my life.

But, as I looked through the camera lenses and took photos of my daughter, I noticed how similar my daughter's profile, eyes and hair are to my mother's. Mother would be so proud. I am proud!

To my Mother on this Mother's Day weekend:

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always,

as long as I'm living, my mommy you'll be".

To my children:

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living,

my baby(ies) you'll be".

I pray your weekend was as blessed as mine. Thank you God for my parents, my husband, my children and for blessing me this weekend as a mother.

XOXO

Theresa