Nancy Drew Deadline and Giveaway!

   These lovely ladies have mailed their packages to their partner and sent me a picture of their goodies:

Val

Amanda

Tara

Wanda 

Lori

Olenka

Kim

Janet

Amy

Vicky

Fran

Kathy

The mailing date is tomorrow, June 1st, so please get your packages together!  Don't forget to mail me a picture, too. ( toosillysisters@cox.net )  I will have the drawing for my giveaway tomorrow night!

Turning off the TV- almost

      TV is bad news for children- for the most part.  I dislike the way cartoons and sitcoms portray adults (dumb, lazy, etc.) and the terrible attitudes that are commonplace (and accepted!) for children/teens.  I tried many times to ban the TV in our home, but it's no easy task.

      Here is what we are doing at our house now and it's working beautifully!  The TV is off, except for in the evening.  Each night we take turns choosing an "old" time TV show to watch as a family.  We all love the Waltons...

   Little House on the Prairie...

   A new favorite is Wonder Woman!

   This was my favorite as a child.  The Brady Bunch.  I can quote many a line.:)

   I can't wait to choose Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys.  Yes, we have that on DVD, too!  It's fun spending time as a family and the girls haven't complained about it being off- yet.  In fact, the girls are getting along better and have been finding lots of creative ways to occupy their time.  I am so proud of them and I feel like I have much more control over things.  It's amazing how easily TV can take over your life!

More Nancy Drew Goodies!

Amanda (Val's partner) was assigned The Sign of the Twisted Candles as her mystery.  Look at the darling towels she made!  She also included candles, soaps, magnifying glasses and a copy of The Whispered Watchword...  Fabulous package, Amanda!

   Tara was partners with Wanda and her mystery was The Ghost of Blackwood Hall.  (This is her sweet dog, Hodges, isn't she precious.:))  Tara included a Nancy Drew cookbook (Wanda loves to cook), walnuts (in honor of Blackwood Hall), a Nancy Drew bookmark, Nancy Drew paper dolls, Nancy Drew Mad Libs, and a vintage apron (that Nancy may have worn!)  Wow, Tara!  I want to be your partner next time!:)

   Keep sending your pictures ladies!  I am having such fun seeing them!  toosillysisters@cox.net

Nancy Drew Package #1

   Nancy Drew Swappers!  It's almost time to get those fabulous Nancy Drew goodies in the mail!  Don't forget that the send off date is June 1st- in 3 days!  Please send me a picture of your package and if you also mail it on time you will be entered in my giveaway.:)

Val did the most amazing job!  If you ever get her as your partner, consider yourself one lucky lady!  Val included all these lovely items in her package to her partner, Amanda...

1 apron 
1 set wine stem charms using things from the ND book I read
1 crocheted dish scrubby I made
1 Nancy Drew cocktail recipe
1 set cocktail napkins
1 set Nancy Drew cupcake toppers
1 set cupcake liners
1 lemon cupcake recipe
8 strings of mardi gras pearls so her girlfriends will be appropriately dressed!

   Have you ever seen a Nancy Drew apron before???  Never!  I told her she should put one in her shop (in the making, right Sweets?)...

   Look at what she attached to the wine charms!  I can't stand it- it's so fabulous!!!

   Great job, Val!  I can't wait to see all the wonderful things that you ladies have created!

Get Well Package

   Of all the sweet things...  My dear friend, Lindsay, sent me the most wonderful Get Well Package today!

   Just the fact that she thought of me, put a smile on my face!:)  And then I looked inside and found all these lovely surprises, too...

   A gorgeous magazine, luscious chocolate, beautiful bath goodies and the dearest note- all the way from England!  Thank you so much, Lindsay!  You are such a sweetheart and I adore you.:)

***Ladies- I do believe that I am all better now!  Praise the Lord!  Thank you all so very much for being there for me with prayers and well wishes.  They meant the world to me!  I felt them all and God heard every word.:)  You are all the best friends anyone could ever have...***

Mammograms and Mucinex

   I had my very first mammogram today.  It was a piece of cake, ladies.  I was a bit worried about the procedure and it was painless and pleasant!  So, if you have never had one, don't let people scare you.  For your peace of mind- and your health- go get one.  You will be proud of yourself.:)

   2 rounds of antibiotics.  A strong does of steroids.  3 inhalers.  Advair.  A chest x-ray.  Now this...
   It was just waiting on the shelf at Target.  I believe we have a winner!  I LOVE this stuff.  God willing, I am on the path to good health again.  Thanks again so much for your prayers, dear friends...

Chrissie Grace

   Awhile back I contacted Chrissie and asked if she wanted to do a swap with me.  She thought it was a great idea, so we traded "wish lists" and got to work!

   If you have never been to Chrissie's blog/shop, you must check it out!  She is super talented!  Look at the darling cards she made for me....

These painted rocks are so fun and colorful!  She has a fabulous flair for putting together the most amazing colors...

   How to Live an Extraordinary Life.  Love it!  I am going to frame this and put it where I can be reminded every day.:)

   I LOVE the signs that Chrissie makes.  So simple with a touch of ribbon...

  She is the queen of whimsy, too!  She could not live without her chocolate.  Yep- that's me.:)

   She even send me a book!  With the cutest bookmark!!

   Cupcakes, anyone?  I know Katie LOVES hers!  

   Chrissie makes all these darling items in her shop.  Plus, she is having a sale on her blog right now, too!  Hurry- before everything is gone!

   Thanks again, Chrissie!  I adore everything!!!!

24 hours in the Car...

   ... and I got to play with my sweet buttons!

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   Lime Twist Button Bracelet  $18.99  **Free Shipping this Week!**

  4th of July Button Bracelet  $18.99  **Free Shipping this Week!**

   Orange Crush Button Bracelet  $18.99  **Free Shipping this Week!**

   Please leave a comment if you are interested in any of these fun pieces.:)

Quick Catch Up

   We're home!  It's so nice to be here, too.  I love vacations, but it is so nice coming home to your own cozy bed.  sigh..  I am still sick, but my bronchitis cough has changed a bit and I am praying that it is a sign of improvement.  Thanks again for all your prayers and well wishes, dear friends.  You are truly the BEST.

   Here are some pics from Katie's ballet.  We left for the beach after her performance.  It was a lovely evening and Katie was such a cute bumble bee!

   While at the beach, the girls both got hair wraps.  They are so much fun and are supposed to last about 2 months.  Mandy became a surfer girl over night and spent much of her beach time in the water.  Robin- we watched a bit of Blue Crush and looked for your niece.:)

   Here the girls are at Lulu's.  It's the restaurant owned by Lucy Buffett (Jimmy Buffett's sister).  Yes, we ate there 4 times!  If you have ever been there, you would understand why.  Great food, dining by the water, fun music, fabulous t-shirts, and a beach for the kids- with toys!  Love it.

   This picture was taken outside our beach house.  

   Dining by the water at Lulu's...

   The colors by the water are amazing.  So simple- a piece of a shell is a masterpiece in itself...
   This shell looks like it has a heart shaped hole...

   We had one night with the most relaxing rain storm.  It's the one night that I actually got some rest and it was heavenly...

   Who knew you could have so much fun on a golf cart?  Some of our best beach memories are from giggling while we zip around!

Yes- Lulu's again.:)  Heather- this is the dress I told you about!:)

   This was our back porch at the beach house.  We enjoyed cake, long talks, games of Bananagrams and Polly Pocket here.  Katie and I also spent the most relaxing evening- just the two of us- drawing pictures here.  Heavenly.  

   Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Sick at the Beach

Dear Friends...  I am at the beach- my favorite place in the world (besides home) and I am sick.  This crazy bronchitis has knocked my for a loop and I am in a world of worry.  It has been going on for weeks and weeks...  I have 1 antibiotic pill left, a few steroids and my inhaler.  Nothing seems to be working.  My cough is horrid and I have "bubbles" when I breathe...  So, if you could keep me in your prayers I would truly appreciate it.  You know I love you all so much.

I am taking pictures that I so want to share with you and having fun laying by the pool.  We had a bonfire the other night (s'mores!) and are loving the company of my parents and sister.  Memories are being made.:)  I just feel like I am under a dark cloud right now and I am waiting for the sun to come back...  

**** I am sitting here crying while I read your sweet comments.  I can feel your love and prayers all the way at the beach!  How I wish I could give you all the biggest hugs!  (Don't know if you want to get too close, though.  lol!)  Thank you so much for taking the time to pray for me.  It means so much, as I know that God hears every word and thought.  I adore each and every one of you ladies- so much.  I am so blessed with your friendship!   Please do not worry about pneumonia, though.  They took a chest x-ray before I left and all is well in that department.  Praise the Lord!****

Girls' Getaway!

   My dear, sweet, darling bloggy friend, Heather, and I are planning a Girl's Weekend together!  Yippee!  

I have never gone on a Girl's Weekend so....  We were thinking of maybe going here...

   But we are not sure yet.  Have any of you ever enjoyed a Girl's Getaway?  I know that Tristan is enjoying a fabulous Girl's Night Out tonight- lucky cutie!:)  Do you have any suggestions??

Busy Bee

   It's 4:38 AM and I am still up with this infernal cough.  It's exasperating!  I pray the antibiotics will start working soon....

   This is what Katie has been up to....

   Practice, practice, and more practice...

   The big performance is almost here!  Katie will be a bumblebee and a cute one at that.:)

Slumber Parties

   Are we too old for slumber parties?  I think not!  Here is my recipe for the perfect slumber party...

   Gather some fun craft items from your favorite craft store.  Have your friend(s) do the same.

Book a room/rooms at a fabulous hotel.  My choice- The Ritz Carlton...

  

   Ask everyone to bring their favorite snack(s)!  I will be bringing peanut M&M's, Doritos (Ranch and Taco combo) and Mountain Dew.  It's a slumber party, so no holding back!  What will YOU bring?  (Robin- I will bring peanut butter cups for you.)

   Don't forget the margaritas!  Val- can you bring your handy little margarita maker?  Heather- we will make daiquiris, too!

   Games!  Of course!  I will bring Clue and Heather will bring Scrabble.:)  Right, Sweets?  Have any of you ever played Clue on the VCR?  Cheesy, but a fun variation on the board game...

   There will be secrets shared!  But you know what is told at a slumber party, stays at the slumber party...

Movies, movies and more movies.  I will bring Twilight, Tristan and Isolde (just bought it), Stealing Home, April Fool's Day and.....  How about you?

   Did I forget anything??