Monday, August 29, 2011

Inspirational Photos

Hello!

I had a chance to take
a bunch of pictures over
the weekend and it
hit me...
some of these would be
great for inpirational quotes.

Here are the 4 I've done
so far...



One of my most favorite Bible verses.
A friend of mine gave this quote to me
to pray on while we were going through
a job-loss years ago.


I love this quote from Pinnochio.


Same path different quote,
from Pocahontas and
I took most of the color out.


This one is a quote from Mulan.

Later today or tomorrow,
I will be picking up a couple of
prints I made with these.
(Please don't use these prints
without my permission--Thanks!)

Hope you're having a great day!
Hugs!
Kim

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Wet Nose

I am back!!!
What a week, last week!

Saturday, bright and early...
we packed the dogs up and
drove to our favorite pet store...

We went to the Geneva, IL location.
On Saturday they were having a
birthday party in honor of their dog,
Lily, who was turning 12.
Lily was the inspiration behind
the owners opening Wet Nose.


I'd say they are more of a pet boutique
than a "pet store".
All of my dogs favorite treats come
from here.
They include:  Yak's milk, bully sticks and deer antlers.


The displays are to die for!!!


"LOVE"
I picked up a leopard print dog food can with
my 25% off coupon.


Here we are back home,
happy and exhausted!
The line in the store wrapped around the entire store!
See the hot pink tote bag?
That is our swag bag for being the first 50 (I believe)
customers to spend X amount.
(Let's just say, our snacks for 3 months and
Christmas list has been checked off.)

In the swag bag...
3 toys and tons of treats!
The bag was worth $75!!

Now my dogs have a new favorite snack:

DRIED DUCK FEET

thanks to the swag bag!

EWWW!

Hope you had a great weekend!!!
Hugs!

Kim

Friday, August 26, 2011

InstaFriday!

life rearranged



Hello!
I'm linking up with Jeannett,
again, this week.
I really love this Iphone App!

Here we go!!


We are on a eat healthier get healthier plan.
I decided we need more vegetables and less
of everything else.
I cut up some sweet potatoes and
tossed them in olive oil, salt and pepper.
Baked them at 375 for 20 minutes and then
turned the heat up to 400 for 10 minutes
to make them crispier.


They turned out soooo good!!!
YUM!!!


So I lied a little!
We decided to try the Italian Beef place
on the corner. (Not exactly healthy)
They were recommended by the Hungry Hound
on our local ABC station but...
I would not recommend them.


 The peppers were way too hot,
even for my hubs liking.
He loves hot food.
The restaurant was a little stinky
when we walked in...ick.
I will stick with Buona Beef or Portillos.


I sent in for a free sample offer of Duck Tape.
I received this large sample yesterday.
Hot pink and black zebra stripes!
This is perfect!
Starting next week I am sending my sister in law
a small package a week, counting down
our last 10 weeks until our Disney vacation.
We are going on the Wild Africa Trek at
Animal Kingdom and she is thrilled!
So zebra stripes will make these
packages all prettied up in
anticipation of seeing zebras!

I know I said I'd post again yesterday...
well as the rest of the week went...
things did not go as planned!

I will try to get back on track!

Have a great weekend!!!
Hugs!

Kim

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Unplanned

Hello all!

I will be posting later today.
This week has not gone at all
as planned.

We've already been to
one funeral and have
one to go.
A co-worker of my hubs
passed away...so sad...
such a great guy.
Cancer stinks!
Tomorrow's funeral is
for another of his
co-workers mom.
Cancer stinks!

Yesterday I went to WI,
unexpectedly.
A co-worker,
of my hubs, wife
asked me to go with
her to one of the plants
employee appreciation luncheon.
Her hubs is General Manager there.
So we packed up her 3 month old
grandson and headed north.
7 hours of driving for me...
wore me out!
We met our hubs there and
enjoyed some good food
and nice employees of
our hubs.

So...2 days out of the state
and one day  (tomorrow)
headed on an Illinois road trip
for the funeral equals a busy,
worn out me!

Once again, no crafting has been done.
Sigh!
No What I Wore Wednesday.
However, I do have a post for
today and possibly tomorrow or
Saturday. Yay!

Hope you're all having a great week!

Hugs!
Kim

Friday, August 19, 2011

Date Night~The Help

Hello!

August 18th was our 27th anniversary!
We celebrated that night at a
restaurant called Wildfire,
in Schaumburg, IL.

Tonight we continued the celebration.
There wasn't enough time last night
to go out to a nice dinner and a
7 pm show.

We went to see The Help!!!
I am only about 50 pages
away from finishing the book.
I give the book 5 stars!




Inside the lobby of the theater,
waiting to get our popcorn and cola.
Pretty ceiling border.


A shot of our tickets while
we wait to enter the theatre.

The Help was great!
I loved it!
I laughed, I cried and was
sorry to see it end.
I love Skeeter's hair!
It's the same as mine when I
let it go natural!
I think I will tomorrow,
in honor of Skeeter!

If you haven't seen it yet...
head on over to the theatre
this weekend!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Hugs!

Kim

InstaFriday!

life rearranged


Hi there!
I'm linking up with Jeannet over at


Steely Dan concert at Ravinia.


I decided to invest in some quality
nail polish and try to do my own manicure.
Left:  OPI Bubblegum
Right:  Louvre Me Louvre Me Not


I did my own fingernails,
(I used the Bubblegum)
saving me $50.
They look just as nice
as the last time I went
to the Aveda Salon.
I still need to attempt my toes.
I need hubs to be home for that
so he can entertain the puppy!

There you have it!
Hope you have a great weekend,
not much on our agenda.

Hugs!
Kim

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Ravinia-Steely Dan

Hello!

Saturday we had the chance to
go to the Ravinia Festival.
Steely Dan was the band there.
All day it had been raining and
storming on and off.

I was very hesitant about going
with iffy weather.
The reason...
lawn seats!
I took one for the team,
8 of us packed our coolers,
chairs, blankets, umbrellas
and candles.



Waiting to enter the gates.
Rain clouds all around but we're pushing on.
Those are all strangers to me in the above pic.


Making the best of it and
praying for no rain...
I took a picture of the pretty
architecture.


We all ran in when the gates opened to
claim our prime spots.
We sent up our temporary camp.
Looking at the sky,
I know we are in trouble!
It rained some during our picnic.
Just an annoying rain.


I sucked it up,
even though I am not a get wet
kind of girl!
Here's a pic of the pretty and delicious fruit plate.



Wine to ease the nerves of
possible rain/storms.


As the sun went down,
candles were lit.
The rain was holding off!
Some more wine was drunk/drank.


Me...
just before...
the
RAIN
came
POURING DOWN
on
US!!!
UGH!!!!!!!!!!
Then I felt rain going down the
back of my pants!
EWWWW!!!!
Not a camper, not a sit in the rain girl!

Steely Dan didn't even play anything popular until
we packed everything up when the rain
died down to a drizzle and
started walking to our car.

I sat on a towel on the way home.
Drenched like a rat!
Did I already say...
I'm not a sit in the rain kind of girl???

So yeah...
Today is hubs and my
27th anniversary.
He's the kind of man who remembers to
make the reservations!
(LOL, have you seen that commercial?)
Going for a nice dinner in a pretty
dress on a pretty and DRY day.
Tomorrow the celebration continues
as we go to see The Help.

Hope you all have a great day!!
Hugs!
Kim



Monday, August 15, 2011

What I Am Reading

Hello!
As I am resting I decided it was the
perfect time to read the
books I've picked up for the summer.

I got the idea to post about it from
Go check her reading list out!


Photobucket


All photos are from Amazon.


The Help, I think everyone is reading
this one. I love it! It's so hard to put down!
We're going to see the movie this
Friday night.



Mini Shopaholic, I started reading
this one at the beginning of summer.
I've read all the books in this series.
It's an easy one to pick up and set back down.
I think it's a fun read.


I picked this one up in hopes
of understanding my dogs more.
I haven't started reading this one but
I will take it to Memphis over Labor Day.

What are you reading in your free time?

I will get to that pillow!
I'm excited to start it!

Have a great day!

Hugs!
Kim

Friday, August 12, 2011

No Pillow...Yet


Sorry, no pillow yet guys!

I am having a real bad flare up of my
fibromyalgia. Hate when it happens
but it's time to rest a bit.

I hope to be back to that pillow,
early next week!
I am so anxious to get started!
Thank you for all your encouragement
on making the pillow!

Be back soon!

Hugs!
Kim

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Hatha Yoga

(I can!)


Morning!
I recently started exercising again.
A friend of mine asked if I would like to
try yoga (Hatha Yoga).
The instructor is so patient and
helps you through it.

I started with light and easy.
The first few times I would
just drip sweat.
It was a challenge.
I convinced my hubs that this
would be a great addition to his
exercise routine to make him
more flexible.
We did a couple more light and easy classes.

Saturday, I decided it was time for me
to go twice a week.
I chose Saturday mornings and
Monday evenings.
We show up Saturday morning and
get all set, not knowing we entered
the advanced class!
The instructor laughed at me half
way through as I'm really sweating
my way through! She said:
You said you wanted to get stronger!
I do and I am!
Well, it turns out that Monday's
are actually advanced classes too!
She had just been modifying them to easy
because there were a lot of new people.
So, Saturday and last night I did
advanced yoga.
Oh do my abs hurt!!!
Who knew yoga was such a core
building thing!
I was completely ignorant about yoga,
until now!

I am enjoying it very much though!
I would suggest others with fibromyalgia try
the light and easy yoga.
It is really helping the pain level in my trigger areas.
When I get use to the advanced class,
I will increase to 3 days a week.

Have you tried anything new lately??
I will try making that pillow,
I think I need to move it to next week.
I didn't realize all I needed to do this week.

Have a great day!!!
Hugs!
Kim

Monday, August 8, 2011

The Pillow That I Shall Attempt

Morning!!

Here is the pillow that I will
attempt to make.
I have never made a pillow.
My sewing skills are minimal!
After reading some tutorials,
I think I should be able to handle it.



I saw this pillow at Arhaus and they want about $50
for it. I bought some linen on sale and a pillow
form on sale. I already have buttons.
This pillow should cost me about $10 to make.
I think it's worth the attempt.
It's going to sit on my master bedroom bed.
(Some day! Patience is a virtue, right?)
Toll Brothers are you reading this!?!
We've already waited 7 1/2 months for you
to sell one more unit. I know the economy
is bad but we will soon be losing money
waiting on you!

Ok, sorry for the venting.
I feel better, sort of.

Wish me luck on the pillow!
Have a great day!!!
Hugs!

Kim

Friday, August 5, 2011

My Week in Instagram

Hello again!
I know, 2 post in 1 day!?!
I wanted to do a link up party with
I only managed to get 2 pics taken.
I'm not so good at taking my own pics yet.
Here they are...


Wearing a pearl braided headband from Anthropologie.
Most of my headbands are low key,
I leave the more elaborate ones for the younger girls.


I don't remember where this headband is from.
Not many photos of headbands, sorry ladies!


Saturday we went in search of fresh veg.
The corn was really good from here but the tomatoes
tasted like hot house tomatoes...ick!
They had great cukes too. Yesterday, I found a new
place to try, we shall do that tomorrow.
I miss my garden : /


A couple of pics of the girls.
They are best of friends now.
Fannie is 6 mos old, she appears to not be
a black lab/yellow lab mix, like they told us.
She is most likely a black lab/border collie mix
due to her size and coloring. She is only 28 pounds.


Emma sends some bully love!

Have a great weekend!

Kim

I Won A Giveaway!

Hello!
Look at what I won!!!


had a giveaway and I won!
I just realized I forgot to put 2 little treasures
in the shot. They are already residing in
their new homes, sorry!
Deb was one of my very first blogland
friend! We have swapped cards and
things before. Check out her blog...
she is always finding the cutest things
at estate sales and she has a cute little
shop at an antique store.
Thanks Deb for the cute things!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!
I hope to have some craft things to
share with you next week!
I plan to get a few things at Joann's
this weekend!

Hugs!
Kim

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Kitchen Dining Set

Morning!
Ok, today we have the kitchen
dining set.


The table is made of mango wood.
The company harvests old non-producing
trees and plant a new tree in it's place,
to get the wood for these tables.
These aren't the chairs we bought.




These are the chairs and everything is
from Arhaus. We chose leather
for the seats, in brown. We
chose these chairs for their size
and the fact that we could get 2
arm chairs. Hubs prefers an arm chair
to a regular chair.


These pillows are from the same store.
I couldn't resist picking them up at 50% off.
I'm sure I can make knock-offs of them but
they were priced right. There are a couple
of pillows there that I am going to knock-off.
I will pick up the supplies at Joann's this weekend.

Not much happening this week.
Hope you're all having a great week!
Hugs!

Kim

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

100 Days!!!!

Until...
DISNEY!!!
We are so excited to go!
We have beyond stressed this year
and this trip is a much needed de-stresser!!!



Today, I am really excited to say
that I booked the Wild Africa Trek
at Disney's Animal Kingdom!!!
It is a 3 hour tour, have a look at the link above.


The highlight of this trek for my husband is
going to be walking on the bridge above these guys!
He cannot wait!


Photo taken at the Animal Kingdom.

This year we are taking the hubs sister along,
she is beyond excited too and she and I
have purchased our safari hats! :-)

Another highlight will be
at Downtown Disney.
Oh the excitement is building!!!

Now when we are 100 days
from moving...
the excitement of another kind
will be building!!!
Disney will take away those thoughts
for  6 whole days!!!

Hope you have something fun to
think about!!!

Have a great day!
Hugs!
Kim

Monday, August 1, 2011

Windows on the First Floor

Hello!
I have started to take some photos of the townhouse model.
They help me when I'm out looking for things
to get for ours and they will help when we add
some of our own finishing touches like the trim
above the fireplace.


The builder doesn't include the trim above
the mantle as a part of the fireplace package.
This photo will remind us how we can
finish it off ourselves.


This is the window along the side of the fireplace,
there is one on the other side too.
I wanted to remember how the designer
dressed the windows.
I have no clue what I will actually do.



These are the windows in the eating area.
I love how bright it is.
There is even a glimpse of the skylight.


Looking into the living room.


The dining room.
We didn't get the tray ceiling but we will get the can lights.

I still need to show you the kitchen furniture.
I will work on that post tonight.

Hope you all had a great weekend!
Hugs!
Kim