Wonderful Goodies in the mail!!!

Wow! What an awesome package that I recieved in the mail yesterday! It was just full of wonderful goodies! It was from my dear friend Jill. Jill doesn't live too far from my brother in Alabama and she has come up here and spent the night with Mom and I before, she is a sweetie! She is in my "Fall 4 x 4 swap" that I am hosting in our yahoo group. Her art is absolutely stunning. When I think of mixed media and all the famous people who do mixed media art, I think Jill is just as good as they are if not better. She knows how to collage and layer backgrounds to come up with stunning effects. I have never been able to master that technique but she certainly has it down pat.
Jill sent me some great goodies as presents for hosting the swap. I LOVE them all Jill!!!! They were wrapped in a sewing pattern that is so great to use in art. She sent 2 wonderful Halloween tags, one goes to Mom and one for me. This cool piece of jewelry that I know I will find a way to use. All kinds of delicious papers and pictures to use in art! And this is my favorite below!
The lighting in this picture isn't the greatest and just doesn't do it justice but it is beautiful. And the writing below the picture is a crack up! It says "Giselda thought her makeup made her look less "witchy". The picture is an old cabinet card that Jill has beautifully altered. Its attached to a cool strap of black leather that she has added some great embellishments too. I am so proud of this great work of art!
Its going into a place of honor amidst my other Halloween Deco which I will take a picture of this week-end.
Jill,,I really Love all you sent to me. Oh,,,and here are the 4 x 4s that she made for my swap. They are amazing too! The bestest!

I will scan them later and show you how cool they are as this isn't the best picture either. But they are a delight! Thank you so much, Jilly!!! Big hugs to you!
It is a absolute beautiful Fall week-end. A little on the warmish side but a good breeze and no humidity and the colors are starting to look very Autumnish!
Daniel and I are going to play outside in the yard doing some yard work and some Halloween decorating. I will show some more pictures tomorrow.
Just had to show off this awesome eye candy before I busted with pride!
Hope every one has a wonderful Saturday!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Rainy Wednesday and a little bit of Art.

We have had 2 days of some much needed rain. So glad we finally received some of the wet stuff. Yesterday afternoon I came home and made a few more Halloween postcards for a swap that my Mom is hosting in one of our groups. I sure love making Halloween and Fall art. Its nice sitting in my art studio with the windows wide open, listening to the rain falling and the leaves blowing around in the breeze.
I watched the debate last night but I am not going to comment on it. I pretty much keep my political opinions to myself. I will say that I am like most Americans, very concerned with the shape our economy is in right now. I haven't heard any thing about the people who were going to try to buy our house. I am sure they are having a very difficult time trying to find a mortgage company to finance it. Its not even an expensive price so I can't imagine what the people that have very expensive homes for sell are going through.
I didn't get the other position that I was applying for with the schools. But that's ok, I Love where I am and just so Thankful that I have a job. I have read on so many blogs of people who have been laid off, of Fathers who have to travel to another state during the week and work just to support the family. Read about friends who have no health care and their health is not good. Read about families having to work 2 jobs to make ends meet. My heart goes out to them and I am constantly thinking of them and remember them in my prayers.
Times are very tough right now, tougher than I have ever seen them. But I do have hope that it will turn around soon. We just have to hang in here and keep our chins up and always have Hope.
Many Hugs to you all!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxox

Nashville makes History tonight!

Thats right. If you watch the debate tonight you will see a little part of our world. Belmont college is one of many colleges and Universitys that we have here in Nashville. It is a very pretty college too. Here is a link to the college . And the debate. It should be an interesting night!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox

Fun Fall Week-end

What a beautiful Fall week-end we had here in Tennessee. On Saturday my brother and I took my Mom and Dad to a Apple Festival that was held at one of the churches in our county.
It was so neat to watch some of the people demonstrate their talents. The lady below was doing some beautiful looming and was dressed in a old fashion dress to make it seem so realistic.

The next artist was a gentleman making some pottery. He had made some very pretty pieces but I didn't get a picture of them.
They also had some beautiful quilts there too. My brother is a quilter and has made some awesome quilts so he was very interested in the quilts they had displayed.






And a picture of Mom navigating her way around with her walker.
There was a big tent and underneath it was 3 big iron cauldrons pots. The men were using some very long stirring poles to stir the Apple Butter that was boiling in the pots and smelling very good. They were selling jars of it and Mom bought 4 jars and I bought one. I also bought a beautiful gourd that lady was selling. She did some fancy wood burning on it and made it into a birdhouse, I will post a picture of it later this week. Below are the men making the Apple Butter.

I stopped at Flea market that morning before the festival and bought some pretty mums and a Japanese maple tree. Below is the mum, I didn't get a good picture of the maple so will post one of it later too.
The sun was so pretty setting in the woods behind our house. The trees are starting to turn just a little bit now thanks to the cool nights we have been having.
We have been having some nice little bonfires in the evenings. We love to sit by the fire and talk and sip some warm cider with a little nip of brandy.
And of course we have to have our faithful little fire dancer out there with us. She loves a good bonfire too.
Of course I was thrilled yesterday because my team, the Titans won another game. We have now won 5 games and lost none. YAY TITANS!!!!
I hope every one else had a great Fall week-end too.
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo

Thursday's Treats

Yesterday I came home to a wonderful package in the mailbox. It was from my dear friend Jeanie. She sent me a beautiful Bird tag for my Tag of month. She recieved my name in our group and made me this wonderful tag. She knows how much I Love Birds.

She also sent me this beautiful ATC too! So sweet with the little girl and little Kitty. Thanks so much my Sweet friend! It meant so much!

Yesterday was not a very good day for me. Well at least part of it wasn't so great. I went for my interview for the other position that I was applying for. It went okay but I left there feeling as though I probably wouldn't get the position. But if I don't its okay. I Love where I am at now and the people I work with here are great and we are like a family. I had prayed that if it wasn't meant for me to move on then that was the way it was suppose to be. I always feel that way when I am trying to move up the career ladder. If I don't move up then there is a reason for it. I would rather stay where I am and be happy than to move up and not be happy.
One good thing that did happen yesterday was that I was told that we are going to get a offer on our house! Praise God for that! It seems a young couple with 2 small children, looked at the house on Monday and fell in love with it. They are seeking financing for it and it is looking pretty good so far. Keep your fingers crossed for me please!
Last week-end when my Mom and I did some art together, she made me these awesome Halloween ATCS that you see below! She is so talented! She got a epideral for her back this week and it seems to be helping her with her pain. I am so thankful I still have her to do Art with and to just be able to see her every day and spend so much time with her. I do feel blessed for still having her with me after almost losing her earlier this year. Below are the beautiful ATCs.

On Tuesday I went to Home Depot and bought 2 big bags of beautiful tulip bulbs. There are many mixes of color and some with the ruffly edges. I am going to plant some in my flower beds and Mom's flower beds this week-end. Fall has definetly arrived here now. Our temps were pretty cool yesterday and then the low last night out at our house was around 45. Great sleeping weather. This week-end promises to be very pretty too. Great week-end to play in the yard.
I hope every one has had a good week and is looking forward to a wonderful week-end like I am.
xoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxoxox

Sunday's fun to a busy week!

Sunday I was fortunate to get to go see my favorite Pro Football team, the Titans, play some great football. It was a beautiful day for sitting in the stadium and watching some great action.
My best friend Ginny has season tickets and always takes me to at least one game each year if not more.
We have to park in downtown Nashville and walk across the river to the stadium. I had to take some pictures of the view. Below is a picture of LP Field, home to our Great Titans. It sits right on the river bank of the Cumberland River.

Below is looking back across the river at downtown Nashville.
Next picture is of the mass of Titan's fans headed into the stadium.
Next is our great players coming out on to the field, ready to play some awesome football.


And our pretty cheerleaders ready to cheer them to a Victory.
Some more great shots of the players and the scoreboard. The scoreboard picture is taken at the beginning of the game so there are not points on it yet.


Below is a picture of Ginny and I in the stands having a fun time.

On the way back to the car after the game, we walked past our newly renovated court house and I had to take some pictures of it and the pretty mirror pools that surround it.

It was a wonderful Sunday afternoon. Oh and Yes, we won 30-17. We beat the Minnesota Vikings. The Titans are now 4 and 0, meaning we haven't lost a game this season. GO TITANS!

I hope every one had a great week-end.

This week is a busy one for me at work as we have registration again for our 2nd semester of the fall. Tomorrow I go on a interview for a new position that I have applied for. I like where I am now but the new position will be great too and also a little more money! More about that in a later post. Wish me Luck.

xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxox

What I appreciate!!!

My post today is because of what I read at my girlie-Jess's blog! Thanks for making me stop and think for a few! So here are a few things I appreciate!

1. My Husband for the unconditional Love that he gives me and how he always tries so hard to make me happy and for trying to always give me any thing that I want that is in his power to give.

2. My family- My Mom because she lives next door to me and she is my bestfriend and the person who guides me and listens to me and doesn't judge me.
My children- for being who they are and for not letting life get them down and whom I know will always Love me and come to me when they need advise, or someone to listen to them.
My Brother-who advises me in many ways and always text message me every day just to say Hi or to crack a joke. He has always been the best older brother and friend that a girl could ask for.

3. For all my friends, the ones I have known forever, the causual friends, and all the friends that I have never met but who still send prayers and good thoughts my way all thanks to the internet's blogger and the groups I am in.

4. For having a beautiful house to live in and for having a new car and best of all for having a job to pay for them.

5. For all the seasons of the year, espiecally Spring and Fall.

6. For living in a country that no matter how many trials and tribulations it has, its still better than any other country on this planet.

7. For all the Love that I recieve from my Maker and for picking me up when I fall and listening to me when I cry and for tolerating me when I am not so good. For giving me freedom and for giving me life to enjoy my freedom.

This does make feel good to be able to post this today. I invite others to post what you appreciate too. It can be big things or little things, but posting them sure makes you feel good, like a breathe of fresh air!
Have a great Thursday!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxooxoxox

Guitar

Last friday my daughter and I went to one of our local shopping centers. We both thought this guitar was really cool. Its bigger than it looks in the picture. A few years ago several local artists painted several guitars for a charity. Afterwards they were donated or bought by several merchants and displayed for the public to enjoy.

Just a little show and tell for today!

xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo

Big Toe Pain

Well of course if any one can get some kind of strange ailment then it would definitely be me.

The past few weeks I have been having off and on pain in the big toe of my right foot. Well on Sunday it got a lot worse and by yesterday morning I was in pretty bad pain but made it to work. Like what are you going to do call in and say "uh, I can't come in, I have a big toe pain",,I don't think so.

So I started googling my painful symptoms and have come up with the problem. I have Gout!

Its caused by too much Uric acid in your kidneys. Its also a form of rheumatoid arthritis. I have also been having some other aches and pains in other joints in my body. Yeah,, I know I am getting old but I don't want to end of in severe pain in 10 more years so I am going to see a rheumatologist next week.

So in my research about gout I read that it mainly affects men but will affect women who are post menopause,,that be me as I had a hysterectomy 14 years ago. The uric acid causes crystals to grow in the joints. The picture above is mild compared to some of the real pictures I saw online,,yuck!

I also read what to not eat or drink, beer is a big no no,,and I do like a nice cold one on a hot summer day. I also read that one thing that really helps it is eating cherries or drinking 100% cherry juice. So you know I went and got some juice yesterday afternoon after work. I also got my doc to send me out some anti-inflammatory medicine and took some of that last night. I soaked the big toe in warm Epsom salt and alternated that with ice. I am glad to say that this morning it was a lot better.

I read that you have to watch out for foods that are high in purine as that's what causes uric acid build up when you have gout. For some reason my kidneys are not getting rid of the uric acid and that isn't a good thing as if it worsens it can cause kidney stones or kidney failure. Uh,,,well you better know that I am going to be a lot more careful and watch out for high purine food.

So if you ever have a pain in your big toe, now you will know what it just might be.

Hope every one is having a wonderful Tuesday!

xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Out of Gas!

Yes, this is what most of the gas stations in the South look like now. We have very few stations in our area that have gas and if they do its only regular and their lines look like this.
Since I live out of Nashville a little ways its not as bad. My gas station is ok but only has regular and thats ok because thats what Little Red uses. Mom and I were out this week-end in Nashville and were just so amazed at the lines at the stations that did have gas. People waited in lines for hours and some even ran out of gas while they were waiting. And there was alot of tempers that were flaring while they waited. We both said it reminded us of how it was in the 70s when there was a gas shortage. But the problem this time was from Hurricane Ike that shut down the refinerys last week-end. They are saying it will get better by the end of the week. I am paying $3.77 for regular out where I live but most places its $4.29 a gallon. My ride in to work this morning was really nice as most people are driving alot slower trying to conserve on their gas. But then you have a few speed demons that won't slow down for nothing.
I hope everyone had a wonderful week-end. We are having Indian summer right now and the temps are back into the mid-80s, doesn't feel like the first day of Fall thats for sure.
xoxoxoxooxoxoxooxxoxo

A night out with the Hubby!

Last week-end Daniel and I went to downtown Nashville to see a concert and have a fun night out. I didn't bring my camera as they wouldn't let me bring into the Ryman Auditorium for the concert. But I did have my cell phone camera. We got downtown pretty early and went down to lower Broad to have some appetizers and a drink. It was a very nice evening even though it was a little cloudy. We sat outside on the second floor patio and enjoyed the Nashville skyline and the hustle and bustle of lower Broad below us. This is a very busy touristy road in Nashville. Almost all the buildings you see are honky tonks and souvenir and music shops, also alot of country and western clothing stores as one must have a cowboy hat when in Nashville,Ha!
Below is a picture of the "world famous" Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. This is where a lot of famous Country singers started out and was discovered which led to a world of fame, fortune, and some heartbreak. Tootsie was a very nice women who helped alot of struggling musicians. Read the history at the link.
The patio we were sitting at was right next door to the Sommet Center. The Sommet is where are National Hockey team, The Predators, play. It also serves as a concert hall for all of our big Venues. Daniel took a picture of me with the Sommet in the background, its a beautiful building.
The next picture is of one of a unusual building we have in Nashville. It is the offices of AT&T phone company, but every one calls it the Batman Building. Can you guess why?
We ended the night with a great rocking concert with Boz Scaggs!
It was so nice to have a night out on the town!
I Hope everyone has a great week-end!
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo