blessed beyond measure

I'm eating strawberries and cream frosting right out of the tub, and watching sex and the city. (I only watch the edited version...recently watched one of the dvd's and it was too much for me...made me almost uncomfortable...yeah, I'm still a nerd.)

Its only my second week of school, and while there are so many things on my mind and in my heart, one thing stands out for me. When you are a mom going back to college, every day is a small miracle. Many people must come together to get you there. Grandma's watch babies. Sweet teachers let you pay tuition twice a month instead of in one lump payment. Dads change their schedules. Austin spends his one day off a week, taking care of my girlies and cleaning my house or mowing my lawn during nap time. He leaves work a little early so I can get to my evening class on time, and I come home to clean dishes and a happy baby. This week would not have been possible if it weren't for my family, and I know that each day only flows because many people come together to make it happen. I can't say enough how much I appreciate it.

Charlotte is such a happy baby. She just smiles and smiles, and I am so in love with her. I still can't stop squeezing her and kissing her and snuggling her. Brooklyn sure does love Charlotte and no one can make her laugh live Brooklyn does. They have something really special. I was watching Oprah and the show was about spoiled kids. There was this four year old girl, with thousands in american girl products, real diamond earrings, tons of clothes and toys, even her very own coach purse. Her mom eventually admitted that she spends big money to compensate for working full time. Brooklyn and I shop at goodwills and thrift stores and target. She might get an american girl doll for her birthday, and that I have to scrimp for. We went to one of our favorite thrift stores today, and she wanted a toy. I didn't have much money to spend and she has sooo many toys. I told her "not today babe." She knows this response all too well. She didn't complain or fuss or question or get grouchy. She just put the toy back and we left. She is such a great kid. She deserves all the things that little girl has. She would appreciate it. I wish I could spoil Brooklyn sometimes. I wish I could fly her to NYC and take her to the American Girl Store, let her pick out which ever doll she wants...then its off to FAO for some dress up clothes...then to sephora so she can pick out a lip gloss (she loves make up)...museums...central park...dinner at some yummy restaurant where I am sure she would order mac & cheese with a sprite. If I could, I would. Maybe someday...

I'm just feeling so thankful. I am thankful for my family, for Austin, for my happy healthy girls. I'm thankful and I am so blessed.

It is blessed nap time, and so I am able to post.
Brooklyn loves school! I took pictures (yep, I'm that mom) and I will share them soon. She looks so stinkin cute with her little purple back pack. I only cried a little, after I left her school. She tells me, "Mom, everybody has to grow up."

But not everybody is my baby girl.

I've been to all of my classes and I'm starting to think I blend in now. For some reason at first, I felt like I had one of those sandwich boards on "SINGLE MOM, NEVER MARRIED, SUPER SMART BUT THIS IS HER THIRD ATTEMPT AT COLLEGE, HAS NO CLUE WHAT TO GET HER DEGREE IN, BUT IS IN THERAPY AND WILL FIGURE THAT OUT." oh, and:

"DON'T GET TOO CLOSE, SHE HAS HORRIBLE COFFEE BREATH."

Actually, there are a variety of types of people at my college. I have returning adult students in all of my classes. I don't know why I felt so awkward...

I did something crazy. I signed a lease for my very own antique booth. I know, as if I don't already have enough on my plate. Hopefully I can make a little money, enough for gas would be nice. If nothing else, I will have fun while I break even!

And remember this dear friend and her incredible store? Well I am going to start helping out around there, and I am very excited! I always have fun in the company of Emily- she is a celebrity around these parts!!! :o)

I will post more soon...

Welcome Fall!!!

back to school

There has been a lot going on around here lately. I am officially a "college student" and I attended my first class last night. Its a women studies course on domestic violence. I am really looking forward to this class! My other classes are English 102 and Math 111. I know you'll make a face when you read this, but I really love algebra. I like the problem solving. It makes my brain feel good. I'm a nerd.

I went to Brooklyn's "Meet the Teacher" conference and I loved her! She has a very sincere way about her, and I could tell Brooklyn felt very comfortable with her. Monday is her first day!

Some more news...I have been on the waiting list at an antique mall here in town. I have been wanting my own booth for some time now, and I certainly have enough to fill one. They have availability and I am going to check it out on monday morning. I am really excited but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew...we'll see. It might be a good thing.

This is going to be a laid back weekend, full of cleaning and painting, organizing, and enjoying some time with the little ladies. Brooklyn and I will have so much fun:

Have a great weekend!!!

GOODIES AND A GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am so excited to share some of the lovely goodness I have found recently!

This pitcher and bowl were $7.50! They have matching markings, so they have survived many years together to finally find a place in my home. These were used for "washing up" many many many years ago. The most expensive purchase was this antique lace table cloth, at $32. It is very large and I plan to use it on the foot of my bed. My mom bought this for me, and I had to talk myself into letting her spend that much. As we were leaving the antique mall, I found one similar in worse condition priced at $75! I felt better about the price after that.


I bought several postcards dated from 1908-1915. Almost all of them are unused. I paid anywhere from $1 - $3 per card. Still, cheaper than buying a new greeting card or some little scrapbook notion.

I loved this picture at first sight. It might have been the blue green background...or the feminine flowers in masculine colors (earthy browns and golden yellows)...or the chippy frame in creamy white. This picture was $6.30! I found the vintage lamp shade looking lonely on a shelf at the DAV. I loved the ruffles and the lace, and the price of $1.98!!! Stay tuned for the plans I have for her!
One of my favorite finds- this vintage satiny silky purse with its little baby coin purse. There are little sparkly diamonds in the clasp. The inside is that peach color and it is marked with a sparkly "M". I am going to have to do some research. I paid $6.98 for these two.
This was perhaps my biggest steal. I don't own any vanity sets, but I saw the birdies on this set (look closely :o) and I had to have it. For those who aren't familiar - pictured here is a jewelry tree, a lipstick holder, and a perfume tray. I was scared to see the price...$14.50!!! Then when I went to purchase the item, that booth was discounted 30%!!! I paid just over $10! I looked for markings- this is a Matson. I did a little research. Matson was a company based out of New York, and they made all types of vanity items- from shaving items to perfume bottles- during the 1950's and 60's. My vanity set here is plated in 24k gold. I couldn't find these particular items on ebay, but most marked Matson items were selling anywhere from $20 to $100+. I just love anything birds, and these birdies belong on my dresser!
This baby book is one of my favorite finds. It belongs to Evelyn Rummel, born at home in 1921. Her mommy filled out much of this book, and saved cards and notes and articles and even a lock of her hair. I nearly cried as I looked through this book. Why doesn't Evelyn's great granddaughter have this treasure? To some this might just be "stuff" but to me these are the kinds of things that teach us about our history, about change, about then and now, about life. I paid $12.50 for this book. But to me, it is priceless.

The saying on the first page reminds me of Charlie.
Just one of the pages, memories lovingly saved. Scrapbooking in the 1920's...
In the picture above, there are two baby dresses, a little knit sweater of the softest blue with a ribbon enclosure, two matching knit sockies, a warm fuzzy hat (bottom right corner) and a letter from Aunt Ella to baby Mary Elizabeth circa 1909. Ella writes to Mary, talking of her father's long ride to fetch her nurse for her birth, of learning to ride, of how happy she was that she was a girl. I purchased these items on ebay. They were all found together- someone probably purchased an estate or something. I bought all of these items for $12.49, with $4.00 shipping. I will take good care of them, and I plan to display these in Charlie's room. (along with a collection of antique baby items...I just can't help it.)Look at those teeny tiny buttons!!! Some of the smallest I have seen!

You can see the little fuzzy hat better, with its lace edge and ribbons. Its silky soft on the inside. Above it are two vintage baby pillowcases. One has tiny flowers embroidered along the edge, the other is made of linen and lace, with a soft ruffle.

I bought the vintage little girlie hat for $1.50! I needed some little hangers for display, and bought these chippy white hangers for $2.25 on ebay. The pair of vintage bunnies I bought for $2.70. Little blue doll dress in the corner was less than $3.

Look at that old millinery...little blue velvet ribbon... and there is a cream colored ribbon that ties around the chin...so so sweet! And these items were photographed on a vintage baby quilt, of a peachy pink satin. Upon close inspection, my mom thought this was hand quilted. I paid $3 for it.

I love to find pairs, fitting for my pair of girls.

AND FINALLY....THE GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the first of many giveaways!!!!! I am including one of my favorite decorating books. I have looked over this book many many times. I think I have it memorized...so its time to pass it on. There are some lovely ideas in Country Living's Decorating Vintage Style. This vintage muffin tin in a beautiful green would be perfect for your craft room or even jewelry. These are great for organizing sewing notions, crafting baubles, scrapbooking items, or jewelry. I wouldn't cook anything in this, just to be err on the side of caution. Last but not least, this beautiful dish. I just loved the colors and the dainty pattern. I use dishes for all kinds of things- catching jewelry on a dresser, wall art, a resting place for chunky bars of soap. I searched through many dishes while antiquing this weekend, and this one was "the one". Dishes were the first things I started collecting because they were really affordable. I would often search through hundreds of dishes at thrift stores before I found a lovely to come home with me. Dishes are close to my heart- especially ones with imperfections. And I have a feeling a couple more lovelies will sneak into the box before I send it off...

To enter the drawing, email your name and zip code to alifelovely@gmail.com, or you could just leave a comment on this post. Brooklyn will draw a name next Sunday. I will contact you for where to send your package!!!

Sending love to you and yours!

Kali

a few days away

Hello Friends!

I'm headed out of town this afternoon. My brother and his lovely family live an hour and a half away. They live in a smaller community with the cutest "downtown" you ever saw! And the old homes are so well taken care of, its almost fairytale like. My mom and I are going to stay a couple nights. Tomorrow we are going to shop all the little small town shops, and I am going to buy something to add to the giveaway. I already have a few items together, but I want to find something special to add...

I hope you all have a great weekend! For many its already back to school time! I will be back Saturday, with my giveaway post...and pictures...

love,
kali

still distracted...

I think I have a problem. It is three in the morning and I can't sleep. Most nights I have trouble falling asleep, because my mind just races with thoughts. Thoughts like...

I should make Brooklyn a dollhouse for Christmas, I better get started now... I loved that bedding for her, but I just bought bedding for her...I wonder if I could sell it on ebay?...I wish those shower curtains would get here, could I live with a pattern or should I stick with the white?...I hope I can buy a new hardware for the sink, I wonder if I could install it myself...should I use towel bars or just hooks?...I kind of like the look of hooks...I hope someone drops so I can switch classes...I better get Brooklyn in for her physical...

and it never stops.

So I get online and I look at blogs, or I look at magazines. Like it is just some itch that I can scratch and go back to sleep. But it isn't. If I were sick in a hospital bed, I would probably be thinking of what wall colors would make the room more cozy and inviting. I'm NUTS. That is all there is to it.

I'm back in school, and so that's good. I love my college. Both of my parents graduated from the college I go to, and when I walk around the campus I think of them. I imagine them walking the same sidewalks when I was just a baby. Slow and steady wins the race, and that is my plan for the next 5 or 6 years.

Bathroom #1 has an enclosed tub. It isn't the most attractive bath, but I kind of like it. I'm thinking I want to hang a shower curtain anyway, just to soften the room a bit. I know if I buy a shower curtain with a pattern I will be ready for a new one in about two to three months. So I thought I would stick with white. White always looks fresh, clean, crisp. I found this curtain at Anthropologie...pretty, love the ruffles...but $98 is way to much for me to spend on a shower curtain.

Then I found this one online at Target! It was only $29.99, with free shipping to boot! It had great customer reviews. I should have stopped there and called it good. But I kept looking.

And I found this one. It was on sale for $23. I like the flowers, and I think the blues might be perfect for the wall color I have chosen...but its a pattern. Ugh. But its on sale! What if it just looks perfect? This is my shower curtain dilemma. There was only one solution...

Buy them both, hang them, and return the one that doesn't work. I wonder which one it will be...

I know, its ridiculous. This is only the first room I am working on. I'm going to have to buy some Tylenol pm when I pick up those towel hooks...or bars...

and it never stops.

distracted...in a good way

Please forgive me. I haven't got my give away items together yet. I woke up this morning, and I have spent the entire day on this:

Remember bathroom #1? It looks like I have a long way to go, but really a lot of progress has been made. It took me FOREVER to pull down the wallpaper. I couldn't paint over it because it had raised along the edges, probably from years in a bathroom (shower/bath steam). The only other experience I have with wall paper was in my little 1920's cottage...three layers of wall paper in the kitchen. I managed to remove it all, down to the lathe and plaster. In this 1970's home, its a much different story. There was one layer of wall paper, and underneath there were strips of this off white paper...not the glue backing. I don't know if this was used to cover the sheetrock at that time or what. But there wasn't any behind the mirror, so I had to mud along the edges. Its really weird...

I basically only have painting and decorating to go...oh, and hanging a light fixture. But that's no big deal.

Ladies- don't be afraid to take on home projects. I know it can be really intimidating. Even single moms can be "do it yourself'ers"! My best advice: buy a couple of really good home improvement books, and never be afraid to ask questions. I have asked some crazy questions of the poor guys at Lowes/Home Depot. But they always help, and I always learn.

I can't wait to finish this room!!! Next its the girls' rooms, and they will be so much more fun!!!

Okay, I will get the give away together soon- I promise.

tis better to give...

I never really thought of myself as much of a collector. I'm definitely drawn to certain types of things. I am not sure what designates a "collection" but I think I might have "collections" of these lovely things:

*cowgirl boots (I just bought a pair of pink boots for Brooklyn online. I can't wait to share pics)

*birds

*vintage/antique dishes in various shades of white

I am still stuck on whether or not to have the girls share a room. Brooklyn wants to share. So I will probably have them share. I think it builds character.

I am very excited to tell you that a reader featured me on her blog! Thank you Beverly! On that note, I have decided to do a give away. I am going to get together a collection of lovely items. Meet me here tomorrow for all the details...

Frosting Shmosting

Oh, and I forgot to share this:

Pictured here is my latest dessert. It is a blackberry jam cake with cream cheese frosting. Everybody loved it. I went and made the frosting from scratch. It was too thin, almost an icing. It just didn't stick to the cake like it should...but it tasted good! If the frosting were right, you wouldn't see the line where the two cakes meet (with that oh so yummy seedless blackberry jam center!) and you wouldn't need to stick the cake in the fridge so the frosting would harden. But Brooklyn loved it, and she told me, "Mom, you're the best cooker ever!"

Next time, I will get the frosting right!

I love cooking with Brooklyn. I hope I am creating great memories for her. She seems to love to cook, and I hope she always does. My mom always made great dinners, but we never really spent time together in the kitchen. I never knew much in the way of cooking, and still don't. I have just now figured out how best to fry an egg, and the perfect time to take the bacon from the pan. I make most everything from a recipe, but I am learning to trust myself a little. Since I have this new, big house, I think I might plan something special for Christmas. I'm already thinking of the menu, decor, and all that needs to be finished before hand. I just love Christmas.

You should see Brooklyn, in her little vintage aprons! Or standing on a chair washing dishes at the sink. When I am in the kitchen with her, I just feel so happy. There is no where else I'd rather be...

a princess and her King

The stars have aligned and I am miraculously by myself, and I thought I would take some time to check my favorite blogs, and post. I had in mind sharing some things about some hard parts of being a single mom. Just stuff I had been dealing with lately. But then as I was catching up on my blog community, I came across this in a blog:

My Princess...
You're Never Alone! You never need to hold on to anyone out of fear of being alone, My precious princess. I am with you wherever you are. I am the friend who walks in when the world walks out. I created you to have strong relationships, My love, and I see your desire to be close to someone. If you will seek Me first and come to Me with your wants and needs, I will choose your friends for you. I also will bless those friendships abundantly. Don't settle for less than My best just to fill your schedule with people to see and places to go. I want to reach you with the reality of My presence in you first, and then you will be ready for real relationships that are orchestrated by Me.

Love,
Your King and your Best Friend

This was exactly what I needed. EXACTLY. This was taken from the book "His Princess: Love Letters From Your King. I think I need this book!

It can be really tough, knowing the truth. It can be really tough, waiting on God. It can be really tough, knowing you are desirable when no one desires you...well, no earthly one. It can be really really really hard to trust in what you can't yet see, touch, feel, or even experience at times. But what is even harder than all of these things, is the price you will pay by not doing them, by taking the easy way out. I know, through learning the hard way, that I am going to have to just work hard every day to stay on the right path. It takes work every day for me to follow the Lord. And some days, I don't live what I feel for God. Some days, I blatantly make the wrong choice. Its not easy, following God. But its much harder if you don't.

Its an adventure, becoming who you were meant to be.

seek and you will find :o)

(Brooklyn and I went to the pbk website to order her first back pack. This line was on sale! So we had to get her the matching small duffel for dance class! Of course, in purple. :o)

I have a feeling that I can pretty much count on the end of July/beginning of August to be crazy busy. I haven't been a mom with school aged kiddos. But this being my first year, I get it. And it probably only gets worse as they get older. Sometimes I just want the world to slow down a little for me. The time is passing quickly and I just can't fit everything in.

The photos on my camera are backing up, but I have so many things I want to share. The bathroom isn't finished yet, it too got put on hold momentarily. My time on the computer has been limited, and when I do get on here I'm pretty much on ebay. I started out just selling some things I had, some baby clothes that were hardly worn, etc. Now its so bad that I am scouring goodwills and salvation armies and garage sales and thrift stores- in search of all things lovely vintage to sell. I'm certainly not in this to get rich. I just love the hunt! Today, being garage sale day, I was out and about with the girls. We made several stops, and at one of the last ones Brooklyn actually told me she wanted to go home...no more shopping. She said she wanted to go home to take a nap!!! This girl fights nap time EVERY SINGLE DAY. Then I knew it was bad. My usually excited little bargain shopper would rather take a nap than go to another store. I hope I'm not ruining her. I can hear them talking as teenagers, "Remember when mom would drag as out to all those stupid thrift stores and garage sales?"

Every once in a while, I come across something I just have to keep. Or at least I let it sit on my table for a few days until I convince myself I don't really need it and there might be someone out there looking for this very thing. I have lots and lots of pictures to share of recent finds, but only a few for now.

Vintage Christmas ornaments! I love the clear one with the old millinery inside. The turquoise ornaments are so pretty too! ( I might have to keep these. :o)
Vintage seventies dresses! All in great condition...the raspberry colored one is my favorite.

Some dress patterns from the 1950's, vintage sewing/craft notions...look at those glasses! They are even sweeter in person.

Some vintage greeting cards, unused! I don't really want to part with these. Maybe I will just keep a couple. Cute vintage coffee cups- they are turquoise for crying out loud!!! How could I pass them up?

I love this vintage bread box. It is sitting on my kitchen counter, but I think I am going to sell it. Good by turquoise beauty box...it was so good knowing you. :o(

Most of these items I will sell. I would love to have my own actual store, but I can't imagine it being fruitful. It would be really tough. Until then, ebay will suffice. I hope that people are excited to discover my items on ebay. It brings me joy searching for these lovelies. It almost feels like rescuing them from despair, and finding them new families that would appreciate all that they are, their history, the years they have survived. Okay, I am aware of how incredibly corny that all sounds. But if you can't look at it that way, think of it as going green! That seems to be all the rage lately. Buying vintage is like recycling!

I will post even more photos soon. Until then, be well friends!

two little monkeys sittin' in a chair

(we found this Halloween costume at goodwill for $6.98. Brooklyn was so excited I had to tell her to calm down in the store. I don't know if it will make it to Halloween. She wears it every day, even if its only for a little while. I caught her feeding her baby - and notice the little diaper she swiped to put on him...stinker.)

My laptop is not working. And it stinks!!! On top of that, I have been very busy! I have enrolled Brooklyn in Pre-kindergarten, which is kind of a big deal. I can't believe this is her last year before she starts school. The time just flies right on by.

And now this little girl can sit up all by herself! I took a bunch of pictures of her the day she turned five months old. Oh yes, the time does fly.

I thought I would share this trick with you. I say trick, because it makes me feel guilty to call it a recipe. This is one of our favorites, and it is so simple its ridiculous. If you are making a dinner that takes a lot of work, this is the perfect dessert. It is soooooo good.

This is essentially a peanut butter bar, but I think it looks so much prettier in a round version. You could make the peanut butter cookie part from scratch, or you could do what I do. I buy the bag of Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix...you add a couple of ingredients, stir, and viola! I cook it in a spring form pan. Once you have mixed the dough according to directions, pour it into the pan of your choice. I work the dough around and press evenly into the form of the pan. When adjusting the cooking time, you can refer to the bar recipe on the back of the package. Once this has completely cooled, you smooth on the frosting. I buy a container of the milk chocolate frosting, and I use the whole dang thing. I really, really, really love frosting. I put the frosting on while it is still in the spring form, so the edges look pretty when I take it off. You could dress this up...a row of Hershey's kisses around the edge or shaved chocolate curls (make it easy on yourself, buy a dove milk chocolate bar and use a vegetable peeler :o) I haven't been cooking long enough to begin to think I know what I am doing, but I think I have discovered the secret:

Keep it simple!!!

I like simple. Now, every once in a while you have to challenge yourself, out do yourself, show 'em what your made of...but if you are entertaining guests or cooking a dinner for the new parents to heat up and eat...stick with what you know, keep it simple. Trust me, this "trick" doesn't taste simple!

(The lighting is horrible in this picture, sorry. The cookie part looks almost burnt, but it was really the perfect peanut butter cookie color. On a side note: I looked on ebay to look at cake stands with lids. I found one similar to mine, and it sold for $45.00!!! I love it when that happens!)

Be well!

kali