PROUD PARENTS

Please forgive me for boasting, but I just can't help it!

I had parent/teacher conferences today. Coco's test scores show she is at a 7th grade level in math and 5th grade reading level and she is only in 3rd grade!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She has the best teacher this year! She gets lots of praise and I think that has really helped her to push herself to do more and more. Her teacher also brags on her creativity!

After we left, we started talking about the movie Twilight and whether or not it is PG13 or R! I was explaining what the R stood for and then she pipes up and says I am on a 7th grade level, I'm not a kid anymore. Like that was going to sway my decision about her watching that movie.

I sure hope she doesn't come out tomorrow morning with a bra and red lipstick!!!! Lord help me.

Sometimes it might be better if the child doesn't go to the parent/teacher meetings.......

Blessings from one proud Mama,
Pam

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

My tulips after the snow and ice this weekend. I didn't realize they were out until after it started snowing on Saturday. I think they are a little frost bitten. I was also practicing my photography and the camera had a hard time focusing on the flower and not the road or something.




The white Easter lilies were super hard to get into focus. Of course it is a cloudy day too.

I have lots of plans for our yard if the weather would just stop it. I am tired of rain, warm, snow, warm, rain , sun and on and on and on. Just stay sunny already!!! RIGHT???

Blessings,
Pam

More of the Reception

This was my idea too. I wanted them to saran wrap the truck ~ I told them to put cans on the back, vaseline under the handles and fix the horn so that it would honk everytime they hit the brakes but I only got the saran wrap. The rain might have had something to do with it.

They have a large family already. Sueanne has a son and Dallas has 2. What a chore they have in front of them. 2, 3 & 5 Whew! She looks as though it is not a problem.

Dallas with E and Kaylee. Ornery is a word for both but very loving kids!!!

I love this one of him and K! So cute. Might just have to blow that one up!

I thought I would put on a better photo of the Guestbook table. (except for that cup that someone left there).

Have ya'll ever dealt with anemia??? I have been feeling really sick yesterday and today. I have stomach issues and when I get up to move around I get this cold sweat and kind of shaky. It is weird and I am thinking it is either low sugar or anemia. You know trying to diagnose myself....

Blessings,
Pam

THE RECEPTION

We had a great day, despite the weather. I hosted the reception/shower for my nephew Dallas and his bride Sueanne. They eloped in January so we didn't get to do the wedding :(!

They are super happy and the new "IN LOVE" feeling was in the air today! Here are a few of the photos from the day.

I love this one with their rings, bible and her bouquet I made for the day!

This one is cute too.

She is a beautiful girl and he's not so bad either!

I picked the wrong one but I am to tired to go back and find another. Thank goodness they had a better photographer than me there.

Cutting the cake!

The cake was so yummy! Thanks to Rick's.


This was the guest book table. I decoupaged their initials hanging on the front. I also painted the "W" board for it too.

I put one of these vases on each end of the cake & punch table.

This was another arrangement I made for the tables. I loved the apples in there.

This was the gift that I made for them. A while back I showed you some photos I took for this. I love these and to order one is very expensive but I like doing them myself. More personal I think.

The happy couple is off on a short honeymoon and I hope they enjoyed their day. I sure enjoyed doing it for them.

Dallas and I have made alot of memories since he was born. I remember teaching him to tie his shoes and blow bubbles. We spent several New Years together when I was single and he was just a boy. Now he is all grown up and married. Very proud of him and love him very much.

Blessings,

Pam

FRIEND MAKING MONDAY

Another great Monday from Kasey . Please join us in the fun of getting to know each other.

This week is our Thankful Lists!

1. My Lord and Savior. I am still amazed at what he has done in my life.

2. My sweet sweet husband that works so hard for us. He has the biggest heart and I couldn't love him more but I do each day!

3. My girl Coco. She is the best thing that ever happened to us. I love being her Mama.

4. My family. So grateful for a sister that I am close to and of course my Mama!!!

5. My job. A job that I am enjoying and with a company that has lots of opportunity to grow.

6. Our health!

7. Our home and being home!

8. Being able to see, to smell, to read, to hear my girl call me Mama, so thankful to be free to worship my God anytime and any where I want without fear!

9. Food on our table tonight.

10. Blogging and all the friends I have made that leave me comments. I love you all!!!!!

Blessings,
Pam

LIONS & TIGERS & BEARS OH MY

We have had a great day. We spent the day in Eureka Springs. Mostly here at the Turpentine Creek Refuge. This is just outside Eureka and they rescue and care for big cats and other animals that people have tried to have as pets or they were in danger some other way.

Scott and CocoMe and Coco. The weather was so nice, it was actually hot outside.

They had probably 40 tigers and they are huge!

Such beautiful animals.

My favorite of the day were the Lions. Their heads with the big mane is so regal!

He looks kinda grouchy but he was just lounging in his cage. Until it was feeding time. We ran around Eureka until 5pm when they start feeding. Wow was that a experience. With the warm weather the cats are kind of lazy during the day but when it is about time for food they are all pacing and roaring. So cool. We even got to see them get a little aggressive when they thought someone was going to get their food. They eat 7-15 lbs of chicken or beef that is donated from Tyson & Walmart at each feeding. Some might think it is cruel to have them caged up but at least they are being cared for. The sad thing is the people that get them as babies and think they can have them as pets. This place was cleaner than any zoo I have ever been to. They have lots of volunteers and interns that work there.

This is the Christ of the Ozarks statue. We took Coco to see it at the Great Passion Play. Everything else was closed since it was Sunday but she was in awe of how big this is. I always love to go see it.

This is Scott and Coco waving at me from the top of the lookout. I don't know how far it is up but I know the last time I tried I got to about the 3rd level and mostly crawled down. That is when I knew I had aged. I had never before been afraid of heights but now I won't even think about it. They did fine and Coco loved every minute of it.

This was our spring break fun since I can't take off work (new employer might frown on that), we wanted to do something with her and we are so glad we picked this place instead of Springfield or Tulsa. She gets to go to the zoo with her Nana and Papa this week too. Someday I want to plan our vaca around her break and tour all of Arkansas. I was born and raised here but there are several parts of the state that I have never seen. Maybe next year.

I hope all you other spring breakers enjoy your time off! Have a great week!

Blessings,

Pam

BLOWN AWAY!!!!!!!!!

We have had a very busy week with Girl Scouts, ball practice, dentist appts, church and ladies group meetings.

So imagine my surprise when I get this note in the mail. It was my MIL writing and I couldn't think of a reason for her to send me a note but it could be. Anyway I get into the house and open the envelope and look what was inside.

It says To Mom
Honor thy Mother
for her arms
have secured you
from a thousand harms.
Love Colby

She copied this from a cross stitch sampler that my MIL has hanging in her bathroom. Coco left it over there to give to me on Mothers day. My MIL found it and was so nice to mail it to me. I am honored that she would read that and think of me and then take the time to write it down for me. Something I will treasure forever!!!!!!!!!!
I just had to share it with all of you!

Blessings,
Pam

HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR CHILDS GROWTH

Lots of ways! With growth charts, baby books, when they start talking and on and on and on.
My most recent was clothes hangers.

We have went from this
To this!


My baby girl with the cute little pink hangers is now using the big hangers. Her clothes were just falling off the little ones so I have bought 40 new hangers in the past week! While using the new ones I thought of all the other things that have happened watching her grow. Makes me tearful and sad for those times gone by but excited about the prospect of new things to come and conquer.

I am so very proud of her and this is just another milestone that we have made that will get a page in her scrapbooks.

Do you have any unusual memories of your child growing up? I would love to hear about them!

Give those babies lots of love, they will be using big hangers before you know it!

Blessings,
Pam

Friend Making Mondays

Great tag for FMM! This should be lots of fun!

Please join us over at Kasey's blog All That Is Good .
Answer honestly
What is your blogger name?
Pam

When is your birthday?
July 27

How long have you been blogging?
April 2008 I think

Who tagged you?
Kasey All That is Good

Tell me your five most favorite body parts.
1. My eyes
2. I don't have 5 favorite parts right now! This makes me think of what I would like to have :(

What do you wish most for your birthday?
I haven't even thought about birthdays yet. I would say a weekend away

What color are you nails right now?
Bare

Have you had any depressing thoughts lately?
Yes!

What’s your plan for the next month?
No plans yet maybe plan a Girl Scout trip and looking for to Easter

At what age did you have your first crush?
3rd grade. A little red headed boy named Ricky

Have you attended any school reunions?
Not a one.

Have you ever passed gas in public and pretended like you didn’t smell anything?
Yes and if you say no to this then you are a liar!!! and I'm on to you!

Are you a clean freak?
Not so much

What era do you wish you were born in?
I have always loved the 50's!

Are you a vegetarian?
No but I think I could be.

How many pillows do you sleep with at night?
2 or 3

Are you a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper?
Light when it comes to the noises of the kids, but heavy when it comes to other things.

Do you secretly wear granny panties when your man is not around?
Was I supposed to keep it a secret? OOPS

What is your ultimate dream job?
Owning my own store or airline stewardess

What does your husband do that annoys you the most?
He talks alot! Especially when I am watching tv or reading.

What is your dream car?
Volkswagen bug convertible

Do you wake up easily in the morning?
No, I would sleep till the cows came home if I could, I have a problem with punctuality

Do you like hairy men?
No Thank you!

How about a man with a goatee?
Yes I love my DH's

Which would you prefer: a two-hour spa massage, a two-hour Thai massage, or a two-hour foot massage?
I don't think I could handle if for more than a hour and I don't even know what a Thai massage is.

Have you ever wished you had a different name? If so, what name?Not
I have wished that I would have been called Pamela as a child, but it would be weird to now say hey I am Pamela. Nope just doesn't work.

What is the most extreme sport you have ever done?
Parasailing in Mexico I am not sure which is more extreme doing it or doing it in Mexico!!!

Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia?
Oh Darling those are soooo yesterday!!! :0

What is your favorite food?
Mexican

What is your most embarrassing moment while out on a date?
When my date went to pull my chair out for me and I moved around to the next chair because I thought he wanted that chair. Obviously those cowboys I knew didn't pull the chair out for a lady!!! I could have crawled under that table.

You can just copy and paste my questions and answers onto your blog and then erase my answers and fill in your own!

This was so fun! Don't forget to go over to Kasey's to check all the other friends entries.

Blessings,
Pam

Finished Projects

TA DA!!!!!

I finished the bunny and the giraffe print with cross. I am taking the cross to work for my desk. I like how it turned out. I painted it instead of using paper and modge podge.

I am almost finished with the other but it needs some tweaking. Hopefully I will have that one in a couple of days. I will have to work around Girl Scouts, Ball practice and DWTS!!!!

Everyone have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Pam

HAPPY SUNDAY

This is what I am up to today. I have several projects I am painting today. Something for the wedding, Easter decor and something for my desk at work. I have to pretty up my cubicle!!!!

I went to Mom's yesterday and she is gathering things for our garage sale next month and I found a perfect little lamp for Coco's shade I made this week.

I found that big shoe at a thrift store for $1.00..... STEAL

This is a horrible photo but I blew up a photo of Coco to a 20x30 poster size for her room. I found the frame at the Walmart sample store for $5.00 and thought it would be perfect for this project. I need to mat it later when Hobby is having a 1/2 off sale.

We had a great day at church. Our Sunday school class talked about ways to impact the community and we had some great ideas. As a class we are going out in a couple of weeks to do some spring cleaning for people in need. We also discussed some long term things we could do. I am so excited about some of them. First we are going to do a community garden and the produce will be given away during our Angel Food weeks. That will be a blessing to so many.

I have a meeting with some other ladies this week to begin making plans for classes that we can offer to the community. Some of the ideas sound so fun. Just a few are classes on being frugal, budgeting, cooking, canning, meal planning, etc. I can't wait to get started on these. It will be so interesting you won't even feel like you are working. This type of stuff really gets me going. Helping people while learning yourself.

If any of you have ideas or things that you have done at your church, I would love to hear about them.

I think my paint is dry so I better get to it. I will post pictures of my finished projects, in between laundry. It is Sunday, I should be resting but this kind of stuff is relaxing and enjoyable for me.

Blessings,
Pam

Small Bathroom Redo

A while ago I showed you some items that I was going to use in our half bath. Finally I have taken photos of the end result. This bath is between my scrapbook room (not finished) and the laundry room so we don't use it alot. Coco has decided it is hers and she uses it some.

The tile in here is pastel pink and green from the 60's! I have always wanted to remodel it but just never got around to it and now with my job loss of 8 weeks, it will be awhile before we can do it. I just decided to play with what I had. I found most everything at Hobby Lobby for 50-80% off. I used hot pink, lime green and black. I think it turned out so cute. Someday we will trade my scrap room with Coco's room and she can have this bath off her bedroom.

This hangs behind both doors when they are open. Coco can use this for her robe or whatever.

This medicine cabinet and sink really need to be gone. The little picture on the left is a card I picked up in Destin, FL and just put it in a frame.

Mistreatment curtain and ugly taupe blinds. Those I change soon. Need to put on Wal-mart list.

Need to put photos in those frames. The little cup holder on the back of the toilet, Coco is using for her necklaces.

I hope you enjoy my tour of our bath.

Have a great weekend.

Blessings,

Pam

OOPS

OOPS is a store in NWA with lots of cheap goodies! Knowing I had to go back to work this week I spent last week running around going all the places I wanted to go to that I couldn't do while working. OOPS is one of those places. It is about 45 min from me so it is not a place I get to often. I wanted to show you a few things I bought.

This birdcage was $6.25 and the cross was $3.75. Aren't they adorable. I have the birdcage filled with plastic Easter eggs on my table right now. I also found these little roses for .67 cents for 9 of them. I have wanted to do this project for Coco's room for awhile. I bought the shade at walmart for just a few dollars.

This is the finished project. I now have to pick out a base for her.

Is anyone else feeling the loss of hours for Daylight savings???? I can not get enough sleep. It has to be the time change. Maybe it is the 10 hours a day I am gone to work now!

Speaking of work I am loving it. I did go by my old office to pick up my Notary info and apparently they are just a week away from calling me back. Just my luck. I think the management was holding out so she could hire a friend of hers, apparently she has been in the office visiting lately. Classy huh??? I think I am in a great place now with lots opportunity that I could never have had at the old job! Sometimes money isn't the most important thing in a job!!!!

I am so glad tomorrow is Friday!!!!! Ready for the weekend!

Pam

GREAT DAY

Thank you all for the good wishes on my first day at work!

I had a great day. All the people were very nice, the company has lots of great points. Lots of training, which is so good!

I will be helping people keep their homes and that is one of the companies strengths. They want to retain as many customers as possible.

I am exhausted but a good exhausted!

This is short and sweet but DWTS is coming on so I gotta go.

Blessings,
Pam

Beautiful Weather

It has been the most beautiful weekend here in Arkansas. Friday it was in the 80's! Saturday and Sunday weren't that warm but still very comfortable outside. We worked on the garden and cleaned up and played around both days. Great times.

I did go around town looking for letters. Like these below.

Do you see the "A" ?

And the "E" ???

These will be used to make a special present for someone that might just be reading this blog, so I can't tell ya who!!!

I am getting nervous about starting the new job tomorrow. I hate being the new girl. Don't you?

I don't know for sure if I am starting tomorrow because there was a hiccup with my drug test. Who knew they would question me about cough syrup. I took 1 dose on Monday night and took the test on Tuesday. They called me late Friday so I have to take in the prescription to the clinic tomorrow, once the doctor signs off on the test then I will be able to go to work but I don't know if the bank will be ready. If not I will enjoy 1 more day of freedom.

I told Scott tonight that I wish I had a couple more weeks since the weather is so nice. I probably wouldn't get anymore done though. I seem to get sucked into GMA, Regis, The View and Martha!!! Oh morning shows I will miss you!

It is 9:16pm STUPID TIME CHANGE! I suppose I should try to starting winding down so I can get a good nights sleep in case I do have to go to work!

I am looking forward to Friend Making Monday and I am going to get to it on MONDAY this week.

Oh and Dancing With The Stars starts tomorrow....... I am looking forward to watching Ty Murray and Jewel. I love me some wranglers and a cowboy hat!!!!!!!!!!

Until tomorrow blessings

Pam

FRIEND MAKING MONDAY ON WEDNESDAY

I am a tad late getting my post in for Friend Making Monday.

This weeks assignment is What would you do with $1000 and a babysitter for a 24 hour period?

Wow I can think of tons of things to do with $1000 but I am daydreaming here!

1. Make reservations for the dear hubby and I at a nice hotel for the night.

2. Go shopping for a sexy dinner outfit and nice lingerie.

3. Get a pedicure and manicure

4. The hotel would have to have spa services so that we could have a couples massage.

5. Leave a note and key for dear hubby to meet me at the intended place. (this would be a total surprise for him)

6. When he arrived I would have champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for him before the massage.

7. We would go to dinner and maybe a show or just take a stroll around the town.

8. Go back to hotel for the night.

9. Sleep in the next day and order breakfast in bed.

10. Take our time coming home the next day.

Oh I want to do this now! Maybe I will start a fund so that we can do this soon.
Please go over to Kasey's blog to join us.

Blessings,
Pam

GIVEAWAY WINNER

Hi ya'll!

I used the random generator and the winning comment is #2 Candie! Email me at creech03(at)cox(dot)net with your mailing address and I will get your postit note holder out to you!

I have great news! I will be employed as of next Monday! That is if I don't flunk the drug test. I don't think it will be a problem except I have taken a ton of cold medicine this weekend trying to get over a sinus issue. Anyhoo, I had a interview with a large bank in our area last Thursday and got a call on Friday for a 2nd interview for today. They called about a hour later and offered me the position. Whoo Hooo

I will be doing something totally different but still within the mortgage industry, so I am excited to try something new. I have processed loans for the past 13 years and now I will be working in Loss Mitigation, helping people having trouble making their payments before they get to the foreclosure stage. I think this will be very rewarding and since the bank is so large there will be lots of room for growth.

I only have 6 days left of being at home so I am going to get busy and finish all these little projects I wanted to do. I think I will also catch a movie this week! Doesn't that sound fun!!!

On to something else CAN YOU BELIEVE THE BACHELOR?????? That was just to weird. I am thinking he is working on being a actor or something. I can't wrap my head around it just yet! Tomorrow night he will probably break up with Molly and Deanna will be back! I don't even know if I will watch the next one, Jason broke my heart and he is not the man I thought he was!!!!!!!!!

Gotta get to bed
Blessings,
Pam

p.s. Congrats to Candie on the win!!!!