~Happy Birthday in Heaven~

April Fool's Day...a day that was always special beside's playing tricks on someone.  It used to be my Mammaw's birthday.  Such a beautiful woman inside and out....

This was her last birthday here on earth.  I remember this day so well, she was acting like a cat peaking through some grass with a sneaky little grin and a twinkle in her eye.  I can still hear that little low chuckle as we tried to capture the moment with the camera.

She absolutely loved her family and we all loved her!  The faith that she had through all the trials that she had encountered in life was amazing.  No one in my life have I ever witnessed this at all.  People that knew her have said the very same thing.  So I'm not being partial....

She was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.  If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here today.  She practically raised me.  I lived with her until I was eight and then every summer, holiday and weekend I spent at her home.  There was no place like Mammaw's!

She was such a hoot to be with.  Always ready to go, go, go!  I remember as a girl shopping with her...my poor little legs couldn't keep up.  Now I do the same thing to my girls, lol!

Sitting on the front porch was such a wonderful place to be.  Cool breezes and lazy afternoon talks, some really special memories were made there.

Christmas's were so special...she was so happy to give to other's.  Just look at her expression as my oldest daughter was opening her present....so full of joy and happiness!

Even Sara knew how special Mammaw was.  When she was born, Mammaw and Mom came to take us home.  I had to go the ladies room when Sara began to cry.  When I rushed back in the room, Mammaw was sitting with Sara rocking and just smiling so sweet.  Sara was sound asleep.  I knew then that my girls would know her the way I had known her.  How happy that made my heart!

Sara and Hannah were always so tickled to be with Mammaw.  I think they knew they had her undevided attention..... 

Such sweet love!

These were the last photos of us taken together the day of her last sister's funeral.  This was a few months after I came home from the hospital from sepsis.  Mammaw had came to my home after I had come home and when I went to help her in, she just cried and hugged me.  She was so happy that I was alive.  I know her prayers had a huge part in that.

Mom, me and the girls went up for the weekend to spend with Mammaw about a month  later.  It was the beginning of December and I had already gotten all of my shopping and decorating done...something I never get done that quickly.  I just felt the urgency to do it quicker than I normally did.  That weekend, I told Mammaw that I would do her shopping for her since she couldn't get out.  She loved making sure that all of us had presents.  That night, we stayed up until 2am having our special talk.  I am so glad we did!  That Sunday when we came home, Mom and I went and done all of Mammaw's shopping.  We we're so happy with all the goodies that we had found and knew Mammaw would love seeing everything when we took it back to her before wrapping.  Sadly we never got to do so...that Monday, Mammaw had a stroke and in a weeks time, left this life leaving us all with broken hearts.  Christmas would never be the same!  And my life without Mammaw began.....

So Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mammaw!  We all love and miss you so very much.  Not one day goes by that I don't think of you and in my dreams I hear your voice and see your sweet face.  I know we'll see eachother in Heaven and what a day that will be....when I put my arms around you and give you a big ole kiss on the cheek once again!

~I love you Mammaw~

~A little room for Mama~

This little room used to be our youngest daughter's room before we decided to move downstairs and give her our room for much needed room for a growing young girl.

Now it is a guest room usually for my Mama.  I added the chair because she had hinted that the bed was too high for putting her shoes on.  So my quest began to find another chair small enough for this little room.

So....this little chair was perfect!  The only problem was that it was in my master bedroom downstairs.  I began to search my favorite site for something else and this is what I found for $40!

I know what you are thinking....it's pink...perfect for Melanie!

NOT!

It was that pukey shade of mauve that was so popular years ago that I can't stand!

I haven't been in the mood to sew, so I began looking for a slipcover for it online.  Gasp...something I never do!  But guess what?  To my surprise the one that I took a chance on was just perfect!  I was tickled PINK with it!  Plus I had to paint the legs on the chair for it to look like this...

Doesn't it look really good?  It's my chair downstairs.  Now back to the guest room...

I had to move my sewing machine, it used to be in the spot of the chair.  Thank goodness it fit!  Think Mama has enough chairs now?

She'll have plenty of room for a drink for those "dry mouth nights" we all have.  And an alarm clock to wake by...what more could she want?

Well...she did ask for a mirror...

And the TV is just a perk...she didn't ask for that...but the girls like going in here and watching "old" videos of when they were little.  So that's for them...wink wink

And this is my Mama.....right after I came home form the hospital.  She took care of me and my family when I couldn't do it.   I love my Mama!  I thank God for giving me a second chance with her.  She is coming up to do it yet once again.... I have surgery in the beginning of March(so prayers are greatly appreciated).  So what little girl wouldn't want to give her Mama what she so deserves!  She's the best MOM I could ever have...and I can say that now with honesty!

I LOVE you MOM!

~Rit dye...my new best friend~

So I've been playing around with some RIT Dye for some slipcovers that were on my dining chairs.  I Hand painted a pink scallop around the top of my table, but it just wasn't enough pink.  So last night...usually when I do my best thinkin'...I remembered RIT dye years ago and dying curtains. 
That was it...I had the answer...just hoping that they had PINK dye in the store.
                                  And guess what?  They did..... 

Just what I needed for  my PINK fetish.  And here they are!!!

I am so delighted with how they turned out.  A couple of washes with some bleach and tadaahh...Now they make my hand painted plates and the scallop really show up...in person that is.  Somehow photo's don't get the fine detail....

This is the color that the slipcovers were before I got started along with the package of rit dye.

The water, I tell ya, was HOT!  I got a little worried about the color...kinda bright...

But it all came out in the wash...just the right shade.

See how they go with the chandi I painted and added appliques to?   I am in love with

PINK!

~A new addition~

I found a lovley piece on one of my favorite sites to visit...facebook yardsale.  It's kinda like a craigslist, I think, if you are wondering.  It looked like this when I picked it up about an hour away from my home for $80!  It's solid oak...and a heavy sucker!

So guess what I did...you know it...I painted it!  I thought long and hard on my way home about what color.  I'm always painting evetything white, but I was wanting something a "little" different.  So I stopped at Lowes and got some paint, went to Tagert for the glass knobs and headed for home with excitement!

This is what ALWAYS happens when I paint...it never fails!

But it is so worth it...because the magic always happens.......

I added the appliques and the glass knobs for that shabby look that I absolutely love.  Can you tell that it's a Pale Pink?  Let me tell you that this sucker soaked up the paint...one coat of spray paint primer and two coats of satin paint.  My arms were tired....

And this is where I put it....

I know...it's an old TV...but ya know...we've had it since we were first married.  My Uncle bought it for us as a wedding present.  It's perfect for the girls and their games.  But...now if it blows...I'll have enough room for a BIG one. 

Now I'm off to go to the store...a new project in the making.....Hope you all have a very blessed day!

~Been busy Spray painting ~

I've been busy spray painting anything and everything I can get my hands on....somethiing that doesn't take a lot of energy...but lets the creative juices flow.  Here are just a few things that I've done....

This little cup and saucer was bought for me by my Mama at a yardsale.  It was a dark rose and just didn't flow well with all of my light pink.  So I thought what the heck...spray paint it.  Now it's perfect!

I had some white plates up above the windows that just got lost from being too white.   Now I think they are perfect...I love this shade of green with the pale pink. 

I think I would actually have withdraw if I didn't have my trusty spray paint or a good old paint can.  There is so much you can do with PAINT! 

~Happy Valentine's Day~

~Kitchen Before and After~

Years ago....as I sit and gaze...I wonder what the heck was I thinking!

Can you see all of the wallpaper, counters and flooring?  Well it's all GONE...oh how thankful I am!  Also, so thankful for that  huge bar to be gone!

All of the cabinets were a honey oak...drove me insane!  So I got out my paint brush and began to paint, paint, paint! 

Tadaah....this is what it looked like for Christmas!  See the pretty island that the hubs and I made from the huge bar that we ripped out?  New flooring, counters, wallpaper(can you believe it)was added to the wall behind the table and chairs that looks like real beadboard. And old tin tile wallpaper was added to the other side that looks like a backsplash.  We added crown moulding to the tops of our cabinets, new appliances and all new lighting.

This is the ledge my sweetie made for me...and what window doesn't look cute with shutters?  Of course I "had" to paint them PINK!  A new faucet was a definite..allowing fill ups on large pots and for cleaning that HUGE turkey that I get every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

My late grandmother's china cabinet found the perfect resting spot with the china that she saved up for.....while first starting out.  I chose the palest pink and loved so much that I then began to paint the livingroom, hallway and bath the same pretty color.  The island has had a few transformations on the counter...I finally found the right combo and love my kithen!  I don't think I'll be changing it anytime soon...cause this MAMA loves it!  And if Mama ain't happy...then ain't no one happy!