some things you just know...

Today was a funny sort of day...you know...

because it was a crazy sort of messy day from the beginning...

hubby and I woke up on a blow up bed...well because we sold our bed...

and for one of the first times...mwah {me}...did not plan ahead...

to make sure we would have a bed...

I sort of dreamed of redoing an old cottage bedframe...

well but time got away...and now we are bedless momentarily...

there are several reasons why we don't have a bed quite yet ~

First I can picture our room together so dreamy it makes both of our hearts sing...

so I am waiting to find that "perfect" bed for us...

but you want to know what is silly...

we cannot quite decide what size to get...

When we first got married...we had a full size bed

And then we were given a King size bed

because honestly anything was better than our full size bed

and at that time ~ it was just tight for us quite frankly with fertility things going on...

but don't get me wrong we were thankful!

But now we cannot decide whether to downsize to a queen rather than purchasing another king size bed.

We had made a decision...queen for sure because honestly do we need a king?

Nope...

because what is silly is that as long as we had our full size bed ~

when we had our king...

I slept on the very edge

Bobby would continually ask me now why on earth would I do that when we have half the bed over on the other side not to be used...I guess the same reason I learned to hug the corners when I run I guess...I have no idea.

We have the room for a king...but really...do I want one?

Because I am thinking of creating a little sitting area...

and honestly since kiddo #2 has arrived my desk now resides in our bedroom as well

But you know that self-doubt when you have one person ask you...

Really?...you want to downsize?

That gets you thinking...are we thinking correctly?

Was our decision the right one?

And then as the bed search...Bobby finally gives up and says

Martha...you can pick whatever...

Really? That is kind of what I was thinking anyway...

not because he was frustrated...he just knows by now...

I'll end up picking it.

I brought up my dream of my white iron bed...

the one I dreamed about ever since we got married...

that Bobby used to tell people I wanted...

not one specifically but the idea of one

and now suddenly when i brought it up again...

He said...

"Martha, are you serious?"

when he was all for it before...

"Because that gets noisy...Martha"

"WHAT? you have got to be kidding me you are thinking about that" was my reaction...
Something like that doesn't even cross my mind...

"that is really what you are thinking about????"..."you have GOT to be joking"...

So, I've dared him to actually call the store and ask them about it...
{he really won't do it...all in fun joke you know}

because I just think it is ridiculous...

shows even after all this time...his mind still wanders, I guess...

He says he is game about asking...

We will see about that...

I know...we both still get kicks out of making ourselves laugh together and finding our own fun...

But today it made me see that even with our silly conversation about our bed...

I LOVE how we have our own fun, our own humor...in everything.

We will be sitting there on our porch someday laughing at all the ridiculous things we laughed about...

And even though he had a rough week...

we dealt, we laughed, we of course made it through

we mostly know what to let go and what to hold tight to.

{most of the time that is ~ we do have "occasional" mess ups still...notice that was in quotations:)

Anyhoo...I learned over the weekend about a woman, a mother, a wife, a shop owner 

that lost her husband recently...

he was 39...

and I was e-mailed about it...

it made my heart drop for her because I cannot imagine losing the one I love so dearly as she did...

I just cannot imagine...but I held my prayers for her during different moments today...

because honestly it has been a thankful week for me knowing the devastation in Haiti too...

But a woman I don't know...

a mother of two boys

a wife to a young husband of 39

a shopowner who loved what she did

But the thought of her husband being gone in a blink of an eye I cannot imagine...

It did cause me to smile at my own family as I was cooking dinner tonight...

the girls sitting at the table

Hayley screaming and crying for something

Madison singing both Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Old MacDonald had a Farm to her

And Bobby helping me do something...I cannot even remember now...

That crying from Hayley while Madison was singing to her with my teammate beside me is how I love my world ~ the simple life that usually drives me crazy sometimes with crying and whining you get from girls

made me smile today...

The blogland is coming together and supporting her and her family...

so if you like to shop

and you would love to lend some support because she has to sell everything to support her family now...

Visit her shop here...

It made our waking up on a blow up bed...definitely okay...because we aren't making a quick decision just to have a bed even though we would like to.

{and my wonderfully caring parents are mortified about our sleeping arrangments by the way}...

we really don't care out our sleeping quarters...because it is only momentarily...

something that is not forever

only temporary...

because I'm in search for the perfect bed for our retreat...

And today for some reason it dawned on me...

Bobby and I have been together for over half of our lives now...

Over half...

and I'm thankful for that because I knew the moment I saw him

there was a plan for us...

even the simple plan on agreeing on a bed...

And I'm thinking this one...

found here

because of the color

because of the price

because of the glass knobs on it

that match the knobs I put on my dresser that I purchased from Kasey when she had her shop

because I am imagining some chippy paint white shutters hanging behind our bed...beach cottage style...

I do have a budget {that I gave myself} and I am going to do better than matching the price...

I want to do under

and yes save a little too...

Sweet dreams!

Worth a thousand words...

Pictures

...how they just uplift your day and your spirit

whether it is from someone you love...or a good friend...

I walked out to my mailbox this week and had a smile put on my face as soon as I opened a package from a dear friend...

She had taken quite a few wonderful pictures of my girls when she visited during our trip together to the botanical gardens last year...

And she made copies in all sizes for me and sent them to me

She loves photography and I think she is great!

She very simply made my day

After a very long week where I almost packed up my hubby and boarded him on this ship

 {found here}

{you can laugh because I'm only kidding ~ you all know I wouldn't do that (wink, and add a chuckle here) }

He had a stressful week to say the least  {ick}

I love my hubby, and he is truly my love...

but it was just one of those stressful weeks for him

but it put me on edge a little bit...actually a lot...

please tell me you feel like this sometimes...

and I felt like I was literally calling "S.O.S" quite a few days...not really but I just thought it was fitting to say that with my shipwreck picture:)

{found here}

So my sweet dear friend

Brightened up my week with a very heartfelt card

included with tons of pictures...

Now those kind of friends are keepers...

the lifers...

And I love that I have her...

she knows how much I love some well-taken photographs...

but what she didn't know is how much they meant to me this week.

Thank you my friend!

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." ~ Unknown

{and good news...we sold our bed tonight}
insert a big ole' dance of joy from me!

And I added a new song about memories...I think you'll like it...
It's all about slowing down ~ not moving too fast ~ capturing those frames of time...

in my dream bedroom...

I would have lots of white...and linen....

textures...some color...

white and blue hydrangeas mixed together in a big arrangement...

I would even consider a canopy bed if it was this amazing...

I would have a ton of different blankets...fluffy...textured...sea blues {hints of grey}...whites...creams...

a don't forget pillows...

I am a fan of pillows...

big...little...I love them all!

and to be honest as much as I love throw pillows I always think of the movie
Along Came Polly

{another one of my favorite movies}...

"white chocolate" is all I have to say...

"Reuben I'm in a situation here..."

"Raindance..."

And the conversation about ebola virus in a bowl of mixed nuts...priceless!

Okay I'm not a movie quote person...I usually cannot recall any...but that movie...makes me laugh so hard I about fall of the sofa everytime...{yes...of course I'm way off point now and I'm laughing hysterically just thinking about the movie...}

But one last one...and back to the point...

"Throw pillows serve no purpose...purely decorative"...perhaps that one I do think differently because to me they mean comfort...and comfort = happy for me...

In my dream bedroom...

I would have beautiful walls like this...

chippy paint shelves...

one of my very favorite blues/greens that makes my heart sing...

perhaps I would change out a ceiling fan for a chandi...

 lots of ruffles...

a slip covered bench at the foot of my bed...

Oh I wish I could sew...

a beautiful old door...

a headboard with some character...

bowls of shells and starfish...

a bedding with some wonderful romantic character...

lots of windows to brighten it up...I love some good sunlight...

A beautiful skirted table...with mirror...and those floors...

Oh I just loved this little get-a-way room...soo cozy and sweet...

and these two lamps...I like different...not the same you know...

pieced together as you go...

this one filled with driftwood and a few shells perhaps...

But most of all...I will incorporate all that I love...and all my inspiration into the home
we have now...

and until we live in our dream home...

I am very happy with the possibilities we have to create right here and right now...

to create an escape that we cannot wait to fall into at night and don't want to get up in the morning...

It can be done in any space...

even away from our so-desired beach cottage house...

I cannot wait to start...and in a few months...

hopefully it will be done...

Sweet dreams everyone...

photos...1,2,3,4,5,6 found as linked...

photos...6,7...

Bliss...

Oh how excited I am right now...I have so many ideas going through my head for our bedroom...I almost want to scream in excitement...ever get that feeling?...although I should be finishing up other rooms in our home first since I have started those, and I'm not typically one to leave projects unfinished before starting a new one...but for some reason I cannot get our bedroom out of my mind...the only ideas coming to me are for our room...

And to top it off...we have had our bed on Craig's List because it just isn't our style...and we had someone come look at it yesterday...so keep your fingers crossed we sell it because that means the bedroom can be attacked full fledge because I made a deal with hubby that I would wait to do anything until that was sold...

Even if this couple doesn't purchase it for their bed and breakfast...I know it will sell...so I feel bliss right now...we have always left our bedroom last and when you think about it we should put it first...I am going to make it a get-a-way place...so that is what I want to create...I even found the perfect light for our bedroom...just to give it the perfect romantic feel...a jump for joy I am doing...

On another note....the other day I received a wonderful e-mail from Mary at Vintage Home and Garden that she was passing on the Kreativ Blogger Award to me...ME? "Oh WOW" I thought... my little old blog was thought of!!!

And then this morning...I received a wonderful comment from Darlene from Music to My Ears...a newer follower of my blog nominated for the Beautiful Blogger award too...

Luckily both of them require me to share 7 random things about me and then pass to seven people...although I have to admit coming up with seven things was quite a difficult task for me...but I gave it a shot...so here you go....

The rules for both...

Thank the person who nominated you....why thank you Mary and Darlene! I appreciate you both thinking of me...and my little ole' blog!!!

Link to the person who nominated me...well I've done that :)...

And for the hardest part...share 7 things people may not know about me.

So here we go...

Are you ready? Are you sitting at the edge of your seat yet?

I know I'm such a mystery aren't I? {wink, laugh}

one. I get asked for some reason about my heritage a lot by people...I find that rather strange...but okay...NOPE...I'm not Italian....and I'm not Indian either {hubby is though}...I'm not Spanish...not Mexican...or Hispanic {and by the way nothing wrong with any heritage...I just get a kick out of why people want to guess or ask specifically} but I am English, Swiss, Scotch, Irish, and German...so if any of you all were wondering for some reason {your wonder is now answered}...

two. I know you all love me to pieces {you can laugh now}...and I know most know I am quiet....but I do come from a long line of tempers on both sides of my family and we are all blessed with them....I do say blessed...but hubby doesn't agree since he has one as well...it actually is funny between us though:) Anyhoo...{I do apologize I get sidetracked so easily} we were in Subway two weeks ago...ordering...and the guy making our sandwiches just looked at us and laughed and told us we couldn't be anymore different from how we ordered our sandwiches...which is true...I do eat meat...but not much beef, not pork, not a fan of bacon, or steak and never have been...I am not a vegetarian by any means...just more of a veggie and cheese lover which is what I ordered...a veggie...and hubby a steak philly...

three. I can point my foot and make it completely flat like dancers do {just imagine a ballerina on her toes...my foot extends even a bit further}...I honestly do not think it is "weird" like Bobby says it is because I am sure dancers can do it no problemo...but he gets freaked out since my ankles are so flexible...so if he is irritating...I just have him look over at my hyperextended foot....

four. I hum quite a bit when I am doing things...I get that from my Grandpa...and sometimes I catch Madison chiming in with me when I do...and when I am tired I will start singing the Spanish alphabet...

five. when I run...typically one hand is clenched and tight like a fist...and my other is open and fingers spread ...When I see something I love or get really excited both of my hands will straighten, stiffen, and open fingers...

six. my favorite all-time movie is The Notebook...and always will be {told you I'm a romantic sap}...BUT ever since I was little and even pre-teen I L.O.V.E. action movies...there are not many I don't like...call me crazy but my sister and I would watch over and over Van Damme movies growing up...our two favorites were Bloodsport and Kickboxer...Diehard movies too...

seven. when I go to the doctor for anything and they see my medical history...they make me show them my scars because they don't believe I had complete ACL reconstructions of both knees since I was released from rehab so early compared to others with the same surgeries...for some reason they are amazed and I just shake my head because I don't understand the big deal and why that is so hard to believe...I always think they must have had really boring days to get caught up in icky knee scars:)

{And here are my seven I send these awards too...I randomly picked 7 different people...if I didn't mention you then I faintly remember you have been passed this before...and so I also tried to pick those that I didn't send 10 Happy things to as well...}

beautiful and sweet Paige at Simple Thoughts

wonderfully talented and beautiful Tracey at French Larkspur

a beautiful old soul Angela at Your Angil

soooo funny and beautiful Sasha at Lemonade Makin' Mama

refreshing and beautiful Koralee at Bluebird Notes

beautiful shopowner Kristin at Faded Prairie

beautiful Brave Girl Becky at Farmgirl Pants

you may be slightly annoyed I said beautiful in front of everyone of these sweet ladies but I think they all deserved to be reminded of that...

Just a note...I have not read any blogs in the past 3-4 days and plan on doing some catch up tonight...so I'm sorry I haven't commented yet everyone...I'll get there, but I just wanted to respond to these two awards...I'm so thankful!
Blessings...

Powder...

We received some inches of snow last night...but as Bobby was taking our pup outside last night one of our neighbors {whom was also taking their pup out} had a conversation about the "powder".

You see they are from England...and "powder" to me has such a lovely ring...and makes me enjoy the snow even more...I love it...so that is what I am sticking to ~ afterall...it even feels like powder...

The cold and wind have brought "too stinkin' cold for me temps" here where we are...

yes ~ I know some of you are used to this...but where we live...it gets pretty cold but not where everyday has a wind chill below zero {especially in January}...and the temp tomorrow is predicted to be below zero {not wind chill but temp}

I did see a hint of the sun today...and it was beautiful...although if I was more talented behind the camera...it obviously would have been magnificient to see in this picture! But I think this will do...

For now...I'll look at the bright side {I've got no choice} and adore these beautiful flowers...

one of the few things that gets me through such cold weather...is fresh flowers...I've got to have them in my life:) Aren't they beautiful? They have stayed this pretty for about two weeks now...{sigh}...now I'm dreaming for my hydrangeas to come since those are my favorite...

So with lots and lots of powder in our neck of the woods...I thought I would treat the girls to some powder themselves...for breakfast, that is...I'll be honest...it is a rarity for me to "cook" breakfast during the week for the kiddos...usually it is something quick...but today as most schools are cancelled I thought it would be fun:)

I thought I would surprise the girls...even though the powder may have hid the fact that they "may have been" overcooked this morning..."may have been" overcooked...just noting I said *may have been*...I didn't say they *actually* were:)...because for some stinkin' reason...my baking has been horrible...it seems I just cannot get it right lately....{sigh}...I'll blame it on the oven for now...

This morningthe girls were reluctant to stay outside anymore than walking to the car for a trip to the post office today because of the wind...the snow they wanted to get their hands on of course...as they are reaching down picking up mounds as I swoop them in the car...but the wind...not so much...thank goodness today because I wouldn't have lasted outside one bit...

nothing more than "normal stuff" happening in this household this week...

but what I loved since the girls new it was too cold...they grabbed their new sleeping bags from Papa and Mena and put them on the stairs...and went sledding in doors with their "angel" wings on....

don't you remember doing that???...we would always do it at slumber parties at my house until my parents heard the first big "thump" or "bang" into the wall at the foot of our downstairs...well we had to quit after that...But I loved it because at that time we had those slick grey {camping} sleeping bags ...so we went pretty fast!!

Of course my daughter...goes down head first...that's my girl...

Other than that...it's painting time for Madison while her sis sleeps...and some peace and quiet for me to do what I need to get done:) {sigh} thank goodness...

And on the agenda for Madison she says is painting....

a mermaid river, a mermaid, the letter"M's, and the sun...

Alas...looking forward to some quiet...

The Road Underneath Me...

For as long as I know...the road underneath me is quite a constant...

sometimes it feels long....

sometimes it is uphill...

most of the time adventurous...

challenging in ways you never expect it...

sometimes the road is a *freeing* downhill...

and sometimes it is just plain beautiful...with the scenery...barns...atmosphere...

And when I ran today...the phrase "the road underneath me" wouldn't leave my mind...and that is when I knew this run was going to show me something...

Just as in life...we have much ahead of us like the roads keep going...it is about which path you take

sometimes days seem long...

some seem way too short...and you just wish you could squeeze in a few extra hours of enjoyment...

other times life's circumstances have you feeling like they have you constantly going uphill...

and other times you feel the rewards, comfort, and joy...

but when all this is going on...you also realize your life is full of adventure...both good and bad...fun challenges and also difficult ones

you have things in life that make you stop and admire the beauty ~ whether it is your children...family...the roof over your home...or the ocean...

some things register through sound ~ katydids during summertime,

through sight.... like the break of the waves,

or even touch.... when a hug works magic

As I went on my run today...the road seemed peaceful...
{maybe because no one in their right mind was outside}

But my challenge was the extremely cold wind...I felt prepared being bundled up...but I knew what awaited me outside...
it was one of those days where you just have to accept the challenge and go for it without looking back...but seeing the road beneath me go by as I moved forward

You see in our neighborhood there are 3 beautiful homes along the side of our neighborhood that have quite a bit of land ~ they were here way before the homes in our subdivision were ~ and as I am running I think about if the owners are happy that all of these houses now have become the view of their front windows.

They had all of this land before and 4 or so years ago it was gone~ whether they sold it themselves or had no control over the neighborhood being built ~ I still love to look over on that side of the road during my runs to see them and the land around them....because it is just beautiful.

When I leave our little section of houses to the main road of our subdivision I see this white house with a porch all along the front {my favorite}~ they have a barn and some land where they have 2 beautiful horses.

And today as I saw them...each horse standing alone...I felt they sort of resembled me...my past maybe a year or so ago~ and now my future as it is unfolding.

For my run back...the wind was sooo fiercly cold as it hit my face and my neck {they were bright red and I felt cold...so I decided to run part of the run backwards
{double benefits you know ~ shielded my face and neck from the wind and a great workout}

Similar to my life ~ in my past ~ I have felt I have had to run backwards to go forward sometimes{you know to tune out the negative in my environment} 

And with myself I have faced challenges~ physically, mentally, and the like...but you know what I realized is that I was still moving forward running backwards...

I was still going. I have faced those challenges head on this past year and even when I didn't see the finish or feel it was near. I faced them the best I could...not always perfect but the best I could....regardless I still found a way to move forward ~ 

I knew the finish would come eventually...and I put my "back" to the negative while I was doing it in order to not go astray of my path ~ God never promised life would be easy ~ I just have to continue to be steadfast with my faith, beliefs, and hopes...

You see when I saw these horses this morning....

This was me in my past ~

shaken confidence

and someone who found it hard to see myself when I did

I never said no and spread myself too thin

I let people's judgments and comments get to me

I let myself feel less by other people...their actions, comments

And I was someone who didn't feel like a woman
because of infertility struggles

and eventually I started believing everyone's opinions of myself

 it happened over time...

And while I ran today ~ as I turned to run facing the wind again ~
I came over an incline and saw 

~ the finish line ~

the beauty in this horse and thought...

this is who I will become...

if I'm not there yet...

I will get there...

but that will be me and is me.

I will stand tall and proud of who I am {always}

I will love myself completely

I will stand up for myself if needs be

I will share my feelings

I will look in the mirror and be happy with who I see rather than find every critique possible

I am a woman who merely wants to show my girlie side

I will continue to be me through it all

I will see my dreams unfold this year, yes in 20.10 ~  family, life, personal, and my business dreams

I will be how I saw this horse...

confident, strong, and graceful.

I will admire the view, seeking life and all it's possibilities...

And I will do it with my faith, with a lot of hopes for my dreams, and believing in myself....

And I will have those close to me to help hold me accountable for believing in me...

I use these three words for quite some time now and still find they apply for me in 20.10. 
Faith
Hope
Belief
...that is why when I started blogging, I wrote from the beginning in my profile that...

"our goal is to continue living a dream that is daily coming true {Van Morrison lyrics to our wedding song} but with faith, hope, and love, and prayer we know that all things are possible..."

And this is my journey so far...and one that I hope, believe, and know I will continue to press on this year...20.10!

Happiness...and...Lovelies

My favorite things are my lovelies {I like to call them} and a couple of weeks ago... I was reading a post from Living Intentionally...  I didn't see this was passed to me until I re-read the post not because she told me to...but because I really enjoyed her post...so thank you...

10 things that make me happy...


As 2009 came to a close yesterday I thought that I would pick a few things throughout this year that were my favorites...a list of some sort...

obviously no specific order here...

ten.   we traveled quite a bit this year...and that gave me more time to read for fun...so here is my list of books...the one standing up is next on my list to read {given to me for Christmas }...and I included my travel Bible just because I read from that daily pretty much unless I forget it at home when we travel...

nine.  the beginning of 2009...I vowed to myself to wear more dresses and more girlie things because I just don't typically do that...but I wanted to because there is that part of me. I'm glad to say I am getting there. ~ It was nice to feel good for myself but also for my husband...and now in 2010...I am doing more with it and so excited about it. I should do an update my dress post...maybe I'll give you a peek again...when I see some new things I love...

eight.  I was introduced to the blogging world by a couple of people this past year...and to Etsy by this wonderful woman...Angela and her etsy shop {here}...so I decided to show some great things of hers...because I am so thankful for all the etsy shops and non-etsy shops too that are personally-owned!
I truly love all of your shops but here is just a few of my fav's by Angela in her shop now...
The frills in the middle I add to just about everything...and of course the tags with orders...

seven. my love of pitchers~creamers make me smile all the time... I love those cute little treasures...I have them residing in our hutch for the mean time...but hopefully in the next month with something we found they will be in our kitchen:)

six. seashells and starfish light up my life...we really long to live near the beach but patience...patience...eventually we will make it there ~ so our goal is to add more reminders of what we love...all around us...because this is what takes my mind away on days of stress...I love it!

five. meeting some great blogging friends in person or just through reading blogs has been so much fun this year...traveling to meet some of them was just wonderful...I love people who accept who for who you are...

I met quite a few wonderful people...but if you click on my Inspiring evening post there are several links to pictures Kim {from Mimi Charmante} captured that both her and Kasey posted on their blog...

four.  I love the friendships I have in my business...this is one of my favorite pictures...it was so fun to spend time with them...talk...dream...plan...all of it...this is where a lot of my encouragement comes from...these fantastic women {many more not pictured here too}

three.  taking my family to the beach...pure fun and bliss...do you really care to know that in mid-February this year...we will be going again courtesy of hubby's job this time...and it will be just the two of us ...will we even know what to do with ourselves?...I'm sure we'll figure it out...{sigh}

two. The girls, of course...seeing them play together...even tell each other "time out" is a riot...but they melt my heart and push me to my limits. But I love what they do and say to me...how Madison just comes up to me and says "I love you Mommy" to Hayley who told me the other morning..."Mommy funny"...glad someone thinks so:)

one. Ha! So my last one...why handsome hubby of course...who makes me smile, laugh, and honestly gets the best of me sometimes too... He definitely makes me swoon...{by the way he loves pictures of him posted....loves it!}

So that is my quick list of top ten lovelies...I had no idea who to pass this on to...so of course I randomly picked names from blogs I follow...

Bluebird Notes
Farmgirl Pants
LuLu & Co.
Laughs, Smiles, Giggles
Forever Cottage
The Carbajal Life


Blessings to you all in 2010....lots of great things to look forward too...I just know it because I believe it! Do you?