L.O.V.E. for my Valentine

L is for....

the love that you have for me.

how in love I am with you!

how much you make me feel loved.

the little things that you do for me.

how loyal you are to me.

the way that you make me laugh.

how lucky I am to have you!

how you listen to me when I need to talk.

giving me a love that will last a lifetime.

giving me the life that I always dreamed of!

O is for....

how overjoyed I am to be married to you!

how you make me feel like I'm on cloud nine!

the outstanding way that you provide for our family.

you being the only one for me!

the oodles of fun we have together.

V is for....

Valintine. Thanks for being mine for the past 29 years!

how you value our marriage and our family.

how very much I am in love with you!

how much I love to hear your voice on the phone.

all the wonderful vacations that we have been on!

how you maintain our vehicles.

E is for....

how excited I am to see you when you get home!

for everthing that you do for me.

how excellent you are!

the encouragement that you give to me.

providing our girls with a wonderful education.

how you energize me!

how much I enjoy spending time with you!

the enormous love that I have for you!

being the best husband in the entire world!

being my equal.

the extraordinary person that you are!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I love you David!!!!!

The Bug & The Valentines

I bet your wondering what the two have to do with one another, huh??

The BUG is what I have had for the past week or more! You know... the one that make you feel really crummy! Yep. That's the one. In my mind he looks something like this...

And makes me feel like this...

 Pitiful, huh?? But kinda' cute! **Smile**

I haven't felt like writing or even reading blog posts. --- A HUGE sign that I reallllly don't feel well! I just haven't had the energy. I think I am starting to improve. I started with a cold and then now I think it's more of a sinus infection. Blech! ... I know!

I can almost guarantee where I got this BUG! I am a preschool teacher and well.... I wipe noses all day! I won't go into the graphic details. I will spare you of those. But, I am pretty darn sure that this is where that nasty bug came from!

I stayed home Tuesday from work to take meds and rest. I went back yesterday and then worked today. I am happy to not have to work tomorrow! (I only work Tue/Wed/Thurs) This will hopefully give me a chance to get rid of this nasty BUG!

Ok. Now you are wondering what the Valentines part of this post, is. Well, being that I don't work tomorrow or Monday, we had our class Valentine's party today! Sounds like fun, huh?? Well, picture this and tell me if it sounds like fun...

Twelve kids (7 boys & 5 girls) -- Two teachers (one who felt like POO! -- Me!) -- Cupcakes and sugary cookies with LOTS of icing! -- Red, heart bags made from construction paper with handles that were constantly ripping! -- Valentine cards & candy being given out in turn (which took forever!) -- Parents wanting to take pictures during all the chaos -- Impatient kids wanting to eat the candy as soon as it is put in thier bags -- Kids whining because their handles ripped -- And... plenty of noses still needing to be wiped!

It was quite a day!

Remember when giving a Valentine was just giving a simple little card, like this??

Things have changed quite a bit! Now, instead of just a cute little card... kids (well... parents) are giving out full-blown "Goodie Bags" filled with candy and toys! It's quite different from when I was growing up.

All in all, I guess I can't complain too much. I lucked out and got lots of "Goodie Bags", too! **Smile** Chocolate makes me feel better ANY day of the week!

"Love Is In the Air" - Tablescape

Well, I finally finished my Valentine Tablescape!! I was going to call it my "Febrauary Tablescape", but I don't think I will leave it up for the whole month. I DO love it, though!

Here are some photos of it along with a few others. For some, I used my "flash" and for others, I didn't. My photography skills are still something that I am working on!

I used my same silver chargers that came from Michael's that I got for $1.99 each. The white plates are the same ones that I bought from the Dollar Tree for $1.00 each (They are great!!). The red plates are the ones that I bought right before Christmas at Target with my gift card. They were $4.99 for a set of 4, I think. (I bought 2 sets so that I could have 6 plates) The little white bowls are new. I spotted those at Michael's for only $1.99 each! -- No. I don't have any silverware or glasses on my table. This is something else that I need to work on! We DO, however, use glasses and silverware when we sit down to eat! **Smile**

 A closer look! The napkins were "freebies" from preschool that someone left on the "freebie table" at school, so I snatched them up!

Here is my Valentine Tree! I got this idea off of another blog. The vase is one that I picked up at Goodwill. (You can view that blog post - HERE) The branches are from my own yard and the hearts, I cut out of tissue paper. Easy!

The heart-shaped doilies are from Hobby Lobby. They were only $2.99 for a package of 6. I got the rose petals there, too! And if you look real closely... you can see a couple of "words" mixed in with the rose petals. One says "Kiss" and one says "Love. Those were another find at Hobby Lobby for $2.99 (Click HERE to view that post) The red votive's are from Christmas. Part of a gift from the teacher that I work with. The little pink cherub is one that I have had for years. Not sure where he came from.

Here is the jar that I bought at Ross a few weeks back. (Click HERE to see the blog post) I had seen one at this same store that was decorated for Valentine's Day, but then I saw this one and decided to decorate it myself! Here is my finished product! I bought a spool of this beautiful red ribbon at Michael's on the Christmas clearance shelf (paid like $1.00 for it!), then I bought this wooden heart and painted it myself. (David drilled the hole for me!) Inside of the jar, I cut out some hearts from cardstock and wrote "Love notes" on them! I thought it turned out rather cute! ~ What do you think??

This bowl is "Fenton", I believe -- or at least a look-a-like! My mother-n-law gave it to me for Christmas one year. I love it! I filled it full of yummy Valentine Hershey Kisses!

The candle is one that I bought back at Christmas. The stand is new. I got it from Michael's. (Oops! I forgot to take the sticker off of the bottom!)

The next couple of photos show a "work in progress" because ... a) they are not finised yet and b) I am not happy with how they look.

My hutch. More doilies and that beautiful ribbon bowl that I got from Marshall's. (Click HERE for that blog post) I still haven't changed out the ribbon yet!

This is David & I after my high school graduation -- June 1982! The little red rosebud vase is the one that I got from The Dollar Tree for $1.00. And the sign is the one that I picked up at TJMaxx for $2.50! I repainted it, like I said I would. (Click HERE for that blog post) ~ What do you think??

And, this is the frame that I bought at Hobby Lobby for $3.40. (Click HERE for that post) I was going to "make" a puffed heart to go into the frame, but then found a package of these red ones at Michael's for $1.99. I thought it turned out great! The angel is one that I've had for a while. It was a gift from my good friend, Cindy. The little bear was a gift from my good friend, Diana.

My mantle... for now! I am still working on it. You can see the red vase that I got from Ross and the little heart frame that I got from Goodwill. (Click HERE & HERE) I'll post some more photo's of my hutch and mantel after I finish with them AND I'm happy with the way that they look!

Friday Finds #2

Last week, I went on a treasure hunt for bargains, again! I, of course, had my" Valentine's decorating theme" in mind for February, but was also on the lookout for anything that might catch my eye for future tablescapes or other holiday decorating.

I wanted to go to many places, but time and lack of money in my wallet prevented me from going to more than one place. I hadn't been to Goodwill in a couple of weeks, so I decided that I would go there and see what I could find! I love going there when I have time to really LOOK. ~ Know what I mean?

Here's what I came home with ---

I spotted this beautiful set of 7 dessert plates and really liked the colors! I picked them up and immediately thought about what sort of tablescape they would go well with. I couldn't really think of one, so I put the dishes back on the shelf. Then.... I picked them up again. Still thinking. I put them back down again, not being able to think of a "theme" that they would go with. Then.... I picked them up AGAIN and put them in my buggy. I decided to let them ride around in my buggy (Or "cart", depending on where you are from! Where I come from, they are called a "buggy"! **Smile**) Before I left the store... I decided that these were just too pretty to pass up! They were only $3.50.... and.... the best part is.... when I got to the register to pay for them.... they were 1/2 off!!! I was a happy girl, then! They only cost me $1.75!!! Wahooo!! They are from Pier 1, too! Ca-ching!!! Yes, there are 7 of them and I only need 6, so I will use the extra one as decoration above my kitchen cabinets! Yay! It was a little "chipped", anyway.

In the Christmas section, I found these cute little snowmen!!! They are actually candles, but who would actually lite them?? -- Not me!! I decided right away that they would be perfect with my "Winter Theme"! They were only $1.31 each and also... 1/2 off, because they were Christmas items!! Wahooo!!



Next, I found this pretty frame. It's really too small to put a photo into it, so my plan is to cut out a red heart and insert it in. It will be perfect then! It cost me $1.31. :)

Next, I couldn't pass up this beautiful vase! I plan to use it as part of my centerpiece for my tablescape. It was only $1.41.

This is what I plan to do with it!

Those were all of my finds at the Goodwill store. I think I did pretty good! I got all of these things for just under $6.00!! Not bad.

The week before, I did my "hunting" at Hobby Lobby and The Dollar Tree. I forgot to post the items that I bought, so here they are -----

I bought this frame on clearance for $3.40 at Hobby Lobby.

My plan is to do something like this with it. I think, since it is a deep frame, I will make a "puffed heart" out of red fabric and place it into the frame. I just have to find some fabric!

I bought these at Hobby Lobby for $2.99 (with 30% off -- $2.00). I plan to scatter them on my table as part of my centerpiece.

These are fake rose petals. They were $2.99 (with 30% off -- $2.00) at Hobby Lobby. They will also be scattered on my table and maybe my mantle, as well.

My next stop was to The Dollar Tree, which is right next door to Hobby Lobby! **Smile**

I picked up this cute little rosebud & vase for $1.00, there.

I couldn't pass up these votives!! Aqua Blue is my very favorite color and these screamed "Beach Theme" to me! So, I bought these to stash away for summer! They were all $1.00 each.



Total money spent on this day --- $11.40! YAY!!

This weekend, I will be transforming my "Winter Wonderland" theme (Click HERE & HERE to view) over to a "Love" theme for the month of February. I bought several items a couple of weeks ago (view those HERE) that I thought would look better if I changed them up a little, so I will also be working on those this weekend. I will hopefully post about my accomplishments, early next week. Be sure to come back then to see how it all turned out!

I am also going to TRY to link this blog up to some other blogs that are all about "bargain hunting". I'll keep you "posted" on whether or not that works out!

Friday Finds

I am in TABLESCAPE and THEMED DECORATING "mode"!!! I'm finding it fun to see what I can find for the cheapest price.

As I have been searching looking reading thru different blogs and I keep finding myself going back to the ones that have to do with TABLESCAPES and THRIFTY DECORATING. I am so fascinated by what people are finding by going to Goodwill, yard sales, thrift shops, & the clearance shelves at many wonderful stores!

One of my favorite blogs that I keep returning to is Linda's blog at A La Carte. She can find some of the most beautiful and interesting things! I also enjoy Marty's blog at A Stroll Thru Life. She loves to decorate and finds such beautiful things at bargain prices!

Soo...... after being ICED in for a day or so.... I ventured out on Tuesday and wondered thru three of my favorite stores... Ross, Marshall's, & TJMaxx.

Here's my LOOT that I came home with! --

I went to Ross first. They always have great holiday items and I had my February Tablescape & Decorating Theme, in mind. I plan to have a Valentine Theme, of course! I saw this adroable jar, first. It was only a few dollars, but I decided that I probably had a jar at home that I could use and make my own jar, like this one. So, I set it back down. (I took this pic with my phone camera. It takes great pics, if the light is good.)

Then, I came across THIS jar. It was only $2.99 and I love the way that it opens. I am not sure what this kind of jar is called. I know that it is not a mason jar, but something simliar. (Forgive my photography skills. I am still working on that!) I decided that I could use this jar to decorate like the one above. Then, I could put candy in it, or maybe love notes to my family! It will be a cute addition to either my dining table, my mantle, or the kitchen counter.

Next, I found this unusual piece! It jumped off the shelve at me because of the beautiful blue color! (I am a sucker for all things blue! Especially, blue glassware!) I'm still not sure if it is meant to be a flask or a syrup bottle! My guess is a syrup bottle! It was only $1.99! My first thought was that it would be a great piece to showcase above my kitchen cabinets. (My decorating up there, needs help!) But, the beautiful blue color, was a little BRIGHT! I carried it in my cart as I continued to shop, then I decided that since it was only $2, and I liked it so much, I really couldn't leave it behind.

My next "find" was this beautiful red vase. (I guess it is a vase!) I think it will be a beautiful addition to my Valentine decorations! It will be cute filled with Hershey Kisses! It was only $2.99.

Next, I headed over to Marshall's, which is in the same shopping center as Ross... so, no wasting gas! This is where I found my favorite "find" of the day!! Take a look at this bowl!! (I guess that is what you call it!) I have seen plates like this with the ribbon running thru the edge, but never a bowl. I love how you can change out the ribbon for different holidays or decorating purposes. It came with this black & white, polka-dotted ribbon... which I love! Ashley told me that her store sells ribbon like this by the yard, so now I have "connections" to more ribbon! YAY! I'm not sure what I will put in it yet, but I can already see it with a pretty red ribbon, laced thru it for Valentine's! It was my most expensive purchase at $6.99. Still a bargain!

 My next find was this sign. I LOVE what it says, but I don't like the "colors" of it. They don't show up very well. So, my plan is to repaint it. I see it in black, with white lettering or an off-white, with black lettering. I will most likely use this as a decorating piece for above my kitchen cabinets, but I think it may go on my mantle as part of my Valentine's decor. It was only $2.50. I was disappointed that Marshall's didn't really have any Valentine decor. Oh well.

Next, I headed over to T.J.Maxx (which is conveniently, right across the street!) where they were in the middle of re-organizing their "home" section. So, it made shopping a little more challenging. Things were in PILES and I had to literally DIG thru things to see anything!

The first thing that caught my eye was this RELAX sign. This had David's name written ALL OVER it!! I had to get it!! It will go perfectly above my kitchen cabinets as a reminder to not only David, but to all of us to do just that.... RELAX! It was only $3.99.

This last "find", was something that I carried around (like the blue syrup bottle) for a bit because I wasn't sure if I liked it enough to pay the $5.99 price. (Yes. I am cheap!) I am always thinking of ways that I can "make" something instead of buying it. It's hard to tell in this photo, but it is Valentine "garland". There are five hearts. Three of them say, "Happy Valentine's Day". I finally decided to get the garland because the more I thought about it... I couldn't really think of something better that I could make. This garland will look nice, draped across my mantle.

Next week, I hope to "hit up" stores such as Hobby Lobby, The Dollar Tree, & Michael's and see what kinds of "finds" that I can find there!