sick for a week

There are things I enjoy and things that I don't enjoy- and being sick is on my list of things that I do not enjoy!

I feel as if I've been sick for forever. I'm tired and cranky, and to be honest I'm tired of being tired and cranky. I've lost my sense of smell and can hardly taste anything, my hearing goes in and out, I've lost my voice and I'm tired, so very tired. Damn this sucks!

quote of the day

Have a heart that never hardens,
a temper that never tires,
a touch that never hurts.
-Charles Dickens

I'm back in the UK

Actually I've been back since late Monday afternoon but have been quite ill. It seems that no matter where we go on a vacation holiday one of my family members gets sick. This year both my husband and I have gotten sick. Me, well I've had 2 different illnesses and have developed pleurisy because of the extent of coughing. We went to see the Doctor on Tuesday and well my husband seems to be getting better where I have taken a turn for the worse. To make my situation all that more pitiable I'm having an bad allergic reaction to the pain medication and now have hives and severe itching all over my body plus diarrhea and uncontrollable vomiting (nice huh). So I guess this is something I can write about in my scrapbook eh?... Caught a serious head-cold and was almost wiped out by a stomach bug from a Falafel sandwich from our tour guide while on vacation in Egypt. Oh the memories!

quote of the day

I'm thirty years old, but I read at the thirty-four-year-old level.
- Dana Carvey

Today!

Finally after all this waiting, the big day is here! We were wanting to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary with a special trip just for us, but alas at that time things were just a bit hectic. So here it is, October and well wouldn't you know it, the timing couldn't be more perfect for us to take a trip!

Our bags are packed, just a few little details to take care of around here and then we'll be off! we won't have internet connections other than at the airport so I'm leaving my little laptop behind. I am bringing a note book to write about all of the places we've been to and our experiences. When we get back, I'll tell you all about it!

Our daughter is off as well- we all will have stories to tell of our travels when we get back.

Please keep us all in your prayers!

quote of the day

I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn't matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together.
~Julia Roberts
Happy Belated Anniversary to me!

1 day

Why is it that men seem to wait until the last minute before a trip or a social event to do clothes shopping? They knew weeks in advance of such occasion yet they put off doing the one thing that they should do fist- buy clothes for themselves! Myself, I've been packed for more than a week! My husband? Well he's got some toiletries put together in a white plastic bag hanging on a door knob (yes I'm being slightly sarcastic).

Yesterday I went out with my spouse to get him a new blazer and a couple pairs of trousers- oh yeah that was fun (insert eye roll here). Women generally come out of the store HAPPY when carrying a bag of nice clothes for themselves. Men on the other hand, well they come out just as grumpy as they went into the store even with a bag full of nice clothes- do you know why that is? It's because they had to pay full price that's why! They knew well in advance that they needed to add something fresh to their wardrobes but never shop until the last minute. They don't look for sales or anything, and they think that the stores will always carry their size (time to wake up guys).

As I was sitting on a stool waiting for my husband to come out of the dressing room, I was sitting next to a lady who had me smiling from ear to ear. I must have been looking bored out of my mind when she leans over to me and says with this smirk and a sarcastic tone only another women can understand "I've completely lost the will to live". She was referring to having to wait for her husband in the dressing room trying on trousers. Throw in that charming British accent and I almost lost it! It was too darn funny! She said to me that she's rather shop for clothes with her teen aged daughter than suffer through this. I looked at her and I said "I couldn't agree more". Meanwhile another gentleman comes out of the dressing room, walks over to his wife and says "do these trousers make my bum look fat?" Can you see the irony in this? My thought was -we've tortured you for years with making you come clothes shopping with us and now it's your turn and you get back at us for those years of torture in just one afternoon...nice!

quote of the day

Always and never are two words

you should always remember never to use.
-- Wendell Johnson

2 days

Here I am, getting ready for this trip of a lifetime. I look forward to going someplace new and exotic but yet this place is as old as time its self. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I'm bringing a notebook to journal in while I'm away as I will not have my lap top with me on this trip.

I have no qualms with the requirements of dress, I only wish that more people would do what is asked and be respectful of other cultures and religions. This is the trip of a lifetime- I know that I say it a lot but it's true! This has been a dream of mine for such a long time, and for it now to become a reality is nothing short of amazing!

Now after this trip I'll be filling my look look book blog with TONS of photo's! I'll have MORE than enough pictures to fill a scrapbook and maybe I'll bring back a trinket or two!

quote of the day

For travel to be delightful,

one must have a good place to leave and return to.
-- Frederick B. Wilcox

Hellos and Good Byes

Being a military spouse isn't an easy job. We're the ones that go through the constant heartache of losing friends to a PCS (military move) year after year. I used to let myself get upset about this thing that I couldn't control- those damn military moves taking my best buds away! I'd throw myself a little pity party as I hated "losing friends to a PCS" and the worst part was being the one that was left behind. I got tired of the constant heartache and that's when I decided one day to look at it from a different angle. God has given me a fantastic opportunity to show new people the wonderful places that I've discovered- the little places to have lunch with a girlfriend (or my kids), the places where to buy those hard to find items, a yummy place for a cup of coffee or tea, where you can get yourself a cool scarf, the places to take your family to set up a great back drop for a family photo, etc. Look at all of the wonderful things you've shared with your "old friends" that you can now show to "new friends". And when YOU leave, all of those wonderful things will continue to be passed on. It's like you're leaving behind a legacy. Look at it as never really saying good bye but as always saying" Hello".

some of my other antique shop finds...

I confess, I am a hopeless Pottery Addict! Living here in England has enabled me to find a wider selection, better prices and better quality pottery!

Take this Portmeirion Basin and Ewer in the Christmas Rose pattern- I could only dream about owning something like this. But living here in England has given me the opportunity to be able to own such fine pieces as a fraction of what it would cost me back in the states. Now to replace them if they were to break during the move- now that would cost a mint!


Now who can resist a covered casserole dish? This was calling out to me, a brand NEW Portmeirion casserole dish that someone received as a wedding gift and they didn't like it. Left abandoned and on it's own to find someone who would love it...then I came along! I paid a third of what full retail is on this lovely piece of British made pottery! I will treasure it for many years to come!

These platters are so seriously cool to look at! The style is called "Flow" as it has to do with how glaze is applied before the firing process. Believe it or not but the Turkey Platter is in mint condish and I got it for the whopping price of...£5.00, no joke! It dates to the early 1900's and has clearly only ever been on display. Apparently turkey platters aren't much in demand out here.

The Fleur di Lis platter is supposed to be late 1800's and did cost me a little more than the Turkey Platter, but look at it, it's seriously cool!

Now as for being "collectible", apparently it's the Asian or Oriental designs are the ones that are highly prized and sought after by collectors. Me, I don't much care for the Oriental designs, I'd much rather have a nice pretty floral pattern or something else that strikes my fancy than Blue Willow.

AAhhhh, more great finds in Portmeirion. This is a retired floral pattern and it's one heavy bowl! It's lovely! It will be well used in my home!

This lovely little vintage piece is made by Portmeirion, it's from the 1970's and I do not know what the pattern is called but it's pretty none the less! The piece is a Sandwich tray, but it's great for serving all kinds of yummy treats!

The little bowls you see are made by Burleigh and are small sugar bowls- which are great for serving wonton soup, salsa or ice cream!

Here's my best deal yet on Burleigh Pottery- the large Chinese bowl which retails for £54.50, I paid £15.00. There's no way on this planet that I would ever find a deal like this back in the states...no way no how! I felt as if I had won the lottery that day!

There are also the Unusual finds- take this Portmeirion Halloween Bowl. Since Halloween isn't all that "big" out here in England like it is back in the States one would never expect to find something like this.

As you see, it fits in perfectly in my kitchen table in the breakfast room filled with Halloween treats!

With only 6 more months to go out here, I look forward to seeing what other great deals I'll come across and discover. One never really knows where the next bargain is lurking.

quote of the day

Be an explorer.

The universe is filled with wonder and magical things.
-- Flavia

My Antique Shop Treasures

I saw (it's been many months ago now) in a magazine, a sitting room decorated in a manner that has stuck with me and has been in my head for quite some time. I'll have to wait until we get state side once again to find some wing back chairs, I've got the Turkish Rug and maybe I'll get lucky find a small table while here. Okay lets get back on topic- Then a little while back on the internet (HGTV to be exact) I saw a formal dining room decorated in a manner that I thought quite pleasing. Elegant yet not too formal to make ones guests feel uncomfortable. Then I saw a some more photo's of this persons house and loved what she had done with her Blue and white Staffordshire pottery collection. I knew that I wanted to recreate a similar look for my own home with my collection of blue and white pieces. Here's the link to Tetbury's photo's over on HGTV's website. Now here's the look I've recreated...

Actually it's 2 of the looks combined into one. My British house alas has narrow poky hallways and compartmentalized rooms. The picture you see here is in my breakfast room. But once I get back to New England I'll be able to have a larger house (hopefully one with an actual entry way like I had in my last house). I've found these items in various Antique shops here in the UK, on e-bay UK , the RAF Croughton gift shop and of course at the Burleigh Company factory shop in Stoke on Trent. Now if you'd like to catch up on the lovely person who created those wonderful rooms over on HGTV, well here's a link to her Blog Antiqueaholic, it's well worth checking out!

quote of the day

About the time we think we can make ends meet,

somebody moves the ends.
~ Herbert Hoover

A day in the life...

Getting ready...
♥ for the postman to bring me a package
♥ for the power to go off in about 30 minutes
♥ for my pedicure today
♥ to drive to the base
♥ to check out an antique store
♥ to call on a friend
♥ to have lunch out

Just a day in my life really.

3 day weekend

Believe it or not but there was this 3 day weekend- well for me there was. My husband worked and my daughter Had to go to school but alas I celebrated Columbus Day!

quote of the day

We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.
- Walt Kelly

quote of the day

Isn't it interesting that people feel best about themselves right before they go on vacation? They've cleared up all of their to-do piles, closed up transactions, renewed old promises with themselves. My most basic suggestion is that people should do that more than just once a year.
~David Allen

Dreaming of my next house

With retirement in 6 months and the actual move within a few short weeks after that...It's got me thinking and dreaming about my next house. I know exactly what I want to do with the next one! I wonder what kind of house we'll end up buying- oh I hope that it's a Salt Box design as it's such a classic New England style house! I've got plans for the various rooms and areas of the house-from our reading area (which will be the formal living room) to the eat in kitchen, the formal dining room and the family room! I've got some pretty nifty ideas and with a few things purchased here in England, well I'll be able to put together something quite spiffy!

quote of the day

Be who you are and say what you feel because
those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
~Dr. Seuss

quote of the day

There is no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.
~Mark Twain

quote of the day

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.
~ James Michener

I LOVE October!

For the past 20 years, October has been our moving month... until this assignment. Now October has a new designation, it's now travel month for us! Going to school here in England has opened up new opportunities in vacationing. These school breaks are great times to get away for a trip to wheresoever your heart desires. There's a school break coming up this month and our daughter is going on the big school trip to...the USA. Sure we wish that the school was taking the kids to France or Poland somewhere other than the USA (only for our daughters sake). In the end, she's very happy to be going on the big trip with others from school even if she is the only American student going on the trip. She's going to see so many great places and have sooo much fun doing it too!

So what are we to do while our children are away? Hannah's on holiday with her classmates in the USA, Andrew is stateside attending University. What's this, Parents left home unsupervised? Oh say it isn't so, LOL! We've got our trip booked and paid for! For me, this will be the trip of a lifetime as I have wanted to go to Egypt for at least 30 years. I'm gathering things that we'll need on this trip- sunscreen, bug spray, summer clothes, sandals, hats etc. Oh to go somewhere warm during this time of year- woohoo! Now I have been reading up on some stuff and it seems that traveling to Egypt is much like when one travels to Mexico or Jamaica...don't drink the water! Okay you can but only if it comes bottled and is factory sealed! Now that's something that Hannah and the other kids from school won't have to contend with, LOL!!!

quote of the day

I can't think of anything that excites a great sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
~Bill Bryson

common sense or nonsense?

I hope that my story will make you laugh, when I discovered this I was beside myself first with disgust then laughter.

I enjoy internet shopping, who doesn't these days right? I like to look around at various websites to see what great pottery deals/finds are out there waiting to be discovered. But never in my life did I ever expect to be grossed out and laughing myself silly at the same time. I won't put the website on here because to point out stupidity to the masses is just plain mean (and it could hurt their business and I wouldn't want that) but I will tell you what I found...I found a Chamber Pot listed and being sold as a Soup Tureen! I almost spewed tea at my computer monitor! I had a good hard laugh at the thought of some silly person not knowing the difference between a chamber pot and a soup tureen buying this thing and serving soup out of it at a dinner party!

I made a miscalculation

It's NOT seven months until retirement as I had said before, it's SIX! No need to panic, just move my time frame up one month. Good thing I started now with the cataloging right?

Now for me to make a list of the places I want to go to (that means shop at) before we leave. I dare say that a trip to Stoke on Trent is a MUST! Burleigh and Portmeirion are #1 and #2 on my list!

quote of the day

Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense.
- Gertrude Stein

Paper Crafts and Quilting- oh the Crafty Goodness!

I love paper crafting and quilting and here's where paper crafting meets quilting in the most fun way! My Friend Peg has made a quilt using a Big Shots die, here's a link to see Peg's Quilt. I know that I have this flower die and it makes me want to make one of these adorable quilts! What a quick baby shower present this would make eh? Okay well minus the part of having to get it professionally quilted. But seriously, I'm itching to make one of these!

Taking Inventory

There always seems to be TONS of stuff to do in order to get ready for a move. I like to be prepared and well organized before the big day arrives and believe me it will be here in a few short months. For some 7 months may be far away and for others it will be here sooner than we think.

I start my inventory process first by photographing items and then by making a written inventory. I put it all on a flash drive and bring it with me when I move. It's quite painless really, but you do have to be devoted to getting this done early or it will seem like quite the daunting task if you wait until the last minute. I've been there, I know how overwhelming it all can be. The thought here is that the early bird doesn't get an ulcer and suffer through sleepless nights worrying about their belongings not making it through the move.

My scrapbooking stash has slowly reduced in size due to me making cards and card kits for a spouses group function and of course there's Hannah's art class projects and her paper crafting projects in general. My quilting stash has reduced -well kind of but only because It's been transforming it into other things...aprons, dishtowels, table runners, tote bags and quilt tops. I did buy a bit of fabric while I was in California in August, but it was all for a purpose, I wasn't buying yardage just to have as 'stash". I've put together quilting/sewing projects (kits per-say) for me to work on. I've got more than 2 dozen so called "kits" put together for me to have on hand for "something to do". There's no chance of me getting bored around here, none what so ever! I've got several baby quilts to put together, a couple of tote bags, some purses,at least 6 table runners and more aprons! There are these cute little 'wine jackets" I've got to start cutting and sewing and of course the camera straps and well a couple of quilt tops and a couple of fancy schmancy pillow cases. That should keep me buy for the next few months right?

So now for me to get back to work on the written inventory and picture taking. I've got it half way done- the British pottery part anyway, LOL!

Quote of the day

"May the Lord keep watch
between you and me when
we are away from each other."
Genesis 31:49




What an awesome verse! Perfect for those that are geographically separated from their loved ones.