HELP! Need Ideas!

As my computer battery dies...

I'm putting out a call for help!

Hurricane Irene pretty much destroyed my

plans for Mr.and Mrs.Keepers

10th wedding anniversary!

Anyone have any

inexpensive,

creative ,

ideas for

me?

Usually I'm great at this sort of thing...

but I am so zapped by the last week of prep

and cleanup.

Just looking for some things maybe I hadn't thought of

to pull this off last minute when my original plans had to be scrapped!

Leave me a comment please!

Checking in....

We survived hurricane Irene...

still sitting without power,

cable,

no internet,

phone,

(I had to go 45 min away to my parents to get online!)

cell service back and forth

The main thing is we

just have a lot to clean up

no major damage or flooding like during Isabel.

Two of our grills bit the dust though.

So thankful for the good outcome

Just thought I'd share a few photos until I get back up and running

I have a few more photos of the worst..

but of course my computer charge is starting to go...

just wanted to let everyone know we are fine and I will be back soon...

Have a happy Tuesday!

Think Happy thoughts.....

Happy Weekend to all....

Two days after an unheard of earthquake

for our area,

we are now preparing for what could be a devastating

hurricane.

I have lived here my whole life

and have weathered many hurricanes...

This one seems to have the potential to be the worst of my lifetime...

so keep me in your thoughts

and if my posts are random over the next week you'll know why.

I thought I would share a few

peaceful photos from our visit last weekend to one of my

favorite places on earth

Colonial Williamsburg

Even though it can have its touristy points,

It has a peaceful,lovely,step back in time atmosphere

no cars are allowed on the original "mile"

Duke of Gloucester Street...

Think positive thoughts for us and I'll

hopefully be back soon.

Happy Thursday All....

A chance to live life to the fullest.....

I usually blog about family,thrifting, my art, and photography

lots of random thoughts....

Today I want to share some information

on a more serious side of things for me..

and it has to do with my health.

Take a trip to Jeanne Oliver's site

jeanneoliverdesigns

to read about her journey into food allergies...

some very scary stuff simply from food additives and dyes!

#1 to become aware

#2 because Dr.Shamanie Haneca is offering

a free chance to win her e-course on better living

and eating!

I would like to share how Jeanne

(whom I have never met)

is changing my life.

I read her story about a year ago

and thought

wow

I have had some of those symptoms myself

but

I don't fit the "typical" profile.

I mentioned her story to my mom in a conversation and to my surprise

my mother told me that I had been diagnosed with Gluten allergies as an infant/toddler!

My doctor told her however I would outgrow the allergy.

As I started to eat and become a normal weight

she lost concern and assumed I had in fact "outgrown" them.

Life got busy and I never pursued some of the thoughts

about food allergies I had floating around in the back of my head.

Then Jeanne revisited her story

and shared that her young daughter and her sister both have been

diagnosed with Gluten allergies among others in the past year.

I decide to do some research of my own

and to my surprise found that some of my preconceived notions as

to what a typical person with Gluten allergies symptoms are

aren't typically true for 80% of adults who have it!

Most adults who were diagnosed like I was as a child

in that time period when not as much was maybe known about it,

are actually overweight as adults!

As a child I was so underweight ,

I didn't really eat

and I didn't keep anything in.

My pediatrician actually

made my mother feel like he suspected her of child neglect or maybe

as having Munchhausen syndrome!

After I was diagnosed with the Gluten allergy she took me for a 2nd opinion

and that doctor agreed.

After I went Gluten free I gained weight and remained at a normal weight

for most of my childhood.

Looking back now though,

I always had the symptoms there

and as a child I know we may not complain as much as we do as adults.

Horrible acid reflux, stomach upset,weird electrical like feeling chest pains where

I couldn't breathe they hurt so much.

I even had these until my early 30's.

 I can't remember a time in my life when I have not had headaches.

A few years my husband and I had quite a lifestyle change in the way we eat.

Looking back now

we cut a lot of Gluten laden foods out with our new diet unknowingly,

but not all together.

I think this accounts for a lot of my symptoms calming down.

After Jeanne's story this year

I have decided to go and get an official blood test for piece of mind.

Last week however I did a little experiment.

I ate Gluten free for 2 days

**No headache! Energy waay up**

On the third day

I ate Gluten free but after dinner had a dessert that lets just say was probably

laden in Gluten

To my surprise

within a half an hour

Palpitations, slightly short of breath, and I felt flushed!

I always thought that was my blood pressure!

Definitely not a reaction you should have while lying on the sofa after a

CUPCAKE!

The next day totally Gluten Free.

5th day Gluten free

and then dessert

same reaction!

SO my dears...

after years of talking to my own patients about

food additives and preservatives, nutrition, and my thoughts on

prepared foods.

I have decided to walk the total walk!

This could be the beginning to a whole new chapter in my health / life

and if it is a matter of what I eat

DONE!

Please go read Jeanne's story and check out Dr.Hanecas blog as well.

Go to Health

Even if you aren't in the allergy category I guarantee

everyone could use good whole advice on REAL - PURE food!

Thanks for Reading.

I will keep you posted on this journey as I seem to be on several as of late!

Happy Tuesday!

Homegrown

Apples

not

"perfect"

like the store bought kind

but

they

TASTE

like

an apple should

not some

genetically altered

fruit

that has been

sitting on a refrigerated truck

long before it was meant to be eaten

waiting to go on display.

I know not everyone can

have trees in their own yard.

But,

if you have local growers

especially ones who deal with true seed

(heirloom)

and even better if organic.

I strongly urge you to go and

TRY

their fruit.

You may experience a whole different taste altogether.

Due to some serious lifestyle

changes I will be posting some of

my favorite places to but produce,etc.

Also talking about canning,etc. soon!

I will share more...

but back to those apples.

it is the beginning of their "season" when they truly taste

the best.

Plan an excursion

and find an orchard.

Go and have a fun day apple picking!

Happy Sunday evening all!

Summer Saturday Afternoon....

The Fishin' spot

(I just couldn't resist snapping this)

A leap of faith

can sometimes be

a

chance to

FLY

Some unexpected and great things

are on my horizon

and it feels so amazing!

I will keep you updated as things become

more concrete.

I

wanted to take a moment today

to congratulate

one of my bestest of friends...

Anthropologist

Archaeologist

English Major

Business Writer

Listener extraordinaire

Music aficionado

Coffee shop hopping partner in crime

All around cool girl

and now

Ordained Minister!

Wherever your road takes you

the people you lead will be the luckiest to have landed you!

Spread the Word Esta style.

Love you so much and wished we could have been there.

Congratulations

my favorite

gal pal.

We are so proud of you!

Etsy Spotlight.....

I have absolutely fallen in love

with this sweet illustrator

ariansstudio

 She has a lovely blog and sells her works

at Etsy

If this print doesn't squeeze your heart a little...

So sweet...

Go and check her out

you won't be disappointed.

I am definitely adding her to my Christmas wish list!

Happy Weekend...

Timing....

If you haven't heard of  Melody Ross

or the Brave Girls Club

you should go take a peek.

I have wanted to go on one of their retreats for a while

but they sell out insanely fast and are wait listed pretty quickly.

That must be a sign of just how well they work.

If you can't afford a retreat

they offer online classes too.

Right now

just their simple daily truths

give me such a boost everyday.

You can sign up for them by e-mail.

I wanted to share this information with you

because

some days they seem cosmically appropriate.

I decided a few weeks ago to take a leap of faith

and leave my job.

I want to pursue my own goals and dreams and not just go to

work for my check every week.

Don't get me wrong

I really like what I do.

But it was time to go after what I LOVE to do.

Maybe a tricky move in this economy

but I won't know unless I try.

I will be doing my -Trade- job on a temporary basis

and finally starting all those other endeavors

I have REALLY wanted to try!

Tuesday after a long LAST day at work

here was my

"Little birdie told me" truth sitting in my inbox...

Dear Incredible Girl,

One of the best ways to nourish your soul is to seek out and do the things that totally absorb you in happiness, things that call to you...things that you are naturally good at and things that fill you up.

It's important to balance your life with the things that MUST be done AND the things that we do simply because of the joy that comes in doing those things.

Life is meant to be enjoyed and not merely endured. There are simple and small things that we can do that will refuel our souls. We all need to make time to do these sorts of things if we want to live meaningful lives. We will be better at everything that we MUST do if we take time to do what we LOVE to do. We will be better wives, mothers, friends, daughters, sisters, aunts, partners and coworkers.......and we surely will FEEL better every minute of the day.

Please don't get sucked into the falsehood that taking time to nourish your soul is selfish and futile. It is ESSENTIAL. It doesn't take anything away from anyone...it only adds to the goodness that you already have inside of you.

Be brave today and do something that puts a smile on your face...just for the sake of doing it. Little miracles will happen....you will see.
xoxo

Great right?

So check out The Brave Girls site

and sign up.

Who couldn't use a little inspiration in your inbox?

I will keep you posted as to my new and exciting endeavors!

Happy Thursday!

Curious Animals.....

As part of my "Silly" class

I started a series of animals that had human desires...

While I think my efforts are fun

I'd still like to loosen up my style a bit...

here is No.1

The tiny little mouse

who has a penchant for expensive sweets

quiet as can be in her satin slippers

while she is stealing your Godiva.

How can you hate her for her thievery when she stares

at you with those big brown eyes?

(The photo was taken w/ my I-phone

so not as crisp as I'd like)

Unfortunately this was based on a true story

(except the slippers!)

A few years ago I got a great deal on a dozen

Godiva chocolate bars.

I decided to give them with Christmas gifts as the Tags.

We were trying the open shelving thing and

one day I went into the kitchen

and picked up something near the box they were in

and noticed one was half eaten.

(one of those clear plastic boxes)

Of course ,

I went and accused my husband of

doing a horrible job of sneaking into the box!

After his Not Guilty plea,

I made him come and examine

the evidence.

As I picked up the bag

pieces of shredded paper fell out of the backside of

the box!

The little sucker had chewed through this hard plastic,

through foil, and paper to eat an equivalent of two

whole candy bars!

I salvaged the uneaten ones after careful inspection

and put them in a plastic bag.

Long story cut,

but she managed to find it and again eat a whole bar!

This was my first and last experience with

expensive thieving mice!

Lets just say the problem was taken care of.

At least I can say my pest had good taste!

Each one of my animals has a short story with.

And then a long background inspiration.

I tend to ramble right?

I'll share more in the series weekly.

Happy Tuesday!

Score!

The Thrifting gods have been shining down upon me....

I found so much stuff this past weekend,

I'm going to split them up into two weeks!

This broke the Slump...

Went to an estate sale right around the corner from my house.

However,
 I am not such a (what's a good word for it?)

Devotee?

that I want to wait in line an hour before a sale,

and then who knows how much longer

when it is 90+ degrees and 100% humidity!
There were tons of people on the lawn.

So I decided to come back later...
Boy was this place wiped out!

This company has a following...

and I know it is good for their business
 but for some reason I find it annoying!

I have also as of late,
 adopted the mentality that if an item

is there when I get in,

it was meant to be....

 I have noticed lately most people in our area are

truly looking for high dollar "antiques" or absolute every day stuff...

I've seen people buy open bottles of detergent,pesticides,and sponges?

Men are always after tools or gargae stuff or fishing items...

I found a few nice things in the slim pickings that were left.

How could anyone pass her up?

Someone in this family was a painter because there were several

paintings throughout the house by this person.

She was only $15!

Box of "thingys"

Have no idea what these went to?

But perfectly chipped and faded.

$1

I'm thinking the pieces with the holes are perfect for candle holders,

just have to work out an idea on how to use them.

The metal pieces were maybe floor vent covers?

They are iron, but slightly off kilter they aren't perfectly symmetrical.

Any good guesses on them let me know.

Definitely should come up with something great to use them for..

I also found a world map

which my son has absconded so I'll get a photo of it next week!

Then I went to one of the oldest thrift stores we have around.

I hadn't been there in quite some time.

Seems like everyone is out to overprice in case they have something "Old".

But I came away with these great sewing patterns for .10 cents each!

Cute to use as Ephemera and the patterns are something I would wear.

Looks like the patterns range from the 60's-70's, maybe early 80's.

HUGE bag of vintage sewing notions.

 7 or 8 inches thick packed full!

$2.98!

Blue Mary

.45 cents

Lately I've found all sorts of religious kitschy figures

for super cheap...

Plan on using them in some of the Niches' I am creating...

Then on to the Goodwill...

I was actually in a certain one that tends to have more high end clothing...

but had more luck with vintage this time...

great Vintage Hawaiian Souvenir tray

for $2.25

and Italian chef spoon rest for $1.00

I actually saw this handbag as I was standing at the register

$2.00!

Snatched it up immediately...

Several of these will go into my Etsy shop when I open...

Overall it was a good weekend!

Like I said, I had so many finds some of them are still in the van waiting

to be unpacked...

For now lets say

To Be Continued!

Linking up with

Her Library Adventures

for Flea Market finds!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Silly Session.....

The Art of Whimsy and Silliness

is

well taught by

Carla Sonheim

I took a class from her in 2010

at Art and Soul.

She is a lovely,down to earth, patient, easy going teacher,

self taught in watercolors like me.

She has the most beautiful smile doesn't she!

She was a featured Etsy labs workshop instructor recently

and I wanted to let everyone know how

much I absolutely loved her class.

She gave me some of that freedom from the fear of not being "perfect"

or needing to be a realist master.

Plus I have to say I was very flattered when she

said my continuous line drawings were

"very fluid, someone who is obviously very comfortable with this style"

(this was in a blind critique)

Of course I felt a puff of pride ,

because I was truly horrified

to draw without looking at the paper.

Way out of my comfort zone knowing people might look at it across the table

when I was done and it could look like a first grader drew it.

To my surprise

I was actually pretty happy with them when I was done

(even before i shared it)

There was something freeing about her style of drawing!

I thought I would share a few of my SIMPLE

continuous line drawings

?

Two relaxed frogs...

Le Bicycle

Fish

(Sorry couldn't get this one to rotate)

Sitting Donkey

(Same apologies for rotation)

Potty Time!

Then I started a series

giving animals some human characteristics or "likes"

They are finished pieces.

Stay tuned for a series of posts featuring them.

I hope you follow the Linky above and check Carla out...

She has a wonderful Drawing lab book

and has several on-line courses.

Go and get your Silly on!

Happy Saturday!

Longing for Fall......

We had a wonderful rainstorm here yesterday

that caused the temperature to temporarily cool off...

It brought the humidity down a tad too.

When it has been 95 - 100 every day with 80 % or more humidity,

I hate to say it but it makes Summer stink!

I should be used to it

I have lived here my whole life.

I just don't remember Summer being so relentless

like it has been the last 10 years.

The other day we noticed trees here losing leaves like they do in the fall,

but it was because they were so drought stricken.

I love the sunlight

and we wait all winter for the chance to get outdoors and enjoy it!

I honestly would rather be cold

than in heat so bad you feel like you opened an oven when you

go out the front door and it takes your breath away.

After that rainstorm this morning

there was that smell in the air like September.

When the earth is cooling a bit , but still warm and the air gets easier to breathe.

Ahhhhh.....

September where are you?