New Friend Friday

Once upon a time I was a brownie.

You know the class that comes before Girl Scouts.

I loved it!

I remember a song we used to sing that went like this:

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold"

One thing about blogging that I cant get enough of is what a great community of blogging friends you can make. It's like the REAL HOUSEWIVES!

We share stories and projects and inspire and touch eachother's lives and most of us have never met.

It's that amazing?

I think so.

Today is New Friend Friday

Head on over and makes new friends, but keep the old.

♥ Animals ♥

This was our first baby

His name is Blu

He passed away when our son was 4 months old.

He was a part of our family

I got an email from a friend today about animals and I just wanted to share it with you all.

Are you an animal lover?

You might be after this story.

A Dog's Purpose?   (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!



Point of View

While cleaning my computer, I came across these photos I took over a year ago.

Nothing fancy, not at all professional or edited but I thought it was really cool.

I liked the texture on this stone and the moss growing on it and the way the sun was shinning down over it.

It was a beautiful stone.

HUGE

Strong

Sturdy

Isn't it cool!

This is a picture from around the side of the stone.

It's a monument at a graveyard.

Is it strange that I went around a graveyard to take pictures?

It's all in your point of view.

There's beauty everywhere around us.

Like this headstone.

Storage (toy) Box

So not that long ago, I found and fell in love with Ana White

Ever since I've been dying to try one of her projects.

I'd love to make a headboard, an entry way bench or even a console table.

Ohhh, one day, one day...

Untill then, we're still getting creative over here.

This was our leftover lumber from our garage project I posted about here.

Me, being cheap thrifty, I knew we could make use of it and not throw it away.

I told my hubbs I want a storage bench! Something we could keep outside and put my son's toys in and I could put a cushion on top so we can have more outdoor seating.

So my hubs went to work with our left over lumber.
Along with his handy helper!

I should have been more specific...

I left him alone for one hour and I got A STORAGE BOX, not a bench a BOX.

It was huge! I think I'm pretty tall at 5' 9" and I cant even sit on it without tippy toeing!

I can't complain it's a project he actually started and finished!

I thought that was cute, he looked like he was in deep concentration.

I primered it and then sprayed it this aqua color.

I normally dont like blue but I couldn't resist. I wanted a big pop of color in my backyard and this was it.

Now after this I dont know what I was thinking. I wanted to add some kind of detail.

I printed out a fleur de lis and cut it out and then traced the design.

Then I went with a tiny brush and painted in, I was kicking myself in the butt while doing this part!

Why didnt i just buy or even make a stencil?!

So here it is, at 6pm at night... yup shorter days are upon us :-( tear.

Here's a day time shot

To me its missing something.

I dont know if I should distress it by sanding it or if I should glaze it or what?! I just dont know. Can you guys help me? Check back later for more pix!

THANKS!

Linking to:

Look What I Made

44th Power of Paint

Santa's Gift Shoppe

Show Off Your Stuff

Hooking up with HOH
Somewhat Simple
Thrifty Decor Chick
Everything But the Kitchen Sink
Fingerprints on the Fridge
Remodelaholic

Free Shipping at Tar-jay!

Were VERY limited on shopping here, VERY.

At one point even our Sears only had appliances, nothing else.

Our grocery stores are pretty much all mom and pop stores. The closest Safeway is an hour away!

No JC Penny, no Old Navy, Gap and sadly *sigh* no Target.

I luv Target, I'm even infatuated with their shopping carts!

We took our son there for his first birthday.

Actually we took him to Oahu to bring him to the zoo and aquarium, it was just an excuse to go to Oahu's new Target store. Oahu and Hawaii have a Target, but pigs will fly before we get one here on Kauai. Either pigs will fly or they will resurect the superferry... and we all know that pigs will grow wings before that ever happens! LOL

Anyway... the point is that Target is having Bullseye Free Shipping!

Thats great news for anyone especially anyone who lives in Hawaii cause have you ever tried to get something shipped to Hawaii?!?! No seriouslly! Have you ever?! Its rediculous!

Has anyone ever heard of Priority Mail Flat Rate!

Hello! Its all over the commercials!

Get with the program!

Maybe with some free shipping I can get this Giada Dutch Oven.

Or maybe the entire Rachel Ray cookware set instead!!

A bike for my son

Or a bamboo cutting board. Oh how I love bamboo in the kitchen so easy to clean!

Go now and check it out!



Still talking about Mom Caves

This was on Yahoo today.

Love the pink!

The article gave quick tips to turn any room even a closet into your very own mom cave.

Stay tuned for a quick project I'll post about later. Missing some photos and I cant find my camera!

Fall Favs Gift Exchange!

I know Ive been kinda MIA the last few days.

Sorry about that, sometimes you just have to slow down and enjoy life.

Saw this very cute pumpkin fire. How cute!

Photo via BHG

I've never carved a pumpkin before. Yes, you can feel sorry for me.

I thought it would be a cute tradition to start since we now have a child.... LOL What I also have never done before is buy a pumpkin. I have no idea how to pick one out. I went to the grocery store last night and well, they were ugly. Are they supposed to be ugly? You know what I also didnt know?! How darn expensive a pumpkin is! It's a fruit we wont eat, we'll leave it out one night, maybe two and end up throwing it away all for a minimum of $15 - $20.

 

On another note.... a few months back I signed up to participate in the Fall Favorites Gift Exchange organized by Every Crafty Endeavor.

You may have seen this button on my blog.

 We received our partners back in September and the idea was to put together a package of our fall favorites. How exciting to get to know someone from somewhere I've never been! My partner was Shelley F. She lives in Texas with her husband and 3 kids. We emailed a couple of times and shes super sweet.I couldnt wait to put something together for her.Well, here in Hawaii we dont really have a fall. Fall for us is well... rain and then hot, and then rain, and then humid, and frizzy hair, cant forget the frizzy hair. So I put together a gift from Hawaii for Shelley. And this is what I got from her.... I was too excited I didnt take great pix but it was so cute! 

Inside this I ripped out a fall spice candle, it smelled soooo yummy! I lit it and the smell was so intoxicating, it really did fill my house. Made me want to eat pumpkin crunch.

How cute does this look? Shelly decorated it herself and made the treats inside. Not sure what they were but it was nutty and sweet, YUM.

This was freaking adorable! How cute is this pot? And she made it herself.

The picture doesnt do justice, this framed art is super cute.

And here it is put together on my entertainment center.

(cause thats how we do it when we dont have a fireplace)

I put it up next to my $3 Walmart find. I bought the arrangement just for the urn that I'll use for another project later!

Oh and my fav part.... that awsome refridgerator magnet!!

You see it?

Yes, call me cheezy but thats my fav part!

Thanks Shelley!

I love my gift and it was so great to meet you!!!!

Happy Holidays!