Jury Duty................

Sheila has been called to Jury Duty and will spend her third day in court tomorrow!

I know it is a privilege to be called up for Jury Duty! And, before you get me wrong......I would love to serve:) The one and only time I was called on....my principal sent a letter asking them to wait and call me in the summer....since I would be out on jury duty 2 weeks in a murder case. At the time the decision made for me was bitter/sweet.......I was very excited to see our Judiciary Process in action.....but....didn't want to be away from my classroom for 2 full weeks with just a sub there to work with the kids:(

Anyway.....the point I am getting to is.....HOW HARD it is for a young family with small children to get away for several days! The cost of a baby-sitter is almost prohibitive these days! At 10.00/hour for the twins.....Sheila and Chris would have had to pay 100.00/day. Since she will have been there 3 days you can see my point. This is only if a baby-sitter that can sit during the day is even found. In our case there is also the time factor. We live 35 miles apart and the trip can be daunting at rush hour. In order to get the children up and out in time to get to court or work we are talking a 2 1/2 hour prep and delivery time.....LOL

Well...............with all this said, the twins have been with me for 3 days now and we have had such a good time:) "Bonding", they call it:)

Handmade Felted Little Animals:)

I found this precious little menagerie

of tiny felted characters

while perusing Etsy at it's best!

I thought I would share because they are so full of personality and individuality!

If you are interested in seeing more of her work, check out her shop here!

Full Week-end!

The little antique "Hosier Cabinet" I have written about in the past!


Below.....our week-end guests!

Over this past week-end we had a lot of company:)

Friday night we were joined by Gabby and Josie........mom and dad were on a retreat!

and

Saturday.....Margo came to visit and have a "spend over" as the kids say:)

We got a new water table and it was a hit!

Step 2 makes a very nice water/sand table with a cute little umbrella.

Since we don't care to have sand in our house....we fill both sides with water.

The kids thought the umbrella was great, but the wind almost took it away

a couple of times!

I also want to share with you the little "Hosier Cabinet" I have spoken of!

It is the cutest little piece that I found at the Antique Mall where I have my booths.

Obviously made by some sweet dad or grandpa.....this little cabinet has found

a new home!

Notice the little high chair and vacuum the kids love to play with as well.

I would like to have a little stove and frig made by our papa to go with it...hint hint!

Our New Little Playhouse!!!

I purchased this cute little playhouse yesterday at Sam's Club! I am thinking the grandkids will have a good time hiding and playing while Nana does yard work:) Maybe that is wishful thinking, but.....isn't it cute? Hope they enjoy it once we get it all set up!
I can see Milly peeking out of the door right now:)

Two for the Price of One.......

Chris and Laura!

My sis and my baby Margo!

Jeff, Chris and Teddy

Friends and Family gathered for TWO CELEBRATIONS!

Uncle Chris W. and Gabby

Di, Bus, Gabby and Kate eating lunch on the deck.....nice weather!

Arica and Jeff opening Shower Gifts for Madison!

Chris, Sheila and Teddy:)

Kyle enjoying the warm weather and a truck or two:)

Sweet Kate!

Twins cooking up some treats for us!

Mom and Dad to be....

Teddy being a good Daddy!

Out on the deck.

Papa and Gabby:)

Mutual Admiration Society!

Laura and I

No explanation needed:)

Dining Out!

Hunter and I share a moment....LOL

Shower Goodies!

More Shower Goodies......Arica, Laura and Christine

Jeff is in love with GOOEY BUTTER CAKE! So what better Birthday Cake?

:) Today we had two celebrations all wrapped up in one:) It was Jeff's 34th Birthday as well as the Celebration of the birth of Jeff and Arica's first baby, Madison Ann ( the Ann is after her Nana....Linda Ann...ha..ha!)

Pizza and Play.............

Today Sheila came out with the boys to have lunch and visit the Antique Mall! They have bought a new house (actually over 100 yrs. old:) and will be making it their home come June 13th. This home has twice as much space as their current home and will require a lot more furniture to fill it up:) Thus.....the Antique Mall! We perused the aisles looking for appropriate pieces to accommodate the new digs:) The boys were sooooooooooooo good. We were probably there an hour or so and they were great about not touching!!!! First we enjoyed pizza at Pizza Hut.....where they showed off their NEW BATHROOM SKILLS.....several times:) That is a really big deal when you are 3 yrs. old, you know!

When we got finished we had planned a trip to the park, but the weather was a bit chilly so we decided to go to Nana and Papa's House and play with the train etc. After a cupcake and a time playing cook and serve.....Papa showed up! Well, the silliness took over as we calmed down with a little Sponge Bob...(not really, but I can't remember what was actually on). Chase was playing hide and seek...................

Stump the Fairies.....

These adorable Fairy Houses were found outside Blackwater, Mo. As we were leaving we spotted them on a back road! These tiny houses were such a delightful break from the darkness of the day.......you had to smile!

Happy Easter!

Hope your week-end is full of Love and Peace!

Jesus died and rose again from the grave!

He gave his life that we might live.....hallelujah!

You know the Routine!

The only difference is that it is Thursday....not Sunday! Margo came to visit after school today and spend the night:) We will be in K.C. for Easter and won't get to be with her....so we changed the routine from Sunday to Thursday:) As I write this I can hear her snoring from the monitor across the room....LOL! I found a wonderful antique child's kitchen hutch at the antique mall and now have it in the grandkids room at our house. I have filled it with foods, plates, pots and pans.....and....appliances! Not sure who is having more fun....the kids or me....

Margo had so much fun with the blender and microwave that really work! WOW.....it was hard dragging her away. A HOME RUN in my book:) Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter filled with hope and love...............Linda

Little Dress Form..........

I made this little dress form for my daughter's birthday! I thought I would share the technique in case anyone was interested in making one for themselves:)
Find a supplier in your area to purchase the basic dress form.
Paint the wooden stand and topper then distress!
Spray the polyester dress form with Kilz Spray.
This will allow the form to accept the paint.
Now, paint with Valspar Eggshell Finish Paint...
Color: "Churchill Hotel Wheat"
It may take 3 or 4 coats to fill in and make a nice finish.
Once dry, antique over the form with Valspar Antique Glaze!
When you have achieved the look you like...
Let it dry!
When dry.....have a ball decorating!
The color is

Few More Pics from "THE HUNT"....

We have two Mikes and two Chris' so you might be confused! This is Mike C. and Chris H.

Sheila with Hunter


Runnnnnnnnning for Eggs!

Christine and Laura while Josie primps for the camera:)

Kodak Moments.......

Chris W. and Chris H.

Kyle and Hunter playing us "Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail".

Sheila and Carrie

I made each of the kids a basket and here they sit....waiting for some action:)