Sunday, December 28, 2008

MOTIVATION

5 days off in a row this week for the Christmas holiday gave me so much desperately-needed motivation. I finished my mini vacation off with a complete clean up and makeover of my office. I boxed up, cleaned up, threw away and gave away so many things that needed a new home since my little apartment cannot house any more "stuff". It was such a humbling experience when I moved from a 2300 square foot house into a 900 square foot home.
Home is definitely a much nicer fit for me.
I wanted to share this little project I was inspired to complete today. This is what it looked like before:

Add a little fabric and now it looks like "me"


Bought that little bulletin board at TJ Maxx in the clearance section for $5.00. I think I got a real bargain and had so much fun putting my signature on it.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and the New Year is filled with blessings and hope for a brighter future.


Debbie

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Thrifting instead of Christmas Shopping?

Well not exactly. I was out and about yesterday doing some last minute shopping for my 18 year old daughter (they are so hard to buy for) and had a little time to kill between shopping and my nail appointment so me and my little guy decided to go into the Salvation Army. I am so blessed that my son loves to mill around the thrift shops with me. I found a couple of cute sweaters (it is amazing what people donate to thrift stores, these beauties were brand new). On our way out the door, I noticed these dainty silver creamer and sugar and cute little teapot and had to do an about-face for them. Total cost $6.00 for all three pieces, I couldn't resist.

I know I should only be spending money on my loved ones this time of year but sometimes it feels so good to do a little something for yourself.

I felt so motivated today to get this mirror hung and the pretty bow shelves that adorn it so I thought I would share a view of my dining area with you and in the mirror you can see my tree.

To finish off my day today, I made this sweet little bundt cake and as you can see it is a little "caved in" because my son could not wait for it to fully cool off before I took it out of the pan so I had to hide it with frosting & powdered sugar. He didn't complain about the taste of the cake at all.

Have a lovely day,


Debbie

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Blog Break But Now I Am Back

Sorry for the break friends, but I have had so much going on and not enough time to devote to posting. I have a few things to share with you but as I look at the calendar and see Christmas is one week away, I realize I probably wont get all of my decorations up so I thought I would share a few shots from around my apartment with what little I have done.



I love apothecary jars and filling this one with Christmas ornaments is my favorite way to enjoy it.

Vintage Christmas Ornament

Hope to have more to share over the weekend. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I appreciate all of you.

With love,

Debbie

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Those Sales

Well I have never been one of those "hard core" shoppers who spring out of bed bright and early the day after Thanksgiving to "fight the crowds" all for the thrill of a possible bargain. I tried it once and did not like it so I just don't do it. My sister-in-law has made it a tradition of sorts to get up at like 4:00 (that is rolling over hour for me) and hit the sales. Yes she always comes home just as I am getting up (around 8:00) with a smile on her face and a wallet still full of the money she saved as a result of those sales. I went back out shopping with her around noon and found a few things and got just as much joy out of it.......less the headache of the crowds.







Marshall's was my first store of choice and I scored a small bundt pan which I had been looking for along with this sweet Laura Ashley laundry bag for my dry cleaning. Hmmmm I didn't buy any Christmas gifts. The napkin rings were my Target find and they will look so pretty on my Christmas table.


I managed to purchase some toys and stuff for my little boy so the shopping was not just for me. I had so much motivation to get my apartment cleaned and put things away when I returned from my moms. I hung my chandelier and it looks so pretty......much nicer than the industrial fan that comes in the apartments.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Lots of love,


Debbie Kay

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thankful For All of My Blessings

I am thankful this time of year because it is tradition to give thanks and do unto others who are in need. It has not been a good year in so many aspects of my life, but as the days turn into weeks and those weeks lapse into months, God is cultivating in my heart a new beginning and a fresh start and He has revealed to me so many blessings in the midst of my pain. I am without my father here on this earth but I was blessed by him in my life for 42 years and I will be blessed in eternity with him. I am without a home that bears my name on the title, but I am blessed with a little apartment that is safe and warm, cozy and secure. Behind every trial, there is a blessing and I want to celebrate Thanksgiving everyday of the year. I think everyone can find a blessing in the middle of a trial, just trust that God has the lead in this life we live here on earth.


I am thankful for a warm place to lay my head and rest my body at night.


I am thankful for these two precious children of mine. They drive me crazy, make me laugh, make me cry, make me swear (forgive me Lord), make me sing, make me cringe, make me seethe, make me worry, make me smile and turn my world upside down but God blessed me with them and entrusted me to care for them and with their very heartbeat, I am blessed beyond measure.


This is my family. My mom and dad my brother and sister in January of this year. We celebrated my parents 50th Wedding anniversary and I will forever cherish the memory of that beautiful celebration of their love and commitment to each other and to us children. The blessings in my life are in over-abundance.


A little kitchen from which to make meals seasoned with love and served from my heart is a blessing. I count myself blessed to have the opportunity to serve my sweet little boy. One look around and anyone can see that there is truly more to be thankful for and less to complain about. I am humbled by all that I have everyday and ask God to show me how I can be a blessing to someone in need. We will all eat turkey and all the trimmings this week but as we sit down and share in that satisfying meal, thank The Lord for all that you have and find one small way you can bless someone who may not have anything to be thankful for.



God bless all of my blog friends, you are all very special to me.



With Love,

Debbie Kay

Thursday, November 6, 2008

My Boudoir

Thought you might enjoy seeing my haven and the very best part of my new home.....my bedroom. I enjoyed decorating it and making it my "feminine retreat".



This is a shot taken from the hallway entrance to my bedroom. I had to take down the door as it would not clear my bed but I hung a curtain for privacy. It allowed extra space along the wall where the door would have rested when it was open.


I know, I know, the television on my beautiful dresser looks awful, but I need to find something to put it in so that I can hide it when I am not watching it. I love to have the news on in the morning while I am getting ready for work.


My sweet little bathroom remains unpainted and I havent hung anything on the walls yet. I am unsure what I am going to do in there but have plenty of time to play around with different ideas.


Thanks for visiting, I am so happy that you stopped by. I look forward to sharing my office with you once I get the boxes unpacked, the walls painted, my desk organized and well you get the picture.....



Debbie Kay

Monday, November 3, 2008

Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen

Welcome to my dear little kitchen. It is nothing fancy, no new state-of-the-art appliances like the ones I left behind but it is perfect for me and perfect for cooking meals for my sweet little boy who always says "Mom you are the best cooker in the world".

It has been a challenge getting used to cooking on an electric stove but I have lived through much worse.

I have plenty of counter space to work from and of course plenty of room to display all the things that make me smile. I have a lot to smile about these days.



I just love this "Pantry" sign and it had the perfect spot in my old kitchen. I think I found a much better place for it here in my new kitchen.....


I need to find a charming curtain for the window over the sink. It is so nice to stand at the sink and have the fresh air come in while I am doing the dishes. Hmmmm I actually like doing dishes...


I will undoubtedly add color to the walls in time, but for now I am just enjoying my new surroundings and getting acquainted with this cozy little place I affectionately call "Home Sweet Home".

Debbie Kay

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Peace Which Passeth All Understanding

I am standing firm on Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I have never felt such peace in my life as I have experienced this past week filled with moving and shifting and settling into my new apartment. God has been right by my side comforting me and carrying me through all of it. I would like to show you a little glimpse of my cozy new address where my heart has tried to make it a home and my smile has been a permanent expression of the happiness in my spirit.Come on in and have a seat in my little living roomI love my beautiful buffet and it fits perfectly in my cozy new dining room

Just enough room for me and my little boy to share the happenings in our day and a meal made with all the love I have in my heart. Well friends, this is just a glimpse around my new home, I will have much more to share as the weeks progress. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your comments, treasure your friendships and covet your prayers.

Affectionately,

Debbie Kay

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Where did all this stuff come from?

Just wanted to put in a little post to let you know that I am officially moving this weekend and will be offline for about a week while I await the installation of my cable. I can't believe I have so much stuff and wonder where I am going to put it all in my 950 sq foot apartment. I look forward to every minute of decorating my new little home and sharing my journey with all of my friends. Thank you for all your support.
Debbie Kay

Friday, October 10, 2008

The Final Countdown



Hello blog friends, I am still alive and well although very behind in posting and sharing. I have been packing and cleaning and getting ready to move and by the time the weekends roll around, I am downright exhausted. I did however squeeze in a visit to my friend Tina and took her out for her birthday. She gave this lovely display piece to me including the seashells. I think I may use the shabby beach theme in one of my two bathrooms in my new apartment. Hmmmm I don't know yet.

While I was down in her neck of the woods, I popped into the Goodwill and found this adorable silver butter dish. I just love pieces that are aged and tarnished and for $2.00 I couldn't pass it up.


I am looking forward to my big move into my little place where I can enjoy all the things that mean so much to me everyday. The longer I live the more I come to appreciate everyday that I am given and I find that I am happy with things that money just cannot buy.

Debbie Kay

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Since you asked

Several of my blog visitors inquired about the fabric I used for my chair "re-do" project and I thought I would share one of my online "guilty pleasures". I purchased the fabric at http://shabbyfabrics.com/.

They have a wide variety of fabrics but I always gravitate toward the more "shabby chic" patterns. Check them out, I am sure you will find something for a project you are dying to finish.....I always do!


P.S. I am so behind on posting; lots of packing and cleaning out and throwing out and giving away and re-purposing and well you know how it goes when you are moving and shifting your life.....one memory at a time.
Til Next Time,

Debbie

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Ice Breaker

I finished painting the ice bucket that I purchased at La Maison Rustique last month and thought I would share how it turned out. It was in pretty bad shape before I got the silver spray paint out and although I am not "thrilled" with the result, I can live with it and I think it will serve its purpose

It will be nice to sit out on my little patio in my new apartment home and enjoy the sounds of quiet! Counting down the days....


Debbie

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Movin On.........

I'm movin' on at last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me and I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone. There comes a time in everyone's life when all you can see are the years passing by and I have made up my mind that those days are gone.......

I took those words from a Rascal Flatts song of the same title and they really apply to my life as it stands today. I am moving out of the house I have shared with my husband and "MOVING ON" to a much more peaceful life with my little son and the opportunity to raise him in a quiet, loving, nurturing environment......that is all I want to say about that. Thank you for your friendships and those loving comments you leave on my blog. I treasure all of my visitors. I look forward to sharing my new home with you and so many possibilities for "new projects" already in the works.

Debbie Kay

Sunday, September 7, 2008

New Fabric For My Old Chairs



I bought some new fabric a few months back and decided today was the day I was going to change the look of my shabby white chairs. They needed a fresh coat of none other than "White" paint and while they were drying, I went to town on the seats. When I finished, I realized that I had forgotten to take a "before" picture but I wanted to share the finished product with you anyway. Enjoy.....



I'm really happy with the way the arm chair turned out. I used a real feminine print as I would like to put it in my new bedroom. I can just see it in a pretty corner of my room. More to come on that!




I selected a rosy print for the other 2 chairs as they will go in my dining room and I am not sure what color palette I am going with until I start moving and painting and re-purposing my treasures. I like the feminine vibe of this fabric.


I only have 3 of these chairs as I found them at the Goodwill for $5.00 a piece. I know that in my travels, I can probably find some that are similar. I hope to find some that are very different as I am drawn to the mismatched eclectic look.

Thank you for visiting and thank you for your prayers. I will share what is going on in my life when the time is right. I appreciate all of the friends I have made as a result of blogging and cherish each one of you.


Debbie Kay

Friday, September 5, 2008

Still Here

I am still alive and well although I have not updated my blog for a little while. I have read about so many blog "sisters" who are going through life changing (and life threatening) experiences right now and my misery seems so small in comparison. I don't want to share too much right now, just keep me in your prayers and when the time is right I will let you know what is consuming my world at this time. I think about the song by the Gaithers entitled "Because He Lives" and the words of hope they convey; "Because He lives I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives".
I thank God everyday for walking side by side with me through the sunshine and the storms of life. He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Love to all my blog sisters,

Debbie

Monday, August 25, 2008

Baubles From "The Barn"


Of course I bought some amazing things at the barn and thought you might like to see.
A beautiful silver teapot (I seem to have a collection started and just can't stop), some dainty silver spoons and black/white toile pattern teacups.....sounds like a very vintage tea party to me.....Love the jeweled glass bottle (for my bathroom vanity) and the white frames with Laura Ashley wall paper will look awesome in my "chick room".
I found a beautiful silver ice bucket but the top is heavily rusted. I managed to remove the rust but it caused the finish to discolor. I plan to paint it (silver) and will share the outcome in a future post. Here is what the bucket looked like when I spied it during the Blog-Her Party......

I look forward to returning to La Maison Rustique next month......I ALWAYS come home happy.

Debbie Kay

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