I'm okay....

Just wanted to let those of you who have left comments for me over the last few months know that I'm okay, and my family is okay. Shortly after my last post, my little Yorkie, Coco was killed by a car. My daugther and I took it pretty hard. I still find myself missing him at times. When Kevin was at work and the kids were in school, and all involved in their everyday activities...me, the literal homebody left behind, and Coco were "buds." Then, about three weeks later, our beloved dog, Bailey was also hit by a car. He was 14. He lived for several days, but in the end, we had to make the decision to let him go. With his ever progressing arthritis, he would not recover, but only suffer. We rescued Bailey from the pound almost 12 years ago, when David was an infant. Along with Bailey, years and years of memories also died.

I intended to just take few weeks off from blogging, but then our family went through another really trying, hard time. It was an external circumstance, beyond our control. As a family, we were okay, but the situation was really tough and hard to handle, lasting most of the winter. In all honesty, it was hard to come "here" and post nice, sweet creative posts, when my world was turning upside down. And to play the politics of blogging, which I had grown really tired of, was just not in me. At that point in my life, I couldn't handle the added stress!

Had it not been that many of my posts were "memories" of my family, ...children and home, I would have deleted this blog many months ago. That was one of my primary objectives I began this blog, an avenue to preserve family milestones and events. But somewhere along the way, blogging lost it's zeal for me. I started blogging what I thought others would like or want to see. It became a burden. And when, if I found myself snubbed by any other blogger, for whatever reason, I took it to heart. ...especially those who were friends before their blogs became the big, popular blogs.

Many of you did became real, dear friends to me over the last couple of years. I apologize for the worry I've caused any of you! :) Thank you for being a part of my life, and for letting me be a part of yours! I have missed that!

So, with all that being said, I have started another blog. I don't blog that often. Time just doesn't permit it. And I blog only for myself, as an online diary. What inspires me, my faith, (which, btw, is what got me through these last months), and my family memories. Probably not very interesting for the average person. If you would like to come by and see me there, I'd love for you to! http://ramblingssg.blogspot.com/. You might even recognize a post copied from here, from time to time! :) ~Rhonda

Essential Valentine...

On Valentine’s Day we think about

Those matchless people who

Give extra meaning to our lives

--The very special few.

Without them, skies would turn to gray;

Things wouldn’t be the same;

Life wouldn’t be as colorful;

It would be a duller game.

And when I contemplate that group

--Friends and family who are mine,

I appreciate and treasure you;

You’re essential, Valentine!
By Joanna Fuchs

~Much love to you all, for Valentines!

Rhonda :)

Linking post to

Laurie's Valentine Party, at Bargain Hunting with Laurie

and

Foodie Friday, at Designs by Gollum.

Dreamin' of Spring...

Unseasonably cold & dreary Winter

~~~

Visions from a Spring past

Need I say more....

Photos were taken at my home in 2008, and were featured in the first few posts of my Blog.

Linking post up to...

Blue Monday, at Smiling Sally's

~~~
A Second Time Around, at A picture is worth a thousand Words

{Green Boopie Glasses & Candlewick Pieces}

~~~

Tabletop Tuesday, at Grits and Glamour

Co-hosted by Southern Whimsy Today

~~~

Outdoor Wednesday, at A Southern Daydreamer

~~~

Hope the sun is shining in your little part of the world! ~Rhonda :)

Sharing the "Valentine Love"

Thanks to Deb, at Garage Sale Gal,

I was able to create this super cute Valentine Vignette! I won her Valentine Vintage Giveaway!

....and I was thrilled!!!

Deb is such a sweet lady,

and I feel she is a kindred spirit, through our love for second-hand treasures!

Her comments always leave you with a smile, and encouraged!

If you don't know her, go over and meet her {HERE}.

~~~
Everything came in the sweet little box below.

....filled with precious vintage Valentines,

{David got a kick out of these!}

...a sweet little felt heart,

beautiful, dainty hankerchief embellished with a needlework heart,

and a vintage silver key,

...a vintage playing card,

that I tucked in a milkglass piece I found at a thrift store a couple of weeks ago.

...and a little pink and white hand-crocheted doily,

which reminded me of my Grandma M.

She made dresser scarves and doilies similar to this one.

There were many daughters and grandaughters in our family that wanted one of her beautiful creations, that I unfortunately didn't receive one passed down. But this one makes me think of her! :)

A couple of the Valentines were placed in stands...

The back Valentine is actually a vintage postcard.

And last, but not least,

Deb sent some chocolates, which didn't make it in the photos! :)

They were eaten before a picture could be snapped and were delicious!

And also,

she sent the flower magnet below.

Ashley placed it on the refrigerator, glamming it up, "and making it a girl!" {her words} LOL!

Thank you, Deb, for everything! :)
On another note,

Darlene, at Darlene's Days, created the cutest Valentine Mailboxes for Lexi and her dad.

Each day, Darlene fills them with some sort of Valentine treats!

I thought this was a really cute idea, and wanted to do some for David and Ashley.

I couldn't get out to find the cute mailboxes or containers.

But, I did have tons of empty pastry boxes.

Mine isn't nearly as cute as Darlene's, but it works. :)

I decorated the boxes in less than 30 minutes with letters and shapes cut with from my cricut machine. The treats look a little lost in the boxes, but the kids love the gesture!

A definite way to share a little "Valentine Love."

Ashley is on a ski trip with her church youth group in West Virginia. She wanted me to make sure her box was filled even though she wasn't here!

Please pray for their group of 80!

I was a nervous wreck yesterday, as they traveled through the terrible mid-atlantic snow storm. The van she was in, made it as far as Virginia, and spun out in the road, leaving them stranded for awhile. They are due back Sunday evening. Please pray that they will be able to come home and will have safe travels.

...And for a nervous Mama, she could use a prayer or two, also! ;)

When Your Hut's On Fire...

A friend sent this to me, and I wanted to share it.

It encouraged me,

hope to pass that encouragement along...

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

P.S. You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today.

~Rhonda :)

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."

Psalm 37:24

Silver Sunday and Homecoming '10

For Silver Sunday,

hosted by The Gypsy Fish,

I'd like to share something very dear to us,

my children's silver baby cups.

The precious cups were given to them on their first Christmas,

by their Grandaddy Bill,

who passed away four years ago, this February.

Ashley's is the first one below.

They are both sterling, one by Towle and the other by Wallace, and are inscribed with a message from their Grandaddy on the bottom of the cups.

The silver rattle was a gift to Ashley from her Grandma Frances.
Ashley's features a beautiful handle, while David's is plain and more masculine.

The children's initials are engraved on the fronts.

Seems like only yesterday that Ashley received this beautiful baby cup.

Times passes much too quickly!

And now,

16 years later.... She celebrated Homecoming at her school Friday Night,

and was a member of the Homecoming Court.

For the third consecutive year,

she was escorted by Josh.

Next year, as a senior, she will be escorted by her Dad, a school tradition.

Josh turned 19, a few weeks ago.

Looking at them on the court, I realized just how much the two of them have matured and grown.

...I cried! :)

I'm not taking this "growing up thing well!"

Below, is Ashley and her dad.

Kevin with the kids...

Ashley, Kevin, and his mom and step-dad.

The kids with Grandma and Papa.

The Junior Class Court

We were very blessed to have friends and family,

that came to support Ashley...

and brought beautiful flowers!

Below, is a video clip of the Homecoming Floor Cheers and Dance the Cheer leading Squad performed. Ashley is the captain, and with the help of another girl, choreographed the routine.

The Dance is second on the video, and Ashley starts the video on the far left, and is on the far right during the dance.

If you have a moment, take a look!

~~~

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

...and staying warm, Rhonda :)

Help a {blogging} Sister Out!

Took a few days off to set-up my Etsy Shop,

and now,

I am stumped!!!

Having a blogging block as to what to post!

So, I thought I would open the floor to all my blogging buddies.

Are there questions you've always wanted to ask me,

or something you'd like to know?

Or just give me ideas, what do you like to read about on my blog?

Come on,

"Help a {blogging} sister out!"

Put on your THINKING CAPS,

and ask away!

~Rhonda :)