Thursday, October 31, 2013

Pssst, it's Halloween, Boo!

Shadows of a thousand years
raise again unseen,
voices whisper in the trees,
tonight is Halloween!

 
Week #44 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - Halloween
 
Do you have a favorite Halloween?  Was it a party you went to?  Or did you have the perfect costume? 
 
This weeks' simple pleasure is brought to you by: a tradition or a contraction of "All Hallows Evening".  We no longer celebrate All Saints Eve, which leads us in to All Souls Day.... but who wants to go back that far into Christian traditions... that evolved into Pagan celebrations?
 
Just give me some candy if I dress up and act silly!!!
 
I'm not evil.... I'm good with a twist!
 
I've gone back in the archives looking at my little  monster's Halloween costumes.  Now that they are both in college, I wonder what they will be? I no longer direct them, what and how to dress up for this sinister day.
 
Sissy has been everything from a princess to a SheDevil!
 
Although this looks like a store bought costume... we actually got it at Goodwill and didn't have to modify too much to make it fit. hee hee She was in 5th grade for this one.
 
 
Blood Donors needed, see the count.
 
It's great when the kids can 'grow' into a costume and it can be used over and over again.  Here, Bubba fits into the Dracula cape his dad wore 6 years prior to this picture. Add a little face paint and some plastic fangs and the costume seems brand new... or very authentically old!!
 
LIFE'S simple pleasures... Halloween costumes.... these a just a smidgen better than just a store bought one!
 
Happy Halloween!!!!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Witch One?

Too cute to spook!!

 
Week #44 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - Halloween
 
I am so happy that I am a creative soul!!!
 
I am so lucky to have pictures of my kids during special events in their young lives. Who knows what I might have done with lots of  'extra' money and how our lives would be captured, if the digital world began 20 years ago.
 
Would have, could have, should have.... but this is what it was!!
 
Pirate Boy up above is trying to convince the faire princess to do something!  All the clothing is from some sort of thrift shop in Tennessee.  I modified Sissy's long gown and used the excess material to create the cone shaped hat.  Added an elastic band to secure it better on her tiny golden locks.  She'd go running and the hat would tip off the side anyway.  Bubba's pirate pants are ripped up from the bottom to give him that rugged tough look! The perfect stripped sweater gives him the fashionable look for pirates these days!! Add a simple eye patch and a bandana.... and a few whiskers on the face.... aargh matey.... he is ready to collect some booty!!!!
 

The above photo is circa 1999 and we have a pop princess and a Star Wars Jedi Warrior. 

Sissy has plenty of dress up costumes in her stash, it's just a matter of witch :) one.  Learning how to busta-move in dance class, the ultimate pop star pose is most important.  Add some flashy sun glasses and some fun boots and she is all set to ring some doorbells and gather lots of candy.

I must admit that Bubba's warrior costume by far is one of my all time favorites to make!  His mask is actually a gallon milk jug, painted with precision.  His costume is sewn from a 'choice' material and includes a warrior belt and gators to protect his boots.  Not shown: his official Star Wars light saber sword.
 

Ah, and again we have another 'princess' and the hockey player.  This beautiful Snow White costume was a lend-me-over.... instead of a hand-me-down.... we borrowed it from a costume designer mom.  A simple head band was added and instead of Snow White's gorgeous black hair, we decided to stay tow head blond and portray a Cinderella Snow White! Notice the 'oh look at me' cute head tilt?!!
 
Who knew this 2nd grade hockey player wanna be, would eventually play on 3 different hockey teams, in two different states all the way up to the Varsity team in High School.  But here is where it all started, on roller blades.  We added a bike helmet and knee pads and some of dad's white socks to get this look.  Tough guys always need a little black under the eyes to prevent the glare of the ice getting into their eyes! (Roller blades not worn in this picture, to save him from rolling off the front porch step.)
 
 
When witches go riding
and black cats are seen
the moon laughs and whispers
'tis near Halloween
 
Here the kids are.... 3rd grade grave yard monster and the 1st grade teenage witch
 
Bubba's costume are all clothes I purchased at Goodwill.  I added some paint to make things seem old, there are precise holes and rips in certain areas and a little bit of red paint to indicate some dried blood.  The white face make-up with a few stitches make this 10 year old a gruesome dude.
 
This cute witch had a custom made dress sewn specifically for her.  Don't look too close.... some parts may be attached with safety pins and glue!  This is another costume that I enjoyed creating (or the technical term in the theater... costume building ) ... although there were lots of witches at the time.... there were none as cute as this one!
 
So I admit it now.... I probably could have gotten off cheaper purchasing store bought costumes for my kids.  But what fun is that???? That frugal side of me takes over and I say to myself.... I could make that!  And then I actually try to. 
 
Were there some costume failures, yes!!!  But there were more costume successes.... and hopefully one day.... some day.... my kids will look back and realize that my 'job' being their mom brought me so much pleasure .... and to see their happy and excited Halloween faces was one of  my LIFE'S joys and simple pleasures!!!!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Boo! or Woof?

Will work for candy!!

 Kyle circa 1994 - cute Dalmatian puppy

Week #44 LIFE'S Simple pleasures - Halloween

One of the best simple pleasures is seeing the excitement through the eyes of your child(ren).  And this is one of the first moments our son Kyle understands what is going on with this 'holdiay' called Halloween. He is about 15 months old here.

He's checking out the jack-o-lantern on the front porch of our house in Racine. 

He got to feel the squishy innards and smell the sweetness of a carved pumpkin when we explored it earlier on the kitchen table. 

He really wasn't sure why I was putting this costume on him; a white sweat suit I found on clearance at Shopko.  I used some black paint and dotted him up like a Dalmatian doggie.  Added a little eyeliner black to his nose.  He's actually wearing our first dog Bali-Hoo's, puppy collar.  I can tell he's pulled off the head band floppy ears more than once... his tiny baby fine hair is all messed up!!  And to look like real paws.... white socks are pulled over his tennis shoes! 

And we had a little pumpkin treat bucket for him.  He really wasn't too sure about going up to the neighbor's house and ringing the door bell and saying trick-or-treat.  After only a few houses, we were done for the night!
Trick or treat,
smell my feet,
give me something good to eat!!!
 
Stay tuned the rest of the week and see what fun costumes we designed and created for Halloween!

Monday, October 28, 2013

1313 Mockingbird Lane

Oh, being normal is vastly overrated!


Week #44 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - Halloween

How can you NOT marry a man who is willing to put on make-up and go to a Halloween party dressed as Herman Munster?

Here we are, 25 years ago ready to par-tay! Ha ha!! Boo!!!

I do not know how and why I came up with this costume, but I think we made (make) a great couple!

I do know I purchased all of our clothing at Value Village and modified it to work on us.  I added slits to the arms in the dress to make it look more like Lily's. I even made a bat necklace that you can't see in this picture.  Jeff is stuffed up front with a pillow to create the bulk of Herman Munster.  He didn't have black platform boots, so we put black socks over some work boots he had, and they looked bulky and chunky.  He even let me paint his finger nails black.  I tried to stick 'bolts' to his neck and painted stitched on his body where bits and pieces were sewn together. And I rented the long black wig.

How fun were we?!?

 
It seems the bloodier and the gorier a costume can be, the better it is for scaring during Halloween.  I love monsters, but cute ones!  Dressing up or guising for Halloween became quite popular in United States in the 1930s, where companies started to produce costumes you could purchase.
 
 
I can create a greeting card for anything!!
 
A lot of people don't send out Halloween cards.... but there are so many cute characters to have fun doodling.  Being a card maker for a very long time... there is no reason NOT to send a card.  Everybody loves to get FuN MaiL.  A handwritten note in a cute card can brighten someone's day!!
 
Celebrating Halloween is a fun and simple pleasure.  Make a silly face and give yourself a piece of candy!!
 
It's the most frightening, scary, spooky, creepy, ghastly, ghoulish, grisly, wonderful time of the year.
Happy Halloween!!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Bed of Roses

You've made your bed, now lie in it.


Week #43 LIFE'S simple pleasures - my/your bed

I chose to focus 2013 on LIFE'S simple pleasures as part of the House of Shine's Year of Project and to put a twist on it, here is another way to define my year:

L - learning
I - Inspiring
F - Feeling
E - Evolving
S - Shining

...looking at every day things, little things, and free or inexpensive things that bring me joy and happiness. 

What a better way to share that by writing my experiences here on my blog.  It's a way for me to incorporate my love for writing and my enthusiasm to show off my photography, paper crafting, cooking and in general, creating!

Things I do every day:
1 Get up
2 Survive
3 Go back to bed


 
Earlier this week, I asked if you make your bed.  Strange question, right?  I am often validated in my writing by some sort of sign.  And yes!  Sometimes I really have to search for a 'sign'... but this week it was obvious. 
 
Part of my journey for 2013 is seeking out happy things, simple things etc... I have the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I was inspired to follow her blog and Facebook sites. Right before I began writing this post she posed a question on Facebook (she does this most days, is she writing another book?) but her question was: Do you make your bed?
 
So far she has 249 responses before 9am central time.  Here are a few:
Every day. Makes the room look instantly better - D
No, whats the point - T
Yes, it makes me feel I got one thing done today - B
Absolutely.  Takes two minutes - P

Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
 
Now, in the BIG picture of LIFE, what does it matter if you make your bed or not?  But the principle of the question is part of the root to writing my blog....I need to make the time to enjoy LIFE'S simple pleasures.  Having a comfortable bed is one of them.  And for week #43, anything that relates to the bed is something that I want to learn more about...
 
Sometimes the dreams that come true in LIFE are the dreams you never knew you had...
 
I am into Week #43 of this year and what an adventure it has been discovering the simple things in LIFE. Maybe I found my bed of roses and am leading and easy and peaceful LIFE.  But I do think every now and then....
 
 LIFE is short.... jump on the BED.
 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Don't be Alarmed

My alarm clock is clearly jealous of my amazing relationship with my bed!
So, is it a good thing to wake up before your alarm goes off, or a bad thing?
 
Week #43 LIFE'S simple pleasures - my/your bed
 
Do you have an inner alarm clock?  Or do you need to have a real buzzer go off to wake you up in the morning?
 
Everyone is different in that department.  Sometimes when you wake up in the middle of the night and you turn over to see the clock, you get a little sleep happy when you realize you have a couple more hours to go until you really have to get up.  And if you are anxious about something, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night because you think you've already missed the alarm, just causes the rest of your day to start off on the wrong foot and go downhill from there!!
 
Sleeping is my drug, my bed is my dealer and my alarm clock is the police.
 
When we truly think of LIFE'S simple pleasures, it's amazing how many we can find, when we are looking for them. 
 
My husband and I used to wake up and really feel we didn't get a good nights sleep.  And finally, we realized that our mattress and box spring were over 15 years old and had moved with us to 3 different states.
 
It was truly time to get a new bed!
 
I'm not going to recommend a brand or get into any details about that...(you can have the fun going to 3 different mattress stores and flopping onto 20 different beds and figuring out which firmness and price fit your lifestyle)  but honestly, it's been one of our best purchases in the past year. 
 
A good, comfortable, supportive bed... with comfy sheets, blankets and pillows.... does make a difference in starting our day off right!
 

And for the awww, factor, see how much Tucker even loves our bed??


 
 
 
The only thing preventing me from smashing my alarm clock this morning is the fact that it's my cell phone!
 
 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

A Formula for Living

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain...

Victorian Country Inn - Missouri
 
It's not that it's the 'wrong' day, but writing this post on one of our most beautiful mornings in the past -10 days seems a bit off.  Today, it's sunshine and blue skies.  Unfortunately, fall has really hit the midwest and most of the past week I woke up to more than a little frost on the pumpkin.  If it was warm enough, I 'could have' woken up to the rhythm of the falling rain on our roof on about 5 dreary days!

Have you ever just layed in bed listening to the rain?  Or maybe a rolling thunder storm off in the distance? Or the birds chirping in the spring time? This true and simple phenomenon can occur, especially on a day you don't have to get up and be somewhere, it's a simple pleasure to wiggle a little deeper under the blankets and be calm, as nature runs it's course just outside the windows.

Week #43 LIFE'S simple pleasures - my bed

I'm finding it most fascinating that with my iphone I can take pictures anywhere in my journey in LIFE.  And then because I want to, I can sit down at my computer and write a silly story about my adventures.  And some people.... anywhere in the world can see what I'm doing.

I'm trying to highlight the simple pleasures in LIFE.

That with a busy world, we have a tendency to forget some of the simple things can truly make the 'struggle' a little more pleasurable.

Just like taking time to smell the flowers ... it's about time!  Taking time to wake up in the morning and be thankful we made it another day, pull up the covers a bit and listen to rain, or the peace and quiet before the start of another busy day.

My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can. ~ Cary Grant

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Make Your Bed!

LIFE is to short, jump on the bed!
If you really think about it.... the idiom 'sleep like a baby', which means to sleep very soundly isn't really true if you've had a baby.  For the first couple of years my babies didn't sleep soundly, they'd wake up hungry, or fussy, a diaper needed to be changed or they wanted to be comforted.  Sleep like a log might be more accurate!

Week # 43 LIFE'S simple pleasures - your bed

My bed is a place where I suddenly remember everything I was supposed to do.

Do you pull the covers up tight and cover your head... or only pull the sheet up to your chin?  Do you kick the blankets off at night?  Or do you turn up the heat on your electric blanket?

And then, is it important for you to make your bed every morning as soon as you get out? You like everything in it's place, clean and tidy.

Or, do you love sliding into an unmade bed, because it doesn't really bother you? It's more comfy that way!!!

10 little monkeys jumping in the bed
one of them fell off and broke his head
momma called the doctor and the doctor said,
"no more monkeys jumping on the bed!!!!"

If I jumped on my bed, I'd hit the ceiling fan and there would be more injuries than a broken head!!!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Everybody is looking for This

DREAMS~
... are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you. ~ Marsha Norman


Week #43 LIFE'S simple pleasures - my bed

I don't want to get too personal here, but is your bed a place you like to visit?

Doing some of my research for this weeks' blog post I found numerous article's titled: 75 simple pleasures to brighten your day, 30 most satisfying simple pleasures Life has to offer, and 101 simple pleasures to boost happiness.

By the end of the year I will be able to write a {book} an article.... In search of LIFE'S simple pleasures 52 weeks of 2013.

In many of the articles when authors were listing their simple pleasures, they often mention a comfortable bed.  Of course I also found contraditions:  simple pleasures hold universal appeal vs of course simple pleasures aren't universal, they wont bring the same boost of happiness to everyone.

I think our beds are a simple pleasure for many reasons.

Does your bed have a frame?  Is there a headboard... and a foot board? Do you like a lot of pillows for decoration or just one and only to lay your head down?  What's the thread count of your sheets or do you have a 'real' down comforter?  Maybe its flannel sheets and a blanket or maybe nothing?

One of the times we really think about our bed is when we are sleeping away from home on some other bed.

How can you have sweet dreams??? Maybe by flipping your pillow over to the cool side!

Today, I realized that the word 'bed' actually looks like a bed.

Friday, October 18, 2013

The Circle of Life

And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life


Click on this YouTube Video with Elton John and the Lion King

It worked out perfectly!

Week #42 - LIFE'S simple pleasures - circle shapes

I made it back full circle.... to the Circle of LIFE.

It's been disputed, but the circle is a shape that supposedly doesn't have a beginning point or an ending point, at least one that can't be seen.  Since it is never ending, it goes on forever.  One of the symbols for a wedding ring being a circle is that when the two LIVES become one, there is no true beginning nor end, thus the love is for all eternity.

What comes around, goes around.

The shape of a circle is ever so important!!
A few weeks ago I mentioned how funny it was that a lot of my simple pleasures were names of something else....cafes and stores, titles of books and singing groups.  This time around (around? get it???) ... there is a singing group named, Never Ending Circle.
 
How many different kinds of circles can you find this weekend?  Maybe it will be trust in your circle of friends, maybe you will have to figure out the circumference of a pumpkin ╥, or maybe you will see a full moon tonight and think the circle is complete! 
 
Circles are everywhere and they are one of LIFE'S simple pleasures.
 
We all have a place in the circle of LIFE.  Always remember who you are!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Wear a Smile Today

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.~ Dr Seuss



Week #42 - LIFE'S simple pleasures - circle shapes

As I've mentioned all week... it's not that I can't find topics to write about for LIFE'S simple pleasures, but there are some things that might not quite deserve an entire week of posting.  So, I've been looking for common place things that are in the shape of a circle. I found these stickers in one of my stashes.  They make me smile!!!!

Today, it's the classic stylized representation of a smiling human.... a smiley face.... a smiley=emoticon :).  Introduced in 1963 it has become an iconic symbol through pop culture. 

A smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose ~ Tom Wilson

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Waiting for Change

A Penny saved is a penny earned ~ Benjamin Franklin

 
Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck
Find a penny, leave it lay, and you'll have bad luck all the day
Proverb

Week #42 LIFE'S simple pleasure circle shapes

A penny is a one cent coin ¢ that has the profile of Abraham Lincoln on the front, the copper penny now is 97.5% zinc and only 2.5% copper.

There are a ton of catch phrases for this circular shaped coin: Penny wise, pound foolish.  You could be a penny pincher but you could also pay a pretty penny for extravagant items.  You could be dirt poor without two pennies to rub together, or you could earn a penny for your thoughts.  There is the Penny Press, Penny Savers, Henny Penny and Penny Candy.
And the Pressed Penny is a novelty souvenir at museums, theme parks and zoos.  A penny plus a small fee with get you an elongated coin that is flattened and stretched and embossed with a new design.  You put  the coins in a specialty booth and watch the process of it going from a circle, to an elongated oval.

In the above picture is a shiny penny with four souvenir pennies  I might try and clean them up because I can't really tell what the embossed design on the coins are.  I think one is from Disney World, but can't tell the others.

One of LIFE'S simple pleasures:

Pennies from Heaven
Today I found a penny,
Just laying on the ground.
But it's not just a penny,
This little coin I've found.
Found pennies come from heaven.
That's what my Grandpa told me.
He said Angels toss them down.
Oh, how I loved that story.
He said when an Angel misses you,
They toss a penny down,
Sometimes just to cheer you up,
To make a smile out of your frown.
So don't pass by that penny
When you're feeling blue;
It may be a Penny from Heaven
That an Angel's tossed to you.
Pass this on to the people who you care
about and who you feel that are angels to you.
An angel is now watching over you.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

You're Such a Sucker

Story of my LIFE, I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop.

 
Week #42 LIFE'S simple pleasures - things in the shape of a circle
 
Yesterday, after I posted to my blog, I couldn't help but see things in the shape of a circle.  The lid to my favorite beverage, my lunch plate, the cover to my contact case, the wheels on my lawnmower.  All things I greatly appreciate for what they do! And yes, I a stretching my topic this week, but the point I'm trying to make is, when we notice the things around us, we can certainly take a moment appreciate them, how they were conceived, why they were made and what simple pleasures they can bring us.
 
Today, I remembered I had these super cute lollipop brads.  Lollipops are also known as suckers, sticky pops, lollies and dum dums.  Often, banks and barber shops would give them out to the little customers.


Speaking of little... the Munchkins in the Wizard of Oz were members of the Lollipop Guild.

 
There are a ton of pictures on the Internet with lollipops.  Bright colorful and swirly!! Big and little kids holding and licking huge flat round hardened candy that is flavored sierose with corn syrup at the end of a stick.  When's the last time you had a fun candy lick???
 
I took a hop,
To the shop.
To buy my sweet lollipop,
See the big stick,
And the orange top,
I'll put in my mouth,
And eat it plop, plop, plop.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Double Bubble

When you blow bubbles you are sharing your bad breath in cute little containers.

 
Week #42 LIFE'S simple pleasures - things in the shape of a circle
 
Ok, it's not that I'm grasping at straws to come up with topics for simple pleasures... but I didn't think I could write a weeks' worth of information about bubbles!!!  But I CAN write about things shaped like a circle!
 
Super Giant Bubble Recipe
1 cup dish soap
1 cup corn starch
2 tbs. baking powder
Mix in a large bowl, stir gently as not to create a bubble mixture, let sit and have some bubble fun!
 
 
Yippee, kind of giddy! 
 
Had a short Photo Shop tutorial (ha) online, that took me a couple of hours, and now I finally was able to create the graphic design above! Almost looks professional. 
 
Although you can't see the teeny tiny individual circular bubbles, you all know they are there!!
 
 
See, I told you!  Any twist on LIFE on my blog can be created into a whimsical creative greeting card.  This one is circa (around about, approximately) 2009.
 
If  thought bubbles appeared above my head, I'd be screwed!
 
There is bubble gum, living in a bubble, drinking bubbly....
 

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble ~William Shakespeare

 What kinds of simple pleasures can you find this week that are shaped like a circle?

 

*aargh! typo error. can you spot it?  or does your mind trick you?


 

 
 
 

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Buy the Shoes

Shoes make me happy.
I'm obsessed.
whatever

No matter what, young or old... male or female... you have to admit that shoes are really a big part of our lives.  We want them to fit comfortably if we are walking or exercising.  We want them to match our outfit (somewhat) because that makes us feel put together and we want to keep our feet safe, because we need them for a very long time.

Week #41 LIFE'S simple pleasure - shoes
LIFE is always better with a nice pair of shoes. 
 
Of course.... the right shoes for the all occasions.  You wouldn't wear flip flops, thongs, or sandals when there is 6" of snow on the ground (well some dummy might).  And you wouldn't wear a pair of running shoes, tennis shoes, sneakers or gym shoes with a prom dress (although some might, for the ultimate comfort, rather than fashion) And you wouldn't wear a comfortable old pair of clogs, mules or clodhoppers to a professional job interview (unless your really don't want the job).
 
There are so many types and styles of shoes:  boot, cleat, slipper, blue suade, loafer, platform, pump, penny loafer, high heel, open toed, wing tip, leather, .... each generation has their name for certain styles.  And styles come and go as part of a fashion statement!  For some, comfort is the only way to go, and for others.... they will pay a weeks salary for a current designer shoe!
 
Never judge a person until you've walk a mile in their shoes .... then you will be a mile away and have their shoes!
 
Sometimes we don't take the time to think of LIFE'S simple pleasures... it can be simple, like smelling the flowers or taking a moment to take a deep breath outside in the sunshine.  Even something like our shoes can make us happy!
 
Since all great journeys start with a single step, you should probably have on a cute pair of shoes!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Card Board Shoes

LIFE is short, buy the shoes!

Pinterest Success!!! Yes!
 
Okay, if you follow my blog, you know that I like pretty things and clever words!
 
This weeks Simple Pleasure is shoes
 
I'm squealing with delight when things come together.  I finished a Pinterest project and it was a success.... a card board!!!!
 
Not cardboard, but a board to hold my creative greeting cards!!!!!!!


 
And look, I was able to 'pin' creative greetings with SHOES as the featured cards!
 
Here's where my inspiration came from http://www.pinterest.com/pin/136937644893151619/
 
I will shoe show more about this fun cardboard  or card board I made in future blog posts.
 
There is an entire board for Pinterest Successes!!!
 
Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world!!!

Wednesday, October 09, 2013

Shoes Speak Louder than Words

Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your LIFE!

Week #41 LIFE'S simple pleasures - shoes
 
Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.
 
Give this girl any idea and she can create a unique whimsical card for that extraordinary person in your LIFE!
 
Brighten Someone'S Day

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Don't Be a Heel



I would hate for someone to look at my shoes and say, 'Oh my God, they look so comfortable.'

So, are you ready to take on the challenge?

Week #41 LIFE'S simple pleasure - shoes

SHOES: item of foot wear intended to protect the human foot, while doing various activities.

SHOES: meant to enhance your outfit or help you to compliment a costume!!  Ha Ha


I don't wear any of the above shoes anymore, but I did.... once.

Why I still have them? Because they bring back fun memories!

 
Sadly, I can no longer fit into these cowboy boots.  I think I bought them in the early eighties when country was cool.  They are a size 7 (pre-babies).  They are so back in fashion right now!! Both kids actually wore these at part of cowboy outfits for school dress up.


 
I still love these shoes.  They fit!  I feel tall in them.  But, they are actually part of my hippie costume.  I have really big bell bottom pants and I bought them at Goodwill years ago to help make my costume complete!
 
 
LIFE imitating art.  Costume shoes once again.  They are also pre-baby and I believe purchased at Kohl's. And by me saying pre-baby, that's more than 20 years ago and 2 kids later.... my feet actually flattened out and became a size larger after the kids were born.  These shoes were part of my Theatre Guild costume for the play 'I Hate Hamlet'.  I was some funky girlfriend in the play wearing a long skirt, puffy shirt and crochet vest.  Look like shoes from the twenties, but then got popular again in the late '80s.
 
 
The higher the heel, the closer to heaven!
 
These still have the Goodwill sticker on them.  And for the life of me.... I can not remember what they were for.  I probably had some formal event needing dressy black shoes... and why not spend $3.99 for a pair of shoes to wear once and look all fancy?
 
Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world ~ Marilyn Monroe

Monday, October 07, 2013

If the Shoe Fits

Since all great journeys start with a single step, you should probably have on a cute pair of shoes.


Week #41 LIFE'S simple pleasure - shoes

"Oh, I don't need another pair of shoes" said no woman ever!

This week on my blog I'm going to talk about shoes.  Although it's not a FREE simple pleasure, I'll bet most woman think that getting a new pair of shoes brings them a lot of joy, happiness and pleasure. 

I think I have started a new tradition buying myself a NEW pair of shoes for my birthday. Instead of a birthday cake and some flowers... just help me pay for a new pair of shoes.  Check out this post from a couple of years ago Birthday Shoes.

 
 
Shoes: item of foot wear intended to protect the human foot while doing various activities.
 
Fun fact: the foot contains more bones than any other part of the body.
 
LIFE is short, by the shoes!

Friday, October 04, 2013

Everyday Home

Home Uncomplified
adj:  not complicated: simple
 
 
Homegrown.... look what I planted by bulb or seed and see what happened a few months later!

 
Homecooked Meals

 
Homemade Crafts

 
Hometown : Racine, Wisconsin


What I love most about my home is who I share it with.

 
Week #40 LIFE'S simple pleasure - home
 
Home is the place we love best and grumble the most ~ Bill Sunday

Thursday, October 03, 2013

Click Your Heels

There's no place like home!

 
Ah, the perfect 'house' warming gift?  A little sign that says:
 
Home
Sweet
Home
 Week #40 LIFE'S simple pleasure - home
 
You could build your dream home.  You could have a home cooked meal.  You can go back to high school for a Homecoming game.  Things you get from me are homemade.  We've all had homework.  That mat in front of our door says Welcome Home.  There is a cute movie made about 20 years ago based in a Chicago suburb called Home Alone.  We all have a home town.  Some people even work from their home office.  We go to Home Depot to buy paint and we go to Home Goods to find things to decorate our home.  We can read the Country Home Magazine.  During the Olympics Phillip Phillips song Home was played over and over for the girls' gymnastic team http://youtu.be/HoRkntoHkIE 
 
Don't get me started on things that have a house in them....
 

And if you are ever stuck on a computer, hit the home button.... more than once!!!
 

When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home - Thorton Wilder

Isn't that what Dorothy wanted in the Wizard of Oz?  To get back home... all she needed to find out was that she didn't have to run away to find her heart's desire!

Home is wear you hang your heart ♥


 
 

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