Love Leigh Things

Family Moss and What is Broke Again!

My aunt gave me some moss that has been in our family since well before I was born.  It was originally at my Great Great Aunt's house and there is no telling when or where she got it....

 

 

 

 

I sincerely hope it lives for future generations, in remembrance of the Winters' Girls (as hubby calls us).

 

Now on to my whinny post moment...

 

I came home from house/animal sitting the largest domestic pets in the world (I believe), here is one example...

 

 

to find this waiting for me...

 

  

 

Boo went to CAP camp.... Have been crying and/or angry (hubby is debating sedation) ever since he left.  I know he is 16 but in my heart he will always be my oldest baby!  He was so excited, I had to let him go...  I feel very sorry for his wife, I will NOT be a good mother-in-law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benji, Bentley and I have been entertaining ourselves with Alvin and the Chipmunks, games and cookies till he gets home.

 

Did you hear my upstairs central air conditioner broke awhile back?  Well, guess what, it happened again!  It was temporarily fixed today....waiting on an apparent very special part.

 

 

While I was reeling from that, this morning my washing machine started choking and could possibly be a goner....  The repairman will be here Friday to let me know.

 

 

The roof has still not been replaced, waiting on estimates....that could be a good thing since Sunday there was some huge hail here, again!  We will deal with this over the next few weeks.  I now know the term domestic goddess truly applies when you get excited over a roof!  Not even a tin one in the rain, just a regular roof that mother nature has not beat up!

 

I have to say a word about Steve McNair, I know some people are judging him for his lifestyle at the end of his life...but I liked, and yes even respected him.  He was a true warrior on the field, generous to the state of Tennessee and exceptionally nice to my boys, for that I am grateful.  #9 you will be missed....

 

 

 

Neglected and Missed

Where to start....what started as a day away from blogging has turned into months.  I have tried and somewhat failed at keeping up with emails.  But, I am back with bells on.  On a serious note, thank you to all of my blog buddies for their bloglove and understanding.

 

One of the reasons I took a break is not my business to tell publicly, but for those who know (through emails and calls) my very ill family members are doing much better! 

 

Here is a list of some of things that I have been up to since my last post:

 

Decided to move to Italy

Changed my mind and decided to stay here

Decided to move to England

Somewhat decided to stay here

Decided to move to the country and have chickens and alpacas

Still trying to talk myself out of that one

Took Bentley and Jeff to the mountains

Okay Jeff took us

Learned more about Geometry than any 40 year old woman should have to

Painted some of my aunt's house

Got fired from painting (by hubby)

Decided he was just being sweet to say that I should not work that hard

Learned that paint is pretty hard to get out of curly hair

Managed to buy some great Alicia Paulson patterns

Managed to "not" be able to work on a one of them YET

I have not won the lottery

I have figured out how to use my DVR

Lived through no air conditioning on the top floor of my home for a few days

Got that fixed pretty quick

Survived a broken dishwasher

Got that fixed pretty quick too!

Had part of my roof blown off

Had that repaired

Repeat the last two lines again

Had it happen a third time

Waiting on insurance to get the whole thing replaced

Put braces on boy #2

Preparing to send boy #1 to camp (can you say sad mama)

Got addicted to Real Housewives of New Jersey

Started collecting old dishes and linens (so far only family pieces and a friends family)

Decided that is an upcoming blog post

Made reservations for the happiest place on earth for Bentley and myself

Was convinced the children and hubby really should get to go to

Discovered British TV mysteries and comedies

and Wallander (not set in England, but a great one)

 

Okay, that could go on forever and I will not bore you anymore.

 

For those who really only care about The B-Man he has been having a great time!  I have been taking care of him, I promise!  Here are a few photos just to prove it!

 

 

He received two gorgeous Valentine's Day Cards from his Louisiana friends, Jasmine, Jay and Eli!  He LOVED them.  He has asked me to send a goodie package to their mom, so I will do that soon!

 

 

Here he is totally rubbing his mail in YaYa's face.

 

 

Forced us to have family game night with him.

 

Traveled with DorisDay (more to come on that)

 

 

Two monkees showing their true colors, because I got the goodie and they did not, thank you so much Kai!

 

Happy (late) 17th Anniversary to my man!  I love you!

 

 

I can't wait to get back in the blog grove with everyone!  I will be around to visit soon!  This is pretty sad for a return post but, I am leaving for a week, so I will see you after the 4th.  I should be able to check email though.  Is anyone doing the twitter thing?  I am not sure how I feel about that one, comments about it would be great!

 

Love ya all!

 

PS  Mama you were right!  It felt good to be back!

 

 

Happy New Year and a Winner!

Well, what a year the last one was!  I want to wish each of you the best of everything in the New Year!

Now, for the winner of my Christmas Giveaway!

 

Thanks to my really great hubby

Courtney will be getting the goodie from Bentley and me!

I look forward to spending a new year with all of you!

Love, Leigh

Halloween, Thanksgiving, a Giveaway Soon, and Hubby Bragging!

Wow, that title was a mouthful wasn't it? 

 

Poor Bentley, he is very sad, no one guessed what he was!  He was Bentley Potter, a wizard!

 

 

 

Here are a few pics from the big day!

 

 

 

Hubby has talent

 

 

 

 

Can you believe he cut these out?

 

 

Littlest man was a guppy, hehe!

 

Because no one guessed what the B Man was we are going to make ourselves feel better by having a Christmas giveaway! We will post about it after the Thanksgiving holiday!

 

Speaking of Bentley he has his very own primate.  Her name is "DorisDay"  not Doris, not Doris Day but DorisDay.  Bentley just loves her and her movies!

 

 

 

This was back when she arrived from monkee maker!  (Yes, I have cleaned the dirt off of the mailbox, haha!)

 

 

I am not sure of their relationship but I am sure he will let me know! 

 

Bentley let me have the cool bag!

 

She sure is a perky little thing!

 

 

Now to brag (a little more) on my man!  He supports my habits!

 

 

and brings me flowers!

 

 

 

 

(my artsy photo, teehee!)

 

 

Did you see that book?  Up there with the movies?!?!?!?  It is the Alicia Paulson's new book and it is WONDERFUL!!!!  Just the best crafty book, ever!

 

I also got all of her patterns, in the NieNie Auction!

 

 

OH YUMMMMMMMM!!!!!!  I am a lucky girl!

 

I am off for the holiday!  I will be back in blogland soon!  Until then, I hope you all have a great and Happy Thanksgiving! I want you to know that I am thankful for each of you!  My mother promised "NO" scary cakes this year! Haha!  But, I am sure something will happen that is blogworthy, teehee!  Oh, I cannot wait to share my great mail with you! 

 

Sincerely - Happy Thanksgiving and Lots of Love!!!!

 

Leigh

 

PS Tonya, I will post your tag and Brit, I will post your award very soon!  I love you both!

 

 

 

 

The Drawing Winner and a New Game

The anticipation was building!

The names were typed out!

 

Folded just so....

 

and then oldest boy drew.....

 

this name....

 

Kai!!!!  Congrats, lady!  Bentley is sending big virtual primate hugs to everyone (and Kai, too) that did not get their name pulled.  He feels everyone is a winner this way!

If anyone can guess (before my next post) what he was for Halloween, I will send you a giftie too! 

It has been crazy busy here!  I have survived luncheons, geometry, another round of mammograms (and ultrasound's) and have to go back next Wednesday, ugh!   Later in the weekend, I will be answering emails and blogging!  As usual, I can't wait to see what everyone is up to!

Blogiversary Giveaway!

Woohoo, it is my Blogiversary!  Actually it is belated, it was last Friday.  But, I have been very busy.  Here are a few photos from the last week or so!

 

 

 

 

 

Baking apple pies!

 

 

Making a hundred pumpkins for the treat or treaters!

 

 

Voting!

 

 

 

 

Hank Williams Jr was the guest singer!

 

 

 

Going to the very cold Monday Night Football game!  If you watched it, did you see me?  I was the one in blue, teehee!

 

 

 

We WON!

 

 

Catching the B man looking at some girlies! He will be unveiling his own very lovely primate very soon!  He is still deciding upon a special name for her! (Sorry, Charlotte, he peeked at your giftie!) 

 

 

 

Finding out oldest boy would be flying with CAP, and actually flew the plane for a little bit!  Can you say, give a mama a hive!  Here is his first achievement award.

 

 

A day trip with the youngest boy, hubby and Bentley!

 

Okay, now to the part you really (I sincerely hope) are interested in!  This has been ONE whole year of making new friends, finding out I am not alone, there are others like me!  Not to mention learning!  And I have learned oh so much from each of you!   To celebrate, I am having a giveaway!  One of the coolest crafty books! 

 

 

A copy of Alabama Stitch Book!  If you want a chance at it, just comment on this post between now and Thursday, November 6!  I will probably throw in a few extras, because I adore you all!

 

XOXO

Just so I would get over the "Bear" I told you so's!

Hubby took me to my happy place!

 

Yep, that is the quickest way for him to have peace.  My man is no dummy!

While I am still on the mountain trip, (and could be for awhile, my apologies!) I have to brag on my putt-putt skills! 

 

 

Oh yes, I got not one but two hole in ones! 

 

 

Did you hear that Tiger is afraid?  Very afraid!

Now for some random pretties!

 

 

 

(Kai, this is the back of YaYa's head, she is deer looking!)

 

 

 

 

 

Benji made one of the best finds ever!

 

A heart!

Sorry about some of the "not so good" photos, new camera ya know!

Till next time, love ya!

Not For the Poo Squeamish!

If you are of the queasy sort, please wait and come back for my next post.  But, this story cannot be told without a photo!

Picture this, we are at our lovely chalet in the mountains, our first night there.  I am on the porch listening to the quiet and looking at the stars that can only be seen in total darkness.....ah such peace. 

   

You can hardly see the moon, but it was gorgeous!  I figured out, it is hard to share the night sky!

Then out of the blue I heard the loudest crashing noise coming down the side of the mountain.  Ugh, Run Leigh Run!  I made it from the porch to the back side of the chalet in a flat one second, hunkered down and screaming..SQUIRRELRABBITOPUSSUMSKUNK ... BEAR ... DRUNK HUMAN???  Much to my humans delight!  Oh, they went and looked (to protect me, you know) only to come in laughing harder.  Of course there was nothing there then.  What a good laugh everyone had at the squealing mama!  Except The B Man who had my back, even if he was buried under a blanket, hidden with fear.

Until the next day when we discovered official, yep confirmed, bear dodo!  Right beside our porch!

 

Scared "the do" right out of Bentley, it did!  Then the humans weren't laughing quite so loud!

Then they had a bear sighting of their own.  Three cubs together, and you know mama wasn't too far away!  Hubby took pics with his less than stellar camera and I can't get them to show up (they are so dark), even using photoshop.  Any advice?  I can see eyes in one of the pics, maybe I should just post it like that?

If you are still here and not interested in poo, come back next time.  I will attempt to "not" mention the word or show pics!  XOXO

WooHoo!!!

I am still here!!!  So sorry for not being in touch sooner!  You just would not believe what all as happened!  I am thrilled to say that all testing is done until November then we start again, but so far so good!!!  In the middle of everything, I got an infection in my eyes, and could not see!  Literally!  So, for all of you that I could not speak to, that is one reason for my absence.  I have not driven a car in months, books and computers were out of the question!  However, I am almost totally over this!  That is wonderful, considering some people have this for up to 2 years! 

 

I have a room full of gifts, that will be mailed out in a few weeks.  If I missed your special day or if I owe you a little something for being such a wonderful friend, expect a box from me soon!  In particular there are some Princesses in England that Bentley owes gifts to!  He is very angry at me, but he understood, the delay!

 

In case you are wondering, and I know you are, he is fine.  Just look at the good time he had at his granny's house!

 

                           

 

I also survived my 40th birthday!  I will post pics soon!  I had the prettiest cake ever!

 

Now, I am off again!  This time to the mountains with Jeff, the boys, Yaya and Bentley!  It is going to take me forever to get through my email box, but I will!  So, in a week or so - If I answer an email you do not even remember sending, because it has been so long, just love me anyway, haha!

 

I missed you all dearly!

Happy 16th Anniversary!

To my everything!