And the winner is---Drum Roll Please!

I just want to say thank you to all 8 people who joined my giveaway--that's double than the last time. Since I only have 13 followers, I just thought word would get out, but I'm happy that a regular follower has won.
Mary at Isabella's Closet has won and Mary, please email me with your address (lost it again) and what you love to collect the most. I want to send the package out by Wednesday and I will be going to Lafayette, so shopping will be fun. Thanks to the rest of you and hope that you will join me this summer when I have a Pink Extravaganza giveaway.

This is the giveaway and I told you there would be surprises and there are some hidden in 2 boxes. I love making things for people as you can tell and it gives me more joy than receiving. Congratulations Mary. Hope you like everything. Love and Hugs, Pat

Saturday morning bad weather

I thought I would post another item that is going in my blog shop. Not sure how old this apron is but for lover's of red and apron collecters, this will be a good buy for $6.00 with free shipping.

This explosion box is part of my giveaway and I did make one mistake so I hope it's okay. Won't tell you what you will find inside but hoping you like it. This is a scrapbook in a box and I have made several of them, but from all the moving, I have lost my instructions and measurements, so I winged it. I tend toward perfectionism, but I am not perfect and it is handmade. Lots of surprises in store with this giveaway and Best of Luck to the 8 people who have graciously joined. But I must be honest and say that I feel inferior right now because I thought more people would join. I will be doing one more giveaway and it will be a pink delight. So stay tuned this summer. Hugs and Love,Pat  :(

ps, the weather here is stay indoors weather, but we were lucky that the worst part with the tornadoes moved north of us. They said it should be over by noon. All those affected by the storms, you are in my prayers, because Texas got a lot of tornadoes.

Reminder of my giveaway.

Please don't forget about  my giveaway and I hope that you will take the tag and spread the word. Included with the canvas will be a few extras. It's been a long time since I created something, so please bear with me till my creativity comes back. Sign up is until Saturday April 24th until midnight CST. Please sign on this post to join in the giveaway.

I have all the names written down on the original posts but you can enter here also and I will check both for new entries. I have since made a few more things to add to it, that are in the same colors, so I hope you get your friends to stop by and enter. I love making things that I can give, since that is in my nature. You will also receive something you collect, so the giveaway will be mailed out by Wednesday to give me time to get something special for the winner.

Altered Canvas Giveaway

I have finally finished my giveaway and I hope that you will take the tag and spread the word. Included with the canvas will be a few extras. It's been a long time since I created something, so please bear with me till my creativity comes back. Sign up is until Saturday April 24th until midnight CST. Please sign on this post to join in the giveaway.

Happy St.. Patrick's Day

                         Happy St. Patrick's Day

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day we are having. I'm working on finishing a dressing table and night stand, then priming a cabinet Al made me about 15 years ago, so I can paint it white with pink doors. I also have 3 stools to sand and prime and it's a nice day to be outside. I still haven't down loaded my things from my other hard drive, so maybe this weekend, we can hook them together and transfer everything to this one. I am so enjoying DSL again and now back in the 21st Century.

My spring fling giveaway is almost finished and I will try and get it posted next week, so I hope this time, word will get out. Have a great day everyone. Love and Hugs, Pat :)

Frosty, it's time to melt away and Jack Frost, you need to go!

This is the top of the box from Giving My Heart Away, and since I have not crafted in over 3 years, I do hope the winner appreciates my burned fingers and decoupage glue that look like extra skin on my hands.

This is the contents of Giving My Heart Away, giveaway. If you look on the side of my favorite blogs, you will find  Domesticunderground and look at all the beautiful vintage things she makes. I hope you like this. I really want to do an Easter giveaway similar, but with all the pastels of Easter, but I need to wait and see what the urologist has to say. Maybe if I started now, I could have it finished before my appointment on the 22nd.

Now how about our wonderful Saints! I usually don't watch professional football, but do like college football, but I have been watching the Saints and I can't tell you what it is like in the Who Dat State. Everyone is wearing the Superbowl shirts and caps and it has united a city that was so divided. The only thing I take offense to is that people are calling Drew Brees, Breesus and he even asked people not to call him that. I was on the phone with my daughter when Peyton Manning threw and intercepted pass for a 50 something touchdown. We were both screaming for him to go, go, go! Then got a call from Donnie who never watches football, but was sitting in a lounge with a friend watching the Saints.  There was a parade last night in New Orleans with the Saints on the floats. Heidis (my dil)aunt and cousin got tickets from someone for the Superbowl, so they got on the plane Sunday morning and were at the game. Her cousin kept sending pictures from the stadium and Heidi wanted to be there so much.

Well my infection is still there, so they have scheduled an appointment with a urologist to check out my bladder and kidneys. My pain management doctor said it is about time for me to consider surgery on my spine. He asked me if the pain was bad enough yet to have the surgery and I had to think for a moment and just blurted out NO, not as long as my weekly injections help out. But when that gets to be like the epidurals that don't work, then I will have no choice. I started asking questions about how long I would have to stay in the hospital and he said a week, but that could change. The scar tissue has attached my intestines to my spine and I have a bulging disk that is pinching a nerve. When he pressed on the spot, I flew off the chair. He said that was were the bulging disk was. But I am going to stay busy crafting until that time comes. I have a very positive attitude right now and it's all good. I already told Al if he ever expects me to move back in with him, he would have to control his temper and have more patience with me and this time, we will go together for counseling.

Well I have to lay down with a heating pad for a while, so I will visit blogs later. Again, Congratulations to Household6 and thank you to Denise, Amy, and I believe Irma for joining. I felt sad that only 4 people joined, so watch to see what I will come up with next. I have craft supplies galore and I don't mind sharing, infact, I was born a giver and a follower. The only time I was ever put in a position as a leader was when I made my Cursillio(sic). I will explain that in a later post. xoxo and many Blessings, Pat

Giveaway Winner

Household 6, I really need your snail mail address for the heart giveaway. If you do not want it, please let me know, so I can draw another winner. I don't have your mailing address and I have tried all 3 emails I have for you and they all came back. If anyone else knows how to contact her, please give her the message.

Back up and running again

Well after many hours on the phone, I am back on line. Al did my giveaway, so Household 6, please send me your snail mail address so I can mail it to you. I was hurt that only 4 people visited, but I haven't been a very good blogger lately. I have too much going on in my personal life and was hit by a bad infection and I am now on my second dose of antibiotics that make me sicker than the others. My low red blood cell count is what scares me, plus the dehydration. If I have to look at more bottles of water, I will scream. You will not believe where I should have put my bed-lol. I will be having another blood test done to see if the red cells are higher or lower. I feel like a wet towel with no energy at all, but push myself to finish my giveaway, so it was special for me to give my heart away.

With the possibility of having leukemia, my sister is trying to finance the house under her name and forcing me out, but not giving me my share of the inheritance until she sells the house, therefore costing me more money for repairs. I doubt that any finance company will finance it, because we are 4 owners. I was advised by an attorney that she couldn't do that, but that I needed to get legal aid, so I am in the process of doing that. So much red tape to get help and now they can't take  my application until I get a letter from the attorney who did our succession. When I called today, they wouldn't speak to me or return my call, so I sent them a certified letter. The lawyer did something illegal and now I think he should be reported to the bar association.

I have started crafting again and it felt good to see my work finished. I am depressed and scared, but my friend told me not to worry about something I can't change, but they tested me 8 years ago for leukemia and I was scared then. I have been praying that it is nothing but a bad infection and that my immune system is what is keeping me from healing sooner. I just don't know how much my body can take anymore, so please keep me in your prayers. I will try and be more cheerful and tell you about the good things in my life and post pictures as I finish some crafts. Love, hugs, and prayers to all who are ill or just need a hug. Pat

Giving My Heart Giveaway for 400th post

                                                       Giving My Heart Giveaway

This is a sneak peek on my giveaway for over 400 posts. I didn't want to take a picture of it finished, because sometimes surprises are more fun. There will be lots more than what is shown, so I think this one will be good for all Romantics. Signing up starts today until January 30th at midnight CST. This giveaway is for US states only---sorry, can't be helped.

I do have one problem and should I have to go into the hospital, the giveaway may be late sending off, but closing date will remain the same. As I said in my last post, I am sick and it's not getting any better with only 2 more antibiotics left to take.  I'm waiting for the doctor's office to open so I can try to get an appointment to have it rechecked, so prayers are still needed.

Now how about our Saints! I know that they are playing against Denna's Colts, but we are all hoping this will finally be the Saints year. They are finally AFC Champions.

Go Saints Go!

Well I have to lay down for a little while, nausea is taking over, so tell your friends about the giveaway. Love and Hugs, Pat

Home resting

I would like to thank Deena for posting for me. I am home now, but bed rest for a week. It turned out, I have a severe UTI, my white blood count is very low and I am dehydrated. They put an IV in as soon as we got there and pumped some fluids into me. I am on a strong antibiotic--Cirpro 500, but taking twice a day. I have to avoid contact because with  my white cells are so low, I can catch just about any bug out there. Can't figure out how I became dehydrated because I drink a lot of water and don't drink soft drinks. At least that explains why I was so tired all the time.. Thanks for any prayers you have to offer. This happened in 2003 and I ended up in ICU dying, only I was also malnurished. I have never had a urinary trach infection in my life, so I just thought the pain was from the scar tissue.

I am going back to bed---the antibiotics make me really nauseated, but they gave me something for that. I will post my giveaway sign up this weekend, so hope you all join and tell your friends about it. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers to my email address. Love and hugs, Pat

Burrrrrr, Baby it's cold outside!

Roses still blooming with light freeze. If you look close you can see a little ice still on them. We never know what will bloom around here---our weather is so unpredictable. This time they got it right. It is downright cold and we are in a deep freeze.

I am lucky that I can let the water trickle because it won't hurt anyone. In the city, it causes pressure to go down, so Al shut his off and drained the pipes. He came here to relight the pilot on the central heating----I'm a chicken when it comes to gas and electricity. Last night I stayed under the covers and didn't want to get up. Tonight it is supposed to be even colder---in the very low  20s, then Sunday in the teens.

We lost a lot of oranges, but saved more than we need, so going to donate them if my siblings don't want to come and get them.

If I could keep my feet warm, I would be fine, but with the nerve damage, it feels like they want to break and I'm wearing 2 pairs of socks.

I will visit all of my fellow bloggers as soon as I can warm up. Wish the cord was long enough to bring the laptop to the bed.  So I will return soon to post my giveaway next week. I have to go to Crowley to pick up some goodies.

I know those of you up North and in the Midwest are having it worse than us and I love winter, but not in the teens---30s are my kind of weather. I pray you all stay warm and safe. There are many people here who are going to bed with little heaters on and 3 houses have already burned down. I think it would be cheaper to buy an electric blanket than lose everything you have and possibly deaths with fires. See you soon. Love, Hugs, and Prayers, Pat

400Th Post----Gotta love those Saints

Had to show this cute picture of what the New Orleans sky looked like 2 weeks ago. The Saints are doing great and I hope they make it to the Super Bowl. I thought it was held in New Orleans, but it will be in North Carolina this year.

Well today is my 400Th post and although many have been negative, my New Year's Resolution is to get back my mojo and start creating again. As I said, I will have a giveaway, but it will be posted after the New Year and since it's too late to make a Christmas giveaway, this one will delight the Heart. No hints-lol.

Donnie will be arriving on Friday and I am very excited and I know there will be many tears of Joy shed.

I am having another epiduram next Wednesday, so I will have help in the kitchen, as I am supposed to take it easy for 48 hours and this time, I will!

The weather here is nasty and wet and more rain expected tomorrow. The ground is so saturated, there is no place for the rain to go. Thank God, that we are in the South and it won't freeze up. Would be fun to slide on the ice, though---well not me, but the children.

I see the end of the circle, so only good things ahead for me. I know that 2010 will bring lots of Joy, Happiness, and praying for better health or at the very least, not get worse.

My neighbors in Crowley are both moving, so Al doesn't know what to expect. They were both wonderful families and it will be sad to see them move.

My daughter is after me to open an Esty shop. She started one, but I haven't looked at it yet. Dial up is soooo slow and I can barely visit one blog and it takes almost a half hour to load all the beautiful Christmas decorations. Al pulled out 2 trees that stay decorated and I am hoping that he can bring an empty one out and get Donnie to help.

One of our friends son died and he was so young---in his 30s. His dad had MS in his early married years. His mom is a very dear friend of my aunt and she picks her up once a week to go out and eat.

I will be posting again before Christmas, but I hope you all are enjoying the wonderful festive lights and visiting family and friends. As for me, the True meaning of Christmas will be in my Heart more than ever this year. I have stayed away from the stores and malls, but had to make one trip for some bath gel and get Christmas cards for my children. It's crazy out there and this was a Thursday, so I can't even imagine what it is like on weekends.

Well Al brought me some huge plastic containers, so I am packing things that I don't need and sending most of my craft things home. Brenda wants the house to be presentable, so I don't feel the need to fight about this one. I am keeping my case with beads and stitching cards to keep me busy while watching videos on my laptop. Wishing you all a Happy fun filled weekend. Love, Hugs, and Prayers to all who are fighting illness right now. Pat

My latest candy bouquet

Does anyone know how to stop a crazy lady who doesn't know how to slow down? I am back to my old self and I just don't know when to stop and rest, so today I got my socks knocked off and ended up in bed---all day---with a throbbing headache from the ringing in my ears. The meds the doctor gave me isn't softening the was fast enough for me. Someone said to try olive oil, but sad to say, we don't cook with it.

We were going to spend Sunday and Monday removing plants and vines and transplanting them else where, but with the rain and possible frost---that's out of the question.

Tomorrow is my friend's daughter's baby shower and I finished the candy bouquet that will be used for a centerpiece, so I am going early to help out. It turned out pretty in my opinion and wish that I could get back to selling them again, but with the economy such as it is, no one wants to pay the price. I won't tell you what I would sell this one for, so I am asking that you guess or give me your opinion. I know what I have charged in the past, but with chocolate prices and everything else going up, I have to charge more. Although you can't see what's in it, there are 6 regular Hershey bars, 6 regular Kitkats, 8 snack size kitkats, 12 minature Hershey bars and 2 dozen kiss roses. Making the wrappers and kisses are the hardest part of the project, and I do have to stop every now and then to rest my fingers.

I have a friend who is like me and always looking for great thrift finds and yesterday I found a pale green juicer. He picked it up out of my basket and thanked me for finding it for him and in a joking manner I told him, you better put that back, but guess what, I ended up letting him have it. It was $.49 and although only worth about $10, I knew he wanted it really bad. He is going to bring me some of the little custard dark green cups from oatmeal in the 50s, so I guess it's a fair trade.

Well I have gifts to wrap, take a shower, and then try and rest for tomorrow. I hope everyone is busy right now and I am hoping to put together a giveaway because I am getting close to my 400Th post. Will let you all know something soon. Have a great weekend. Love and Hugs, Pat

Banner giveaway at Isabellascloset

Mary at Isabellascloset is having another giveaway and this one is a beautiful Valentine Banner. Stop by and leave a comment to enter.

http://isabellascloset.blogspot.com/

Sorry I have been absent, but I still won't know anything about my MRI until Thursday. The pain has been unbearable, so I've been spending much of my time in bed with a heating pad under the warmth of my electric blanket. Not sure when my doctor is going to put the pain pump in, but will find that out also.

Al has been helping put the decorations away and from the looks of things, it may take until February. Not sure my back can handle this anymore, so only the big things will come out next year and the little things will stay packed away. We are considering getting a 9ft tree and getting rid of some of the others. The smaller trees are easy to handle, but all the 6's are just too much, so I'll keep my gingerbread tree and snowman tree, because they stay decorated and covered.
I have been sitting in the bed and making candy bouquets. This passed Sunday, the benefit raised over $3,700. It was a very long day and I called Al before I left to get my injections ready. I didn't win a cake but I won some nice prizes and that night I won $125 and picked up orders for Valentine bouquets.
Well I am going back to packing boxes for Al to put away. I hope those in the "cold" stay warm. Have a great day and savour each new day. Love and Hugs, Pat

Wonderful and Creative blog I found

I believe that I have my creative muse from a link of one of the bloggers I enjoy seeing. There will be tutorials starting Friday, kits available, and a giveaway. I hope to spend lots of time getting my creative juices flowing again.

http://joli-paquet.blogspot.com/

I have been in a slump for over a year, but things look brighter each day. I will be having my MRI done on Friday to see how much degenerative damage my disks have since my last one. We will also know if surgery is needed and if not, I will be having a PC pump surgically put in to control my pain. I really could use your prayers right now. Al gave me an injection last night, so today I am going to continue to put Christmas decorations away---yep, they are still up, but with help they will soon be put away. Thanks for stopping by and I wish all of you a warm cozy day. Love and Hugs, Pat

Mary's banner Giveaway

Mary, from isabellascloset is having a banner giveaway and she makes some wonderful banners that she sells. Please stop by and visit and enter her giveaway.

http://isabellascloset.blogspot.com/

I have been really busy as of late and sorry I haven't been here, but things are great, except for the nose that was fractured, not to mention the epeduram is not working, which means I will get another one. I won't be here tomorrow, because of Trevor's funeral, so I am celebrating my birthday tonight and again on Sunday with my son and family.

Mary(Crash N Smash) you can open your box of goodies today, since I can't be here to celebrate. I made a box full of coconut cupcakes to bring tonight and hoping I win the jackpot. This will probably be my last night there because of circumstances I don't need to bother ya'll with. It was a hard decision to make as I enjoy being with my "friends" which is questionable now. I guess it's true what they say about gambling----it brings out the worst in people. I go to support the VFW and always bringing things for Cancer Aid like my mom did. I mainly go to relax and it's fun when you win. Last weekend I won $450 and it really did come in handy for my new craft studio. After that is finished, hubby is going to make me an 8x8 walk-in closet just for me. The only bad thing about this project is I have to pull up lots of plants from my garden and not sure what to do with them yet. I even have to take down part of my square gazebo, but that's okay also. I will do anything to have my 20x20 craft room.

I got my RAK from Joyce at the SecretGarden and I need to let her know and a package from my sweet Chris. Will post pictures on Monday. I also am preparing my RAKs, so Mary and Yolanda, don't give up on me. Nettie has been kind enough not to make me hurry. Thanks my friend, the world needs more of ya'll. Well I am going get dressed after I post at Joyce's blog. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Love and Hugs, Pat

One last Sneak Peek

Now did you really think I was going to show what's in the little boxes or inside the pink altered cake pan. You'll just have to wait until Mary gets her package.

Mary, I hope you enjoy all the goodies and will be able to use them. Let me know when the package arrives. I have taken pictures, but you are welcome to post them on your blog also. I am even starting a new one. Will let ya'll know when I will be giving that one away. I have to finish my RAKs. I am taking a break part of this week to help my friend. They will be bringing his body back Saturday, so I will be at a funeral service on my birthday. Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun. Love and Hugs, Pat

And the Winner Is???????

And the winners are???????????"

Should I keep you guessing or tell you now?


Okay, I'm late and I will explain at the end. I kept Al from going to bed so he could pull the winners out of the 2 bowls (antique globes).



The US winner is Mary from Crash N Smash. Congratulations Mary. I hope you enjoy all the goodies. I would love to be there with you, but we can celebrate on line.

There were only 2 out of US entries and Nettie P, Al drew your name, but I don't think you will get yours by Friday. Congratulations and I hope you enjoy all the goodies.
Thank you to all of you who have come and visited and hopefully will join me for coffee and cake next Friday. Mary and Nettie, let me know if you like what you get as I may repeat one for Christmas, but will do way in advance so that you might be able to use some of the things.

Now to explain why I am late getting here and why the packages can't be mailed until Monday, we had very bad news on Monday. My neighbors, Joyce and Floyd just moved last week into a larger house 2 blocks from us and Trevor, their 17 year old son died. He went to Houston to live with his aunt and go to school there and was about to start and joined the football team. He was diving into the pool and hit the bottome. A girl saw it and tried to pull him out, but Trevor was very tall and muscular. Our entire block is in shock. Trevor was always helping everyone and I paid him to help me in my back garden so he could have some "date" money. He was so friendly and both my husband and my friend's husband took it very hard. We cried for hours. Then I had to take time away to help them out by cooking and baking for Joyce's family. If any of you live in Texas, I'm sure you heard about it. I didn't even have time to go and visit my grandson for his birthday yesterday, but then they took him out to eat and we will see him Monday. Thank you Mary and Nettie for understanding. I am not procastinating---just need to wrap up a few things and since Al is a letter carrier, he will bring it to work on Monday and it will go out in the early morning.
Nettie, I have your address from other swaps. Mary, could you e-mail yours to me. I think you have my e-mail or it's here somewhere. This has been a joy for me and has helped me cope with the anniversary of Moms death August 1st. Thanks for joining the giveaway---it's what I do best, according to Al and it doesn't bother him in the least.

After Mary and Nettie recieve their packages, I will post pictures and let you vote to see if you would like me to do a special Holiday one, so I can get started now---ah heck, you know I'm just going to do it anyway. Love and Hugs, Pat

Sneek Peek

Well here is a sneak peek of part of what you will be getting. I am going to hold off drawing until tonight around 10:pm because there are people who did not state where they are from and no blog, so I have no way of knowing what bowl your name will go in. Remember I have 2 giveaways, one for US only and the other for out of the US, which will still be great, so if those who haven't done this, please let me know on This post if you are out of the US. The out of US will be stuffed with as much goodies as I can get in. So if I don't know if you live in the US (most I know) then your name will have to go into the out of US bowl. Sorry if there was some misunderstanding, but due to high postage, it was the only thing I could do and I wanted a way for ladies outside the US to enjoy my Birthday on the 23rd as much as I do.The globe is not included and there is a huge box filled with other things, but that's a secret.

Love and Hugs, Pat

August Birthday giveaway

I re sized the Birthday Giveaway Tag if you want to spread the word. From now until Friday, I will add more items with each poster. While the "cake" won't fit everything in it, there will be little packages to unwrap as you celebrate my 59Th Birthday on August 23rd. This is my gift for the inspiration I have gotten from regular posters and want you to have a gift from me. More hints each day. A little Christmas! Drawing will be done Friday at 12:pm CT so that it can be mailed on Saturday. If you are the winner, I am asking only one favor and I know it will be hard not to be tempted, but PLEASE don't open until the 23rd. I love all of you and even those who don't visit are welcome to join in, so that maybe we can become friends. I am not wealthy except in spirit and love, but I have always enjoyed giving---my husband can tell you that. Also please post on the previous post and tell me if you are from overseas as yours will be different, but still great. Love and Hugs, Pat