Making changes

Change is good, right? That's what I've always heard and this has certainly been a summer full of change.
 Yesterday was my last day working at Carolina Window Fashions/Country Comes To Town, a family owned business. I have spent six wonderful years working there so as you can imagine it was a very difficult decision for me. What began as a visit to a shop I saw in a commercial in late 2003 later became a job just to make spending money in late 2004. What a journey. I had no idea what an impact the place, the customers,the vendors or the family would make on my life. 
 About three years ago my friend and then co-worker took a job at a local animal hospital and a while later I had the opportunity to also work there but said no. I don't think I was ready to leave my safety net but recently the opportunity arose again and I saw it as a sign. I prayed about it, discussed it with my husband and even shadowed there on two occasions. I loved it! It really seemed to be the right fit. So, tomorrow will be my first day at the vets office and I am both nervous and excited. One door has closed and a new one has opened for me.
 As you can imagine yesterday was hard. The owners daughter who is the manager and also happens to be my BFF {that's best friend forever, though she jokingly tells everyone it's big fat friend} {which she isn't} will still be there along with Karen, a truly wonderful woman {I wanna be like her when I grow up} and Linda {the owner} who keeps everyone in order. There were laughs and tears but at closing time I walked out the door with memories to last a lifetime.

Lucky for me CWF/CCTT is located just down the street from my new job so I'm sure I'll be stopping in on my lunch break from time to time to visit and do a bit of shopping.

Till next time,

Kimberly: )

Busy, busy Tuesday!

Today has been such a busy day! I'm always off on Tuesday's and it never seems to fail that there are more things to do than hours in the day.
 It started with a trip to Wal Mart to return a cabinet that was way too big for the space I thought it was perfect for and to pick up purple paint samples for Ashton's bedroom walls. She's changing to a comforter we found at JC Penny's online that's strips of purple, black and zebra print fabrics. She's also been cleaning a lot of things out and needed a storage shelf with cubbies which we had to go to Target for. Then we were off to Lowe's to look for magnetic door panel rods, no luck:(   I'm having a very hard time finding these, any ideas? Ash was hungry so we made a quick stop at Burger King then TJ Maxx & Marshall's { I can't come into town without visiting two of my favorite stores} Kirklands to look for a zebra print shoe holder that fits over the door, no luck there either:(

Once I got home I went through some of the pictures stored on my computer and thought I  would add some that I like.

 

I've always liked taking pictures of flowers.

Pictures of a jail at a fort near a beach in North Carolina.

A dragon fly on the meter box outside our house and one on a statue of a seal at the Aquarium at Fort Fisher in North Carolina. I never know what I'll take a picture of so my camera is always in my purse.

Well, I'm off to read up on a few of my favorite blogs and the laundry, vacuuming and housework is patiently waiting it's turn for my attention.

Till next time,

Kimberly: )

Back to school shopping and Pottery Barn

On Tuesday Ashton and I made the hour and a half trip to the Streets At Southpoint Mall in Durham, NC for a bit of back to school shopping. We did some of our shopping here at home but we don't have Abercrombie and Hollister here in Fayetteville. We had lunch and caught up a bit on how her summer in Italy went and hit the floor shopping! I visited all my favorite stores, Chico's, Cache, White House Black Market, Talbots but I behaved. I only browsed. Ashton found a lot of great sales at her two favorite stores, some were an additional 30% off. We got most of what she needed, all that's left is hair, shoes, supplies and we'll be done. After shopping inside the mall we headed to the shops outside.............

Laaaaaaa.............

I've always had to shop Pottery Barn online or by catalog so I was in Pottery Barn heaven. Ashton sat in that comfy leather chair and listened to her ipod while I meandered through the store making two trips around so as not to miss a thing. But again I was good, I didn't buy a thing. But once I have enough saved I know where our next sofa will come from. I love the idea of changing the look of a sofa just by changing the slipcover.

Then I found a new favorite store.............

I so luv, luv this store!!They have everything! Things for the kitchen, bedding, clothing! Ahhh, I wanted one of everything. But again, I was good. Although I did come home with these.............

Aren't they adorable? Seashell measuring spoons. I'm doing a bit of changing things around at our house and eventually I want more of a beachy theme. Colors that are soft and neutral and things that remind me of my favorite place, the beach.

Well, I'm off to get ready for work.

Till next time,

Kimberly: )

It's been a busy three weeks!

I can't believe how fast time goes by. Summer is almost over, it's almost time for school to start. It seems like only yesterday we were trying to get things in order for Ashton to go to Italy for the summer and I was dreading it so much. I kept myself busy and surprisingly the time passed quickly.

My grandmother came to visit for a couple of weeks so Ashton talked her dad into bringing her home a few weeks early so she could surprise her. The day she came home my grandmother asked when she was coming home and I said uh, I'm not sure but soon, so needless to say she was so happy to see her walk through the door that same day. We all shed happy tears, I took the Friday off and we did what girls do best, we shopped. The next day her dad picked her up and they drove to Florida to visit her sister for a few days then to Alabama to visit her great-grandmother then to Tennessee to visit her other grandparents. My grandmother and I left last Saturday for Tennessee, she loved visiting but she was ready to get back home and Ashton was waiting there with my dad to make the trip back home with me on Sunday.

The trip on Saturday started out as most do. Hit the interstate, a bit of traffic but not bad. Just cruising along looking at the beautiful scenery, making good time, should get there within seven hours. Not bad.

But as we got to the Smokey Mountains we ran into this. Traffic down to one lane but still not bad. But then.............

We ran into this. That's right, traffic came to a dead stop. Cars ahead as far as the eye can see.............

And cars behind as far as the eye can see. It took us two hours to drive ten miles. There were three rock slides on the mountain and the crews were hard at work cleaning them up. So what should have been a seven hour trip turned into a nine hour trip. But we still made it before dark. Once there we unloaded the car, visited with my dad a while then Ashton, my grandmother and me drove to My ex-inlaws for a quick visit {we still keep in touch} then we grabbed a quick bite to eat. By this time it was 9:30 p.m. but we still had to stop by Food City to grab a few things then back to my grandmothers to hang some new curtains, sconce and flower arrangement in her bathroom. Whew, by this time it was past midnight and Ashton and I were tired so finally after 1 a.m. we crashed only to get up early the next morning to start the seven hour trip back home.

Since Ashton has her permit she drove the first two hours and we stopped at the rest area at the top of the mountain where we walked around a bit and took pictures.

We walked down to the scenic area to take pictures.

Then it was back on the road. Thankfully this trip was uneventful and though we made several stops for food and gas we made it home safe and sound within seven hours where we were greeted at the door by a very excited Baby and Harley.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Till next time,

Kimberly: )

Back from grandma's house

It always amazes me how fast a vacation can fly by. We had an amazing time at the beach, our first alone time in almost a year and we had a lot of fun visiting my family in Tennessee.

It started with a long road trip through the Smokey Mountains.

There a two tunnels that go through the mountains. Why do people always honk their horns when driving through the tunnels?

It only took us seven hours to get to Philadelphia Tennessee and we made five stops along the way, one was a stop at Starbucks of course. There's nothing better than raspberry swirl pound cake and a hazelnut latte, yummy: ).

Tish and Dan arrived Thursday afternoon to surprise my grandmother. She was so happy to see them she almost cried. On Friday {her 87th birthday} Tish, Dan, my dad & stepmother and Christopher and myself took her to Cracker Barrel for an early dinner. I told the waiter it was her birthday so the staff brought her cake & ice cream and sang happy birthday, she thought that was awesome.

On our way back from dinner we took the bridge across the Tennessee river

We stopped in Loudon to browse through Annabell's Emporium. It's filled with antiques, soaps, lotions, teas and so much more. I'm lucky to have a husband who loves antiquing as much as I do.

On the way back to my grandmother's house we drove up a narrow road to the top of a hill and what a view!

Once back at the house Christopher and I took a walk to the church behind my grandmother's house.

We sat on the steps to watch the sunset.

My grandmother Madge, Tish and me.

Our six month old granddog Sasha.

She is a Chiuaua/Pomeranian mix and so full of energy and so loving. And did I mention she's very spoiled?

We didn't get a chance to visit the Museum of Appalachia. It was way too hot with the heat index the temps felt like 105! We all hope to meet again in the fall to visit the museum and hopefully make the trip to Cades Cove. 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures, thanks for stopping by.

Till next time,

Kimberly: )

To grandmothers house we go!!

Today Christopher & I start the second half of our vacation. We are going to visit my grandmother in Tennessee. As I mentioned in yesterdays post she will turn a very young 87 this Friday. My daughter Tish and her husband Dan are arriving tomorrow to surprise her and on Friday we have family coming to her house for a surprise birthday get together. My dad has been getting in touch with my grandmothers sister, brother and nieces and nephews to let them know about the get together we are planning. She's always so willing to do for others now it's our turn to do for her. While there Christopher and I plan to get her out of the house for shopping or whatever she wants to do. She doesn't know how to drive so she doesn't get out much other than the basics, hair, dental and doctor appointments, grocery shopping. And hopefully we can convince her to visit the Museum of Appalachia. It is only and hour away from her home and I think it would be a fun day for her to get out for a picnic and some sight seeing. Then on Sunday she will come home with us to visit for a couple of weeks. Ashton is trying to get a flight home from Italy next week to surprise her because my grandmother still thinks she won't be home till late next month. I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to post when we get back home. We will be traveling through the Smokey Mountains and the area where my grandmother lives is in the foothills. Lots of beautiful scenery.
Till next time,
Kimberly: )

Back from Kure beach

The past few days simply went by WAY too fast! But isn't that always the way it is with a vacation? Christopher & I left early Sunday afternoon for a few days away at our favorite spot, Kure Beach NC. We love vacationing there because the pace seems to be a bit slower. I think the "older" crowd {like Christopher & me} go there. We always stay at the Admirals Quarters and always ocean front, there's nothing better than waking up to a view of the ocean.

Then we took a walk on the fishing pier which is next to our hotel.

And took pictures of the pelicans that are always ready to pose.

We set the clock for 5am so we could go walk the beach for shells.

But I think we hit snooze till 6am, made some very yummy Hawaiian Hazelnut coffee for energy and hit the beach. We were surprised that we spent over two hours walking the beach for shells. I am always amazed at how easily I lose all track of time walking along the shore. All of life's worries seem to melt away and the shoulders seem a lot lighter. The thoughts seem to ramble in no particular direction and time seems to stand still. At night we took flash lights out to the beach and watched the crabs come to shore and then race back to the water. After two mornings of scouring the beach we had a bucket full of shells. My grandmother who will turn 87 this Friday always loved walking the beaches of Wilmington, NC looking for tiny shells. She has an inner ear imbalance now that makes if very difficult for her to walk up the three steps to her front door let alone walk the beach for shells, so that was her one request from this trip. Pick me up some little shells she said. So Christopher & I found enough to fill a jar for her. Something so simple can mean so much.

After our time on the beach we took the 35 minute ferry ride over the Cape Fear River.

Which took us to the beautiful town of Southport filled with gift and antique shops.

and restaurants.

A few things we saw on our ferry ride back to Kure Beach.

Once the ferry ride was over we headed to our favorite place to eat.

Jack Mackerel's has the BEST food. For lunch Christopher had the Fish & Chips {their own recipe} and I had the Cajun Burger with fries {their own seasoning}. Yummy. We love this place so much, in fact, we ordered take out for dinner. Folks let me tell ya, their Calamari and Coconut Shrimp appetizer, heavenly. We split an entree of shrimp, scallops and fried oysters. We eat there every time we're in town and have never gotten anything we didn't like. Along with this wonderful late night dinner we had Mango Passion Martini's {Christopher's personal recipe}, perfection. Around 10:30 p.m. we headed back out to the beach for a much needed walk.

And today, before heading home, we visited the Fort Fisher Aquarium.

Where we saw many cool things, like this guy.

And this big fella.

The Jelly Fish were pretty cool too but not like the one we found washed up on the beach last night.

The Finding Nemo{not their real name} fish are my personal favorites.

We lunched one last time at Jack Mackerel's {did I mention that we love this place?} then one last look before heading home.

Thanks for stopping by friends,

Till next time,

Kimberly: )

  

I have been inspired!

Good evening blog friends! Temps here in Fayetteville was in the mid 90's today and just before leaving work the skies seemed to open up to the worst downpour I've seen in quite a while but the closer to Hope Mills I got the skies were blue.
I had to stop at Food Lion for creamer, can't have coffee without it, and by the time I came out it was looking very rainy.

In a previous post I mentioned a few changes here at home. Since starting my blog I have been a follower of  the nester. Though our home looked okaay, It just didn't have "that" feel I was hoping for when I walked through the door. So, anyway, while surfing through her previous posts I found her window mistreatments and I really liked her style. So, thus the inspiration. Then I found the fabrics (from a previous post at Hobby Lobby) and decided I would make a balloon shade out of the check fabric.

Then I found these FREE instructions on how to make a balloon shade!

Uh, ya. Have you ever read those things? I mean really, it's like you need a four year degree or something. Scratch that idea. But then I thought I could do it my own way. So, two yards of fabric and 40 plastic rings later........

I came up with this {not a good picture, I apologize} but I think you can get the gist of it. And 6 1/2 yards of toile fabric later

this is the mistreatment I came up with and all because I fell in love with those red check curtains! But I have to say that it was so easy even a caveman could do it {sorry I couldn't help myself}. Rest assured there will be more projects to follow, but I'm guessing you're a little tired by now so I'll save those for another day.

Thanks so much for indulging me.

Till next time,

Kimberly: )