I've Been Bad...

I’m on the naughty list since I have neglected my blog…Forgive me. (Tis the Season!)I have been going through a rough patch in my life and pray you’ll stick with me. I’m starting my Christmas break from work today and hope to spend time sharing while I’m home.

For now I will leave you with this…I am strong, or I try to be as strong as I can with my Faith in the Lord. My walk, my journey…is a story to be told…One day. I am grateful for each day, Husband, Son, Daughter, Friend…and so much more. I know my trial will pass…if you are going through trials…Have Faith…

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Exodus 15:2
“The LORD is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

These are some of my favorite scriptures….

Be Good to You! Love You some You...

Smooches,

Lola

Ahhh...Birthdays...

The Hubs had a Birthday over the weekend…and I baked a cake!! Which is not my norm. I also baked Red Velvet Cupcakes…which were Yummo!! I’ll be happy when there all gone so I can stop fighting the temptation of having another. There like chips, you can’t just have one, I promise. Anyway...Betty Crocker I am not. BUT I gave it my all and everything worked out.

We decided rather than waste the money on a tiny $3.00 tube of icing just to write Happy Birthday - to go with something sweet and sour to decorate the top. I think I paid $1.09, that's a buck-o-nine, which does my pocketbook just fine since the cake was on sale for 4/$5.00 and icing 3/$4.00. It all eats just the same, except I saved a few pennies versus buying the store bought kind. 

This is Heidi...she is a Mini-Schnauzer and the Hubs Birthday gift...Pretty cute don't cha think?  

I made him a steak dinner, a cake, and cupcakes...It was a lovely day with the two of us lying around watching a little television...which is not our norm.

Birthdays are a celebration of life. Without this day...we wouldn't have cake or one another...Be Good to You.

Smooches,

Lola

Say It Ain't So!!

We Got Our First Snow!!

Funny how something like the snow can bring Joy and Sorrow. The Joy of "setting" the mood on Christmas...The Sorrow of the harsh cold, dangerous driving hazards and for the ladies, a totally different wardrobe. I don't know about you...but I'm gonna miss my patent leather, open toe high heels. Silly I'm sure, but still sad. I think my shoes will miss me too...he he

With the holiday upon us I try to remember that this season isn't always joyful for everyone involved. This year my heart will remember those who will go without...Ache for their lost loved ones...And for those suffering in these economic times. In these trying times, let us all remember the simple little pleasures no matter the weather. Life is too short. 

As always, Be Good to You! 

Smooches, 

Lola

No Place Like Home...

Can you believe it? I finally took some pictures…it helps now that I have a camera, basic, but gets the job done. Anywho…Welcome to my home. 

The above picture is the view from my front Living Room to the Fireplace Room and Dining Room. Below is my Fireplace Room, which is obvious…I ordered a Sofa that is due to come in ANY day and I can’t wait! 

(Sorry about the coat in the pic)

Below are pictures from my Dining Room. 

Here is my Main Living Room. I love sitting here on my couch and looking out to the other rooms with all the trees lit up and the lights out. Sooo Cozy! 

Going up? The walls here, although hard to tell, are the original to the house. This project will be done AFTER the Holidays are over. For now I think I have a good start....

Kitchen...Again the Obvious...

Just in case you want to know...I bought this house just over a year ago when I moved from North Carolina to Indiana. I still have lots of work to do - BUT am proud of the work I've done thus far. First - we, the Hubs and I, started with changing the color. EVERY room was the SAME, it was a tan color of sorts, and it was depressing. I chose to make each room a soft shade of yellow. The house itself is fairly large and I have lots to do to make it "homey" ...so for now I decided to use what I have and switch things up from one room to the next. I have spent the last several months re-painting, and moving things around to get ready for Christmas. As you will see I have lots of Christmas decor. I'm no decorator by any means, although I enjoy the idea that I could be. I think it is important that the place you call "Home" is a warm and inviting Home. After a year of living here, I finally feel like myself in a place I call Home.  

Find and do the things you Love...Creating an environment that eases the stresses of the day, after all....There's no place like Home! Be Good to You. 

Smooches,

Lola 

Sing to Me....

Greetings! I started my day with breakfast (of course), and Harry Connick Jr. …Listening to a live performance of, “The Way You Look Tonight”. I am such a fan. He has a beautiful voice...Someday I hope to take myself AND my daughter to see him...although my little one fancy's, Michael Buble. … I think both are great!   You can listen here: Harry Connick Jr. 

Some day, when I'm awfully low, 

When the world is cold, 

I will feel a glow just thinking of you... 

And the way you look tonight. 

Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm 

And your cheeks so soft, 

There is nothing for me but to love you, 

And the way you look tonight. 

With each word your tenderness grows, 

Tearing my fear apart... 

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose, 

It touches my foolish heart. 

Lovely ... Never, ever change. 

Keep that breathless charm. 

Won't you please arrange it? 

'Cause I love you ... Just the way you look tonight. 

Mm, Mm, Mm, Mm, 

Just the way you look to-night.

I am excited for the upcoming holidays. My house is 99% done and I can’t wait to take pictures and share…so I hope you’ll come back. I am taking the day off work on Wednesday to JUMP start my Thanksgiving preparations…Until then…Be Good To You!

Smooches,

Lola

Come in...Take a Seat...

I started this blog thinking it would be an inspiration not only for me but my readers. I ponder all the possibilities of what to do or say… In a previous post I made mention that I was working on my house and had hoped to take before and after pictures… I failed. Not at the house, but taking pictures. I've decided after all is said and done I will be sure to post the final results and a little detail to what we (Hubs and Myself) did… and I’m ALMOST DONE! Anyway…moving on...

Here are two sets of chairs I am considering for my dining room:

 OR

Same print, different styles... the green costs about $80 less, BUT I really like the brown... decisions, decisions, decisions... Both sets are from Target and can be viewed here: Green Chairs and Brown Chairs .

As for inspiration... I like the idea of change... whether it is style, decor, wardrobe... Self. There are decisions that have to be made... State of mind. I believe in life you must love who you are. Believe in yourself. Be confident. Make a decision and go with it without all the second guessing...woulda, shoulda, coulda! You could SHOULD all over yourself all day and where would that get you? Now making a decision on what style of chair to go with isn't so heavy...but other decisions... weight a little more. 

I thought of this today... If we have to be careful about what we do, or what we say in fear we will offend someone, are we pretending to be something we are not just to please everyone else? If you love yourself and know your heart, morals, and values are in the "right" place... then be confident with what and who you are... I will spend more time with this blog sharing things like this... my mind runs away with so many positive affirmations... and I can't do it all in one post. HECK I'm just happy if you made it this far in the post to read what I have (had) to say. So Thank you. I appreciate it! 

I hope this finds you well... be who you want to be…Love You some You.

Be Good to You.

Smooches,

Lola

LOVE Actually...

I have to share this link with Hugh Grant from the movie, “Love Actually” – It makes me SMILE and GIGGLE!!! Sooo cute! I watched this movie over the weekend… If you have NOT seen this movie, be prepared... it is not for the “faint of heart”... and by that I mean it is not a traditional Christmas movie, but the LOVE is soooo good!

Hugh Grant Dance in... Love Actually

LOVE LOVE LOVE… so good, and yet so painful. I took a class years ago and the Professor asked us to describe LOVE in one word. Everyone chose words to describe LOVE as: Happy, Butterflies, Family, Children, Friends…not one person chose pain, heartache or sadness. You wouldn’t think these words would describe LOVE, but they do. 

I LOVE to LOVE. I love the feeling of being in LOVE. 

I LOVE my children. I always say, I LOVE them more than any Mother has ever loved their children. I LOVE my wonderful Husband. He treats me like a Queen. You will find I am passionate about my family...AND 

This is my Hubby...so Cute! 

I am passionate about my Friends. I LOVE the feeling you get when you LOVE someone, or something so much. I do this for myself. I LOVE me some Me. I started saying this just over a year ago to myself - to remind myself when the world makes LOVE feel cold, harsh or leaves you feeling bitter, that at least I know to LOVE me some Me. I have the LOVE of my family and friends... BUT it is important that you LOVE you some You! Feel good about who You are and what You do. 

Love you some YOU. LOVE what you do. LOVE the little things, simple little things. Know that life is not perfect... No one is going to roll out the red carpet... Find forgiveness where it needs to be found... And remember to be good to you...

Smooches,

Lola

Humbled...

Robert Frost: The Road Not Taken, 1915

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I feel Humble today… For no apparent reason. I find I want to be somewhere else doing something else… I love to travel... I love the idea of traveling a road less traveled. I need to remind myself to do simple, little things to balance it all out… Life is good, lets remember to tell one another even in trying times. 

Be Good to You.

Smooches,

Lola

Honey "Do" List...

I am the Post-it Queen! Between work, home, appointments and family…I find I can’t function without a Post-it here or there... Sometimes I think I need a Post-it for my Post-it! All shapes, all sizes and any color...

Does this make me sound Hokey or what? I'll say this...the best feeling about Post-its is... When I am done with a "to do" I can simply throw that pretty little piece of paper away. 

Life has been hectic and jotting things down seems to help in the way of sorting everything out. 

This weekend my plan is to put a more inspiring post on my blog. For now...if you got lots "To Do"...get a Post-it or 2! Hey that rhymed! Dork = Me! 

Be good to you.

Smooches,

Lola

This is Good...

Well hello again… I don't know about you... but I am tired after a hectic weekend. I find myself listening to music that comforts me…humbles me.

I love the sound of classical music and today I discovered the sounds of Kevin Kern He plays a beautfiul piano. It amazes me that at the age of only 18 months he began playing! You can hear him here, playing:

Return to Love

With the fall season coming to an end and we Midwesterners gear up for the long cold winter. I try to be inspired by remembering to humble myself and find the good and beauty in all things. Classical music reminds me to take a deep breath and be grateful for each new day, remembering to not get caught up in trivial things that are out of my control.

Just like the weather…

And much like these trees, their time of beauty is short lived as they prepare for the winter season.

As you see…you find beauty in both…although the trees lose their leaves and the snow brings the cold…we should find the good in all things. I’m excited for what’s to come… I love change. I love meeting new people. Life has its challenges and change is hard... But rising to the occasion and knowing the sun will set, and the sun will rise is a reason enough to never give up, no matter what circumstances come your way. I hope you’ll remember to find comfort in times where things seem hectic…What do you like to do? 

Be good to you...

Smooches,

Lola

P.S. A special Thanks goes out to my first follower...Lara. You can find her blog at The Secret Garden. I was such a geek when I saw she signed up...

Another goes to my dear dear friend...Ms. Dani K. I adore you.

Knock Knock...

Hello! And Welcome to my blog. This is something I've been thinking of doing for some time now. I'm going to do my best to make it interesting and hopefully inspiring. Please know I'm not looking to debate serious issues - I believe that there is no right or wrong Q&A's. And all who join should be free of judgment.

Where to begin? Well...hmm, let's start with who I am.  I've been married to my handsome, sweet, and loving husband, Dan for over 17 years, and I'm a mother to two adorable teenagers.  I am very passionate about my family and my friends. I hate to lie. I love to dance, laugh, make others laugh and am incredibly Dorky! As this blog grows, you’ll get to know me better…for now, this is a start. In the matters of privacy, I will keep my family names for myself. Kinda how a Momma Bear is with her cubs...

I’ll leave you with this…forget about the opinions of others and be your best You.

Smooches,

Lola