WE HAVE A WIN-E-E-E-R-R-R-R-R-R-R!!!

the VINTAGE APRON GIVEAWAY!

There's nothing more exciting than finding out who the winner is of one of my blog giveaways!
I almost get goosebumps. . .hoping, hoping, hoping that the winner is someone that really loves the giveaway.

And, I got my socks blessed off yesterday when the Random Picker-outer (my dear mum) pulled out STEPHANIE ZOLLER @ tatuedmomof4@aol.com!! When I read her post I knew the winner was someone that was going to treasure my precious vintage apron!

I have loved reading y'all's entries and knowing that I was giving away a treasured goodie that brought so many wonderful ladies to my blog to enter! Thank you for taking the time to be a part of my life - I so appreciate it.

The other giveaway on my blog is below and ends on April 10th so make sure you've entered it! It's a really good one, too!!

Thanks to my loyal readers for making me realize that writing my blog is blessing people. You know I love you!

XOXO,

. . .Jan

JUST ONE MORE POST AND THEN I PROMISE!!!....

Oh, my goodness, now don't get upset with me.
Feel sorry for me.
My computer made me cry today.
Well, it wasn't exactly the computer that made me cry; it was the stupid new software I bought, Photo Explosion Deluxe.
The word "deluxe" should have been a clue.

You see, I had to get a new computer. Frank Two Pies' computer crashed and since his computer skills are *shhhhhh* laughable, I told him that I would get the new computer and he would get mine.
Makes sense, doesn't it?
I have/had Vista on my computer and hated it and was so excited to get a new computer with XP.
Ahhhhhhhh, XP. No more Vista.
Well, no more "I know it like the back of my hand" software program either - it couldn't be transferred because going from Vista to XP is going backwards in the world of Bill Gates.
When you really think about Vista, however, you realize how stupid that sounds.

But, alas, I couldn't take my Microsoft Picture It 9 with me so I had to buy a new program.
An easy program simply for fixing the photos of my art for my shops, that's all I wanted.
I have Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (don't ask) but I don't have six weeks to learn it.

I needed a software program that I could use NOW.

So, I wasted all day yesterday trying to find a store online and in San Antonio that had my baby.
Nowhere to be found.
So I buy the new software program thinking to myself, "How hard can it be to learn??? It's only 40.00". And by bedtime last night I was in tears.
And, then this morning found me crying, trying to make it work.
It's a stupid program. Don't buy it.

Then, tonight, my over-used, very decayed, not-all-there, brain kicked in and I remembered,

DER - Picture It 9 is still on Two Pies computer!!
YOU IDIOT.
YOU OLD, OLD WOMAN.

So, I've taken some pictures of what I think would make lovely Easter presents and simply must get them before you as Easter is but a few days away! I need to get them listed in my shops, and I will, but first, my blog.
And then..........................THE NEXT GIVEAWAY! Why, I've already got the post ready to go - just want to give y'all a few days to buy up all of these banners I've made (Just leave your email on your comment telling me which one you want and I'll catch ya later. Don't dally - they're going to go like hot cakes. LOL).

Here ya go - my labors of love...............

A close-up of "R and I" to give you a better idea of what it looks like. Those are glittered eggs hanging between each banner flag - so darling!

And, "N and G".

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OH, MY GOSH!!! Am I seeing this right??? Have I not looked at this picture a hundred times?

Did I not make this banner?

Do I not know how to spell "NEST"??? ROTF!!

It will be fixed tomorrow, I promise!! *still laughing and shaking my head!A couple of close-ups so you can see how the banner would look with just two letters. hahaha

Okay, I'm off to bed. I'm obviously fried.

I love all of you, my sweet readers!! That's the only reason I can post such a mistake! LOL

.

XOXO,

. . .Jan

LIVING IN GRATITUDE

Today one of my dearest blogger friends, Tina of Sweetina, blessed my blog with TWO awards!
I am delighted and humbled to be so highly thought of by one of my readers.
I have been surprised recently, within the last four months or so, shocked, actually, to find readers *that I refer to as "lurkers"* that I didn't even know I had, when they have reached out to me for whatever reason. (I'm pretty sure my h.s. English teacher would be wincing after reading that sentence!)
I have been so blessed by all of my readers, especially the ones I "know" by their comments.
But, every time I post I am also very aware of the readers that choose to remain 'anonymous'.

My blogging is more than an online journal.
It's me sharing my life with you in an attempt to bless you.
My readers enrich my life and are the reason I fight for time to blog.

Thanks, Tina, for the awards, but more importantly, for being such a sweet friend.


THE LEMONADE AWARD is awarded to bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude.

Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you are to pass it on to other bloggers that you think show great attitude and gratitude.


The authors say that the blogs who receive the following award are exceedingly charming.
This blog invests in PROXIMITY in space, time, and relationships.
These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends.
They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement (is that a word???).
Their hope is that even more friendships will be made.

Upon receiving these awards, you also pass them on to other bloggers that you think show great attitude and gratitude. They also care more about the relationships made through their blogging then they do awards, prizes or "strokes".

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logos on your blog.

2. Nominate at least 8 blogs which show great attitude and or gratitude.

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

In going through my list of favorite blogs, ones that bless me when I read them, I choose to pick the bloggers that are so good at staying in touch with me and my blog, even when I'm so busy with life that I feel like I'm neglecting them. What I'm trying to say is that these bloggers don't read my blog because I read theirs. They keep up with me because they have great attitude and live their lives in gratitude - and keeping up with me is one of the blessings that comes from the way that they live their lives.

Clear as mud, huh.

MY CHOICES TODAY:

1. Tina of Glue on my Fingers

2. Cindy of Yapping Cat Studio

3. Mindy of Primitiques 'N Poetry

4. Rhonda of Rhonda Mum

5. Chas of The Wild Raspberry

6. Pam of Pam Warden Art

7. Teresa of Cedar Junction Studio

8. Sally of My Little Blog Spot

Congratulations to all!!!

(I understand if anyone awarded does not accept awards or tags on their blogs. If that is the case, then simply know that you are very appreciated and adored!) *as are all of my readers!!*

XOXO,

. . .Jan

"I got AWESOME!!!"

The 7 year old little girl was walking through the lobby of the Radisson Hotel, downtown Kalamazoo, this afternoon.
She was all bundled up for the weather and was following her mom and little sister to the lobby door.
As she walked, she concentrated on eating Valentine candy hearts out of a little bag.
I couldn't help but notice her....walking, picking out one heart at a time, sticking it in her mouth and chewing it up.

Her friend and her friend's mother had ridden the escalator to the mezzanine and were walking along the railing. But the little 7 year old girl was too involved in picking out the hearts, one by one, and reading what was written on each one before she popped it in her mouth, to pay attention to anything around her.

As I stood watching her, she pulled out one of the candy hearts and time stood still as she suddenly stopped.....turned the heart over in her hand.....read it.....and in the high, shrieking voice of a 7 year old girl, she held her hand in the air as she turned towards her friend and screamed,

"I got "AWESOME"!! I got "AWESOME"!!"

It was one of those moments in life that is simply precious.
It was so sweet, so honest, so natural, so precious that I am still re-living it.
I don't want to lose it.
I want to remember it forever.

XOXO,

. .Jan

CHRISTMAS DAY WAS FULL OF.............LAUGHTER!

Hi, y'all! and, Merry Christmas! I just had to post this in red to celebrate Christmas - I sure hope you can read it.
Okay, enough red, let's get really festive and write this in PINK! heehee. It's late,......I'm in the sitting area of our bedroom listening to Frank the Tank snore,
my studio dog, Ben, is "passing gas" which, btw, can make you breathe through your shirt,
the house is quiet as everyone is in bed,
but, I had to stay up and post this ON Christmas - then I'll go to bed.
This is a great time to reminisce about this special day of family, faith and the overwhelming love I have for my boys. Our day started out with opening presents.
I made a huge mistake of having Santa give our three "boys", ages 18, 21 and 23, these air guns that shot the large marshmallows.
Yeah.
BIG mistake, but so funny that I couldn't breathe! You should have seen those "young adults".
Best gift Santa could have given them.

The afternoon was filled with the boys and their good friend, Brat, visiting while I made supper.
I'm not bragging when I say this. I'm stating a fact...................Blake and Clay are a SCREAM.
Making Christmas supper has never been so much fun!
About 9 p.m. Blake wanted to take the "Christmas picture" so I found my camera and we headed to the dining room.
The background isn't the best, actually it's pretty bad, but there are stools at the bar and we like the way the boys can situate themselves.
Before I show you the pictures that were taken,
I want to ask you if you have ever seen the YouTube "mother's day" with Barats and Bereta?
(if you can't get there from this link, go to http://www.youtube.com/ and in the "search box" type in "mother's day". it should be the first one listed. You must see it!)
IT IS A SCREAM AND ALL I COULD THINK OF AS WE HAD OUR "PHOTO SHOT".
During our time with the camera clicking away, I felt like I was working with 1st graders during all of this 'fun'.....you know 1st grade boys -
they pee on the floor instead into the toilet,
they cut the bangs off the little girl sitting next to them *Clay*,
they think it's so funny to say the really bad words {shut-up, stupid, pee...} and watch little girl's reactions..........
The boys had the best time being simply foolish and, of course, I can't breathe once again!
Here they are, the pics.................Merry Christmas said with laughter because of the memories of this special day make the BEST MEMORIES.

FYI, Clay is on the left, age 18, freshman at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Blake is in the middle, age 21, senior at UMHB,
and Craig is on the right, age 23, soon to be graduate of the University of San Angelo, and a police officer on the San Angelo P.D.

......words are not necessary........

I went through all of that to get this.....through i really like the muscle one. LOL
It's now tomorrow [1:15 am.], the day after Christmas, and the memories are the same - precious.

How blessed am I to have such good guys that can have so much fun with their old mom?

I sincerely hope that your Christmas was joy filled and that you remembered *and celebrated* the reason for this holiday - the birth of the King.

If you didn't have a joyful day, please let me know - sometimes it helps to talk about the things in our life that keep us from being joyful and I would be honored to talk to you. polkadotbarn@gmail.com

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I love you,

.

XOXO,

SOMETIMES I'M JUST IN THE MOOD TO CREATE "SWEET AND PRETTY"

Hi, you sweet girls!
When my middle child, Blake, who is 21 now, was 5 years old, he wanted a kitty for his birthday present.
I took him to the local humane society and followed that darling child around the cat and kitten pens two times while he studiously made his decision.
When he had finally decided which kitty he wanted, I asked him what he wanted to name her.
After several moments of quiet contemplation he said in his soft little voice, "I think Sweet and Pretty Kitty".

You know, sometimes you look at something and you can't help but think "sweet and pretty".
That's what I thought when I looked at these cards I finished this evening.
Fabulous papers, beautiful tags, precious girls, rub-on swirls, ribbon, lace and flowers, rick-rack and tiny seed beads {on the card below}.
I wish you could see the detail in the cards better, but, you know what?
I don't have the time nor do I have the inclination to take more photos and all that entails to show you the detail.....just look closer at the pictures. LOL

That's my hint that I'm exhausted and am going to bed.

I am reading a fabulous book *Tiger's Child by Torey Hayden* and my Mary mag is waiting for me to devour it!

So, goodnight, my sweet friends.

Thank you for reading my blog post!

And, if you're a regular reader, thank you for your support.

Nightie-night!

XOXO,

Jan

THE LORD IS NEAR.....

I wanted to show y'all my newest card design before I listed it in my Etsy store.
My dear friend, Deena Warner, had this picture of this most sweet girl tenderly holding a beautiful dove close to her heart. I fell in love with it and asked her if I could use it in a piece of art and she graciously agreed to share with me.

The scripture at the bottom of the front of the card that I created is from Psalms and I think it goes perfectly with the sweet picture.

I added soft glitter to the dress and cut the pretty blue paper with the scripture on it with decorative scissors.

Twelve of the cards I made are on this soft pink floral patterned paper.

And there are three cards with the green floral. I'm sure you can see that both the picture and the scripture are a bit larger.
It's called a mistake but as we all know, in art there are no mistakes. Thus, three cards that are just a wee bit different - LOL!

And, as always, a coordinating envelope to complete the package. I love this card. I love the picture and I love the scripture with the picture.
As I said before, it's going to be listed in my Etsy store, hopefully tonight.

Thanks for taking the time to read yet another fascinating post!

XOXO dear ones,