Another loss

My dad's youngest brother, Samuel Claude Meadows, passed away early yesterday morning, surrounded by his family who loved him so so much.  I just know he was greeted by my grandparents, my daddy, my Uncle Kent, Aunt Marlene, and Aunt Imogene when he crossed over!

This picture represents my Uncle Sam well!  His family was most important to him.  My dad was from a tiny town just across the border in Louisiana, about a two hour drive from where we lived.  Growing up we would go over at least once a month, maybe more (seemed like more cause the drive from Lufkin to Jasper always seems sooooo long) and we spent the most time with my Uncle Sam's family because he has two girls the same age as my sister and me.  My Aunt Lana had the sweetest disposition and put up with what had to be constant intrusions into her home when family came to stay.  Big barbeque weekends and play time were great memories I carry from growing up with all my cousins - and family was very very important to my daddy.  Uncle Sam was his youngest brother but to me they seemed the most similar.  Maybe because we all went to church together, or they resembled each other.  And family was very important to him as well.

Every time one of my dad's siblings died it was a loss, because it was also (to me) another piece of him gone.  This one has been hard because I know how hard it will be on his girls, and on his wife.  I am just praying for peace and comfort for all of them, for his grandkids, and his sons-in-law (who I know he treated like his own), and family and friends.  Such is life, but it doesn't mean it's easy.  Thank Heavens we have hope in Christ and we know someday we will all be together again!!

Farmhouse Love

So I've loved "farmhouses" as long as I can remember.  LONG before it was a thing and the most popular designs.  I was born and raised in Texas but I'm a first generation Texan who comes from a long line of Southern tradition families.  Old houses and farmhouse appealed to me long before I knew that was a "style".  My grandmother's house in Louisiana had free standing cabinets and lots of enamelware and metal knobs.  My great-grandparents lived in a big old house on a farm in Tennessee.  I remember making their favorite banana split cake in what seemed like a HUGE farmhouse kitchen.  Every house had iron beds and those good old heavy quilts to sleep under.  I love the smell of real old wood and the thought of memories made in those homes.  The look and feel of those homes and the lives lived in them has always appealed to me.  Then along came HGTV's Fixer Upper and now the popularity of farmhouse style has exploded!

My hubby isn't the "fixer upper" type so we will probably never buy a 100 year old house like I want.  However farmhouse decor is readily available and at great prices.  The Target Bullseye playground is loaded up with items - most are $5 or less!!!  I normally resist going with the crowd, but I've held out long enough.  We've been in our home for 10 years and I haven't really ever made it fully my style in any way.  Time to incorporate something I already loved into my home - even if everyone else is doing it. 

I love the paint colors in my house but I think it's time for a change.  So I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect shade of white/blue/cream that will work.  Sherwin Williams has some awesome colors and I know it's a great product.  I have a few furniture pieces I just want to work over with some paint as well.  Two years ago I didn't even know what Rae Dunn was but I have a few pieces now that I love.  I'm working those in with my old dishes and china that were thrifted and inherited and I love it all!  So stick with me - it will be a long project in the making.  Especially with Wade out of commission with his elbow/shoulder surgeries and limited funds for awhile.  But I'm determined to finally make this home MINE in some way. 

Here's my first start - I found this cute stand at Hobby Lobby (and 50% off!!!) and all the little items in it came from Target, Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree (and TJ Maxx for Rae).  Pretty cute for start and very inexpensive to boot.  And yes - I do have Irish heritage!

Here's to being inspired and making it yours - even if it IS a slow process!

Holidays are Past

The surprise party was a success!  Wade had NO idea - it was a lot of fun!  We enjoyed his friends and the caramel cake our girls made was SO good!

We did family Christmas the week before since all the kids were scattering.  It was different this year, but good.  For actual Christmas we had a quiet 4 day weekend at home, then had to go back to Houston for the post-op check on Wade's elbow.  It's healing nicely.  He got a fancy brace "like JJ WATT's" and we go back at the end of January.  Once he heals the elbow they will redo his shoulder.  It will NOT be fun.

New Year's was also a 4 day weekend and we did nothing! I enjoyed it immensely!  We laid around and watched a LOT of college football.  YAY for an LSU WIN!  I got all the Christmas decorations down and now getting ready for Valentine's.  Target's Bullseye Playground is my newest obsession!  I need to stay out of there for real!!!!  And if I could just find a couple of Rae Dunn Valentine's pieces I'd be happy.

We started a new Bible app on Jan. 1 - it's called ReadScripture.  It's designed to read through the Bible in one year.  So far I like it a lot.  There is a reading, a cool video, then a related verse to read and meditate.  So far we are both on track with it (yes I realize this is only Jan 4!!!)

Wade and I both got back on Keto Jan. 1 as well.  We were ready to stop eating junk and I already feel better.  I'm so glad to know I only gained 2 POUNDS the entire holiday season.  I was down 32 so that's a net loss of 30.  New goal is to lose 20 by March 1.  That's slow for me but I want to lose it slow, acclimate, and keep it off.  That will only leave 40 to final goal weight!  With my big 5-0 coming up this year I intend to reach these goals!!

Well things are about to ramp up again - the kids start basketball, school will be back in session, and all the stuff that goes with the Spring kicks off.  Here's to a blessed, happy 2019 for all of you!!!