It's almost here...

...Mother's Day, that is! 

When I saw this quote a week or so ago, I KNEW that I wanted to make something with it, and I knew it needed to be a class.  Since Mother's Day is approaching and us mothers tend to get a bit sentimental, it seemed fitting to work on it and offer the class now.  ("Now" being Monday, May7 at 6:00)

I found myself pondering the prayers I prayed (and still pray) for my children, and how this quote can be taken in thought in two different directions.  I have a few friends who have diligently prayed for a child, who have had trouble conceiving or carrying their babies.  I am happy to report that those friends all have babies of their own now, and all of the prayers for these children worked...in HIS time, not ours.  (Imagine that!)

Then, I think about how I never prayed for a child.  Not like they did.  It's funny..I never prayed to be blessed with children, yet my world has revolved around my prized possessions, my children, since I was the ripe "old" age of...hold on to your seats, please...15.  Yes, I was 15 years old when I found out that I would be having a baby.  I was scared to death, but I immediately started praying for the child that God had given me.  Fast forward a little while, and at age 17, I found out that I would be blessed with another gift from God.  And I immediately started praying for that child, as well.  Fast forward a very long time....and at age 28, I found out that I would be receiving a third miracle from He who thought I should not be done rearing children too soon.  And guess what I did?  Yup...I started praying. 

I often think about how differently my life could have turned out had I not been blessed, blessed, and re-blessed with the best things that have ever happened to me, and I am in awe that God knew *exactly* what I needed, and gave me those gifts, without me asking.  He knew just what I needed and when, even if the timing did seem kind of wonky and scary to me at the time.  :)  I mostly think that I would not have *chosen* to have children, but then, what 15 year old really does, ya know?  So maybe I would have later on down the line...nevertheless, I was given the three best surprises ever when God chose to allow me to be Mommy to Katie, Mama to Kevin, and Mom to Anna.  I thank Him each and every day that He has given me to be with my children, my friends, my anchors, my purpose, my life, for without them, I would be lost.

I love you, Katie Lynn Key.  I pray for you daily.
I love you, Kevin Allen Key.  I pray for you daily.
I love you, Anna Lucia Key.  I pray for you daily.

Thank you, Jesus, for these gifts you have given me, and help me to treat them as the jewels that they are day in and day out, and never to take them for granted.

Togetherness

I've been speaking with someone special lately about things that relationships need in order to thrive and grow. There are three things that I've told my sisters and my children that they *must* find in the one they decide to settle down with, and one of them is to have similar interests in any way(s) possible. This means you enjoy they same thing, yes, but it also means there should be a give and take of liking the other person's interests as well. I will use PiePie and Honey's relationship as an example. While they like a lot of the same things (yahtzee, baseball, decorating/remodeling, etc, etc, etc....) they also participate in different things that the other likes. A good example of that is the toy chest below....it is a mixture of PiePie's love of building things and Honey's love of making them colorful...and so together, the box is built and finished. I must be onto something there, because as I was "watching" Oprah last week or so, she had a relationship specialist on and although I wasn't really listening, I tuned in when I heard her say that without togetherness, relationships really couldn't last...and so when PiePie called me to the garage later and I really didn't feel like being out in the cold.....I went anyways. Because a successful relationship not only is about togetherness, but also has participants that are willing to give as well as take.

Happy Friday....

On Giving

Today, I get to give to someone who has given to me repeatedly. Someone who is virtually a stranger to me in this big ole world, but yet stranger she is not. Each day, I go into the local gas station and get my cherry slush, and each day, I am greeted with her voice calling, "Good morning, Beautiful!" and no matter the day, the weather, the mood, I simply smile...can't help it. It just comes. Every morning, she gives me a smile; a cheerful start to my otherwise dreary (as of late) mornings. And everything is better after a smile because someone called you beautiful, no? I think yes.

Lately, she's been gone. Not working. Not there to greet me. And you know what? I quit going in and getting those sugar-filled drinks I don't need anyways. My days have not started the same way, and I miss my friend, the friend who made me smile every morning, the friend who, no matter what, always was cheerful...the way I strive to be and sometimes don't quite make.

I'm excited today to be able to see this friend after a month of no contact. Oh, how I miss her! I was thinking on the way to town this morning that I want to ask her about her family, about her brothers and sisters, about her children and does she have grandchildren? I think I need to know! I want to tell her about my kids, and make friends with her in a more real way than a smile each morning at the gas station. I'm really super excited to do this, did you know? :)

Here's the part about giving I was going to talk about: receiving is also giving a gift. It is giving a gift to those who love you and want to do something for you, to make your day better, to help you out, to give YOU a smile, and Brenda did not hesitate to give me that gift when I spoke with her. Immediately, I got directions to her house, and her order for breakfast, with no argument. It doesn't get any easier than that, does it!? (I just hope I can find her house!) I am so stinking excited to walk in, hand her her egg biscuit, and give her a hug and call her beautiful that I'm like a kid at Christmas, waiting until the exact moment that I can open a present. This will be the first in a line of many gifts I will receive from Brenda because I will be going to visit her often...as often as I can, and helping her any way I can, with a smile upon my face, because I believe that's what God put us here to do: to help and uplive our neighbors as we would like to be helped and uplifted ourselves.

Brenda won't be returning back to work for a long time, if ever. She was just diagnosed with cancer in several parts of her body plus leukemia. (I probably spelled that wrong.) It's been there a while, but it became not-ignorable about a month ago, and she learned all of that information at once, when she went to the ER thinking she had the flu or some such annoying germ. When she told me all of this, while she was at work, she had a smile on her face and told me just as if she was telling me it is supposed to rain on Thursday but clear off and be a beautiful day on Friday. I hope I can act like that in times of distress, be that peaceful, lean on my God in that way, and show others that I believe that God really is in control and will take care of us as only He can do.

So the moral of the story is that when someone wants to do something nice for you, or to help you, don't argue; let them do it, and tell them thank you, because, after all, you don't want to steal the joy that comes from helping away from them, now, do you? I thought not.

Smile at someone today, be kind to a stranger, for you never know when that stranger may need it more than you could imagine...and it may come right back around and bless YOU in the end.

Happy Thursday!

I find myself with nothing to say.

Soooo....since it is a rainy, dreary kind of day here in middle Tennessee and I seem to have some sort of an umbrella fettish, here is a photo to keep you, dear reader, happy and coming back for more. I'll see if I can do a better job tomorrow. Promise.

F is for Fabulous, Fashion, and Fun

I really want this book: I could be a What Not to Wear j-u-n-k-i-e if only I were home to watch each day at 11:00 or had the ability to record it. Alas, I do not, so I just wish that I could watch it, especially as I'm getting dressed each day. I love Clinton and his wit, and I love to read, so therefore, I deem this book worthy of being on my want list. Granted, I probably will never need to know a lot of the things that he talks about....I can't think of a time in this lifetime that I've needed to know where the silverware goes or how to decorate, but still.....I want this book. What books are on your "want" list?

There is something about reading (and owning) books that in and of itself is enough to make anyone want one...or a thousand or two. I like the convenience of my Nook Color at night, because I don't have a place for a lamp and Honey can't be disturbing PiePie's slumber, so the Nook is the perfect solution, but I don't like the idea of paying for a book that I can't hold and file on my bookshelf when all is said and done. Virtual just doesn't cut it for me. I guess I'm just too tactile for that. I couldn't digi scrap, I wanted paper. I love to sew and collect fabric....I love the feel, the texture, the patterns. I like to think I inherited that from my Granny who couldn't walk through a row of fabric without touching even if you offered her a million and one dollars. I remember Gramps laughing at us as we both would go through the rows of fabric, touching, touching, touching....you just have to touch! Back to the books...do you keep yours when you're done with them? Are you ever really done with them? Do you go back and read them again?

Leave me a comment and direct me to your answer, please! I am curious!

Happy Sunday!

Meet the In-Laws...

Makayla took this photo at the nursing home a few weeks back. I figure that if I am going to talk about them often, and I will, that you should know who they are! These two have been so good to me....they took me into their family and loved me and my children regardless of circumstance, heresay, and rumors. Unconditionally. How often do you get that, I mean REALLY...how often do you get that? I've been twice-blessed with in-laws that love me...more than many see in one lifetime, I know. I am a lucky girl. Any prayers you wanna send up for Barb and Carl (or Granny and Papa) are appreciated...both have numerous health issues, and both need all the help they can get, so pray away! (Thank you.) That's all for today. Happy Saturday.

Confirmation.

See that quote up there ^^^^ by the ever-popular John Lennon?

My daughter (up there ^^^) left that for me on my facebook wall. You know how sometimes you get little glimpses that tell you you have done right or good, when you are least expecting them? When I read this quote, I had one of those moments. It was confirmation, at least in my eyes, that the "work" I do to make sure and stay happy and be a good role model (at least in that manner) has done some good; has sunk in.

I looked up the definition of the word, "confirm," and I found that among other definitions, the word means "to make valid" or "to add strength to". I shall take that strength with me into this brand-new day that I have ahead of me, and I shall try my very best to continue to be that role model each and every day. After all, we only have one life to live, and we might as well do it happily, right? I challenge you to do the same.

Have a happy Monday! :)

So I'm 18 Days Late....

but at least I showed up! (Better late than never, right?) I said I was going to start blogging on January 1....oops.

Let's see...I think I shall make this a catch-up post, then really start sharing random things afterwards.

In case you care to know:

*I've been busy being happy.

*We have Kevin signed up for the Nashville Auto Deisel College.

*Kate starts "hair school" on Thursday of this coming week.

*Anna is still so stinking cute it should be illegal.

*Makayla is done (I mean d-o- n-e) with basketball. Whew!

*I got a new tattoo.

*The store is going well.

*Mark is busy taking care of us, the dogs, and any and everything else that needs to be done because he is Mr. Wonderful, and taking care of us is what he does best.

*We are caring for Mark's parents, and it is proving to be quite the job. I'm running 8 days a week, 26 hours a day. I'm tired.

*I'm happy.

*I think that's all. If I forgot something, feel free to ask.

See ya tomorrow!

A Lesson From the Dogs

...which are sometimes the very best lessons of all....

...and so I open.

For as long as I can remember, my sisters, my mother, and I have always dreamed of opening a store. Preferably together, but all of us would have accepted alone if that were the only option at hand. Being that we are all two hours away from any sister in all different directions, alone, sadly, would appear to be the only option for us, if any. Thankfully, I am the one who has been able to step into "storehood" and open an actual shoppe. This is bittersweet, because in my mind, our store (the five of us equalling "our") would have been similar to the tea room we all love and adore. There would be food, crafts, knick knacks, and who knows what all mixed in. We would all be there, happily chatting with our customers and each other, enjoying the fact that we were able to realize a dream come true. In reality, my store, Perry's Paradise, does not have food, sisters, or a mom....it only has me and also the PiePie...at least in support, at best in the store. Thankfully, it also has Debbie (and not my mom, Deb), who takes photos and fills the room with her cheerful presence whenever she is around. Being here with her is easy; sharing a room with her is comfortable. I'm so thankful for the friendship we have and that it *works*. (You know what I mean, right?) So there you have it....I am officially a store owner! I've shared with you the welcome on our door, which the rain promptly removed, which I promptly replaced with indoor writing utensils rather than window paint outdoors! I was able to practice my mirror writing skills, even, as I drew the new "welcome" and hibiscus for our visitors....it's not every day that I get to practice that skill! I will be showing you around our store and inviting you in to see what we have to offer as the days go by, but I will also be sharing every day life with you (including the things that the Nanna comes up with, as always) as we go. Stay tuned! There is a lot of eye candy in a very small place for me to share with you!

Today's quote comes to us from Mark Twain: "Apparently, there is nothing that cannot happen today."

See you tomorrow!

At Long Last.....

...I am here to blog. I dunno why, but even though I *think* about blogging every day, I don't *think* of something to say every day these days. Sorry about that! However, today's post is the grand post of all posts because it is the sneaky peaky of the store.....and I *know* you all want to see that! (If not, don't bust my bubble, K? Thanks.)

This is just a collage wall of some things that I thought were deserving of a wall in our store....just because I said they were. That and because I love to mix up a bunch of things that don't "match", but yet "match". It works...and I like it.

Here is a little look-see of my desk....I loved her when I first layed eyes on her, and I love her now that she is cleaned up, yet still old, and she will remain all mine. Again...because I said so.

That's it for now....but stay tuned for tomorrow's episode...I will be showing off our mascot(s) and who knows what else!

Entertainment.....

Just Sayin'

Dear Mom and Dad,

There are some things that have popped up in my recent expeditions that have brought to my attention that I need to thank you for a few things. Stay with me here....

1. Thank you for teaching me to have a need for people even when you don't need to use those people.

2. Thank you for teaching me that it is ok to lean on shoulders as much as I need, but it is not ok to stand on those shoulders in order to get what I want, or where I want to go.

3. Thank you for teaching me to look out for others first, then myself...not vice versa.

4. Thank you for teaching me to have respect for people I love, and in turn, they will respect me.

5. Thank you for teaching me to be a pleasant person to be around, and on that note, thank you for teaching me that it is true that the best makeup a girl can wear is her smile. (Dunno who to attribute that to....it's not my own.)

6. Thank you for teaching me that being snide and snippy and sarcastic is not becoming. Ever.

7. Thank you for teaching me the Golden Rule...do unto others as I would have them do unto me.

8. Thank you for teaching me not to be lazy, but to jump in and get the task at hand done, and with a smile.

9. Thank you for loving me when you had to teach me these things, for it has taught me to love my own children while I try to teach them those same things.

10. Thank you for just being you for me.

I love you.....

All I need to know about life......

.....I learned at Motown Pizza.

1. I have great friends that care about me lots!

2. I have muscles in the backs of my arms that I never knew that I had!

3. Perry's Paradise is (and will be) well-supported.

4. Strawberry pizza pie is really good stuff.

5. I now know why old people "shuffle" instead of walk. Just sayin'. (And I'm not even old yet.....)

Senior Escort, Homecoming 2011

My baby boy, all grown up..... ...as the Senior baseball escort of one lucky young lady! (Not prejudiced in any way, nope not me....just sayin'!)

If you'll allow me just two minutes to be a bit nostalgic, I would like to reminisce. I'll try not to over-run my time slot.

It seems like only yesterday, I couldn't wait to find out if I was having a boy or a girl. To be cliche, I really wanted a healthy baby, but to be selfish, I wanted it to be a boy. After all, I had a girl, and the "perfect" family, that was at least ideal to me, was a mom, a dad, a brother and a sister. Anything else was just extra fun, but having both a boy and a girl was something I really wanted. You can imagine how excited I was to find out that I was going to have a boy. The name-selecting process began....nope, not that one because it reminds me of so-and-so. You wanna name him what!?!?! I don't think so! What do you think of this...? That might be a contender. And so on and so forth. I knew that I wanted my son to have his dad's middle name, so Allen was a given. When we ran across "Kevin", we knew it was the one. End of story, nuff said. We had our name: Kevin Allen Key. Next, it was time to daydream about the baseball player we hoped to have. (One of the commonalities his dad and I had, for sure.) I can clearly see his photo in his little baseball sleeper, then one in his baseball onesie, sitting up. Next comes the one with his Little Tykes weeble-like tee, big chubby red plastic bat, and a huge go-get-em-tiger smile....then a photo of him in his dad's old high school jersey, jersey touching the floor and short sleeves made long on such a little body. I remember the phone call we got asking if we would be interested in coaching a tee-ball team, and so we did. I can name every team he was on, every position he played, and I may have lost count of all of his home runs, or "touch downs" as his Memaw would call them. I remember standing at 3rd base, for this was the base I coached during games, hearing the lookers-on talk about that "Kevin Key kid", and I remember hearing their questions: "Who is that kid playing 1st base?" Or "What an awesome pitch! That kid has a great arm!" And all the while, they didn't know that his mama was right there, listening to them, proverbial buttons popping off her proud chest. I remember vying for the number 6 jersey each year at all-star time, because that was his number, no matter what. (It was also his dad's number, which made it all the sweeter.) I have so many memories of this boy and that sport called baseball. I could write a book. (I suppose you are thinking I am well on my way, right?) I remember how serious we took each game, and I know now that perspective changes as I watch his very younger sister play her tee-ball games as a MUCH more mellowed-out mom and fan than I was all those years ago. I remember telling him to never think he was the best, but to always work towards being the best. To always remember there is always something to learn, and to never think he knew it all. The day that he thought that, I would tell him, would be the day that in all actuality, he knew nothing. I remember telling him that we did not have a "name" and that if he wanted to play ball as he went through the leagues and then on into high school, he would have to play well enough to make a name for himself so that he could not only make the team, but so that he could have playing time. I remember how he would go out with his brother and use sticks and rocks to play ball. I remember how they would stay for hours on end, throwing and catching, pitching and hitting; Kevin and Wyatt....a force to be reckoned with. I know now that all those hours of sticks and rocks, sweat and blood, games and practices paid off. I know that time has flown as he was accepted to play on his high school team as a Freshman, played as both a Sophomore and Junior, and is now anticipating the start of his Senior year as a starting player. I wonder where all the time has went from all those yesterdays until today....could it really be that my son, my baby, is head and shoulders taller than me? Is a Senior and will be graduating and moving on to whatever God sees fit to deliver next in his life? It was only yesterday that he was at bat, smacking that ball right off the tee, dreaming of the day when he would have the power to knock one over, stand and watch as it went out, the jog around the bases, and now, we're here, experiencing just those things. I'd like to think that I enjoyed every sweaty minute of the road from there to here, and I know that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat, for those moments on that field, watching him learn not only about baseball, but about life have shaped my son into the person that he is today. Oh, how very proud I am of that person, and I'm not just talking about his madd hott baseball skills, either! :) Kevyboy, your Mama is prouder than proud of the person you are, and looks forward to seeing what you do during the next step in your life, for I know you are a mighty force to be reckoned with, and you will do great things for many people. I love you more than you could possibly know. <3

A True Story

There once was a girl with straightened hair, so therefore, no curl. And she had an encounter with a squirrel....read on:

As I was leaving the house this dreary, rainy morning to get to the cardiologist where I was hoping not to hear dreary news, I decided to go the "forbidden" way to get there, and sure enough, Someone was watching, and Someone had a little fun with me. He put a car in front of me that went no more than 20 mph alllllll 3.5 curvy, wet, trecherous miles out to the highway. (Note to self: follow PiePie's rule and do not take this road!) We *finally* get to the end of the road (so much for my extra time to get there early....this 8 minute drive just turned into 18 easily) and just short of the stop sign....maybe 20 feet or so....she slams on the breaks for no apparent reason, leaving me to slam on mine...and hydroplane....and *right* when I knew I was going to hit her, I didn't. (Thank you, Jesus!) Out from under her car comes a squirrel, and before I could complete the thought of something like this: "REALLY!?!?!?! Did you REALLY just almost cause a wreck on these wet and nasty roads because there was a SQUIRREL in the road?!?!?!?!?" (I am not a promotor of roadkill, mind you, but I was always taught that if something runs out into the road while I am driving, I am to hold on, slow down, not swirve, and just go with it....and yes, with nothing behind me, I would have done the same thing....) So back to the story...piggapancake...no sooner could I get my thoughts organized and quit being angry that she really just tried to kill me by making me rearend her over a SQUIRREL when I look up into the highway, and there it was.....the squirrel who got ran over anyways.

I hope you're not the squirrel, either! I'm happy to announce that my day ended better than that, with sunshine, even, and super-great news from the cardiologist!!!!! Thanks to all of you prayers out there for all of your prayers!

And now, I'm going to do this:

G'nite!

Yup.....

...it's been a while! I've been so busy with life that throwing in some creativity has been a bonus, and sleep has come so quickly! I've decided to make up for it by sharing three projects with you I've done just today, actually, that all involve flowers.....sort of.

This is the granddaughter's time out bench....these are the sides....the top is boring, because it's a time out bench...but I couldn't leave the sides without a touch of Abby.....sorry for the terrible photos. Don't you just love that HUGE "diamond" in the center of the one on the right? That baby is literally 2 inches in diameter! Totally gaudy and perfect in every way!

OK, so this is a sunshine, not a flower....but it could be a flower, not a sunshine...at any rate....this is the new shirt design for the first "Perry's Paradise Presents...." done for a select charity for a select reason each time there is an event. The plan for now is that we will have a semi annual sale here in the back forty that involves as many in the community as will participate, and I do plan on badgering them until they finally cave and just say YES! It doesn't really matter if you are even near or in the same state as we are....if you love the design, please buy a shirt! All proceeds of 50 shirts after the sale of the first 13 will go to http://www.facesofhopetn.com/ to help combat Austism. Please email me at complexandcolorful@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing one.

Last, this old stool is a purchase I made last weekend at the fleamarket simply because the PiePie and Honey forgot to throw in their chairs and were there allll day. It was a last ditch effort because I couldn't find anything else. I wasn't too fond of it because it was old and dirty looking, but it was sturdy, and I needed a seat. PiePie painted it this burnt orange color for me to match the color in the twine used as the "seat", and I painted the huge hibiscus on it. From the beginning, it's what my brain calculated when it was this stool. It's pretty hard to paint on that stuff and be accurate, but I like the final result, mostly. The diamond in the middle covers an "oops" of black that globbed all together.....but it's growing on me. Let's just be thankful for 2" diamonds that fall from the sky just when you need them! :)

I'll try to be more regular.....

Just another Sunday in Paradise.....

and I've been up since 6:00 with the Nanna Baby. And that is OK. We've cuddled, taken care of our puppies, Ranger, Joe, and Lula. Lula is the most "hobnoxious" one.....she is good "friends" with our rolled-up newspaper.

I can't believe how it seems so fall-like now, just within a week or so! At one moment, it was hot, hot Tennessee summer time, and the next, I see leaves falling and you can almost just feel it...fall is in the air! I'm loving my pumpkin ribbon on my copper sampler.....the colors, again, to me are fall!

You've heard a bit about the new doggers on facebook, if you are a friend of mine there, so you should see this awesome-cute picture of "Little Eddie". Isn't he the cutest? We brought him and a pair of Bostons home with us last weekend when we went to SELL dogs! I guess we got it backwards!I have a secret....I'm working on my dream. Something my sisters and I have talked about for a long time....as long as I can remember. And Mom, too. I'm actually doing it. Living my dream. (Thank you, PiePie Perry!!!!!) You will be hearing me talk about that, and you will be getting hints both on here and on facebook, so if you are not on facebook, you need to be and look up Perry's Paradise and click the "like" button. You also need to friend me personally by typing in "Abby Mark Perry" and there will only be one that comes up....us!

Pay attention; there's a lot of great stuff happening here at PP!!!!!

Just Catchin' Up.....

Anna loves Kindergarten....we'll see how long that lasts.

Fall seems to be in the air....even though it is still hot and humid around here.

Anna definitely has the coolest backpack of all. (And the coolest mom, as far as I am concerned.)

Baby Aaden will be swaddled in this blanket if he ever decides to make an entrance into this world.....

These seem to be a very popular gift.....but they are hard to find.

Loving This

I remember how my Gramps would sing, "...with rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, she will make music wherever she goes!"

See my rings? I love them all. I'm dealing with a lot of health issues right now, and they cause a lot of swelling. Bah humbug. The PiePie had a heat stroke a month or so ago, and lost a ton of weight. That is his wedding ring on my thumb. I love to see it there; I love what it stands for. I would love it better if it were on his finger, not on my thumb...but it is what it is. If you look close, you can see my emerald and diamond band. He "proposed" to me with that band, if you could call it that....since I "proposed" first. That band was my Martha's band, and she gave it to me. It is one of my prized possessions, and it snugs on my ring finger just right. Yesterday, I found "Bully" and had to bring him home. He fits with my Martha ring and even though he is a Bulldog, I like to pretend he is a floppy-eared Boxer. One can have a perfect world in one's head, correct? Correct.

What kind of rings do you have? Do you have any that are keepsakes; that are special? Tell me why. Please.