!!Springfield Extravaganza!!

I didn't end up going to the Country Living Fair this year but I DID get to go to the Springfield extravaganza with 3 of my best friends. I hadn't been there since Little Sister was a tiny baby. That time I carried her around in my Ergo baby carrier. She was so good - I even nursed her on the go:) This time the 'sisters' all stayed with my Mom. We did have a baby with us this time, just not mine and not as tiny! Little Meg rode in the stroller and was a wonderful little girl. She is going to grow up to be a great flea market shopper:)

I found some fun stuff on top of having a great time with friends. And I didn't break the bank either. All around great day!





'New' table for my kitchen. Narrower and longer, it fits better and we can all get around it. Travis does wish I'd learn to like stuff with a better finish but this is just so cute. And since he rarely wipes the table off... I'll just try to keep the crumbs out of the cracks to keep him happy!

Old metal sign. Could NOT pass this one up! Especially after Tonia did such a great job of getting the price right for me! Thanks, friend, I owe you one:)

Wire basket for dirty towels. I'm liking the look of this so much better than the blue plastic tub I was using:)

I was so excited to find another stool like the one we have. Then when I got it home we discovered it is taller than the one we have so it doesn't work at the table as well. Sigh. There is always something! This stool is now painted red and Little Sister loves it even if it scrunches her legs a tad. I have plans to have it shortened, hopefully in the near future, but we shall see. I'm so good at putting things off:(

I have a fetish with old picture frames and this one sucked me in!

Neat book of maps at a BARGAIN price!

A few more random shots of our Day In Columbus

Painting on the side of 'Jeni's Ice Cream. {if you've never had Jeni's make it a 'must do' next time you are in Columbus. She has 5 locations!}

New Coffee mug found at Marshall's on our way home. Wish I'd bought all 9 numbers!

{My Stash}

And here is my stack of goodies from 'Sew to Speak'. I'd been saving my money all summer so I was able to get lots of fun stuff! If you see anything you would like made for you contact me soon! Don't delay, I may make it all for me!!!!

~A Day In Columbus~

OK, I know, it's high time I post about our Day In Columbus as it will soon be a month since we went. Life suddenly got crazy in September:)



First Stop: Stauff's. This was Travis only request: he had to go to Stauff's. We got some coffee beans that are turning me into a coffee drinker! And black coffee too. Imagine that!

The yogurt and Granola made a good breakfast too


Just some shots I snapped as we drove through some really neat neighborhoods.

Just for you Regina!! And your Mother:)

Neat shop window

My resolve weakened because of extreme hunger, and the fact that these were freshly baked and sitting there right in front of us when we ordered lunch. And since we shared it AND shared our lunch it can't have hurt too much. (don't remind me that we also went to Jeni's in the afternoon)

Our lunch at Northstar. Yum.

My purchase at Sobo.

And our next stop: 'Sew to Speak'!! This was the main reason we went. I was too busy spending over an hour in the shop deciding what to buy to take pictures in the store. Next time!

Tomorrow you will see what I bought there. Really you will, I already did that post and it's scheduled to post Tuesday morning - as I write this and prepare it to post Monday morning! Gotta love that option about blogger.

How would YOU react???

Remember this? I've posted about it before. I found it at the Country Living Fair 2 years ago. It is one of my very favorite finds. VERY favorite. Maybe I like it too much...



What would YOU do, how would YOU react if your child was tearing around the house, being very reckless, you had told her to 'STOP IT RIGHT NOW!', she didn't listen, and then you heard it... a loud crash...followed by silence?? What would you do? How would YOU react??

...and then you dared to look and found...

this.

Shock. Deep Breath. "It broke??!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING? I TOLD YOU TO STOP! THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!! HOW COULD YOU!! IF YOU WOULD JUST LISTEN WHEN YOU ARE TOLD THESE THINGS WOULDN'T HAPPEN!! I AM SO UPSET! THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS! HOW COULD YOU?! I KNOW YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO BUT YOU HAVE TO SLOW DOWN! NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE! LISTEN WHEN I TELL YOU TO STOP!!!!!!! and all at the top of my lungs I'm afraid.

And then I had to stop and think that God probably feels like saying these things to me...daily... if He were human anyway. Which He isn't and I'm so thankful. But, oh the times He looks at me sadly and says tenderly, 'My child, why don't you slow down and listen to ME? I know what's best for you, if you would just let me lead you. I love you and I want the best for you."

So I calmed down, apologized, and reminded Big Sister AND MYSELF that she is much more important than a big plastic 'F'. That F will 'melt with fervent heat' someday, but Big Sister has a soul that will last through all eternity. MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

A few tears, some patience, a tube of epoxy, and the expertise of my wonderful husband and my big plastic F now resides in it's usual spot. And unless you look closely you wouldn't even know anything happened to it. But I know. And it reminds me every day that I have 3 little souls that are MUCH more important than any earthly possession I could ever have. And I am their example. May they learn the right things from me in spite of my human failings. Only by the Grace of God!!!

Gotta check this one out girls!

Lola B. is celebrating her 300th post! Hop on over and check out the great giveaway she is having. You know, you can't win if you never sign up!!
My 300th post is not too far off either I noticed after being prodded to check when I saw Lola's post. Any suggestions for a brilliant giveaway here? Anything you have ever thought of that I should make?? I'm open to all your great ideas, now's your chance:)

{Happy Happy Day}

Happy Birthday,
Have a happy birthday,
May Jesus be near
Every day of the year,
Happy Birthday,
Have a happy birthday,

May this be the best you've ever had!

The author of Minister Grace has a birthday today!! Have a wonderful day Joni!!

two girls and an iron fence (little one really didn't cooperate well)

Sunday Afternoon Stroll in the 'Park'