COPY CAT CHALLENGE WITH DEBBIEDOO

A while back I stumbled across an amazing blog that captured my attention right away.  The lovely lady, Mary Alice, of Chateau Chic, was featuring a project that she was working on.  I'm sorry to say that I can't tell you what the project was because, in the photo, were a pair of lamps that immediately caught my fancy.  They looked so pretty in her space and they had the most unusual shades.

 

I had just purchased two lamps from Home Depot for my entry hall chest.  I didn't pay a lot of money for them and, to be truthful, it showed.  When I saw Mary Alice's lamps, I knew that shades like hers would really dress up my forgettable pair.

(Sorry that there are no 'before' pictures)

I commented to her how much I loved them and asked if she would mind if I tried to copy them.  She was very accommodating and gave me her blessing.

So this is my "Copy Cat Challenge"....my rendition of Mary Alice's beautiful lamps.

I was so happy with the way they turned out that I made another copy for the plain shade that goes on the lamp in our motorhome.  This one is more appropriately styled for the lamp itself.

Thank you, Mary Alice, for your generosity in sharing your beautiful shades with me and thank you, Debbie, for hosting this fun challenge....Judy

I am sharing this bright idea with:

Copy Cat Challenge

Wow Us Wednesday

What's It Wednesday

Home and Garden Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday

Your Cozy Home Party

Home Sweet Home

Sweet Saturday

Show Off Saturday

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

"I'm so excited and I just can't hide it...

I'm about to lose control and I think I like it"...

We got a few of our kitchen drawers back from the painter and I just couldn't wait, until it's all done, to show you.

I just had to show you a little peek...

..."I know, I know, I know, and I think I like it."

The Pointer Sisters - 1982

Enjoy and imagine!!...Judy

Sharing this little snippet with the following party....

Seasonal Sunday

BUDDY ON THE RED CARPET

Hi Everyone:

It's me, Buddy.

I know it's hard to tell when I'm rockin' these shades, but when you're a celebrity, you can't be too careful.

I have been asked to do a guest gig, today, with Shannon, Holly, Missy, Lily and Jessie over at Cozy Home Scenes for Paws and Claws Friday.

You should check it out.  I think you will love Shannon's blog, if you already don't know it.  She is such a sweetie, and her blog is awesome, and she was a big help to my Mom during the setup of my stairway to stardom.  And if I dare, I might say those pups are some pretty hot dogs!

You know, I thought I saw a car chasing me the other day.  Do you think it could have been the papp....Oh, wait....That was me, chasing a car.

I know you think from past posts that I'm this awesome dude that is full of P&V, if you know what I mean, (rhymes with 'Kiss"), but be prepared to see my softer side...Well, maybe not my softer side...Let's just say...A different side.

And if you go blabbing it around...I'll deny it all!

Thanks for your support...Because, Lord knows I deserve it...

Buddy and Mom...

OK, here we go, 

she always thinks

it's all about her!

I'm sharing this with this outstanding party:

Saturday Showoff

  







                 

VISITORS TO THE SECRET GARDEN

First order of business - I have now gone over 100 followers and to all of you, I sing your praises and appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart.

Picture taken without flash

The Captain took this picture when he found the little babies outside the garage on our driveway before the sun came up.  He picked them up and put them in the Secret Garden, as we think their nest is in the big holly tree that overhangs the Garden.

Picture taken with flash

Dialog:

Captain:  "Whoa, where did you come from?"

Babies:  "Are you our Daddy?  Do you have any worms for us?"

I have always called these birds, Blue Jays.  They are a very obnoxious bird, in my opinion, with their loud squawks. They complain about everything.  They come into the gazebo and poop on the cushions.  They are very forward. But, as with all babies, their's are very cute.

 I learned this morning, coincidently, from the newspaper, that we do not have Blue Jays in California.  They only reside east of the Rockies.  What we have are called Stellar Jays, which have a Mohawk haircut, and really are quite pretty to look at, and Scrub Jays, which look just like their name, Scrubby!

This is the Stellar Jay and who, I believe, is the babies' mama or possibly, the daddy.  

I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures. I took them through the screen door.  I was afraid it would scare them if I opened the door.  I didn't know, at this time, that the Captain had already rescued them once.

They perched on the branches of the wisteria vine for quite some time before one of them flew onto the top of the fence.  It took him awhile to make sure his wings would take him where he wanted to go.

Can you believe how tall he looks when he stretched his legs and wings?

He finally made it, but Little Sister wasn't so lucky.  She sat on the branch for a long time afterwards and when she finally tried, she fluttered down to the ground, and I couldn't get another picture of her.

Brother finally made it to the other side of the fence and found another perch but now they were both in Buddy's yard!  And he was out there but, luckily he was sound asleep in the shade so he didn't even know they were there. He is a bird dog, after all, but not much of a watchdog!

I had things to do so went about my business and didn't check back until later in the day, and would you believe, Brother (I think) was back on the same wisteria perch he started on.  I say Brother because he seemed to be the stronger of the two and more eager to take chances.

Finally, as I was watching, he fluffed himself up and flew up towards the holly tree.  That was the best I had seen him do.

We didn't see any more of them and thought that the visit was over, and this morning the adult birds were squawking away from the top of our back fence, looking over into the neighbor's back yard, so I think they are still on the quest of looking for their lost babies.

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Fast forward to today....

Look who's back!  I chanced opening the door and got a pretty good shot.

I think this is Little Sister again, as she hopped around for awhile from place to place without much energy.

All of a sudden she saw something familiar above her...

"Mama, Mama" 

or possibly,

"Daddy, Daddy"

"Do you have any worms for me?"

And off she flew to the top of the gazebo.

Since we hadn't seen Big Brother for awhile, we hoped that he hadn't fallen to any harm, but as we looked up, there they both were, reunited.

It's funny, when you are all grown and settled, how easily you forget how hard it was to leave the nest....Judy

I know it was the robin who first showed the way into the Secret Garden, but, I must admit, I couldn't help looking over my shoulder for Mary Lennox.

I'm sharing this little tale with:

Wow Us Wednesday

AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER - 2012

It was a cold and foggy morning in the city.  San Francisco tends to be that way.  But in the air, just under the surface, there was a feeling of excitement that was growing stronger by the minute.....

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It all started on Friday night, otherwise known as Event Eve.

I had a crew meeting to attend and then Tami and I had dinner, consisting of sandwiches we had brought from home, in our hotel room, and then early to bed, as 3:30 AM was looming too close for comfort.

We were on the 19th floor and had a really pretty view, but sad to say, we didn't get to see too much of it over the weekend.

It was 5:00 AM and everyone had just crawled out of their warm and comfy beds in the hotel and were waiting to board the buses that would take us to opening ceremonies at Ft. Mason.  I, on the other hand, had to get up at 3:30 AM in order to get this old body in working order and presentable!

At opening ceremonies a light breakfast was served with plenty of hot coffee.  After a few well spoken words of encouragement, the walkers were off.

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This is where our jobs begin:

TEAM HOSPITALITY

Back Row - Left to Right:  Myself, Angela, Carol (Team Leader), Aimee and Kayleen

Front Row:  Anna

Missing From Picture:  Sandi, who was doing one of those things that Hospitality does to help out other crew members. She was driving one of the vehicles back.

Also missing:  Amalia and Maria

I am so fortunate to be part of this most amazing group of women.  Our job is to cheer for the walkers.  To give them the support they deserve for the job that they do.  We also lend a hand, when needed, to other team members who make up the cast of the Avon Crew.

This is but a handful of an outstanding group of people that make up the Avon Crew and we love, love, love each and everyone of them.

This is only about 1/3 of the tent size where 

a very tasty dinner was served, then back to the buses for a ride to the hotel, for another comfy nights sleep.....

.....while others, crew and walkers, chose to sleep in tents for the night....

Go Figure!!!

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Sunday  dawns bright and early with another wake up call at 3:30 AM and another bus ride at 5:00 AM.  Then on to sending the walkers out for their last leg of this journey.

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Here are some of the highlights of this extraordinary weekend.....

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Now that you've seen the lighter side of this event, I'm hoping that you will take this time to reflect on the more serious side.....

This mother, who finished her last chemo treatment in November, came from Oregon to surprise her daughter, who walked in her honor.

This mother cheered in honor of her daughter, a 9 year survivor, who walked.

We do this in the hopes that someday your daughters won't have to.

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I only know three things about this young man.

I know his name is David.

And I know that he has tremendous courage and determination.

His arduous journey of 26 miles, took 12 hours to complete and a very slow and concentrated effort of putting one foot in front of the other.

David:  I, and many others, applaud you and thank you.

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Tami, with her husband, Tim, taking a quiet and well earned lunch break, after walking 26.3 miles on Saturday and 13.2 miles on Sunday.

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A beautiful and very fulfilling weekend draws to an end with the closing ceremonies.  It is always a celebration, yet sobering, part of the event.  It really brings home the reason we are all here doing our part to stand alongside, and honor, the men and women who have been diagnosed, who are survivors, and in the memory of everyone who has fought and lost to this horrible disease.

Through the hard efforts of each and every walker, crew member and volunteer, a total of 4.8 million dollars was raised to be used towards funding and finding a cure.  Let's all pray that it happens soon.

Did you know that while we were participating in this particular walk...on this particular weekend...145 people lost their lives to breast cancer?

Early detection is key....Judy

I AM SHARING THIS POWERFUL MESSAGE WITH:

Wow Us Wednesday

Home and Garden Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday

Sweet Saturday

Saturday Show Off

Pink Saturday

Seasonal Sunday

BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE A HAPPY HOME IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

I am including this picture to show how breast cancer can affect anyone. 

Tami, diagnosed at 42. A very athletic young woman, in the best of health.

Moon, A beautiful and sweet dog.

They are both breast cancer survivors.

Please, just because you are young and healthy do'nt think the disease can't affect you. See your doctor for an exam if you haven't recently.