Ramsign Giveaway Winner

Since today is my mom's birthday, I decided to ask her to pick a winner for the Ramsign giveaway.  She tried to talk me into just making her the winner since it is her birthday, but that just wouldn't seem fair!  So, the number that she picked was 4 and that is the one and only Donna of My Shabby Chateau!  I think the sign she picks will look a little something like this:

Donna is so sweet and is always creating things that I instantly fall in love with...not to mention she is the glitter queen!  Congratulations Donna!  I am so happy that you won this giveaway and thanks to everyone who entered!

My grandpa found his way to heaven today

 My Grandpa Kenny passed away today.  He was just a few months shy of turning 85.  He lived a good, long life and his body was just tired and worn out.  His family was his greatest accomplishment and we were by his side for the last 5 days waiting for him to find his way to heaven.  The hospital was amazed at all of us that were there.  My dad and his sister's never left the hospital because they couldn't bear to not be just a few steps away from him.  I made it to the hospital this morning just in time.  I didn't see him finally pass, but I was there and I am so glad that I was.  Even though we didn't want to lose him, we were so thankful that Jesus finally came to get him.

 My grandparents just celebrated 59 years of marriage on January 10th.  They were the best role models for all of us when it came to love and marriage.  I loved it when he would reach over and hold her hand.  They were amazing dancers.  People always called them Fred & Ginger.  Grandpa was born in Farmington, New Mexico and grew up in Durango, Colorado.  He claimed to know how to speak Paiute Indian and Pig Latin.  He always had a funny story to tell and would always ask: "Where did you get them apples?"  referring to something that we had.  He called all of us "Little Tunker" and would always try to talk any pregnant child or grandchild into naming their kid "Little Kenny".  My heart breaks because my kids will never know their great grandpa, but we will all keep his memory alive.  He had 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, with one on the way.  He was the oldest of 5 kids and out lived all but one of them.  I know that he is up in heaven right now reuniting with his mom, 2 brothers and 1 sister. 

 He was the only grandpa that I ever knew.  He loved every sport and had lifetime passes to the local high school games.  He was a produce man and was very good at his job.  He was always whittling and made the most amazing birdhouses.  I am lucky enough to have 2 of them.  My dad has taken over the birdhouse making tradition.  I just can't put in to words what an amazing man my grandpa was and I can't even begin to imagine what a hole will be in all of our hearts. 

I am so thankful that I got to spend 30 years of my life with a grandpa like him.  I pray for comfort and peace for my grandma.  She is heart broken and lost without him.  How do you go on living when the person you loved and spent 59 years with is suddenly gone?  I pray that my dad and his sister's are able to continue to live their lives and set the good examples that my grandpa has instilled in them.  I pray that my entire family continues to keep his memory alive.  Rest in Peace Grandpa Kenny.  You are so loved and will be greatly missed.

Ramsign Giveaway

 Who doesn't love a sign or numbers?  I know I do!  I have entered giveaways to win one of these fantastic porcelain enamel Ramsigns, but I haven't won yet.  They have however offered one to me to giveaway to one of you!  

There are 5 different color combinations to choose from so there is bound to be something that you would love.  You can choose white on blue, red on white, black on white, white on green and white on black.  Which color would you choose?

There are round signs, square signs and rectangle signs.  Which shape would you choose?

 If I were to win, I think I would get my anniversary date: 6.13.09 and hang it on my wall.  This is only because I rent and don't have a "permanent address".  

 So do you want to win one of these signs?  Leave me a comment telling me what color and shape you would choose if you won.  The winner will receive one house number sign with up to 5 digits.  The lucky winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, January 31st.  

Want to see all that Ramsigns has to offer?  Go check out their website here.

Good luck to all who enter!

Valentine Corner

Taking down the Christmas decorations, especially the tree, always makes me a little sad.  Suddenly the house looks so plain and boring even though it is just back to normal.  The little corner where we had our Christmas tree was especially sad and lonely looking, so I decided to put one of my old, chippy doors there to liven it up a bit.  Someone that my mom works with wanted to buy it from me since I have 2, but I said no thanks and I am so glad I did!  Now it serves as the perfect place to decorate so the house feels festive once again.  Since Valentine's day is only a month away, I already started decorating for the holiday of love!

 I had a snow day on Thursday so I took advantage of the free day home from work.  I made this rose topiary using red crepe paper, a Styrofoam ball, a wooden dowel, a cherub planter, paint, moss and ribbon.  There are plenty of tutorials all over that show you how to make the roses out of the crepe paper.  Like a real rose, none of them are exactly the same.  It took a little time, but I love the way it turned out and it looks fantastic in front of my shabby old door.

 Next up is this playing card bunting.  I have some vintage playing cards that I use for crafting and I just happened to have 4 of the heart cards to use for Valentine's Day.  They are strung on red ribbon and have red beads and roses tied in between each card.  It is a fun little project!

 I made this pink wooden heart a few years ago.  I love the pink sheet music scrapbook paper that is on it.  The wood LOVE has been glittered in red.  The old door knob is so perfect it to hang both of these from!

 Whenever Cody sends me a text or writes me a note, he always ends it with XOXO, so this heart garland reminds me of him.  It is hanging on the side of a vintage apple crate that I turned upside down.  This year I am really loving red and I think it stands out so brilliantly against my chippy white door!

 

This red foil heart wreath was purchased just like it is.  I thought about altering it a bit, but I like the simplicity of it just like it is.  

 Here is a neat view of all the red I have going on for Valentine's Day.  It all goes together so well and makes this little corner of our living room look so festive!  Since I don't have a mantel to decorate, I think this door will work just fine to decorate for every holiday and season.  I may have to find somewhere else to put our Christmas tree next year!

 Thank you to everyone who left such kind words for Baby Travis and his grieving family.  It means so much to me and to them!

Here is a little early Valentine's Day gift for you:  use this code at Kohls.com to receive 10% off your purchase.  This can also be used with other discounts...happy shopping!
TENFORBLOG

Linking up with:

Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
Le Chateau des Fleurs
The Dedicated House: Make it Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cozy Little House: Tweak it Tuesday
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tuesday
{Primp}: Primp Your Stuff
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
Vintage on a Dime: Welcome Home Wednesday
It's a Very Cherry World: Rednesday
Ivy & Elephants: What's it Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson: Share Your Cup Thursday
Rooted in Thyme: Simple & Sweet Fridays
Common Ground: Be Inspired
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home
Shabby Art Boutique: Shabbilicious Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Jennifer Rizzo: Fabulously Creative Friday
Homespun Happenings: Rustic Restorations Weekend

R.I.P. Baby Travis

My heart is broken to pieces today.  You may remember my friend's little baby Travis was diagnosed with a very rare and extremely aggressive kind of cancer back in August.  He fought the fight with all of his little might but the cancer took him early this morning.  He was only 10 months old and had barely been given the chance to live.  I can not even begin to understand why precious, innocent little lives are taken so early and so harshly.  We may never know the answer to that.  My heart aches for his mom who was there by his side every second of his life.  I hope that his dad was able to get there in time to be with him as he took his last breath.  And his older sister, who is just 3, will she even realize what just happened?  Please pray for this family that they find peace and understanding in all of this and that they never forget the sweet little boy who may have only been with them on earth for 10 months, but will be in their hearts forever, watching over them in the hands of God.  Rest in peace sweet little Travis.