Spellbound

I'm not one who usually participates in link parties. Why you ask? Well usually I have nothing to contribute...BUT...when I saw this one Debra was hostessing I thought "Why the heck not?" I may not be inspirational, but goodness knows I have been inspired. In fact, there are two women who I consider my muses. One is a Texas legend and the other a rock star in our world. When I started going through my style file looking for every thing I had torn out of magazines on these two over the years, I found myself heading in a different direction. (Surprise, surprise!)

Suddenly I was thinking about the magazines themselves that helped to define my style when...SQUIRREL ALERT!

It hit me as to what I would like to do for my first foray into Debra's VIF!

What better way to kick-start me off (with fall and Halloween just around the corner) than with one of my favorite movies or rather I should say, my favorite movie set of all time! In the fall of '98 I was a shop owner in Lindale Texas trying to figure out what best suited me. Shabby Chic was just taking off and so was the cottage look, but let's face it...while I love pink...it doesn't always love me. Love to look at it...just don't want to live in it. Around this same time I also happened onto my two muses through some special magazines. I could feel I was nearing my goal of what appealed to my eye when...KAPOWIE!

I saw this little movie and was instantly hooked. I found myself drawn to the dark side of decorating (and I don't mean Darth Vadar)! Loving Victorian and primitives... these were my people.

Oh mylanta...this house! You'd expect a creepy old one wouldn't you? Just one reason why I love these sets!

I tell y'all...I had to watch the movie three times in a row to even know what it was about...I kept getting so distracted by the furnishings. The timeless appeal of worn furniture, subdued lighting, aged leather softly cracking from years of providing a comfortable place to land, the herbariums hinting of the aunts' background, but never looking outdated.

The conservatory just took my breath away. I had to pause the movie to sit and try and memorize every detail. It became my purpose in life to seek out and purchase every beaker I could find...which I did! There wasn't an apothecary jar or Bunsen burner that was safe from my ruthless quest to duplicate this in some way.

Beautiful doors framing a garden hugging the sea. I was mesmerized, hypnotized and continually fantasized about living here!

I knew this was "grown-up" furniture and I loved every piece of it...still do. I'm drawn to the dramatic when I'm out hunting for things to sell. Sometimes people get "it" and sometimes they don't. All I know is it's a love affair I've had going on now for twelve years...and I don't see an end to it any time soon!

I want to thank Debra again for this wonderful idea and believe you me...I've got plenty to talk about in the weeks ahead so stay tuned!

Next week: How I Found My Muses

P.S. Disclaimer: I haven't actually won Elizabeth's wonderful, friendly contest, but I've got my eyes, toes and everything else that I can cross...crossed!

Size 7 1/2 You Say?

It's official...a certain lovely someone has knocked the talk right outta me! Come back later after I catch my breath from laughing so hard!!!

Not Guilty

This just blew me away last night and I wanted to share it with y'all. It put me on my knees.

This little Texas girl sings her heart out. Go visit her mom Lisa and tell her what a beautiful (and oh so true) message her daughter is spreading! You can thank me later, but first thank God for the verdict.

Think Junk Gypsy Prom!

Whoopsie daisy! It's almost time for Laura's fab giveaway to end September 1st. Started not to mention it (increase my chances, ya know?), but I love y'all way too much for that! Plus I love L.B and her dictionary-talking self not to share her with y'all! Good Luck!!!

Facing Reality

What did I do this past weekend you ask? Well, I'm glad you did 'cause I'm dying to tell y'all. In fact, I have R rated photos to prove what trouble Cat Daddy and I got into!

Y'all know how much I love blogging and I think I've made it pretty clear how much I love THIS particular blogger. I would crawl across broken glass just to get a hug from HER! Imagine my joy at finding out Jodie was going to be in the Rowlett area for a retreat AND since Rowlett is only a hop, skip and a jump from the Casita de Trash AND being the good little stalker that I am....

You betcha! I high tailed it over there first thing Friday morning during her break. (You know I love this girl if I'm willing to drive myself to see her!) BUT...hang onto your girdles...it gets better! A certain someone else had flown into New Orleans and drove down with Jodie for the same retreat. This certain someone is a blogger I've dreamed of meeting since the first time we exchanged comments.

Be still my heart...Pam had came to the mountain! I can't begin to describe to y'all what it's like to meet someone I've pictured in my head a thousand times while reading her posts and comments. Can I just say she was that and so much more? It was like being reunited with a childhood friend who had moved away. Perhaps that's the beauty of blogging or perhaps it's kindred souls connecting. Whatever it is...meeting her was magic...pure magic! There was no shyness or awkward moments...just one big, long hug with a few tears thrown in for good measure...especially when the afternoon was over!

And the cherry on top? Sweet Sarah was there too! I was given the opportunity to meet her when I crashed, I mean dropped by the Paper Cowgirls retreat. I'm telling y'all...this chubby lady was in pure heaven for five way too short hours!

I can hear you asking where are the blackmail photos. Keep your britches on...I'm getting there. I just want to bask in the memory of a wonderful afternoon if you don't mind!

Not one to miss a photo op OR the chance for smooches from someone other than his ever-lovin'...guess who snuck into the restaurant behind Jodie's back?

I swear up and down...that man is starting to believe his own press and you girls sure aren't helping matters much starting with you Sarah! Lord love a duck...he truly believes he's catnip to the ladies...as if!

He loves his Crazy Cajun just as much as I do...maybe more! Nah...that just ain't possible! Look at that baby face (not his...hers!)...what's not to love?

Pam...I promise not to tell Receipts what you were up to while in town...pinky swear! Oh and girl...my rule of thumb for deciding on how much bling to wear? If I can't see you from across a field...you need more and Sugar...I saw you from across the lobby and up the stairs. Verdict? Fab U Lous! (Love my watch...you know me so well or maybe great minds just think alike!)

After Cat Daddy made his exit, we sat, talked, laughed, ate, laughed some more and just enjoyed the being...you know what I mean? Sadly, the afternoon was over way too soon and we were hugging one last time.

To all of y'all who blog...if you get the opportunity to meet someone you've only talked to through the screen...grab it and hang on tight. I did and I wouldn't trade Friday (or my girls) for all the rhinestones in Texas!

Old School Joe Cool

This past week school started for lots of kiddos and after reading many posts about their adventures in FirstDayLand, it got me to reminiscing about Joey's (aka The Oldest Melonhead) first day of Kindergarten. (Which btw is too many years ago to say without incriminating myself!)

Like so many young mothers before and since, I had spent the night before picking out just the right thing for my big boy to wear on his first day of school. We had been to the pre-enrollment meet-and-greet where I had met his teacher, the principal and familiarized him with the school layout. I had carefully packed his lunch, set the alarm to give us plenty of time, and then tried to sleep. I worried all night long whether or not he was ready for this big step. (Forget about whether I was ready or not...that would never happen!) Would he be one of the children who could not handle separation...would he make friends...would the teacher be kind...would he beat me home? You know...all the things mothers tend to make mountains out of.

When we arrived at school that next morning, I got out of the car with Jenn on one hip and him by the hand. As we came to the sidewalk leading to his classroom, he turned and looked at me with what only can be described as the stank eye and asked if he could go on alone. I could have died on the spot, but not wanting to interfere with his (might I say sudden) sense of independence, said yes. As I stood there watching him walk on alone...shoulders back, chin held high...to that HUGE classroom with only his Fonzie lunchbox for protection against the big, cruel world of schoolhouse bullies I knew were waiting to pounce on my baby...he suddenly stopped...turned...saw the tears streaming down my face and with a roll of his eyes said "Oh, come on"! I don't think my feet ever touched the sidewalk getting me to where he was waiting. I respectfully walked a couple of steps behind him, resisted the urge to kiss him in front of the other kids and thanked God for giving me this plucky little boy! Once in my car, I stopped crying long enough to thank God once more for giving Cat Daddy and I the good sense to raise him with the self confidence needed to fearlessly face the unknown and you know...except for that one, brief, precious moment in time...I don't think he's looked back since!

Young mothers everywhere...heed my words. They go from Kindergarten...... to a senior in high school in a blink of an eye. So if at all possible...don't blink...don't breathe...heck...don't even turn your back for a moment....'cause if you do...

when you turn back around...he's taking his own baby bird to her first day...

Just...Like....That!!!

A Face To Launch A Thousand Ships

~The bluest eyes in Texas are haunting me tonight~