Fibromyalgia, New Baby Smell, and Looking Like A Lobster.

Today I'm dating Fibromyalgia, FYI, he's a jerk!
I was rudely awakened this morning by pain in my shoulder blades. At first I thought maybe my hubby had punched me in his sleep, because my fibromyalgia had been dormant FOREVER! Then, as I thought this through I realized hubby had just undergone open heart surgery. The chances he'd punched me were slim. As I rolled to the edge of the bed, it became painfully obvious. Sigh   I'm breaking up with you Fibromyalgia! You're a jerk, and my hubby doesn't approve!
So now the list goes, pain hurts, depression lies, and fibromyalgia is a jerk. Don't get me started on anxiety, and Lyme Disease! Bwahahaha

Fortunately for me, my latest bout with depression and anxiety was re-routed into great joy with the birth of my second Grandson! I got to go hold him and get that new baby smell on myself! He's perfect. Ok, so I'm biased, because he's mine, but still.
We tried taking some pictures of the newborn with his Ya Ya,  (My cool Grandma name, given to me by my first Grandson)  but I had decided to forget that my meds don't like the sun, and I stayed out in it ALL day, while face painting at the local fire department/Pink Heals Car Show. Guess I was going for that Lobster look.  Doesn't matter, baby was handsome enough to cover any imperfections I may have been revealing in my red mug.
Take care peeps, I'm going to go roll in Epson salts and Aloe Vera goo!

Go BIG, or go home, and if you can't go home, have babies!

Never let it be said that my crazy family can do anything the easy way!
Today I'm sitting in the hospital waiting on word of my Sweet Hubby, who is in having By-Pass surgery. As I sit here, my daughter is a few towns over in another hospital having my second Grandchild! My litte monkey, Baby R, who we are still unsure is male or female, will be bursting forth into this world sometime later today. I'm sure my daughter wouldn't appreciate me saying "bursting forth". It is HER womb after-all! Regardless, we're excited!

Prom season is upon us. I have a daughter and niece graduating in June. They've both picked out their prom dresses, and are ready to roll! Praying a safe and fun filled night of frolic, with a tad bit of running amuck! Running amuck runs rampant in my family, and ya only graduate once. (Well, from High School) I've always told my children... "GO.. Do something crazy! Don't hurt anybody! Practical jokes are a staple in our household. Surely they can come up with SOMETHING! Do they do this? NO! I so wish I could go back to High School. I'd be in trouble constantly, but oh the fun I could have!

OK, have a lovely day everybody! Please pray for my hubby and my daughter!  It's greatly appreciated!

Auntie Aims

Gumby, Celebrity Christmas Photo's, and Santa Clause

On a recent trip to a nearby Christmas lights farm, my 4 year old Grandson oohed and awed over the each new scene laid out before his eyes. Each twist and turn in the road presented a newly discovered pile of lights.  Wire shaped just right and covered in thousands of lights to take the form of Elves, flowers, fire trucks, and even Santa himself. It was so nice to see his face light up! At the end of the journey was no other than the jolly fat man himself!  They had a photographer set up to snap pics of your little one up upon Santa's knee, but self portraits, or video of any kind were forbidden. My Grandson didn't have to wait in line, as the group before us had already climbed down and made their way out the door. So he marches right up to Santa, who of course knew his name! Santa asked him to climb into his lap, and that's when it happened.......   My Grandson stops. Tells Santa to please hang on a minute, he turns to the photographer and politely raises his hand to her and says.. "No pictures please!"   Of course you can imagine the laughter that ensued.   The photographer, of course,  remarked we had a celebrity on our hands!  Out of the mouths of babes.

This year I'm in Texas for Christmas. My eldest daughter is ill and I've left behind my beloved North Carolina and my sweet hubby to come lend a hand. To keep things lively we've come up with some daily routines to keep the house tidy, people fed, and tempers from soaring. In our search for ideas to help things run more smoothly we invented a new game. It all started one day when I noticed a Gumby figurine perched inside a decorative hole in the fireplace. I had to laugh because it made Gumby look as if he were holding up the fireplace!  It sparked a hide-n-go seek game that has been going on for over a month now! Whoever finds it, hides it next time. It's sort of like our own version of Elf  On A Shelf!  Hide-n-Go Gumby I guess.   You NEVER know where he will turn up!

I pray this holiday season finds you sharing quality time with your loved ones. I hope that as you turn each corner it is filled with joy and wonder! As you go forth through this very merry month, remember what the season's really all about. Then smile, thank the Lord for small blessings, and hug your family!

Auntie Aims 

Supporting Small Hometown Local Business

I believe so much in the American way of life. I believe local small town businesses need to be brought back out into the lime light!  If you know of a small town local business in need of support, send me their link so I can share them on my page!

Support your neighborhood and SHOP SMALL BUSINESS!

 I've recently joined a site called "Thumbtack". I will be testing out this new product for several months. They claim to help by getting your business out to the general public via the web.  I look forward to the possibilities it brings. I think small American Business is so important, and as I venture forth, I will be checking in from time to time to update you on Thumbtack!

You can visit this site by clicking on the "find Me on Thumbtack" button under my new App link (top far right).

Thank you, and God Bless Each of You,

Auntie Aimes

Summer Sale!

May-June-July Only 

   25% OFF all murals!  

Email Amy at Muralsbyamy@yahoo.com 

to schedule your free estimate.

We serve the Hickory, Morganton, Licolnton, and surrounding areas of NC including Asheville.  

(We also serve the Jacksonville, Fleming Island, Orange Park, and surrounding areas of Florida, for larger mural jobs)

Mural Time!

It's spring cleaning time. Why not get that old junk room cleaned out and make it a "Grandkid Wonderland"! 

Let me design you a mural that fits your personality. If you can dream it, I can paint it!

Estimates are free! Email Amy at Muralsbyamy@yahoo.com

Piracy, Rocking Amadeus, and Missing Red Sweaters.

   

Ripsy

 As fate would have it, or better known as "God's great planning", I am the lucky kin of 2 incredible Sisters!  I, of course, am the eldest, or so they keep reminding me!  The Middle Sis, who I lovingly refer to as "Ripsy", thanks solely to my cell phone's attempt at auto-correcting "Sissy", has recently been the target of a red sweater heist. The thief, commonly referred to in our family as the "Pirate", refuses to step forward to turn themselves, and the red sweater in to proper authorities. Which at this time would be Ripsy!  Of course I was immediately blamed. Accused of Piracy in the highest degree!

 I'd like to take a moment to step back, a little bit in time, to yesterday.  Imagine if you will, my niece and I making a day of it, all gathering at my Mother's church for a Holy Spirit "refill". My niece and I arrive inside the building just in time to see my Ripsy coming in with her new dress and my nieces silver shoes adorning her feet!  Well, you can imagine the look of horror on my nieces face, who at the ripe old age of 15 3/4, immediately begins her teen-age ranting, "MOM HAS GOT to stop wearing my clothes!"  Then she states that when they move into their new house, she is making her mother a plaque with the Ten Commandments on it, only she is adding an 11th, which will read:

11. Thou shalt not wear thy daughters clothes!

I wasn't sure whether to laugh or scold. Funny, yet at the same time..to add to the Ten Commandments?   Then I remembered, God in his perfect wisdom, has an incredible sense of humor. Why else would he have created Menopause, tiddly-winks, and Male Pattern Baldness?

Ripsy, who is now sweater less, is also dealing with another issue. Seems as though the local oldies station is now playing 80's music. She is not thrilled that her Rocking Amadeus days are now considered "old". I decided not to remind her that technically I rocked Amadeus, therefore, I should be the one offended.  So in 5 years when her group is running around chillin' to the ever classic sound of 'Ice-Ice Baby", I'll try and be supportive!

Back to Piracy, which in our family runs rampant! Ripsy, usually the first one we turn to, as she is the numero-uno Pirate, can kidnap your favorite garden figurine in no time flat. Slip that new Keurig into her overnight bag, along with every last Keurig coffee sample you own, out the door, like a boss!  Piracy, it turns out, is contagious. So, to whoever, in our family has had the need to wear red recently, PLEASE return that sweater to Ripsy. Ripsy has promised no retaliation. There will be no Pirate backlash, or walking the plank, and to keep the anonymity of the Pirate, she's promised to name no names. (GRANDMA!)

So, whether you are Rocking Amadeus, into a little red sweater pirating of your own, or are just out surfing the web, smile....and have a blessed week people!  


 

Happy Mother's Day!

 "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive , and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. "       Proverbs 31:26-31

Mom's are special aren't they.  God give's them each a special gift. US!  Mother's are givin' God's precious little miracles both to care for and love. I suppose you could say we are on loan. They nurture and protect us, teach us and wipe away tears. They bandage our boo-boo's and laugh with us when we are just too hysterically funny for words.  Then when we are grown and are blessed with babies of our own, we too get to experience the same miracle as our Mom's.    These tiny little bundles of joy that work their way right into our hearts, with just a look. Time goes by so fast, that soon you realize your child is grown, and has a child of their own. Motherhood. That short space of time in our lives that slips by before we know it. Unforgettable.

Today I received a call from both my baby girls. Neither one a baby anymore, but they like to fight over the title still. My youngest, who is the singer, the sparkle and glitz of the family. Working hard in school, learning about boys, drivers permits, and which side to take her best photo from, all while balancing musical theater, friends, and which shade of eye shadow shows off her blue eyes best. One day she will get to experience the joy I've come to know as her Mother.  Then my oldest called. The cowgirl, cattle loving, collector of dogs, beautiful in all her 4 foot 10'ness. Also a very capable balancer of life, work, family, a souped up 3 year old son, and too many animals to count.  She is spending her Mother's Day in bed, due to a difficult wisdom tooth that by no means is making her any smarter, but rather just "smarts"!  She put my Grandson on the phone, who quickly offered up a wonderful "Happy Mother's Day YaYa!", followed by news of a new swing set, telling me he was going to be a Dr., saying I Love you, and then... "OK, I'm done!"   Motherhood may have its awe inspiring moments, but being a Grandmother... words cannot express.

I pray you each have a special Mother's Day. Here's to remembering good times with your Mom, and hopefully making many more memories down the road.  If you are unable to be with your Mother today, or maybe your Mom has gone on, I pray you will take time out today to just hug a Mom somewhere and wish them well, share a smile, and let them know they are loved and appreciated.

God Bless You All, dear Mommies everywhere!
Auntie Aimes

Easter, Grilled Cheese, and The Green Tea Slip

Easter is quickly approaching and I've gotten no eggs dyed, not the first thing baked, and my house.. bleeehhh....   However, my procrastinating ends TODAY!

I've dusted off the old bunny ears, and relocated my long lost muffin tin. (don't ask where I found it)  Today at 4 I leave for my Mom's. My Middle Sis is already there, (no doubt planning something for us to get into) and My little Sis will be headed there tomorrow ( along with my daughter ) WOOHOO!   A lot of girl's in one house = harassment on my poor Step-Dad. Being out numbered on a daily basis anyway, I am sure by now he is used to our LOVING way of making him feel.. well.. like the ONLY man in the house. Girls rule, Boys drool. Can I put that on a sign to hang at Mom's this week? Of course he knows we love him. 

I'd been working on a new recipe to cook and share, but got hung up on an idea I saw on Pinterest. Grilled Mac-n-cheese Sandwiches. (I will include website of original grilled mac with my pics) I was not so sure about them at first, but played around with it for several days, and finally came up with the ultimate dinner sandwich, ( or so my hubby says) Grilled Mac-n-cheese with sauteed onion, and sweet ham.  Oh My..it was GOOOOD!  Will post pics as quickly as possible. I also ran out of tea bags, and needing to make tea just before eating these cheesy-gooey delights, I opted for green tea. I usually reserve it for cold days when I just want a cup of hot tea, but on this particular day.. I decided "What the heck".. It was wonderful, but I forgot to tell my sweet hubby, who almost spewed it across the room.  (oops) He was OK with it after I explained "just what that was" in his favorite drinking glass.  My Bad.

Happy Easter dear friends. Enjoy the food, family, and laughter. Go to Sunday morning sunrise service and thank the good Lord for loving us so much that he died on that cross and rose again on the third day!  Don't forget to bake "empty tomb" cookies
found here> http://www.food.com/recipe/empty-tomb-cookies-220621 , with your kids the night before, and remember this....

      "Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there". ~ Clarence Hall.

Camelot Ends

We grew up in Camelot. My sisters and I. Today I recall lazy summer days spent lying beneath pecan trees or chasing the occasional butterfly. Sweet East Texas sized iced teas that Mom would lovingly pour into either our regular dinner glasses (mason jars) or our outdoor set, that stack of old plastic yogurt cups, in any color of our choosing. Lunches of peanut butter and jelly, cut into shapes from Mom's cookie cutters, eaten on blankets under large trees, and kool-aid, there was always kool-aid. Stray dogs that became life long pets, mostly mutts that we never taught to do anything more than be there when we called. Cats from the barn, lots of them. All with fluffs of baby in tow. The occasional curse from Dad, who just smashed a finger. All you could see of him were blue jean clad legs, and that plaid shirt tail, as he was waist deep inside the hood of car. A line of fence posts, lining the family farm. An occasional scrape from getting too close and hung up in its barbed wire. Bicycles and baby toys, strewn about the yard. The laughter of children, and the groaning sound of oil trucks coming up the road. Mom always had flowers planted. Roses from Nanny's yard, and light blue philodendron from Great Grandmother. Back then ladies shared seeds, and sprout-lings. They gave you cuttings from plants you admired from their yards, with specific instructions for getting them to grow roots from nothing. Magic in water!  Doodlebugs were our best babysitter. Summer nights brought lightning bugs twinkling inside mason jars, and left over sparklers from fourth of July. Bonfire smells with burnt marshmallows and roasted hot dogs filled the air. Church on Sundays, only to return home to a big roast that Mom had put in the pot early that morning. Summer meant church picnics, bringing people together you'd not seen since last year. It also meant pinched cheeks and being called "precious". The happy news of weddings and births, and sad news of those having gone home to meet the Lord. Occasionally family would come in from Dallas, sharing stories of the latest happenings. Guests meant good food, singing, and sad goodbyes. The end of summer brought the sounds of school buses. Hearing them coming for miles, the sounds bouncing off the hills. School time meant Halloween was not far behind. There'd be candy and festivals, homemade costumes, imaginations running wild. Cooler night air and the shortening of days brought brilliant Texas sunsets into view. Time to take out the mothball smelling barrels from the attic. Stocked full of sweaters and winter clothing. Now was when you'd see how much you'd grown. Thanksgiving and Christmas could only mean one thing, you'd be able to get out of going to school, if only temporary. It also meant trekking to Dallas to see family. More eating, more singing, more time to talk of family long gone, and reminisce.  Our home was one of books, and music, art and nature. Plays put on by little ones excited to share what they'd written, and two sisters close in age who got into anything they thought they could without getting caught.  Winter time brought icicles, red noses, and indoor activities assigned by a very ingenious mother. Our Peter Pan. Mom's pots became our helmets. The kitchen tablecloth our capes. Our shield was made of cardboard and tin foil, and our swords were Dad's wrenches, borrowed lovingly from his tool box. Our home was old and full of history. Our yard was big, it was our stage, our "new lands" and adventure.  It was our shelter, our refuge. It was where we grew into the people we are today. It was our Camelot.
 Dad called today and said he had sold our place of dreams, our Camelot. Camelot Ends here, but thank you Lord that our stories don't.