Random Thoughts 4/16/2012

Several weeks ago, a blogger emailed me about my "Connie Talk." I wasn't quite sure what she meant but after a few moments of thought on the matter I guess she means my random thoughts and stories. I love telling stories about my life when I was younger but they will come to me at different times. (We old people tend to forget a lot of stuff from years ago and mainly get together and talk about our digestive systems, ya know.) ;-) Nope, not really. This chick is interesting to talk to. I even have several Word Documents about titles, random thoughts, old stories I'll remember and sayings for my blog.

I do have a sweet story to tell about someone else though.

A young man and his wife were asked to speak to the youth in our church ward many years ago now. He talked about their first date. Now, this young man was GQ good-looking, let me tell you. Not only good-looking but as sweet, kind—just the kind of young man mothers always hope their daughters find. A real catch in other words.

He asked her out not telling her where they were going. She was expecting perhaps a movie and dinner. But she got the shock of her life.

He took her to a old folks care home and square danced with them. She was in shock and thought, "What in the world is he doing and this may be my last date with him." But it turned out she had a fabulous time. He loved serving old people and making their lives exciting. He had been taught well by his mother and father. Needless to say, they married and had one child I know of but probably have a few more by now. It just goes to show you that you can break out of the norm and have a great time and also, just because he was gorgeous didn't mean he was all about looks. The words of advice I and a friend give to young people is "Choose Wisely." A good idea all in all.
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Isn't this staircase just beautiful? I love the color of green with the pink.

Another darling vintage trunk paired with a contemporary sofa.

I wish I had the expertise to duplicate this chair cover. It's yummy.


Cute idea for a vintage school desk. You'll notice they had enough good taste to have a Mac computer, right? ;-)

Ooooh, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum....

I've just decided that I'm going to add some ruffles to some pillowcases tomorrow.


Gorgeous shops for you to see.

Oh, right! Like I'm going to bathe out in the open for all the world to see. Nice idea if you're the only one on the island.

I. Love. This. Kitchen. It is my dream kitchen...if I were one who liked to cook that is. There is nothing about it I don't like. G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S.

This is adorable. I made something similar several years ago, but I like this one better than mine, which is below this one.


Can you even imagine having something like this?

If Love Bunny could give me this camper, I'd have no problem at all going off into the wilds of Idaho. Cute!!!!! Look at that chandelier. I have to read by a propane lantern in our pop-up camper. Need I say more?
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Some random thoughts I've had over the last several weeks.

I read where some mothers were concerned about their 2 and 4 year old kids getting a proper lunch in school when they start school in a few months. What?! You have to be 5 years old to start kindergarten. Don't dare tell me otherwise because I know enough school teachers and parents who have tried to get their kids into school at 4 years and several months old. It didn't work. So if those women are talking school, they're talking pre-school, which is nothing more than daycare. Ridiculous!
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Let's talk about the milk bottle tops. I cannot open one. They used to have a tab around the cap that you pulled off and then the cap loosened easily. Now, even Love Bunny has trouble twisting the cap off. I'm an old lady and can't even get the milk bottle open! I'd write congress but I'm afraid they'd come up with another stupid/silly law and I certainly don't want that.
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I read recently where taller women are more prone to cancer. My daughter is 5'11" so she's more apt to get it than I am, who is 5' 4 1/2"?
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Cereal boxes. Have you ever had one that opened where you could close it and have it stay inside the little slit? I haven't. I'd be thrilled to be able to open one without the top not tearing where it's not supposed to. Then the waxed paper inside can only be opened with scissors. No amount of pulling will get it apart.
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A few days ago I found something in our vegetable drawer in the fridge. It didn't look familiar and I asked hubs if he knew what it was. Neither one of us could identify it. Pretty bad when that happens and I keep a really clean fridge!
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What is it when men make a sandwich, put their cereal in a bowl, pour a drink or do something on the kitchen countertops that prevent them from ever—and I mean ever—wiping it up? Just askin'.
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Have you ever met or been around people you shouldn't be around because you might catch "bad taste." Happens on a regular basis to me, especially when I shop. Scary!
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I am really and truly tired of people equating love with sex. They are two different things. Stop calling bad behavior "love"; it isn't.
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By now, you've had enough ranting so until next time, chicks.
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Photos courtesy of tumblr and pinterest.

A Pitch for PIP Studio

I'm going to tell you about a store I accidentally came across recently—Pipstudio. She is in the Netherlands and is just about the most exquisite artist for romantic things I've ever seen. Some of her things are only available in the Netherlands but there is also a British website where you can buy some of her things. If you are smart, you will run, not walk, to her website and get a visual delight just looking at her site.

Plates

Wallpaper

Towels, linens, robes.

Her lovely towels.

Stationery.

More towels.

Wallpaper.

Bowls.

Linens.

Gorgeous pitchers!

And teapots!

Mugs.

More stationery.

Binders.

Even magazine holders in her exquisite designs.

Teacups and saucers.

Sugar bowls and much more. Go visit her website.

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Photos courtesy of PipStudio

Memories of Home in a Peach Orchard House for Pink Saturday 4/14/2012

First of all, I want to give you just a teensy little look at one of the items in my giveaway this month. It's been such a long time since I've done a giveaway for the aprons that I decided I'm in a good enough mood to do it again, not aprons but something else. There will be another item or two in with this. I'm not showing what it is in its entirely yet so just think what it could be. However, if you've been around my blog the last couple of years, it should be easy to guess. ;-)

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Welcome to Pink Saturday once again. Today I'm telling a story so read on. But first, go visit with Beverly's blog and see all the other participants. I'm sure you'll like it and if you're not a follower, please be one so you won't miss anything exciting I may post. I'd sure love it if you would! I'm planning on a giveaway soon and, trust me, you're not going to want to miss out on it. ;-) That's all I'm going to say on the subject.
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There will be more on this lovely photo also. You'll be as excited as I am. Trust me on this one.
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My father was a Naval officer. We traveled a lot, but he traveled more than we did as a family. When he would be gone for an extended length of time, we would usually go stay with my maternal grandparents. I dearly loved my grandma so it was a treat to live with her and grandpa. I remember them living in different states and cities. And since my grandpa was a railroad conductor, my grandma would take me on train rides—overnight train rides. That's why I love taking trains so much to this day even. Sad that trains are going the way of the dinosaur. Those were fun trips, really fun.

But one time that we stayed with them, my grandparents had just built a brick home in a small town across the Ohio river from West Virginia. My brother and I enrolled in the school there but my sister was not school age yet. It was in a peach orchard. We loved it. A new friend and I would ramble through the orchard on little paths that took us away from the prying eyes of adults. We'd find things to explore. It was there I found a plant called sassafras that surprisingly smelled like root beer. That was my entry into the botany world. But we had great times until we eventually had to move when my father came home from his assignment on ship.

However, my mother always told us not to tell anyone we lived in a peach orchard! I was stymied by this, but I learned later she was actually embarrassed that my grandparents would build in a peach orchard. In today's world, most people would pay dearly for a huge peach orchard in which to build their home. Oh, and the house was a beautiful one-story brick. I never understood her embarrassment about that home. I just remember sitting out with my grandpa and he would peel peaches with his pocket knife and give me, my brother and sister little slices of just-picked-from-the-tree peaches. It was a magnificent world to me then. I get weepy just remembering that time of my life. I was so happy. In fact, while writing this post an eerie, yet pleasant, feeling just swept through my body. I think it is my grandma telling me she loves me too.

Just a sweet memory.

Now look at all these gorgeous photos and see if one of the photos evoke a memory for you.
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Violets also remind me of my grandma because she always grew them and we picked them together.

I cannot resist a photo of flowers, old buildings and quaint water fountains.

I want and shall have a Meyer lemon tree in a pot soon. I don't think this is a lemon tree but I like it anyway.

An elegant and cozy sun room.

An unusually beautiful and inviting entrance to a home.

STYLE!

Beautiful dining room with a stunning view.

I guess if you have it, flaunt it?!

Do you notice the red stove?

Again, just look at what a coat of beautifully-colored paint can do for a laundry room.

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Random Thoughts:

Whatever happened to "thank you" and "you're welcome"? Now it's "no problem". What in the world does that mean? Welcome is the proper response. I don't think I ever say "no problem" and I always say "thank you".
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Don't marry a man or woman unless you would be proud to have a son or daughter exactly like him or her.
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Never try to feel smart when you are stuck in stupid! Just realize your mistake, don't make excuses, apologize and go on graciously. Personal experience! Yep.
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Terrorists are all martyrs until they get shot in the leg and then they squeal like pigs.
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I want the cell phones the CounterTerrorismUnit used on 24. They never ran out of battery charges.
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A middle school close to us had a reader board that advertised Free Dental Sealant. What is that that the schools have to give free dental work now? I have no dental insurance and pay my way, but I certainly don't get free sealant when I visit my dentist. I have on occasion "bargained" with my dentist though.
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Ear buds help parents strengthen their vocal cords.
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Our youth are forgetting how to write because they are wired with phones. Taking those shortcuts with texting is making them stupid or, at the very least, stunting their writing skills along with spelling. Trust me on this one. I see it frequently.
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Photos courtesy of tumblr and pinterest.