Thanksgiving

Growing up, Thanksgiving meant traveling to see the grandparents. 
My dad's family lived in Mississippi.
My mom's family lived in Arkansas. 
We would alternate where we would go for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year.
But we made sure that we were in Arkansas when the other family would be there. 
This went on for years, but as grandparents passed away, we started having Thanksgiving at home.  There was no tradition for a while, and once my family even traveled to Gatlinburg for the holiday. 

Once my parents bought their own house, (I grew up in church manses), my dad was very adamant about having Thanksgiving at home.  So my sister and family would travel from Collierville to my parents, I would make the short trek from my house, and my brother-in-laws parents would come and join us also.  This has been our tradition since my parents moved.  This year was the same, but we added a few family members. 

My mom's sister and husband joined us from Indiana. 
My cousin Jamie, her husband Eric, and their two kids Lilly and Will came from St. Louis.
Jaime's (brother-in-law) parents and brother and his fiance' joined us.
Lou and Jake joined us.
There were a total of 19 people at Thanksgiving. 
It reminded me of Thanksgivings in Calico Rock, Arkansas.
This is where my mom and her sisters grew up.
We would have Thanksgiving in the house my grandpa built.
There would be 1 bathroom for 14 or so people. (My parents have 2)
We were all together. 

This year we did have a few family members that were unable to make the trip, but it was still so incredibly fun to have many of us back together.
My mom's youngest sister drove down from Kansas City on Friday with her two grandsons. 
It was so good to see my mom and both of her sisters together.  I can't remember the last time they were all together. 

It was just a great weekend, and I have so much to be thankful for. 

That is all :)

Adventures in Cleaning

Pinterest has been absolutely wonderful for helping me find cleaning solutions that were more natural and environmentally friendly.  I am not a maniac when it comes to being completely environmentally friendly, but if I can do something that will not have fumes or is not safe to breathe in or put down the sink, then I am all for it!!

My first project was to clean my washing machine.  I didn't want to take the whole thing apart, and it's pretty old, but I read that filling it up with hot water and adding 2 cups of bleach and putting it on the longest wash would kill the bacteria and other junk that might be lurking in the crevices we cannot see.  All I can say is WOW!!  I like a light smell of bleach, and the smell let me know it was cleaner than before :)  I have decided to do this once a month since the machine is so old.

 

 

 

 

This all started when I wanted to deep clean my towels.  They have had this really musty, mildewy smell after they get wet, so instead of throwing them all away and buying new ones, I tried a method of vinegar and baking soda!  Pinterest to the rescue!!  First I collected EVERY towel I owned.  Even the kitchen towels used for display because you never know when you are going to need them.  It took me a couple of days to do them all, but WELL worth it. 

 

I ran the washer on the hottest wash and longest cycle.  I added a cup of vinegar when it was full, and then waited for the load to finish.  As soon as it was done, I added a half cup of baking soda and ran them again.  Once that was done, I threw them in the dryer.  That was all!  Let me tell you, my towels smelled SO AMAZING!!!!  And...once they got wet in the shower and even a few hours after, they still smelled fresh!!  I was so so happy!!!  It's the little things :)

 

I can't tell you what a difference it truly made, my towels were not fluffy, they wouldn't soak up water as well as in the past, and I've had most of them for 7 years, but I love them.  And now, they are incredibly fluffy, they soak up tons of water (especially with my hair), and now I have decided to deep clean my towels every 6 months.  It is a LONG process, but SO worth it!!

 

Hope this helps you!!

Pictures and Frames

I am tired of the pictures on my wall that really don't reflect my personality at all, so I decided I needed to put up actual pictures of my family - especially of Lou and I, and my nephews!  I have TONS of pictures on my computer, but want to start showing them off!

 

Lately I have been seeing the very trendy, curvy, colorful frames, and I LOVE them, but I don't love the cost, so I thought I would try a few different things to make my own.

 

Hobby Lobby has a great selection of unfinished wood products, but no curvy frames.  But, I like the wood pieces and thought it would be cool to do a stacked frame.   I ran to JoAnn's and they had curvy frames in different sizes!!  Perfect!! 

 

Here is the first frame I made :)

I took a regular piece of decorative wood and painted it black, and then took the fram and painted it white - like you couldn't tell what color I painted them :)

 

I then took a picture I have had of B for a while and placed it in the frame, and then I started to wonder how on earth am I going to get this to stay on the black frame.  What I did next was probably not the smartest idea and I am going to probably regret it later, but pictures are priceless and I really don't anticipate changing them out....I nailed the top frame to the bottom.  Yep, nailed it in and did it good.  So yeah, it's in there, but of course it won't be hard to get it out, but I probably won't be able to use the frame after I do that.

 

This is actually two frames from Hobby Lobby.  These don't come with glass, but I was able to take an old 8x10 frame that I did not like anymore and use the glass and it worked perfectly!!

The glare on the picture was not intentional, but my sister and T got left out :(

 

 

I wanted them both to look a little weathered, so I wasn't perfect with the paint, but when I put it on my blue walls it just popped and looked so good!!!  I also nailed the top frame to the bottom, but I don't know of another way right now.  I added a wall hanger to the back - cheap at Hobby Lobby.

 

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I did buy the yellow curvy frame in this pic at Hobby Lobby, it was 50% off. 

I also LOVE Glory Haus frames!!  A bit expensive, but OH SO CUTE!! 

I have 4 of them, and I just LOVE them!! 

(The people in the "So Happy Together" frame are models.  I wish I was that thin.)

 

The picture in the yellow frame is Lou and his son, Jake, at the beach this summer.

 

Here is my new picture frame wall. 

 

 

I put a small desk on the wall, and it fit perfect because the bar counter area is right next to it. 

I bought the "Welcome" sign years ago at Ross, I think, and had placed it on my TV armoire, but thought it looked good on the wall.  I also had a small canvas a friend of mine painted years ago as a Christmas gift and it looked perfect!  Yep, the lamp is pretty bright, but it's really cute.  The two frames on the desk and the empty one on the wall are all Glory Haus.  I just love walking in the door and looking at the wall!  I have also ordered a few more curvy frames from an online vendor that have excellent, affordable, cute frames!  I am so excited to get them in the mail!! 

 

I have never really jumped on the trendy decor bandwagon, mostly because I know it will go out of style as quickly as it came in, but I just love these frames, and pictures are timeless. 

 

I will post later with the other frames I have in progress and the ones I bought, but here is a pile to work on...also I didn't have to buy all of this at one time.  I like to buy things with the ambition to make cute things and then they sit in my spare room and collect dust, but now I am determined to get them done. 

 

 

Also!!!  I sent my pictures to CVS and when you sign up you get 25 4x6 prints for free!!!!

I was so excited!! 

 

Hope you enjoy!

 

Liz

 



Wedding Blog

This will personal blog where I share my stuff, but I have created a wedding blog so check it out!!

lizandlousayido.blogspot.com

Liz

WOOHOO!!!

I am ENGAGED!!!! 

Lou and I went hiking on Saturday to his favorite camping spot and he proposed!!! 

I could not ask for a more perfect man to spend the rest of my life with!!

I am starting a wedding blog so as soon as it is ready I will post it on here so you can follow all my fun plans - hahaha!!

Liz

Things...

I have had a lot on my mind lately...

Mostly I need a job.

 

I have been out of work since the end of May.

My teaching contract was non-renewed.

I have not been able to find a teaching job.

I have not been able to find any job.

I have had a few interviews.

I have applied for well over 200 jobs.

I am frustrated.

 

I want to work.

I want to work where I am able to use my gifts.

I want to work at a place where I will make more than my unemployment.

 

I have been told I am not trying hard enough.

I have been told I don't want a job bad enough.

I have been told these things because I don't talk about it.

All I think about 24/7 is a job.

I don't want to talk about it anymore.

I have applied and applied and applied and applied.

And applied some more. 

 

I keep thinking about ways I can make money on my own.

Can I sell stuff online?

What can I make that others would want to buy?

 

It's hard.  Really hard.

I KNOW GOD has a plan for me.

I have to go through the valleys to see from the hills.

I am not alone in my job search.

It could always be worse.

I am not hungry.

(I could stand to not eat for a few days.)

I am not without a roof over my head.

I have clothes on my back.

I do not have health insurance, but I am not sick.

I can afford my medicines.

I still get my Sonic Route 44 Diet Coke every day.

I have gas in my car to get me where I need to go.

I have what I need.

It could be much, much worse.

 

I have some opportunities that I am very excited about.

Not enough to get me out of unemployment, but I won't lose any either.

I am thankful for that.

 

Just needed to vent for a few.

 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.  "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Keeping the Boys!!

My sister and brother-in-law went on a quick trip to the Bahamas, so my mom and I went down to keep my nephews.  Since I still don't have a job, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get out of the house and also to help my mom since the boys have a busy schedule!! 

 

We drove down Tuesday and picked up T from school and as soon as he saw "Ma Carole" he said her name and ran into her arms!  It was so precious!  He knew we were picking him up, but it was almost like he forgot and then when he saw her he was just so excited!!!  We ran home to unload the car and then went to pick up B at school.  I could not believe how much he has grown up and I just saw him a few weeks ago!! 

 

Here is a picture of T and I goofing off!

 

Wednesday was "Walk Your Child to School Day" and I walked B to school while he rode his scooter half way - I ended up carrying it the rest of the way to school and then back to the point where mom picked me up.  I am used to walking, so it was a good opportunity, but trying to keep up with a 7 year old on a scooter and keeping him away from the main road was not so fun, but we made it.  He was just ready to get to school that morning - haha!  Mom picked me up to take T to school and then mom and I got ready and went to lunch.  On Wednesday's the boys have swim lessons, so we had to run home, get them dressed and have a light snack and then head to the pool.  We were so impressed at how good they did! 

 

Thursday we dropped off the boys and I went for what needs to be my daily walk.  It was fun to go on a brand new route!  Mom and I went to a cute little restuarant on the town square and then to a cute little store that sells Vera!  Thursday night was much easier with little homework and no swim. 

 

Friday we took the boys to school, got ready, ran to eat lunch, and then headed to B's school for their Dragon Dash!  B ran all 4 laps and was 3rd in his class!! 

We had fun watching him and he was so happy!!

Here is B ready for school and the Dragon Dash!

 B finishing his first lap!

 Ma Carole and B

Me and B!

 I left Saturday to come home and mom stayed and headed to Texas for a quick trip with my sister and the boys!  I had such a good time getting to spend quality Aunt Liz time with them - I just love them so much and can't believe how much they have grown in a few months!! 

 



Closet Project!!

I am constantly CONSTANTLY changing my closet - always wanting to get it the way I want - but I am never happy - until now!  I decided I was finally going to raise the rails up so I could have more room on the bottom.  I thought this would be a piece of cake, but it definitely was not.  Little did I know that EVERY screw was in the wall with anchors.  And anchors are extremely hard to get out of the wall, and I learned the hard way. 

 

Here is the before picture...

Well I had already taken the rail off, but had not attempted the holder thingys...

 

 

 

I raised them up 7 inches - a random number, but it worked for me.  That way I could still put my shoe holders up at the top and be able to reach them.  I know my neighbors were loving the sound of me hammering holes in my walls (I am in a townhome and my closet backs up to their bedroom). 

It was a CRAZY job getting those hook things out, and to be honest, I didn't get them all out, so I had to compromise.  BUT, the next day I went to Home Depot to find extra anchors, but found something a little different, but it would definitely work. 

If you could have seen my bag of tools, you would have laughed!!  I had a ton of stuff out to use, because the holes in the wall had to be a certain size or the anchors either would not fit, or would be falling out, so it was a fun experience.  After I put the rails back up, I was able to hang up my clothes and then have space at the bottom to put up small shelving that I had used in my classroom to hold things.  My first attempt was to put up a shower curtain rod hanging with para cord from the original rail to add a bottom rail for clothes.  While it worked, it was not what I wanted, so I cut that down and put them on the other rail.  So in the end, I am VERY pleased!!  I feel like I have so much more room to store what I need to in my closet and it not feel so cramped!  Who knew that raising the rails up would make such a difference!! 

Here are the after pictures.  I do have a lot of clothes, but I have put on a bunch of weight and many of them don't fit, but they will!!!

 

 

 

 

 

So there it is.  Nothing really exciting, but I am happy!!

 

Elizabeth



Coming Up...

I will have a project I was working on posted soon, but I have been gone since Tuesday keeping my nephews with my momma so I haven't had a lot of time to post it - but I LOVE my project!!  Talk soon!

Liz

Great Weekend!

Saturday's weather could not have been more perfect! 

 

Lou and I decided to go on a hike at Long Hunter State Park. 

It was a 4 mile day loop hike and I was excited because I knew I would be able to complete it! 

(My dad and I have been walking almost every morning since the first of July,

and we walk over 3 miles, so 4 miles would be a piece of cake!) 

It was great, but I was tired - I am used to walking on concrete and flat land and the trail was up and down, gravel and dirt, rocks and climbing through brush to avoid wasps!  We had a good time and were able to stop by the lake a few times and enjoy the breeze.  Here is a pic of us, Lou looks like he is just having a fabulous time, and I just look overly happy, but we both said we had a good time and have planned to go to another park next weekend!

 

We left the park and went to eat hot wings and fries.  We hadn't been in a long time so it was good!  When we got back to my house I had to lay down.  My legs were a hurtin bad.  But it was definitely worth it.  Ready to go out next weekend!!

 

Today I went to the church I grew up in because it was on my heart to go.  Lou went with me, but I was sad because it just didn't feel the same.  I know it will never be the same, but I guess I was hoping it would be like it was even a few months ago.  People leave, new people come in, familiar faces were there, good music and message, just seemed like something was missing.  Lou and I have talked about finding a church for us, and we have been to a few different places, but nothing seemed to fit.  We were both raised as preacher's kids, but we are not stuck on one particular church.  I am praying that God will guide us where He wants us!

 

After church we went to lunch at a place my family and I used to go almost every Sunday for lunch and the people had changed, but the food was good! 

 

Took a trip to the Target and then a nap and then to dinner.  All in all the weekend was great!  I managed to not watch a bit of football! 

 

Now I am enjoying the Emmy's and the cool weather with my windows open!

I hope you had an amazing weekend and I feel so blessed! 

 

Elizabeth

Halloween Candy!

I always love to display Halloween candy, such as candy corn, candy pumpkins, anything fun.  A few years ago I bought a good amount of candy, and mainly used it for decoration, only eating a few bites here and there.  Well I didn't want to throw it away and have to buy new for the next year, so I saved it.  Also a good way not to eat the candy the next year because it is hard as a rock.  Gummy worms do not keep well!  So tonight I decided to go ahead and put out my candy for display.

 

I have three jar like containers that I keep lemon drops, gumballs, and random candies (leftovers from my goodie box at school), and I don't eat it, so I can use it for a long time!  It is festive and fun and just adds some color to my kitchen.  Above are just two of them. 

 

I decided to put some of my Halloween ribbon to use, so I replaced the blue with two different styles.  Here is the finished product!

 

 

I bought the jars a year or so ago at Hobby Lobby when the glass was 50% off, so I was able to do all of this for little cost.  I just need to make sure any guests know not to eat the candy or they may break a tooth!! 

 

I also have a few apothecary jars that I like to put different candy in, and here is one of them with a mixture of regular candy corn and the candy corn pumpkins.  I added a thicker ribbon around the top, just to give it a little something.  I put this on the desk in the corner of my living room.  Loving it with the picture frame!  (That is not me in the frame.  I need to put pics of me in those - haha!)  I bought a set of three apothecary jars about two years ago from Ballard Designs. 

 

 

 

This is what I have done so far, but I plan on working on the rest next week!  I try to wait until October 1 to put out any Halloween or fall decorations, but since I am trying to figure out what I want where (for the millionth time), I decided to go ahead. 

 

Hope you enjoy and maybe get a little inspiration!! 

 

Elizabeth

 

I'm Glad You Are Here!!

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting me at Twenty-Third and Palm!!  I am excited to start on this new journey to wherever it takes me!

Since Fall is now here, I am ready to get some mums and really start to decorate for the season!  I will be posting pics soon of my fall and Halloween decorations and ideas.

I have some projects in the works for posts, so hopefully I can put those up soon as well.  I am so excited to have a new place to start! 

Leave me a comment if you are reading or following!  I would love to hear from you!!