Antique Store Date

Good Thursday morning!

And a wonderful Thursday morning it is! Not too cold, but just right. The sun is shining, but we have a forecast of some gray stuff coming in this evening. I like it!

The Gallery Pics are simple. The picture frames are the "before" shots of a project Roxie and I are planning for her bedroom. Because I posted the "before" shots, maybe I'll feel obligated to post the "after" shots. (Code for MAYBE I'LL ACTUALLY FINISH THE PROJECT!) The project involves painting some of the frames and shooting nine black and white photos... really good black and white photos. Roxie wants to be an interior designer when she grows up... and I think she's going to drag me along with her.

I also included my last Hillbilly Sign... I promise.

Our Special Guest will be here bright and early Monday morning. I've had some very, very good educated guesses from A Simple Life readers. Let's see if you can think of a few more names using this clue.

7. She once saw Buffy from the show Family Affair in a Christmas parade when she was a little girl. Remember Uncle Bill and Mr. French? She was a proud owner of a Mrs. Beasley doll.

As you might guess, I'm pretty jealous. What a GREAT famous person to have in your "Famous People I've Seen From a Distance" collection. She has all the luck!

Blog Linkage - I have some new blogs for you to visit today. I think you'll enjoy what they have to say.

1. This woman has a great post dated January 26. She also has a visually beautiful blog. Go to www.beckynovacekphotography.com and scroll down until you come to the heading "'b' list of words." She has taken an idea from another blogger/scrapbooker (Ali Edwards) and is trying to choose a "word" for 2010. She lists several along with her explanation of why the word is important to her. I love it.

I thought about it last night, and I think my word for 2010 will be "COMPASSION." What would your word be?

2. You'll notice a new blog under My Blog List called Sherri's Blog. This is Sherri Burgess' new blog. As most of you know, she and her husband, Rick, lost their 2 1/2 year-old son, Bronner, two years ago January 19 in a drowning accident. (She just started blogging this month.) For anyone who has ever lost someone, you need to read Sherri's Blog. As of this morning, there are four posts. I have attended church faithfully my entire life, but I have never heard anyone make Heaven as "real" as Sherri does. It is an uplifting, heartbreaking, thanksgiving and hopeful blog.

3. Okay. Okay. No surprise here. I had a favorite post this week on Nitty.Gritty (under My Blog List), so read Jody's post dated January 27. It is a list of questions. Take a few minutes to answer them honestly (like Jody did). Maybe it's just me, but I like stuff like this.

4. If you have little ones, you may want to go to www.familyfun.com and click on Valentine's Day Cards. They have dozens of fun, fun, fun cards to make. We've made some of these in the past, and we always enjoyed this crafty little holiday.

Antique Store Date

I'm assuming you are busy writing your "I love you because... " notes for your family as I share this date. This is a fun outing to go along with the Valentine's Day project (see Monday's post). You have until February 13 to actually "go" on this date, but plan a specific time NOW.

Find a local antique store in your area. (In the south, there is literally a church, a Chinese restaurant and an antique store on every corner. I'm not kidding. And I enjoy attending, eating and shopping at all three.)

After you find the store, take your shopping buddy (a/k/a date) through the store looking for long necked bottles. You'll need one for each member of your family. They should be inexpensive and fairly easy to find. Take your time, but keep your date focused on the task at hand. (It's easy to get sidetracked in an antique store.)

After you have found and paid for your treasures, it will be time for a snack or dinner. It's up to you and your budget. Take your time. Don't rush. And always, always enjoy this one-on-one time with your son or daughter.

NOTE - Since you are buying the bottles for a Valentine's Day surprise for your date, as well as the other members in your family, do not spoil the secret. Just tell your date you are collecting the bottles for a project you are planning for the house, and you need their help. This is as true as true can be!

Have a good Thursday. Tomorrow we'll have a short post regarding Weekend Happenings in the Faulkner household, as well as a few more clues about our Special Guest. I'll also be talking about next week's Topic of the Week. It's a very good one, and it will involve sharing some wonderful stories from some of my friends.

NOTE - Don't worry. If you are my friend, I will be asking your permission before sharing your story. Working for attorneys for ten years (in the early days) made me very "lawsuit" conscious, if you get my drift!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda