OBX Pictures (My trip Home, Part 1)

I hope you are ready for picture overload! :)  I haven't been home in three years, so to say I took a few pictures is an understatement. Today, I'm highlighting our trip to Ocracoke Island, Hatteras Island, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Manteo....the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. 

Ocracoke Lighthouse, Ocracoke NC

Cape Hatteras Island, Buxton NC

Now if you remember, I had just had my chemo treament the week before this trip, so I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to climb the 286 steps of the lighthouse. In addition, my sister is afraid of heights, so this was a big deal for her as well! So the kids hustle up the stairs like nobody's business, and my sister and I start the long trek together. Slow step, by slow step, we make it to the first level, and then the next, and then the next. Panting, thighs burning and out of breath of course....but we made it to the top! We both set goals and we both met them! Notice my sister did not move very far from the doorway....but who cares! She made it to the top of Hatteras!

My boys and I with the spectacular view behind us

Looking down the lighthouse

I love this lighthouse, one of my favorites...it's hard to believe it's been 10 years since they moved it inland from it's orginal location.

We also stopped in Nags Head at Bodie Island lighthouse, they are working on restoring the lighthouse and I think I read that they are making it able to climb too.

Next, we travel up to Kitty Hawk where the famous Wright brothers flew their plane off Kill Devil Hill. This was the first time I have ever been to Kitty Hawk, we really enjoyed the memorial.

We also stopped at the Elizabeth II

Logan trying on some armour

And the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, NC

Don't think we did all this in one day....oh no, this was a weekend excursion. I still have more pictures of our trip so stay tuned!

Feeling Good and Rested

First of all, thank you for all the comments and emails I've gotten about how I am doing.....I didn't mean to leave you hanging like that. I am feeling pretty good. I have enjoyed the last two weeks with my family in NC and stayed unplugged the whole time. I am back in Missouri now and you know how it is after taking a trip, you've got to get acclimated to normal life again. I keep thinking I've got to hurry up and get ready for the beach, or what ever adventure that we've got planned for the day but then it dawns on me I'm landlocked again. ;) 

 I can't tell you how much I really needed this trip (I think the boys did too...I have to remember I am not the only one going through the effects of chemo). After three chemo treatments I needed to get some sort of relief and I am a true believer that salt air cures nearly anything. I love being around my sister (that cures anything too), time and miles do not make a difference to us, we fall right back into being together like we always have. I enjoy being an Aunt too...a little mischievousness always comes out in me. 

I want to show you some of the adventures while on our trip and the surprise birthday party my sister threw for me. I turned 40 on June 1st and she really got me, that stinker. I am working on editing the pictures and can't wait to show you. I start my fourth round of chemo on Monday so I probably will go missing again for a few days. Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers, you guys are amazing!  

Random Stuff

I'm sharing some complete randomness because really...that is what life has become for me BUT I am learning to balance things. My mind is still: go, go go, but my body is just not keeping up...talk about frustrating! My biggest news is that we are going HOME. In case you are new here, I am originally from a small fishing town on the coast of North Carolina. I know what you might be thinking. Chemotherapy and travelling don't mix...but I will be going in between treatments, when I start feeling better. Of course I am scared that I might not feel better but I really need a break and I haven't been home in three years.

(Shrimp boats at dusk. Swansboro, NC)

The boys are out of school for summer, which seems hard to believe. Freshman year is done?? Kindergarten is done??? I wish we could pick and chose which part of our lives Time decides to go fast or slow...I would definitely chose my boys growing up to go s l o w (chemo treatments FAST! :)

(Keegan looking much cooler than me at 15)

I have made some wreaths for the shop. Not super seasonal, something that can be hung all the time....for those 'in between seasons'.

I had my first CT scan since starting chemo last week and I cannot WAIT to get the results. I really hope those nasty tumors are shrinking or better yet, just gone! I will share as soon as I know the results.

Look what a dear reader sent to me! How sweet is she?? I loved how her email read: "I know how hard it is to accept things from people...just do it!" Thank you so much Susan! This book is helping me on my juicing quest!

If you are wondering, yes...around the house I don't wear a hat or scarf and am referred to as the 'bald eagle' :)

See? Completely random. I start my third round of chemo today...but I'll talk to you soon.

My Booth Space (Beautiful Vanity!)

I Finally got this beauty in my space! When I found this beautiful vanity, all it needed was a little cleaning and TLC. I also fitted it with a combination of new and old hardware (it was knobless when I found it). I went to the Habitat For Humanity Restore in Joplin to see if I could find something suitable yet old...they have a good selection of used hardware....anyway, I didn't find any knobs that I liked, but I found some little decorative back plates. I used on the lower drawers. Luckily, I was able to bend them a little to conform to the shape of the drawer. The knobs, however, are new. I found them at Lowe's and thought they worked really well with the style of the vanity and went right along with  the old back plates too. Like it was meant to be. 

The mirror is in perfect shape (and a huge 48 inches!), which is great considering how old it is. I styled it up with some girly-girl accessories......

...then moved on to revamping everything else. Since we are approaching Summer, I thought some red and blue was in order. That fabric I have hung over the mirror was another great find. It's very "Americana" and I can see someone getting very creative with it. Can you see the eagle in it?

I also brought in a shelf to sit behind the drop leaf table for some height and filled it with glassware (a real weakness of mine, can you tell? :) and dinnerware.

Some sewing machine drawers are always fun to have in the mix too.

I'm working on a couple of lamp makeovers that I hope to get finished for the booth this week. I'll be showing you those later.

One last look at such a beautiful piece.....I wonder how long it will last.

FTD $50 Coupon Winner!

I want to thank everyone who entered the FTD.com coupon giveaway this weekend! I don't host very many giveaways but I thought this was a really great one. So without further delay...the winner of the $50 coupon is:

Donna from Sugar, Spice & Southern Life

Donna, please email me!

sweetsomethingdesign@yahoo.com

Flowers For Mom and a Great Giveaway!

Happy Friday! I am feeling pretty good today (yeah!) and boy, do I have a treat for you! How about a giveaway? With Mother's Day right around the corner, I jumped on this chance to be able to give away a $50.00 coupon from Better Homes and Garden and FTD.com

Is this not beautiful?

I lost my Mother several years ago, but luckily I have a special relationship with my husband's mom. She has always been a great help to me but especially now with my health issues and chemotherapy....she has really stepped up to the plate. She is truly amazing and can I say what a wonderful Grandma she is too? I can't wait to pick an arrangement out for her for Mother's Day.

I love how beautifully this arrangement came together...I especially love the lilies and little yellow mums. It's in a nice glass container that I know I'll find a use for later. 

I am so happy to be able to share this coupon with you. I KNOW we all have special women in our lives that would love to get a beautiful bouquet like this.

I want to keep it super simple to win this $50.00 coupon to FTD.com....Just leave me a comment! I am going to let this run all weekend and announce a winner on Monday.

Update

I am finally coming up for air....and it's May. It just doesn't seem possible, the world keeps turning and I feel like I'm in some sort of time warp where everything centers around "getting through" chemo and then recuperating afterwards. As you probably know, I had my second round of chemo last week. Even though the symptoms were the same, I am happy to report NO headaches this time.
 My resolve suffered a little by the third day, I got really dishearten in the chemo room. Looking around at all the patients and it dawns on me that I don't want to be there...and I know none of them want to be either....and to be honest, I don't even know how I managed to go back on the fourth day at all. No amount of books or magazines helped that day. That doesn't sound very positive does it? Not every day is a good one, that's for sure. On Friday, they added a Nuelasta shot that is suppose to help my body keep my white blood cells up...we'll see when I have labs tomorrow.

I am still feeling weak, but I am going to be working in my booth tomorrow....poor thing, I haven't been in two weeks! I am moving in a beautiful vanity that I found, I'll take some pictures for you. :)