HOW CAN I EVER THANK YOU ENOUGH?

I wanted to thank each and every one of you who have and are going to be sending my brother, Gene, get well cards. Today he got two more while I was there visiting him. Not only did it cheer him up but it touched his heart so much he started to cry. He made me promise to thank all of you for thinking of him, praying for him and sending him well wishes.

So I wanted to let you know I am forever in your debt. To see strangers reach out and be so kind, not only to me, but to my hero, my brother is so heartwarming.

Gene is doing a little bit better each day that goes by. He is working hard and long at trying to recover everything that a little blood clot took from him. He is staying upbeat and fighting with all his might. I am so very proud of him. Once again he is showing me why he has been and will always remain my hero. It has been a privilege to help take care of him.

As I read through other's blogs I have found many other's who are fighting hard for their health and life also. So what I wanted to do was to have this be a post where everyone can list their requests for prayers. Then as a group we can all pray together, each day. As prayers are answered we can post those too.

This will sort of be like our own little prayer chain. I truly believe that through prayer and with God all things are possible. Even the things that we feel aren't.

I will keep checking this post and will pray for each and everyone of you who posts here.

May God bless each of you and yours.

Joanne

VINTAGE BUTTON PICTURE FRAME

I had planned on working on my headboard today but when I woke up I noticed it was raining. So the headboard has to wait.

I knew if I wasn't able to do the headboard I wanted to make my vintage button frame. I got the buttons and hot glue gun out and went to town.

I was quickly reminded why I hate using hot glue guns. OUCH! I burned myself several times. I even got a blister on my finger. Then I got out a glass and filled it with ice water. The next time I burned myself I dipped my finger into the ice water and the burn quickly went away.

I love how the frame came out. Of course it's not as nice as Cindy's at Romantic Home, but I think it's still pretty. Cindy is so nice to allow me to copy her ideas. She has so many wonderful ideas I wish I could do them all.

I put a picture of my grandmother in the frame. I'm not sure if I will keep her in there but for now it's her frame.

Oh, I also made the peony flower out gumpaste. They are one of my favorite flowers and sadly we can't get them to grow here in So. Calif. So I just have to make my own.

Don't forget, if you like the frame and other goodies I'm giving away all you have to do is send my brother a card or say a prayer for him and you will get entered. Also, if you post a link to my blog/give away you will get entered again.

Have a great day everyone. I'm off to go read my new magazines and relax.

Hugs,
Joanne

SHOPPING, SHOPPING AND MORE SHOPPING

I got to spend sometime with my sister today. We went to a movie and then shopping. I found this vintage white clay pot and jar at Goodwill. I came home and went to the garden to cut the hydrangeas to go in the pot. Then I put lots of vintage buttons in the jar.

Looks like both finds worked out just perfect!

We also went to Debra's Cottage. I talked about this cute shop before in my blog. Also, you may have seen the ad in the back of Romantic Homes magazine.

I love going here and today was even more fun because they were having a special day for Mother's Day. When we walked in we got 10 tickets to put our name on and then hunt for balloons in the booths through out the store. The balloons were attached to different items that were being raffled off. You put your ticket in the basket of the items you wanted to try for.

I think they are going to do the drawing tomorrow. I hope I win something.

I thought I would take you through the shop with me. They have some darling cottage white painted furniture.
I love this little garden potting table.
This bed is beautiful!
They even have Christie Repasy paintings for sale there! I've always wanted one of these. Her work is so pretty.

One was being offered for the raffle so maybe I will win that. I'm not counting on it though as I don't really win things. Some people are so lucky at raffles but I'm not one of them.

Don't forget to read about my give away. I would love to have lots and lots of people signed up.

Hugs,
Joanne

GIVE AWAY!!!! With a catch

I wanted to find a way to say thank you to everyone who has sent my brother a card or a note wishing him well and for all the prayers that everyone has been saying.

So I decided to do my first give away. But there is a catch! In order to enter you must send my brother a card or note wishing him will. As he receives them I will add your name to the list for the drawing. Also, if you put a link on your blog to my give away or if you post a prayer your name will also get an entry. There is no limit as to how many prayers or cards you send.

I am going to hold this give away open until May 31st so people from far away will have a chance to get cards mailed in. Please email me for the address to mail them to.

The give away is for a beautiful white frame with roses on top. It's very romantic cottage looking. There is also a box of pretty note cards and envelopes, a lovely white basket with roses on it and your very own kit to make a vintage button picture frame. You can go to Cindy's Romantic Homes to see the one she made. Now you can make your own. The frame is there and you will also get a baggie of vintage buttons. All you need to do is add the white paint to the frame and then glue the buttons on.

So come on, get those cards and notes mailed. I'm really excited about this first give away and hope you will be too.

Hugs,

Joanne

LITTLE TREASURES EVERYWHERE!

The other day I was reading Cindy's blog at Romantic Homes. She had found some pretty plates and a tea pot at Marshall's. So I went the next day to see if my local Marshall's had them too.

No luck. At least not with that pattern. But I did go to the clearance area and I found these three blue plates. I am going to hang them in my bedroom once I get it painted.

I also found this picture frame. Of course I will give it a coat of nice fresh white paint and it will darling.

I then went to Michaels to pick up a glue gun in order to finish my white button picture frame.

As I walked towards the back I passed their collection of Cottage items. I noticed everything was 1/2 off. Now we all love 1/2 off! I spotted this candle holder and I just had get it since it was only $9.99. Of course it will get the spray of white paint too.

I noticed in the photo the right top was pulling away. I'll use a little hot glue on it and then it will be good as new! Oh wait, it is new. It will be better then new.

Now that I have the glue gun I'll be working on the vintage button frame.

Maybe you will get to see that tomorrow.

Hugs to everyone.

Joanne

CARDS, CARDS AND MORE CARDS

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who emailed me asking for my brothers address so they could send a Get Well or Thinking of you card.

I know it will make him happy to know that all over the world people are thinking of him, praying for him and sending him get well wishes.

I know it has touched my heart to see so many people reach out in kindness.

You guys are the best!

Hugs and may God bless you and yours.

Joanne

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND

The above photo is of the little Chapel at the hospital where my brother is at. I went in there today and prayed. I prayed for God to heal my brother Gene and to continue to let him improve everyday. I thanked God for His love and mercy.

Today I was there while my brother had his rehab PT. I got to see him sit up, stand, move himself from the bed to the wheelchair and even push himself around once in the wheelchair. All simple things, I know, but hard, so very hard, for my brother to do these things right now.

Part of me wanted to cry, as it is heartbreaking to see this man, I've known all my life, struggle with such simple everyday tasks. But, the other part of me wanted to cry with such joy that he is getting a little bit stronger everyday and can do these things.

I was proud of him and how hard he is trying to get better. I've always been proud of him. He is not a quitter. He is a fighter. His will is strong and his desire is great.

I know he will get better. Day by day.

Today he showed the therapist that he could use the muscle in the front and back of his thigh. Even the therapist was beaming with joy over this. He knew that was good news.

My brother is still having problems with his vision. He has double vision if things are more then about 4 feet from him. His right arm still has no movement. He still has trouble talking and he is very weak.

He still has a long way to go but he has continued to take steps forward with each day.

He says he doesn't notice he is getting any better. Everyone else tells him they can see a big difference. So I brought my camera today and told him I was going to document his recovery so he could one day look back and see how far he has come.

When I pointed out different things he has done he would say "Yes, I guess I'm doing a little bit better". I told him if you look, you will find many areas you have gotten better.

I have been so touched by all the love, prayers and well wishes from everyone here in blog land. I tell him about everyone and he is happy to hear what everyone says.

I thought it may be nice, if anyone would be so kind, to have people send him a Get Well card, or thinking of you card. Letting him know that even people who have never met him is sending prayers and good vibes his way.

If you would like to send a card, please email me and I can give you the address. If you don't feel comfortable sending a card, please keep up the prayers and good thoughts. God is hearing them and seems to be answering them. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.

Hugs,

Joanne