My Post-Chemo Vacation Dreams

One thing I'm learning on my cancer journey, is to take it one day at a time.

And plan for the future.

I've already decided on long hot pink hair IF mine should decide to fall out.

My next plan is my post-chemo vacation.

A place where I can relax and recoup with no stress, no iv bags, no tubes or needles or nausea.

So, where should I go?

Local to NC of course, and my favorite rest spot

The Outer Banks.

See that soft tan sand?

The beautiful blue green water?

The softly lapping waves?

And right in the middle of this picture,

picture me,

laying in a hammock 

in my hot pink wig.

lol

I am a history buff, I love stories of how this country started.
So what's a trip without a little learning?
We have talked about seeing this every
time we go to the beach, and never get there.
But since this trip I am not going to be in
hiking form, sitting and watching
Ghosts of The Lost Colony
is a good choice.

Now when I'm tired and just need some quiet time, I'll send Chuck and the kids to
Jockey's Ridge State Park,
the world's largest sand dune.
I'll be sitting on the beach again,
having some alone time with my son who I never get to see as much as I want since he grew up and moved out of state.

And for our last night there,
nothing is more fun than some interactive
action.  And this
OBX Mystery Dinner
looks like a blast.

Does any of this look like fun to you?
Be blessed,
Debbi

5 Things I'll Miss When We Move

As some of you may already know, we are planning to sell our home here in sunny warm NC and move back to not as sunny and warm NY to be closer to family.  I have tried for 16 years to get everyone to move down here....but I've been outnumbered. lol

So here is my list of 5 things I'll miss about North Carolina.

5) Kill Devils Hill and The Outer Banks

I absolutely loved the trips we have taken to The Outer Banks.  Walking the beach, floating the waves, and the shops are such fun.  Plus you're not too far from the wild horses of Corolla and in the opposite direction is Roanoke where you'll find lots of fun places to explore like the aquarium and botanical gardens.

4) Blowing Rock.

Closer to home is Blowing Rock, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  I can see the mountains from my front porch, but the trip up the mountain is so much fun.  The first stop is always at the rock....you'll get an amazing view if you are brave enough to walk out to the tip (I never have, lol).  Then into downtown to enjoy a great day of shopping and eating.

3) Emerald Hollow Mine

Right down the road from us is the little town of Hiddenite, home of the Emerald Hollow Mine.

It looks muddy, but it's a lot of fun, prospecting for gems.  

2) The NC Antique Trail

One of the things I love about the south is not only the lovely weather, but also the love of history.

Chuck and I always enjoyed jumping in the car and traveling the route to shop our favorite antique shops.

1) The Statesville Full Gospel Tabernacle

The place I will miss the most is my church.

It's not just our church..they are our family.

If you're in this area, and looking for a place to belong, to be loved, check us out.

So, what is your favorite spot in your neck of the woods?

Be blessed,

Debbi

What To Do On Our Staycation

Chuck and I were talking about going home to NY for a visit this 4th of July, but with the cost of gas and hotels, it's just not going to happen. :0(

But now I need to find ways to celebrate summer at home with our children, and here are a few ideas for my friends that live in North Carolina.

The NC Zoo in Ashboro.

We went with our church a few weeks ago, and let me tell you, I will probably never go again. At least, not during the summer months, because IT WAS HOT!!!  Plus this zoo is very naturalistic so to walk the whole zoo, you're walking 5 miles, and you can't always see any animals.  I was very disappointed.

Cherokee is a great place to visit.  Chuck and I went without kids a few years ago, and we will definitely go back with the kids this summer.  No, we did not go to gamble, because there is so much more there, like the museum, the village, and the drama "Unto These Hills".  You can read about our trip here, with pictures. :0)

Now to find new places for us to visit..

For years I have talked about taking a train ride through the Great Smoky Mountains...and this may just be the year.  Do you think my kids are too big for the Peanuts Pumpkin Event?  I hope not. lol

Right up the road from us is The Emerald Hollow Mine in Hiddenite.  We've gone there several times, and always had fun for very little money.  When our out of state family comes to visit, they always ask to go mining....cuz you just never know when you might find the big one. hahaha

And no summer is complete without a drive on The Blue Ridge Parkway.  Not only are the views spectacular, but the history is interesting, and you must stop at Blowing Rock and then do some shopping and eating in the town of Blowing Rock.

Well, that should hold us over during the summer months.  What are your plans?

Be blessed,

Debbi

The Hiddenite Festival of the Arts

I love fairs, and festivals, and tractor pulls, anywhere you can make fun family memories, and find great arts and crafts.  This past Saturday, Amanda and I took the kids to our local Hiddenite Festival of the Arts.  It's a nice festival, not real big so you're not out all day long, or being smushed by thousands of people.  But my very favorite part of the Hiddenite Festival is the live music, especially The Appalacian Steely Pan Steel Drum Band from Appalacian State University.

 We got there early to get a good seat, but as you can see, it's still hot here in North Carolina...poor Owen was turning red, but he loves music and refused to leave, lol.  So Aunt Hannah kept him supplied with snow cones.  As you can see, the benches fill up quickly, but the wait is worth it because this band puts on a great show.  Take a look.

I love how they get into it!
I'll be sharing more about this festival in the next few weeks...there was a lot of great booths there, and some really talented artists.
So take some time out from your hectic scheduale and visit a local arts and crafts festival near you.
Be blessed,
Debbi

Hickory Lake

Some of you may have noticed that I have not hosted a linky party in a while.  I figured that while we are busy revamping our site and setting up shops, I would wait and then have a big GRAND REOPENING PARTY!  So until then, let me share with you some pictures of our latest day on the bike.  We went to Lake Hickory looking for a good fishing hole.

I love drift wood.  I asked Chuck if we could bring one home for our yard, but since these pieces were bigger than our motorcycle he said no.

There were tons of tiny little sea shells, but it was hard to get a good shot while not getting the garbage in the pictures.  Why do people do that?  Nature is so beautiful, yet there was broken glass, plastic bags, and even a dirty diaper on the trail.  Nasty.

This is the "shelf" that Chuck plans to stand on while fishing.  I, on the other hand, will be reclining on a blanket with the picnic basket and a good book.

Hello Bilbo Baggins...are you home?

Lake Hickory is at the top of the Duke Power Dam.

The flip side of the dam.

And this is a shot of what my dream ranch would look like...

And that's just the horse barn!  I love it!!!!
Everyone have a blessed weekend, and I'll see y'all again Monday.
Debbi

the light after the storm

Yesterday was a dreary day.  I had lots of errands to run in town, and had Hannah and Owen with me.  It would sprinkle, then the sun would shine, then it would pour, then the sun.  It usually was sunny when we were in the car driving, and rain when we had to run from car to store, or car to office, or car to whatever. lol.  I am thankful we purchased the Chevy minivan with the DVD system.  While I did enjoy the movie, I am not thankful for having to listen to Veggitales, "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything", multiple times.  But I did love listening to Owen sing the songs.  He only remembers every 3rd or 4th word.  It's funny to listen to.  The torando warnings came out on our way home.  Mandy and Brandon had car trouble on their way home from work, but while there were tornados south of us (welcome to NC cousin Susie), we just got the rain.  And this is what we get after every storm, and one reason why I love North Carolina.

This morning my heart is heavy, and goes out to the family of the 3 people who died when a "possible" tornado touched down just south of the state line.  I don't pretend to understand why some are taken and some are spared, that is God's job.  But I do know, that despite it all,

 He is Good, and He is God.

Autumns colors

Today Chuck and I took advantage of the last of the beautiful weather, hopped on our bike, and went antiquing.  This time I took my camera and tried to catch some of the beautiful fall colors while they are still here.  Pictures aren't too bad, considering I was on the back of a moving motorcycle. 

I had on my sunglasses, not my reading glasses, so I just point the camera and shoot in the sports setting.  I saw a speck of a hawk, and am please that a major crop brought him this close.  And the red trees seem to be peeking out from behind their mothers skirts. :~)

Whenever I see a dirt road, I get an urge to follow it and see where I might end up.  At a farm, in the woods, or face to face with a bull.  (I actually did that once, the bull part, not fun).  Looking up the trees makes me realize just how small we humans can be, and yet God gave us dominion.

We made it down to Cornelius and stopped at "the Mill", and old mill turned into a strip of antique shops and boutiques.  I was very disappointed in the boutiques when I found several of them selling some "handmade" items, but the back stated "made in China".  That's just sad.  I did find these wonderful roses bushes there, in full bloom.  I'm sure the red ones are knock out roses, but the peach ones on the left were just amazing.  Big and Bold and full of that wonderful rose scent.  So let me leave you with this last picture.  And then thank God for His many gifts.  Because despite the OWS and debt issues and employment problems, this country is still very blessed.  And the amount of new cars on the road, and in the shopping mall parking lots, and restaurant parking lots, proves we are so much better off than most of the world. \0/  And for more of the thoughts that passed thru my head during my read, visit My Hope My Faith My Life.

Debbi

Saturday Shopping Link Up - free for all

Well, I didn't have a lot of time this week to think of a theme, so this week is a free for all, lol.  Post anything you like!!!  So I looked thru some of my older cirlce friends to see what was new, so here's some Etsy things I like...

Look at the color!!!!  I love it!  These are Frosted Cerulean Blue Wire Wrapped earrings from the shop of byebyebirdy.  I know Wendy, and she is a wonderful person who takes great pride in her work.  You'll love her shop.

And here's my friend Nina from You Are My Sunshine.  I have purchased several items from her, and even had a custom order with her, and everything she sent me was even better then I expected.  Lovely and soft and feminin and simply wonderful.  Just like this Statement Necklace, vivid fuschia silk flowers and reclaimed vintage earrings make this a truly one of a kind necklace.

And lastly is a shop I have not purchased from (I don't have a cat) but I just love what  Amélie creates, so I like to check in often to see what's new, like this Southern Belle Hat with Wig.  ToScarboroughFair has been features all over the place, in movies, and lately on Good Morning America.  Wow!  And Congrats!!



And now it's your turn.  Link up and share....and let's party!!!
Debbi

my local CAPSteam buddies

I haven't shared my CAPSteam buddies in a while, so here we are...While looking thru the members list, I noticed a few that are local to me.  How cool is that?  So I'm going to show you some hometown CAPSteam talent.  First up from Lincolnton, NC, Meadow Song Arts.  Danielle is an accomplished artist as well as a talented crafter.  My favorite is this Chimpanzee done in oil.  I feel like it's staring right at me, kind of like my kids when they are hungry, lol.  This wonderful chimp is painted on 10x10 canvas board, the perfect size for that hard to decorate area.

Ok, my second visit today is MyStuff2, located somewhere in the state of North Carolina, where I find this little guy staring at me.  What's with the looks I'm getting today? hahaha.  This shop of full of georgeous photographs, and from her photos she creates gift tags and greeting cards, but her biggest sellers are bookmarks.  I am an avid reader (I refuse to buy a nookbook) and I have misplaced the scrap pieces of paper, or tissue, that I usually grab to mark my page.  I definetly need some of these bookmarks.

And then there's MissPrettyPerfect.  Finally, something not staring at me, but of course it's yelling...BUY ME! hahaha. LaToya is fairly close to me, down here in Cornelius, but for a little while she tried the Big Apple, but hey, once a southern belle, always a southern belle.  Right LaToya?  She makes the greatest purses (from my old yankee speak), but I've learned to call them pocketbooks down here :~D  Her style is unique and you won't be sorry to keep all your stuff in one of her bags.

My last pick is Sew Upscale from Morganton, NC.  Linda creates quilted postcards!  How cool is that?  I've sewn clothes, and made many quilts, but never would have thought to make a quilt that small.  I love this one of the Rocky Mountains.  It almost looks like the view from my front porch where I can watch the sun set behind the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Now this last picture has absolutely nothing to do with Etsy or arts and crafts, but it is typical North Carolina.  EWWWWW.  I have lived down here (from NY) for 12 years, and I will NEVER get used to the HUGE bugs that share my world.  But I must say, the colors and patterns are pretty.  My husband kept telling me to get close to take this picture, but I said that I would depend on my zoom lens, thank you very much.

I hope you enjoyed my local CAPSteam buddies, and you can click on any link above to visit their shops.  And while you are there, buy local! lol
Debbi

baby it's hot outside!!!

When Chuck and I decided to move out of New York State 10 years ago, we chose North Carolina because Florida was just too hot.  Go ahead global warming, make a liar out of me, lol.

According to our thermometer, it's only 96 on our back deck.  But when you walk off the deck and into the sun, wow!  Now I know how the Thanksgiving turkeys feel.  Yesterday it was cooler in Florida then here.  It was only 11am when I took this picture, so by dinner time it should be well over 100 degrees on my deck.  My friend Karen lives in Arizona and tells me hers is a dry heat (??), but honey, HOT IS HOT! lol.  So we get up around 7am to get any work done outside.

Chuck found that termites were eating his work shop, so our wonderful neighbor brought over his Bobcat to help clear away the dirt that had rolled down the slope and rested against the front doors of the work shop.  Apparently the termites came with the dirt slide, so the dirt had to go.  Our son Brandon enjoyed seeing the bobcat at work.  I wish Owen had been over too, but Bill made him a nice pile of dirt to play in.

I should have had Hannah stand in front of this pile to show that it's a pretty good size pile.  Owen loves playing in the NC clay.  Him and Brandon get the toy construction vehicles, and just dig up anything they can find, and get out of the ground.  Gotta love boys. :~)

Now comes the hard part, digging out around the base of the shop, by hand.  My poor husband is doing this himself (he hates to ask for help).  I think he forgets he just turned 70!  But he was brought up on hard work, and I wouldn't have him any other way.

This is the electrical line to my art studio :~(  I have not been able to play or create for days, but it feels like FOREVER!  But my wonderful husband is going to splice me in so I don't have to wait till the work on his shop is done :~) 

Which leaves me with finding something else to do, like gardening??? In 100 degree weather??? not likely.  Yes, that is my vegetable garden under all that grass and weeds.  Why is it too hot for flowers to grow and bloom, but not too hot for weeds and grass?  We have 48 tomato plants, and 16 pepper plants, and cucumbers in this mess.

This is the other side of my messy vegetable garden.  I'm about halfway thru, but like I said, I can only work a few hours every morning (if I get up, hahaha).  Our tomato harvest has been totally awesome.  Big, plump, and juicy...I love tomatoes.  So far I've canned 8 quarts, gave away 2 bucketfuls, and I'm ready to can more today.

This last picture is my herb garden.  I have to pass it every time I walk into the house, and I say to myself, "self, you really need to weed and harvest your herbs".  Then I come into the house and turn up the air conditioning.  I won't even show you how much help my rose garden and butterfly garden need, I just need a break in this heat!  So if you're somewhere cool, be thankful.  If you're somewhere hot, be thankful anyway.  Because God is good, in the heat and the cold.  He loves you, and blesses us all.

Debbi