Forever Home for Violet

This morning a co-worker of mine brought in a kitten with an injured paw that was seen being thrown from a car window the previous day. I will never understand how someone can commit such cruelty towards animals.

After a trip to the vet before the lunch hour, her paw was determined to be nerve damage, and all hopes are that she'll be able to regain use and feeling with time. We were told she's approximately 5-6 weeks old.

All the while, I was texting photos of this little cutie to my family and friends. To my surprise, one of my best friends, Katie sent back a text, "I want her!!"

A few hours later and an impromptu drive to Cincinnati, the kitty was declared "Violet," and has found a forever home full of love.

Happy Memorial Day

New Old Furniture!

Yay! I picked up two new chairs today! Well, they're new to me :) I found them posted on Craigslist for just $15 each. A steal, in my opinion. I think they'll make great pieces that I will enjoy for years to come.

First, is a funky, retro little number...

I feel creative just sitting in this chair, as a matter of fact, I am sitting in it right now. It reminds me of a water color painting and combines all of my favorite colors...L.O.V.E. it...even though one of my guy friends expressed his disgust upon first site of it. What do guys know anyway?

The second chair is a tad bit more serious.

I think it adds a little drama and romance to the room. Just what I needed ;)

Midnight Surprise

While fixing a midnight snack the other night, I was startled by an unfamiliar creature at my feet. I screamed and then immediately got my camera. I have never seen anything like this in my life!




After doing a little internet research, this is a Great Grey Slug, a.k.a. a Spotted Leopard Slug. He was over 4 inches long! There are so many fascinating creatures on this earth, I just rather they not reside in my kitchen. The great Wikipedia informed me that they are nocturnal and are usually found in lawns, gardens, and cellars. Lucky for me, the cellar is next to my kitchen! Don't worry about Mr. Slug though, I kindly picked him up with a paper towel, put him outside, and told him to stay there.

A Very Happy Friday

It's always nice when you are expecting rain, but wake up to a beautiful sunny day, and it's Friday for the cherry on top! Just what I needed to get me out of the rut that I've been in!

There's lots of change coming into my life in the next few months. I'm wrapping up school, searching for a new job, and need to find another house before June is here. Needless to say, I've had quite a few sleepless nights worrying about everything falling into place. I know that it's wasted energy to worry, and things will work themselves out in the wash. So for now, I'm just taking the challenges one at a time.

Yesterday I looked at a house 9 miles outside of town. In most places that doesn't seem like a far commute, but out here things get rural quick. I loved the house and the peaceful location, but I'm not sure that I'm ready to reside in an area where there's no cell phone service. On the other hand, it could be a great opportunity to get back to the basics. There's a garden plot and fresh eggs from the neighbors. It might be just what I need.

Well I'm off to make dinner, but here's a cute picture for the day:

I've banned Brady from my bed and couch, and being the spoiled dog he is, he has resorted to the tub of winter clothes I've been packing up. The dog refuses to lay on the floor!

Dogs in the Yard

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day has been a success!



This morning my sister, Lisa, and I got up with the sun to plant flowers in the front yard for our much appreciated mother. After breakfast, we took her outside to suprise her with the new & improved landscaping. Nothing is better than a gift from your own heart & hands.

Mom loved it, and I am happy that she will get to enjoy her pretty landscaping all summer long. I am looking forward to seeing it filled in and grown up the next time I visit.

Here's a couple more photos from the day...

Baby Robins in the front door wreath.

My parents' dog, Honey, relaxin'.

Ah, Spring nights ♥

There's really nothing better than watching the earth come back to life.

A little front porch sittin'.

One of my favorite spring things: blooming honeysuckle.

Snail. Unfortunately, I scared him back into his shell.

Loving my backyard of wildflowers.

Chance to win something cute!

One of my favorite blogs to follow, Bella Shabby, is having a great little contest to win an adorable apron. I've been searching for a cute apron, so I can fulfill my dream of becoming a Southern Belle ;) You can check it out & enter at:

http://bellashabby.blogspot.com/2009/05/bella-apron-giveaway.html

Art is good for the soul.

This past weekend I took a trip to Nelsonville, Ohio for a monthly event called Final Fridays on the Square. On the last Friday of every month, local vendors, musicians, and artists of all sorts gather in Nelsonville's historic public square. The town has so much character and charm, and it's always great to support local businesses and artists!

I met a local photographer that was just my style. Her name is Terri Jean, and she is about to open Sul Galleria on May 1st. Her work focuses on empowering the goddess in every woman and specializes in old hollywood and pin-up girl style photos. I'm dying to have a 50's style pin-up photo of myself!! It's on my list of things I have to do this year! She's currently working on a project called "Marilyn & Me" where she transforms women from 18-84 yrs. old into Marilyns! She was very inspiring, and the best part of it all, is that she offers her services at a low cost so everyone can enjoy! You can check out her blog at http://eyecandynews.blogspot.com/.

Beneath the Paint

Recently, I've discovered a new passion. Thrift stores, antiques, everything vintage, and anything old and forgotten by most...I have spent every weekend for the past month on a scavenger hunt through some truly enchanting antique malls, thrift stores, and consignment shops in SE Ohio. I am so inspired by these treasures, that I have taken on a few restoration projects of my own. I found this obnoxious yellow table and chairs at an antique mall in Rockbridge, Ohio for just $30 dollars! Here's a little before and after action...

Before.... Brady was giving a helping paw.

After....

The table top is still "in the works," and I've covered it up to spare my eyes from the blinding yellow, sunflower adorned catastrophy. But I am very excited to have my first piece almost finished! So excited, that I started working on this cute desk I found for $15 dollars at a thrift store.

This piece needs lots of TLC, and I am still ironing out my vision for it, but the lavender has got-to-go. I'm having a great time learning along the way, but any tips or tricks of the trade are more than welcome! Wouldn't it be great to have a boutique of my own inspired by vintage furniture, pottery, and things of the such?! One can dream!

Say "hello" to my not-so-little friends.

This is Layla (left) and Brady. Layla is my new addition. She is six months old, but I describe her as being in her "terrible two's." I love her, regardless of her desire to chew up my electronics. R.I.P. stereo speakers, cell phone, and laptop cord.

I've had Brady for just over 2 years, and he is my little shadow. You could say that he has just a tad bit of separation anxiety.

They are both pitbull mixes. Brady was a stray that I found roaming around my building at work, and I got Layla from a pitbull rescue. I have made it my personal mission to spread, what I like to call, "positive thoughts" about pitbulls. It's a lifelong goal to one day have a dog rescue of my own. *Remember, there is no such thing as a bad dog, just bad people.

It's a start...

Hello, World. I am a brand new blogger, never used, still in box. I am excited to create my page and share my thoughts, things I think are beautiful, and the various projects and adventures I take on in my life. I hope to create a space filled with pretty things and an instrument to organize my creativity, but who knows...I may end up with something completely different :)