WHEW!!! Life is a whirlwind!!!

We will not move again.  Repeat.  We will not move again!! 

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Goodness gracious!  I am so excited to be blogging! In the last few months I have retired, and our family has moved back to Mississippi to be closer to my family.  My husband began a new career as well.  Seth started middle school in a brand new school. AND.... we spent the summer renovating our new home. Last, but not least, I began a new job in September.  I am now working from home for a large university.  It is basically my dream job!!  Life is BUSY and GREAT!!!

I can not wait to show you our new home.  When we decided I should retire and we would move closer to home, my sister informed me that the house across the street from my father was for sale.  Really?  What could be more perfect?  Well, the house for one, but that is all part of the story! The next time we came home to visit we looked at the house, but we weren't quite ready to commit just yet. Fast forward two months:  We made a firm commitment to retire (I was a nervous wreck handing in the paperwork!) and, as luck would have it, the house had not sold.  It was truly meant to be! It is literally perfect for us.  Location, location, location!  While we were still in Mobile, we downsized, and it was such a good move for us.  We embraced the "less is more philosophy."  This house is the same cozy size!  Not too big, not too small!  

I retired on June 18.  We moved back to Mississippi just three days later.  We closed on our house the first of July.  Here is the fun part - we lived with my father, and his two wild and crazy dogs, while we renovated our home.  It was a little stressful, but it all worked out. We moved in around the third week of August.  We have still been completing minor projects, but for the most part, it is finished. I wonder though, is a house ever really finished??

Jon has been a trooper and worked extremely hard to make this house special!  We did not remove walls, but  I guess this still qualifies as "renovating".  We truly made this home pretty again.  It was only 11 years old, but the previous owner had very specific tastes that were very different from ours. So, while we did not change the overall footprint of the house, we gave it a facelift!  Every wall has been painted, floors refinished, every knob, door handle, and light fixture have been replaced. The most work was completed in the kitchen. I am so happy with the way everything turned out. Since we moved in, we have begun to  tackle the landscaping.  I will be sharing pictures soon of our new home.  I have learned not to say "forever", but I truly hope this will be our home for many years to come! 

Thanks for visiting Buttercup Bliss!

Lisa

Burlap and Bunnies

Happy Easter from Buttercup Bliss!  Our table is set for our special Easter lunch.  I am ready to begin cooking!  I love any holiday - special times with family! There will just be the three of us tomorrow, but I believe the table should be pretty even if we don't have company.  There is something about a beautiful table setting that I believe is important - Easter is special, therefore, the table should be special!  This year I was in a bunnies and burlap mood (along with most people I would say - burlap is IN!)

My Franciscan Dessert Rose dishes are so perfect for spring!  And don't just love the bunny ear napkins rings?  They were a recent Pier One purchase.  They were so cute I didn't even wait to see if they would mark them down!  I was afraid they would have all hopped on out of there! 

This burlap Easter runner was one of my favorite purchases last spring from a little shop in Mobile.  I goes perfectly with my McCarty bunnies! 

Do you see the wee bunny peeking out of the sweet bouquet? Too cute!

 An apothecary jar filled with eggs completes the centerpiece.   This is my favorite type of tablescape - simple and not too fussy :-)

This darling bunny has been gracing my office door at work.  When we got out for Spring Break last week, I brought him home to add a seasonal touch to the fireplace. 

Blessings from Buttercup Bliss, 

Lisa

I am joining the following: 

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Come join the fun!! 

Huge Decisions... Big News

At the end of June I will retire!  Which is amazing since I am only 30!  Ha!! Oh, how I wish I were that young!!  Retirement!  A word that brings about so many possibilities! Retirement is one of those things that a person thinks about but it is so far in the future for too much serious thought. I began teaching 29 years ago - retirement wasn't even something I gave any thought at all.  Fast forward about 15 years -  retirement became something I dreamed of (i.e. something along the lines of "When I retire I will be able to work out whenever I want....")  When I had Seth, many people assumed I would stop working; however, I was only seven years away from completing 25 years in education.  My thought was "I can retire when he is in second grade!" I guess there is a perk of having your child late in life.  Even though truthfully I would have loved to stay home with him right then - it didn't seem financially sound to walk away when I had invested 18 years in my career.  Eventually I reached the 25 year milestone and the time just didn't seem right.  I enjoy my job and the people I work with are wonderful!  The commute; however, is another thing!  Seth and I drive over an hour (each way!) every day for work and school - he goes to school in the district in which I work.... which, as you can see, creates another problem.  If I retire Seth will have to leave the school he has attended since kindergarten.  This has been our main focus throughout this year because I have really grown weary of the daily drive - I feel like all I do is commute, work, ball practice for Seth, cook, iron, repeat!  It is amazing how over two hours a day in a car will drive you nuts!  (I realize people all over deal with this - I am just being honest. I have gotten to where I don't want to go places if I have to drive.  Sad, but true!)  

We decided if we were going to make a decision about retiring then we needed to make it sooner rather than later.  I want Seth to be settled in his new school when he begins sixth grade (middle school - oh my!).  We had thought we would have to make a decision about where Seth would go to school in Mobile; but as the school year has continued, the decision became even bigger.  Should we move closer to my father and sister?  They live three hours away in Mississippi. Truthfully, my father (and my sister) need us to be closer.  My dad fell in February - he is now at a swing bed/rehab center for the fourth time in the last four years.  (On a funny note, one of the nurses said my dad was her favorite "repeat offender"!)  My sister works full time as a pediatric oncology nurse manager.  She has the added task of accompanying Daddy to all doctor appointments (he has a lot!), helping clean his house, cooking for him, running errands, etc.  This is daunting at times when coupled with already stressful job!  

After a lot of thought, prayer, and talking with my family and closest friends, Jon and I have decided that the time has come for us to make a major life change.  I will retire and we will move to Mississippi.  We are all excited and scared at the same time about our new adventure. We are about to undergo big changes for our family:  new job for Jon, a new home for our family, and a new school for Seth where he doesn't know anyone (and they don't know us - scary for me since I have always worked in the district where he goes to school).  We are leaving behind dear friends we have grown to love.  BUT, I know we are making the right decision.  When it comes down to it, family is everything.  I am excited about living in the same town as my daddy and my sister and her family.  (As my niece pointed out, I have not lived there in eighteen years - she said, "Sissy, I am ready for you to come home!")

Please pray for our family as we make all this happen between now and July.  Again, I am super excited, but it does feel a little strange.  I have been a teacher, principal and curriculum director for the last twenty-nine years.  What will I BE now?  Consultant? Baseball mom? Spend time decorating and/or renovating our new home?  Will I discover a new talent? Will I be able to blog more?  The possibilities are endless?  Life is good!!!  

As always, thank you for visiting Buttercup Bliss!

Lisa 

Snow Days and Family Fun!

Seth  ~ doing "the wave:" at the Senior Bowl!

We have enjoyed several days of family fun this past few weeks.    My husband's job requires him to work on Saturday so having him home for family time is such a treat!! A few weeks ago we celebrated Seth's 11th birthday.  Because his birthday fell on a Wednesday, the celebration stretched over several days.  We had a special dinner on his actual birthday. On Friday evening we went to Carrabbas to kick off the weekend when his best buddy, Jonathon, came to visit. On Saturday, the boys enjoyed bowling and playing laser tag.  They also enjoyed a long shopping trip to Dick's Sporting Goods (That is such a guy thing!!  I spent part of the time at Pier One!) We also had dinner in Daphne at Champy's where we dined on the best fried chicken I have every had in my life!!  

Our favorite neighbors came to visit on Saturday morning.  The boys were thrilled! 

This past Saturday, we attended the Reese's Senior Bowl. Our little football fanatic had a blast!!!

Warming Up

The Saintsations and the Azalea Trail Maids were on hand for the exciting day! 

This week's weather in the deep south allowed us more family time!  Yes!!  We are now in our third SNOW DAY!!  This very seldom happens in coastal Mississippi/Alabama!!  It is technically "ice", but trust me, the children here do not care!!  It is white and it is on the ground!! Children and grown ups alike are making "ice men", sledding, and generally have a ball!!!  

Yes, he is wearing a football helmet to play in the "wintry mix"! 

We are so blessed that we were safe at home during this very rare event.  The news is full of stories of people who were stranded in their cars for many hours.  My brother in law's dear friend was stuck in his car in Atlanta for over 24 hours.  The goodness of people was so clear during this time as stories emerged of strangers delivering food and water, inviting people into their homes, etc.  

Mobile Bay is beginning to freeze. 

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The beach in a frozen state....

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I think our bougainvillea may not survive! On a funny note, 

Seth was recreating the scene from "A Christmas Story"! 

 He had us laughing like crazy as he recited the lines...."Stuck, stuck, help! Don't leave me!" 

Stay warm dear friends!! We  are about to play another round of Uno and drink hot chocolate!! 

Lisa 

Window Shopping and Wishful Thinking!!

Oh! My! Goodness!!  

Today I went to one of my very favorite stores, Antiques at the Loop!  It is the most wonderful store!  I truly could stay in there for hours, but, alas, I usually have my little one with me so I have my path through the vast space down to a science.  After visiting so many times I have my several booths that I hurry to immediately.  Usually my first stop is the area with vintage Ironstone.  Today in a booth nearby I found six American Fostoria salad/dessert plates.  They are so sweet and will be a good addition to my growing collection.  And at only thirty-six dollars. they are an inexpensive treasure!! 

Here are some other BEAUTIFUL items that I would dearly love to own, but, they are a little too costly for a random Saturday afternoon of antiquing.  I did inquire, however, and lay-away is offered!! Hmmm.... Maybe I will own one of these beauties soon!  

These are the most amazing chairs I have seen in quite a while -  absolutely beautiful! There was a sign that said a table was arriving soon and would be sold separately * swoon* !!  

My husband does not understand why I am so in love with this cow picture. 

 I can't explain it, but I love it.  What is not to love?  The sweet face and chippy frame make me smile! 

Isn't he beautiful?

I immediately loved this picture of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  I have a small oil painting of Cavaliers, but this large one would be lovely somewhere in my home.  They look just like our fur babies, Bentley and Clarabel. 

Aren't these bunnies adorable?  

Don't you just love to window shop?  I could amuse myself for hours rambling through stores and planning where I would place a perfect piece of furniture or exquisite artwork.  In the end though, I am happy to leave with my new treasure to add to my collection and lots of pictures to leaf through when I am day dreaming about decorating! 

Thanks for visiting Buttercup Bliss,

Lisa