my time between birth of children...a lot of years

my time between August and May...teaching kingergarten!

my time between school days...sweet summer time!

my time between the news and midnight...cherished me time!

my time time between family and work...creating, sewing, painting, decorating

Friday, July 26, 2013

Waltz Across Texas With You

What is your idea of a vacation?  Mine is relaxing to the sound of waves pounding the sandy beach with the sun beaming down on my face and a cool breeze blowing in my hair. It has been a while since I have had the opportunity for such an experience.  So when my Mom calls me and asks if I want to take a trip with her, I got sooooo excited.  But wait, it was NOT to that beachy retreat?  It was an invitation to travel to the Panhandle of Texas. More specifically, Tulia, Texas.  A place you might think is in the middle of nowhere.  A place where my Mother was born and raised.  I have been there many times as a little girl and it is by far the next best thing to my ideal vacation.  However, as I have told my children several times,  there will be occasions that arise that you may not want to take part in, but when it comes to family, there are "just some things you have to do".  Yes.... as bad as it sounds, I reluctantly agreed.

Tulia, Texas , population of around 5,000.  I know what you are thinking, and you are so right, there is NOT much in this small town but one grocery store, a Dollar General, and a Family Dollar store.  Can you imagine how I felt when I discovered a SONIC?  If you need to do ANY sort of shopping, you must travel north to Amarillo or south to Lubbock with a few smaller towns in between such as Plainview (which by the way was the closest Wal-Mart).

My daughter, my Mom and I loaded up the car and we took off.  Even though I had this ailing sense of dread, we actually had a great road trip with our first stop in Canton, Texas.  Now if you have never heard of Canton, Texas you must be educated!  They are known for their First Monday Trade Days !!!  Unfortunately, we were traveling through when it was not the trade days weekend, but Canton has some awesome local shops that anyone, like me, that loves JUNKTIQUES  would LOVE. If you ever are able to visit you must stop in at Pottery Plus.  They specialize in Mexican imports of  ironworks, yard décor, outdoor/indoor furniture and so much more. 


I had to have some of these beautiful hand painted flowers!
I wanted to bring back this fantastic copper sink! 



 


At another shop we found some very, ummmm
"unique" items!
A little different I must say.  But fun!

 
Back on I-20 West, my Mom and I had some great mother/daughter time, talking, singing, laughing and crying together all the way to the Panhandle!  It has been a LONG time since we have has such good quality time together! And of course, Emma Claire had her little portable DVD player, so she was content!
 
The Arrival in the Panhandle of Texas!
 
Now don't get too excited over my scenery for the next few days!
 
 

 

 
 
 
 


My beautiful view at night!
 

 We stayed at my Mom's sister, Aunt Virginia's home.  My Aunt is 91 years old and still going strong.  She is one awesome "lady" and I use that term in a southern way! Aunt Virginia is a widow but up until about 3 or 4 years ago she still ran the business all by herself. 
~Here is a newspaper article about her issued nine years ago~

 
Around the pasture of my Aunt Virginia's place, I was in JUNK heaven!
 
 
I have many memories visiting Tulia, Texas with my Mom and Grandmother when I was a little girl.  But there is something about being an adult that makes you absorb the family history and the glory of where my ancestors lived.  Here are a few more pics! 
 
Old Train Depot

 
 
I had to ask what this sign was all about!  The brick streets in town all have "dips" at the intersections.  Mom told me they use to cruise "SNUFF" street.....meaning, "you go down two blocks and take a dip". And, YES, we had to take one last dip as we were leaving town to come home!
 
 
My mother's old home place.  The house is gone.


Windmills across the state that generate energy!
 
 
Family History
My Great Great Grandfather, George Edward Love, better known as Grandpa Love, his wife, Susan Parthennie Walker along with 3 sons and 1 daughter,  settled in Swisher County arriving by covered wagon in 1891. Two more sons were born after the move.   Wanting his children educated, he donated land/school, aka LOVE SCHOOL for them to attend!  All of the family lived in Love Community located in the country, outside of Tulia. 
That one daughter, Annie Laura married Joe Ray Camp. I believe they had ten children.   The oldest of their children was my Granddaddy, George Ray Camp.  The next sibling was my beautiful Great Aunt Winnie.  (Long gray hair always worn in a bun. and the most beautiful skin.  Her secret as she told me when I was a little girl?  Vaseline on your face everynight before bed)
Grandma love was a dear friend with President of the Confederate States,  Jefferson Davis' 2nd wife, Winnie Davis, thus Aunt Winnie's name sake.
 
Celebration
The reason for our trip was multi-purposed....Tulia, Texas was celebrating their 120+ birthday, a visit with my Aunt, Mom's class reunion, and a family reunion. 
 
This small town sure knows how to put on a celebration.  From a dance on the square, a parade, a town barbeque in the park, a rodeo, many class reunions ranging form 1935, 53, 63,  78, 83, 88, 93, 99, 03 (and that is just the few I saw in the parade), to multiple family reunions.
 



 
Palo Dura Canyon
 
We visited the Palo Dura Canyon and it was breath taking.  All of the colors were extraordinarily beautiful! I was, probably, Emma Claire's age the last time I was there.
 
 
 

 
I have always heard that everything is BIGGER in Texas. I do believe that theory to be true!   Tulia, Texas may be a small Texas town, but they have the BIGGEST hearts, the BIGGEST parades and the BIGGEST celebrations.  Where else could I go and run into a cousin every five steps, see true cowboys, in their starched Wranglers, that still tip their cowboy hats and say "howdy", see tumbleweeds, mesquite trees and jackrabbits running wild and  where everyone is still called by their first and middle names?
 (Gloria Beth, Leta Mae, Barabara Ann, Bob Wayne)
I was right at home with my BIG HAIR too!!!
 
  Anyone that knows me, knows I am grew up as a Louisiana girl.  But what most people do NOT know is I was born in Llano, Texas. My neighbor told me, and my Momma agrees, "you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the girl".
 
 No, I didn't get that beach vacation this year but I wouldn't change my Texas Waltz for anything. We shared a three generation experience that most people will never be able to share. My hope for my daughter is that she becomes as strong of a woman and as true of a "southern lady" as these two!
 
Aunt Virginia, Emma Claire, my mother, Gloria
 
 
 
So click on the link to get a true feel of our Waltz!
AND Have a Blessed Day!
 
 
I
   
 
 
 
 
 
 



Friday, July 12, 2013

Two Years is Too Long!

It has been two years since my last post! WOW,  I did not realize just how long it has been until today.  I obviously can't catch you up on everything that has occurred the last 24 months.  Well, I guess I could, but you would be bored by the time you finished reading it.  Life has been up and down and unfortunately, I let the down times consume me.  On the bright side......I have picked myself up and life is good and during my reflection I have come to realize many things.....  Life is so much grander when God is an integral part of it. I have known that all of my life, but unfortunately, at times, life goes through a whirlwind and we lose sight of what is important.  We think we can handle anything on our own.  It's just not true.  I need Him in my heart, my thoughts and in my everyday decisions.  He has blessed me.

With that said, I would love to share a few important things that have happened over the last year.

Our family lost one of the finest men I know.... my brother-n-law, Darryl Jinkerson.  His life on this earth was a true example of what God expects us to be.  I pray for my sister, Cindy, daily and I ask that each of you please do the same for her and my nieces Whitney, Rachel, and Amanda.  He was a wonderful husband and the most dedicated father. He loved his girls!  What a blessing he was on this earth to everyone. So many lives were touched by his teachings and example. 

 
 
My baby boy, Payte, graduated from the University of Arkansas!
  Woo Pig Sooie!  He makes his Mamma proud.
 
 
My oldest son, Paul, and my daughter -n- law, Bethany, were blessed with a baby girl, Annalyse!  I am so very proud for both of them. What wonderful parents they will be.
 
 
She is absolutely perfect!  Don't you agree?
 
 
And, I can NOT forget baby girl, Emma Claire!  She graduated from Kindergarten.  She is reading up a storm and we were so blessed for her to have Mrs. Grantham as her teacher.  The SAME teacher Paul had 20 years ago!!
 
 
As you can see, God has truly blessed me.  I thank Him everyday for allowing me to be a mother, a grandmother, and a wife to a man who loves me! 
 
 
Praise God!
And may each of you be blessed! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Sunday, August 21, 2011

And School Begins!!

It is the beginning of a new school year and I have been so busy getting my classroom ready to welcome my new kindergarteners.  Not to mention I have had home visits AND Open House (100% attendance, I might add).
I love going to meet my new students and hopefully ease any anxiety they may have about starting a new venture.  These children ARE amazing. 
 I decided to add a new highlight to my classroom this year.  My theme has always been the "Alligator Room" (being a Louisiana native) but to add to the decor my husband and I created a new Reading Nook!
We took two pallets and bolted them together, sanded, primed and painted them red. 
The fabric (already in my stash) was stapled to an old frame and drapped over the side gauze panels. 
 After one quick seam on the gauze, I slide extra fabric tubes in and hung it with fishing line.  It is AMAZING at what you can make with the things you have on hand!!
Located right under the window allows for great lighting.

One pallet was smaller than the other which allowed for a little step!
 Fishing line was tied to a spring... which is the inside of an old toilet paper holder.  Don't ask, I have NO idea why I had it.
My bulletin board where the First Day of School photos will go of my new little
Investa-GATORS!!
It is going to be a FANTASTIC year!
Have a blessed day!
Vici

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Robyn Story Designs and Boutique~Giveaway

For all of you DIYers out there, go check out this amazing giveaway from Robyn Story Designs and Boutique and her blog. 
It's"TIME" for
EVERYTHING ANNIE SLOAN
GIVEAWAY

And we're going to give you EVERYTHING, EVERY color that Annie has!!



ALL 28 COLORS FOR YOU TO PLAY WITH!!!
That's right - I'm including the  
FOUR BRAND NEW FABULOUS COLORS  
In Mini Pots/Sample Size
from 
ROBYN STORY DESIGNS and BOUTIQUE

Every color is amazing, from the Greek Blue of the Aegean Sea to the Scandinavian Pink of Denmark.  All of Annie's Colors tell a story about a place or a thing that she has seen on her journey's.



French Linen
A cool neutral khaki grey inspired by the bleached, deep neutral of old pieces of French and Italian furniture.


 Coco
A warm greyed brown, the color found on old French woodwork.
 

Pure White
Quite simply a pure clean white

Barcelona
An older color brought back by popular demand

AND

Also included with this wonderful selection of paints is:

Annie Sloan Work Apron
A Set of 6 our GORGEOUS, FUNKY KNOBS


and
Annie Sloan's Creating the French Look book



Isn't this a wonderful opportunity, and OH to win all of these fabulous giveaways.  
If I COULD ONLY get to Tampa, Florida. ( in my best whiny voice) They even offer you coffee and invite you to stroll from room to room.  WOW!  They offer anything from Fun to funky, Casual to Sophisticated.  You know I am a  Fun and Funky kinda girl...little Shabby Chic on the side!!!
 Now this is just a taste of what they have so go check it out.
 

  • Retailer of Annie Sloan Paints
  • Custom Mirrors
  • Artful Lighting
  • Framed Art
  • Original Oils 
  • Full Design Service
  • Shoes, Handbags, Belts and Bling...
  • Fashion Accessories and Everything.
  • Unique Furniture, Fabulous Home Decor and Accessorie
  • Exquisite Custom Floral Design
Ideas are already spinning in my head of what to do with that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. The Apron is adorable.  And those knobs, those knobs,~~~~need I say more?
 Don't forget 
Annie Sloan's Creating the French Look book.  

I can see myself sitting down with a nice cup of coffee, in a cozy seat reading it.  Excuse me, I was daydreaming there for a second but ...back to reality.  Go ...Go...Go check out this giveaway!!!




I wish you all a Blessed Day!
Vici


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Moment of Truth!

The Pinterest Challenge is here.  OMG! What amazingly talented people.
First of all, thanks to Sherry @ Young House Love and Katie @ Bower Power for challenging each of us to step out and actually make one of our inspirations we have pinned on Pinterest. Take a look at what inspired these women and what they created and also, check out their co-host friends, Lana @ Making a House a Home and Emily Henderson .
While admiring all of the links I stumbled upon Amy @Keep'n The Sunny Side and her delightful pillow she made.  Since I'm obviously in pillow mode it caught my eye.  Just so happens, I have pinned this pillow to my Emma Claire board in hopes to make one for her. Cant's wait to get started.
  Isn't it awesome!
I love the red and turquoise don't you?
I also ran across Jaclyn @ Covered in Flour . She made this button monogram. This is a neat idea and she did an awesome job!
  Last year I made other things out of buttons for gifts.  One for a friend (using her late mother's buttons) and one for my Louisiana sis, Jennifer.
Elmer's glue crackling!!














 But Jaclyn has inspired me to try the monogram.



Check out some more of these challenges.
Sunburst Mirror by Cassie @  Hi Sugarplum!
Baby Shower Inspired by Melissa @ Below Blue Skies
Pallet Wall by Mrs. Yancy goes to Birmingham
Antipasto Skewers from Dixie Julep


Whether you sew, craft, decorate, or cook I hope, once again, you have been inspired to be creative. How could you not be?  Check out Pinterest and check out the challenge.  It will get your juices flowing!!

Have a Blessed Day!
Vici