We're A Little Bit Country!

When I was younger, my family moved a lot. When I say a lot, I don't mean 3 or 4 times. That would have been a piece of cake! No, I changed schools 7 different times. But I only went to 4 different schools. I won't even try to explain that one. (Some things should remain a mystery. It kind of makes it intriguing, don't you think?) Now before you think this is going to be some psychotic rage about how miserable my childhood was, let me assure you it is NOT! My childhood was fine. I have very loving parents. While I wouldn't advise parents to put their children through the constant readjustment that this can create. I will say it encouraged me to form my own personality and judgement. I didn't join the crowd and rebel against any establishment or persons of authority. So now that we've established that I am not harboring any deep resentment against my parents or society as a whole....let me say....it has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with this post. It's just a little background.

While I've lived a lot of places, I've never lived in a big city. I've visited various cities. But then again, I suppose it depends on your definition of city. Ok, so I've never been to New York, Chicago or LA. When I say I've been to the city, I'm referring to places like St. Louis, Nashville, Memphis, etc. Recently I was shocked to learn that most adults don't consider those places big. Nor do they consider them to be cities. Well folks, that's as big as it gets for me. And Chatty? She's been to less places than I've been. After about 11 months of marriage, Mr. Chat and I moved back to one of the towns that I consider my home town. When Chatty was born, we lived in a rented house. After 4 years, we built our house and we've lived here ever since.

The other day, Chatty and I were listening to Scotty McCreery singing "A Water Tower Town". Half way through the song, we both looked at each other at the same time. I said, "Oh wait! Doesn't everywhere have water towers?" I thought about the cities I've visited. I don't remember seeing a water tower. Chatty asked, "But where do they get their water?" Then it occurred to us and we both started laughing.

Yeah Scotty, you're our kind of guy. (But I bet you already knew that cities don't have water towers)!

Say "CHEESE"

We're trying to update family photos. Which is easier said than done. It's almost impossible to get everyone together at the same time. Each adult family member works a different schedule. On the rare times they have a day off together, the grandkids have tons of things that require their attention. Free time is precious and strategically planned. You know what they say? If you can't beat them, join them. Yesterday, the youngest twin and his wife had a day off together. Mr. Chat grabbed the bull by the horns and scheduled a day off to coincide with their day off. He made plans to take the kids to the river to splash around and have a play day before school starts. When Chatty and I finished our work day, we gathered at the house for a quick meal. Afterward, we headed to the park so Chatty could snap some quick pictures. Genius, huh?

Chatty thinks she could have taken better pictures. But I love them. The kids were wore out from their day at the river. It was close to 100 degrees outside and there was absolutely no air stirring around. It felt like being in a vacuum with an oven turned on. All in all, they turned out good and will grace the wall in our new family room. I'll share a few with you.

Aren't they cute? This is my youngest step-son and his wife.

Like mother like daughter!

He looks just like his dad at this age.

Happy little family.

Proud sister in middle.

This is the best part of being in the "GOLDEN YEARS".

This weekend the oldest twin will be here. I'm hoping the weather will be more cooperative. Hopefully, we won't come home feeling like a piece of wilted lettuce.

Going for the Gold

When Mr. Chat and Chatty are home from work, they are avid watchers of the Olympics. They like all of the sports. It's sort of a father/daughter bonding time. I'm not that dedicated. Oh sure. As I'm passing through the living room on my way to the computer, I may sit down and watch a segment. I spot the USA competitors and keep a watchful eye on them. I may even do a fist-pump up in the air and say, "GO Team USA!" But then I'm up and moving on to other projects.

Yesterday, Mr. Chat had to leave for work early in the afternoon. As I made my usual pass through the living room, there sat Chatty and the two dogs----all alone---watching the Olympics. How pitiful is that??? We all know that the Olympics is at least a two person spectator sport. Otherwise, there is one person in a room talking to and cheering at a TV screen. That seems a little unbalanced to me. To save my only daughter from looking like she was needing to be fitted for one of those fancy, white jackets; I sat down and watched the girls gymnastics and the male swimming competition.

Of course, gymnastics is my favorite Summer Olympic sport. But as I mentioned above, I root for the USA as a whole team. Yesterday, I gained a whole new perspective and appreciation for the event. I listened as the commentator gave a little background history on each competitor. I realized how much personal sacrifice each team member and their families have made and invested to advance to the Olympics. Suddenly, I was not just rooting for my country. I was rooting for an individual who earned the right to be there. At that moment, I felt like I was rooting for a young person from my hometown, my neighborhood or a young person who went to school with Chatty. Now I get it!!

That being said: there was a portion of the show that was thoroughly entertaining to me.  As a parent, I completely understand the emotions that these parents exhibited.  I'm sure this will be showed  many, many times. And depending on who will be showing it, there will be different spins, opinions and remarks. I'm sure David Letterman, or someone like him, will say something sort of humiliating about these people. But I, for one, found it to be upliftin


As far as the swim team. It was what it was. I don't know. All I kept thinking during their performance was I needed to call my mom and see if she could make a quick trip to England. She could teach those boys a thing or two about pulling up their drawers!

Chat Projects

A lot of things have been going on in the Chat House the year of 2012. I've been going "antiquing", web-surfing and browsing trying to finish my kitchen coffee displays. Chatty is re-doing the basement. She's making it more entertainment friendly. We've painted the deck. Mr. Chat finished the patio. I finally cleaned out my closets and dresser drawers. Mr. Chat just finished putting faux stone around the bar in the kitchen. I call it a bar for lack of a better name. It's a thing that sticks out from the wall at the end of our cabinet. We eat at it some times. I think it's too small to qualify as a bar. If I call it a bar, it makes it sound all fancy-schmancy. Which it's not. But calling it that "sticky-outie thing" sounds tacky. So until I can figure out the proper name for it, you'll have to put up with the bar reference. (Remember those last statements when we're finished and pictures are posted. You were forewarned. I did not mislead you).

This next week, if I get motivated enough, I want to paint the banisters on the front porch. We'll see. It takes me awhile to get started. Once I start, it doesn't take long. But I've noticed this year, ....if I take a break, it might be a week or two before I get back on the job. (Note to self:  NO BREAKS ALLOWED!!!!)

I guess my post is missing visual aids, huh? Our projects are far from being finished. But what is a story without pictures? I know! Let me introduce you to Chatty and some of what she's doing.

This is my daughter, Chatty

One of the walls displays Chatty is working on in the basement.

A start of another basement wall display.

Chatty found this table at an antique store for $5.00. She stained it. She bought a very cheap lamp at Wal-Mart, added material, buttons and lace. She glued sticks to an old coffee can, tied string around it and stuck some artificial flowers in them. I purchased the doily several months ago. All-in-all, this display probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $20.00 (more or less).

OK...off the subject...Not a project. This is Chatty's purse and shoes. Just another dimension of her personality.



That concludes my Sunday update. I hope everyone is having a blessed Sunday!!!!

Gearing up for Christmas

Yes, the Chat House is getting in the Christmas spirit.

Come with me while I take you on a tour of what I've been up to.

Step up.

Come on in.

This is just something we threw together. I have a very nice nativity set. But we have a lot of little ones coming to the Chat house this year. I don't want too many little pieces sitting out. We have to be careful with those little ones, you know.

Next, we have some of the ornaments that are hanging on our tree. I would show you our tree. I have a picture of it on my camera. But it was taken sideways and without loading it onto my computer, I don't know how to flip it. I flipped it on FaceBook but I can't find a place to do it on Blogger. My computer is getting low on memory...whatever that means. I know it can't be good. I don't want to risk over stuffing it so I'm not taking any chances. You'll just have to look at a few of the ornaments that are hanging on my tree.

And here is my table.

I was going to use a different table setting because this set is missing a plate. But they belonged to my grandmother. I consider it an honor to display them at Christmas.

For a couple of years, my employer gave me sets of Stemware for Christmas. I think this set goes quite well with my table setting, don't you? And I found the cutest napkins to match!!

Even though I can't show you my big tree, I'll show you my table top tree.

Well, that's all I've done so far. I may or may not add more. It just depends on if another wave of creativity hits me.

My town is not doing a holiday home tour this year, so I hope you will be sharing your Christmas decorating pictures.

A Great Finish to a Rocky Start.

After subjecting you to the rantings of a chocolate-deprived lunatic, I thought I would change things up a bit and share something fun.

This afternoon I attended my niece's bridal shower. It was not your ordinary bridal shower, either. This one had a theme. Chatty and two of my nieces are very nostalgic. They love old music. They like most things from the 40s, 50s & 60s. They grew up talking to each other about old clothing fashions, old movies, old cars, etc. When my youngest niece started planning her wedding and asked Chatty to be her Maid of Honor, I suspected things would be a little different from the traditional showers and the usual wedding events. So it didn't surprise me when the Bride-to be's sisters and Chatty announced that they were giving the Bride a 1950s themed Bridal Shower. Chatty is making an album for her cousin that will be full of pictures of every event leading up to the wedding. She left me in charge of her camera for taking pictures of the bridal shower. I was so busy taking pictures with her camera that I didn't have a chance to take many pictures with my camera. But I will pick a few of what I have and share with you.

                                               Chatty applying the Bride-to-be's make-up

                                                The Maid of Honor and the Brides' Maids

                                                                        The Cake

                                                 The Bride-to-Be and her Maid of Honor

                                                     The 50s Diner the girls created

                                                             The Groom's mother

                                                                     The girls again

                                                    My sweet mom. Grandmother of the Bride

                                                   Yes, I had to get my 2 cents in, too.

And last, but certainly not least, this is a prize that I won.. I answered the most questions correctly on one of the games. I got to choose my gift. Of course I picked the Movie Night gift. It has a movie, popcorn, a Coke, a box of some kind of gummy fruit....AND 2 boxes of chocolate. You can rest assured that I won't be having another  melt down tomorrow morning! I won another game, too. I was gracious enough to donate that gift to the bride-to-be....but I refuse to give up my chocolate!!!!

Work in Progress

My blog has been pretty inactive lately. My excuse...I'm spending my free time being creative. Those who know me, know that requires a lot of concentration on my part.

Because....

1.) I'm not crafty or creative. I've spent most of my life making my house sterile, staunch and easy to clean. So this whole warm and cozy decorating is all new to me. And you would be able to tell if you looked closely and were able to see the different nail holes in my walls. Usually once I see the finished results of my created masterpieces, they look pretty awkward and child-like so I move them elsewhere.

AND

2.) Since middle age has set in, I can't chew gum and walk at the same time~~~so blogging and creating would short fuse this old brain of mine.

Speaking of changing my mind. Do you see the "Fresh Coffee" sign above? I was so proud of it when it was delivered. Originally, it was above the display below. But when my metal sign came in, I moved things around again. It was moved above the kitchen door leading out to the garage. 24 hours later, I decided something didn't look right. It was too heavy or lopsided or something for the room. Then... Bingo! It hit me. We're going to hang wooden shutters on our kitchen window above the sink. This would look perfect hanging over it. And it would be in the middle of the room so it wouldn't look so heavy. That night during supper, I showed Chatty & Mr. Chat what it would look like hanging over that window. They both agreed. It was a much better look. It would be better balanced and would compliment the shutters nicely .....Before I go on, I must tell you that it's been a rough couple of weeks at work and my mind has been on over-load (that's my story and I'm sticking to it)..... Did I sit the plaque down in a safe place until supper was finished? NO! I hung it back over the door. Did I make sure it was hanging securely? OF COURSE NOT! No, not me. That would make too much sense. Half way during supper, we heard a CRASH. It was one of those family moments. We just sat there with stupid expressions on our faces while the plaque hit the floor and broke into 3 different pieces. Most of which I had to rescue from the bottom of the stairs leading down to our basement. Hmmm. Not to fear, though! Mr. Chat applied Gorilla glue. It looks as good as new. After many years of marriage, Mr. Chat is an old pro at covering up my clumsiness genius moves. ANYWAY...I'm ordering vinyl lettering for above this door.

The spaces on the sides need something. I was going to try to get really crafty. Remember...craftiness is a new concept to me, so if I say something novice or just plain stupid, don't laugh too loudly. I was thinking about staining 2 small cheese cutting boards and putting coffee decals on them. But I've found some vinyl wall art that I think would look really cute here. Don't worry. I'm getting the removable kind just incase I change my mind.

This is just a start. I know it needs something. I took the coffee cups off the ceiling. Chatty said it may look better if I add another vase of weeds to the end. Since this cabinet is smaller than the other ones, I'll have to arrange the cups differently. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This wasn't quite what I was thinking but it will do for now.

A friend suggested a doily or a scarf added here. I haven't decided. It's on top of my refrigerator so I don't think a scarf or doily would be seen. But it would be less to dust and protect the top of the refrigerator from being scratched.

I'll be adding more periodically. With the economy and things being the way they are, I will only add things if they are affordable (or dirt cheap). Some day I hope to show the finshed product. But for now, it's a work in progress.