Stripes and Bees

Hola! Happy Friday!

This whimsical little chest belonged to my Mom; I loved the style & I thought it was perfect for Lindsay's old room (which is now a working guest-room) but the tan/cream/greenish color did not work at all. 

I'd himmed and hawed about what colors to paint it. I then tossed. Then I turned. I was pretty much wearing myself out thinking about it. 
I then asked my girl Kelly when she was visiting a few weeks ago. She suggested I pull in some Lavender from one of my recently purchased Bee watercolor prints. (Etsy)

Admit it; they're just darling. 

So I took a leap and purchased a quart of lavender paint; I already had some left over white paint. 

BTW: I converted my paint to chalk paint.  (super easy and very easy to use)

 I think it came out just wonderful and my Mom would be proud. Actually, if she were here now this would be the guest room that she'd choose to sleep in. 

In case you care, the wall paint is Sherwin Williams Repose Gray. (the most perfect gray in my opinion) And if you really care, when I look at the photo above it really irks me the way the pillows are propped unevenly. But, I'm gonna let that go....this ONE time. 

This room looks nothing like it did when Lindsay lived here. Although....there are remnants of her.  Seeing the actual floor is NOT a remnant of her.  Back in March just before our epic Country Hoe Down party we redid both girls rooms in one weekend. It was a whirlwhind. Ripped out the laminate flooring, ripped out both closet systems. Had both the rooms walls painted, all the trim painted, put in new closets, put in cork flooring in the closets and carpet in the both bedrooms. Whoooooo.....that was kinda crazy. 

So, is it weird that I have a shrine to Lindsay in her closet? Nahhhh......

{Those pink boots belonged to my Niece, then Lolo, then Lindsay. I adore them} 

It might be weird though that she and I have both recently put on her brownie vest for the fun of it. 

Have a BeeUtiFUL weekend!!!

Goings on.

Despite my lack of posting, a lot of things have been going on.

I finally gave up on one part of my veggie garden. I'm a veggie quitter? I still have one garden going.  (although its too hot for much more than my eternal eggplant and some random peppers right now)

This one was a perpetual weed habitat because of the location. I blame my lawn maintenance man.....it's easier than taking the blame myself. When he cuts the grass up above it all flies into this garden....and that grass up there always has weeds in it. *sigh* So the heavily mulch cover will help.

Anyhoo.....I've added native plants.

I used mostly butterfly attractors.....because I'm attracted to butterflies. And birds. And bees. And shiny objects.

***
I've become a softball widow....That man of mine has had the busiest softball travel schedule this year. (all of his girls are being scouted by colleges and he works hard to get the best options for them)
Tallahassee, Atlanta, Orlando, Sioux Falls, SD. Long weeks here and there for tourney's and when he's home lots and lots of practice nights.

Every year he says he's going to retire from coaching and just 'train' (hitting) at home.
But every year his group of girls expands and they really don't want him to retire. He's selfless that way.....
When you have such a gift, you really have to give it.
***

Also, I finally got pics back from our photographer from our epic vow renewal in Key West.
Here are a few of my faves.

I think she did a great job making us look good!


I hope you're all doing well!!
XOXO

#23

Guess who had a birthday and decided she could grow up?

Our Lolo turned 23 on 7/13. I still remember my OB/GYN telling me she'd have to induce labor because of my hypertension and asked if I was superstititous.....she wanted to induce on the 13th and knew that eventually this child might have a b'day on Friday the 13th.  
Thank goodness I'm not THAT superstitious. (if you break a mirror in front of me, we're done though)
She's never been anything but good luck for me.

My sweet child who made me a Mama is really going out and living her life; more life than I'm comfortable with.

She graduated from college and was accepted into her first choice grad school.
A minute later she decided to NOT go to grad school.
A minute later she decided to join the Army.
About 20 minutes later she decided to go to the Police Academy.

So about 3 months ago my heart fell into my lower abdomen.

*sigh*

She's walking her own path.

Happy 23 to my favorite first born child. I love you to the moon and back and then about 10 million times.....and yah, I can't afford all that gas. But you know what I mean.


Lolo is such a deep thinker, a science seeker, a lover of facts and a kind soul to those who need one.
We couldn't be prouder.

I'm slacking on photos lately; this is a family capture from last month in NC for a family reunion.

XOXO
Happy Thursday.
Suz

Part Deux of our {surprise} Vow Renewal.

I've been postponing on posting this because I was waiting for the real photographers photos....apparently I'm gonna have to drive to Key West and put some pressure on her.


So, the Coach surprised me for our 25th wedding anniversary....with a bit of help from a wedding planner, our friends Don &Kelly and our super special girls.
A surprise wedding. 
Ok, a surprise VOW renewal. Not to be confused with a Vowel renewal....those only happen on The Wheel Of Fortune.

Be.Still.MY.heart.

I'm so glad I was wearing a cute dress and NOT yoga pants. Can you imagine? I would never have forgiven him. HAHA!

Our lovely officiant corralled us after all the 'surprise' excitement. She said we were going to renew our vows....me: "I've GOT nothing prepared!" Everyone laughed.....and she said she had them for us.

I honestly don't remember too much of what we'd said, but it was lovely; that I know for sure. And heartfelt.

I knew that the girls were seated behind us and they were both tearing up....even Lolo who NEVER cries. (how is she my offspring?)

It was perfect. (aside from the darn wind in my HAIR!)

Kelly brought a few bottle of champagne and we toasted to our blessed life. I had no idea my girls even enjoyed champagne...

See Lolo in the background here. Ok, that MIGHT have been posed. We're a funny family!

We proceeded to dinner down the street....well, it was quick for the girls. They had to head back right away as they had tickets/plans to attend a music festival in TAMPA starting the next day.

Our cake. I think this might have been better than our actual wedding cake. *snicker snicker*

Who knew that after all these (31+) years together that we'd still be making fireworks?

It was absolutely so perfect and wonderful. The Coach has always been so good at surprising me, but this one took the cake.