Yup... sounds just about right.

Hugs From My Heart

"Don't ask yourself what the

world needs. Ask yourself what

makes you come alive. Because

what the world needs is people

who have come alive."

-Howard Thurman-

Mr. Goodwill Hunting... aka, Rashon Carraway

Good Friday Friends.  The weekend is here, and even though it isn't the season, I always have "thrifting" on the brain.  In New England, (Maine to be more specific), when you can't toss your hair in a baseball cap, grab a hot coffee, the local newspaper, and a  few bucks from the change jar at six in the morning to head out to yard and lawn sales,  whats the next best thing?

Well let me introduce you to Rashon Carraway... aka, Mr. Goodwill Hunting

Mr. Goodwill Hunting has been on The Nate Burkus Show many  times, showing us just how cost effective and fun, it can be to shop at Goodwill, The Salvation Army, etc... and turn your home into a virtual magazine cover.  (Click the above link, go shopping with Rashon, and see how he shopped for this piece, and transformed it into this!)

Rashon,  "While I was in New York last year I decorated a small living room. When I showed my client the above crendenza, she wasn’t feeling it at all. She said it was old and dated and she was right. However, I knew one coat of a bold color would make her see the light. I chose her favorite color, coral. When she saw the piece she couldn’t believe it!"

Now, don't settle for the below photo... click the link, and see the finished room... The Nate Show Burkus Show

Plus, anyone who has a "Halleluiah!!!!"  moment when they see a piece and what it could look like when their finished with it like I do, is my kinda shopper.  Did you see what Rashon did with the TV?!!!

Here is a before and after photo from his Blog,  Mr. Goodwill Hunting... It is one of my favorites.

And this is what they look like in his home... His "thrifted" home. 

Here are the links to Mr. Goodwill... check them out.  You'll be glad you did.  ;)

His blog...   Mr. Goodwill Hunting...

His work on The Nate Show...

 His Face Book Page...

And Rashon also contributes to HGTV's Design Happens site.


Rashon Carraway, (Mr. Goodwill Hunting), is one busy guy.  His talent and love for thrifting is contagious.

I KNOW, you'll love him.

Enjoy.

Hugs From My Heart

I've Turned Into One Of "Those" People...

It's official.

I have turned into one of   "THOOOOOOSE PEOPLE"...

You know who you are... ;)

You started out with one animal... maybe a "family dog".  And then one day, a stray cat wondered into your yard.  Mommmmmmm... your youngest pleads.  Can't we just keeeeeep it?!  PLEEEEEEEEEEESE. 

Of course you do.  Keep it I mean.  And then one cat leads to another.  Soon, ITS OUT OF CONTROL!!!
You have friends over for "tea".  "Please, (you say), sit and relax. I'll get you another cup."  

She sits. You sit.  Talking goes on, and on.  You get all caught up on each others lives and all...

And then, it happens.

As she walks out the front door, and you exchange hugs and "we'll have to do this again some time soon's!!!"

You see it.

ALL OF IT!

The blanket of hair.  Tons and tons of hair.  From the very chair you so graciously had your friend sit on, (unbeknownst to her) that had your dog, and three cats still on it.  (Even though they were in the other room the whole time she was visiting.

You smile hesitantly and give her a little friendly wave as she gets into her car.  And pray to God that by the time she sees the hair mess all over her clothing... she'll have been home awhile and assumes it must be from HER animals.  ;)

And friend, if I invite you to "tea" or "coffee" at my house, please know that I have since purchased two huge lint rollers. And I'm trying to keep up.

I can even give you a swipe or two down your backside, before you leave.  :)

Hugs From My Heart

Somethings Are Just So Simple...

Fun and Easy... DIY

I found this adorable, easy, DIY project over at Maybe Matilda...

When I read the word, "lazy" in the description, I knew it was for me.  She took this...

and in a few simple steps, made this...

Click on over to her site, Maybe Matilda, and take a look for yourself. 

Hugs From My Heart

Home Sweet Homes

Hugs From My Heart

Are You A "Yes" Woman...

At Christmas, I stumbled upon a devotional at T.J.'s... The Beauty of the Lord. A 365 Devotional Journal.
It's a short, simple one.  With space to write daily.  Plus, it was $7.99!  :)  I also loved the size of it, the feel of it, and although I don't read as much as I would like, I love books.  In the cart it went. 

Of course, my intention was to start on January 1st, and read it each day.

Didn't happen. 

However, I did read it today, and this is what it said...

~ "God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us."  2 Corinthians 1:21 The Message

"Yes" seems like such a good word.  A loving word.  One that overflows from women who are generous in spirit and compassionate in deed.  
 But yes isn't always the best answer.  Just because God has placed a desire in you to care for others, doesn't mean He's asked you to be everyone's answer to prayer.  Your time is limited.  So are your financial, physical, and emotional resources. 
So, before you say yes, give yourself an opportunity to say... no.  Ask for time to think before answering a request.  Then, TALK TO GOD!!!  (my caps, not publishers)  Ask for His guidance.  Don't allow the emotion of the moment or pressure from others to dictate your answer.  If your yes isn't wholehearted, it isn't a true answer to prayer.

(And this next sentence really resonated with me)

Remember, "no" can also be an answer to someone's prayer.  It can give others the opportunity to step up and help.

(What?!!!  The world doesn't need ME to fix everything, and be there for everyone?!!!)

God is the only one you should say yes to right away.  Everyone else can wait until God gives you the green light.  ~

I think, I have been in the process of learning this lesson for years.  No, really. When I say years, I mean like,

5,000!

Well, maybe not that many.  But seriously... to long. 

I think, I'm getting it though.  Recently, I have been spending a lot of time home.

Alone.

Quiet.

It's nice, and I need it.

I've been doing a lot of reading.

I sit at the window and watch the snow falling.

I take photos of the Cardinals in the back yard.

And spend a lot of time just petting this guy.

I'm slowly getting myself off face book.

I got rid of my cell. I just don't think we need to be available to everyone all the time.  It's too much.

At least for me.

I'm still on the road to simplifying my life.  It's almost feels like a craving.  Like I have to do it in order to survive.  To go forward at this point.  This year, I turn 47.  Just numbers.  Not any different for me really.

But what is different is my life.  All our children are grown and out of the house, except one.  Our baby girl.

She won't be with us much longer either.  They grow and go, and she already seems to have one foot out the door.  I need to figure out what my life is, and is going to be, so I don't hold her back, when she is ready to walk out on her own.

And Blue Eyes... well that man is like most wonderful husbands.  He just wants me happy.  Always has. Whatever that is to me, he's all for it.  That man would swim through shark infested waters just to give me a glass of cold lemon-aid.  I'm one blessed girl.

And so I know that whatever changes I make, whatever they need to be... he will be by my side.  Where he has been for years. 

I will sit still and quiet longer, and listen for what God has for me.  Evidently today, it's remembering to say...

"No"

I'm good with it.  ;)

Hugs from my heart