Happy New Year!

Stopping in to say Happy New Year! Just got back from sunny Southern California...in time for a snowstorm to sweep through our city last night....and a lovely 4 hour commute home (and I am surprised I didn't hurt anyone). Christmas in California was one of the best and of course being with family made it so special!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday but if any of you are like me I am SO glad 2010 is coming upon us. I have a strange feeling 2010 has a lot of goodies planned for all of us!

Here's a sneak peak at my treat for 2010. :) This is Cimara....if all goes as planned, as of next month I will be leasing this lovely girl! We've already started to get to know one another. :) She's a 12 year old Missouri Fox Trotter. Wait, my leg looks fat. Waiiiit a minute. I lost weight. Whaaaaa!

HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR. Look up at the sky....we are in for a Blue Moon and a Lunar Eclipse tomorrow evening. No wonder 2010 will already be special. :)

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone! I just wanted to say this since time has gotten away with me the last week or so...okay a month or so. :) Just wanted to give you a quick update. I am still in a bit of a "state of confusion" since moving. Threw me off completely. I hate to say this but I am looking forward more to the New Year and getting a fresh start on all aspects of my life. Next year I have a small wish list. I want to be more creative, take more time out to appreciate the things that make me happy, crafting, cooking, baking, my kitties. Life is so precious and I am beginning to realize that each second, each minute, each day that passes is time I will never get back...so I must enjoy each and every minute! Make the most of life, you know? And not to let things get me down as easily as they have recently. I need to look ahead to better days, days spent taking time out to smell the roses. That's what I intend to do. A New Year, a new life, a better life every year. :)

One other quick thing. I don't usually like to say anything too early (because of past experiences) but I have been trying out a new horse (for a possible lease with the owner). A few visits out to a wonderful barn...with wonderful owners who are so kind, warm and friendly to me. I have been going out to the barn to visit a sweet mare. Her name is Cimara. I will have pictures soon. She's a beautiful buckskin Missouri Fox Trotter and after several visits, we finally connected this weekend and she's a sweetie! She's even been in parades here in town! I have also made wonderful new friends at this barn as well (I love my ever growing circle of horsey friends!) and hope to join them on trail rides next summer (along with my regular horsey friends I have been riding with, of course). This is the first place I have truly felt comfortable at and I'm so excited! I've never ridden a Fox Trotter so I had a trainer out this past weekend who was so, so impressive and she gave me some great pointers.

Anyhoo.....we'll wait until after the New Year for all this exciting stuff, right? In the meantime, if I don't get around to visiting you all have a wonderful, wonderful holiday season and most importantly, cherish each moment you spend with those you love.

xoxo

Michelle, Mocha, Quincy and Emma

P.S. The kids are being watched by the "other" Michelle...their trusty pet sitter. She stays here at my place (sleeps here) so they will be well taken care of!

We're Settled and We Survived!

But barely, for me! Ugh. I think I have decided I'm going to retire here. Never move again. Just live vicariously through everyone else for anything that I am missing in my life. This move nearly killed me (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating). Even though it was twenty steps away it takes a lot packing up a whole household! Then the cleaning. Oh yea..and those stairs I mentioned earlier? I hate them! I despise them! On the last day of the move I was spitting on them. Lol! I counted the steps. Thirty-two steps to get to the top floor where the bedrooms are at. I can't tell you how sore I was at the end of the move. I was sore in places I never knew could GET sore! I gotta say, though, the cats are loving it. Quincy had one of his spaz moments and ran down the stairs so fast I was sure he would be tumbling, a big orange fur ball tumbling, towards the bottom. I don't think he realized how fast he was going. Lol!

BUT, despite the two days that I was near death....I am feeling good these days. A little different to be in a three story place....not knowing what's downstairs when I'm upstairs. Hearing more sounds at night. But my boy Quincy will protect me. Yep...my fireball of a handsome boy. Who am I kidding? He'll be the first to run under the covers. Lol! Hmm..come to think of it no different than the men I've been with in my life (but I digress). Oh yes and all of a sudden the kitties have a new fun habit. Oh it's so fun you can't even imagine. Ask mom! In the middle of the night I'll hear a faint...bang, bang, bang. I lay in bed motionless. First I'm trying to figure out what floor it's coming from. Second, trying to figure out which cupboard someone is trying to open with their sweet little paws; and third, deciding if I need to get up to traipse down the thirty steps just to scold someone. So, I choose the fourth, turn over, whip the blankets over my head and go to sleep. :)

Here are a few pictures. I warn you not much decorating yet! I'll post more later! Thank you all for your well wishes. I was a bit burned out the past few days to post. I'm now getting ready to fly home next week. I will be more active after the holidays as I've said before. It's been one crazy year-end. However, I will be by to visit you all the next few days....promise!!

My new enemy...

A few small touches in the kitchen...

Quincy: Oh mom...that was way too much work watching you go up and down those stairs. Next time can you do it where I can't see because it just exhausts me and kinda hurts my neck.

A warm fireplace for sore feet.

Let's see.....the nightstand is the same, the bed feels the same. What just happened?We're all good. The cat bed is still here.

My canopy bed. Not decorated the way I want but had to throw a few things together quickly to feel somewhat at home. I picture more and more billowy sheers all around and above me.

Hi mom!

You can't see the other side of this big room in the picture but there is a place perfect for a vintage vanity. :) I think I will go for the elegant 1940's look with that. Oh but ONLY after I get rid of at least thirty things! Two things you never realize until you move. How much junk...woops...things you have and how you failed to dust in certain places!

One more day...

My dream is to have this kind of vanity in my bedroom...

Just one more day in my abode of only a year and tomorrow....another day...another new day in my new home. I'm anxious and can't wait to get it all over with. There's something so exhausting about packing up all your belongings to move again and yet something thrilling about a new place (even if it is 20 steps away).

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say hello and hopefully this weekend, preferably Sunday evening sitting next to a warm fire by the fireplace with my kitties, things will be back to normal once again.

I'm a little excited actually. I may change up the decor again. I am thinking adding a bit more vintage in the mix. I am breaking out the canopy bed to put in the master bedroom with white shears...my new room is much bigger than the room I have now. Maybe setting up a vanity area where I can do my hair and makeup instead of the bathroom (using the furniture I already have, of course). A little more romantic white in the bedroom. Oh I don't know...we'll see. I just wanna get in and settled before the holiday!

Once I'm in this weekend I will take a few pictures and let you all see the new place.

The cats are all doing well. Emma is still struggling a bit on the prednisolone..upsets her tummy. Mocha has gained some healthy weight and Quincy is just....well Quincy. Lol! He always seems to be so happy go lucky!

Hang in there all...I will be by to visit very soon and to show off some wonderful gifts that came in the mail to me.

xoxo

Vanity picture courtesy of Bella Cottage (one of my favorite online shops).

This is how I'm feeling these days

But I WILL survive! Packing, packing, packing, a little horse fix here and there.....bringing Emma into the vet for another asthma attack because we couldn't control it at home. *sigh* Oh yes....cleaning, ironing...ugh. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

Sorry I haven't been around guys! My life has been turned upside down and there always seems to be something around the corner ready to wreak havoc! I will be back though! One more week in this condo. :) Miss you all!

Update: Dawn over at Vanilla Sugar asked a good question in her comment about Emma being on prednisone. She is actually on prednisolone (apparently this is the same as prednisone but easily breaks down for pets better than prednisone). She was on it once every other day so apparently that wasn't enough. Now we are having her take prednisone twice a day until she is a little more stabilized then we will go down to once a day. I hate the side effects though. She has gained 1/3 of a lb in one month. We also have her inhaler and a better breathing tube now so she can take more of the albuterol in when she has an attack.

Quincy has been a wonderful buddy and sits next to her when she is having one of her episodes. He knows something isn't right and comforts her by staying near. Sooo adorable! They love each other. Also, Mocha is doing much better. She still needs to put on some weight but she's eating and drinking normally and much happier now that the sickness is gone!

Comforts of a Sunday

A relaxing drive in the country....and spying some cute little piggies eating leftover pumpkins.....

A healthy and happy cat....

And a little stitching for the winter....

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

P.S. I received a giveaway in the mail...it will be on my next post! :)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

If I have not gotten around to visiting often, please forgive me. I promise I will be more active once my move is complete and the holidays are over. You know, even though this year has been full of ups and downs (even recently) I am so very thankful for everything I have in my life. I am also so very thankful that I have met all of you. I have met so many wonderful friends...all of you! I have even met a few in person and so lucky to have had the opportunity. There are so many more of you that I would just love to meet in person. :) Maybe someday. For now, I am thankful to talk to each and every one of you here. I am also thankful for God's presence in my life. He has always watched over me and I feel so very lucky and thankful for His love.

I don't know why this popped in my head but wouldn't it be so fun to have us all get together somewhere for a girl's (bloggers) weekend away? To finally meet each other even if it is for a weekend! :)

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Lots of love...from all of us. :)

Michelle, Mocha, Quincy and Emma

I'm a traveling gypsy....

And this is how this traveling gypsy gets around. Lol!

So, recently I mentioned I had some other changes that were going to be happening. Well, I am moving again! Okay, really it's not what you think. I'm still in the same condo complex but I am moving to the townhouse across from me! Lol! I mean literally, the garages are across from each other. I am making this change because I decided I am paying too much for rent right now. The condo I am in is the most desired floor plan and, well, all around the most desired condo in the complex. I LOVE the complex I am in...not sure if I've mentioned that. It's gated, so I feel safe, it's quiet and trees everywhere! So, this is going to sound funny but I am now moving into a three story townhouse which is bigger than the condo I am in but much cheaper. I just won't have as many windows and not as much of a view. That's okay though, I would rather start saving more money for a house in the future. :) I know Quincy and Emma will have tons of room to run now. Two sets of stairs...the first floor is the garage, second is the living room, dining room and kitchen and one bathroom, and the third are the two bedrooms and two more bathrooms.

Here's the thing and the reason I haven't been posting as much lately, besides the cat fiasco. :( I'm cleaning and getting ready for the short move across the street because it all has to happen mid December. Terrible time, I know but they couldn't hold this townhouse longer than 30 days for me...so....I had to have it. Talk about stressful. A move in between the holidays. Nice going, Michelle. Oh well, I can think of worst things, right?

Anyhow, hope you guys had a wonderful weekend! Kitties are still doing fine. Mocha is hanging in there, a bit cranky but eating and drinking a lot. I'm not sure if she will be the same kitty after this but she is still with me and, for that, I am happy.

xoxo

Can you guess what I'm making?

Try really hard! I completed one tonight but I'm not quite done and I wasn't happy with the lighting....so...I'm giving you this picture so you can guess. And I will tell you now, I made the shortcut version...but spruced them up a bit. :) A girl can always use a little bit of warmth for the coming winter.

Picture courtesy of www.colorful-stitches.com

We're All Doing Okay So Far Thanks To All Of You!!

Just a quick update, we're all doing fine! I am so, so relieved that things are looking better. Quincy and Emma are doing fine, even after a relapse for Quincy. He felt better day before yesterday and ate like a little pig...then that morning threw up five times. Oh that was so frustrating to hear. So, another day of laying low and as of yesterday and today he is back to normal! Mocha is also healing, slowly but surely. As of two days ago I was giving her water with a syringe. But yesterday she was so hungry and meowed and was alert once again! I fixed her bland chicken breast and she ate a lot of it. She is even drinking a lot now! She's so small now though...she must have lost a pound this past week and that's too much for her since she's already so small. She still has a bit of diarrhea but she is at least feeling good enough to have a good appetite! We will get the diarrhea under control, poor thing. Also, five months ago we did a full panel test on her and all the tests came back normal. I am happy about that but frustrated knowing she still has diarrhea. I also apparently lost weight. Four pounds in one week. Yep, worried mom, I am. Mocha and I both went on a diet. Lol! If I had real kids I would be one of those mothers who worries about every little thing. Lol! So, we have all been eating chicken breast the last couple of days. The cats have been eating their hard food as well. I am trying to ease them off of canned food (although Emma insists on it). Mocha and Quincy won't be getting canned food for awhile. Just chicken and brown rice. :)

I wanted to thank ALL OF YOU for the prayers. That's what got us here....God heard your prayers, our prayers and I am thanking you all and God for answering them. I know He is watching over us and I am content and happy knowing that. When I was reading the posts, tears welled up in my eyes. It's amazing how none of us have really met, yet when we each really need one another, we are there for each other.

So, tonight I am actually starting the craft project I mentioned last week and will post some pictures very soon!! Like hopefully tomorrow and maybe even get back into the swing of things and posting regularly again. Tonight, I am going to start visiting everyone. I haven't even been reading blogs. So, so sorry!!

Thank you, thank you all...you are all have a place in my heart. :) If you don't see a comment from me on your blog it's coming! I'm visiting each one of you in the next day or so. :)

xoxo

Michelle, Mocha, Quincy and Emma

Tough, emotional weekend...

I cannot believe what has been going on around here. After bringing Emma to the vet for feeling sick, the next day Quincy and Mocha became ill (vomiting, diarrhea) and ended up bringing both to the vet on Saturday. They weren't really sure what caused the illness but their basic vitals were fine and they sent Quincy home with medication and decided to give Mocha a steroid shot since she had previous IBD issues. Well, Mocha has been a total zombie after yesterday. Very lethargic, almost depressed looking. She's been drinking and only will eat her fish flakes and nothing else. Quincy and Emma are doing fine now. I am beside myself about Mocha and am hoping it's something as simple as a reaction to the steroid shot. I was so hesitant on the doctor giving her the steroid shot but I agreed. *sigh* Mocha is 13 1/2, not a young one anymore, I realize that, but I am hoping she pulls through this.

I know I've been absent lately but I've had a lot going on and to add all three cats getting sick has pushed me over the edge. I'd love it if you all could send a little prayer for Mocha. She could really use it now.

I'll keep you all posted and we all thank you!!

Coming out of my blues...

I am so sorry for not posting much these days. I've had a lot going on and not all that great. Emma got sick from eating something so off we went to the doctors for fluids and anti-nausea medication. She is completely well now and eating and drinking fine but Mocha is ill again with her Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It's all my fault too...I tried changing their food. I have been down about being a bad mother and I think that coupled with the weather and time change...it hit me like a meteor! But I will survive and so will my kids. :) Mocha will be going to the doctors on Saturday to get her on some medication that the doctor knows will stabilize her tummy.

In the meantime....I have been out and about riding with the horses. I was invited with my dearest blogging and horse riding friend Kacy over at All Horse Stuff to meet a new trainer for my very first dressage lesson! I also met her riding partner Jen who she rides with on Mondays. Man the new trainer was tough but I loved it! Kacy took all these wonderful pictures. She is such a great photographer...I promised next time I would remember my camera so I could, for once, take pictures of her! :)

Kacy riding Washashe...her beautiful spirited mare...

Jen taking her lesson on her wonderful Mustang, Simeon...

Meeting Harley, a gorgeous paint gelding...who graciously let me ride him for this lesson...

Grooming...

Petting...

Listening to teacher...

Listening some more...

Finally getting it and with a smile!

Good job! Thank you Kacy, Cathi and Harley!

And Quincy wanted to remind me that the sun is not completely gone...

Hope you are all having a wonderful week. :) I am going to be doing a little crafting this weekend for winter....and will tell you about a few bigger changes that will be happening soon!

Feeling a bit blue today....

It was rainy and gloomy most of the day. Well, most of the weekend but today I felt extra blue. I felt like her. The weather is a challenge sometimes...and the darkness comes all too soon these evenings. I just wanted to stay in bed all day.....and dream of sunny California. :) Sometimes I do miss home. This too shall pass though...

Hope everyone had a lovely Monday. :)

Silly Movie Time!

So I bet you didn't know Saturday night is treat night around here....and apparently silly movie night! Lol! I thought I'd share a short video with you of Quincy and Mocha this evening. I'm not sure where Emma was. Rest assured if she were around Mocha there would be a lot of hissing. :) Okay, so, ignore any mess you see and don't laugh at my doting voice. :) I'm their mother, I'm entitled, right? I sound a little ridiculous though.

The lighting is terrible....I'll try and get a better video up so you can see them all! :)

Halloween Continues!

I have got to show you what I got in the mail yesterday from dear, sweet Patti over at Creative Cottage Dreamer. I didn't win a giveaway or did I do a swap but she just sent this to me out of the goodness of her giving heart. In fact all of you have a wonderful heart. ;) If you haven't visited Patti's blog, please swing by. You will find the most creative poet (at least that I know of). Her words and poetry truly come from her beautiful soul. Thank you so much, Patti! I hope we're friends for a very, very long time! :) xoxo

Aren't the details just adorable?


Even Quincy needed to get in on the action. Apparently his nose needs to approve everything that comes through the mail. LOL!

I'm using this bookmark for my current read (Julia's Chocolates). Don't ya love the nail polish. Michelle is going through a midlife crisis and the polish is bringing joy and diversity to her life. LOL! Okay, humor me, will ya?

And these were the beauties in the package. I wore them the very next day to work with my black turtleneck. :)

THANK YOU, Patti! Love ya!!!

An Award!

I am so, so honored to have received the Friendship Award from none other than the very lovely Sophie over at Sophie's Foodiefiles! Thank you so much, Sophie! Okay, so my cooking does not compare to her unique, genuine and incredible recipes but she does encourage me to cook more! Sophie has been such a loyal and wonderful friend to me! One day, I may just become like her if I can get myself to experiment more and become fearless in cooking. She reminds me so much of Julia child. Creative, inventive, fearless and always so happy! Thank you, Sophie from the bottom of my heart. :) Swing on over if you haven't had a chance to already. You're sure to get a foodie surprise!

Hope you're all having a wonderful week. I have another surprise to share and a recipe coming right up! You know it's simple too. Lol!

xoxo

Beautiful Day Full Moon and All!

It was a gorgeous day for a ride! So, this will be a short post on my end but I'm sending you over to my fellow dear blogger, Kacy over at All Horse Stuff to checkout a few pictures from today!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

Happy Halloween All!

Just wanted to post a quick Happy Halloween to all! Halloween is when the veil is thin between the two worlds (living and the dead) according to tradition. If you keep your ears open you just may hear an ancestor calling out to you. :) Last night I had candles burning on a little table that I created this Halloween to honor those that have passed on before me. I have pictures of my grandparents, my pets and my father. I know my father has been with me this past week. I had a very vivid dream about him earlier on in the week where we held hands and visited...we walked through the city together. It was so comforting. As if he had just popped in for a visit with me. :) Well, during the week I've had some very odd things happen. One evening I came home and opened the garage door with my automatic opener and once inside the garage closed on its own. I had not even made it to the other side of the garage to push the button. Things have been flying off shelves (well okay, falling, lol). Last night the cats were acting strange. Mainly Quincy. He kept wanting to sit by me or stay next to me which is uncharacteristic of him. It was raining...and I could have sworn I heard drums in the distance. Hmmm..I'm thinking maybe a small Halloween festival nearby? So I opened the window to get a better listen. The air was still, the rain fell quietly and all of a sudden a huge gust of wind kicked up and blew through my window. Something had fallen behind me. As I turned to see what had fallen....I noticed it was one of my pictures. It was my father's picture. No one else's picture had fallen but his. I knew then he was here. :)

Have a safe and Happy Halloween all! I'm headed out today to have a Halloween tea with the gals! Yay!

Gothic Candleabras!

I seriously can see myself buying one of these beauties and putting one next to my bed. My ex sister-in-law always had the most elegant bedroom. Large puffy down comforters in white, canopy bed draped in sheers....and the one thing that stood out the most to me was the large, elegant, beautiful candelabra she had next to her bed. I mean it just made the room. I guess you could call it an "accent" piece. Now I want one. So, for the Fiberdoodles party today I am presenting some very elegant yet gothic candelabras for your pleasure. :)

I love these candelabras!

Shabby chic candelabra.

This candelabra is oh so romantic!

This one belongs in the Haunted Mansion.

Ready for Halloween? :)

The Phantom...

has to be one of my favorite "monsters" and Gerard Butler did a great job in the movie! Yum! :) Don't forget to turn off my player to hear this beautiful music!



Hmmm..the other has to be Gary Oldman in Dracula. *sigh*

The Fiberdoodles Halloween party continues! :) Yea, I would be the girl in all these movies choosing to stay with the monster. LOL.

Happy Vintage Halloween

More of my favorite pin up pictures for Halloween! :) The Fiberdoodles party continues! Swing on over and see what Sharon is cooking up in her cauldron for this fun party! Thanks again for hosting, Sharon!

I think there's a little witchy pin up in all of us. Happy Monday all! :)