T Minus 12 & Counting!

We are just 12 short days away from our first child, our one and only son, getting married.
I have decided weddings are like an onion. LOTS OF LAYERS! Just when you think you're done planning, there is yet another layer in front of you! There is so much wedding prep to do even for a small wedding of 150 people or less!

My list was growing so rapidly one day so I decided to buy a dry erase calender and spread the list out for each day to have certain tasks to finish. That way I still had part of a day to enjoy a little peace and tranquility. So I divided up the tasks that needed to be done according to urgency.

Thus far the calender is working!

The messes are amazing as well. There is a painting area where everything that needs to be painted is staged and ready! These types of projects are where I could putz and spend way to much time because this is my forte'!

I have painted tiny lanterns that were once white, Black! I have painted the chalkboards you see here and I am now in the process of adding the beading and sunflowers!

The one things I was not prepared for was the space all of the decor' and paper work would take up.

My house is about 1200 sq. ft. and we manage in this small space quite well most of the time. If I could have one wish, it would be to have an extra room to store all of the "THINGS" for the wedding. To keep them in categories and have room to work. But, I don't have this luxury so I make do.

Attempting to keep it all in perspective is my goal. To remember this is a short event. It is not about the things that make it "look" beautiful. It is indeed about the beauty of two lives coming together as one.

The irony here is that when two lives come together as one it can be messy. You bring all that you know to the relationship, he brings all he knows to the relationship and you attempt to find room for it all.

I remember our First Christmas together as a married couple. I was making cookies, MY families Christmas favorites. When my husband asked if I was going to make Peanutbutter Blossoms. I was outraged! Are you serious? My Mom didn't make those. That was not part of my family tradition!

But it was for him and it was important to him. So I learned that day that we needed to figure out what OUR Christmas would be like. What OUR traditions were going to be. A good lesson to learn right away!

 It's a bit like a symphony. Many instruments working together to create a magnificant sound. That is our focus. Not the "things." But rather, the one "thing" that matters most. That is the relationship. In the end, the wedding will be over in about 4-5 hours time. 

It's the lifetime ahead that matters.  

HOT TIP TUESDAY - Summer Make Up Tips

As summer months quickly approach, it is time to think about taking care of your face.
My first tip is:
* PRIMER - Just like paint primer, make up primer, which goes on AFTER your moisturizer, smooths out the surface and a provides a base for any other make up to sit on. It makes for an over all smooth appearance. And works a bit like Spackle to fill in fine lines! My favorite is Maybeline's Primer.

* TINTED MOISTURIZER- Rather than your traditional foundation or mineral powder. Try a tinted moisturizer! You will fall in love with how much easier it is to get ready in the morning and how easy it is to use.

* BRONZER - Bronzer is a must have in every woman's make up arsenal! Bronzer can replace your traditional blush on your cheeks to add color.
Bronzer makes your teeth look whiter and our eyes brighter as well.
It balances out any skin color differences.
Apply to the areas the Sun would Kiss Naturally. Like your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin.
Be sure to use the Pearls Bronzers with varying shades to make for a more even complexion. This will allow for a sun kissed look without Oompa Loompa look of spray tanning.

Finally, choose some loose fitting, brightly colored shirts for summer this year. Coral, yellow and hot pink are popular colors.
Bright colors bring a youthful glow to your skin and who doesn't want Youthful!!

THAT'S MY HOT TIP TUESDAY!

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Bettelli Family. Hank my grand cat! 1lb 3ounces! 12 inches long! He seems to like me all though at this stage in his life he probably likes everyone! He's hard not to like. Even my husband, the skeptical pet lover, seemed to have a smirk worthy of saying he likes him. My son Jon and his soon to be bride, Alex are the wonderful parents of this little fur ball! This does conjure up some feeling in me that are a little to close to the surface. Grandma???? Grandma????

That could actually be a reality some time in the near future! I have a hard time with the word Grandma. I think I will need to be called something a little more clever. Or perhaps just G!

Grandma just seems so........ Well ......... old!

 I am sure that I will be perfectly happy with whatever my Grand kids choose or are able to call me.    Nana, Mi ma, Grammy, Granny.

Thankfully I don't really need to be concerned with this right now. But the whole Grand cat thing conjured some feelings in me that I needed to process through so why not put them in print and share it with the world.

I am sure I'm not the only one out there that has ever though of this possibility as your children get older and start leaving the nest and getting married.

It certainly is an exciting new time beginning in our lives.

Beginning with our Grand cat Hank!

You just gotta love him!

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY - FIREY END!

This is my last PHOTO A DAY since this is indeed the end of MAY!

It has been fun to come up with photos each day! I can't believe it's over.

One thing you will know about me if you continue to follow me is that I love to post photos. So it is definitely not over!!

For my last official pic for May it is truly a firey end.

Absolutely one of my favorite things to end a day is sitting by the fire!

Of course a must have around the fire is a the all American S'more!

Enjoy !!

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY - It Is Well With My Soul

It is well with my soul is all I could think of when my son sent me this picture that he took yesterday!

I can't help but think God makes these scenes so obvious to us to make us see His power and truth.

Truth being that even in the midst of a storm there is beauty.

After the storm passes and you see it in the distance it seems more ominous but you are standing there enjoying the beauty of the new perspective.

Maybe I'm reaching here but this is a beautiful scene and an incredible reminder to me if no one else. That God is with me through everything and whatever the storm, it is producing in me something he wants me to learn and to be!

We are just like nature in so many ways.

When Peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul!!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

THE TRUMP SHALL RESOUND, AND THE LORD SHALL DESCEND;

EVEN SO, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!!

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY - My Sweetheart!

Oh my heart still skips a beat when I see this man.
He is the sweetest most giving husband.
He is completely selfless and puts everyone else before himself.

My advice for single girls out there looking for love.
Look for someone who cares about what you are saying when you're talking to him
Look for a man who looks you in the eyes when he talks to you.
Look for a man who surprises you all the time. Even with silly things like text messages and emails that take you by surprise. Spontaneous ice cream dates and random stops at scenic overlooks!
It's not about flowers and romantic scenes from movies that can't possibly be duplicated in real life. It's about honest love.
He' my Photo Of The Day today but he's the man of dreams everyday!!!

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY - Rather Ominous

A rather ominous sky slid across the horizon tonight. However, it was quite uneventful!

I love a good thunderstorm! When the sirens sound I typically grab the camera and head outside!

There is something so powerful about storms.

Makes me remember just how powerful my God really is.

Look at those clouds! He means business with a warning sign like that.

Though this storm amounted to nothing more than a rumble of thunder and a few sprinkles of rain. It is always a reminder to me of the power of my God.

Hoping to fall asleep tonight to the gentle sound of thunder in the distance and flashes of lightning on the horizon. Resting safely in the knowledge of the strength of my Lord!