Fall Forever

I wish it could be Fall year round.  Ok, well maybe that is a bold statement, but I do love the season of Fall.  The weather starts to cool down, the leaves start changing, and the pumpkins start growing! Let the decorating being.

Found this lovely fall wreath at Lowes

This is the first time we've put a Fall display out in the front yard.  Not much, but still cute. A pair of mums, dried corn, a pumpkin and a gord, all atop of a hay bail with a Mr. & Mrs. Scarecrow and a cornstalk background. Festive :)

Oh, and for a few giggles...I put this display out yesterday evening.  When I came home from work this afternoon I found this:

I'm going to guess the tailless Squirrel who lives in our backyard is to blame...

An Incredible Loss

Written word has always been the easiest way for me to communicate.  And right now, there really isn't anything else I can, or want to, do except write.  Last week, 10-13-11 to be exact, the world lost a truly incredible human being, Mr. Richard O'Donnell.  I can't believe I'm writing this, it was only 7 short years ago that I was graduating from Chopticon High School and hugging him goodbye.  I never would have thought that a more permanent goodbye would be in store such a short time later.  After hearing through the grapevine how sick he was, I was literally getting ready to write him a letter to check in on him when I heard the news that he had passed.  Since I didn't get a chance to see him and write the letter, I thought I would write to him here, on my blog, just in case he's "following" me from up above.

Dear Mr. O'Donnell,

You gruff, sarcastic man.  Without a doubt, you will be missed far more than you will ever know.  You were like a staple at Chopticon High School, everyone and I mean EVERYONE knew who you were.  Some knew you as the basketball coach, some knew you as a history teach, and some knew you as the schools Athletic Director.  I, however, knew you as a friend.  High school is such a difficult time in any young persons life, and having known you honestly made my experience much better than I ever thought it would be.

I cannot thank you enough for the support system you provided me over the years.  You were my sounding-board to vent to when I wasn't happy with a few certain coaches, you were my encouragement when I didn't think I was good enough at basketball or field hockey or there was 'trouble in paradise', you were my hall pass when I was late for class, you made me smile with your crazy antics and silly jokes when I was having a bad day, you grounded me, never letting my head get too big and you never forgot about me, even when I went off to college... (I will never forgot the thoughtful care packages you sent us)

Without you in my life, I would not be where I am today.  I am sorry we lost touch the past couple of years, and that I didn't make it to see you before you passed.  I will forever treasure the love and compassion that you showed me.  You are in a better place now, and I cannot think of a more fitting guardian angel to watch over me, and all of the others that you've touched in your lifetime, than the one who was always looking out for me while you were still here.

I love you and will miss you always,

Mindy <3

ps- i hope you are enjoying a diet coke, cosmic brownie, fast break bar, and rice krispie treat right now, all while listening to Sheryl Crow's greatest hits and watching some basketball film. :) Save me a seat, I can't wait to see you again!

The Rivah'

My dad has been connected to the water, more specifically the Potomac River (aka the 'Rivah') since he was born.  His parents worked the water together the majority of their lives, as well as the Morris relatives before them.  It's in their blood, it's what they do.  And it's what my dad did too, but times changed and it's nearly financially impossible to simply work the water today without an additional income, or two.

Having sold the boat he worked out of several years ago, he decided to get one made, that way it would be exactly what he wanted.  After several trips back and forth to the Eastern Shore, he finally got his dream boat: The Rose Marie.  Ok, well he hasn't painted a name on it yet, but I'm pretty sure that's what he's going to call it, in honor of his late mother and my grandmother, MawMaw.

He wants to get a cabin built on, but that is taking longer than he originally expected, so he hasn't take the boat out much at all this year. He has gone out a couple of times Oystering since he invested in some new tongs, also from the Eastern Shore, but no pleasure trips really. (Except for the photo above, that was the first time putting her in the water). So you can only imagine my excitement when he called me this weekend  and asked if I wanted to take a ride on the River to Cobb Island for some lunch.  Didn't. Think. Twice.

Our family LOVES the show "Swamp People"...I wonder if it has anything to do with the resemblance between Capt. Jeb and Capt. Troy...

A Weekend Off

I’m counting my blessings today.  It’s my CWS Friday, and I don’t have a single commitment this weekend. Thank God!  Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and my family dearly, but sometimes you just need a weekend away from it all.

I slept in this morning and woke up to find that the weather was finally back to normal. Not too hot, not too cold, just perfect. Of course Bubba was out the door by 6:00am heading to Mechanicsville so I took advantage of the empty house and did something I only do behind closed doors.  I cranked up my iTunes, belted out a few of my newest downloads and started cleaning.  The mail lady sat outside the house for longer than usual while delivering my mail, I hope she couldn’t hear me…

Tyler and Allie (my brother and his girlfriend) are both celebrating birthday’s this week.  They are in Florida for school so I bought them some goodies and packaged them up with every intention of mailed them this week.  Work was so busy I didn’t get a chance to sneak out to the Post Office so I figured today would be the ideal time to send it. I hopped on my pink bike and rode up to Potomac Gardens (right next to the PO) only to find the metal window down and not a soul in sight.  Apparently in an attempt to save money, the PO is closed this entire weekend.  Sorry Ty and Al, but your bday gifts are going to be a little late!

Which brings me to where I am sitting right at this moment: The most peaceful and sunny spot I can think of, my front porch.  I can’t think of any other way to start off my relaxing and event free weekend than to be sitting right here, with the seagulls and butterflies.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend! 

Look Around

It's a sad day when you can have something so beautiful blooming in your yard to let you know Fall is on it's way and you've been so busy you didn't even notice it!

Don't pay all the weeds and grown up grass any mind...

PBC Fun Fact

Since I've been posting quite a bit about my new Etsy shop, Point Breeze Cottage, lately, I thought I'd share with you a little story about one of the items we sold recently.  Meet our lovely Orange Step Chair:

This little gem still has the original tags on the bottom of the seat from the manufacturer, KROMETAL MFG. CORP. and is dated Nov. 27, 1955.  This bright, and original, orange vinyl was in decent condition that was quickly turned into excellent condition with a little soap and water.  A fresh coat of silver paint on the legs, along with a shot of black on the steps, and this baby was as good as new.

I had a hard time parting with such a unique and vintage piece, even though I reached a point where I wasn't sure I'd have to.  Even in its great condition, and extremely fair price, this chair kept it's spot in our shop for several weeks.  And finally, after numerous emails inquiries and hundreds of views, our orange beauty finally sold to a woman in Los Angeles, CA.  My curiosity (and excitement) was peaked when I began emailing back and forth with the woman purchasing the chair and she told me that she was a set designer in LA and worked on a period television show and that the new season begins in March 2012.

Late 50's?  Period TV show? New season in March?  Mad Men? hmmm...if you are a fan, keep your eyes peeled for this Point Breeze Cottage purchase!