I have a thing for white aprons as you can see. I don't use them I just like to display them. The middle one is one of my favorites because it's linen. I just love linen and lace!
The white aprons were my planned post for today but then something happened yesterday that I have to share...
I was driving back to work from an appointment I had yesterday morning. I was irritated because the appointment had started late and I was very late getting back to work. For some reason I was not paying attention and I turned onto the wrong freeway! Luckily further up the freeway there is a road that connects to the freeway I should have been on so I took that exit. I was going with the flow of traffic when I realized even though we had a green light that cars were stopping. I slowed down and then I saw a tiny, very hunched-back old lady crossing the street against the traffic! A car came flying up in the lane next to me and I thought for sure I was going to witness this lady get hit by a car. I let out a huge gasp, my heart dropped into my stomach and every muscle in my body tightened up! Luckily the driver saw her in time and was able to stop. I could tell the woman did not even know what was going on around her! Once she finally reached the other side of the street, our light turned red so we were all sitting there in our cars looking at this woman. I was waiting for someone to help her as I'm sure everyone else was. I realized that I needed to step up and offer to help. The light was still red so I got out of my car and yelled over to her to see if she needed help. As she looked up, I could see tears in her eyes and she shook her head yes. When the light turned green, I turned into the parking lot. She was so frail. Her back was so bad, her body was bent in half with her face pointing to the ground. She was wearing pajama bottoms and she had a push cart with a few belongings; just some candy, a newspaper, adult diapers and a pillow. She told me she was from Modesto, which is over an hour away and that she had come here for her mother's funeral. She said some mean woman had stolen her money that she was going to use to take the train back home to Modesto. She said she only needed $15 more. I started to think maybe it was a scam but then I remembered how she was almost hit by a car. I told her to get in my car and I would get her help. My cell phone is broken so I drove her back to my work and told my coworkers what happened. They gave me some money for her, about $14. She was in a lot of pain and told me she had a prescription at a pharmacy that she needed to get for back pain. I took her to a pharmacy by my work and got the prescription transferred there. I bought her the medicine, some adult diapers because she only had two left, wipes & lunch. I wouldn't have been able to spend this much money on her this time of the month because it's rent time but I had just received an unexpected check for $100 and I really feel like it was meant for her. She told me she had dementia. She did not want me to call the police so I told her I wouldn't. I kept asking her if she had any friends or relatives. Her husband was dead and she didn't have any children. She had friends in Modesto but not in the San Jose area. Then she told me she had a friend but that it was too far away and she didn't want me to have to drive her that far. When she told me where her friend lived I couldn't believe it...it was just down the street from where we were. I had driven her about 15 - 20 minutes away from where I first found her and now we were near someone she knew. When I took her to her friend's house no one was home but they had a bench in front of their house and she told me she would sit there, eat the lunch I bought for her and wait for her friend to come home. She assured me that her friend never leaves for long and that she would be home soon. I gave her $20 and left her my business card & my home phone number and told her she could call me if she ever needed help. She gave my a hug goodbye and I left with tears in my eyes! I felt horrible leaving her there but I had to get back to work and she assured me that it was okay. I went back to work and called the police department of the city I found her in to see if anyone had reported her missing. The police dispatcher said no but didn't bother to take my name or number which I thought was odd. I couldn't stop thinking about her. When I got home from work last night I called the police department again. The woman questioned me about not calling them when I found her and I felt horrible...maybe I didn't do the right thing? She took my name and number and said she was going to research it more and they would call me if they found out any more information. I haven't heard from them yet. I'm feeling sick because I really think I should have called the police to help and not just left her at that home. I didn't listen to my intuition ~ I just did what she asked.
Her name is Helen Ruiz and she's from Modesto, California. She told me she was 69 years old but she looked so much older. If by chance someone reads this and knows her I would love to know that she's okay. I really believe that somehow I was guided down the wrong freeway and given that money so I could help her. Isn't that amazing how that happens! I sure hope she's okay. I know I will never forget that day and how good it feels to help someone in need!
Update: I called the Modesto Police Department today and left a message with an investigator there. I haven't heard back from her yet. Another update: I heard back from the investigator and she did a local search and then also did a national search using different ages and there was no one reported missing with her name.
I also got an nice email from someone who reads my blog and lives in Modesto. She is going watch the news and check the newspapers there to see if there are reports of someone missing.
Also, I thought about going back to the house but my friends say I shouldn't. She has my phone number so hopefully she will contact me or if she needs help someone will find my numbers in her purse and contact me.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
White Aprons and what happened to me yesterday
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Mmm...Peanut Butter Cookies
I love this recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies. It's from my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook that I bought it 1979. Peanut Butter Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Thoroughly cream butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla.
Sift together dry ingredients; blend into creamed mixture. Shape in 1 inch
balls; roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie
sheet*. Make crisscross pattern on top with a fork tines. Bake
at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly; remove from pan.
Makes 4 dozen.
*I always line my cookie sheets with foil, shiny side up because it
makes the cookies turn out more evenly browned.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thrift Store and Target Finds!
I found this little miniature cabinet above for $7 at a Goodwill I stopped in when I was running an errand in another city. It's so adorable. I have no idea what I will do with it but I think I'm going to put it in my bathroom and buy a collection of miniature perfume bottles on eBay. I had a friend once that had a huge collection of miniature perfume bottles (the kind the stores give as samples) and I've always wanted some.
This little house above is actually a mailbox that someone made. The roof lifts up and it's wallpapered and carpeted inside. I also found this at the same Goodwill. I'm going to paint it white with black shutters and put a wood shingle roof on it. I bought some dollhouse shingles at the hobby store. Just what I need ~ another project! HA! At least it's a small project, hopefully this weekend I'll get this done. I'm going to put this on my fence in my patio area to hold my small garden tools.
I found 10 yards of this pom pom trim at the thrift store by my work for only 99 cents! What a deal although I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for so maybe it wasn't such a deal. Maybe I'll trim some throw pillows with it.
For those of you that have a Target nearby, you can find these great cardboard magazine holders in the front of the store for only $1.00 each! They're in the area at the very front of the store as you walk in that has all the cheap junk miscellaneous items. I bought the last 4 at my Target! I think I'll hit a few more Target Stores to see if I can find more. I have so many magazines!
Rearranging Furniture
This weekend I rearranged my living room. I usually have my couch under the mirror but I decided to move the birdhouse table under it. My dad made the table and the mirror! I think the birdhouse I have hanging on the wall next to it looks out of place but I'm not sure what to put there. 
I moved the sofa out to the middle which divides the dining room from the living room nicely. I don't know why I bought a navy blue sofa. I really want to either make white slipcovers or have someone make them for me. Both of those involve time and money~ which I have neither of. When I bought the sofa I was thinking I was going to decorate more in a nautical cottage feel. I changed my mind on that! I hung a blue and white toile throw on the back of the sofa to lighten it up.
I planted this amaryllis bulb in a huge terracotta pot and it didn't look good so I wrapped it in a white pillowcase and tied a ribbon around it. Not perfect but it looks better than it did!
I love the soft colors of this "Apple Blossom" amaryllis!
It's so hard to get good pictures in the winter! We've had rain for the last couple weeks and my apartment is always dark! I can't wait for Spring!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tagged Again
I've been tagged by Erin ~ The Classy Rabbit. I need to list another 7 random or weird things about me.
1. I've noticed that I always misspell the work "weird". I just realized why ~ it doesn't follow the rule of "I before e except after c".
2. I love anything with lots of ginger in it!
3. I would love to have my own little shop. I would love to go to work everyday if I had my own shop.
4. I really believe I'm going to win the lottery one day. Really!
5. I love white doves and I used to have two as pets in my house. They start cooing at 4:00 AM and I didn't even mind because I love the sound that doves make.
6. I feel like I'm happier now than I've ever been in my life and I don't know why!
7. I have a hard time saving money. I know I should but I love spending it.
I'm supposed to tag others but I never do that. If you would like to join in, consider yourself tagged by me.
The photo above is from some of my favorites that I found on flickr.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Beautiful Birdhouses
I love birdhouses and my dad has made a few for me that I cherish. I found these gorgeous birdhouses at The Backyard Bird Company (click here). 
Their prices range from $31 to over $2,000! 
I have my birdhouses just sitting around in my patio area as decor but this Spring I would like to get them up on a tall post so the birds could actually use them. Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Anticipating Spring
I love this time of year. I think I love the anticipation of Spring as much as I love Spring itself. I've been daydreaming of my little cottage garden turning into lush rambling rose haven, birds building nests and the warm sun on my back as I plant more flowers~ have I ever told you I'm a big-time daydreamer? Oh, I love daydreaming! 
I also love this time of year because the stores have the most adorable spring-time decorations. I found the cutest store last weekend. I don't know how I've missed it all these years. It's right in downtown Campbell, the city I live in! I didn't have my camera but I'm going back. I met the owner and got the okay to take some photos for my blog. 
I found this adorable nest, miniature garden tools and little birdie there. 
I worked in my garden a little bit last weekend. I planted a new climbing rose, some primroses and pansies. You can peek out the window and see some of the flowers in the photo below...
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday Evening
Last night my daughter was spending the night at a friend's house....I was home alone. It was a small glimpse of how I'm going to feel in a few years when I become an empty-nester. It's lonely, too quiet and I suddenly feel the need to find a mate. For now though I'm going to enjoy the time I do have her at home with me. The dating and finding a mate can wait...
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Coffee Filter Roses & A Movie Review
I had a few people leave comments inquiring about how I made the coffee filter roses. The directions and a video demonstration can be found on Martha Stewart's website (click here) Make sure you click on the tab that says "video". It would be really hard to make these without watching that.
Yesterday my daughter and I went to see the movie "Cloverfield". The entire movie is shot from a camcorder so it's really jerky and the camera is swaying back and forth. If you're a person that gets motion sickness I wouldn't recommend the movie. We had to leave the theater before the movie was over because we were so nauseous. My daughter went straight into the women's restroom and threw up! I felt sick all day ~ that sort of sick feeling you get from being at an amusement park all day, eating the junk food and riding the roller coasters.... ughh...it was horrible. The movie was very suspenseful and I wish I would have been able to see the end! At least the movie theater gave us passes to see another movie later. Did anyone else see the movie this weekend?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Autism Speaks and Five for Fighting
The band, Five for Fighting, is generously donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks each time this video is viewed. The funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along. They are aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can help them to surpass this goal.
http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214
I checked this out on Snopes to make sure it was true....it is! (click here)
Friday, January 18, 2008
Hyacinths, An Award and Tagged!
These are the hyacinths I have growing on my kitchen windowsill. I have even more growing to the left on these. It looks like Spring has sprung in my kitchen. As you can see, my kitchen window looks out over the parking lot of my apartment so it's nice to have flowers on the windowsill to enhance my view.
I was given this award by Rhondi ~ Rose Colored Glasses. I love the header on her blog...blue and white with wicker! Thank you Rhondi!***********************************************************
I was also tagged by Judy at Gracious Southern Living and someone else tagged me with this last week but I can't remember who it was and I've searched my email but can't find it. Sorry! Let me know it it was you and I will update this.
Administrative Assistant/Executive Assistant
Pre-School Teacher
Chauffeur for a Limo Company (as a second job)
Selling cotton candy at an amusement park (during high school)
4 movies watched over and over:
1. Practical Magic
2. Father of the Bride
3. Father of the Bride II
4. Somethings gotta give
4 places I've lived:
1. Saratoga, California
2. San Jose, California
3. Mountain View, California
4. Campbell, California
I haven't moved far from where I was born!
4 shows I watch:
1. American Idol
2. HGTV - almost anything on there
3. Food Network - Love the Barefoot Contessa
4. Gilmore Girls - I'm sad there's only reruns now
4 places I've been:
1. Martha's Vineyard & all over New England
2. New Orleans
3. Across the U.S in motor home when I was 15
4. All over California
4 people who e-mail me regularly:
1. Lauren
2. Vince
3. Natasha
4. Many of my blogging friends!
4 favorite things to eat:
1. Sushi
2. Seafood
3. Pasta
4. Taco Bell
4 places I'd rather be:
1. Any place other than work
2. With my kids
3. Martha's Vineyard
4. Carmel, California
4 things I look forward to this year:
1. Winning the lottery!
2. Fixing up my apartment (if I don't win)
3. Seeing my home in Romantic Country Magazine
4. Buying my own home if I really do win the lottery!
4 people to tag:
I never tag anyone but if you would like to join in consider yourself tagged.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Inexpensive lamp makeover
This lamp is usually next to my sofa...it's my magazine reading lamp! When I went to take pictures of it, my daughter was stretched out on the couch watching TV and I thought it would be easier to move the lamp rather than ask her to move! I bought it at a flea market for $5 about 10 years ago. It was shiny faux brass~very ugly! I remember my mom giving me a weird look when I bought it because it was scratched and a little dented around the base. I told her I was going to paint it white but I think she thought I was crazy. I spray panted it white and planned on getting a new lampshade for it but to cover it up until then I just tied this lace valance I already had on with ribbon and it's been there ever since. It's great I can just take off the lace and wash it when it gets too dusty.
Edited to add: I just used a regular can of spray paint. Today if I were to do this I would use a spray primer first and then spray paint. I only have a couple spots where the paint has chipped off which isn't a big deal if you like the shabby chic look.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I'm Bursting with Excitement!
I've been keeping a secret for about a month and it's been hard to keep but now I can tell everyone because Fifi has mentioned it on her blog....I'll be in the next issue of Romantic Country Magazine! My blog is going to be featured and Tara is writing the article! I am beyond excited!
This blog has brought me so much happiness. Meeting so many wonderful women who share the same passion for their homes has been so much fun! Thank you all for taking the time to visit my blog and leave your wonderful comments and emails. I really appreciate each one!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Top 10 Projects of 2007
3. My little caddy a easy project, just added an applique and painted.
5. My bench makeover. I also redid the mirror last year or maybe that was in 2006?
6. My apron that I sewed from leftover fabric with so much sentimental value.
7. My patio. This is still a work in progress. I guess gardens always are.
8. A simple project of wrapping clothes hangers with ripped strips of fabric.
9. Valentine cookies. These were a much bigger project than I expected them to be but I can't wait to make more this year.
That was fun. I can't wait to do this again for all my 2008 projects! I know my kitchen and dining room table will be on the list but I wonder what else I will be doing this year. I can think of a few projects I want to accomplish...the bergere chair, the wallpaper in the powder room, slip covering a chair in the living room, making little tie on cushion covers for my dining room chairs, painting my bedroom, finishing my daughters room, painting the upstairs bathroom....Monday, January 14, 2008
Romantic Lace
You've probably seen in some of my photos that I have a lace curtain hanging in the doorway from my dining room into my kitchen. I added the pearl "C" on it this weekend. This was a gift from Debbie K., one of my blog visitors. (Thank you Debbie!) She sent this along with some other beautiful things which I will show you in another post.
A view peeking through the lace into the kitchen.
I think the lace softens the hard doorway.
I just used a spring tension rod between the doorway to hold it up.
I think the thrift store curtain and the $3 curtain rod add a lot of charm for very little money.
Friday, January 11, 2008
One of those Ahhhhh moments
If you are a parent you know how important it is to teach your children right from wrong, to teach them to treat others nicely, to always do the right thing and the list could go on and on...
I think it's equally important to teach your children to appreciate the small things. As my kids were growing up I always made a point to comment on the beautiful flowers, the clouds, the color of the leaves, the bright green grass, or anything else that I think is beautiful.
Well, it's paid off. After the storm passed last week my daughter and I walked outside and she stopped dead in her tracks, inhaled deeply and said "ahhhh, the air smells so fresh" Now, that's really appreciating the small things! It was a proud moment for me to see a 15 year old girl appreciate the smell of the air! If that wasn't enough, a couple days later we walked outside and she commented on how beautiful the clouds were! Ahhhh....it makes my heart happy to hear things like that. I truly believe that part of being really happy adult is that you appreciate and see beauty in every-day living. The two photos above were taken by my daughter, Lauren....proof that she sees beauty!
My son has also made me proud with his enthusiasm with life. He calls me to tell me about the beautiful chocolate truffles he's made or the bread he's baked. It makes me so proud! There is so much joy to be found with the simple things! I'm so thankful that my children see that! 
The two photos above were taken by my son, Vince.
