Sneaky Snake Update

Said serpent made another appearance - it was his last. I cannot thank our little dog Romeo enough for alerting us to this! (This already pampered pup has really been rewarded now!) He headed him over to an awaiting glue board which I'm thankful for. Then Hubby My Hero took care of the rest. I'm shuddering still as I type this. Gawd! I'm sorry to offend any who think that all of God's creatures be let loose, but I knew if he got in once, he'd do it again, and I've spent some really miserable uneasy days on the lookout. This thing was 30" long and about as big around as your finger - black snake, non-poisonous but if it can cause cardiac arrest, still deadly to me. I'm off to take my boots off for the first time in several days.

Stake Out......uh.....Snake Out

Seriously. It is February. I am in Kentucky. It is winter. After two weeks of 6-9 inch snowfalls, we had a glorious weekend of 60 degree weather. Does this confuse reptiles? Do they not hibernate? Where am I going with this story?
I'll set the scene. Hubby falls asleep on couch. Son is at a friend's. Thinking no one will gripe if I Godforbid step in front of the tv, I decide it's the perfect time to do some spring decor/nest fluffing. I set things off furniture, in front of the livingroom window and start playing. I am easily pleased and entertained, as this is pure heaven for me. For a couple of blissful hours I create vignettes, I color coordinate, I arrange, re-arrange, display and just flat-out decorate my happy a** off. I then begin to put away all the things that didn't "make the cut". As I reach for a candlestick sitting on the floor by the window, something moves. My mind is surely playing tricks on me. Did I really see something? Let me get my glasses. What WAS that? Is the cat behind the curtains? Is that his little tail? Uh-oh. Cat is across the room asleep. Hmmmmm. Fear and dread are setting in. As I put the glasses on, son comes through the door and finding me peering at the floor, butt in the air, gingerly moving a drapery panel and asks exactly what I'm doing. Tell him I think I saw a snake. Right Mom. OK - you move a couple of these things and see. Picture a nearly 21 year old 6'1" strong male back up behind me! Reminding him that I'm the one who had a heart attack last summer (I'm a Mom - I know guilt and how to use it!), I strongly suggest he needs to be the one to take the next look. He does and trying not to scream like a girl, confirms my assessment as he practically runs me over in a mad dash to get the hell outta Dodge.
This awakens hubby who peers over as said snake disappears somewhere while we're busy freaking out.
We still can't find the sucker.
The only picture I could post now would be this - two adults watching a livingroom baseboard (it was small - we think it went under the most probable place it slithered in) that has now been lined with glue boards. How lovely.
Wherever you are Mr. Snake, you better not be poisonous and you better not come near us.
Lesson learned - NEVER take your eyes off a slithering snake in your livingroom.
I may be calling a realtor tomorrow.

Background Noise?

I know it's been quite a while since I've posted - life has been too difficult to cut through to get to the "pretty stuff" most of us see and discuss on our blogs. I'm praying that 2010 will be a better year for all of us facing challenging circumstances.
With that said, when it seems all may be lost....sit still and listen. Really listen.
What I heard were the sounds of a delighted baby boy (15 mos.) giggling while his Daddy (our son) chased him around the room that he himself grew up in. My heart is full. When my heart is full, all things seem possible.

In The Air There's A Feeling Of Christmas

Just a little shelf in the livingroom. Above it is a clay wall sculpture purchased years ago at my beloved St. James Court Art Show. The artist is Sean Corner, who is completely wonderful and talented. This is one of my favorite things in my home. I just love "the feeling" it gives me. The angel artwork hanging in the vintage silver case was made by Dawn of The Feathered Nest whose work I greatly admire as well. A sweeter more talented lady you will never find. (Sorry, had no luck getting the link to work!) I keep this piece out year-round, but highlight it on this shelf at Christmastime. The crystal candlesticks "live" here all year too, I only change their accompaniments. I selected some of my vintage ornaments in silvers and blues to coordinate with the color accented wall in the room. A simple little vignette where nothing newly purchased was added, definitely keeping within my tiny budget this Christmas!

Pink Velvet Santa

Hi ladies! Merry Christmas! This is my Christmas find of the season! I found him at the same antique mall where I purchased my cottage picture that's on my blog header. Way back in October, I passed by the window and saw him on display. Pretty much figuring that there was no way I could afford him, I went in "to see" thinking I was just torturing myself. I was told he had just come out of storage the day before as they were in the beginning stages of their Yuletide decorating. Nervously I flipped the price tag - a serious OMG moment - $6.95!! He's in perfect shape, just had to clean his boots a bit. Did some checking, found out he's a Harold Gale display Santa from the early 60's and one just like him just sold on eBay for $119!
Hubby couldn't wouldn't didn't understand why I didn't want to auction him but I knew you all would understand!

Wings

So, remember when I mentioned in an earlier post the St. James Court Art Show? It's.to.die.for. I save $ all year long to be able to buy some Christmas gifts and some treats for myself as well. This year has been very trying. Healthwise and financially. Not to go into the long sad sordid details, but in a nutshell, my job of 17 years ended recently when my place of business ceased to exist. I'm still unemployed and trying not to panic! Anyway, this art show is one of the best in the country and takes place the first weekend in October in "Old Louisville" which is near downtown and claims to be the largest Victorian neighborhood in the country. My "girls" - my mom and 23 yr. old daughter - have had a tradition of attending together for years. We pray for good weather and this year we got it! I only allowed myself two purchases this year, but I'm sooooo pleased with what I found.
The photographer exhibiting this work, only had images of cemetary statuary - all black and white - and it literally stopped me in my tracks. I was overwhelmed. They were all so stunning - so serene - so beautiful - so peaceful. After what must have seemed like an eternity to this patient artist/vendor, I finally settled on this one called "Wings". The story he passed onto me was that he took the photo in a cemetary located on the Austrian border and that according to local legend, the 24 year old bride grieved herself to death after the loss of her husband 100+ years ago. Oh so romantically tragic yet I gather inspiration from it as well as a sense of calm. I'm probably one weird chick.
Needing a frame that did her justice (I wanted something old/ornate) I dug out one that I scored for a mere $5.00 at an estate sale - painted it matte black and highlighted some detail with silver. She didn't fit perfectly - my hands literally shook as I carefully trimmed the sides about an inch. But, voila - done. I love the way it turned out - and how she looks in our livingroom.
A side note - I thought hubby would be completely creeped out but was totally onboard with this one. Though not as overcome with emotion as I, he did remark "cool". I think living with me all these years is starting to rub off on him!

A Haunted Mansion

Last night I met a few family members across the river in New Albany, Indiana to go on a guided "ghost tour" through the Culbertson Mansion. This was not some silly haunted house at Halloween with characters leaping out at you and such. We were given some history of the home which was built in the 1860's as well as various accounts of staff and visitors' experiences with the "ghosts" who are reportedly very active in their former residence. Everything I love! Our guide had noted that cameras were permitted (I had left mine at home - 25 miles away - drat!) but two of my nieces snapped lots of pictures. This morning when I checked my Facebook account, one of them had posted this photo that she took outside as we were leaving. Looks like orbs and quite possibly a ghost, doesn't it? We'd like to think so! How cool is that?