CLUSTER OF ROSES Pictures, Images and Photos

My Beautiful New Grandson


Monday, May 31, 2010

FREE GIVEAWAY!!!



Since I was a child when I was down I would do something nice for someone else. It helped to ease whatever hurt I had.

I will be adding EXTRA goodies not shown.

TO ENTER:
All you have to do is leave a comment here.

To be entered twice, copy and paste the giveaway badge on the right to your blog. An extra goody will be added if the winner has linked it back to me!!

To be entered to THREE times do the above and mention the giveaway on your Blog.

I love giving, and hope to be hosting lots of fun giveaways, both large and small.

In honor of my mom , I am giving away this bracelet that includes some of her favorite things. She was crazy for jewelry!!
Pink was her favorite color, roses her favorite flower. These I hand set vintage rhinestones in. A heart because we loved each other, a bird representing her, and a nest and eggs to represent my brother and I. Only one wing, because I am missing her so, and will have to learn to "fly" without her. A key, for all the doors she opened, symbolic and otherwise. She loved vintage, so there are vintage mother of pearl buttons, as well as real freshwater pearls and crystal and glass beads.




Random Drawing will be held on June 30, 2010

Sunday, May 30, 2010

A Broken Heart and Mourning in Black




I don't exactly know why I am posting this. Maybe I need to put my feelings into words, to let some of the pain out, to sob uncontrollably. My Mom, best friend, fellow thrift store hunter, antique-r, crafting partner in crime, beloved mother died unexpectedly due to cancer complications. I want to scream, and throw things, stomp my feet, shout. ANYTHING to ease the incredible, all encompassing, overwhelming anguish. I think I understand why in Biblical times they sat among ashes and tore their clothes. It gave you something to do when you can't do anything else. When you can barely breathe.

My mom was an incredibly, talented and creative woman, who sang beautifully, loved clothes, and of course shoes. She came alive when gardening. She has turned dirt patches into little Edens. She could make a silk purse out of a sows ear and loved to laugh. She adored her grandchildren, and loved my brother and me. We were not without our squabbles, so senseless now, in hindsight.

No matter HOW old we are, we never outgrow our need for our mom. Even as an adult she has smoothed my hair and soothed my tears, telling me it will be okay. Several times I have gone to call her, and remembered she is no longer there. If your mom is alive call her and tell her how important she is, and that you love her. I was grateful to be there holding her hand, until the end. She was surrounding by children and grandchildren. Heavily medicated, coma-like, I don't think she knew we were there. but I am glad I was.

This Poem has always made me cry, but all the more now.

Backward, turn backward, O Time in your flight,
Make me a child again just for to-night!
Mother, come back from the echoless shore,
Take me again to your heart as of yore;
Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,
Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;
Over my slumbers your loving watch keep:
Rock me to sleep, Mother-rock me to sleep!

Backward, flow backward, oh, tide of the years!
I am so weary of toil and of tears
Toil without recompense, tears all in vain-
Take them, and give me my childhood again!
I have grown weary of dust and decay-
Weary of flinging my soul-wealth away;
Weary of sowing for others to reap;
Rock me to sleep, Mother-rock me to sleep!

Tired of the hollow, the base, the untrue,
Mother, O Mother, my heart calls for you!
Many a summer the grass has grown green,
Blossomed and faded, our faces between:
Yet, with strong yearning and passionate pain,
Long I to-night for your presence again.
Come from the silence so long and so deep:
Rock me to sleep, Mother-rock me to sleep!

Over my heart, in the days that are flown,
No love like mother-love ever has shone;
No other worship abides and endures
Faithful, unselfish, and patient like yours:
None like a mother can charm away pain
From the sick soul and the world-weary brain.
Slumber's soft calms o'er my heavy lids creep;
Rock me to sleep, Mother-rock me to sleep!

Come, let your brown hair, just lighted with gold,
Fall on your shoulders again as of old;
Let it drop over my forehead to-night,
Shading my faint eyes away from the light;
For with its sunny-edged shadows once more
Haply will throng the sweet visions of yore;
Lovingly, softly, its bright billows sweep;
Rock me to sleep, Mother-rock me to sleep!

Mother, dear Mother, the years have been long
Since I last listened your lullaby song:
Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seem
Womanhood's years have been only a dream.
Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace,
With your light lashes just sweeping my face,
Never hereafter to wake or to weep;
Rock me to sleep, Mother-rock me to sleep!

Elizabeth Akers Allen (1823-1911)

Friday, May 28, 2010

FREE Image Friday





One of the most amazing things I have learned in my short time in Blog-Land is how generous people are. Whether it's giveaways, advice, (you know who you all are, a special thank you) time, or images, it is given freely and in abundance.
I would like to start "FREE IMAGE FRIDAY" as a special thank you. Please feel free to use these images in your art. I would love to see what you make, if you want to show me! Not required of course!
As far as I know all the images are in the Public Domain. If you know otherwise, please let me know and I will remove it ASAP!
I will also be posting a button very soon, so those of you who would like to participate in "FREE IMAGE FRIDAY" can join in. Enjoy!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Before and After




How does this happen?? In a blink of an eye a precious child goes from a baby, to Kindergarten, to High School, to Manhood. As he grows big and handsome, and more importantly good, you don't understand how it happened so fast!! How can I remember the day he was born, his first smile, his first "mama" and yet not remember where I put my purse?

I truly believe time goes by faster when you have children. You don't want to get older. You don't want THEM to get older. Yet when you see them growing into honest, capable young men, you can't help but feel a great sense of pride. Your age is marked by their milestones. I clearly remember after my First son was born, every time I saw another mother, I felt akin to her. As if Motherhood was a sacred secret, a secret all woman have, that is only revealed once they become a Mother. I smiled at every woman with a child. I too knew the secret.

I think the biggest surprise to me is, I still worry about my kids just as much as when they were toddlers. Well, probably more. I won't be there all the time. It is hard to let go of that hand. Even though that hand is no longer a chubby little one.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Listen to Your Mother!!


As I was perusing the the wonderful Blog world today, I realized we are all doing exactly what our mom's told us not to do! We also may be guilty of saying it ourselves. "So what if everyone is doing it!" "If everyone jumped off a bridge would you do it too?!!"
Yep you guessed it, we're following!!!
Thank goodness mom is wrong on this one!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Beauty In Bloom


I must admit I LOVE flowers. I also have ten black thumbs. If there was a law against killing plants I would be serving Life without possibility of parole. No matter my good intentions, I am a plant homicidal maniac. My "Most Wanted" picture is surely in every plant post office. I remember as a kid seeing women who put those REALLY tacky plastic plants in their yard. I am sure they killed their plants too. We must be related.

However,I am SO grateful my ancient, beautiful,snowball bush is alive. During the hard Winter a few years ago, the weight of the snow felled this gorgeous bush. As soon as Spring arrived we propped it up, staked it with ropes, and prayed. It made it! It is a third of the size, but I am just happy it made it.

This old time-y bush holds a special place in my heart. My beloved maternal grandparents had one in their tiny little yard, next to their tiny little yellow post war cottage. I would pick a few of the blossoms, just like these, and carry them up the brick red steps to my grandma. I have many great memories from there. This beloved plant will be sorely missed when I move.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

I Miss You


How excited am I to find New Friends??? Thank you so much for your visits and comments! I am setting up a new Home Sweet Home, so I won't be on the computer much for a week! Please don't forget me! I won't forget you! I even left post it notes around to remind myself. I need all the help I can get!! :-)

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Getting Older Ain't for Sissies!!


Getting Older Ain't for Babies!! Well, it is, but not for Sissies!!

I have always had a love/hate relationship with myself. When I was young and had PERFECT skin, I worried about my tummy or thighs, or hair, or weight. I should have appreciated that skin!!! Now that I am Uh'hem, in my mid 40's I would love to have ANY of the things I hated years ago!! LOL! The only time I was really happy with myself was when I was pregnant. I felt beautiful. Well, when I wasn't trying to keep my hair out of the toilet while I was puking my guts out. Not too mention the body aftermath! Ugh!!

I have realized we don't just become older women, it seems we are turning into another species!! "Cougars" is the new term. However, I now have to watch for a hair that springs out of my chin, so "Billy Goat seems more appropriate!! I wasn't warned!!!

I have decided I want to be this type of grandma. Hair in a bun, emergency tissue shoved up the sleeve of my sweater, and the requisite half a stick of gum in my purse. Baking cookies and and screaming down the sidewalk with my far-in-the-future grandchildren. Think of a more controlled Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. I say WAY in the future since my oldest is only 18. I was originally hoping to be like the "CHEERS" show (for those of you who remember) Cliff the Mailman who still lived in the basement of his Mother's house. "HEY MA!!!!" I don't think the boys are going to co-operate. So on to plan B.

I will give everyone a word of warning though. One day I said, "Dear God, I wish I looked younger.".............I woke up the next day with a zit.