I wanted to make sure that each guest felt comfortable and have a little treat bag.  While the actual Wedding may include family, friends and acquaintances, the Rehearsal Dinner is more intimate and consist of the closest friends & family to the Bride and Groom.

I love crafting!   Crafting makes me happy and keeps my busy!   I am a hyper person, so I have to keep busy doing something at all times.   Crafting allows you to be creative in your own style!  I wanted to have a little custom favor that each person could take away with them as a remembrance of the beautiful Wedding.  

I first designed these beautiful cards with a floral pattern that coordinated with the colors and the flowers of the Wedding.  I used Vista Print to actually print them.   You can save money by choosing the business card style in lieu of flyers or other options that most think of.   These cards are the square cards and are so fun to work with!   You can use a single hole punch to create the hole. 

​ I wanted to do something different and unique so I chose custom Wine Charms.    These little charms were so fun!    I bought the charms in bulk and chose beautiful silver wedding cakes, topped with a Bride and Groom.   I also found  great guitar charms that were perfect!   I wanted something that represented David and his musical talent that he has.   Some of them had silver wine bottles along with the cake charms,   I then added the silver "D" for Downs and the 2018 silver charm.    The charms that I saw on Etsy, Ebay and other places were not as elegant as I wanted.   I chose sterling silver rings and charms so that they would last many years.  

All ages can Craft!  

I love Easter and all that it brings!   When you think of Easter, you think of all that Spring brings.
When I was young, my mamma loved Easter and the matching dresses.  Mamma had five boys before she ever had a us two girls.   She loved matching outfits and Easter holiday's.  She loved Sunday meals and all us kids being there.  

Growing up behind a small Southern Baptist Church we had many Easter pot-lucks and egg hunts.  The best food you can eat is good ole' fashion pot-luck food.   Ham, Mash Potatoes, Deviled Eggs, Pasta Salad, Cake, Cookies and that yummy Banana Pudding!

It seems the old fashion Easter's have come and gone.  Families go their own way and some do big family brunches while other's do their normal Sunday.   I miss the days of everyone dressing up for Easter in their dresses, spring colors and matching out-fits.  

I wish we could set the clocks back about 50 years when the days were less rushed and everyone got together and enjoyed the great outdoors!

Happy Easter!  May you find time to relax and enjoy the beauty of God's creation and time together!

You often hear people say that their bones ache when different cold fronts start to come through, rain, snow, etc.    The Struggle is Real with Arthritis.  I sometimes ache down to my fingernails.   My co-worker's tell me the same thing.  We all are aging together and thankfully can understand and encourage one another through or minor aches and pains.  

I am finding out that age really has nothing to do with the aches and pains of the "beast" I call Arthritis.   I know some very young people that suffer from these annoying aches as well.  I just think the older we get our tolerance is more difficult!

Becoming a Senior Citizen hasn't been the most pleasant experience.   I need more AIR CONDITIONER people!   I don't think that we ever need to turn on the heater here at work.   Why can't men experience hot flashes like women?    I holler out down the hall frequently...."I NEED AIR"   I tell them you can put on a jacket but even if you were butt naked you would still be hot!   Probably not the best thing to say at work.....but it gets the point across!   

Another thing that I have experienced while becoming a Senior Citizen is going to bathroom a thousand times a day.   Well at least it feels like that much!   Although when I was young, my nickname from my sweet daddy was Prissy Gayle (without the r in it)  Back when I was a kid, you could ride in the back of a pick-up truck.  Daddy took us on a trip to Louisiana to see my brother, he had me and my sister ride in the back of the pickup camper with my two older boy cousins.  Daddy knew that I would have to go to the bathroom several times so he decided to bring along an old Folgers Coffee can with us.   Of course, I had to go to the bathroom in that can!

My older cousin reminds me of that story every time I see him!    The Struggles Are Real!  

P.S.   To the young ones:  if you see your grandparents saving Folger's cans.................RUN!
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I hadn't been with the Company for two months when I tragic accident happen and I broke my leg, foot and ankle!  (That will be another story)

I had only been back to work for a couple of weeks when the red head's son stopped into visit her.   I was new to the office so I hadn't met her family yet.   The son brought in these beautiful flowers to surprise his mother.   Mike (the son) said he hadn’t seen her in a bit and was coming through town and wanted to surprise his mom with some flowers.   I thought that was so sweet!  He asked me if I could get his mom to come to the car. Mike said he had another surprise for her waiting down at the car.   I thought to myself, WOW... now this is a good son!

I went to the Red head's office and asked her to follow me down to the car that I wanted to show her something.    The something was a big surprise to me!  The son had kept one of the roses out of the bunch and had wrapped a dead copper-head around the single rose   Now, keep in mind at the time we didn't know how dead this copperhead really was!

Red didn't care; she proceeded to big up the snake and begins chasing me with it.     I still had my left leg in this big boot from my injury.  I proceeded hopping as fast I could through the parking lot screaming my head off!   You would think that someone in this big office building would have heard the screams and come to my defense!    I finally got behind a big red truck and hid.   This went on for a good 30 minutes or longer!

Red and her son finally left me alone and I made my way back up to the office.  I went into the Bosses office completely out of breath.  He asked what happened to me (as I was panting very loudly) I said to him..."What kind of fool son brings a rose with a snake wrapped around it to his mother"?   He looked at me like I was the crazy one.    He said she wouldn't do that!  Hmm...

What he didn't know,  in the meantime she decided to go wrap that dead, ranking snake around by his Jag.  By the time he went to the parking garage it was dark out.  Boss met the snake up close and personal!     He called tell me about it and my reply was----you should have believed the Blonde!   

Almost 13 years have past since this happened and we still get a kick out of the story.   I want fall for that trick again!

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I love to giving Gifts.  In fact, my friend Ashley says I can come up with any reason to gift a gift!

Did you know the that giving is an Art?   If you are like me you have been to many wedding and baby showers throughout your life.  Especially if you are in your senior years like me!   Have you noticed that most people take the easy route?   They look at the Registry and then ordered from it and even had it gift wrapped.    That's why you see all the gifts look the same at the showers.  

I like to make it personal!  It is like creating an art project or painting!  Start with a beautiful box or basket and layer the items that fit the recipient personally.   HINT:  Kate Spade boxes are beautiful to use.   Yes, this makes the gift cost more but it is worth it when you see the smile on the face that it brings to all.   
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Take your time and choose gifts that are unique to the person or have meaning!  Layer the items in the box (I usually try and coordinate with the colors of the box or basket.)   The box or the basket also becomes a gift within itself.   Boxes and baskets come in handy for storing photos, linens, crafts or just about anything!   Why purchase a bag that will more than likely be thrown away or not used again!

You can make it fit your budget if you try and keep a "giving closet" like I do.   I purchase items throughout the year that I see on sale or makes me think of a person.   I put them in my closet and when i need a gift I can shop my own closet.   Most of us are gifting throughout the year to  friends, family and co-worker's on birthday's, holiday's, shower's or just because days.  You will find that this will help stretch your budget dollars and make your gifting much easier and less stressful!

I am known for my layered box gifts.  When I give a box gift others come around and can't wait to see the surprise inside!  Give it a try and you will find it makes you just as happy giving as well as receiving!

​....Pat
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