HEY....REMEMBER ME?? ; )

It's been a long while since I've posted something.
I think sometimes that what I have to contribute is
nothing much compared to others.
Posting pics along with my words and keeping
it all coinciding has been a chore for me since I'm
computer illiterate!! Seems that my blog is a
bit messy compared to others....but I'm still a
work in progress!! We all are a work in progress...
each day God brings something to our hearts or minds
and we realize that he's never, ever done with us!!
So....as I end my personal pity party by realizing that
I'll constantly be striving, learning and progressing....
I still have time to learn how to blog correctly! ; } and
hopefully, I'll still have some followers who have an
interest in reading my babblings!! Hope your 4th
was awesome and that you made some great memories!
Take care of yourself and one another......GIGI ; }
Thought I'd share a pic of Samsam...he's definitely
mamas boy...my constant shadow and such a snuggly
cuddler....his presence makes my life better and
more fulfilling. I just love the big ole schmooooz!!!

Sometimes, stories have even more stories to tell

I've been admiring a piece of artwork for many
years now. I finally decided to stop and take a
picture to share with other "junk lovers" and as my
luck would have it....my doggone batteries died on
my camera!!!

Actually, it wasn't that bad because as I was giving
my camera a piece of my mind, out walks the lady
who lived there!! I explain that I was trying to
take a picture of her bird but my camera wasn't
cooperating and she begins to tell me the story of
how it came to be in her front yard!!

Seems that about 4 years ago, she had open heart
surgery and when she was well enough to go home,
she came to find that her brother who lived down
south had found her this unique piece and sent it
as a get well present.

If you look close enough you can see that it's made up
of old tin cans and the like. She said it was really rusty
when it first arrived and she thought it would be alot
prettier painted...so each year, she gives him a nice new
coat!

For her it resembles, a loving brother, her favorite item
to collect but moreso....her triumph in health....and what
can be better than that?! Hope you enjoy him as much as
I do!!! Have an awesome day...........................GIGI ;}

Gifts from the heart

Yesterday marked the 14th anniversary of the
Caravan of Bears, it also marked the 1st run that
my husband and youngest daughter attended. It
was special to them both because it benefitted a
hospital that she has been admitted to many
times over the last 6 years! It's sponsored by
a local Harley Davidson in cooperation with
our childrens hospital.The main idea is to
volunteer to give up a day to ride your motorcycle
and donate an entry fee, bear (or other stuffed
animal) to the hospital to benefit the kids.

It was a wonderful turnout, great atmosphere and
comaraderie. There were people from all walks of life
joining together to aid the sick kids in our communities
and it was something beautiful to be a part of.

My husband/daughter had no idea that we (my older
daughter-I) were hiding amongst the crowd to surprise
them when they arrived. We took alot of pictures as the
cycles began to arrive and I'd guess there was about 12-
1400 people there!!! The ride lasted about 1 1/2 hours
and was police escorted, along with an ambulance carrying
a Santa to hand out the bears and of course, a life-sized bear
rode up on the very first motorcycle. What a sight of
helicopters, children smiling, cycles roaring and sunny
skies above!!

My husband was a non-stop smile....ear to ear the entire
time they were dedicating the gifts and all he could say was,
we will be doing this every year from now on!!

Sometimes, what we think is a little gesture can mean the
world to its recipient...in what small way have you changed
the world around you today?? Take care............GIGI ;}

S.n.a.i.l. M.a.i.l. mailbox!!

Went to a rummage sale put on by the area Boy
Scouts. It was good will offering. I found some
cute things for a friends campsite to store plates,
napkins, cups and silverware in and also a few old
mailboxes for myself.
Decided to paint one and turn it into a message
box for my front door area. While cleaning it, I
discovered it was full of old beehives!! After
removing those, I primed and painted it. Then
tried my hand at painting a snail with letter in its
mouth and titled it "Snail Mail" (it's still missing
something....but, I don't know what short of
starting over again!! HELP???)
Have an incredible evening!! ****GIGI****

Craigslist and Bambi (s)

I saw a post on Craigslist and decided to try to claim
the items listed. As luck would have it, I was the first
to respond and the lady told me that I could have it
all if I liked.
We drove quite awhile until we reached their home
which was back a long drive and nestled in the woods.
As we approached their plantation style home we
kidded about needing a gun to get the "fake deer" on
the lawn. That's when the youngest daughter said.....
guys, the head moved, we were like "uh, yea sure"!!!
But...sure enough....those were real deer....a mommy and
2 babies. They strolled as if we weren't even there...it
was amazing!!
Here's some of my booty for the day.....besides some
nice up close pics of deer, I picked up an old twin-sized
blue metal head-footboard, 2 cabinets and 2
old hard-shelled suitcases. They will soon be turned
into doggie beds and garden benches and some much
needed storage in my basement!!
I love my home but after being that close to nature
it makes me long for that log cabin home in the woods!
Have a gorgeous evening.......................*GIGI*..............

Scavenger Hunt

Both of my daughters are in volleyball and getting
ready to start playing matches. One is in her 4th
year of playing while the other is beginning her very
first year.
To loosen the girls up and get them more acquainted
and comfortable around their team mates, the coaches
decided to do some little fun relays and even a scavenger
hunt today.
The youngest girls team had to make and then eat peanut
butter and jelly sandwiches and drink a glass of water.
You're saying...so what? Well, they had to do so while
all of them were blind-folded and their chosen team-mate
had to do the feeding and holding of the glass!! LOL ; O
WHAT A MESS!!!!
The older girl took part in the scavenger hunt and its
directions were quite easy...told them places to go, things
to do and each situation had to show their volleyball some-
where in the photo! You're saying...so what? Well, they
were told what to look for but had to figure out places to
go that would allow them to get in all the different scenarios
within a limited amount of time!! One look at their pictures
and you'd think they had days to do it but they only had a few
short hours. They loaded the pics onto disks and each team
will show off their finds the next practice they have. After
looking at hers, I'd love to see what all the other girls chose
to do!! Looks like tons of fun!!!
Maybe we should have a junk scavenger hunt??
Take care and have a good weekend!! GIGI ; )

True junkers will appreciate this piece!!

First, I must apologize for not being able to capture
this piece of art in full functioning capability!! 2 of the
4 sections were not working the day we snapped
these shots.

This beautiful artwork is sitting in the main lobby
of the hospital we frequent many times a year.
Not only has our daughter had to stay but her doctor
is in an adjacent building...so, this fun machine has been
a blessing and comfort, to us as well.

The artist who designed this took many discarded
items and positioned and tweaked them to flow so
smoothly into the next. Not only is it a visual piece of
art but also one that makes unique noises!! As each ball
hits a loop, twist, bucket, chime or prong it lets out
funny noises. You can hear it long before you ever
get to it....which brings out the curiousity seekers young
and old!!

I wish I knew exactly who made this so that I could interview
them and see what other beautiful things they've created but
for now, all I can say is that it's marked with Rhoads 1993. I
hope you enjoy looking at the parts of this awesome artwork
and maybe you can imagine the sounds it makes for all
the kids who look forward to seeing and hearing it each day.

Sometimes a small gesture, means the whole world to
its recipient!! Have an awesome day!! **GIGI** ;)