Tracy Porter Blog… be inspired!

“I think I can,I think I can,I think I can,”the little red engine said. Thank you Tracy for today’s powerful and inspirational words!

ps….your rugs are absolutely SMASHING!!!

WHOOOAAAA!!!!! This is why we all gravitate to you TRACY!!!!,…sooooooo needing this today!! Going to play it over and over and over until I have it memorized!!! I CAN GET THIS DONE!!!,…I see those cowboy boots!!!! I asked you to bring them back and now you gave us a link…MERCI!!!….and that top!!! with frayed jeans….PERFECTION!!!!!,….you really are the bestest friend a girl could have!!!,….and a big big thank you for all you do to help us feel extraordinary!!!!! YOU are the ultimate cheerleader!!!!HUGS!!!!!
VALERY and NICKI!!!! Thank you for throwing me a lifeline yesterday!! Oh the ups and downs of being a woman, a mother….YEESH!!!!
MARY ANN, PAMELA,….I can see us now as the WRECKETTES: Mary Ann will look gorgeous telling tales of machete madness and pirate wrangling in the garden,…PAMELA will look divine and serene reading beautiful poems, and cheering us on,…I”LL be ricocheting around to Herb Albert and then collaspe in a puddle of blubbering tears,…OH we will be fabulous!!!
Now going to listen again to TRACY….I CAN do this and I will envision what I’m trying to accomplish!!!!
All BOHO DURLS….Have a beautiful believing day!!!
xoxo Desiree

Tracy and You Powerful Women Out Their: I always told myself I can do anything….and I have…..and a wonderful key to it all is surrounding yourself with other positive people….and encouraging each other…..always giving a thumbs up….telling your fellow man how great they are, or how good they look…..God told us he does not make mistakes and he made only one of us in all of infinity….doesnt that just empower you to no end….there is only one of me and YOU…. I want to be good, considerate, loving, kind, and be an example to all that I come in contact with. You Ladies are all important, we are the Leaders of our familys……along with our Spouses and we need to encourage our familys in the same way…….XOXOXOXOXOX

Thank you, TRACY, for reminding us…we often have to rewallpaper our minds. And DURLS, we DO love to decorate!
ANNE-MARIE…look back on yesterday’s post…on your graduation invitation question.
xoxo

Hi Tracy – I love your videos.

In fact I think if you continue like you are with these AWESOME videos you will be “discovered” by HGTV or NBC and you will have your TV show someday!

You know you could right? Such a natural in front of the camera. The next Ina Garten, Paula Dean, Oprah, heck what I am saying scratch those – the next MARTHA STEWART!

It’s so true, Tracy. My first book was turned down 17 times before I had an offer. People ask me what kept me writing. I tell them that everytime I pulled a rejection from my mailbox I pictured myself signing books.

Of course, I also know my writing wasn’t there yet. But the image in my head helped me work harder for my goal. You move towards that which you think about.

Thanks for the reminder!

Kimberly

P.S. I hope your hand is healing.

ANNE- Marie… my son loves Train and he is always picks up this book at his school’s library this is a good way to teach kids and adults how we can do things even if are a little!
Merci Tracy…. Actually I have been extremely
Exhausted and a little down lately.. haven’t seen my family and friends for a while ( everybody live in France!) is hard on me…when I see you living close to your parents it makes me dream even if I am not sure I can live that close to my mom!
Anyway your sequence arrived just on time… for this Mantra I should embrace everyday…
OK for now I would try this more often!
Merci et a bientot

oh… I have tears my eyes… after watching this powerful and loving video and then reading the posts from all of your beautiful kindred spirits… Oh how I love you all! I am on my way out the door to pick up Miss Shirley and drive her to the eye doctor’s. She has MANY challenges with her eyes, and one that is VERY difficult for her. I will surround her with my love today… (could you send some extra love to her as well?… I know we will feel it) love and a hug~*~*~*~Sandi

Morning LOVES!!!..gorgeous misty morn!!! Perfect for writing, which i am immersed in all day!! LOVING it!!!!!!!…….. KIMBERLY….( and darlings…if you have not gone to KIMBERLY WILLIS HOLTS website click through her name….do it!!!) With the success you have under your belt & your range of amazing published books, this is great for everyone to hear. ….thank you for sharing, that is magnificent and a true believe in yourself moment!! ( read your brown dog book last night and GUS always says, this is my book from Kimberly….!!) This last year has tested so many in our country that this message is such a fabulous reminder to all of us on every level of life….no matter what you do, where you live……it is a simple good thing for me to apply everyday!! JENNIFER…thank you, aren’t you lovely, i could tuck you in my pocket and carry you with me all day LONG!!!!xo……….VALERY…you got it sister!xo…VIRGINIA……i still love that saying and have thought about it many times, wallpaper your mind with something lovely….so smart……..
DESIREE….and you my love are a great girlfriend too, thank you for always being here!! So glad you like today’s video…..I KNOW my darling you do believe in yourself!!!! ANNE-MARIE…yes, yes, one of my favorite books…..so simple really…..thank you….glad you like our new rugs…..they are very luscious to walk on…the wool is gorgeous and you know I love a good antique wash, that makes them feel like they were passed down from family!!!

HAPPY DAY….& OH!!.MARY ANN…( sort of our thing now, we just need to nod and bump hips and be on with it!!).surely we missed again in passing….xo
love to all!!!
T.

Great reminder…I always try that in golf, visualize that ball going right in the hole, but it doesn’t always work. Believing in yourself gets easier with age. One of the wonderful things about getting old. Happy Thursday to all.
Oh, I’m reading a fun book called THE BIG HOUSE by George Howe Colt. Have any of you Cape Cod gals read it? It’s about a summer home there.

Love, love, love this video today and in some great karmic timing find it is exactly what I need to hear right now. Many thanks Tracy…(and i love that shirt you are wearing too..)

Hi Tracy,
Missed you yesterday! But have often wondered how you do it all-EVERY DAY! Now I know.

You always have the best advise at the perfect time. I’m trying to get a new business going and this pep talk put me in the right frame of mind.
Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts!
xoxoxox
Char

I just want to stay on here and write and write…..
Desiree……you can do it……just like Anne-Marie said…..there is no hill high enough that I cant climb….now it may be on my knees and sometimes we crawl….but we can do it….Jennifer….all those wonderful words in your head….wowow….Sandi…prayers are going throw the ozones and heading your way…all any of us can do is…ONE DAY AT A TIME…..when ya dont know what to do….just cruise or float for awhile…pray and get on with it. I always said….mostly about my job….NO ONE CAN KILL ME IN 8 HOURS….LOLOLOLO AND THEY HAVENT YET!!!!!! LOVE ALL YOU DEAR < HEARTS. And Kelly G….where are you sister sue!!!!!!! Where do you live…enjoyed the pictures so much…..never left a home where I didnt find a better one to start one all over again….thats just life. Just think….I will have a mansion in heaven someday….bathing in diamonds and rubys….lololol with men servants waiting on me hand and foot…..and when I think of a wonderful place to be….I will be their…..all a thought process….oh I could go on and on but I better get going….I need to go pick up a Barbie pink convertable and a Barbie pink 3 wheeler, battery operated….I got for my Grandaughters as just a surprise…not a birthday, xmas but for just being the best little girls…will send pictures later!!

Always, always a timely message – TRACY, someone should have you do a graduation speech!! This is a wonderful message for everyone, but particularly I will have my kids watch it – so much these days for them to deal with, and keeping your message in mind can always, always help.
On a separate but related note, my daughter Grace wore the Hollis Paisley Dress last night for her chorus concert – a beautiful silk number that sold out over the winter, but I managed to grab two, and one was for her. I posted a picture on the community pages – she was so thrilled to wear a “Tracy” piece, and felt so grown up! Several happenin’ mothers commented on it, and she felt really great. Thank you, once again, not only for your words, but for giving us the tools to help ourselves boost our confidence with the very clothes on our back, made with such love by you and your team!

Thank you so much for such a wonderful, inspirational video. I’m going to B&N to pick up the book “Believe in yourself”… hope they have it there. Thank you so much for your daily tips and reminding us, making us focus on what’s really important!

BTW, I LOOOOOOOVE your cowboy boots!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KIMBERLY – what an inspiring story about your first book!
CELINE – can’t imagine being that far away from family…hope we can substitute somewhat, but I know it’s not the same…I feel for you!
SANDI – wishing Miss Shirley well and sending love as she bravely faces her challenges. Please give her a hug and kiss for all of us!
DESIREE – today is another day!! We’re with ya!
VALERY – you have SUCH a great attitude! You are an inspiring lady to so many!!
JENNIFER, I’m with you – TRACY beats ‘em all, and is her own original creation! If everyone heeded her advice, think how great the world would be! I love spreading the word about this site to all I know, and it’s great when they tell me they’ve been visiting…speaking of which, where are my Tracy Porter calling cards, TRACY love? Looking forward to downloading a pretty .pdf with the website printed on them so I can pass them out in my travels…don’t forget!

Loved today’s message. I too, like Tracy, close my eyes and see myself doing what I what I want to accomplish.
DECORATING QUESTIONS! HELP! I’m finally having hardwood installed today in my bedroom and hallway (wide 5″ Brazilian Cherry planks). I was going to put back my existing molding at the bottom of the walls, but my contractor said it should now be wider since the floor planks are wide. Anyone out there with 5″ hardwood, what width is your molding? I need to make a decision asap. Thanks, decorating divas.

Now you are speaking my language Tracy…love a good inspirational video to get my morning off to a WONDERFUL start!
GOOD MORNING ladies! Have a beautiful day doing whatever it is that you will be doing I’m off to the living room to do a little WII fit this morning…30 minutes only…that’s all the exercise I can stand.
Be well!

Hmmm, I do sound a bit saucy in the above message, non? Demanding TP calling cards…what a nerve!
Just want to soften that a bit, to say that IF you would like to design them, I will be HAPPY to use them…no rush…take care of that hand…oh dear, hope that didn’t sound witchy…I WAS born on Halloween, you know…slips out once in a while…

Believing in myself is easier said than done. Thanks for the reminder though Tracy. For me, I THINK it, but I tend not to BELIEVE it…I think believing in yourself down to the bottom depths of your soul is the key… and that is what I struggle with. This too, I shall work on harder. Does anyone else feel that their energy is just too zapped to give that much to yourself? Just wondering out loud…It is so much easier for me to believe and give to everyone else than it is to myself…o.k. Now that I have said that I KNOW that I really need to work on BELIEVING IN MYSELF!

SANDI, I was an optician for 14 yrs and know a little bit about the eyes…please follow up with what you find out about Shirley. I will say some prayers for her.
VIRGINIA, never heard that one before…I love the idea of wallpapering your mind.
CELINE, I feel for you so much! Moving around as we did there were times when I was so far away from my family. It is hard, isn’t it. Some BIG HUGS for you girlie~000
VALERY, my friend, you are up early. GOOD MORNING!
KIMBERLY, thank you for your story. As I am going through trying to get my quilt patterns out into the world and do more teaching, no matter how nice the rejection may be, it still cuts like a knife. I loved your visualization of signing your books. I will check out your books…I didn’t know all of this

TODAY I am visualizing myself SKINNY all decked out in a new TP outfit, smiling, laughing and SELLING LOTS and LOTS of patterns at the next quilt show…
THANKS GIRL’S
000

Goodness! It looks like we have some early birds today, waking me up with their delightful songs.
ANNE-MARIE, sometimes those children’s books say it best – thanks for the reminder “I think I can. . . “.
DESIREE Darling, Mary Ann and I will dry your tears with our cowgirl red kerchiefs and you will be back up in no time in those new boots of yours. I believe in you and love you so!
VALERY, your writing today was very inspiring! I appreciate your words of wisdom.
VIRGINIA, I do believe you have a book in you, after seeing your “Steep Some Tea and Fluff With Me” vignette, and now today, “Re-Wallpaper Our Minds”. You are a wordsmith!
JENNIFER, our Garden Goddess! I agree with you that our Tracy outshines them all! A garden is certainly pure belief in motion, right?!
KIMBERLY, I admire and appreciate your books and the story you shared today. I am a rejected writer, too, and need to keep envisioning as you say. You gave me hope.
Bonjour CELINE, your writing is charming everyday and I hope you can find some ways to feel your friends and family’s love close to you. Your TP friends love you!
SANDI, I said a prayer and am holding positive thoughts for you and Miss Shirley that all will be well. Love, butterflies, and angels to you both!
TRACY, the woman who started it all today and many years ago. Thank you for bringing us together and stirring our ideas and imaginations with your words, images, products, and life. You have touched countless people in numerous ways, my lady! Keep believing!XOXOXOXO
Now I know there will be some afternoon larks on the way, followed by the night owls songs.
Chirp On! I am listening.

TRACY this message is so timely for me. I met with a friend in need for coffee this morning and this was exactly what I preached to her!!!! I think I will e-mail this her way. No matter what our age, we all need to be reminded to believe in ourselves!!
MS. SHIRLEY, I do hope you have a good report from the eye doctor today. I know your beautiful daughter will stay on top of it!!
Love to you all!

KELLY G….I must give credit where it’s due. Wallpapering our mind was from a Beth Moore Bible study. Obviously, it stuck with me.
DESIREE…I’d put you in the cheerleader league too!
xoxo

Well,………. I NEVER!!!!!!!!………Boy, do I have some kind of catching up to do……..but I can do it,….I can do it,……You ALL,…..that know me….. already know that I believe in myself!!!!!……….I trained my mind years ago,……and it’s still disciplined!!!!!…..the MIND is a powerful thing!!!!!!…..
TRACY love,…….I am pouting…..big time,…but I will get over it….. You need a life too!!!……..Recovery,….and time with the boys this summer is……just what nurse CAMEO thinks is the perfect remedy,………still pouting………….
PAM love,…….you are still with us!!!!!! thought you may have introduced little FINN to the world while I was at the farm,……….and I didn’t want to miss a thing!!!!!!!
KELLY,……….Are you sleeping in late this am????…..tired,……..you know, from the big A night with the Hubby?????…….Congrats woman……..Congrats again,…..on the new addition in the barn……..such a sight to see…….birth……..keeps me grounded,……..and gives me strength and power,…. to know that we have something over on the male species!!!!!!!
VALERY,…..woman……..kicked that flu bugs booty!!!!! Good for you!!!!!!!……Hydrate love……………..still pouting………….ANNE MARIE,……..is she hanging?????…DESIREE love,………What’s going on with you and Herb Albert…………sounds………deep……….I missed you DURL!!!!!!!
KIMBERLY,…….I would love to email you a page of DEMI’s writing………..see what you think…..she is 11 and has twelve different stories started…… She writes fiction/fantasy,…….and has an unbelievable imagination……. Santa brought her a Macbook for xmas,…..and she writes sometimes for hours………Hubby and I told her that we would pay to have her first book published,……then the rest would be up to her…………….
GRETCHEN love,…….what an adorable angel that you made for SANDI,……….but love,…..I don’t think SANDI has one sassy bone in her body……………You should have consulted with me on a name …….I would have chosen SAINT SANDI….!!!!!!……….What cha think?????? Anyway…..you are a sweetheart sister,……much more classy than big sis!!!!!!……ARTIST,…….you are already getting under my feathers,……and I just got home………I can feel your strutting presence………and you better back off bird……..or I’m going to unload on you!!!!!……….I was ALSO gifted from a couple of bloggers……….THANK YOU DURLS…LOVE IT!!!!!….( KELLY and LADYEM….I love you both sooooooooo)……..for the PHOENIX stationary!!!!!…SPECIAL……. Plan on using mine to send reminders to ARTIST…….that I am…. THE BIRD!!!!!!!
VIRGINIA,……Crimson and Clover…….over and over..
MARY ANN,…..saw your photo on the community and you my love,…. are about the most BEAUTIFUL PIRATE that I have ever laid eyes on!!!!!!!
DURLS………GLAD to be home,……back in my nest. Worked hard,……played hard………you know the rest of the story………My sweet little Charm Farm……..is looking so neat, clean and polished…………we bought her ten years ago, as an investment….(turned her into a tree farm)……..with an old ragged out, 120 year old, farmhouse that we never stepped foot in,….until we were given a key at closing………After closing,…..we fought through the weeds, vines, and tremendous overgrowth to get to the door……..upon entering,……….we were surprised to see that this little old lady had good bones,……and I just could not bare to see her go down……..so the restoration began…………$$$$$$$ is all I can say about restoration………I will try to find some pics of her to send to the community………….
MISSED each and everyone of you……….you ALL are so SPECIAL,………….so GLAD I found you……THANKS TRACY PORTER…..for this gift………….you are THE BEST !!!!!!!!!…Done with pouting……I’m over it…….
Cameoxoxoxo
PS……DAWN,……….Arranged marriage with DEMI and BENNETT???????……..well love,……….there is a reason that you are here,…….and I am here……….we could give it a twirl!!!!!!!!!!!
ARTIST,…….wish you would zip it and stop telling TRACY what to do with her catalog!!!!!…..If SANDI models and becomes famous,……she won’t have time for us……….and we need her here to keep us straight……………TRY…. to think about the outcome of your suggestions before you start crowing………….

Tracy…this is a message we all need to be reminded of!!I was a Daddy’s Girl…he thought I was wonderful…bless him…I, of course knew the world might not think so but, how glorious it was to grow up with someone who did. It’s a wonderful gift…confidence and a belief in yourself….yes, he was the greatest!!!
Celine…my heart goes out to you….years ago when my children were small, we moved to Florida from Texas. It was the first time I had been so far away from my family, and I was so homesick.
One day at the beach, there was a man walking along the edge of the water with his family…you have to picture this….He was tall, wearing a cowboy hat, a short sleeve Hawaiian shirt, long shorts, cowboy boots, and had a big cigar in his mouth. I thought he’s gotta be from Texas, so I asked…..he said…Little Lady…is there any other place to be from? It made me laugh and I instantly felt better. Celine..I don’t know if finding something that reminds you of home will help you or not but, I hope this story made you smile.
Virginia…I love that…wallpaper for the brain…I’m going to use that !!!
Kimberly….How wonderful…I am going to check out your books!
Kelly G …I love to quilt….would love to see your patterns!!
Well Girls , have a great day!!!xoxox Carol

KellyG……..Sometimes its a good thing not to think so much….just be…..anyone who can sew like you, has a wonderful gift….just work on your goal and be happy….if its meant to be, it will be…..if not….always have anther plan….I always have a backup plan to backup that plan….lololo….then when you dont know what to do….make that scrunchy face like you have in one of your pictures….then laugh and get busy sewing!!!!!

Put a song in your heart……today is all we have!!

KELLY g—just visited your blog and left a comment. I see you all sassy and classy in your new TP outfit…….selling more quilt patterns than you can handle!!! Everyone at that quilt show will be standing in line to meet YOU and buy one of your patterns!!! Your energy and love will just make them gravitate towards you!!! ( You may have to invest in one of those line control things, like at Disney World),…just saying!……Praying for your GORGEOUS brother!!!…..so much I want to say,…You are both in my prayers,..tucked in my heart!!
REBECCA—-a witch??? LOL!!! Oh sooooo not true!!! You could not even pretend to act like one!!! You are an adorable giving angel!!! Tell GRACE she looks absolutely beautiful!!!!
KIMBERLY,…thank you for the story on the 17 rejections….and look at YOU NOW!!!!…a true testimony to the power of positive thinking and visualizing the right outcome!!!CELINE,…thinking of you and your family…sweet thoughts to you!!
SANDI and Sweet SHIRLEY,..I hope all is well today!!!
ARTIST,…praying for your daughter’s interview to go amazingly well!!!
Must run!! You are all tucked in my heart!!! Was it Claudine or Anne Marie that said that???
Blessings to all!!!!
xoxo Desiree

CAMEOOOOO!!!!! DID I MISS YOU!!!!! HEY YEAH!!! If I even hear the beginning of a Herb Albert song I’m up and dancing around like the Go Go girl I wanted to be!!!……DEMI is one lucky lucky durl to have you for a mama!!!!,….lots of space and time to write those stories. Not to mention being exposed to all that sass and attitude and wit!!! Homeschooling is going to be the best!!!!
xoxo Desiree

Hello everyone!! I haven’t watched todays video or read everyones blogs but had to share this with all of you lovely DURLS!! The UPS man just came by with a TP box for me! Now, I was not expecting anything so you can imagine my joy in opening up this gorgeous package and in it I find the ceramic birds that I have been eyeing for some time. An amazingly thoughtful gift from our one and only REBECCA!! I hope you don’t mind me singling you out REBECCA!! Truly, the women here are all special and unique and we have formed some sort of bond with one another. You have brought all of these fabulous women together TRACY, what a beautiful thing! So, thank you REBECCA and to all of you gorgeous women who I can call friend!! xoxo

CAMEO::::how I have missed you……so glad you are back….now stop pouting and get on with it…and leave Artist alone……she misses you toooooo….lololo….when push comes to shove, we all need you both and Desiree can referee…I think that is how you spell it….the older you get it really doesnt matter…..you get the drift. Love to hear that your Daughter writes…..how neat……dont rush her into marrigage yet…..llolololo. See you all on the flip flop!!!!!!

VIRGINIA~ I too love the saying, “wallpaper your mind.” I’m gonna remember that.

TRACY~ Thanks for the “pep talk.” I think one can never be reminded enough to keep in check with our spirit….and to believe in yourself. Thank you!

Also, TRACY…..what a KILLER CHAIR you are nestled in!!! Oh me oh my…..be still my heart…Gorgeous!!!! Do tell….is this one of your designs? A family heirloom? An antique that you salvaged and restored back to life? I’d love to know her story.

Hello Loves…
Just a snippet…still recovering from a..uhhh…BUSY.. evening….and somewhat harried too!
That’s all you need to know! CAMEO, missed you durl…glad you’re home. VIRGINIA, darling, put on your dancin’ shoes and party with me…
We’ll crank up the tunes and start with JOURNEY….”DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’”!!!! xo

Me again…ANNE MARIE…..it was YOU who said (passion video) you lock the person in your heart and then when you pray, you pray for all of the people locked in your heart….Oh that is brilliant!…you see, though I read everyone’s posts, I don’t always mention what I read, but it sticks in my mind and pops up at some other time…..
CLAUDINE….thinking of you and precious JACK,…both locked in my heart!
KELLY—-you know you and those beautiful horses are all locked in my heart!!!,…Well, all you durls are locked in my heart!!!…back to work!!!
xxoxoo Desiree

TRACY, what are you writing today? You know you can’t keep us in suspense like that? Cookbook perhaps? KIMBERLY, loved you story of perseverence. PAMELA, you ARE a writer, me dear… I hear it in your daily comments…You have a lovely way with words. Be persisent! KELLY G, I bet you’re skinnier and selling more patterns already!!! (I prayed for your brother today.) CAROL MILLER, loved the image of that cowboy on the beach, how wonderful was that! CAMEO, welcome home!!! We missed you so!!! ARTIST has had too much time on her hands. She’s been bossing me around about my sun room redo. She’s wearing me out!!! I now have tendonitis in my wrist aggravated by screwing mug hooks in my wood paneled ceiling for paper lanterns!!! When she gets on a mission, watch out… But I must admit, it’s starting to look fabulous!!! That’s why I put up with her bossiness…she’s good. You are correct that “Saint Sandi” is appropriate…I was referring to her sense of style!!! They both appreciate a bit of pizzazz !! xoxo

Well fiddle dee dee…peace didn’t last long but it was soooo beautiful!!! I knew it was about time for you to start crowing CAMEO dear!!! Where do I begin, you have given me so much bait….. Let’s start with Sassy SANDI.
She does so have sass!!!!!…she married a Greek, after all, and has several homes in 2 different countries. She is indeed a saint, bless her, but I bet it wasn’t her sainthood that landed that dear man!! Nope, I think there is some hidden sass!!!!! I also think that beauty belongs in pictures, catalogs for sure. Love you SANDI and hope Miss Shirley had a good doctor report. Don’t be a selfish bird she will find a way to model and take care of us. Do you think we are more work than a class full of kindergarteners?
Now the question of who has more class me or GRETCHEN…hmmmmm….a hard one to answer. I did teach her everything she knows. I am the oldest and the wisest of us three!!!!! I tell people I raised her and mom just rolls her eyes. LOL Let’s just say I played a BIG part…. so of course she is classy…. just like a peacock.
BENNETT and DEMI…I can agree on that! A very cute couple they would be….BENNETT could borrow his brother’s car and drive Demi to all her book signings! You, of course, would need to stay home!!!
We can also agree that MARY ANN is a lovely pirate!!!! My goodness, enough agreement…..
PAM and FINN were in great hands while you were gone. Steve is home and we durls were here. KELLY birthed a colt and did it without a vet, of course…she can do anything!!!!!
We have also discovered that our cheerleader DESIREE is in the CIA….so much security needed.
VALERY got well and VIRGINIA wallpapered her mind, while doing the bump and answering questions on manners! LADY EM helped a dear friend…she is playing like GRETCHEN and PRISS. We all need FREE counseling from time to time.
Now, settle in and calm down and don’t cause a stir tonight. Let us be glad you have returned.
xoxo

Lately believing in myself has become tough. This is truly inspirational. Thanks Tracy!

Thank you Tracy – exactly like a good tonic after a hard day!

GIRL’s
I have been thinking about how to get a couple of addresses from you girl’s. After so much ‘gifting’ floating around between some of you girl’s I knew that I had to ask for this information. I have been hanging onto a few items that I want to send out. Can you girl’s get me addresses for CAMEO and ARTIST. Can you e-mail me your addresses, PRETTY PLEASE…I would really love an address book for everyone. This started me thinking the day TRACY did her post on sending letter’s. I have wanted to send a few cards out to you girl’s. Is there some way to do this? Any ideas GIRL’S

DESIREE and GRETCHEN, THANKS for visiting me and your kind word’s…also for the much needed prayers for my brother.
DESIREE, what is the security deal…it does sound like CIA…you have me intriqued.

ALSO, I did do a little tease on one of my pictures in the photo gallery about who we bought our house from. It’s not Robert Redford, but it someone that I adore. I will share the whole story soon. I will get some pictures ready and then post them with a short version of how we met.

CAMEO…back with us in perfect form…Welcome back. I would LOVE to see picture’s of that farmhouse. and did we know that Demi was a talented writer…that is really a cool thing!

000

If any TV execs are lurking; I do believe we may have a movie in the making…so many CHARACTERS. A touch of sass, a lot of class. Who WOULD play ARTIST and CAMEO???? Shirley Maclaine (years ago!!) would make a GREAT ARTIST! This durl really could use a JP Marg. Spent 4 hours in the hot Texas sun and only reaped a tiny corner of herbs.
PAMELA…I thank you. I DO love words!!! Chillaxin’ in my caftan at the moment.
xoxo

I CANNOT seem to keep up with all this CHATTER!!! You girls are so witty and quick…I just LOVE It!!…TRACY~oohh writing…I can only imagine what you have in store for all of us!…KELLY G~just stopped by your blog…lovely…praying for your sweet brother~…PAM~what a lovely gesture from REBECCA…I agree, this is the BEST group of women!…HELLO DESIREE,KELLY, MARYANN, CLAUDINE, PAMELA, CAMEO, ARTIST, MYISHA, CC, SHAWN, (oh hope I didn’t forget anyone)…SANDI~I have been thinking of you and Miss Shirley today…sending a bigmHUG!…GORGEOUS SUNNY day her in the NW…we are doing a little backyard re-do…cannot wait to enjoy it this summer!!!…Happy Night to all!!
xoxo

Tracy, thank you for such a lovely message. I must remember to visualize. I can plan and organize, but doubt myself soooo much when I consider making the first move that I’m nearly paralyzed. I really want to move past this and your messages are a great gift. It’s been nice today to catch up and read all the beautiful blog entries you durls create. Thanks again Tracy.

PS. Tracy, your new designs are crazy beautiful!

Okay, just got back from picking up more stuff for the JP Margarita’s this weekend for my mom’s 60ish birthday party!!! Whew hew!!! Little does she know that Jack is giving her something from Georgies back in April…boy can he keep a secret–that’s my boy!!! DESIREE…you sweetie, thinking that I may have been the one who said “lock the person in my heart”…I can only wait to meet the ANNE-MARIE, aka, boob mom, Sam-I-Am, snail son…sounds like mine…..such fun!!! Let’s go see those rugs in person at Robyn’s store sometime DESIREE….Do tell on the Amy/Phil family…I wish them the best with her breast cancer and hope she comes through with flying colors!! I watched this morning a bit of the PGA in Europe thinking I might spy GRETCHEN’S hubby, but alas could not figure out!!!! VALERY…love that you tell it like it is Durlfriend….you live life to the fullest…kudos to you and yes, let those men wait on you hand and foot someday with grapes and a fig leaf (or not) and whatever you require, jewels and all….send in pics of your granddaughters presents “just because”….what a great grandmother you are!!!! REBECCA…how beautiful GRACE looked in her Hollis Paisley top!!! DEBBIE B…5″ cherry hardwood…sounds beautiful…what was up prior to the new floors…put up pics on the board and you’ll get tons of feedback….I don’t believe a 5″ floor plank has to have a 5″ molding, but I break every rule out there…you are the one that has to love and live in it…whatever you like is the only thing that matters KELLY G, I back up VALERY 100% on her thoughts…you are one stunning, smashing woman…believe in you sista….LADYEM…sweet soul to take care of a friend in need…I KNEW ME LIKED YOU!!! Women supporting women ROCKS!!! CC…yes, killer chair…I think crocodile dundee skinned that one himself and can you imagine if TP put something like that up for sale…I may never leave that chair!!! KIMERLY WILLIS HOLT…thanks for not giving up when the rejection letters came in….my son Jack loves Skinny Brown Dog…he’s not so skinny anymore…what a great book and Everyone Welcome!!!! Thank you for such a nightly treat!!!! No better gift we can give our children….SANDI….hoping MISS SHIRLEY is good with the eyes…she’s such a beauty and wow with what she’s done with those amazing bags for our goodies….talented woman!!!! She is one show stopper and so are you!!! I still vote you cover girl–Cheryl Tiegs…you’re much better looking though!!! And I know you wouldn’t leave us in the dust due to your fame PAM…I am so thinking of you every day with little Finn on the way…..what a blessing and I hope Steve is up for the challenge of getting your baby on the blog….CAMEO…so great to have you back with ARTIST….and the arranged marriage we ALL need to be invited…..according to VIRGINIA…and btw….DAWN…unbelieveable adorable pic of Plum Blossom on the front porch!!!!! Hubby home from work…gotta make a JP Margarita….he’s never asked for one before….MR. PORTER you are the KING!!!

KELLY G,
I have been thinking about you and the art show that you were in last week… It sounded so terrible for you…cold, windy, everything blowing away…I know you won’t believe it now, but one day you may look back on it and have a good laugh. I was talking to ARTIST about it tonight and it brought back memories of a show we did many years ago that was a DISASTER and we started laughing and couldn’t stop!!! We had been in a show at the beach, which we loved, and had been pretty successful in, and we were wooed by a lady who came by our booth. She was planning a show in another small NC town and wanted us to be in it. We said “What the hey, why not?” and went. Oh me, oh my, It was AWFUL…hot as hades…and the other venders were selling, what we thought, was pretty lousy art. But what made it so bad was THEIR stuff was selling like hotcakes and NO ONE bought our stuff!!! We were highly insulted!!!! LOL And, as if that wasn’t enough, our booth was planted right in front of A PETTING ZOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We spent the whole day in NC heat in front of a petting zoo!!!!!! Even writing this now I am laughing about it. But as awful as it was then, now it is really a fond, funny memory. So hang in there, you will get it all figured out!!!!! It can only get better!!! xoxoxoxo

Merci Thank you all…REBECCA, KELLY, PAMELA , CAROL MILLER, DESIREE and ALL of you!
Thank you for your sweet words.. Yes I feel better…yes in fact it will be fun to meet somewhere and have a cup of coffee/ tea with you all!

SANDY you made me wanted to read this book THe Big House… I need a good book… ANY other suggestions?
VALERY your grandaughter is going to be so Happy, so nice of you!
REBECCA, I an sure Grace was the most beautiful of the Soiree.
PAMELA thank you for saying you like my charming words.. I hope my English is not too broken
CAROL thank you for your cute story yes I smiled when reading it.
ARTIST you sound all good
TRACY how is your hand healing well?

I wish you a good night – Sweet Dreams Bonne Nuit et Faites de Beaux Reves…..yes Girls you having French tutoring on line!!

I am late to the computer tonight after a long and hectic day where anything that could go wrong, did. It was all beyond my control, but we persevered. Thank you TRACY, for this reminder… I will certainly share this with my girls. You are so correct and I am so appreciative for this day’s reflection. Blessings to all of you wonderful women who share on this page. YOU are amazing and so am I – hmm…. sounds good, better keep telling myself this! XO, Kathleen

Thank you for such warm comments on Grace’s photo today! She was so tickled to see herself and read them – they did wonders for her self-confidence!
DESIREE – you are so kind! My Halloween side does poke her head up now and then, but it keeps things interesting, and keeps me on my toes!
PAM – So glad the flock of sweeties arrived! They are meant to represent your growing flock – of course Tracy had just the right something to send you as you head into the final days of your pregnancy! Eyes up, and let us know when the day comes!! XOXOXO

I appreciate all your feedback regarding my comment about visualizing success even through those 17 rejections. It warms my heart knowing that bit of info might encourage some of you to hang in there.

Thank you, Tracy, for your kind plug. By the way, Shannon, loves the yellow print blouse we ordered from your line.

Cameo, I love how you and husband encourage your daughter’s writing. Believe me, even today as a published writer, the review I value the most are from my loved ones.

Keep believing in your dreams, everyone!

Kimberly

Ladies,
Just trying to catch up with y’all after this weekend! Hubby was in the ER on Sunday and admitted until Tuesday evening. His blood pressure keeps dropping really low then going really high, and nobody can seem to figure out why. Scary. On top of all this his position was eliminated September of last year, and so things have been tight, to say the least. All this to say thank you to TRACY for the wonderful clearance sale! Strange? Mais non! It was because of your clearance that I was able to buy my now 9 year old, Eliana, (her birthday was Wednesday) what she reaallllly wanted, which was the Fish Wish Box! She absolutely LOVES it! Her face just lit up when she opened it! Thank you TRACY!!!
And to all of you ladies, I cannot thank you enough for coming here every day, even though I don’t get to chime in daily, I read your words and visit the community, and feel soooo uplifted, and besides our children and my hubby, y’all make me smile on days when I really neeeeed to smile. I am so grateful for this place, and for you all! My grandmother always said that if you’ve got something good to say about someone tell em’! I’ll write more later, Sam just woke up from his nap……

Everyone from A ….to Z. Happy Friday. Yesterday i did, Today i do, and tomorrow i will…. lolololo. You got to keep moving, You got to keep pushing, Youre never gonna get back any more than your giving, life is for the living, youve got to be willing, a song aint a song until someone starts singing…..lalalala in Opera…..I miss our Girl…..Have a good week-end Tracy and ALLLLLL!!!!!! My husband is out of town and I am going to Howl…..love it when he leaves and love it when he comes home!! Gives me a wonderful break from routine!! Going to watch a good movie tonight, tomorrow I garden and hopefully my outdoor pedestals and urns coming from Charleston SC will be in when I get home….yeahhhhh. Got the girls Barbie convertable and 4 wheeler in, but will have to wait for hubby to put together and hook up batterys…..fun, fun!! Church on Sunday and brunch with the gals…..See Ya Monday Everyone!!!! XOXOX < OXO!!!

VIRGINIA….I didn’t finish what I was going to say about you last night as someone was talking in my ear the entire time….I’m not really good at multi tasking….for the arranged marriage between the beautiful DEMI and handsome BENNETT…you could make sure the invitations are proper and teach me the bump…..maybe some manners on my part too Happy weekend to everyone!!!!!

,
My Sweet Durlfriends,
OH Good Heavens!!! I am NOT in the CIA!!!! I’m just from a very private family!!!! Blogging on here may not be what I should be doing!,…but I love Tracy and all you durls so much……we shall see,…..please, pretty please, let it go
As far as the movie goes,….please get VALERIE BERTINELLI to play MOI!!! Only she’ll have to go blonde,….we are so much alike,..!!! Only she got really skinny,…YEAH Valerie!!!!…….I’m working on it!!….
Have a great weekend!!!
xoxox Desiree

Finally able to view yesterdays video TRACY and to read all the blogs!! So much wonderful chatter to catch up on! And the support and encouragement you all give one another is incredible! TRACY…I know you are so busy lately and we DURLS feel so blessed that you take the time to visit with us. You have brought us together!! CELINE..I know how hard it is to live so far away from family. Oh but you have such a beautiful country to go home to!! And to speak your language…well, maybe someday!! I love “hearing” your accent when you write! SANDI…how are you and Miss Shirley today? Been thinking of you. Hope all is well on this dreary day. VALERY..I wish I had some of your energy these days! I love your enthusiasm! Have a wonderful weekend watching your movies!! DESIREE…we will not bug you anymore. We respect your privacy and let me say, this blog would not be the same without you. ANNIE…our thoughts and prayers are with your husband. Please keep us posted. I wish I could come help you out somehow!! You are a strong woman with strong faith…I know you’ll make it! KELLYG..oh how I wish I could sew like you! I love your blog! You are so talented! Cannot wait to hear the story of your house!! CLAUDINE…thank you for thinking of me!! If Steve just can’t post pictures than I will send them off to GRETCHEN or maybe REBECCA..if that’s o.k! GRETCHEN..loved your story about the craft show next to the petting zoo! You had me laughing! DAWN and CAMEO…if there is an arranged marriage in the making we DURLS had best be invited! ARTIST..sounds to me like you are feeling better! Don’t push it! I hope your weekend is wonderful! REBECCA..finally got over to the community and not only did I spy GRACE looking smashing in her very own Hollis Paisly but you as well looking gorgeous!! I hope you all have a great weekend…any tips on how to bring on labor are greatly appreciated!! Love to you all!!

hello from idaho, where it is supposed to be 92° today. i’m more a fan of 75°, myself.

TRACY ~ i’ve been wondering…maybe you’ve shared this before, but what is the make & model of your fave EARL GREY?
anyone else want to share a favorite brand?
i’m a tea junkie, and my favorite tea is REPUBLIC OF TEA – VANILLA ALMOND, with chopped almonds and big bits of vanilla bean mixed right in. my addiction is so bad that i have my co-op special order a 1lb bulk bag, just for me! when i do purchase it off the shelf, it comes in a charming metal cylinder {which i collect, then reinvent – ala T.P. – into some cool new use}.

a note to THE KELLYs: don’t know if you saw, but i ranted about Eagle to you – comment #73 on “sugar snap pea” day.

KELLY ~ i, too, love EMERGEN-C, and that i can buy it at WinCo or Walmart. my kids love it, too, as i don’t buy sodas or other “drinks” for them. they can mix it themselves (even 4-year-old Ned).
also, you mentioned that you use splenda, but have you ever tried STEVIA to sweeten things? it’s all natural and i made the switch years ago. it’s what i sweeten my tea with.

~xoxo~
catie

EVERYONE loves TRACY in the AM! I do–especially with a poignant message like this one. Sounds like we all needed to hear it. I have been sooooo busy I stopped visiting here and realized my mornings were grayer for it! THANK YOU for this reminder. Whatever I am doing I remind myself I don’t need to be the “best” (there will always be better) but I do need to be one of the most motivated. Onward! CAMEO… no need for you and hubby to pay to publish Demi’s book. Lots of publishing houses will jump at the chance to find fresh young talent when the time is right,,, and they will pay HER! She just needs a good mentor, and later, and agent! : ) CAROL,,, great story re: cowboy on the beach. Indeed angels walk among us, always in the right place in the right time, orchestrating a moment that reaches far beyond us. Embrace the day, everyone!

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE…Oh how I have missed being here this week. BELIEVING IN YOURSELF!!!! YES, YES, YES….jump in to your dreams…walk away from the fear that is holding you back…CREATE YOUR WORLD….I have an attachment to this MANTRA! TRACY LOVE!!!! I will miss the daily videos but YIPEEEEE!!!!!! A NEW BOOK, GROWING YOUR BUSINESS and YOUR DREAMS….MAKING TIME FOR FAMILY…We applaud and support YOU!

KIMBERLY…I just visited your website/BLOG….oh would I love to have coffee with a girl like you… Writing has been my dream for a long time…A year ago I jumped in with both feet committing myself to developing a writing ritual…that is how the Blog came about…I have never been happier or more fulfilled than when I am writing creatively….

ARTIST…so good to hear your Spunky voice! REBECCA…HELLO friend…I too have visited the community…LOVING your pictures of GRACE and the BABY…what beauties (nice photos too)
CAMEO…did I pick up from a post that you decided to move forward on Home Schooling the beautiful and talented DEMI???

SO MUCH going on here at Buttercup Farm…I am nesting a bit…trying to clear the clutter, prepare for the summer with the petites. WORKING a lot too..Good stuff though. I posted today in LABF that I have been having “home infidelity” http://lifeatbuttercupfarm.com/home-infidelity/ …I have tried to let this home go from my mind…but hhhmmmm….I keep going back to it…I almost wish someone would buy it already and make up my mind for me.

SO GOOD TO CHECK IN with all of you today….Have a great weekend!

DAWN – so I pushed the “buy” button on the Urban jacket this morning – thanks to you and your lovely photo! It clinched the deal for me! Got a gift certificate credit yesterday and refused to let any grass grow under its feet…

KELLY…..I missed your blog address. How do I get there?
Did some quilting in the past. One Queen one to my name. Love the paper quilting also. Made a few small pin cushions doing that. They are neat.
SANDI….Hope your Mom did well at the Dr.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
PAM…..I washed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees. That got the little sweetie moving in the right direction.

So much going on here today – I must run for now, but I’ll be back – it seems like we are all forming such a web of support and friendship for each other here. I love that people feel that they can come and let us all know what’s going on…and I love that there are so many responsive, caring souls here to receive the info and offer what’s needed.
For now, I will just say Thank You Tracy, for providing such a “place” for each of us as we go through our lives and what they bring. You are all dear to my heart!

Oh Shawn…Shawn…Shawn….Let go and let God…..sometimes things just start falling into place…..after all you are the ones that started looking in the first place…..and the saga continues!!!!!!!!!!

Hello every precious soul…
Thank you for your well-wishes for Miss Shirley yesterday. After all these many years (following the ’shingles-type herpes infection that settled in the back of her eye years ago) she has many challenges with one eye in particular. God bless her, she is such a trooper. There is nothing that can be done for that eye, except pray (and think positive, as she does so beautifully)… but her other eye is most likely due for cataract surgery in the next few months…They will also try a different lens presciption to help her in the mean time. I took her for a little retail therapy at TJMaxx afterwards, and then out to lunch and a glass of chardonnay each ..and lots of giggles.. and many of them because I shared wonderful stories from the blog here… and we were laughing out loud many times.. such fun!
Today is ANOTHER dark and rainy day…I have candles glowing, and soft music playing, Clancy is snoozing on his pillow on the floor nearby and John is downstairs at the kitchen table conducting business from home today…I am going to ‘play’ with some more Sea Stones now…they are ‘calling to me’…
SANDY M~ I smiled when I read what you wrote to PAM to help start her labor by washing the floor on your hands and knees. Miss Shirley did that VERY SAME THING 56 years ago when she wanted to get labor going (I was due on May 1st “May day” in her book.. and I was not here yet… so on her hands and knees she went to wash the floor… and voila… not long after.. I was born .. on May 2nd. Too funny… Maybe you can try this PAM?….My love surrounds you…And I think you need to listen to In My Arms while in labor, to help remind you that we are ALL surrounding you with OUR LOVE….(REALLY!!!)
Yes CATIE, I too, use Steevia.. when I choose to sweeten something… all natural, low calorie and delicious.
REBECCA… Now I shall go back to the Clearance page once again and reconsider a few things… Thanks for posting your beautiful self on the Community in your pretty top!
~*~*~*~Sandi

OK EVERYONE!!
It’s not The Big Email to announce that Pam’s gone into labor, but she just emailed me two of the CUTEST belly shots I’ve ever seen, to be re-sized and posted in the community pages. I just put them up, so some time today they should appear. Please do visit and I think you’ll agree she wins the Adorable Baby Bump prize of the year!!

DESIREE. love, no more pressure about us seeing your beautiful face…having you here with us is more important…What would we do without YOU?!!!
PAM, loved your sweet belly shots…when we were trying to push my labor into gear my doc said have lots of sex!!!!!! I bet that’s exactly what you feel like doing, isn’t it? But it’s certainly better than scrubbing the floor on your hands and knees!!!! LOL
SHAWN, good to hear from you…are you saying that you’re trying to sell your farm house? I’m confused.
ANNIENB, thinking of you and your hubby.
Happy Friday everyone!!!

VIRGINIA…thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!! Will be sending out the invitations this week-end. An 18 year old should be getting their own! And I do think Shirley Maclaine would make a perfect ARTIST! CELINE…my son, now 18, LOVED the book “The Little Engine That Could” when he was young. His eyes would get as big as saucers when the engine would try to make it to the top….and then sigh with relief when he did!!PAMELA…yes, I used to teach and often incorporated children’s picture books with my 5th and 6th graders just for the message of the book. They can be so powerful in their simplicity. KELLY G….how do I find your blog and the others that you durls are talking about?? Forgive my ignorance, but remember that I am trying to update my technological skills this year. Go easy on me, please. ARTIST…you are definately back!!! KIM in CA….where are you???DESIREE…please help us find her! And thank you, Desiree. GRETCHEN…I can’t wait to see your sunroom! CAMEO….no, she is not hung yet. I need an electrician first. CLAUDINE…would love to drive to Princeton/Ripon again. How about lunch here in town soon? Did MARYANN and MARY CLAIRE want to join us as well?? I hope I didn’t forget anyone else who had mentioned it in the area. KELLY…how is Soldier doing today? SANDI…you are the most patient person I think I know. And, I don’t even know you…but how so very kind you are to the elderly. Miss Shirley is so lucky to have you so near. I think we could all go on a retreat at your home!!! Wow…we are at #62 for posts today already. Do you think we will hit 100 posts over the week-end???

Thank you REBECCA for posting my belly shots!! GRETCHEN..as I wrote my last post asking for advice on bringing on labor I just knew someone would say SEX!! I cannot even imagine to be honest!! I think I would rather scrub the floor!!:) I do need to be patient, I am still 2 1/2 weeks from due date! SANDI…lunch with Miss Shirley sounded so nice with chardonnay and giggles!! I can’t wait to bring little Finn down to sit with you and enjoy a glass of wine!! So funny that there are two stories of scrubbing the floor to go into labor!! Happy Cheeseburger Friday TRACY and to all!! xoxo (We miss you Sarah!)

GIRL’S who asked about my blog, just click on my name or go to http://www.stitch321.net to get there. It is still a work in progress, but it’s coming along…Thanks to all who visited and are praying for my brother. He was due for a cat scan today to see if they can find out why he isn’t healing.
GRETCHEN, oh my gosh!!!!!Thanks for the story about the show and the petting zoo. That is hilarious and sad all at the same time. 2 weeks later and I am already starting to laugh about my ’snafoo’… I was just planning on making money, not loosing money…aaaarrrrggghhhhhh!
DEAR DESIREE, no worries girl
SANDI, thanks for your address. I will send out good prayers for M. Shirley.
CAMEO AND ARTIST if you will share your address with me I have something to send you. and it isn’t anything sinister or scary, just a little tidbit, thinking of you gift…so if you want it, come and get it by e-mailing me your address, otherwise, it’s mine for keeps!
REBECCA, CELINE, MYISHA, CATIE, it is so fun getting to hear more from you and getting to know you all better.
I’m still working on getting some of that EMERGEN-C…
Have a WONDERFUL weekend to all of you
000

oh ANNE-MARIE, I am an IL/WIsc native girl, now living in MN. If you guys get together, count me in please!

Prayers for Miss Shirley and Annie’s hubby!

Pam, can’t wait to see you preggie shots, not much longer, now!

Rebecca, didn’t post a comment on the comm. yet but just wanted to say how marvelous Grace looks in that dress! I do believe you’ve taken the mother-daughter dress to a new level!!! Don’t even get me started on baby Anna, what a doll!!!

I’m leaving tomorrow for a week at the beach. I’ll be unhooked the entire time, but will miss chatting with you durls! You can be sure that I’ll catch up on every post though…. I may not comment every day but I read EVERY post and look at EVERY picture on the community! I love you girls!

Hi, GRETCHEN…no, not trying to sell my farm house…just stumbled upon the another farm for sale which found a place in my heart…haven’t been able to shake it. I keep going back to visit the other farm each time the current owner of the farm lowers the price. Home infidelity means…I feel like I am cheating (a joke) on my current home/farm which I love and adore:-)

GRETCHEN…oohhh, I just went back to read my past comment from above…#56 and realized how confusing it might have read without the full story…sorry….if you click on the link in post #56, you can see pictures of the farm Hubby and I have been looking at since last September…Right now we have decided NOT to move…price is still too high for our budget and the budget needed to run the new farm.

Hello Ladies,

I have been a lurker for quite a while now! I was directed here by my sweet MIL (Nicki), and have had a great time watching videos and reading the great conversations that everyone has on here.

My DH and I just bought our first home (a couple months ago), and I have been busy working on decorating. I have gotten lots of great ideas from TP and love using this website as a resource!

Just thought I’d pop in and say hello! I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Good Evening Darlings,
I am a bit late commenting today. I was up until 3:00 A.M. painting and so I slept in this morning. Then had to decorate Gretchen sun room long distance. We spent the whole day on the phone. While talking I made Tracy’s sugar snap peas and also her chicken salad. I love having things in the fridge to pull out on the weekend.
DESIREE darling, we will not mention it again. We all want you here however you wish to come.Privacy is your right!! You are probably so beautiful that it’s good we don’t see you….we might be just too jealous!!!
KELLY G, I tried to post on your blog but could not open the link…not very tech savvy here. My email is diannedballard@gmail.com Whatever you have cooking is certainly welcome. I just love you girls. And….the petting zoo story was all true. It is now one of our favorite memories. Since you are selling patterns and not quilts, you really need to be in a sewing venue. Find one dear, they will love your stuff.
SHAWN Dear, I never pictured you as a cheater! Now straighten up and remain loyal to your farm!!! Don’t make me have to go up there!!!!!
PAM, your sweet belly stole my heart!! We are all waiting for Finn. If I lived as close to SANDI as you do, I would be on her couch…. listening to the soft music and watching the candles flicker and feeling her ever present angelic nature. HOWEVER, if you want that baby to come…go see KELLY!!! Darling, she will have you moving so fast that little Finn will be riding the colt before you blink! You can deliver Finn and have salmon on rye in the meadow shortly afterwards. Sound good?
CELINE Dear, I hope you never leave us…I just love your accent ,it shines right through your writing. You do add a touch of European flair to our chit chat! Love it!!
Oh sweet ANNIELNB, we are all wishing we could go and help you. You do have your hands full. Just know you are not alone. We are here and we will listen when you need us…prayers for you too.
ANNE MARIE and VIRGINIA…No way will Shirley MacLaine play my life story!!! I do not care for her…young or old. No, I need someone MUCH more glamorous. Just thought you’d like to know!! LOL
CLAUDINE, do you have any idea how jealous you make us when you talk about shopping at the Tracy Porter store. OMG, what fun!! I am just green reading about your trips!! Kisses to sweet Jack and hope your mom has a great birthday. Funny how kids can keep a secret…when GRETCHEN’s son ,Sam was 5 yrs. old we arranged for all 6 grandchildren to have their picture made together professionally for their grandmother. That morning we told her we were taking the kids to breakfast. We spent 2 hours at the photographers. When we returned she asked Sam how breakfast was and he created the most elaborate meal, telling her how good the biscuits were etc… to this day GRETCHEN swears I taught him to lie. LOL The secret was safe though!!!!!
Now before I sign off… CAMEO dear I hope you are behaving because I do not have the energy left to “deal” with your sassy self!!! I am going to bed early and I do not want to hear your squawking.
Goodnight dears!
xoxoxo

Oh what a joy it is to come here and visit!!! ARTIST, you sweet lovely doll!!! I picture you with the looks of Jaqueline Smith with the personality of Scarlett herself!!! YOU are the ultimate!!! Thank you and Big Hugs!!! Love you!! and You too Miss GRETCHEN, and that sweet lovely NICKI!! NICKI, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out to me the other day! I sobbed from reading your post! It is wonderfully soothing to have your feelings confirmed!!! Feel it and then be on with it! Right??? Thank you all!!
SHAWN….soooo funny! What a talented writer you are! We do the same thing with homes sometimes…..There is this one in Florida that we drive by way too much too often and DREAM!!!,…It is in Palm Beach on the ocean,…..ahhhhh!!! I get it!!!
ANNIElnb,….sweet prayers for you and your dear husband! I hope all is well!!! I will keep you tucked in my heart (thank you ANNE MARIE)……PAM….soooo sweet and precious!!!…..REBECCA…..sweet, adorable and sassy!!! Looking so GOOD!!! Must run,….HELLOOOOO to everyone else!!! ALL you wonderful sweet Durls!!!…listening to Josh Groban,…..thinking of you SANDI in your Cape Cod gorgeous home!!!
TRACY….Enjoy your day!!!!!
xoxo Desiree

MORNING BEAUTIFUL SOULS!!!!!!!……sorry DURLS,……..I am soooooo behind on posting comments on the Community…….will TRY to catch up this weekend!!!!! DEMI is out of school now and is keeping me oh sooooo busy!!!!!!! Today, we are packing up a picnic and going island hopping on our jet skis………our lake that we reside on, is about 50,000 acres,…….500 miles of shore line with 12 islands. DEMI loves to go from island to island exploring the vegetation, wildlife and collecting stones on the island shores……..It is a grand time of adventure!!!!!!…so off to have fun……..but first…….
KELLY G love, you can contact me at Cameointeriors @ hotmail.com…….. i would LOVE to hear from you !!!!! I have not had time to check your website,……but plan to………Iove quilts also!!!! I have them hanging on the walls at the farmhouse!!!!
ARTIST,…..stop bossing GRETCHEN around!!!!! That poor child is in pain because of you…..and I am not going to have it!!!!!!!!…..And your Mom rolls her eyes every time you say that you have raised GRETCHEN because she knows better……..GRETCHEN is a grown woman and she is who she is because of herself…….SHE and SHE alone has made decisions in her life about WHO she is going to be…………not YOU!!!!!!!……now back off and fly home!!!!!!!!
ANNE MARIE and CLAUDINE,….you Durls have too much patience with your electricians………I would be knocking on their front door by now……….demanding installation!!!!!!!…… you have to be assertive with those guys………cuz they don’t like small jobs,…. like hanging a Chandy!!!!!!!!!
ARTIST,….please leave DESIREE alone………..she is ROYALTY and they don’t like to show there faces to anyone but the STAR………….and you are not the STAR!!!!!!!!
SHAWN love, you sound like my HUBBY,…..he has called me SPUNKY forever……He says that is what attracted him to me…….MY SPUNK !!!!! He loves moxie!!!!!……..and I have the clothes to match!!!!! Thanks TP!!!!!!!!…..yes, SHAWN…… I am homeschooling DEMI this year. I just received her curriculum… (accredited and college prep)… and it is going to be a real treat for us both …..she is excited !!!!!!!! Did you know that Tiger Woods was home schooled………….and graduated from Stanford………..I read that in Sports Illustrated.
KIMBERLY,….oops!!!!!… think I made a big mistake asking you to read DEMIs work…..she has informed me that no other Author could ever read her work until she is published!!!! How did she get so sassy…. already?????
LISA MARIE love,…. I will contact you when she is ready to publish,…….sounds like you may know the agents!!!!!
LADY EM,……I have a Cameo charm bracelet and was wondering if you could add some of your beautiful vintage buttons to it…….I want it to make lots of chatter when I move my hand………that way I can get everyone attention!!!!!!!
PAM love,…….saw your little bump……you are definitely carrying a boy!!!!!!!………after you deliver,…you are going to shrink back to normal within 72 hours!!!!!!!!……..
REBECCA…….your daughter is an ANGEL……and so are you….Just have not had a chance to comment……I will this weekend…………
MARY ANN,….where the HAY are you???????
JAMIE in TX,……I know the wedding is in JUNE,……..we want photos………
PRISS,……….Can DEMI and I visit your flower farm this year???????…..This would be an excellent learning adventure for her……when is the best time of year to come love??????…..
CATIE,……Vanilla Almond tea sounds HEAVENLY!!!!!!!……….
JENNIFER,…..your daughter is also an ANGEL,……..and you my love,… should be a TP model!!!!!!
MYISHA love, welcome ………….saw all of the photos of your GORGEOUS family,………..and your adorable son……………..touches my heart……..so HAPPY that he is well and has his diabetes under control…….oxoxox to him from Auntie CAMEO…..
DAWN love,…….oxoxoxo to PLUM BLOSSOM and the JONAS brothers……….Ha!!!!!!…..I am not telling DEMI about BENNETT…..yet………she is still playing with her American Girl dolls,……………and her DAD says she can’t date until she graduates from Law school………She says she wants to be a writer……….I want her to be an Orthodontist……….we shall see………..
VALERY……..are you enjoying those VIVRE TP dinner plates…….you know that you stole them away from me………..I am STILL not happy about that!!!!!!!
VIRGINIA,………your herb farm is a perfect size……..you have to be on high doses of vitamin C for quite some time before you will ever catch up with KELLY………that woman is a Miss America…that can cut firewood!!!!!!……If I ever go to battle….I want her on my side………for SURE!!!!!!!!!!! KELLY,…did you hear me love………..you are the BOMB!!!!!!
TRACY love,…….and SARAH,…… I am having IF withdrawal symptoms………..Thank goodness we have a wonderful TP library we can reflect back to loves…..Thank You!!!!!!!
ALL of my other sisters that I failed to mention,……know that I love you soooooooo…………..but I am in a hurry…..the lake is starting to get busy,……and we need to get going!!!!!!!!!
Have a GRAND weekend,…..GORGEOUS SOULS!!!!!!!!!!
Cameoxoxoxoxo

DESIREE,……just read your post, gorgeous,…….reading over mine……..and ARTIST has really got you fooled……..I am coming over with all of the TP and JP margarita ingredients and we are going to sit down and talk about Peacocks love,……………They may be beautiful, but they walk around barefooted on black dirt…….check out the photo that DAWN sent to the community……nasty feet………….strutting around!!!!!!!!…………just let me get back from island hopping first!!!!!!
Cameoxoxoxo

AUNTIE CAMEO…Oh thank you soooo very much for the love! Myles will be so thrilled to know he has a virtual aunt! SANDI…I’m so sorry I missed your ? about my b-day….dahling it’s the day after yours, YEP, May 3rd!!! We are fabulous Taureans! No wonder we seem to have so many of the same commonalities. Well I can’t chat long because I’m preparing for a show this evening…I hope it goes well because I’ve really spent a lot of time making new jewelry & I’m just really anxious to see how it’s received in LOS ANGELES…they are a tough crowd! Anyhoo you all have the most FABULOUS, WONDERFUL, DIVALICIOUS weekend ever. P.s. gonna post some pics of my new summer baubles in the community news…be honest really…I can take criticism pretty well… :0…I think

Well, does that Phoenix actually think we are going to LISTEN to what she says!!!!!! She is off skipping around the pond like a duck and we are supposed to take what she says seriously. When I fan my feathers for all to admire we shall see who is QUEEN!!!!! No one is looking at my pedicured piggies while I strut….it’s all they can do to stay sane while my fan is out. Do I hear a quack…OMG!
AND….dare I say that sweet DEMI is smarter than her mother!!!!! NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would have their material read out in public before published…we’re not giving those stories away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DESIREE DARLING, you are right on with the pick of Jaqueline Smith to play my life story. She is PERFECT…just PERFECT! We are both brunettes and we are about the same age and each have 2 grown children and both have husbands in the medical biz!!!!!!! How clever of you to cast the right star. I am getting ready for my close up!
I hope you all saw GRETCHEN’s porch…it is so cute. You really needed to see a before to appreciate the after. All the furniture is upholstered in a khaki sunbrella solid fabric. It is the most comfortable sofa in her house! I think that room will be used a lot more now. I love the bamboo shades and the oriental painting and lanterns. A little bit of Asia is so stylish! Remember she has that Asia thing going on in the Living Room with the drapery panels I painted. Did anyone want to bid on the crazy cat?
Good luck to you Myisha with your jewelry show. We want you to come back with your pockets full of coins and no jewelry!!!!!
PAM DARLING…are you still with us? Everyday is an event now…keep us posted.
KELLY G, I hope you saw my email address in a previous comment. Bou could we talk non stop over lunch!!! It’s such a shame we are all so spread apart …speaking of that MAISE, where are you this weekend?
NICKI, I think David comes home today….you guys need for husbands to meet!
SWEET STEPH, you come back and chat anytime. You are so cute and your hubbies family is darling. I know you have fun together. Aren’t you the one that went for the wine tasting when he was 21? Beautiful pictures!!!
I am off for a while…will check you gals later.
xoxo

Oh now simma down sweet CAMEO!! I hope you used all that energy to hop some waves on your waverunner!!! No need to talk about dirt or dirty feet for that matter! But do come over and give me a few lessons on having a little more moxie! I think that is what’s missing in my life!,……and also, for THE MOVIE,…I must say I think you, dearest CAMEO should be played by…………….YOU!!!!!, Really love, who else could possibly pull off all that sass and wit and glamour?????? NOBODY in HOLLYWOOD that I know of!!!!…………..ONLY YOU!!!!,…..please hurry with the JPMs!!! I’m sitting out here on my cushioned chair waiting for you and this tiara is getting a little heavy!!!!,…..starting to give me a headache!!!,……MARY ANN, if you’d like to come, then AHOY MATIE!!!! Get on over here!!!,…we will need a little pirate sass to keep us in line!!! AAARRGGGHHHH!!!!
xoxo Desiree

Oh… my goodness… I just love ALL of you delicious darlings!!! You are ALL so witty…and clever…and AT THE SAME TIME… heart-felt, LOVING, incredible women…and I DO love you ALL SO MUCH!! How blessed I feel to be a small part of this magical gathering of celestial spirits bound here on earth (at least for the time being!) (Thank you God!)
CAMEO~ Your posts always have me smiling… and reading.. word.. for …word.. what you have in your heart to share with the rest of us. Truly… could anyone else portray you?… I think not. It must be YOU!!
ARTIST~ You, my sweet woman… you always have sass… but at the same…so much tenderness…and acceptance…you are so special…to all of us…
And.. I think that Jaclyn Smith would be perfect too!
Desiree… private as your family may be.. you are ALWAYS welcome here with OPEN ARMS and HEARTS… You bring SO MUCH JOY to all of us that it simply is not imaginable to not have you here with us! Each to his own I say. Whatever you are comfortable with, works for all of us. We do LOVE you.
It is FINALLY a warm sunny day here on Cape Cod.. and this girl is SO grateful for it. (after so many days of cozy darkness and rain, it is SOOOO beautiful to see. CONTRAST always makes everything in life THAT much SWEETER!)
I leave you each with a hug…
Oh MYISHA~ Love that your birthday is one day after mine… Dare I ask the year you were born? I THINK it might be the year I graduated college… or after… but that is fine too… just brings more of a delicious mix to the gathering of precious kindred spirits… with love~*~*~*~Sandi

okay everyone…
last night, we made a batch of
UNCLE MARGARITA’S MARGARITAS
(to go with our chips/homemade salsa & guacamole/and huevos rancheros ~ YUM!!!).
here is a WARNING:
before you have your first sip,
take TRACY’s advice (tip #5) and find a chair (i found a hammock)…
you will most certainly need one!
but, dare i say…
the best margaritas EVER!
(and this is coming from a girl who was once served a “forty-dollar margarita”)
we had NEWMAN’S OWN LIMEADE (premixed) and it worked great.
thanks J.P. for the recipe we will keep and serve for years to come!
~catie~

Kelly G……checked out your designs on your blog and they are wonderful. You are one talented gal. Sent your link on to a friend that works at a shop in Racine. Bet they’d love to carry your designs.
Prayers and healing thoughts to your brother.

Artist…
Yep! My in-laws took DH and I to a winery in the NC mountains (was a beautiful place and such a fun trip!) for his 21st birthday this year- It was a fun way to celebrate being “legal” for him.

I hope everyone had a nice Saturday! Here in Charlotte, we are enjoying the FIRST day of Sunshine in… well, a LONG time! My poor yard is partly flooded from all of the rain.

I’d better run… DH is building a fire in our firepit. Have a wonderful night, ladies!

Hel-loooooo -
My dearest CAMEO!!! Goodness, I have missed you!! I am “the hay” so busy… I posted a pic of my S-I-L and me on the Community. She is in town this weekend and there is sooooo much going on. I have been dropping in to read up now and then but I haven’t had time to blog. My hubby retired on Friday and my son has Senior Exams, Honors, Prom and Graduation in the coming week.
DESIREE? If I wasn’t a Wreckette before now, I WILL officially be one by next weekend! And HONEY?….Everyone one here knows that someone of your stature lounges on a THRONE! Never, I repeat, NEVER, in a mere CHAIR!!!! So straighten that tiara! I’ll be over soon! And NO ONE will need that JPM more than I!!!
YO HO HO and a bottle of JPMs!!!!!(with a bendy straw, perhaps???)
Missing you so…
Mary Ann

Oh JOY!!!! MY hubby is home !! Yeah!! Life is good today.
MYISHA, I hope your sale went well. Do share. I hope you weren’t near a petting zoo…but I doubt they have those in L.A.!! That’s probably just an Eastern NC thing! ANNIENB, hope your hubby is better. STEPH, so glad you joined us…I’ve heard nice things about you from your MIL. NICKI, did you find anything cool at any estate sales yesterday? Did you see my post in the comm. with the pic of the silver stand I bought with you? Thank you ALL for humoring me with all my pics of my new updated sunroom. I should have taken the photos in the daytime so you could see the pretty view through the windows. I wasn’t thinking!! A few of you had questions…LADYEM, I hung the stained glass and the picture from the window frame, not the shade itself. KELLY, the lanterns came from Pier 1 and World Market. ALso that bird box in the other vignette came from Tuesday Morning, a while back. The koi picture is not from ARTIST. I bought that one. I just loved the colors. CAMEO, so glad you liked my vignette with the tapestry…the last photo of yours inspired me to purchase it!! The truth is I actually do a lot without ARTIST…I just don’t tell her…I have to make her feel needed, you know, love. Hope you had a glorious day on the lake with Demi yesterday! MARY ANN, what fun stuff you have this coming week. Enjoy it all and take your Emergen-C!! ARTIST, Jacqueline Smith? Oh pleez…. Where’s MARY CLAIRE this weekend? Maybe she’s painting her foyer….
Have a great Sunday everyone..xoxxox

GRETCHEN!!! YEAH!!! Hubby is finally home!! HAAAPPPIIIINEESSSS!!! I’ll bet he loves the new sun porch and all the fluffing you’ve been doing to make your nest even sweeter!!!! ENJOY your day!!!
MARY ANN,…all those life celebrations,…all at once!!! WOW! I BELIEVE you can handle it quite fine!!!… Congratulations!!!!
xoxo Desiree

Hello Girls…with this GLORIOUS weather we have been having hard to bring myself inside to check on everyone…Hope you all are having a WONDERFUL weekend!

KISSES to all..xoxo

Woo hoo GRETCHEN! Sooooo glad your honey is back where he belongs! We’ll let y’all settle in a bit, then make some plans to get together!

STEPH — I do believe I know you! It was funny, cuz I was quickly scrolling through the comments, and I saw the name Nicki… and first I thought there must be another Nicki… then I read your comment… MIL Nicki… oh! That’s my Stephanie! How fun!

Well, ladies… funny little story… poking fun at myself, of course…. I recently found out that STEPH & her hubby (ds#1) had been reading the blog comments…(for who KNOWS how long ! LOL). And my dear children got such a KICK out of ARTIST’s mention that I must make a mean Margarita… cuz, truth be told, I have never even HAD a Margarita, let alone made one! Yeah, I’m practically a teatotaler (sp.)… or definitely a lightweight when it comes to drinking. LOL … In fact, when we went wine-tasting, the kids teased me cuz I needed to find a place to sit down after a few sips! Ha ha! Well anyway, they sure do get a kick out of me, and I don’t mind giving people a good laugh! (I know they’re laughing WITH me, not AT me!)

GRETCHEN~how sweet of you to notice that I was “absent” for a while. A nasty cold has zapped my energy this weekend but I ‘m feeling a little better now. I can just hear KELLY saying more EMERGEN -C!! I know, I know, I have to take it more regularly. Anyway, sooo good to chat a bit with you all. SANDI~ you have such a way with words and I just want to ditto what you said in the beginning of post 79! I’m so glad your hubby is back GRETCHEN!! That was a long stretch! I bet you two are enjoying a glass of wine on your fun new sunporch right about now. It turned out great!
Welcome to STEPH! How fun to share the blog with such a great MIL like NICKI!
ANNE-MARIE~ Yes! I’d love to meet with you all if it works! I’m going to be in the DElls for a volleyball tournament the 14th – 17th and it looks like i’d only be an hour away….just a thought….
CLAUDINE~ how was your mom’s bday celebration?
MARY ANN~ you’re busy! Have fun and i hope you might be able to drive up again if we can make a plan.
DAWN~ we’re doing a backyard re-do too! We’ll have to keep each other posted! We just decided to replace kitchen windows with a new patio door and expand the whole patio so I’m excited about that!
PAM~ sweet photos! just precious!
DESIREE and ARTIST~ you girls are so funny and were a blast to sit down with for a while!
MYISHA~ let us know how your show was!
CELINE~ Hope you’re having a good weekend! I saw what your hubby made for mother’s day on your website! WOW!
CATIE~you really liked those margaritas girlfriend!! Try as I might, I ‘ve decided that I just don’t care for tequilla.
OH MR. JOHN PORTER,… mixologist extraordinaire…. care to share the cosmo recipe that TRACY loves?? Hope you two are enjoying this beautiful weekend!
CAMEO~ your lake sounds awesome! What fun!
VIRGINIA~ Did you make up the word “Chillaxin’”?? tooo clever! that’s what I need to go do now!…with my throat coat tea – (that was a good rec. from I believe Mary Ann!)

ANNE-MARIE!! I am here, I have been lurking about and just very sick for 3 terrbile weeks! I hate to complain about it so I have just been enjoying all of your conversations while taking antibiotics, juicing and sleeping, etc.! It seems I have had a bad run of sinus infection, swollen throat, bronchitis, you name it. I hate being sick, and, as most of us know, being a Mom and being sick, just doesn’t work! It has been impossible around here, but my wonderful husband has been taking up all the slack with help from the grandparents and friends. I have been enjoying all the new pics everyday (and was able to comment on a few) and someday will post a few of my own to share. Thanks for thinking of me!! It made my day!! I am surely on the mend now. I really have to get better as my twins are graduating 8th grade in a week. Lots to do!

Welcome STEPH,…of NIKKI fame,!!!!….We are honored to have you here!!! Such a darling family!!!,….HUGS!!!
SANDI?? You LOVE me, you REALLY LOVE ME??? ,…thank you sweetheart!!!,… (SALLY FIELDS exceptance speech),…I tend to get a wee bit dramatic at times,….
MARY ANN??? Did you make it through?? ARRRGGGHH!!,…how you feeling today??? CHILLAXIN??….(HELLOOOOO VIRGINIA!!!,…you need to coin that phrase quick!!!)…..MARY ANN,…thinking of you pirate doll!!!….You can always join me in my puddle of blubbering tears if you need to!!!!,…
MARY CLAIRE,…I hope you are feeling better!! So happy to hear from you!!!!
KELLY!!!! Did PAM come out to see you to get little FINN going????
ARTIST???…practicing those close-up shots???
CAMEO???,…….I have to tell you,…the chauffeur ran off with maid,..(that’s what you get for hiring BRAD and ANGELINA look’alikes!)….I know, I know, NOT a smart move on my part! Remember- I’m not a red head!!,…..So, I am off to find a decent throne today,…a must have according to MARY ANN,….since I’ll need to do extra lounging with all the work I’ll have to do around here!!!!……Talk with ya’ll later!!
TRACY,….I hope you had a wonderful weekend!!!!
xoxo Desiree

Yes, DESIREE…
I really DO Love YOU!
(((gentle hug)))going your way my friend.
xoxoxo~*~*~*~Sandi

Thank You SANDI!!!!!!,…..Did I tell you that you remind me of Olivia Newton John? I LOVE her!!!!! I have seen her in concert many times. She is an angel and so are YOU!!!!
xoxo Desiree

I miss not getting a new inspirational video from you everyday… Please give us more!!