Counting Our Blessings - Link Up!

What a blessed week I had! I hope your week was full of blessings, too! I'm always so amazed at how God shows Himself in so many ways - large and small. We just have to be watching and keeping our heart open Him!

43.  It's been a very poodle week and that's always a good week. :) I found these adorable things at WalMart when I was with my hubby. Can you believe it? Aren't they just too cute?

A ring holder and a little box with poodles! They were very reasonably priced and so I got them both. I just adore the colors and, of course, the poodles!

Then after our Mother's Day dinner, we popped over to TJ Maxx to check it out. I have never been there and wanted to see what it's all about. I was very pleasantly surprised to find this!

Cute, huh? It's quite small so I won't be using it to drink coffee out of (I need a big cup of coffee! lol) but will use it on my desk to put some of my favorite pens in. I'm so happy to have found this!

44.  Speaking of poodles, we had the girls groomed with our favorite groomer and they came out so cute! She does such a fabulous job and I'm so glad I was able to find out where she's working now. Here's a picture of them.

Poor little Mitzi's ears get so tangled, even tho I brush them daily, that they look quite think from cutting the lumpy tangles out. She's slowly growing in her adult coat so this will get better, but right now, she looks a little pitiful. I adore her, tho, so her ears don't bother me in the least. Such sweet girls!

45.  I had the best Mother's Day - actually I got two days of pampering! We relaxed on Mother's Day and the guys put a casserole in the oven. I didn't really want to eat out on that day because I knew the restaurants would be packed and I'm not a crowd type of person. We did head out to Goodwill to check things out and I found this:

A really heavy duty lap table with a side pocket for my pens! This one is extra special because if you see, it has those silver clips on the top. That's so I could do this

Put some of my favorite pictures under the thick plastic cover. Don't you love this? I really needed a lap desk. I had one, but the top was so thin, it finally cracked and I couldn't use it anymore. This one is so thick and well made, I'm sure I'll be using it for years. I just love that I can put pictures under the cover, too.

46.  On Monday, we went to a restaurant that we've been hearing about for years but have never been to. Oh, my goodness...it was SO good! Plus the prices were really reasonable, which is always a plus. I think it's going to be our new favorite place to go! Then we went to TJ Maxx where I got the poodle mug and this

Aren't they gorgeous? Sticky notes and flags that are Parisian themed! I just love them! Again, very low priced so no guilt about getting it. I tend to be rather frugal and love to find a good deal.

We then went to the library where I needed to pick up some things on hold and popped into the little store they have there where they sell used books, cd's and dvd's. I found this beautiful old book for only $1.00!!

It didn't have a price on it, so I was very concerned that they would want a small fortune for it, but nope! Only one dollar!! Yay!

47.  I had such a lovely week. I had one day that I slept until 1:30 in the afternoon...I know! I'm still recovering from the past year and still have days where I will sleep and sleep. This day stands out, though, because I woke up, looked at the clock and it said 10:00 (or so I thought - I wear glasses and can't see very well without them). I got up, looked at the clock again, and it said 1:30!! What a shock! I guess I shouldn't look at the clock until my glasses are on! lol I'm so thankful that I can sleep when I need to, though. It so helps me when I'm really feeling weak!

What are your blessings? I'd love for you to share on the link up! You don't have to actually link up with your blessings - if you have an encouraging or fun post on your blog, I'd love for you to share!

An InLinkz Link-up

Blessings - Julie

Thrift Store Finds!

I used to be a regular thrift store shopper. A regular garage sale junkie. Every weekend you would find me out at the garage sales looking and finding little treasures that we could use for a fraction of the cost. I also have my favorite thrift stores here that I would regularly haunt. I love a bargain and if I can buy something I need, or want, for a fraction of the cost, I'm a happy camper!

The other day I had to go to the doctor for a checkup and when I left, I thought I would go over to one of my favorite thrift stores. They had recently moved and I hadn't been there before so wanted to check out the new place.

One of the first things I found was this

I collect Marjolein Bastin things. I love her artwork and have been a huge fan for years. I think I've only bought 2 of her pieces brand new - all others have been from thrift shops or yard sales. I loved this because it came with the easel and it looks like twigs. A perfect easel for natures artwork. I have this on my bookshelf in my room where I can see it. Love it! I paid all of $1.29 for it!

Next I found these coasters. I needed to replace my coasters as they had seen better days and I even had one crack in half. I really like these because they are the absorbent kind so there's never any drips that accidentally flow onto your table tops. These four coasters were only $1.89 for all four!

Of course, I headed to the book section. No thrift store excursion would be complete without a look around at the books. I found these four Christian books!

Do you see that book on the top by Elizabeth George? She is one of my favorite authors and I am always shocked when I find one of her books used. They just don't show up that much. Here's a tip, though. The Elizabeth George book was not with the Christian books. A lot of times, thrift stores will put a book that has "woman" with the women's section. I always check the women's section and I always check the "Self Help" section. A lot of times they don't know that it's a Christian book and they just put it wherever they think it fits. Unless the person putting out the books is a Christian reader, they don't recognize certain authors. I have found a lot of great books that haven't been shelved with the Christian books.

Last, but certainly not least, I found this

I have been wanting one of these forever! It's a Tupperware veggie tray with a container in the middle for dip. Now prepare for a shock. I paid $1.29 for this!! It's in great shape and will be so wonderful for my Bible studies, the pot lucks at church and for home when we make tacos. I love it!! I have another tip for you, too. When you purchase things like this that you're going to serve food out of, or it's something you will eat directly out of, wash it with a bit of bleach in the soapy water. This will ensure that your item has been sterilized and is clean for use. I've been doing this for years and everything always comes out beautifully and I know it's clean.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my little finds. I had a good time, I didn't spend much money, and I got some really great things!

God bless you - Julie

Totally Blessed

I thought I would give you all a smile and post a picture of my precious - Sammy Joe. Isn't he a doll? We rescued him from the pound 4 years ago and he has been one of the best dogs we've ever had. He's a Parti Color Cocker Spaniel. He was such a mess when we brought him home. He had been horribly neglected (and we think abused), but with lots of love and kisses, he has blossomed into a wonderful friend. He loves to sit in the chairs with an afghan. When my hubby was recovering from his heart surgery, Sammy slept in bed with me. He wasn't too happy when hubby came back to bed, but he has a lovely bed we bought him at Costco a couple of years ago and I washed it (with Downey, of course) and he loves the smell of the Downey and went back to his bed without a peep. I just love that little guy.

My visit with my sister was so great. It always goes by way too fast, though. She had to go to work today, so they had to get back. They live 4 hours away so they left about 6 pm last night. We got to spend about 4 hours with them, though, and it was so wonderful. My sister is really my best friend and confident and I'm so thankful that she is not only my blood sister, but my sister in Christ as well. That, dear friends, makes all the difference!

Okay, are you ready for one of my "thrift store, yard sale find" stories? Oh good, 'cause here it goes! Hubby and I went out to breakfast together - just the two of us alone. *sigh* Just heavenly!! Anyway, afterwards, I said, "I wonder if there are any yard sales today?" He says (as I knew he would), "Well, we could go and see and go to a couple." So, we head out and follow a box to a yard sale. OH my - guess what I got? You'll never guess, so I'll tell you. I got a Precious Moments figurine for 50 CENTS!!! Yes, you read that right - 50 CENTS!!! I looked it up on the internet and it retails for $80.65!!! Can you believe that? Here's a picture of the figurine I got:

Isn't that cute? He has a paper he's holding that says, "Check yes or no". So, so cute! And did I mention it was only 50 CENTS???!!!

Speaking of Precious Moments, my sister brought me my Christmas gift because she didn't want to ship it and risk having it break. It's a Precious Moments Water globe with the nativity in it. I absolutely love it!! I think it's so special that she got me something for my collection. She's such a sweetheart! It's really, really pretty.

I'm so enjoying my Beth Moore study, "Experiencing God". It is a wonderful study. Of course, I haven't done a bad Beth Moore study yet. They make me grow and bring me closer to my Lord. I am so blessed to be in the group that I'm in at church, too. It's a great group of ladies and they so bless me every time I go. I am so totally blessed in so many way. I'm so thankful to God!

God bless you ~ Julie