A Very Special Birthday Gift and Person in my Life

I wanted to do a separate post about these birthday gifts as they come from a very special person in my life. She is married to my brother Brad and her name is Josette, "Jo" for short.

Jo and I have been working on our relationship for over thirty years, and at times it was rough and rocky and seemed like any real relationship was going to be unattainable...but neither of us gave up. That is what has made out relationship so special! We have come so far in the last few years and this last year has been especially wonderful.

Neither Jo or myself come from large families, even though we both wanted to! So her mantra has been basically, "this is all we have...so love the ones you are with"! She has been so right......it took me a long time to understand that theory but our little family unit is very special in so many ways!

If you have ever been to Jo's blog My Gramas Soul you will see that Jo likes to surround herself with beauty. She is an artistic creative soul who sees beauty everywhere! I had seen her cloche and just loved it, and so she gave me one for my birthday...isn't it lovely? I have to find the perfect item to put beneath it!'


When my folks passed so close together and I took their home apart....I left so many of my Mom's things that I couldn't bear having at the time. Jo was wise enough to keep some of those things that would mean so much to me in later life. One of those things was my Mom's cake keeper. I had made a comment a few months back that I would like to have it now. And left it at that. So on my birthday she came to my door with this:

It is banged up and dented but means so very much to me, I remember a lot of birthday cakes being stored in this keeper.
I was so happy to receive this! I am at a point in my life where I want to use and enjoy my Mom's kitchen items....I feel her near me when I use them.

And the sweet little card was made just for me....and in the inside it states with the cutest stickers " PLEASE USE ME".

I want to take this time to thank you Jo for being the best Sister in law and friend a woman could ask for....I love you very much!

Oh boy! Presents!

Today I am so excited! I have been so busy with the room, that I forgot to introduce you to my latest pet!



May I introduce you to : SISSY!


I have loved this sweet blue gingham elephant ever since Meri made her.....When she put her on Etsy, I was so sad.....but then, Meri came to see me on my birthday and she had Sissy with her! HAPPY DANCE!!!! Have you ever seen anything so cute?????? She is so special to me! With her sweet little hat and big yellow bow....she is a very happy girl! She has a special spot in my room.....

THANK YOU SO MUCH MERI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Then, Meri was going to come by today and we were going to finish the last of the organizing, but she feels punky today so I told her not to worry, but she said she had something for me anyhow and would come by for a minute....This is what she had!

Another sweet Valentine/Birthday gift! Since I have the bad arthritis in my hands, I have trouble gripping things so she went out and got me a wonderful think soft gripped X-acto knife! Along with the Martha Stewart Tweezers to help pick up those little tine things! Along with some embossing tools too!

She is such a good friend...she takes really good care of me!

Then yesterday this sweet package showed up on my box from Joyce at Scrap for Joy.....she had read my post about the Necco wafers and she found these for me! With one of her wonderful hand made Valentines!

One package of each! Why this photo refuses to load the right direction, I have no clue...but you get the idea! Thank you so much Joyce for thinking of me!

And remember I told you I had gotten a very sweet box from Elizabeth at Creative Breathing???? Well, this is what was inside.......

That's right a couple of Elizabeth's wonderful Valentine birdies! Their beaks had come off, but I will just glue them back on! They are going to be perfect sitting on my desk, while I get busy!

Thank you Elizabeth, they were a wonderful surprise!!!!!

I feel so blessed to have people out there that think of me......it makes me feel very special!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!