I Usually Don't Start with the Christmas Stuff Until Mid-December, But...

...then I stopped by Suebee's house today. She's already started with magnificent results!

I hope she posts some of her early ideas because they are INSPIRED. And she has! Check her out and come back for more in the next few weeks. 

I was so impressed that I made one little area of holiday cheer to get me in the mood.
(please excuse the quality of the pics - in reality they look better - I think!)

Nothing spectacular, but whenever a candle is involved everything looks better.

Oh, and what is that in the background, you ask? You can be sure I am using my table-top chalkboard that didn't sell (yay - kind of).  I'm having fun coming up with "inspirational" quotes - I'm still learning how to write with chalk as beautifully as my children's teachers did. It's hard!!!

Nevertheless, the Boston household is evolving from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  But most importantly The Maven finishes her exams next week, is feeling more confident and then can relax with friends and finally enjoy all the goodness of the season.

Meanwhile, Darcy asks: "what are you going to get me for Christmas this year?  Hmmmm?"

Does coal come in the shape of a mouse? JK, Darcy...

Please Indulge Me One More Time....

The pro pictures of "the wedding" have come back.  My new daughter said it was okay for me to post a few here and I can't help myself since it was such a beautiful day for two beautiful people.

Right after being pronounced "man and wife"

Uncle Richard (aka Mr. Connor), Orlando Grandma, The Maven, Sammy, The Writer, Mr. Tennis and me, The Boston Lady!

Mr. T giving a speech at reception. I love Sammy's joy!

The wedding party.

My son and my second daughter.  The new Mr. and Mrs. W!

Thanks for letting me show a couple more photos from such a wonderful day involving so many great people!

Post Thanksgiving Fallout

We ate and then we slept!

Panda

Miss Darcy

Hope your Holiday Weekend was enjoyable and relaxing...

Our special guest, Zuul controls the Bostons and Uncle Richard catches up with Rolling Stone and George Clooney.

Next week, back to reality!!  And a new roof at Boston Manor!

This is How Darcy Rolls For Thanksgiving

Went to clean the second bathroom today in prep for guests for Thanksgiving.

Had a little extra help this time....

Four paws and two hands make for light work!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family from The Boston Family.  We have many things to be thankful for this year.

Happy Birthday in Memory of My Father

November 22, 1918

the birthdate of my father, one of humankind's most unique, intelligent, generous individuals.

That's me and him at a company party in most likely 1961.

He wasn't always easy to live with or understand, but what he left behind was a legacy of which I know he would be proud.

I've done past birthday posts in his honor and if you have a moment and want to see, please click here for last years' and here for my first post about my quirky dad.

This year I'm going to be short and sweet because he was not a man who would want a fuss made over him, but would just want to be remembered.

 And that we do.

Look Who's Home For Thanksgiving!

With the return of The Maven for Thanksgiving week comes her trusty sidekick, my uber-cute grandkitty, Darcy.

I have arrived and there's new stuff to sit under and jump out from.  It's gonna be a GREAT week!

Look how big she has grown.  Now a little over the one year old mark and she is almost 11 pounds - she outweighs her Aunt Bumby now.  

But that doesn't mean Bumby doesn't get the respect - oh yes she does!

Others in the house have different, or should I say indifferent reactions.  Panda's life is unaffected, thus she doesn't care.

Just throw this ripped up smelly toy 1,000 times 

and I don't care if that fluffy upstart stays forever~

Sadie is confused by the furry body that hurtles about the house and retreats to her bed for more down time.

I don't really MIND her, she's just so energetic and well,

cat-like...

Bumby has taken to lecturing the youngster...

Looks like Darcy is unimpressed with all of Bumby's "wisdom".

...and then dozing off, hoping to awaken to a world without Darcy.

I'll just close my eyes and when I open them, SHE will be gone!

Shnope!

Darcy just does as she pleases.  

Sleeps in her new favorite spot and enjoys all the extra attention.

I have this house SO figured out.

Darcy out!

Thanks to all my wonderful bloggy friends who left words of encouragement to me and The Maven on my previous post.  We have straightened our shoulders, taken a deep breath and are ready to take on the next few weeks with a  positive attitude and eventual success!

Power of Positive Thinking - Does It Work?

We are in countdown mode here at Boston Manor.  Our daughter, The Maven, is on track to graduate from University in 29 days.  Of course, there are exams ahead and the usual daily stresses.

What does one do when it just becomes overwhelming?  Or when it seems impossible?  Or that it will never come?

What to do when someone who has struggled valiantly for the last several years over various obstacles thrown in her path encounters yet another seemingly impossible mountain to climb?

Those family and friends that know The Maven know what an incredibly strong, resilient and positive young woman she has become through much adversity.  But her confidence is shakey at the moment and she needs all the positive vibes the world can provide to her.

I've chosen to not worry, I've decided to instead focus on thinking positively and channeling my energies towards making things better for her and encouraging her not to worry and to just focus on her classes and look forward to what is sure to come in 29 days - college graduation.

I know my good friends here and out in blogland will send some positive thoughts in our direction.  And I thank you all for that.

29 days and counting.

A Small Peak at Chic & Shabby at Fancy Flea!

Chic & Shabby, aka Suebee and Kathy, had great success at this fall's Fancy Flea in Lakeland, FL yesterday.  I was lucky enough to tag along for the fun and play with the money and price tags while they did their thing!  What is their thing?  Well, constant movement and staging to present such prettiness as this:

Vintage evening gowns, lingerie and wedding dresses...

I'm going to let Suebee tell you all about, she will have her take on it up soon, I'm sure.  Look for her on my blog roll, or simply click here


A long day of fun and seeing old friends and new:

Hi Jennifer! That's her on the left, that's me with the bad hair day going on!  Jennifer has a blog too and it's a lot of fun to read:  My Daily Swoon.

Thanks to Chic & Shabby for including me in the fun and to Country Mouse and CG for stopping by (and hauling more stuff from O-town).

11-11-11. Happy Birthday to Mr. Tennis!

Although some think that these numbers are sinister, we in the Boston household and family find that they are incredibly lucky.  Mainly because they represent Mr. Tennis' birthday.

We realize, humans and animals alike, that our lives have been so blessed by this wonderful man.  He is just the epitome of decency, honor, patience, generosity, intelligence... Okay, okay, I don't want to make you sick, but anyone who knows him, knows that I speak the truth.

Old picture, but we are still the Fantastic Four!

Fantastic Five now that we have a new member of our crazy club!  Actually that number could be infinite because of all those who love and respect Mr. T.

I am very lucky to be married to Mr. Tennis!  Happy Birthday from ALL of your family!

Books, Books, Books....Everywhere.

While reality has kicked my behind this week and I haven't gotten ANYTHING done, I realized that once again I have the perfect material for Claudia's

Please stop by and join the fun.

I once had a nice display of books-to-be-read in my bedroom.

Since I redid the table that this ladder/bookcase rested upon, this is the new display for my books-to-read:

Bumby approves.

Now, I have to run off to more reality

 and will catch up with everyone else's Reality Shots later today!

Lots of Fun at The Flea Market at Art Angels

It was an early start Saturday morning.  We started setting up in the dark about 6:30am.

CG's daughter, E, graciously stopped by to help us set up our booth.  Thanks E!

We had a really rocky groundcover.  I had brought rugs to put down, but we felt that would have made things worse, so we settled for warning people as they browsed through our goodies.

Suebee and Chic were there and their booth was just beautiful.  Like an island paradise under the tree.

You can see by their "merch" why they are called Chic and Shabby.

They are pros at this and will have a booth at Lakeland's Fancy Flea next Saturday.  Visit Suebee's blog for more information and more pictures..

They even came over and bought a few of our things.

That's Suebee on the left and CG on the right.

The Christmas houses were a big hit with Chic! (inside joke - don't worry she is still my friend)

We sold a good bit of our things, still had a lot left over.  CG and I see a garage sale in our future....

This was a small Flea Market and was a lot of fun to try our hand at such a thing.  Met lots of wonderful people and the weather was perfect!

Flea Market, Here We Come!

For better or worse, both my car and Mr. T's are loaded for our early wake up call to set up for the Flea Market at Art Angels here in Orlando.

Think he will make it out of the carport without taking the chairs out?  We checked, it's okay.

CG's van is similarly loaded and we are ready.

We think.  

It's our first time at one of these things and we have no idea how it will go.  My house is gloriously empty at the moment, but I have a feeling some of these "treasures" will return home with me.

We shall see.  

I promise!  We did a dry run and the chairs clear.... that wouldn't be fun at 6am now would it!?

Wish us luck!  Bringing camera in hopes that I won't be too crazed to take pictures and document this momentous event. LOL.