Camellias and Hope

I'm really big on the word on "hope" and signs and symbols in life. I also believe that things happen for a reason, even if we don't always understand the reasons or see the whys at the time. When I first bought my house ten years ago, it didn't have a lot of flowers. It was the first house I bought since being divorced, so it meant a lot to me. Since then I've done a lot of gardening. The camellia in the picture came with the house. And to be honest, one of the reasons its still here was because in the early days when I was working in my garden, it was too hard for me to dig out. But what I found out was that every year, without fail, the camillia blooms, usually during January. I always see those flowers as a sign of "hope" for the year I face ahead, kind of symbolic, you know? As of lately, I've been thinking a lot about the devastation in Haiti. I cannot say anything that hasn't already been said. Brande and I were talking the other day and she said to me, "can you imagine how much pain so many people are in with all the broken bones in their bodies and no help". Then she asked me, "remember how much pain you were in when you broke your ankle"? That kind of put it into perspective for me. I follow Jenny Doh's blog. She had a written a post about the luxury we all have of just turning on the faucet for running water. If you get a chance, please read her words, they are very inspiring. It makes you realize how much we all really have in our own lives, especially with the world the way it is today. I see "signs" in life all the time. Whether it is in nature, or random acts of kindness, those good things are out there if you keep "hope" alive in your heart. And if you can even donate a few dollars, that would help all those that so desperately need help in Haiti right now. Next time you go to your sink, and turn on the water, think about about. Never give up on "hope"!

"I Have a Dream"

Although this past Friday, the 15th, was Martin Luther King's birthday, we celebrate it today. A brilliant man, a brilliant life taken away too soon. Below are just a few of the lines from his famous speech, "I Have A Dream".

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
"I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood."
"This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."
"Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."
"Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

I often wonder, has this country changed? Are people still judged by the color of their skin? As we celebrate the birthday of this amazing individual who stood up for what he believed, my "hope" is that some day we can all live in this world as ONE!

Want vs Need?

Sometimes I see something and I really wonder what makes me have to have it, why? After all, I don't "need" it, but something inside of me really "wants" it! I know that when I saw the "204" painted on both ends of this tote, that was part of the appeal. That number is the address of my building, Country Roads. I know part of the appeal was the old rusty metal brads that hold this tote together, and the really cool rusty metal pieces on all four ends of the tote. If you are really into "junk" you will know what I mean! Even the interior has a great worn look to it. And the wooden handle has a soft spot on the top of it where its all worn down from all the times its been carried. I'm still not even sure where I'll put it or what I'll use it for. Right now its peacefully sitting on an old vintage childs church pew on top of my fireplace. I'm sure it will find its perfect spot in my home soon. To me, that "want vs need" thing is a big part of this business, and I know I'm not alone when I say that!

A Few Pictures Of Country Roads

I have to admit, this post is all about Country Roads. You know, some stuff like we are open every, single day except 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Meaning we will be open this Monday if you have the day off to remember Martin Luther Kings birthday! So, with all that said, if you want to see what we have in "the store", you can view the slideshow below. Hope you see something you like!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

When Cousins Are Like Sisters

It's hard to believe Morgan is already seven months old. The time flies by so quickly. Morgan is at the fun baby age, recognizing things, laughing, and at times a bit of a temper flare up just like her daddy! Yesterday I had both her, and Riley. They are cousins, but I have a good feeling they will grow up like sisters. Yesterday Riley was making Morgan laugh SO hard. I'm not sure what was so funny, but nonetheless, Morgan found Riley to be entertaining! Riley tries to teach Morgan many things, such has how to "pose" for pictures. As you can tell, Morgan is fascinated with Riley's hair, although Riley is not fascinated with Morgan pulling it. Morgan's hair is starting to grow, looks like it may be blonde. It was a fun afternoon as Riley kept performing to see how much she could get Morgan to laugh. When I spend time with both of my girls, I realize how quickly they are growing and changing. I always miss the little stages in life they go through, and briefly I become sad. But wait, then I remember in July, I get to start all over again with a new grandbaby. I'm kind of thinking this one just might be a boy! If I'm right, that will certainly define the meaning of a "three ring cirucs"!

Memories Behind Glass

I have the old lawyers book case above in my dining room. It isn't the type of furniture I normally have, but it belonged to my parents. I'm sentimental when it comes to the past and family. I was reminded of my collection of cake plates, glass and other odds and ends while reading the new Martha Stewart magazine. The pictures below hold memories of not only my parents, but my Grandmother's as well. She had the ceramic cats, which were passed down to my parents. And yes, as you look at the pictures below, I worked for Market Basket while in college!






For me, my house is not just a house, it is a home. I fill it not only with things I love, and things from the past, but people that I love as well! You should look at Martha's new magazine, that is one talented woman!

White Wednesday

Once again, it's time to wish everyone a happy "White Wednesday". With the holidays over, I guess I'm still in the mood to "wish" happiness upon others;0} Anyway, this "White Wednesday", I'm once again at my store, Country Roads. No particular theme, just some cool stuff that caught my eye the other day. Here are the photos I meantioned!






As always, I'm grateful for Kathleen's great idea last year to start our "White Wednesdays". Thanks Kathleen!!

I Love Rock n' Roll

I love music, all kinds, including rock n' roll. Have you ever noticed there just aren't that many famous female drummers? They are out there, but they never get the recognition like the guys do. You've got Shelia E above with Mo'Nique helping her out on the drums. Then there is Jen Lowe who plays in Jason Marz's band. There use to me an old saying that if girls played the drums it was so "unlady" like! Please!! You have to remember Meg White with the White Stripes. If you love music, how can you forget her? It's funny, I was reading somewhere that women in Iran are banned from playing drums. Just another reason to be proud to be an American. The other day, I discovered who just may possibly me the next famous chick drummer! Yes that is right.
One of my grandbabies will become rich and famous and be able to take care of her old Gramma while drumming away to one of my favorite songs by Joan Jett! I can hear it now in the distance. . .
I love rock 'n' roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby

I love rock 'n' roll
So come and take your time and dance with me!
I must admit, I am happy though that she won't be practicing at my house! Rock on Riley!

Monday Morning Memories

Here and there I've posted some blogs on Mondays about different memories, mostly of my parents. Over the week-end, my oldest, Brande, had written a really good blog post about her Grandpa that she never got to meet because of her dad, my ex-husband, Mr.Wonderful. Back in April of last year, I had made the decision not to write about Mr.Wonderful anymore. As "wonderful" as he still is, I know at times it was hurtful to my kids, and we all get to a point that we need to move on. I do my best to try and ignore and let go of all the things he continues to do to my kids. They are adults, and as hard as it is, I know I have to step away. This past Christmas was especially difficult. Every Christmas Eve my kids go over to their dad's for a couple hours. This past Christmas Eve, their dad pulled another, "Mr.Wonderful" on them. When Bryce, Justine and Morgan came home that night, I was sitting by the Christmas tree, having a drink and listening to Christmas music and enjoying the holiday. As you know, it doesn't make much to make me happy. I will never forget Bryce quietly sitting on the couch holding Morgan, not saying much. He finally looked up and said to me, "why does he do that"? It's difficult for a parent, even when your "kids" are grown to see them hurt by someone that has also hurt you for years. But life moves forward, and I "accept" that some things in life will never change and there will always be "Mr.Wonderful" episodes. It hurts me to see my kids hurt, but I'm a better parent to my kids by "letting it go". It's not my war, it's not my fight anymore. My kids are tight, they are strong, and I'm proud of them. Brande does a lot of different things besides the nursery, Johnnye Merle Gardens, at Country Roads. She teaches an art program after school, has a non-profit organization, Living Histories, and a few other things. She also writes very well. I admire her for pushing to know her family history on her dad's side of the family. Mr.Wonderful didn't share much. Me, on the other hand, I'm an open book, what you see is what you get. Below is a recent post from Brande's blog. I am very proud of the words she wrote below, and her determination to know her family history.

"I took some photos of my paternal grandfather home with me on Christmas Eve to scan. I’ve only ever had one or two pictures of him, and noticed my father had several I hadn’t seen when I was over at his house for the holiday. I’ve never known much about him; my father talks of him a bit more now, gradually forming a fuller picture beyond what I’ve grown up knowing. I had a basic image, things like his name, the fact that he played minor league baseball (he was a pitcher, and I have a baseball sitting in my office on which he wrote his stats from one of his games, my great grandmother had a several of them in her closet and gave them to us when my dad, grandmother, sister and I visited her, 99 years old, about a year before she died) and had a shot at the majors until being drafted in the Korean war. Frostbite took away that career – I had always assumed it was in his hands, fingers, but recently my father clarified it was actually in his feet and ankles – he couldn’t run like he once could upon returning home. He worked for a newspaper, perhaps the Orange County Register, I don’t know completely, my father is always vague about these things, a reflection, I guess, on his own feelings and relationship with him, which, even though he’s been dead over 20 years now, is probably changing. He never saw any of his grandchildren, never even met my mom – I was about 6 or 7 when he died, by that point both of my siblings were already born – and I can only assume, from what I’ve gathered from other family members, that was my father’s doing or choice, not my grandfather’s. Who knows. I’ve been angry at my father when I was younger to the point that I might have been tempted to do the same to him; it’s not in my place, I suppose, to blame him for making that decision. Time and aging and maturity is what shapes us as people, I think; in a strange way as my own relationship with my father shifts I get a better picture of both who he and my grandfather were and are. Anyway, really like the images themselves; the uniform photo I am assuming was his official ‘player’ photo for his minor league team, the second one I have been told was him signing his league contract."

This man above, Bill Jackson, who I believe I was "allowed" to talk to a couple of times on the phone but was never allowed to meet while I was married, was my kids Grandpa! He "IS" a part of my kids and my grandbabies "roots", and I'm anxious to see some more photos. Regardless of how you feel about some of your family, they are still "blood" and a part of you. Props to Brande for doing this! Makes me proud.

A New Week at Country Roads

A week ago, "the store" was trashed! We had been SO busy with the New Years Day sale and the following days after. Now, everything is put back together again. What I LOVE about Country Roads is all the different displays and merchandise. It is wonderful to have "something for everyone". Here's what I'm talking about:








When I first opened Country Roads on a rainy California morning back on January 2nd, 1993, we primarily carried country primitive antiques. Although that is one of my first loves, it is really nice to evolved to a business that pretty much offers "something for everyone"! I look forward to visiting with you all during this new decade of ours. And please know, I will continue to work has hard as I can to giving you a place to shop that you "deserve". Myself and my Country Roads family are "steppin' up our game" this year. I'll have some more great pictures later this week, please check back for more "Country Roads Eye Candy"