A Welcome Home

Our soldier is home on break... and he is so glad to be back.

I made him a cheery patriotic sign to welcome him home.

He hadn't been home too long when we took this photo and he looks so tired, poor guy! The jet lag takes some getting used to.


We were coaxing him to try and look awake!

He's going back in about 9 days. Let's just say he's really been appreciating the good 'ol USA!

And we've been glad to have him back, especially dear Hubs.

As for me, I've been busy with Dear Bebe, having company (Ms. Daisy and family were here for T'Giving...hoping to get photos soon), and getting things ready for the holidays.

I just listed some items from recent antique excursions Mom and I went to while she was here.

Here are a few of my favorites:

We went to a local auction and found some great things... many of the items I took to my antique booth. There are things that sell better there than on my website. Like vintage toy cars for instance. Not a good fit for "Bella Rosa", eh?

I'd love to see what you've been up to .... I'll be perusing the blogs later on after Dear Bebe goes "night night!"

Cyber Monday

Black Friday is a day I used to enjoy when I was younger. Much younger. I now realize I need to stay as far away as possible.

Then along came Cyber Monday. While the world and technology is changing faster than I can keep up with it.... I have to think Cyber Monday can't be all that bad.

Just look at these sales:

Sitting around in my jammies without waiting in line? Free shipping?

Priceless!

The only problem is ... as I was trying to avoid the crowds...I finished my Christmas shopping early!

Is it too early to shop for me?

How about you?

Do you shop on "Cyber Monday?" I'd love to hear your take on it.

Turkey Day Prep - Can I Chicken Out?

It's here already! The week of Thanksgiving.



I always think it's going to be easy. But then I realize... it's not!





I'm talking about hosting dinner.



Each year since I've been married I think we've hosted...and even when we were dating we hosted. I actually used to cook but then Dear Hubs started to show a little sign of KCF (kitchen control freak *gasp! not DEAR HUBS!*) and we switched roles. I decided it wasn't worth arguing over a turkey dinner and would visit with my visiting family instead... plus my Step-children liked having food they were used to instead of how I made it.



But this year my Step-son is coming home from being overseas. Yeah! We are all excited to see him. And Dear Hubby is especially excited. So, this year we're all going to pitch in and help cook.



Now, if I could just get my house cleaned in time.

Antique Dealers Need Inspiration, Too

Most of the blogs I visit highlight the crafts talented artists create for their own enjoyment or to sell. I enjoy looking at them all... I just don't have time to craft right now.

The time I do have is spent with my sweet Dear Bebe who demands a lot of my attention. Then when I get a chance, I go antiquing.

And believe it or not, antique dealers need to be inspired too. One of the places I shop is where we have our own antique booth in Hershey, PA.

This dealer ALWAYS has the neatest and most unique little vintage items. We are amazed each week to see what she has found and has on display. Lots of eye candy!

She is what we would consider a "higher end" antique dealer. But sometimes the price is right and I buy something out of her lovely case of treasures to sell on my Bella Rosa website. Just look at those beaded purses! Ahhhhhhh!

I hope you enjoyed a little peek inside my antique world!

It's Beginning to Look Like...

CHRISTMAS! Well, at least on my website.

These are just a few of the vintage holiday items I found recently.
I thought it was great to find little angels with roses on them!

Getting in the mood! But, we wait until at least after Thanksgiving is over. When do you start decorating?

God's Eraser

Years ago my Dear Sister gave me a devotional bible which I've been using ever since. This past week I came across one which had a great story:

A Gramdmother had been standing on a hillside with her Grandaughter watching an airplane while it was skywriting. The little girl wanted to know where the letters disappeared to. While the Grandmother tried to come up with the words to explain to this little four year old, the girl exclaimed... "Ill bet Jesus has an eraser!"

Out of her innocence comes a great piece of wisdom. When we ask God for forgiveness and let Him be the guide of our life, he wipes away all of our mistakes. No one is perfect which is why we all need "God's eraser."

For more inspirational posts check out Charlotte & Ginger's blog...Spiritual Sunday.

Working on the Blog

Slowly but surely I am taking small steps towards combining the two blogs that I have. After getting ideas from you all... (thank you very much by the way for always lifting me up and encouraging me) I think (note I'm not committing to it yet!) I like Bella Rosa Antiques by Jillian for a title.

And I have been playing with new backgrounds and a blog header.

Getting more and more used to the idea all the time. This could be fun!

Twilight ~ Not that Great

After all of the hype and "hullabaloo" surrounding this movie, I finally watched it.



Before you read any further...don't hate me if you LOVED it.


It was kinda weird.


I can appreciate the basic story about girl sees boy, boy sees girl, they meet and fall in love.


Maybe I'm just from a different generation and I really CAN'T appreciate this movie style....the dark dreary color and foreboding tones.

And speaking of tones, I did notice the pale makeup job on Edward's face .... and you know how? It was obviously not done well.

But I think what bothered me most (besides the whole vamp premise) was why they fell for each other. I just wasn't buying it. Edward was you know, moody and dark.... and Bella, well, what made her interesting? I mean, really!



So my rating for this movie is just a mere 3 popcorns. Not sure it was worth all of the hype.





A little late, yes. But just in time for the next movie to come out...which I probably won't get around to seeing until next year. If at all.

Let me know what you thought of it... and what other movies you've seen lately.

Hello, Bella Rosa? I need a job.

Not too long ago I was in the car with Dear Bebe about to leave for the grocery store.

My cell phone rang. I looked at the number and didn't recognize it...and the area code was from another state. (For some reason, I tend to get a lot of wrong number calls.)

Since it is the number I use for my website, I answered it anyway.

The young man's voice on the other end said: "Hello, Bella Rosa? Are you hiring?"

I giggled and said "I'm sorry but this is a one man band."

He sounded desperate ... as though he had been calling a long list of phone numbers and this had just become routine. He sort of laughed and said "OK!" And quickly remembered to ask my name before hanging up. I guess when collecting unemployment you need to show who you called.

I felt bad for him but I also remembered a time when I was fresh out of college and couldn't find a job in my field. I had to work two jobs in retail to pay my bills until the real thing came along. Which took awhile.

If he adopts the same "can do" attitude, he'll be okay too.

In the meantime I'm going to keep my "can do" attitude, as well!

Maybe someday I'll have a big enough business I can hire a caller who says "Hello, Bella Rosa? I need a job!"

Serenity

Often in life I find myself repeating these few lines as a reminder:



God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;


courage to change the things I can;


and wisdom to know the difference.


But I didn't know about the rest of the prayer until recently:

Living one day at a time;


Enjoying one moment at a time;


Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;


Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;


Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;


That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him


Forever in the next.


Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr