This Is A Pet Lovers Service Announcement

Hello there Bloggers, Readers, Spectators, Looky Lous,

 How are you doing this fine Thursday evening?

 I hope all is well in your neck of the woods, beach, dessert, island.

I would like to make an announcement. On the first of every month I will be doing a pet lovers link up. This is a blog that you can write about any pet you own, it doesn't have to be cats and dogs, but that's all I have for now so that's all I write to. I hope to own a goat one day :) maybe some chickens? No cows in my future though, I'll leave those for PW.

 I'm so excited because tomorrow marks my second link up called,

"Letters To My Pets"







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Heres the deal:

1. Write about your pet, to your pet, post pictures of your pets... this is basically just a link up to find other animal lovers out there. And then link up your blog where it says, Link Up Here:

2. There are no rules, except the obvious which is that you should at least own a pet, and I would appreciate if you let me know if you are a new follower here so that I can follow you back.

3. If you want to grab a cute lil picture and spread the word that would be so AWESOME! I'm really proud of my lil "Letter To My Pets" button image, made to function by this beautiful lady herehttp://aholeistodig.blogspot.com/ 

4. And finally please... Invite people to this Pet party, because the link up runs for a month so the more, the merrier. 

See you tomorrow :) Pet Lovers <3 

The Greatest Gift

There are so many things I am thankful for this week.

I'm thankful for my daughter Emma who turned 14 this week.

I'm thankful for this city where I live.

I am beyond thankful for my date with My Giant last Friday night.

For me it's really easy to be thankful. My list could go on and on. I have 4 healthy children, My sister is coming to visit me tomorrow(WOOT WOOT!), I am currently enjoying a piece of Theo's Coconut Curry Chocolate with white wine, while typing on my Maccy Laptop, from my cozy comfy cabin in the woods.
There is nothing that I want.
There is nothing that I need.


But when I stop and think of all the other people who walk this planet who don't have health, who are hungry, who don't have homes, or family to come and visit them, I am reminded that all that I have been given, has been given to be shared.

All the love I have in my heart, is to be shared.
All the hope that exudes from my being because I know my Creator, is to be shared.
All the faith that I have that my future will be good no matter the outcome, is to be shared. 
So my prayer dear beloved reader is not to brag about all the things I have to be thankful for with this list, but to share with you that the REASON I am thankful is because I have been given the greatest gift. 


And it's not where I live.
It's not how many children I have.
It's not who I am married to. 
No, the greatest gift is this;John 3:16


Don't you roll your eyes. 
Don't you start ignoring the rest of this post because you already know what lies ahead.
Don't you dare.


Do you know dear beloved reader that you are loved?
I pray that if you don't you would look at the words that come from the best-selling book in all the world that say, "For God SO loved the world(that's you) that he gave."


There's a gift in that sentence.
There's a treasure in those words. 
Don't miss out on it because you have heard it before.
Listen again.




He didn't take.
He didn't ask for something.
He didn't tell you how to dress.
He didn't say don't talk like that.
He didn't say you have to look like this.
He didn't require anything from you.
All of those things are what man has done to require payment for this free gift.


You see my salvation from being 
ungrateful
discontent
and constantly looking for the next thing I can brag about to make my life look grand is this gift.


So I leave you with this quote, from one of my favorite movies;Moulin Rouge
"The greatest lesson you will ever learn is love and be loved in return."




He SO loves you that HE gave. 
Can you be loved in return?

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Blog Question?

I have been wondering something my dear beloved, devoted, readers...

Inquiring Minds(That's ME) Want to Know...





Currently, I have been answering via email when I am on my phone or in the comment section at home on the computer.
But today I got wondering which do you prefer?

Personally, I like the comment section because sometimes what goes on in the comment section can be as interesting, if not more interesting, than the blog post itself.
But then another blog friend said emails because then it's private. Also the comment section is hard to get to on my phone, whereas an email is Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeezy! But then I feel like I'm being rude because there is whole comment lingering thing in the comment section that just drives me nutts! But then I wonder if I answer you back in the comment section does Blogger send you an email saying I answered you back?

Do you see why I needed, I had to, I wasn't going to sleep until I found out the answers to these questions?

I know it's earth shattering news like this that you come here for right?

Well, if you would be so kind as to answer my little poll up there I will sleep better tonight.


OH and YOU ARE THE BEST!


ALSO HAPPY HUMP DAY!

Intro to my Love/ Hate button and A NEW LINK UP

Hey There Blog Happy People do you feel like sewing on another button to your blog?

Well I would like to introduce you to my second blog button link up called the LOVE/HATE button.

It's basically a link up to what you might have a love/hate relationship with.

I have for several years now done posts about some love/hates in this life, like for instance;

I LOVE my dogs.

I HATE all the fur they shed.

I LOVE my blog.

I HATE making buttons for my blog.

I LOVE eating cupcakes.

I HATE cleaning up the cupcake tins. I really do.



ARE YOU READY to LINK UP? HERE'S The 411:

1. It doesn't have to be a whole blog about LOVE/HATES it could be either, neither, tomato, tomoto,potato, pototo, or... just link up... have fun and get to know your fellow bloggers LOVE/HATES.

2. There are no rules to this link up, cause those are meant to be broken. But if you are so inclined to follow me because of this link up, would you please let me know so that I can follow back.

3. If you want to grab the LOVE/HATE button so others know what you are doing grab the code and paste it whereva! I'm not gonna check. Don't have time for that.

4. Have fun, get to know people that's what a link up is for :)



<a border="0" href="http://www.noelsbeautifulife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i363/wifeysinger06/Love_It__Hate_It_button.jpg" /></a>

My Secret Love Affair

I have a secret love affair with Value Village.

To protect the innocent, and because I am just such a silly girl, we will call him VV from here on out.

VV and I have been dating since I moved here almost 3 years ago.

VV beckons to me through out the week.

He says...

"Come see what my half price color is today."

I seriously get giddy, like pee my pants giddy, (Ok maybe not that giddy) when I find the half price color, AND it's actually something I want. It's an addiction people. I might need an intervention, but moving on...

He calls out...

"Come use that $3.00 off coupon that you got for dropping off clothes because you were trying to simplify."

Does anyone else out there have a thrift store that beckons to them through out the week? No, I'm the only one. Huh... you all are missing out. VV is a might fine lover boy!

He sings to me...

"Come use up that 30% off stamp card that you filled only because you spent 5 dollars for every stamp."


Can't you hear the song? Hey VV can SANG let me tell ya!

He makes promises...


"You never know the treasures that might be here waiting for you, I promise not to disappoint you."


Sigh... VV you are so hard to say NO to.

Especially when it's a Memorial Day sale and everything is half off.

So are you wondering what I bought yesterday at the Memorial day sale?
Well, I will tell you.

I scored some new records.

Normally the records are a buck. A BUCK people. But yesterday everything was half off so, yep I got Huey Lewis and The News for a mere .50cents. Can you say, good times?!!

And then I wandered over to where I picked up some buttons, yarn, and crochet needles all for like $2.oo. I love filling up my sewing basket with new buttons and odds and ends all for under a dollar. And yes I did get my sewing basket that is so bad ass from VV.

I feel that sewing basket is so bad ass it deserves a blog post all it's own. Don't you agree?
Can you believe how much VV loves me to give me such a bad ass gift?
Sometimes, I just like saying bad ass. Don't be offended. I still love Jesus.


Well, and while I wasn't looking for any hair accessories, (Christeeny if you are reading this look away) I happened to find this lil guy that I'm wearing sporting the no make up look and eating a Birthday goody.

Ah... VV I love you. Thanks for always being there for me.

So I guess my Tip for this Tuesday is if you are looking for anything really, check the your local Thrift Store first. You might be surprised at what you find, and you will be supporting the "Go Green or Have NO Home" movement, by Re-using !

*if you are planning on doing a google search for a "Go Green Or Have No Home" movement after reading this blog, you will be coming right back here. That pure genius comes from yours truly :)

Happy Tuesday!

Linking up here;

Happy Birthday to my Emakins, Emmers, EMlou, Emdilem,Emmfaifs...

She made us parents for the first time 14 years ago.

She made my mom a grandmother for the first time 14 years ago.

This picture makes me weepy every time I see it.


She made this little boy an uncle who was so happy to have someone else to play with 14 years ago.

She made our first Christmas with children magical 14 years ago.

She has worn many hats in her lifetime of 14 years, but none does she take more seriously than being the first. And I will be forever grateful to her for being seriously the best first born a parent could ever hope to have.

I would often say of Emma that she was the child that made us think, "Pshh this parenting is a piece of cake! " because she is THAT GOOD!

It's been 14 years of firsts.
First baby to walk.
First baby to talk.
First toddler to yell, "No" at us.
First child to go to school.

First time to go to the hospital for stitches.
First child to teach how to ride a bike.
First child to be a big sister.

First to graduate Elementary school.
First to go to Jr. High.
And now the first to enter High School.

Emma THANK YOU for making me a mom.
For being who you are.
For making this parenting role seem so easy.
For reminding me of God's goodness.
For being amazing at everything you put your hand to.
For being an incredible older sibling and example to your younger sister and brothers.

Happy Happy Birthday My baby girl.

I love you.

Linking up here :Monday Meet Up

here:Mom's Monday Mingle

and here:Miscellany Monday.

On Being Italian

I am completely partial to the part of my heritage that is Italian. Even though I am only half Italian, some from my mom, some from my dad, I may as well be one entirely, because I just really love the "way" they choose to live life. I talked a lot about ways to live life earlier this week found here, His Way, but one of the other ways to live life is the Italian way :)

It's not that I don't have other countries running through my veins it's just that something within me identifies so very much with the Italians.

I can spot an Italian a mile away. Last night when Mo and I were out on our date I met some fellow Italians. Our new friends Bogart from New York and Nancy from Brockton MA. became instant friends once we got talking all things East coast and then all things Italian big families. I love this about Italians as well. They are a very welcoming lively bunch. I identify with that.

I like the way the Italians think. I like that they don't need a reason to relax.
One of the main things I loved about the book/now movie Eat, Pray, Love is this quote;

"I once asked Luca Spaghetti if Italians on vacation have the same problem.(Not being able to relax)He laughed so hard he almost drove his motorbike into a fountain. "Oh No!" he said. "We are the masters of il bel far niente." This is a sweet expression. Il bel far niente means "the beauty of doing nothing".

Don't you just love that? The Art of Doing Nothing. I can so identify with that. This is one the reasons I love Sabbath day so much. To do nothing is to be reminded that we were created to be a Human "Being" not a Human "Doing".


I'm not even gonna get going on the food, the language, the beauty, the joy for life, children, vino, art....
because today I am practicing...

Il Bel Far Niente.


I'm wondering if you dear reader have identified more with a certain part of your heritage? I really would love to hear about that.
Also what do you feel about "The Art of Doing Nothing"?
Do you think that is a good "way" to do life?

Today I do nothing, tonight I will eat Italian food with the my Italian friend Vita , and Life will be celebrated for the pure sake of LIFE.

La Vita Bella!

Friday Fun with Philipé

These are the recorded adventures of Philipé the Monkey. As photographed and recorded by Solomon and Isaiah. Story told by Mom with creative liberties taken from the original story.


Once upon a time there was a Monkey named Philipé. He was a good monkey who lived a life full of adventure.

One day Philipé set out to take a nice ride in his VW bug.

It was a beautiful day outside and he was feeling a little bit risky so he drove with the top down. He was a risk taker, that Philipé.

Because it had turned out to be such a nice day he decided to head to the beach for some good times surfing.

But suddenly he was stopped by some fierce opposition, and he began to run the other way.

He was about to get away when suddenly he was stopped at the bottom of the table by another strange man wearing a mask. Who said, "Hold it right there Philipé the monkey!"

Philipé had never been so scared in all his whole entire monkey life.
What was this black masked man going to do? Where was he taking him?
Why did he make Philipé ride at the front of the car with the hood open? THIS IS SO DANGEROUS and Kind of Fun thought Philipé! Because after all he is a risk taker.

Just when Philipé thought all was lost he saw his other monkey friends out of the corner of his eye. He suddenly began to feel much better.

But then the strange masked man began to tie a rope to his tail. Philipé was wondering why his friends weren't coming to his rescue? And then suddenly he was hanging upside down over a pool full of Piranha.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT FRIDAY.

This episode of Friday Fun with Philipé is dedicated to our sweet Savy Rae Rae.

Insta Friday

Hello there. How was your week? No really, how was your week? I genuinely want to know.
Oh. Do you want to know about my week? How nice of your to ask. Well, my week was great. Really great! I got to meet up with an old friend on Friday.

That's us in the picture up there in downtown Seattle. I'm the one in yellow. She's the one who looks so happy that she's glowing. She's in a really great spot in life right now. You can read about some of that hereLinneas-quill. I couldn't be more happy for her if I tried! That lady is a gem.

After my visit with Jeni, I was then whisked away to Hawaii for a surprise Anniversary trip.

No. No I wasn't, but I had you going there for a minute didn't I?

We did however have a big birthday Luau for my May babies. Who are now 14 and 12. Well, technically Emakins isn't 14 until Monday but ya know we celebrated early.
This is only the second time that they have shared a birthday party. The last shared birthday party was when they were turning 7 and 5.

Her birthday is the 28th so this is what I said to her all week, "Emakins, Emma Lou, Emmafaifs, no more birthdays for you! I mean it! Listen to your mom. No more."
It doesn't quite have the same reaction that it did 10 years ago. She's on to all my tricks this one. Can't get anything past that very bright intelligent young lady right there.

The Luau's big hit was the bamboo structure that Moses and Dan built in our garden area. I took more pics on my regular camera, but I can't seem to download them... arghh so frustrating. It was truly beautiful, for one night only. The rains came the next day and made it all droopy. But for that one magical night, my girls felt celebrated. And I got weepy thinking that it was only yesterday that they were 5 and 7 sharing their day together. Back then it was so different. They actually stayed together and played in the same groups. This night it was very apparent who the almost High Schoolers were. It was also very apparent that birthday parties for big tweens and teens... SO NOT THE SAME as for the lils! You are rendered useless at big kid parties, other than to be a warm body that smiles and waves at the parents that come and go.

BUT all is not lost. The little boy right down there, he's 7. He's my baby and he still falls for my tricks. YES! I have one left who likes to take evening walks. One left who likes to look at slugs and snails, and puppy dog tails.

It is snail/slug season here.
Snail/Slug season = Wet. I like wet, just not wet and slime. Snails= Wet+Slime=Eww. But strangely enough, I am fascinated by these wet slime buckets, and I can't seem to get a close enough pic of one.

We caught this one taxi cabbing a lady bug. Made me think of the song "Come on and take a free ride" I wonder if this Mr. Slug was thinking these lyrics;

"All over the country, I'm seeing the same
Nobody's winning, at this kind of game
We gotta do better, it's time to begin
You know all the answers
Must come from within
So, come on and take a free ride (free ride)
Come on and take it by my side
Come on and take a free ride"

I'm thinking slugs might have those kind of thoughts, Ya never know. I mean really, who knows?

I wonder what my dog Riot, aka Briot, aka Bryan, aka Darkness is thinking about when he sleeps...Standing Up? I mean it's kinda creepy. He comes over to wherever I am sits down and falls asleep. It's also very cute. He's so cute. Standing there. Sleeping.

One of the most exciting events of the week besides seeing Jeni, the Luau, the Major Life crisis I'm having with my girls getting so big, the snails, slugs, and my dog who likes to sit up and sleep, was our Red Rhododendron Blooms. Say that five times fast Rho do den dron... Rho do... Ah heck I can't even do it twice.

Anyway they are absolutely stunning. I am ever in awe of this flower. It looks to be so tropical doesn't it? Like it belongs in Hawaii. Makes one wonder how it got all the way up here? These are thoughts that keep me up late at night.

No, No they really don't. Did I get you again?

And finally, the creme del creme. The icing on the cake. The moment captured in time. My pups looking OH so cute, Naughty because they are not EVEN supposed to be on the couch, but still so cute. I will be writing them a letter come June 1st. Don't you worry, I have some goods on them this month. Something involving a parmesan cheese can. Grab a button, and Join up here June 1st for my "Letter To My Pets" link up.



Hope every last one of you had a wonderful week. I really do. But if you didn't have a great week, next week is bright and shiney, fresh with no mistakes in it :) And YAY it's the weekend!

Thanks for joining me for this episode of Insta Friday.