My second home

Last night a monstrous tornado ripped through my college town of Tuscaloosa, namely the street I lived on for 3 years.



The tornado was reported to be almost a mile wide and a f-4 tornado.
Last I heard there were winds up to 200 miles per hour.



This is a pic of 15th street someone posted last night right after the storm. My dear friend heather and I loved the Japanese restaurant that was on the right, Hokkaido may you rest in peace.



Here is a before and after of Mcdonalds on 15th. To the right hand side you can see the hospital in the distance. The hospital is reportedly running on backup generators and can do so for up to 15 days.



The next few pictures show such destruction the area is completely unrecognizable to me.









This is the side of an apartment complex.



Here is another angle.






Another small apt complex at two different angles


These were the sidewalks my husband and I would walk our sweet puppy on.


Another view of the hospital.

Not too far away (maybe 3 streets over) is a very small section 8 housing community located near the hospital. I don't know at this time how severe their damage was but my heart is aching for these low income families.



This is 15th later this afternoon.

I have called all my friends still living in ttown to check on them and did not reach them via phone but have seen them check in via Facebook and twitter.

For the families of the ones who lost their lives I am lifting you all up in prayer.


Alot of these homes were inhabited by college students (I am sure not many had renters insurance and lost almost everything)


A current student posted these pics tonight around 5 pm. This is the base of a massive powerline. Notice how large the hole around the pole is. Apparently these poles were swaying like palm trees and the winds knocked them loose from their holdings.



Schlotzky's deli nearly demolished.



A students second floor apartment.



A home completely removed from it's foundation and replaced by a car.

What a powerful and mighty god we serve.

I hope each of you will join me and lift the lives of each affected in prayer.

I also didn't realize until today how much Tuscaloosa had of my heart.

If you would like to help you can "like" crimson cares or toomer's for Tuscaloosa on Facebook and find out where physical items an manpower is needed most.

My husband and I are hoping to go down next weekend and help in any way possible.

Feel free to comment if you want to join, we r in the process of booking hotel rooms in Birmingham now.

If you would like to give a monetary donation:

You can #donate to the Alabama chapter of the #RedCross by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 $10 will be added to your next phone bill.

The news i read/ heard today was:
To my best knowledge roads from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa are still blocked and the National Guard has been brought in to help control the crowds at this time. UA has ended the semester without exams, graduating students will walk in august.

All displaced students can go to the student rec center for shelter and the university is offering shuttles to the airport and encouraging all students to head home due to extensive power outages.

Tuscaloosa holds such amazing tradition, pride, and so many precious memories for so many people.

Give an extra kiss and hug to your loved ones tonight. We will prevail!!

The Breakup

Ever had that feeling when you walk into a store

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You know...

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The one where real life kinda stops, you get lost in the music playing, the perfectly orchestrated displays and the sea of color around you?

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I used to do this with a local shop. 

I could walk in and dream of what I would hang above my couch, where I could find a place for that lamp, why I needed a little "ditty" to come home with me. 

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Well.... I took the plunge and bought local.

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Actually something I rarely do. I usually shop online for just about everything.

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On a random evening I happened to be in the part of town this store is located in and I stopped in and on a whim took the plunge and bought the runner I had been dying to have for my entry way.

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I left overjoyed, elated... sooo excited my new runner would be with me before I knew it. 

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I waited, and waited, heard nothing from the store, so I called to check on my items arrival date (after all they did have to order it for me) 

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"Good girl" I told myself, "way to support local businesses"...

After 17 days I decided I would pop in the store to check in and see if they knew how much longer, It was the week of my birthday, I was treating myself to a little something with some birthday money I had received.

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The usual girl who helped me barely noticed me, not even a usual hello.

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I proceeded to purchase myself a necklace, and my two yr old behaved exceptionally well this day.

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When I inquired about my {larger than normal} purchase all three people snubbed me and told me it takes a while. 

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Actually I knew what they were doing, they charged me shipping on the item and were waiting on other special orders so they could group them all together and not be charged shipping and pocket the extra fee.

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I got a haughty "sorry not here yet, should be here later in the week"

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I left slightly upset to get 3 street lights away for one of them to call and say, "oops, it was in the back, and has been for a while." {remember 17 days.}

So I actually picked up the phone and called the company. ahem... Dash and Albert. If I had ordered direct I would have had my item in 5 business days, paid $20.00 less for the rug, and been charged no shipping. essentially saving almost $50.00.

{how about them apples}

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I considered contacting the store owner and letting her know of my little dibacle. 

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When I saw her out I thought to mention it, but she happened to be so snobby and rude I decided it was time for a breakup.

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I will miss the displays, and the music.

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I will feel guilty for not supporting local businesses, but now I know I get my item on time, it can be returned, I won't be charged shipping, and hopefully deal with a nice person in customer service... and who doesn't love opening a beautifully packaged item??

Ever had to breakup with your favorite store??

What happened?

Spoiler alert

Anyone else aware its a mere 4 days until Target releases their Calypso St. Barth's line. 

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Apparently this collection has caused quite a rucus in the fashion scene.

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The clothing is all 100% cotton, linen, and silk.

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YES please!!

{don't you want to schedule a small giveaway just so you can use this bag??}

So.. I did some digging to see just what will be available in stores.

Racked.com did a great article on their "look book" of the collection.

Click here to check it out.

{holy POUF!!}

I am pretty pumped to see what's in store and do a little online shopping as well.

Any of you as excited as I am??

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I didn't go as crazy as I would have liked to during the Liberty of London time last spring so I plan on taking full advantage this year!!

What will you be buying??

Copycat

When I knew I needed something bigger for the main wall in our den I was originally thinking a painting.

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Then I saw this guy...

$319.00

homedecorators.com

Thanks to the wonderful Reichel @CopyCatChic she posted this and I was able to snag almost the same mirror for 49.95. (i think the style has changed because mine "foils" like shown in the picture above but the new "flatter" style is still available)

And the winner is...

According to Random.org the winner of the Stila lip gloss is....

Mallory of Mal-lious.

Congrats. Make sure to email me your address @ jenn32404 @ aol{dot}com

Spring Time.

Lately I have felt like the worst mom ever...

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We have been so busy with everyday life that I have forgotten to take pictures of my sweet little girl. 

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We all know how it is, you have the child, take a picture of every flinch and reaction then they start to get older and you either 

a)forget the camera
b)remember she/he is a toddler and they won't cooperate for a decent photo

Do others of you feel this way too??

All that being said we set out last weekend to a local fotog fave spot and snapped a few quick shots of lil bit.

singing school songs... {zacheus was a wee little man action shot}

definately a "mom stop taking my picture" moment.

she did this on her own... she really makes me laugh.

I am still editing the others... can't wait to share... 

 Have you entered the stila lip glaze giveaway?? it ends this saturday!!

A few of my Favorite things.

I know a few posts back i mentioned doing a small giveaway series on a few of my favorite things. 

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First item I have to share with each of you is one of my favorite things that I always have with me. 

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My Stila lip gloss!!

so... I thought I would share some lip "glaze"  with one of you.

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To enter...You must follow this blog and simply leave a comment and one lucky winner will receive  a tube in raspberry!!.

{appox. $20.00 value!!}

**giveaway will be open until saturday and on Easter sunday a winner will be chosen!!

{winner will be selected via random.org}

Speechless

On the way home from a wedding tonight my husband and I were listening to the radio. I can hear a song 100 times and not think about it. 

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But right now these words are really rocking me to my core. 

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HE is Jealous for ME.

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Me???

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I am truely without words.

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We serve such an amazing God.

he calls us, wants us, desires us, and is jealous for us. 

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Then he takes our lives and circumstances, mistakes and uses us, molds us and shapes us into who he created us to be.

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Just let that marinate as we move into Palm Sunday and realize what our savior did for us many many years ago.

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Share Your Project

Yesterday Emily @ Jones Design Company is hosting a "Share your Project" Painted Wallpaper party.

You should all stop by and get some incredible inspiration from around blogosphere!!

Here is a Shot from here incredible office.

And here is the link to my master bedroom project.

{click on the picture to go to the original post}

don't forget... we are 1 person away from a giveaway!!! 

tell all your friends!!!

Word Art

Have y'all seen the word art starting to pop up on etsy and in blogosphere??

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I liked them but they weren't quite me. 

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{via etsy}

{via etsy}

{via facebook}

First thing I did was find a quote I liked to use. 

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1.Typed it up in word in a fun font I donwloaded from kevinandamanda.com

2. Painted the background on the canvas.

{now looking back I should have painted the other images underneath but hindsight is 20/20.}

3.Then  I used Mod Podge to glue the pieces of paper on the canvas.

4. Added a few whimsical flowers and squiggles and TADA!!

For those wondering this is an Audrey Hepburn quote and one that I adore.

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For beautiful eyes look for the good in others, beautiful lips speak only words of kindness and for poise, walk with the knowledge you're never alone!!!.

LOVE !!!

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Happy Day to each and every one of you.

{did you notice someone's room got painted?}

Tulips

I am overjoyed to now be able to find tulips everywhere. 

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When we invited my sister and brother over for lunch today after church I knew this was my excuse to get some fresh flowers.

aren't they pretty??

(notice anything new?? like some botanical prints??)

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Don't worry I am headed to the store now to purchase 2 more frames to add to the collection.

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I think I have an obsession with picture gallery walls.

A storm,stairs, and suprise!

We are off to a crazy week so far!!

Yesterday brought straight line winds and with that an interesting drive home. (I tried to tweet some of the images last night but my twitter account won't let me attach them, hrm?)









Yea there is a house under here!



It's pretty much craziness!!

In other news we got the double door stairs built for the deck so on the project home front we are moving right along!



Now, off to my house to discover if we have power.

Ps. If we reach 100 followers this week I will host another great giveaway!!