The weekend found us in Portland. We stayed at a beautiful Bed & Breakfast, Inn on Carleton, perused the city by foot, and attended the annual comic arts festival where Keith was a vendor.

Enjoying a picnic lunch on the way down by the water…

The Inn

Our room…absolutely charming!

Perusing the city of Portland

And then…there it was! A charming little Paris themed cafe!!

I cannot wait until our trip to [the real] Paris!!

Winding our weekend down…breakfast at the Inn…Umami.

further attempts at our self portraits…if Keith would cooperate, and the camera wasn’t so heavy and awkward, it would certainly make my life easier….

At the comic arts festival. Keith at his table…

…and where I met Rick Parker, the artist of Beavis and Butt-head. I now have my own personal Reggie/Matthew version of Beavis and Butt-head!

…and now we are back home, and I have to begin thinking about getting ready for the 3-11p shift today… [ugh]…Here’s to a beautiful week in front of us. Until next time…

-Jenny

Today I am grateful for clear skies, and no rain…

I don’t do it very often due to the cost, and the calories, but I love Dunkin Donuts french vanilla coffee, and an old fashioned donut. Of course they have much better donuts, but the old fashioned reminds me of my nannie.

A trip to the grocery store, and hardware store [where I spent a small fortune on paintbrushes]. Home to enjoy my coffee, and to read our weekly town paper, and saw myself…

Lugged furniture outside to begin priming. Here is a before picture of the bureau…

My sister gave me this bureau a few weeks ago. It is solid wood, and in great condition for it’s age.  It will live in the diningroom, and believe it or not…I plan on downsizing all of my scrapbook/rubberstamp supplies to fit into this bureau. It is going to be perfect!

After first coat of primer.

Fingers crossed that one coat of primer will do it. It is a lot of work, but the end results are so worth it!

…the bureau with one coat primer, and one coat Sherwin Williams antique white. I may need to add one more coat of paint before it receives a shabby sanding, and a coat of polyurethane, and new knobs. I’ll share a final completed picture as soon as I can…

Unfortunately I will have to do another coat of primer on the chairs, so that project will have to wait a few more days…

Well friends, I need to clean up after myself, figure out how I am going to get all of this paint off myself, and pack for a lovely weekend away with my husband. Here’s to a beautiful weekend! Until later…

-Jenny

Dreams are like stars…you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead to your destiny. -Anonymous 

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is watching A Christmas Story [multiple times] during the holiday. Maybe I should stress ‘multiple-multiple-multiple’ times. I am in the pursuit to add the Hallmark keepsake A Christmas Story ornaments to my collection, and here is my first piece: Poor Ralphie’s One Chance.

And an ’09 Hallmark ornament for the year Oliver was born. I cannot wait to decorate our diningroom tree with all the new ornaments…

Oliver was behind on his scheduled grooming due to his groomer enjoying a family vacation in Florida. He looks like an innocent puppy when his hair is grown out, and looks like an old dog when he is groomed short. He is just too cute.

This morning I met with the director of a facility and was given a tour of the facility, and this afternoon I had a similiar meeting with another director, administrator, and director of nurses in another town. Both of which went very well. A busy, but productive day, and I am so excited to premiere with my business website and information.

Much more to do before this days ends. Here’s to a beautiful weekend ahead of us!

-Jenny

Hello friends, and happy Monday. Sadly, it has been overcast here with the threat of showers, and it looks like this weeks weather forecast is riddled with rain.

I purchased an antique sideboard for the diningroom, and a wicker chair and table for the back deck and they were delivered today…

My list is slowly getting smaller, and my house is going to look lovely once completely decorated with the antique pieces that I am in search of.

I procrastinated a little, and finally pulled my letter together and mailed it out to local facilities, and this morning I received a call from a woman interested in meeting with me. If this clinical site takes place, I will be able to begin my business plans, well…a small portion of my business plans, as it appears people who work in the state government do not like to respond to their email, or answer questions/point people in the right direction.

Busy week ahead of us with work commitments, and a weekend getaway at a charming bed and breakfast, the Inn on Carleton in Portland.

Until next time…

-Jenny

Hello Friends! Another week behind us, and I am grateful for this beautiful day. Keith and I went to a couple of yard sales this morning, and we both found a few great things…

As you know I am collecting Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, and I found these three pieces: 1991 A Christmas Carol. Mrs Cratchit, Bob Cratchit, and Ebenezer Scrooge. I paid 50 cents each.

An adorable tart burner by Yankee Candle, regular price $26.99, I paid $4.00.

and a Christmas set from Yankee Candle, I paid 50 cents.

Keith received a personal thank you note from our First Lady. So proud of him.

 Work on our new back deck is going slow due to a week of rain!

Our lawn needs to be mowed badly…

 Hope your day has been as wonderful as ours…until next time…

-Jenny

The most important practical lesson than can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe. – Florence Nightingale

Yesterday I attended the Annual Nurses Tea at the Blaine House to recognize, and celebrate Nurses Week. It was a lovely event, and inspiring.

 The Blaine House

I was able to meet our First Lady Ann LePage, and presented her with a watercolor of Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center painted by my husband. Mrs. LePage is very family orientated, and has a special interest in our military, and their families, which I was not aware of previously. I found her to be very authentic, and charming, and feel blessed to have had the chance to meet her.

Tomorrow is one of those mish-mashed days that I do not enjoy. I go into work at my regular time of quarter of seven, head out at 0730 to attend a conference from 8a-4p, and finally, back to work until quarter past seven. The conference is perspectives on the aging. Looking forward to it, but I am sure I will be happy to get home tomorrow night.

Sadly, I have procrastinated so badly today, that I must focus, and work on my topic concerning the homeless population. Considering I turn into a pumpkin at 10pm, I think I need to get to it quickly! Until next time, the weekend is almost upon us, so be well friends.

-Jenny