Blog Buddies

When in the dumps....

get help from a blogging friend.

See that cute painting above?

It was done by my friend Cindi of

Old Black Cat Boo

Cindi works at a veterinary clinic taking care of everyone's animals as her day job.

She comes home to a cute little cottage full of rescued animals.

She's a great writer and artist and has started selling some of her cute 

paintings on Ebay.

Like that one above.

This one too. The auction ends soon and it is perfect for Halloween.

Cindi and I are always encouraging each other.

I hope you'll go by and see her other paintings on Ebay and perhaps bid on one.

Cindi's Paintings on Ebay

Cindi takes care of so many animals that need to be cared for.

She cares for customers' animals like they are her own.

Actually, she has quite a few of her own because you would not believe how many people 

bring their supposed loved animal into the vet and then want to just leave them there.

She recently adopted a sweet little dog just because it's owners were tired of her.

Cindi couldn't bare to see the little one go to a shelter.

Poppy - happy in her new home with other family members and Cindi.

And this is the second dog this summer that was in the same situation and she had to take them in.

Earlier she adopted a little dachshund whose family just didn't want her any more.

Unbelievable how uncaring some people are.

But you know what? Cindi comes out on the winning end of this situation because her life is full 

of love and inspiration from her furry family.

Just go take a look at her little paintings. 

I'm sure you'd enjoy her blog too.

Old Black Cat Boo

Now...that I've helped a fellow blogger friend....I'll tell you about how a fellow blogger helped me.

I received a little help today from Amy of Maison Decor 

which was followed by help from some of my readers.

I spoke to Amy last night on the phone.

I was telling her that my hours have been cut at Pier 1 due to the fact

that they've hired holiday help.

So until the store gets busy for the holidays, all our hours are cut to allow room

for the new people. 

That's ok....except I need the extra income.

As it is now...I never have extra money for house projects and crafts these days.

I was complaining to Amy that if I just had money for supplies, 

I could do some wonderful things to show on the blog.

But I feel so stuck....trying to make ends meet.

House expenses and dog expenses...and you know how it goes....we've all been there.

Amy suggested I put a donate button on my blog and maybe those that 

value the blog would pay a little so that I can make the blog better.

I had another friend suggest I should do this but I just felt so weird about it.

But they are right...I spend a lot of time on the blog and my posts and projects would be 

so much better if I had the money for supplies to make things.

So...I did it....I added a donate button.

Don't hate me. I know it's tacky as hell.

Amy is a great friend. Her blog is one of my favorites.

And you know she opened two Maison Decor stores in the Boston area recently.

You can order Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint from her

and she carries Annie Sloan Chalk paint too.

Oh...I wish I could open the Oklahoma City branch of Maison Decor....wouldn't that be fun?

Her blog is full of ideas on how to paint furniture.

She also does paint workshops on how to use the paint.

Wish I was close enough to go.

I've been too poor to even try either paint...in spite of the fact that I have several things 

here waiting to be painted.

I'm also going to start offering blog design.

I'll be doing Amy's next week.

She has been wanting it redone.

I have designed many websites in the past and of course I designed my own blog.

So I'm going to offer my services to others.

Truth is...if I don't make more money soon....I'm going to have to go back to 

the corporate world where I'll be working so much....this blog is going to 

significantly suffer. 

I've tried to do a great blog and work 60 hours a week and it does not work out too well for the blog.

Anyway, keep me in mind if you need a blog design.

I'll be posting about that in the coming week.

I designed this blog too.

http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/

You can't imagine how much I appreciate all your support.

All of my blog friends and readers got me through the roughest year of my life last year.

I can never repay you for that. 

Thanks to all of you that have donated already. 

Unbelievable....really how kind you are.

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Fall Decor

Time to Start Thinking about Fall

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Hard to believe, isn't it? That fall is just about upon us.

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It's still super hot here but by the end of the month things will cool down greatly.

Funny how I dread the change in weather each season.

I get used to going without a coat and having on cooler clothes and next spring

I'll feel weird about giving up my coat and sweaters and tights.

Especially tights...I love them...because they keep my legs warm.

Right now I can't imagine ever wearing a pair again. 

But I will.

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It's time to drag out all my fall stuff and change the house up.

It's hard for me to feel like doing it when it's still so hot out.

But I know the urge will hit soon.

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Gosh I wish I had a huge white urn like that to fill with pumpkins.

I just love this porch. You can almost feel the cool crisp fall air in this photo.

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Have you been following Amy's journey over at 

http://maisondecor8.blogspot.com/2012/09/bonkers-in-bostonits-success-and-our.html

She opened her second store location in Boston over the weekend and it's a huge success!

Interior of Maison Decor - Boston

She's a retailer for Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.

Dogs are welcome in the store and they came in droves.

Dogs are very into french decor it seems.

The other day when I talked about fake Mr. Perfect Blogger Husbands....I didn't mean

Amy's husband. He truly is the perfect blogging husband.

He's up for every idea of her's and provides the support she needs to get her ideas accomplished.

Which usually means transporting furniture and stuff she buys for the store.

Amy has said she knows how lucky she is...because she's had it the other way.

I'm so happy that someone I know really does have a great husband.

She has said in the past that she is almost hesitant to mention him on the blog for

fear people will think she is overly romanticizing their relationship.

She knows she is very very fortunate.

I hope Amy didn't think I was lumping her in with faux blogger husbands when I wrote the other day.

I really think there is probably a higher percentage of supportive husbands on the blogs.

Not that many don't embellish or leave out the bad stuff...but the husbands that enjoy 

renovation and vintage things are going to be the ones with wives that also share

that interest and blog about it.

But then there are others that wrote to me and said they don't mention their husbands on the blog

because they aren't supportive. 

And they feel like they are struggling to be creative in spite of their spouse.

I've been there too....trying so hard to accomplish what I want to do with a partner 

that is totally against everything you are trying to do.

Right now....I'm just glad that I can do what I want and there is no one to tell me different.

No one to keep happy but myself.

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