~SNEAK PEEK~ TAG SALE~

~ARE YOU READY FOR OUR TAG SALE???~

YES!!!! EVERYTHING YOU SEE IS FOR SALE at our TAG SALE this WEEK!!!

I am ALMOST DONE SETTING UP.....but still have LOADS TO GO!!! TWO Garages Full and starting on a 3rd one tomorrow!!!

Friends and Family get to come "early" on Wednesday starting at 5pm. No early birds, that way, everyone gets a chance at buying.

Will take more pictures as I get the rest set up!!!
Hugs and Love, Amy

(PS....WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES....Tomorrow, Mother's Day will be the day one year ago I found my lump, one week later, I found out I had breast cancer and 3 weeks after that I was having my radical double mastectomy and getting ready to start chemo. I CANNOT THANK ALL OF YOU for EVERYTHING YOU HAVE and CONTINUE TO DO FOR ME!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME) HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY DAYS AHEAD!!!!

~I LOVE FLOWERS~

~HAVE YOU SEEN THESE???~
~OH MY GOODNESS~
I saw the commercial on FOX TV today for http://www.proflowers.com/ and you would not believe the GORGEOUS FLOWERS THEY OFFER and VERY REASONABLE TOO!! And they have FREE WEEKDAY SHIPPING!!! Also, more savings if you enter the code FOX in the upper right hand corner of the website where it asks if you have seen them on tv.
I just might buy some for myself.
Today's weather was FABULOUS, WARM AND SUNNY and the last time I threw up was at 5:30am this morning.....LOOKS LIKE I MIGHT BE BEATING THIS FLU!!!!!
Have a great rest of the week and don't forget to stop and smell the roses!!!
Hugs and Love, Amy

~FABULOUS LADY AWARD~

I have been awarded a MOST FABULOUS LADY with a warm loving heart AWARD
From Deena.....THANK YOU GIRLFRIEND!!!!
I dedicate this AWESOME AWARD to all you fine ladies out there in blogland....please feel free to take the picture and post it on your blog because YOU ARE SIMPLY FABULOUS!!!
All my Love and Hugs, Amy
(PS....I once again have the stomach flu and pneumonia, this too shall pass, I have been drugged up on all kinds of RX medicine to get rid of this bug and I need to get a moving on my tag sale.....I HAVE TWO garages full already and I still have tons to go....I will take pictures, I promise. In between the puking.....LOL)

~1877 VICTORIAN RELIGIOUS GROTTO COLLAGE~

HOW COOL IS THIS????

I just listed it on eBay and it's over 120 years old, VICTORIAN ERA!!!! GORGEOUS SATIN, GLITTER and MILLENERY FLOWERS. Only $9.99/No Reserve so EVERYONE has a chance to win it!!!!

LISTED ON EBAY RIGHT NOW for $9.99/No Reserve

HAPPY SUNDAY!!!
Love and Hugs, Amy

~146 New Treasures @ FourSistersInACottage.com~

~VINTAGE LINENS/FABRIC, BABY DOLLS and PRETTY PLATES~

ALL FOR SALE AT http://www.foursistersinacottage.com/

Have fun and THANKS for taking time out to visit "Our Cottage".

Hugs and Love, Amy

~KRISTI'S Senior PROM 2008~

KRISTI'S SENIOR PROM 2008 ~Kristi's Dress was AQUA and CHOCOLATE, Scott's Tux had CHOCOLATE and AQUA Accents!!!~
~WOW....I LOOK REALLY REALLY OLD!!!!~
~MISS MADDI and KRISTI GIRL.....Maddi took the picture below!!!~

Makes me cry seeing that she just turned 18, went to Prom and is graduating May 25th.

WHERE DID THE TIME GO???? LOVE YOU TO PIECES KRISTI GIRL!!!

Love and Hugs, Mom

Bonus Sister Alex and Maddi with Scott and Kristi!!!
APPLE TREE....TREE APPLE...Kristi was voted "CLASS CLOWN" just like her Mom was 24 years ago her senior year.....LOL....I LOVE THIS PICTURE....It's SO US!!! Bob always says, Kristi and I are 2 peas in a pod.....IMAGINE THAT!!!!

~Plain old sick~

~Plain old sick~ Oh I have been sick with the flu and now going on day number 5. I haven't been able to take any medications for the past few days and if I am not better by Monday I have to go see my oncologist. Not sure what's going on but I am nauseated (threw up a few times), dizzy, hot and cold sweats and that general bone/body aches and pains.

I'm here, I haven't fallen by the way side but it sure has put the breaks on finishing up the website and getting ready for my huge sale.

Have a great weekend.....Hugs and Love, Amy

~MY HUBBY, THE FIREFIGHTER~

~~~ONE MORE REASON WHY I LOVE MY BOB~~~

Gentlemen,
On March 30, 2008, at 1706 hours, you responded to **** Western Road, for a citizen assist. Mr. V R telephoned today and asked me to convey his appreciation for the compassion, professionalism, and excellent patient care that all of you provided for him.
He credits YOU and the JCAS paramedics for your persistence at the scene, and I quote Mr. V R, "They, saved my life. I wouldn't be here today if they hadn't insisted on transporting me."
This is a great example of how our agencies work together and provide top-notch patient care. Please accept my sincere congratulations for a job well-done!
Best regards,
Chief R

PLEASE GET TO KNOW JACK!!!

Please click GET TO KNOW JACK....

Livestrong Little Guy, I'm thinking and praying for you all the time!!!! YOU ARE SO LOVED by SO MANY!!!

Hugs and love, Amy

(Jen, Jacks Mom, had met my friend Terri's, daughter Madison before she died and said she thinks of Madison so much...Madison LivedStrong but her little body just couldn't take it anymore and she has passed away)

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE LITTLE KIDS FIGHTING CANCER....CANCER SUCKS and I KNOW THIS FIRST HAND!!!!

LIVESTRONG!!!!

~And the WINNER of the MARCH GIVEAWAY is...~

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

BETSY from Averill Park, NY

I met Betsy years ago on the AOL Mary Englebreit Bulletin Boards. Boy Betsy, I am thinking that had to have been 11 years ago because I was still married to my 1st husband.....LOL....

CONGRATS!!!

Make it a good day everyone.....

Hugs and Love, Amy

~FREE SHIPPING~MARCH GIVEAWAY~WHERE IS THE OLD AMY~

~FREE SHIPPING MAKES US SMILE~DON'T YOU JUST LOVE FREE SHIPPING??? I know I do and so I decided to add FREE SHIPPING from now on to ALL OF MY ETSY store purchases. (less shipping for overseas) I will be adding new treasures to etsy weekly and EVERYTHING will have FREE SHIPPING (in the USA) no matter if you buy one or 100 items.

Also, today is the LAST day to enter my MARCH GIVEAWAY (winner announced tomorrow) for a $30.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE to http://www.foursistersinacottage.com/ you not only use it for treasures on our website but you can put it towards shipping too!!!

Have a HAPPY SUNDAY!!! I am off to mark more treasures for my HUGE TAG SALE!!! Pictures, times and days will be posted here!!!

WHERE IS THE OLD AMY....I AM HAVING A REALLY REALLY HARD TIME even looking at myself in the mirror.....I know I will never be the "OLD AMY" with the long hair and energy and strength I once had....it's sounds crazy but this past week, I feel that I am mourning a death....the death of the old Amy and it's really hard for me to let it go!!! My body really looks like SHIT.....sorry for such a strong word but yes, I am being vain and I want my OLD body back.....CANCER SUCKS...even after they cut it out of your body (can I say I feel more mutilated than anything else), even after chemo.....even after they tell you, you are cancer free and send you on your way.....CANCER SUCKS.....it SUCKS EVERYTHING OUT OF A PERSON....IT SUCKS IT SUCKS IT SUCKS!!!

LOOK HOW DAMN SKINNY I WAS, that's part of the white cupboard behind my back, Bob and I going out on a HOT DATE!!!! He SURPRISED me and had my girls go and pick out the dress, shoes, and jewelry to take me out on the town. I WAS SO SURPRISED as it's really hard to get things past me!!!!

TODAY I AM THANKFUL:

Melted snow

Music in my CD Player playing today, Jackson Browne, Little River Band, Toto

Music that Motivates Me

Maddi girl who is on Spring Break this week

Sleeping in on Spring Break

A working washer and dryer

Bob, who made it possible for my huge old limestone fireplace to be fixed and brought up to code and we have now had 2 fires in the past 2 days.

For Bob, who, even tho we can have some pretty good fights, stopped me yesterday, looked me in the eyes and said, "I don't care if you have some extra pounds, I don't care if your hair never grows back, I don't care if your teeth are falling out, , I don't care if you can't do all the stuff you used to be able to do, ALL I CARE ABOUT IS THAT YOU ARE ALIVE and HERE WITH ME to share another day." WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?????

Paint.....and old trim....because my mind loves to DREAM of the possibilities with both.

Find your glass half full or running over and Make it a GREAT DAY!!!

Why cry over spilled milk??? It just means you had plenty to drink!!!

(NOW, if I could just put my BIG GIRL PANTS ON and get over this old Amy issue)

Paying it Forward.....Love and Hugs, Amy

(What we have given to Freecycle.org so far: Working Fax/Copy Machine, 5 rolls of darling Apple Wallpaper, All my breast cancer books and information in a brand new pink bag, FIVE 30 gallon contractor bags of WORKING/No pieces missing TOYS, BOOKS and GAMES!!!....BOY THIS FEELS GOOD!!!)

UPDATE 11pm Sunday night.....I just gave away a 6 month old White Metal Bunk beds (you know the kind you buy at Wal-mart) and the 6 month old mattress/box springs that went with it. REMEMBER how I hated even buying those bunk beds.....I was even more thrilled to GIVE them away. I posted it on freecycle.org and it was picked up and out of here going to a sweet little 4 year old boy who now feels like his big brother...COOL STORY huh)

AND YOU STILL HAVE UNTIL TOMORROW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY...I thought today was March 31st....LOL

~BLOGGER AWARDS FOR YOU~

PLEASE TAKE THESE 2 AWARDS as YOU DESERVE THEM!!!

Hugs, Amy

~In Loving Memory of Our Michelle~

~WE MISS YOU MICHELLE and CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN A YEAR~

Michelle, 48, died Monday, March 26, 2007, in an automobile/semi-truck accident. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday, St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial: Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids. The Rev. David Ambrosy will officiate.Survivors include her husband, John; two daughters, Kelsey, attending the University of Northern Iowa, and Lindsey, at home; her parents, Dewain and Donna of Marion; father-in-law, Harvey of Marion; a brother, Dan (Julie) of Stratford; a sister, Jill (Jeff) of Bettendorf; and sister-in-law, Debbie (Jerry) of Marion. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Kim (Andrew), Kari, Paige, Spencer and Carter; a great-nephew, Jacob; and a great-niece, Megan. She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Jean; an infant brother, George; and her grandparents. Michelle was born Aug. 16, 1958, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Dewain and Donna. She married John on Oct. 12, 1985, in Marion. Michelle was a dental lab technician in Cedar Rapids for 28 years. She graduated from Marion High School in 1977 and Kirkwood Community College in 1979. She enjoyed gardening and attending the girls' school activities. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter and friend. She will be greatly missed by all. A memorial fund for the girls has been established in lieu of flowers.

WOW~International Pictures of the Year~

International Pictures of the Year
First Place

Todd Heisler 1st PlaceThe Rocky Mountain News

When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marines casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'
Second Place

Todd Heisler 2nd place The Rocky Mountain News

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted.' Blue Fridays. Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that ... every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is ...'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.

~GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS~

Amy

~A MODEST FRIEND & MORE~

~WISH THIS WAS "MY" CRAFT ROOM~

~MY SWEET FRIEND Lajuana from ALABAMA sent me pictures of her craft room. GALS...I AM IN AWE and DROOLING all over my keyboard. I told her she NEEDS to start a blog....she is so talented and we ALL would LOVE to see MORE!!! Looking at this I would say she needs to be in Romantic Homes Magazine....don't you agree??? She hasn't started a blog because she is being modest and doesn't feel her decor and skills are any where near that of ours. HA!!! I SAY....Leave a comment here for her and tell her to START HER BLOG TODAY.~

We woke up to SNOW on Easter Morning.....that was pretty crazy and I am happy to say it is all melted once again....YIPPY SKIPPY!!!
Have a great night and oh, I almost forgot....there's new stuff on the website. Lots of stuff too.

Love and Hugs, Amy

I am THANKFUL TODAY because:

Yesterday's Snow Melted and I saw my FIRST ROBIN

I still have a tolerant hubby who just left to pick me up yet ANOTHER Freecycle.org treasure, I will show pictures tomorrow of what it is!!!

Fat Free FRENCH VANILLA Coffee Creamer.....ooooo it makes my coffee taste so good

Old Linens....cause someday I will learn to sew

Ripe Bananas because TODAY at age 42 was the First DAY I ever made banana bread. I HAD NO IDEA it was that easy, I always thought it needed yeast......and it's my favorite bread of all and so I am totally thrilled that I know how to make it...and its super simple....go to http://www.simplerecipes.com/ they have great stuff.

~A NEW HAIR DO & MARCH GIVEAWAY~

~LOOK AT THAT NEW HAIR DO~ ~I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW FAST MY HAIR IS GROWING~

I had my hair hi-lighted last week and I LOVE IT....I don't feel so old and the gray hairs blend pretty good. It makes me excited for Spring and Summer and makes me feel more like a girl!!!
GET THIS......all I do is put alittle gel in my hands, run it thru my hair and it comes out that way....maybe short hair isn't so bad after all....LOL
Don't forget about our MARCH GIVEAWAY!!! It's for a $30.00 gift certificate to our website!!! YIPPY SKIPPY....I saw my 1st Robin yesterday so I know warmer weather will be here soon.
Also, coming EASTER SUNDAY EVENING......ALL NEW SPRING & GARDEN Treasures at http://www.foursistersinacottage.com/
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY and HAPPY HAPPY EASTER!!!
Hugs and Love, Amy

I AM THANKFUL FOR....

Having Eyes to see my first Robin of the season

Good Friday because that means only a 1/2 day of school and it's that much closer to summertime

A messy dirty yard because that means I will finally get to clean it up after being stuck in the house last year

Friends that email me and leave comments on my blog because even tho I don't get alot of time to respond on their blogs, it lets me know they are still thinking of me

~WOOOO HOOO & MARCH GIVEAWAY~

WELL COLOR ME HAPPY~I have a BRAND NEW HP Computer Laptop and it is SCREAMING FAST!!!!

WELL COLOR ME HAPPY~I have a BRAND NEW HP Computer Laptop and it is SCREAMING FAST!!!! I am so excited and I just wanted to let you know that I will be up and running in no time. I lost all my data/pictures/emails/and files but I can get through it. I'm just thrilled that I am back online.....and FAST!!!

WHAT I AM THANKFUL FOR TODAY:

Spring is in the Air (I can smell it)

Muddy Boots (means my Maddi girl is finally able to go outside and play for more than 10 minutes because it's not so cold)

MARCH GIVEAWAYS (I am giving away one $30.00 gift certificate to FourSistersInACottage.com. You can enter by posting on my blog or the website. Open to EVERYONE!!!)

MY WEBSITE will be up and running (because all new treasures will be on it EASTER SUNDAY EVENING!!! Don't forget to stop by now through April 1st & sign up for our March giveaway.)

A Tolerant Hubby (who is picking up old white picket fence that a woman gave me for free)

www.FreeCycle.org (because that is where I found the fence to go around our well. YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS OUT....IT IS AMAZING and It's so fun to give too)

Free Fence (so now I don't have to worry about anyone falling in the well)

Pre-Priced Tags (because my TAG sale is going to be HUGE and I already went thru 1200 pre-priced stickers and will need about 5000 more!!!!)

New Computers that I could afford (because this makes my life easier and it was the cheapest computer I could find and it's SLICK)

My Hair and Cosmetology Colleges (because it is growing like a weed and I was naughty and had it hi-lighted last week. I went to our local Cosmetology College and asked for an Advance Senior, that means they are ready to graduate. It only cost me $26.00 to have it done. I WAS SHOCKED and here is why: my long hair used to cost almost $250.00 each time to have it hi-lighted, I only did it once a year)because it was so long and thick and I have even had stylists turn me away because they didn't want to do my hair....LOL)

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

and HAVE A WONDERFUL TUESDAY!!!

Love and Hugs, Amy