~105 New Treasures on Our Website~

YEAH I DID IT!!!!

Click here & see 105 New Treasures at Our website www.FourSistersInACottage.com

Have fun....Hugs and Love, Amy

~SUSAN needs our PRAYERS~Breast cancer~

My sweet friend Susan from EmmaStreetChic needs our prayers!!!! She has Breast Cancer My sweet friend Susan in California needs prayers immediately. You see, I talked to Susan last night on the phone and they have moved her surgery date to TOMORROW. She has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and it looks like she will have to have chemo and radiation both. Susan wrote to me every week via snail mail when I was going thru my cancer battle. I just cannot believe that this UGLY CANCER has hit yet another one of my friends. Please pray for her and if you want to drop her a line (she doesn't have a blog yet, but I know lots of you have bought from her on ebay under the name of EmmaStreetChic) here is her email address:
SUSAN'S Email Address

If you can, please add her to your prayers. I will keep you updated!!!

We're all pulling for you Susan, Love and Hugs, Amy

~ALLI Saves the Game~

ALLI SAVES THE GAME....TWICE

The Four Sisters New Years Day 2009

L to R (oldest to youngest) Ashley, Kristi, Alli and Little Maddi

ALLI WINS THE GAME FOR SCHOOL

SHE IS FEATURED IN THE GAZETTE SPORTS FRONT PAGE TODAY
I AM SOOOOO VERY PROUD OF YOU ALLI...WAY TO GO GIRLY!!!! YOU ROCK....ALL 6 FOOT ONE OF YOU!!!!

O**** beats buzzer, Marion clips Raiders

It was the moment, not a chill, that provided Alli O**** a goosebump moment. Alli tracked an errant shot, gathered it and scored at the buzzer to lift Class 3A fifth-ranked Marion past Williamsburg, 52-50, in a Wamac Conference West Division girls' basketball game last night at Marion High School."I've got shivers," said Alli, who bailed out the Indians (10-1 overall, 7-0 Wamac West) twice in the final moments.
Alli's three-point play gave Marion a 50-48 lead with 12 seconds left. But Brittany fouled Williamsburg's Hannah, who swished two free throws to tie the game with 10 ticks left. Sam lofted a 3-pointer from the left wing, but it was deflected and fell about 3 feet short of the rim. Alli grabbed the ball and scored as the horn sounded. "I saw Sam take the shot and I knew it was going to be short," Alli said. "I went for it, grabbed it and shot it."It all happened so fast."

Williamsburg (9-4, 6-2) rallied from a 10-point third-quarter deficit and took a 48-44 lead into the final minute. But the Indians wiggled off the hook at the end. Morgan hit a free throw with 52 seconds left, then drove for a basket with 30 seconds left to draw Marion within a point. After the Raiders turned it over in the back court, Leah fed Alli in the paint, and Alli scored while drawing a foul at the 0:12 mark."We didn't lose this game. Marion won it," said Williamsburg Coach Aaron Feddersen. "I'm really proud of our effort. We had a couple of chances to go away, but we didn't."Marion led 25-19 at halftime and took its largest advantage at 33-23 on Brittany 3-pointer with 3:30 left in the third quarter.The Raiders chipped away, tied it at 42-42 on Kiley's basket, then took the lead on Anne's hoop with 1:45 to go."(Williamsburg) just totally outplayed us," said Marion Coach Sherryl Gaffney-Paige. "Our energy was down. We were on our heels. We were out of sync."I'm looking forward to practice the next two nights. I think we'll go until midnight."Rinehart and Morgan scored 12 points apiece for the Indians. Fish and Alli added 11 each. Sam compiled 12 points and 13 rebounds for Williamsburg. Stecker scored 12. Marion will play at Maquoketa in an inter divisional game Friday; Williamsburg is at Anamosa.

ALLI IS ALSO ON TWITTER: http://jtlinder.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/oneill-saves-marion-twice/

O**** saves Marion — Twice

Alli O**** isn’t the first option in Marion’s offense. Nor the second or third.
But she saved the Indians’ bacon Tuesday night. Twice.
Alli converted a three-point play with 12 seconds left to give the Indians a 50-48 lead, then — after Williamsburg’s Hannah made two free throws to tie it — grabbed a deflected 3-point attempt by Sam, turned and beat the buzzer to give the Indians a 52-50 win.
“I’ve got shivers,” said Alli, who came into the game averaging 4.7 points per game but scored 11 Tuesday.

~PRAY FOR DEENA~

~BIG TIME PRAYERS are needed for DEENA~

WE LOVE YOU DEENA and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers EVERYDAY!!!!

Love and BIG HUGE HUGS, Amy

~BLESSED IOWA~

On the sixth day God turned to the Archangel Gabriel and said: 'Today I am going to create a land called Iowa. It will be a land of outstanding natural beauty. It shall have tall majestic landscapes full of buffalo, tall grass, and hawks, beautiful skies, forests full of elk and deer, rich farmland and fair skinned people.God continued, 'I shall make the land rich in resources so as to make the inhabitants prosper, I shall call these inhabitants Hawkeyes, and they shall be known as a most friendly people.

But Lord,' asked Gabriel, 'don't you think you are being too generous to these Iowans?

'Not really,' replied God

'just wait and see the winters I am going to give them.'

~My Breast Cancer Update~ Implants Being REMOVED~

~I am sick of being sick~ I don't even know where to start, I am sick once again, the stomach flu started Christmas Day early evening and am slowly getting better.
I have truly given my breast implants plenty of time to adjust and all of that. It has now been over one year since I had the actual implants put in and 18 months since I first had my bi-lateral mastectomy. OH SO MANY THINGS THEY DO NOT tell you when you have breast cancer and get implants.

My implants are after just 12 short months ALMOST COMPLETELY CAPSULED. No one ever told me about that side effect. On a scale of 1 to 4, 4 being the worst, my right breast, the one with the cancer, is at a scale 2, 2 and 1/2. My left breast, the breast that didn't have cancer is at a scale 3.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I want these out. You know that kernel of popcorn that got stuck under your tooth and you can't get it out. THAT is how my implants feel, and it's getting worst everyday.

I can't even begin to tell you how PISSED OFF I AM that they didn't tell me that this could happen and that NO IMPLANT IS SAFE.....WHAT IN THE HELL ARE THEY DOING???? YOU ARE GOING THRU CANCER AND THEY ARE SO QUICK TO STICK A FOREIGN OBJECT IN YOUR BODY AND TELL YOU HOW GREAT IT IS GOING TO BE???? SALINE OR SILICONE, IT DOESN'T MATTER, I AM MAD AS HELL!!!!

10 days and counting......I will once again GO UNDER THE KNIFE......this time, at least 2 hours, to have my breasts cut in half, the implants taken out of the MUSCLE that has formed a capsule over the implants, then hopefully, he can STITCH the muscles back together and take off tons of skin (including the NIPPLES and TATTOOS that NEVER TOOK) and stitch me up.

I am seriously starting to think that maybe my IMPLANTS might be the reason for my continued pain in my back and leg, my madness and spurts of depression, my continued unhealthiness and seeming to NEVER GET BETTER. I also have constant pain in my entire chest, sternum and shoulders, which continue to get worst every single day. I have shooting pains in my hands and fingers that just started all within the past 6 weeks.

So PLEASE PLEASE, if you can find the time to say a little prayer for me. I AM SCARED TO DEATH to GO UNDER ONCE AGAIN. You know how I am about that, I am having horrible dreams that I die on the table. I am going to IOWA CITY, to Dr. Cram, one of America's TOP 100 Plastic Surgeons. January 9th is my surgery, in the morning, and I will keep you updated. I don't mind being flat-chested, I just WANT THESE IMPLANTS OUT....

HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!! God knows, I am ready for a healthy year!!!!
Love and Hugs, Amy

~My SOLDIER GIRL is HOME~

MY GIRL GOT HOME FRIDAY DECEMBER 19th, 2008 at 10:15AM CST

OUR FIRST GLANCE AT HER IN THE AIRPORT AS SHE CAME DOWN THE STEPS AND AROUND THE CORNER!!!! I couldn't help myself, I snapped the picture, threw the camera down and ran towards her and hugged her, cried and couldn't let go. I told myself before getting to the airport that I would WAIT and let everyone else hug and kiss her first. I have no idea what got into me but I totally forgot about that and couldn't wait to get my girl in my arms and hug her and tell her how much I love her and missed her. And to let her know HOW PROUD I AM OF HER!!!!It is going to be hard for me to "Share" her with everyone else while she is here. She has to go back Jan 2nd and these next 2 weeks are going to fly by. WHAT FUN THIS CHRISTMAS IS GOING TO BE!!!! Have a Wonderful Blessed Happy Holiday Everyone, Hugs and Kisses, Amy
AT HOME, STANDING AT ATTENTION!!!! I quick snapped this pictured because I knew I wouldn't see her in her uniform at all while she was home. The first thing she did was change and put her hair down. That's My Girl!!!!

~LOTS of CHRISTMAS~Maddi & My Hair~

~My 1st Ever Shabby Cottage Christmas, I'm Loving It!!!!~I had Bob take the Grape Wreath Topiary that was in here off and make a hole for my 3 foot tall White Christmas Tree. I just wanted the base and I bought it for under $5.00 at a consignment store before the flood.
This is the cupboard my Dad built. I added a little bit of Christmas to each shelf

I just love "little things"

I LOVE My White Sparkle Glitter houses that I have been collecting for a couple years now. They are all metal (I just can't bring myself to alter them or paint them pink) and from the White Barn Candle Company. Each one holds a tea light candle. In the back I have a VERY OLD heavy Wavy Glass Apothecary Jar filled with mercury and shiny bright ornaments.

Here is the view from Bob's Chair and the finished 3 foot white tree

This is looking East from the Northwest corner of the living room, I can't wait to paint the hallway doors all white.

Another View

All decked out with VINTAGE Silver Garland along with Aqua and Pink Old Shiny Bright Ornaments. Topper is new but made to look old.

I leave the lights on 24/7 because they make me smile

~AND NOW FOR OUR MAIN TREE~

I don't have the money for a big white tree so I used the pitter patter table and put up a nice 4 foot white tree on it. I think it turned out DARLING and you can see it from the highway.

All decked out with VINTAGE Ornaments

The GLITTER SANTA I bought last year from Mary Rose and Isabellascloset can you believe she MAKES THESE!!!! I am so happy I got one!!!! Click on her name and see if she still has any left!!!!

YES....we have SNOW and are expected another 7 to 12 inches by Tuesday Night

My Collection of vintage and new ribbons. I found the vintage wood gesso frame at a junk store for $10.00 and painted it a watered down pitter patter but left the ORIGINAL SILVER BARBOLA ROSES. It turned out so cute.

Mom thought of this idea.....the sign is from someone on eBay but I found it at a junk store for UNDER a Dollar!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT???? Also, the snowflakes came from Mary Rose at Isabellascloset. I think they look ADORABLE, and added a Christmas look to the vanity that holds the TV.

Okay, this is the first year EVER that I cared about what my wrapped packages looked like. I used a lot of PINK tissue paper and Cellophane paper. I especially love the LACE Cello paper. It's from Current and I bought it a long time ago (1980's) and was going to sell it but I ended up using it. I LOVE IT!!!!

NOTICE the NAME TAGS....OH MY GOODNESS!!!! Listen Girls, there is this sweetest gal, Peggy, from SoShabbyPink, who makes these and I am thrilled to have bought from her. She is a WONDERFUL and GENEROUS GAL and you need to get some of her cool stickers. I have bought some for Valentine's Day and Easter to add to my glass jars and some wood boxes I have. I am even going to try a little train case with them too. Tell her I sent you if you can. You WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!

This is the Cupboard My Mom made. I just love it and those BIG HUGE PINK ORNAMENTS are HUGE!!!! I could only fit 3 of them in the double layer cake pedestal.

LOTS OF PRETTIES that will eventually go on the website

Just a few close ups of my Vintage Ornaments on the Main Tree

A Full View of the Cupboard Mom Made

LOOK AT MY TREE TOPPER!!!!

A TOTALLY UNEXPECTED SURPRISE!!!!

Tree Ornament, I made into my Tree Topper. From a VERY DEAR FRIEND!!! Barbara, I cannot thank you enough, you have no idea how much this means to me, especially right now. HOPE....that says it all. All handmade, with love and EXACTLY what I LOVE!!!! This will forever hold a special place in my heart

Another Close up of the Glitter Santa and the Sticker Tags

Just a little Christmas on the 9 foot long Fire Place Mantle

I think I want to add a string of white lights weaving them in and out of every thing sitting on the mantle. I haven't decided yet.

One of my favorite little spots. I was going to turn the silver glitter box into a cake but then I ended up using it to hold this sweet little silver tree instead.

Our first Snow....First week of December. Miss Maddi went out and went sledding and then made this little Snowman all by herself. She came running in the house looking for raisins. And yes, we had them. She says, "Oh goodie, I will eat what I don't need." She makes me SMILE!!!

Doesn't She make you smile????
My Sweet Miss Maddi....what would I do without you????

AND NOW FOR MY HAIR....it has OFFICIALLY BEEN 11 months of growth!!!! Here it is dried naturally, YES, that is all natural curl and thickness. JUST LIKE MY HAIR USED TO BE!!!!

I NEVER WEAR IT LIKE THIS ANYMORE....IT'S CRAZY CURLY and drives me nuts!!!!

AND NOW.....I love it straightended and I feel more like a girl!!!

Can you believe how fast my hair is growing....THANK YOU GOD!!!! ALL GLORY BE TO YOU!!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE....Kristi Graduated Friday WITH HONORS and is now in San Antonio, Texas. She is coming home on the 19th of this month and we are all so excited!!!! We are expecting lots of snow this week and I have lots to do to get more treasures on the website.

ALL MY LOVE TO YOU!!!!
Hugs, Amy

~PS~

LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND ON THE INTERNET....MY KRISTI GIRL WAS TALKING ABOUT MY BREAST CANCER TRYING TO HELP OTHER KIDS OUT. I HAD NO IDEA!!!!

Just click here and scroll to the bottom of the page!!!! WOW...It made my day and makes me so proud of her~!!!!

She is doing GREAT at basic training, she is now in charge of 58 males and females and is Platoon Leader. They EARNED their "REAPERS" FLAG which they are the first in a very long time to have earned their UNIT FLAG. She sounded great on the phone last week, she got to talk to me for almost 35 minutes as she earned it.

GOD BLESS AMERICA and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR TROOPS!!!!

Love and Hugs, Amy