~And the WINNER is~

~DRUM ROLL PLEASE......THE WINNER of the FEBRUARY GIVEAWAY IS.....
PAT from the URBAN CHIC
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED......Another FUN GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!!!
(Pat, please email me with your address)
Thanks bunches everyone!!!
Hugs. Love and HAPPY MARCH!!! Amy

~A ONE of a KIND MOSAIC GIVEAWAY & MORE~

~FEBRUARY PAY IT FORWARD GIVEAWAY~~SIGN UP FOR OUR FEBRUARY PAYING IT FORWARD GIVEAWAY~
ONE OF A KIND PINK ROSES, BUTTONS & PEARLS MOSAIC SHELF MADE BY ME
EMAIL ME TO ENTER: FourSistersInACottage@msn.com
or leave a comment on this post....NO PURCHASE NECESSARY....DRAWING HELD ON MARCH 1st, 2008




I had so much fun making this Gorgeous One of a Kind MOSAIC Shelf. I used VINTAGE Rose Plates, A Pink Strand of PEARLS and OLD Vintage White and Off White Buttons. The shelf was painted a PRETTY SHABBY PINK which shows on the top and bottom of the shelf itself. The curved sides have had mosaics done on both sides. The shelf attaches to the wall with screws at the bottom of the shelf brackets as you can see 2 holes on the pictures. I will supply you with two buttons to just glue over the screw holes once you get the shelf where you want it. The shelf measures almost 20 inches long and I will pay for shipping to you. I have signed and dated the back. I hope you love this piece as much as I do and I am thrilled to be giving it away to pay it forward and make someones day.

I GET ALL MY TILES FROM ANNIE at TWINHEARTSMOSAIC. SHE IS AWESOME and TAUGHT ME HOW TO DO THIS...JUST BY E-MAILS!!! Check her out if you get a chance and tell her I sent you.

Now a quick update....I have been offline for 2 days now trying to get my new computer up and running....YIPPY SKIPPY it's WORKING SUPER FAST and I am busy trying to redo the website (better pictures of the Mosaic Shelf are on page 1 of the site) and get everything transferred. I will be taking pictures today and tomorrow and be listing all new items on the site, thank you for HANGING IN THERE WITH ME!!!!

As far as my back, I went to the Neurosurgeon yesterday and everything looks FABULOUS!!! There is probably nerve damage that may never heal and I am just to continue taking Advil or Motrin and not baby it. So, basically I have to learn to live with it. Okay....fine with me...I may be stiff and sore but hey, I am alive!!! And those days I can't take it...I will just have to chill out. HA HA HA...That is easier said than done for me.

I am also getting ready for a HUGE TAG SALE. OH BABY....This one is going to be the biggest one I have ever had. I have too much stuff left over from when I was going to open a shop and it's just not in the cards for me right now to have a physically shop. (Cancer sucks...and makes you re-think your priorities) So, stuff has to go and I will post pictures for you too see it. I am doing this all in-between everything else. Never enough time!!! LOL

ONE MORE THING....EVER SKINNED YOUR KNEES????

Well, My boobs hurt just like that from the tattoo...but they look great and NOW I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN!!!

Here's to a great weekend....All my Love, Amy

~BAD AMY~BAD BLOGGER~

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who's the baddest blogger of all????

BAD AMY, BAD AMY, I have been such a BAD BLOGGER....PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!

I want nothing more than to be able to sit down and catch up with everyone. I haven't been able to and I am hoping my new computer will be here tomorrow. This one is so slow I don't even want to be on it.

I found out this morning that Joanna, of Moss Hill lost her mother suddenly last night. Joanna was getting ready to go see her Mom in Southern California and had just talked to her on the phone the night before. Please say a prayer for her!!! I can't even imagine having to go through that. My heart goes out to her and her family.

I have been awarded so many blog awards and fun get to know you games that I can't even remember how to add them to my blog. Also, IF I HAVE MISSED ANYONE on my blog that has me linked but I don't have you....PLEASE EMAIL ME and let me know!!!

My MRI came back and there are no herniated disks or anything like that....YIPPY SKIPPY!!! However, I do have to go to my neurologist on Friday to see about going to the pain clinic and doing some physical therapy. I will do ANYTHING to stop this constant pain....

TOMORROW at 9am (Wed the 20th)....I GET MY TATTOOS......I AM SOOOO EXCITED...THIS IS THE LAST AND FINAL PHASE of my RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY......Doing the HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY DANCE that is for sure!!! Of course I will share pictures with you and post to let you know when I have them.

I am almost done with the GIVEAWAY MOSAIC.....IT'S A PINK SHELF and I am just waiting for the grout to dry and I just might have to add a few more details because it's just needs a little something. I will post the giveaway just as soon as I get my new computer up and running!!!

PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR BEING A BAD BLOGGER....BAD AMY BAD AMY....I will try to get with the program!!! I MISS ALL OF YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! I just hate not being able to catch up and see all the cool things you are doing.

Love and Hugs to ALL of you, Amy

~ANOTHER SNOW DAY~ My MRI~

~WAITING FOR A ROBIN TO SHOW UP~
Well, the kids have another snow day....we got hammered once again but thank goodness we didn't lose power. Some others in the area did 3600 households but not us!!! YEAH!!!
This means the kids will be going to school until June 5th....Wish they would stop the week long Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Easter breaks. They would get out at the end of May if they only allowed a couple days during those breaks instead of a whole week off. Oh well, what can you do.
I am hoping to hear from my doctor today (if his office is open, everything is closed right now due to the snow storm) if not, I will hear tomorrow. I just want this pain to go away and yes, the medicine helps but it makes me higher than a kite and I fall asleep just sitting in the chair. (it's quite funny as I will be in mid sentence and I fall asleep....Everyone is laughing at me)
So, I will keep you updated. I am still waiting for my new computer and I so want to get those Easter Treasures on the website but this old computer won't let me load the pictures. So sad it's finally going and going fast.
Have a great day today and I will let you know as soon as I find out what's going on with my body now. Someone said the 40's are GREAT.....so far, mine have been far from great. They also say, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I should be a GLADIATOR by now!!! LOL
Hugs and Love, Amy

~Jimminy Christmas~

~JIMMINY CHRISTMAS~

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!! Tomorrow I am having an MRI because I am in so much pain in my lower back (the part below where I had emergency back surgery just 15 months ago) and my left leg is going numb.....I am now on Oxycodne AND Cyclobenzaprine and I am LOOPY as all get out. Needless to say, I cannot believe this....I JUST WANT TO BE BETTER....PERIOD!!!
Above is a copy of my orders for my MRI at 9:15am tomorrow...YES, SUNDAY!!! Here's hoping it goes okay....
I do see my neurosurgeon on Friday but my regular doctored wanted the MRI done ASAP as he is not liking what he sees.
Here's to GOOD NEWS!!! Hugs and Love, Amy

~IT'S OFFICIAL~ & More Free Graphics~

~IT'S OFFICIAL~ I AM CANCER FREE~ ~I AM STILL IN SHOCK and SO HAPPILY OVERWHELMED. I truly think it is going to take some time for me to realize what has just happened to me in the last year. I honestly don't think the entire cancer journey has hit me yet. I went into a survival mode and it over took everything I did. For the last year I have slept, drank, ate, and breathed cancer. All I know is that I WANT to make the most of everyday from now on. It was WONDERFUL to hear the DOCTOR say those words, "You are Officially Cancer Free". I am beside myself!!!
All my Love and Hugs, Amy

(PS....feel free to take any of these darling graphics and as always, you are WELCOME to use all of my backgrounds and graphics from my website, www.FourSistersInACottage.com . You don't even need to ask or give me credit. I LOVE TO SHARE!!!!)







~MORE FUN GRAPHICS COMING SOON....if there is ANYTHING you are looking for, I might have it, don't hesitate to ask~

~NERVOUS for TOMORROW & FREE EASTER GRAPHICS~

~NERVOUS FOR TOMORROW~

~Please feel free to take these adorable vintage postcard graphics~

~You are always welcome to take my graphics and backgrounds from my website http://www.foursistersinacottage.com/ ~

~I just LOVE these old postcards, have fun, can't you see some with glitter?~

~Hello Everyone~

I'm not sure why but I am really getting nervous for my 4 month check since my last chemo treatment. CAN YOU BELIEVE it's BEEN FOUR MONTHS TOMORROW since my last treatment and it seems like yesterday. TOO MANY ICKY MEMORIES, I would rather forget. I will go in and say hello to the gals in the chemotherapy room but I know I won't really want to go in that room and see all those effect by cancer with IV's in them.

I go for blood work and to talk with Dr. Ghosh, my oncologist. While we are talking, my blood test results will come in. I just got off the phone with my big brother Lee who told me they have "markers" that will tell them if there is anything to be conserned about with the cancer. I had no idea, LOL.....I didn't know why they needed to take blood if they couldn't find the cancer in the first place by taking blood. Silly me....guess I should do more homework but I would really rather put all of this behind me. If you get a chance, please pray for my nerves and that my appointment goes well. Also, my big brother Lee's wife, Susie is having surgery on her arm tomorrow, so we will be going over to the hospital right after my 9:00am appointment. Pray for her too!!!

Then, in the afternoon, I have one more doctor's appointment with my almost 18 year old, Kristi. She is going in for her very first female check up and is very nervous about cervical cancer and now breast cancer that runs in our families. Pray she doesn't get too worked up about all of it as she is my drama queen!!!! She is worried that she might have one or both. I told her to chill out and stop thinking that way!!! I can understand her worry but at the same time, why borrow trouble. (yeah Amy, think about that tomorrow while you are at the doctors yourself)

Oh, and it looks like my computer won't be here until next week. In the meantime, I am going to try to limp through putting "EASTER TREASURES" on the website this upcoming weekend. It's all ready, it's just waiting for pictures and prices!!! I AM SO READY FOR SPRING!!!

BIG HUGS AND KISSES TO ALL OF YOU!!!
LOVE YA' BUNCHES, Amy

~OOPS~

~OOPS~ Just a couple things....My computer is just about done and I am getting a new one this week. Bob ordered one for me for my birthday, so I won't be online or listing on the website until I get my new computer. THANK YOU HONEY!!!

I AM GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY just as soon as my new computer is up and running....I am working on a ONE OF A KIND MOSAIC treasure to give away!!!

I didn't post it was my birthday this week because EVERYDAY is a BIRTHDAY for me since going thru the fight of cancer. Thank you to everyone who wrote to me and sent cards for my birthday. It was a great snow day!!! (School was called off due to the 13 plus inches we got)

THIS WEEK, Wednesday, I GO FOR MY 1st CHECK UP since my last chemo....4 months ago. Can you believe it's been that long??? Seems like yesterday to me.

So here's to a HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY....and EVERY DAY I AM ALIVE!!!
Hugs and Love, Amy

(PS....this computer is running so slow, it take 6 to 7 minutes just for a blog to come up and then another 4 minutes to be able to leave a comment. Just wait til I have my new one, I will be zipping around like a crazy woman catching up with everyone!!! YIPPY SKIPPY)

~USA EXTREME WEATHER~

~WELCOME TO PARADISE~

See the sign on the railing of this Ohio Home??? Pray for those who are being flooding in Ohio and Indiana ~My Heart Goes out to those Southern States that saw the terrible Twisters and Tornados yesterday, Please pray for them too!!!~
~I will happily take our 13 INCHES of snow we had as of 10am Wed. Feb 6th, 2008. We have broke an IOWA RECORD~
~Notice the BIRD BATH peeking out of our snowfall??? Picture taken in our front yard out of the living room picture window. Nick, Alex and Maddi are pictured above!!!~

THANK YOU LORD, FOR OUR RECORD SNOW FALL!!! Please help those who have suffered from the extreme weather here in the USA in the past few days~AMEN~
Hugs and Love, Amy

~MY NEW TO ME ROSES SOFA & MY MOSAICS~

~CAN YOU BELIEVE MY MOM FOUND THIS FOR ME????~ ~I AM TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH THIS SOFA~
~CAN YOU IMAGINE THE FUN I AM GOING TO HAVE DECORATING USING THIS SOFA AS MY PALLET????~
~THIS IS WHAT MY BASEMENT USED TO LOOK LIKE~ Since then, It's now a TOTAL MESS WITH KIDS TOYS and BOXES of My TREASURES~
~BUT I WILL GET IT ALL PRETTY AGAIN~ AND ALL THOSE GOODIES BELOW...I'VE SOLD, INCLUDING THE CUPBOARD, (Sometimes I could kick myself....LOL)~
Okay, so this is what happened. The afternoon before I was to fly to California, my Mom calls me and says I need to get up to the Salvation Army to look at this sofa. You have to understand, I HATE GOING to the SALVATION ARMY. It's DIRTY, GROSS and there is NEVER ANYTHING THERE. YUK YUK YUK!!!!
I really didn't want to go but she said, "YOU'LL BE SORRY!".....so I went up there to see what she was holding for me.....and.....TADA....it was the ROSES SOFA pictured above. Now, here's the CRAZY THING. I am getting ready to leave at 5am for California and I don't really want to spend money before I leave for vacation. Mom showed me the price tag and it was ONLY $50.00.....but that's not all folks, I ended up getting 25% off since it was going on sale the next day and I wasn't going to be here....SO I GOT THAT GORGEOUS SOFA FOR $37.50!!!!
I WOULD HAVE PAID A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS FOR IT!!!!

I AM SOOOOO EXCITED to decorate AROUND IT, and so I am going to take this week off from Blogging to get some work done around the house. I am so far behind (so much so, I still have my Christmas stuff up, YES, can you believe that??? I always take it down Christmas Day Night)

I have been busy listing on ebay today (and continue to tonight and tomorrow) and everything is either FREE SHIPPING or just a little bit of shipping!!!

Check it out if you can......Here is the link to our ebay auctions FourSistersInACottage

WHEN I am all done decorating downstairs, I will have LOTS of pretty stuff that I am not going to keep going on the website, ebay and etsy. I just can't keep it all and I would rather it goes to someone who will love it then put it in storage.
BUT WATCH FOR A FREE GIVEAWAY THIS WEEK.....I WANT TO PAY IT FORWARD.

HAPPY HAPPY NEW WEEK,

HUGS AND LOVE, Amy

~THE MOSAIC HEART I MADE and GAVE TO MARY ROSE at ISABELLASCLOSET~

~THE BENCH BELOW I MADE and GAVE TO ANNA over at MY FLOWER BED~

~And last but not least~1/2 OFF ALL REMAINING TREASURES ON THE WEBSITE, JUST CLICK HERE~

~A GREAT HAIR DAY~

~WHAT A GREAT HAIR DAY~ ~I FINALLY HAD TO USE A BRUSH, FIRST TIME SINCE JUNE 2007....YIPPY SKIPPY~
~I COULDN'T BE MORE HAPPY~
~DO YOU THINK MY HAIR WILL EVER BE THIS LONG AGAIN????~ Pictures below taken at The Pier in St. Petersburg Florida~

I am digging my new hair style, however, I am hoping I have the patience to grow it long again, I LOVED my long hair as it was a big part of who I was, it was my signature part of my body. We will have to see.....I am FINALLY FEELING LIKE A WOMAN AGAIN....

Please pray for Deena today. Hopefully she can start chemo today and pray that God stops all the cancer in her body. WE LOVE YOU DEENA!!!
HAPPY SUPER BOWL WEEKEND EVERYONE....

Love and Hugs, Amy

This is the Day the Lord Hath Made
Let us rejoice and be GLAD in it.
Amen

~A BLIZZARD coming to IOWA~

~A BLIZZARD coming to Cedar Rapids????~
*MY (version) of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE*

Winter Weather Alert
By Joe Winters
A Blizzard Warning, Winter Storm Warning, Snow and Blowing Snow Advisory, and Wind Chill Advisory are all in effect through the day today for parts of eastern Iowa. Generally, 1-4" of new snow is expected today combined with very strong northwest winds of 25-40 MPH.
The warnings issued for today are NOT for high snow amounts, they have been issued for the strong winds. The winds will blow new snow around and may create whiteout conditions, especially in rural areas. http://www.kcrg.com/weather

Okay, we went from 58 degrees yesterday....YES 58 down to -25 tonight....that my friend is a HUGE WEATHER CHANGE!!!

So, here's what I have already done this morning on

MY (version) of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

OOOO I WANTED to sleep in but, since this storm is coming....I have a feeling Maddi (Half-pint) and I will be going to bed early...WE ALWAYS LOSE POWER!!! They have called off school and I was SMART and didn't even send her this morning. I thought, an hour on the bus to get to school, then an hour on the bus to get home....and I KNOW they will do an early dismissal and TADA....THEY DID JUST THAT!!!LOL...

So here I am this morning, feeling like LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE....just call me Caroline, gathering up wood from the yard and Bob's (PA's, or shall we say Charles) shop, charging batteries and flashlights, hunting for candles, and the radio. I have everything ready. Including the plug in land line that works when we lose electricity so I can call out if I have too.
Also, both Maddi (Half-pint) and I have showered/bathed and I had to leave her water in the tub because the well works on electricity so we won't have any water to flush the toilet....ROFLOL
Then, I have a big jug of water for drinking, a big pitcher of kool aid made for Maddi (Half-pint) and I even made Cheesy Chicken with Rice for us to eat during the day, thank you ANNA for that recipe. Steele, our Dog, (or Jack) has been fed and watered and is hunkered down in Bob's (PA'S) shop.
WHEW!!!! All that before 10:00am.....Now it's time to sit down and chill out and wait for the storm and the electricity to go out....LOL

If you don't hear from me for awhile, you will know we have no power. Last time we had NO POWER for THREE DAYS!!! And it SUCKED!!!

I'm still coughing like crazy but my head is clearing and my sweet Kristi (MARY) has Influenza A and possibly pneumonia, however she is at her Dad's in town and staying there.

All my love and hugs, Amy (but today, call my Caroline Ingalls....LOL)

PLEASE Pray for DENNA & my turn to be sick~

Just a quick note to let all of you know that I now have what Bob and Maddi had last week.

The whole painting and redoing of the living room/dining room is on hold (probably for a long time...remember I just had my last reconstructive surgery 7 weeks ago) , along with shipping the goodies from the website. My head is pounding, I have a fever and a cough that won't quite. I am going back to bed as soon as I post this....

ONCE AGAIN I AM CALLING ON ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL GALS....

If any of you get a chance, PLEASE PRAY FOR DEENA. Click here to read her story.....Can I be Pretty in Pink?

DEENA HAS THE SAME KIND OF BREAST CANCER I HAD...ONLY SHE IS IN STAGE 4

I want to do a group giving to her, LIKE ALL OF YOU DID FOR ME!!!! I truly believe that all your generous hearts helped me more than anything. The prayers, well wishes, notes, cards, letters, e-mails, HATS FOR AMY and everything else was such a POSITIVE HEALING shot for me and I am hoping we can all do the same for Denna. Please pray for her and if you would like her mailing address....PLEASE e-mail me!!! I am going to give her my inspirational cancer books, some hats, bandana's, teas, socks and of course anything else I can think of that helped me thru my cancer fight.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart....
Love and Hugs, Amy

THANK YOU TO MARY'S ANGELS!!! LOVE YOU BUNCHES!!!
Solange~ TheGarden
Anna~ MyFlowerBed
Chris~ CTBrownie
Mary~ Crash-N-Smash
Arlene~ RetroBoutiques
Pat~ TheUrbanChic
Betty~ ShesSewPretty
Joyce~ BrooksideCottage
Polly~ CountYourBlessings
Elizabeth~ ElizabethStudio
Deena~ SweetAnnee
Deena~ CanIBePrettyInPink
Joyce~ TheSecretGardener
Judy~ MidLifeBliss
Jan~ RedSockMama
Becky~ Beachcottage
Susan~ EmmaStreetChic
Rhea~ RheasRoses
Marylou~ MarylousThoughts&OutherCriticalMatters
Priscilla~ FleaMarketQueen
Mary~ AcrossThePond
Lori~ KatiesRoseCottage
Sue~ Sue'sCQNews
Jill~ InTheCupboard
Jillian~ JilliansPages
Mechelle~ PinkDaisys
Shelley~ ShelleysVintageVariety
Heidi~BrittaniaPacificTraders
Amy~AbundantCuriosities
Jennifer~ Blogger
Barbara~ JollySixPence
Sue~ Blogger
Missy~ LilDixiChic
Karen & Missy~ Dreams Altered
Carole~ Scoundrels&Rouges
Mary~ Mary'sWriting Nook
Lori~ Rachel-Pias-Cottage

~REMODELED our HOME~ Want a NEW LIVING/DINING ROOM~

LOTS OF PICTURES OF WHAT OUR HOUSE LOOKED LIKE WHEN WE MOVED IN, THEN, SIX WEEKS, yep, 6 Weeks of blood, sweat and tears. We were done with EVERYTHING......all new electrical, plumbing, everything down to the studs and sub flooring.

The girls wanted us to keep the NAPOLEON DYNAMITE Kitchen but there was NO WAY that was going to happen. It was completely gutted.

WE DID ALL the work ourselves. Including laying on the floors too....IT WAS HARD BACK BREAKING WORK but it's DONE and ended up FABULOUS!!! (but now...I want to paint the 1950's Mahogany Wood Walls , IT'S NOT PANELING, can you believe it??? and make it COTTAGE.....and get rid of the CAMP/LODGE LOOK!!! I will post tomorrow what I want to do....and all because of a sofa....LOL, no not really....I wanted to do it when we moved in but was veto-ed over the fact of leaving the charm of the house intact. Have fun looking.....Amy

(PS....sorry about the above pictures, I don't know how to scan my pictures yet)

LOVE THOSE WHITE OAK FLOORS that Bob and I installed ourselves. THAT WAS NOT FUN......3 days straight we worked on it but got it done and it was so worth it!!!

STAY TUNED.......