Technical Difficulty

Often I feel like I need to use this excuse for my life. I didn't get it done because of "technical difficulty" or even "operator error". We are trying to get some of our cutest unique gift ideas up and going, but it has been a challenge. Pictures, photo lab, changes and delays...

I am an optimist and the sunny side of our delay is that we have several new product options that are awesome! They include precious and whymsical monogrammed stockings and tree skirts for Christmas, new fabric selections and others we can't wait to share!

Stick with us as we are going to get things going before Santa arrives!

Small Strokes

We are making progress by small strokes...literally. We began swim lessons yesterday. Kylee loves water...is developing gills she swims so much. My little "dude" on the other fin hates the thought of swimming. So, off to the pool we go. As I picked up the two little munchkins from school mine is sick, crying sick and he insists he cannot swim due to his stomach ache. As I sat in the car and debated the mother of all issues...make him swim and stand my ground or give in to the sneaky stomach ache that creeps up so conveniently, I opted for tough love.

I actually did the right thing with my tough love and he was awesome. Kylee is really just there for support. She can swim, come up for air, dive for rings (although she is a little bottom heavy) and giggles with the enthusiasm kids are most cherished for. I was proud...proud of Kylee for telling Palmer to "be tough because it won't hurt you", for holding his hand as he walked towards the pool with absolute fear and cheered as he came up for air. I was proud of Palmer for trying and being proud of himself. I was also thankful that Randy and Regina continue to push our kiddos to love the water and respect its boundaries!

Robin has pool duty today...I wish her the best!

Mine all Mine

Nothing says, "mine" like personalized items...

Our newest line of personalized items include these precious cups with whimsical fabric selections. We found this line while at market and fell in love with the bold colors and wide variety. Line offers notebook covers, bookmarks, mousepads, laundry bags, aprons, water bottles, stainless mugs, checkbook covers, ponytail buttons...and so much more. All items offer one initial monogram except larger items, which allow three letters. This line is really fun and funky great for gifts and a treat for yourself! These will be available by the weekend on our site...www.doodledesignsgifts.com

We stitched 100 blankets for a high school project graduation celebration. It was truly a neat project as we know these fleece blankets will be used for years to come! Owning something personalized through embroidery is a time honored tradition and has become so popular...if it can be monogrammed, we love it! Once again...congrats seniors for your many successes!

Eye Candy

Usually a reference to beautiful jewelry or other accessory...eye candy just screams look at me! Amanda Key, our very dear friend, has taken some of the most awesome pictures (eye candy) before, during, and after her recent "educational trip".

Check out her website and choose "blog" at www.amandakey.com (our two kiddos love her and had a blast...Kylee and Palmer).

Warm Fuzzy Feelings

Yes, even adults have mantras...silent or verbal affirmations that help one feel centered. When Robin and I are making decisions, big or small it helps us to just say, "If it gives them a warm fuzzy feeling, lets do it". We adopted this motto 4 years ago when we started our own real estate business. Helping clients make decisions, turning down offers, doing what is right even when others think you are wrong...we have been there done that! As we are moving through our day, we try to remind each other to help give others that warm fuzzy feeling, help them feel good about closing the deal, allow them to feel ownership in the transaction.

With Doodle Designs, it means helping people purchase that special product that will make them feel special either as a gift to themselves or to someone else. Nothing beats shop therapy...now that is a warm fuzzy feeling!

We ourselves get that warm fuzzy feeling when we are giving back through our time with the youth of our area. We have lived the life of being responsible for the care of animals, feeding, cleaning, showing and moving on to the next project. We know this involvement helps make good kids. We were once again in the heat yesterday tagging in animals for our October show. It was hot, at times still and hot...love the deep south. These young people work hard, they lose animals, get attached to animals and attached to their responsibilities.

Take time to give someone else that warm fuzzy feeling through your words and actions...everyone needs to feel good!

Extra! Extra!

These are hot off the press items! We certainly have more to come and hope to get the word out about our Doodle Designs Unique Gifts.

Please continue to check the website for updates! Michelle at Polka Dot Dandy is an absolute genius with her design skills...the website looks fantastic and is user friendly, exactly what we were going for! We have truly enjoyed people visiting our blog and love to hear what consumes everyone else...time, where does it go and why does it go so quickly?








Camo Design (Perfect with a hunter orange monogram!)









Oh-La-La Brown (What a classy drool catcher!)










Rocker Design (Absolutely too cool fabric!)



















Wild West Design (wished I had had this for PD)




















Martini Design (with a pink or green monogram...too cute!)

Beach Birds

The age old question around our compound is, "what are we doing this weekend"? Seriously, as if we aren't busy enough we have to make plans for the weekend. We left early Saturday morning and headed to the beach...yes, the quiet and peacful beach. We loaded Doodle and PD in the car and away we went. When we turned the corner where the beach becomes visible it was truly an ahhh moment. The kids went crazy and it seemed like the weight of the world left us. We parked our car and unloaded the shovels, pails, chairs, and snacks (can't forget snacks). We listened to the waves crash, the wind blow, and of course the beach birds. I know they have a name, probably a scientific name but in our family they are beach birds. Diddi has always called them that and it seems we have passed it on to our kiddos.

We sat in total peace for about two hours and headed for some burgers...awesome old timey can't take a whole bite burgers. We sadly left longing for a week or two of the tranquility only the beach can provide. As we were leaving the sound of those happy, and I thought lucky, beach birds stayed in my mind. Until next time...

We then went to party with our really ultra cool and always hilarious friends for Ashley's gradution...congrats Ashley you will do great things!

"Oh the Places You'll Go"

"Congratulations!Today is your day.You're off to Great Places!You're off and away!", Dr. Suess.

Defining success depends on the goals one has established and if those goals were measured by small steps or one grand finale. Graduating from high school is a little like that...small steps achieved with small cheers along the way, but the finale is the huge relief, the great hooray, the ah-ha moment.

The light at the end of the tunnel is going to blare full-on for many seniors in the coming weeks. The light that says you're free and the other that will burn responsiblity forever. How exciting for these young people, young people we are all going to need in years to come. We want our young people to be responsible, teach humility and understanding and work. Work in some capacity to contribute to society. Volunteerism is hard work, holding a job with or without kiddos is work, being a stay at home parent is hard work...all that teach life lessons and how to contribute to the greater good.

So, give a graduating senior the famous book by Dr. Suess, "Oh The Places You'll Go". This is an inspiring book that is whimsical and uplifting. It will make you want to go out and do great things! "And will you succeed?Yes! You will, indeed!(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)", Dr. Suess. Congrats Seniors!!!

Doodle

This is Doodle...she was attending a "Tea Party". She thought she was a true princess. Wonder where she got that idea?

The handsome good-looking fellow is my precious darling! The only gentleman in attendance (over newborn status and under 10) at the tea party. In a room full of little ladies he was certainly out of his element. He handled it with such class and truly didn't mind being surrounded by the frills...he is certainly used to frills as he attends ballet and tap classes each week with Doodle!

And a Star is Born

Doodle Designs at first sounds like child trying to play store. Well, that is exactly the premise for which this crazy idea was born. Robin's little dalring, a free spirit of sorts came to us much earlier than anticipated. She entered this world in exactly as she thrives everyday...full speed ahead! I always say she is a little Janis Joplin and alot Jenny from Forrest Gump (a mix of bluesy peace lovin' and rock your world imagination)! When she arrived 8 weeks early she was given the nickname "Doodle Bug", quickly shortened to "Doodle". To this day, she can be in a huge crowd of people yards away and hear me call "Doodle" and she whips her head around with all that long blonde sunshine and smiles with those brilliant blue eyes (I swell with pride).

This child is special, as they all are; A hand delivered blessing from God that is given for any number of days, years, decades, hopefully a lifetime. This child is a unique gift, a powerful force of quirkiness and she truly holds the strings and we are merely the puppets...can you tell we have a bond?

So, when we decided to jump into this venture of ours this crazy spontaneous thought we struggled for a name that encompassed quirky, spunky, funky and fashionable. Well, "A Star is Born...Doodle Designs" after our very quirky, spunky, funky and we guide her in the fashionable Doodle! We couldn't be more proud to see her name in lights!