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!