OH! I LOVE BLUE AND WHITE DISHES!

I have been doing quite a bit of "spring cleaning" and organizing at our house the past month. Every year, from Jan. through Feb., I seem to "catch the bug" of getting the house more "together" ---from the inside out! One job that I have been avoiding for many months is re-arranging our china cabinet. For over a year, it has looked terrible, more like a storage cabinet vs. a cabinet for display. Last week, a LOVELY book that I had ordered came in the mail----one of my favorite and most admired authors, Carolyne Roehme's new book: A Passion for Blue and White. I ordered the book because, I too, have collected and ADORE blue and white china and dishes----everything from antique Flow Blue, antique English blue/white dishes and even, total 'fakes' (cheap!) of Blue Willow. Many years ago, my sister and I gathered an entire dish set of Blue Willow ( I still use it today!) from Kroger! They were running a "special sale" and, my beloved sister and I collected an entire 12 piece place setting (12 each!) of these wonderful looking dishes........one of the best set of dishes I have ever owned---and, we still use them OFTEN! So-----I am posting this entry as my "Ode to Blue and White" dishes........I was reminded, while arranging my china cabinet, that I DEARLY adore ALL dishes blue and white and, SILVER---the two together make such a PRETTY display! My Mother has quite a fabulous collection of sterling and, she has "passed down" the love of silver pieces to me! Thanks Mom! I highly recommend starting or extending a collection of blue and white dishes----the dishes look SPECTACULAR on a table- for an elegant dinner party or a spring luncheon. The blue/white is quite versatile because ANY linen accent color will go with it- a hot pink tablecloth and napkins, lime green linens or, for a really elegant table- the blue and white dishes with white table linens and a simple arrangement of white roses (in a crystal compote) in the center. DIVINE! Collecting blue and white is really fun and, I hope you will begin your own collection soon of something you love!

My Sales Hero! Kyle Ogle

One of my BEST friends on the planet (Darla Ogle) wrote the following letter, re: her late husband (passed away 10-29-08) and, it is because of Kyle that I entered medical sales in the first place! Kyle really encouraged me and, inspired me to get into this field. Thank you Kyle! You are my sales HERO!
As you know, Kyle was the top sales representative for his company for 2008 and was honored at the sales meeting for this accomplishment.They invited me to the meeting to accept his award. I got to say a few words about Kyle and got to thank the people who helped make that goal possible. They showed part of the hunting show where Kyle spoke about not letting the disease define him and several pictures.

To honor Kyle's extraordinary life and achievements, the company created a new award that will be given each year to an outstanding rep who exhibits integrity professionally and personally. I had the honor of presenting the Kyle Ogle Outstanding Achievement Award to the first recipient. Of course, both awards got standing ovations from the crowd of 150 and there was not a dry eye in the room. I couldn't help but think of Kyle's big grin! He loved to win and I am sure would have said something like, "I can't believe you guys let a one armed man with cancer outsell you". By God's grace, and sheer determination, he outsold them all from a sick bed with headset on. :)Like he always used to quote:"Can't never did a thing!". He was all about "can".

With love and pride,
Darla

This time of year gets my heart beating....spring is just

around the corner! Some of you may know....I am a little

bit of a "clothes horse" and, I have a hobby of keeping up

with the latest fashions.....have been finding some CUTE

shoes and "fashion forward" items at Target lately and,

online at www.forever21.com. Here are 10 items to get

you up-to-date for the coming spring......FUN!

1. A striped shirt

2. Strappy flat sandal- really cute ones at Target.com!

3. Gold or silver metallic shoes or purse

4. A large slouchy purse

5. brown eyeshadow ( I love to look at www.sephora.com)

6. A bright yellow or green trench coat

7. A plaid blouse with belt around your middle....super cute!

8. One shoulder blouse or dress

9. Rolled up jeans w/ holes in the knees

10. Gold jewelry!

FASHION is FUN and, you can find GREAT deals at Target and, many other stores!

Brooke is 4 Today!

Wow! Hard to believe.....Brooke is 4 today! Today has "taken me back" to that call we received 4 years ago from the hospital in LA....."Mrs. Bryson, your baby girl has been born and, she is doing fine, but, she is really small.......". I will never forget that moment and, I quickly called John and, our parents and, we started to make arrangements to fly to the hospital! WOW! We were praying and praying that she was going to be okay......the nurses in the NICU were asking us to hurry b/c she had not had any visitors and, she was all alone. They said we needed to be talking to her and, that she needed to know our voice because "she had a long way to go, only weighing 3 pounds." We stayed out there with her 6 weeks before she was big enough to be transported back home. We were told that her vision might be compromised and that she could have learning problems and be delayed. We asked EVERYONE we knew to bathe this situation in prayer. The LORD, once again delivered! Brooke is a very ACTIVE and fun little girl! She welcomed 25 children today to decorate cupcakes at her party. She loves to learn and, she is a lot of fun! She just finished putting lipgloss (one of her gifts!) on me and, as I type, I believe she also put in all over my chin! God is FAITHFUL, GOD is always on TIME, God gave us Brooke and, she has brought more joy than I can ever explain to this childless couple! She has brought life into our home and, SO many times, people have said to me, "wow, what a lucky little girl that you all adopted her....."----every time, I always reply, "no, actually, we are the lucky/ blessed one.....she has rescued us". Happy Birthday little Girl! We adore you!

Really, Really "LOVE" this store! I have "inherited" the love of dollar stores from both my Mom and my Mom-in-law! One of our favorite things to do (me w/ each of them!) is shop in these stores and find all sorts of "treasures". Just yesterday, I walked in this fun store and, found the CUTEST iced tea glasses- with cobalt blue stems! I can just "see" them on a spring table! Also was "tempted" by CUTE placemats (red and lime green!) and some cute plates w/ roosters on them! I was a "good girl" and only bought the glasses, but, for a fun "outing" go scout around your closest Dollar Tree or dollar store! F.U.N.!

Please Pray for Jerry Bryson

Please pray for Jerry Bryson (John's Dad and my precious father-in-law). He has been diagnosed with non-Hodkin's Lymphoma for the 3rd time in the past 8 years! He started treatment today! Please pray for his strength and, for the treatment to have mild side effects. He is a WONDERFUL example to me of Christ! He truly has a heart of gold! He has taught me SO much about living for the Lord each and every day! He is VERY positive, he radiates love for Jesus! He is a GREAT man of wisdom and character and, I am SO BLESSED to be related to him! Thank you for praying for Jerry Bryson! Thank you! Prayer changes things! Prayer changes ALL things!!!

We are SUPER excited about adopting our third child! He is due February 22nd in Cairo, GA (pronounced "KA-RO"). Our dear friend Mark Ottinger (originally from Georgia) tells me that this is about as far south Georgia as we can get where lots of peanuts are grown! We are driving over there this coming weekend to meet with the birth parents! We would covet your prayers for our new son! THANK YOU for praying!