Straight From The Heart View RSS

DC Trip...LONG OverDue 17 Sep 2018 3:33 PM (6 years ago)

 
A huge pile of shoes that were worn by Holocaust victims, young and old alike...

 
To see the faces of the precious, innocent people who lost their lives was beyond emotional. It's something that will forever remain with me. I believe each and every American, every human being, should visit the museum, at least, once...


We toured the US Capital, Library of Congress, and even the White House. The pics from our White House tour are still on my phone, so I'll try to remember to share them, sooner than later...




We, of course, visited all of the Smithsonian Museums and had a blast!




There is nothing more moving, in my opinion, than visiting Arlington National Cemetery. To say that it makes you feel so proud and eternally grateful to all who've given so much for your freedom is such an understatement. As always, I had a lump in my throat the entire time we were there, especially, during the changing of the guard ceremony...

A"Walk" to Remember... 4 Sep 2018 2:50 PM (6 years ago)

                                                     

Hoping to Return Soon 10 May 2018 8:39 AM (6 years ago)

Hello, friends!

I can't believe that I've been away from blogging for 9 months! I sure have missed all of you dearly. I just felt the need to take a much-needed break for awhile as I had lost my motivation to blog, anymore. We've all been there at one time or another, right? Sometimes, it's necessary to step away and get your head back in the right place, again. I'm getting there, one baby step at a time.

One thing I think is going to help me find my motivation for blogging, again, is to get a blog makeover. So, I'm communicating with someone right now about my ideas and we'll go from there. I'm not sure how long the entire process will take, but I'm excited about a new look...and a new perspective.

Chris got me a Microsoft Surface Pro for Christmas that I have yet to take the time to figure out, so that's a goal of mine, as well, which will surely help in my ability to blog more easily than before. So, I ask that you bear with me as I go through this transition phase and come back, hopefully, even better than before.

Please don't give up on me just yet! Hope to see you back here in the near future!

Love to you all!

Wednesday Hodgepodge 9 Aug 2017 4:32 AM (7 years ago)

Do y'all have any idea how much I've missed each of you...not to mention blogging? Well, I have A LOT! Hey, life happens sometimes and you just have to step away for whatever reason...and that's what I decided to do. Now, that isn't to say that I'm back full swing, but it's definitely a move in the right direction, wouldn't you say? If you're interested in participating in Hodgepodge, simply answer the questions on your own blog and link up. Here we go!

1.  Do you try to set rules for yourself in how you use your time? Explain.  Yes, I usually have a list in my head and I allot a certain amount of time to getting those things accomplished before I can enjoy some down time. Seems to work well for me.

2.  Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list, which would you most like to see in person?  Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Headlight (Maine), The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggy's Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan). When you've been away, what's your 'lighthouse' telling you you're on the right road home?  I have visited a lighthouse in Hilton Head, SC (Harbor Town) and one in the Caribbean, though I can't recall exactly where. On the list, I'd most like to visit Fanad Lighthouse because I've always wanted to go to Ireland. When I'm away, my 'lighthouse' is either Chris, as he's great with directions (me...not so much), or the Waze app on my phone. That thing is priceless! However, if you're talking about a landmark, it would have to be the golf course that is at the entrance to our neighborhood.

3.  What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin, again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?  I don't necessarily think this is unintentional, but it's my trying to control the things over which I have no control. I'm thinking of letting it go permanently. After all, God is the only one who's really in control...and that brings me such peace.    

4.  We've had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment of your month, so far.  Last Sunday at church, we combined our two services into one at 9:30 AM and it was awesome! There was hardly a vacant seat in the sanctuary!

5.  Tell us one song you love with the word 'baby' in the title.  "Baby I'm A Want You" by Bread. Please, someone tell me that rings a bell! It was one of my favorite 70's songs. Boy, am I ever dating myself now!

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  As Brittany recently posted to her Facebook, "Wedding planning is NO joke!" I'd say that's the understatement of the century! We now have 7 months to pull everything together before her wedding and my stress level is beginning to rise. We recently booked the venue and we want to commit to a photographer by tomorrow. Next on the list will be the catering, cake, and DJ. Oh, and we, also, have to start dress shopping. Time is of the essence! I'm trying hard to enjoy the journey and I think that once we have all the vendors nailed down, I will be able to do just that.

Please keep our family close in your thoughts and prayers. We've come to the painful decision to have our beloved dog, Maddie, of almost 17 years put down on Friday. Her health has taken a sharp turn downward this past month or so. She has suffered a couple of seizures, is blind and deaf, has lost a lot of weight, has a tumor inside her ear, and isn't steady on her feet (walks into walls, etc.). We know it's the right thing to do, but there is still that sense of guilt that we're all fighting. Pray for peace as we go through this difficult time. We love our Maddie deeply and don't want her to suffer. I'm sure I'll post more about her next week, but it's too raw and too real right now. I know you understand. Here's a shot I took of her a couple of weeks ago while she was attempting to eat her dinner. Her little legs often give out from underneath her...


In our eyes, she's the BEST dog there is...and certainly the MOST loved. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge 21 Jun 2017 3:56 AM (7 years ago)

Sure have missed participating in Hodgepodge over the past couple of months. Life gets in the way sometimes, as we all know. If you'd like to join in, simply answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  The first day of summer rolls in later this week. What are ten things you'd put on your list of quintessential summer activities? Will you manage to try all ten this summer? 1. Go to a matinee movie. 2. Pick strawberries. 3. Swim in the ocean or lake. 4. Eat watermelon. 5.  Make homemade ice cream. 6. Look at the stars from our back deck. 7. Go white water rafting. 8. Take a hike in the mountains. 9. Grow wildflowers. 10. Go boating. Yes, I should have the opportunity to do most of these this summer.

2. Do you collect seashells when you're at the beach? What do you do with them once you get them home? What's your favorite place to comb for seashells? How many of these 'best beaches for hunting seashells' have you visited? Which one would you most like to visit?  I love walking along the beach and looking for pretty or unique seashells. I have a Mason jar that I've filled with some my favorite shells that I've collected over the years. I've only visited the Bahamas and Sanibel Island on the list, which I highly recommend! The one I'd most like to visit would be Shipwreck Beach as we're heading to Hawaii in July.

Calvert Cliffs State Park (Maryland), Jeffrey's Bay (South Africa), Sanibel Island (Florida), Shipwreck Beach (Lanai Hawaii), Oracoke Island (North Carolina), Galveston Island (Texas), the Bahamas

3.  At a snail's pace, shell out money, come out of your shell, go back into your shell, drop a bombshell, happy as a clam, clam up...which 'shell' phrase could most recently be applied to some event or circumstance in your life? Explain. I'm going with 'shell our money' because we're close to booking an all-inclusive wedding venue for Brittany and her fiancé, David.

4.  What summer activity do you dislike? Why?  I love summer, but one thing I can't stand is sitting on a beach and getting covered in sand.

5.  What's something you see as quickly becoming obsolete? Does that bother you? Human conversation. Cell phones have taken over the world. I can't tell you the times I've been in a restaurant, for example, and I see a couple or a family...all of whom are on their phones...and not one is engaging in actual conversation. I find that to be very sad and disturbing. Put your phones down, people!

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  Chris is Quintera, Mexico on business. I've been nervous about him going there ever since one of his golfing buddies told him that whenever he's had to travel to that part of the country, he's taken bodyguards and travels in an armoured vehicle because of the dangerous environment. Well, yesterday afternoon, I received a text message from Chris saying that the car he was riding in to his sales call got robbed. That's all I knew for well over a couple of hours as he wasn't reading or responding to my texts. I was worried sick about him. He, finally, let me know that he was alright. Said he and the other two men (Mexicans) he was with were advised not to leave anything of value in their car while they were on the sales call, so they made sure to take their phones and laptops inside with them. When they got done with their car, thieves had taken the rear-view and side mirrors from the car, so they had to go to a local dealership to have them replaced. It could have been so much worse and I'm thankful that it wasn't. He will be down there until Friday morning...I'll be relieved to have him home.

She Said, "YES!" 20 Jun 2017 4:31 AM (7 years ago)

I can't believe how long it's been since my last post! We've had a lot going on around here, which seems to often be the case, anymore. I wanted to share some very exciting news in our family!

On May 19th, after nearly three years of dating, Brittany's boyfriend, David, asked for her hand in marriage! They came to visit us on Mother's Day and we all went bowling. When we got home, David asked to speak to Chris outside for a minute without Brittany knowing. He asked for his permission and blessing to ask Brittany to marry him and, of course, he agreed. Well, the weekend of May 19th, Brittany and David went to Alabama to help with a camp for disabled folks. In fact, that's where they met and they've been participating together ever since. David waited for the perfect moment as they were surrounded by some of their friends at the camp. The sun was getting ready to set, then he popped the question.

David's brother captured the exact moment it happened...


Brittany was shocked and, oh, so thrilled! She called to tell me the wonderful news. Would you believe that I was taking a bubble bath? I took her call because I knew why she was calling. She put David on speaker phone...I was dying! Talk about AWKWARD! I told Brittany after the fact and she got a good laugh out of it.

They truly are meant to be together...I've seen their love blossom over the years. As I may have mentioned before, David became a paraplegic back in 2010 after a motorcycle accident. Brittany has an amazing ability to see past his wheelchair and to look straight at his heart. David is a wonderful man and we're excited to have him become part of our family.

Here's her beautiful engagement ring...


They have set a date for March 24, 2018. They've been busy looking at venues and have it narrowed down to two. We're hoping to reserve one within the next two weeks as they book quickly. Next will be shopping for a wedding dress. The fun is about to begin!

Love is definitely in the air!

Wednesday Hodgepodge 10 May 2017 3:37 AM (7 years ago)

Happy to be joining everyone today for Hodgepodge! If you're interested in participating, too, simply answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  Share a favorite memory of your mother or share a favorite something of your own life as a mother. If you're a mother (or a stepmom), tell us how your experience as a mom differs from your own mother's experience.  My mom and I shared the same kind of dry sense of humor and we were known for getting tickled at the most inappropriate times and places. I recall one time when we were sitting in church and her belly started growling. I started giggling and before I knew it, Mom was giggling, too. We, literally, had tears running down our cheeks. We were mortified because we giggled so hard that the pew was shaking. No joke. My experience as a mom differs from my own mom's experience in that we have social media and cell phones to contend with now. Growing up, we only had four TV channels, I think, and no Internet, so my world was pretty contained. If I wanted to call someone, I had to do so on our home phone that had a long cord I would wind through the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. When my mom or dad thought I had talked long enough, they'd grab hold of the cord and reel me back in. Everything now seems to be all about being "plugged in" electronically, whereas when I was growing up, we had actual conversations with family and friends...imagine that.

2.  In May, we celebrate teachers (May 9) and nurses (May 6) both. Most every family has, at least, one in their midst, so tell us something (or a few things) you appreciate about the teacher or nurse on your family tree.  I have an aunt (my dad's sister) who is a retired college professor; she earned a Doctorate degree. She taught Early Childhood Education classes. In fact, she was one of my own professors when I was in college. It was funny because I can recall a time when I was sitting with some of my classmates and they were talking about Dr. Bowers (my aunt) and how hard of a professor she was; I sat quietly and listened. I waited for the right moment and said, "You do know you're talking about my aunt, right?" They all gasped. Honestly, I found it to be quite a compliment for them to say that she was a tough professor because she demanded that her students give their best in her classes...nothing less.          

3.  Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad...which would you go for if all three were on the menu? On bread or a bed of lettuce? If you answered bread, what kind of bread would make it the perfect sandwich? I love chicken salad on lettuce with egg salad on wheat bread being a close second. I'm not a fan of tuna salad.

4.  Do you have a desk? Is it organized? If so, share your secret to keeping it that way. If you don't have a desk, where in your home do you take care of family paperwork and business? Where do you normally sit to blog?  Yes, we have a built-in desk in our kitchen and an office desk upstairs and in our basement. The ones in our kitchen and upstairs are pretty organized. I tidy them up every few days and use mesh cups for pens, as well as a baskets for other essentials. I keep bills to be paid, with the date they need to be mailed written on the bottom left-hand corner of the envelope, in a small stack on our kitchen desk. I blog from the desk upstairs. Now, the one in the basement is in Chris's office and he's tossed papers all over it. Whenever I walk past it, I close the door and walk away. He doesn't like when I try to organize his office...he can never find what he's looking for.

5.  When I was nine years old...

I looked like one of the Beatles. Take it all in, folks...take it in. Now, I may have been a bit older than 9 in this photo, but you get the general idea.  

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  The girls and I saw Riverdance on Saturday at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. It was phenomenal! I highly recommend it! I am now ready to take an Irish Step Dancing class because I'm convinced that after only a few lessons, I would be a pure natural...in my dreams, that is!

God Never Fails 4 May 2017 6:03 AM (7 years ago)

As I mentioned recently, I had some blood work done two weeks ago today by a hematologist. The reason is because my white blood cell count in November came back at 2.8. My GYN retested me in December and though it had come up, my count was still low at 3.6. So, the recommendation was made that I consult a hematologist to see what next step to take. I have to admit, my first visit with the doctor was somewhat unnerving as she's, also, an oncologist. There is a lot of cancer in my family, so all the 'what ifs' flooded my mind.

About eight or nine vials of blood were taken for an entire panel of tests. Results were supposed to be back within a week. I hadn't received any call from the doctor's office, so I had decided to give them until tomorrow before I called them. I got our mail yesterday afternoon and saw a letter from the hematologist. I sort of held my breath as I opened it and read it. Every single test she ran, and there were four pages of results, were completely 100% NORMAL! My white blood cell count is now at 6.8, which is the highest it's been in years. Even my red blood cell count, platelet count, and hemoglobin, which were all in the high range, were perfectly normal. I kid you not, this is the first time in a very long time that I've had every single panel on my blood work come back normal.

I serve a mighty God and I know that He is the reason for my great news! Thanks to all of you who prayed for good results; I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! It's wonderful to be surrounded by Prayer Warriors when you need them. So, I feel like I can finally breathe and continue to live my life as fully as possible.

Wednesday Hodgepodge 3 May 2017 3:56 AM (7 years ago)

Can you believe it's May already? Doesn't seem possible, does it? Well, what better way to ring in a new month than to participate in Hodgepodge! Want to play along, too? Just answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  Can you tell I'm embracing a Cinco de Mayo theme here this week? Do you like Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? How about on the side-black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, rice? What about heat-mild, medium, hot? Will you celebrate with Mexican food and drinks on May 5th aka Cinco de Mayo? Yes, I do love Mexican food and I'd say chicken fajitas are my favorite with a chicken burrito a close second. I like black beans or Spanish rice on the side...not crazy about refried beans. I like the heat to be medium to hot. We often go out for Mexican food on Friday night, so we could very well celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

2.  Ever been to Mexico? For work or holiday? Love it or no? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to visit? Can you speak Spanish? I have been to Mexico quite a few times. We went to Cancun on our honeymoon, in fact, way back in '89. We've been to Cozumel and Costa Maya numerous times on cruises, as well as Nogales (very scary place!). I do think Mexico is pretty in some areas, but it's not necessarily at the top of my 'must see' list. I don't speak Spanish fluently, but I can say some common phrases, such as, "Buenos dias." Impressive, I know.

3.  What's one thing you may accomplish this month? I really need to get another one of my blog books published...I've fallen behind.

4.  If you were mayor of your village, city, or town, what's one thing you'd like to see done away with, revamped, or accomplished? Is serving in public office something you've ever seriously considered? I'd see if I could get a Target built in our town. We could use another large retail store nearby other than Wal-Mart. No, I have no desire to ever serve in a public office.

5. What's something that may be popular, but you simply don't get it? Honestly, I don't see the attraction to SnapChat. I think teens misuse it a lot and it can be a dangerous tool for many reasons. The thought behind it is that you can post something, then it 'vanishes' into thin air after so many seconds later. I'm not sure how much truth there is to that.

6.  Can't let this week slip by without mentioning that Thursday, May 4th is Star Wars Day. As in 'May the 4th be with you' ahem. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series? Exactly how much of a fan are you? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being 'I've seen every film, own all the action figures, might have dressed as Darth Vader for Halloween one year' and 1 being 'What's a Vader?'-where do you land? I cringe every time Chris turns on a Star Wars movie. He has a tendency to watch them over and over, again. I find them boring. In fact, we saw one at the movie theater not too long ago and I nodded off. On a scale of 1-10, I'm probably around a 2.

7.  Scroll back through your blog posts and in three sentences or less tell us the general theme of your fourth blog post. Does it still ring true? Is it a topic you revisit on your blog from time-to-time?  My fourth blog post was on Aug. 12, 2008. It was about Abby being nervous to start to school as a 6th grader and I did my best to calm her and let her know I believe in her. Yes, I still do that to this day. I can't say I've revisited that exact topic on my blog, but I do write about my family a lot. They're the main reason I blog, in fact.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. I have loved being outside in the beautiful weather this week...so good for my soul! Thought I'd share a few photos I've taken...

This little rascal eats all of the bird food right out of our feeder and is incredibly flexible...


This crow made an unexpected visit to our back deck...


Who can't appreciate the beauty of a blue jay...


Chris and I worked all week and into the weekend on our backyard. We re-did much of our landscaping and I'm so happy with how it turned out. It's my 'peaceful place'...


Hey-guess where the girls and I are headed on Saturday afternoon? We're going downtown Atlanta to see the production of Riverdance at the incredible Fox Theater. I'm already dusting off my tap shoes. I can't tell you how excited I am to finally see it! Enjoy today, friends!
   

Wednesday Hodgepodge 26 Apr 2017 4:30 AM (7 years ago)

I sure have missed participating in Hodgepodge for the past few weeks...so happy to be back! If you're interested in playing along, simply answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  "April showers bring May flowers", or so the saying goes. Has your April been filled with showers? Do you carry an umbrella, wear a slicker, or make a run for it? Besides rain, what else has filled your April? I wouldn't say my April has been filled with showers, but we have gotten a fair amount of rain, especially recently. I do carry an umbrella with me whenever it rains. Besides rain, my April has been filled with doctor's appointments, choir rehearsals, church, and working in our yard (we're redoing a lot of our landscaping).

2.  What's something you could give a 30-minute presentation on at a moment's notice and with zero preparation? Definitely how to cope when dealing with a prodigal child and how to rely on your faith in God for strength, wisdom, and peace.

3.  Share with us your favorite food memory from childhood. My mom and I used to love watching "Cops" together every Saturday night. She would make us a big bowl of popcorn to share while we watched it. I sure miss those moments with her.

4.  What's a song you thought you knew the lyrics to, but later discovered you were wrong? "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees. There's a line that says, "Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin'" and I thought it said, "Music city breakin' and everybody's thinkin'". In fact, most of the songs by the Bee Gees I'm pretty sure I've gotten wrong all these years simply because they're sung so fast!

5.  According to one travel website, the most overrated tourist attractions in America are:  Niagara Falls(NY), Hollywood Walk of Fame (California), Times Square (NYC), Epcot (FL), Seattle Space Needle (WA), and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (Boston). How many of these have you seen in person? Did you feel like a tourist? Did you care? Tell us about a place (not on the list), you've visited that might be considered a tourist trap, but you love it, anyway.  I have only seen Epcot in person. Yes, because of the large crowds, I definitely felt like a tourist and I didn't care one bit, though large crowds often make me feel a tad bit suffocated. I love Gatlingburg, TN., which is definitely a tourist trap. I love it there because it's nestled in the Smoky Mountains and it's where Chris and I went on several dates before we got married.

6.  Your signature clothing item? Probably my Saucony running shoes. Any time I'm looking for comfort, they're my 'go to'.

7.  What's an experience you've had you think everyone should experience just once? Why? Going horseback riding in both Colorado and Arizona. The scenery was almost too beautiful to take in. Would do it, again, in a heartbeat!  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  Such tragic news about the passing of Erin Moran who played Joanie Cunningham on "Happy Days". Everyone assumed her death was due to drugs, but she died following a 5-month battle with skin cancer, which spread to her spleen, lungs,  and part of her brain. She was such a big part of my growing up years...may she Rest in Peace.

Always Playing Catch-Up 20 Apr 2017 6:56 AM (7 years ago)

It seems to be the story of my life lately...always playing catch-up, especially when it comes to blogging. I have fallen behind in some things I wanted to share with all of you and am now just getting around to it. I keep telling myself that soon, very soon, I'll find a window of opportunity to sit at the computer and let my thoughts flow like I used to do. For now, it's baby steps...that's all I can offer. I have to let go of the guilt and just do what I can...nothing more, nothing less.

A couple of months ago, I became a grandmother to another fur baby. Brittany got a guinea pig that she, initially, thought was a male, so she named him Oliver. Well, Oliver came down with the sniffles so she took him to a local vet, at which time it was confirmed...Oliver was a female. So, her name is now Olive. Brittany is completely ridiculous about this little rodent-I mean guinea pig...   

The hubs celebrated his 54th birthday on April 2nd. We treated him like the king he knows he is...ha! He got a custom set of golf clubs and a new pair of snazzy golf shoes as his main gifts. Anything having to do with golf and it's a big win, trust me...
 

This past Saturday, the girls and I drove over to a neat little park in Braselton, GA. We came upon this old mill...


Look at this beautiful church that was built in the 1870's...


Easter Sunday was wonderful in every way! I sang at both the 9:30 AM and 11 AM services and God was alive in that place!  Here's Brittany, now 25 years old...
 

And Abby, now 20 years old...


Here's all four of us together after we made it home from church. I love them more than I can begin to say...


Look at our sweet Bella enjoying a rest in Abby's hammock...


Can you say, "Yum!"? For our Easter Sunday dessert, I made a homemade coconut cream pie, including the crust, and it was so good! I think my mom would have been proud...


I was thrilled on Easter Sunday when we were in the backyard and I saw how many buds were on our Knockout Roses! It won't be long now until we'll have more blooms than we'll know what to do with. Can't wait!


I have a busy day ahead. I have to take Abby in to see the pulmonologist at 2:10 to evaluate how her A-PAP machine has been working out in treating her sleep apnea. Then, I have to go to the local hospital for bloodwork. I wrote recently how I've been having low white blood cell counts for about 10 years, but when it dropped pretty low in December, my family physician suggested I see a hematologist, which I did last week. She recommend further bloodwork that checks for all sorts of things. She said because my red blood cell counts and platelets are normal to high, she feels she can rule out things such as leukemia and lymphoma. Now, she's concentrating on a possible chronic infection or even an autoimmunine disease of some sort (my brother had discoid lupus). She said that since I have been healthy for 10+ since all of this began is a good sign, so we will see. If the results show anything is out-of-range, she's going to want to do a bone marrow biopsy, which kind of freaks me out. So, I'm trusting that all will be well. Results should take about a week. Prayers greatly appreciated!

Hope y'all have a great rest of the day and a nice, relaxing weekend! Enjoy it!
    

In An Instant.... 19 Apr 2017 6:01 AM (7 years ago)

On Monday afternoon, I received a call no parent ever wants to get from their child when they say, "Mom, I've been in a wreck." Abby had left the house about 30 minutes earlier, so I was going about my usual business of the day when our house phone rang and I saw it was Abby calling me. She was crying and informed me that she'd been in a wreck and that her nose was bleeding and her leg hurt. I asked where she was, then I had Chris meet me and we drove as fast as we could to the scene of the accident.     

When we arrived, there were three or four police cars and an ambulance, all with lights flashing. We rushed over to the ambulance and Abby came out of the back end with a couple of paramedics. Thank the Good Lord, she looked alright and they said they checked her over and she seemed to be OK. They recommended that we take her to the ER for further evaluation. About that time, one of the officers came over and took her statement. Apparently, Abby was in the processing of stopping for the car in front of her who was letting a car turn onto the main road from a parking lot. Abby said, out of nowhere, the lady behind her plowed right into her, causing her to ram the car in front of her. The lady who hit her from behind claimed she had just left a car wash and said her brakes must have been wet because they weren't working. Abby said she overheard one of the officers tell her that they weren't buying her story. We suspect she was texting while driving.

Needless to say, from all indications, Abby's car is totaled. The insurance adjuster will assess the damage within the next couple of days. The entire undercarriage of her car was knocked loose. Abby said the impact was hard and had she not been wearing her seatbelt, she likely would have gone through the windshield. Here's the damage to her car...    

And here's the damage to the vehicle that hit her...


Debris was scattered all over the road. The SUV was stopped about 35-40 ft. behind Abby's car which gives you an idea of how far it pushed Abby's car after it made impact.

We took Abby to the ER after all the information was gathered. She had slammed her nose into her steering wheel and injured her calf, so they took x-rays and nothing is broken. So, they sent her home with a prescription for Naproxen and a muscle relaxer.

It's a miracle that all three women involved in the wreck walked away from it virtually unscathed. We all can agree...vehicles can be replaced, but people can't. I keep thinking how things could have ended up so much worse than they did. So, today, I'm beyond grateful that God was watching over Abby in that moment and kept her safe. Amazing how things can change...in an instant.    

The Parenting Journey 12 Apr 2017 6:25 AM (7 years ago)

I think back to when Chris and I were newlyweds in the late 80's and we were contemplating becoming parents. We knew we were going to face many challenges, including sleepless nights, inconsolable temper tantrums, sicknesses, etc. Those things sort of come with the territory. We survived them all, as most parents do. Little did we know that the 'real' challenges lay ahead.

I'm sure I'm not the first parent to admit that the teenage years on into young adulthood can be remarkably grueling in many ways. It's a time of self-discovery when kids are bound and determined to set themselves apart from their parents and follow their own path. Some may choose a path similar to how they were raised; others may choose a completely different one. Many times, parents have little to no influence on which path is taken...it simply happens.  All that is left for a parent to do is pray their child comes out on the other side as unscathed as possible. The more you try to control the situation at hand, the more rebellion ensues.

I remember, as some of you might recall, when Brittany was in college and dated a young man by the name of Connor. He was awful to my daughter. He had fits of rage when he yelled at her, called her names, and even shoved her several times. Those behaviors were deal breakers for me. I could not and would not ever tolerate someone who would mistreat my daughter, but Brittany just couldn't see it...she LOVED him, or so she thought. She even begged us to have him come for a weekend visit with her. We were completely against it, but we agreed only because we didn't want to push Brittany away from us. Let's just say that his true colors shown brightly while he was here. I even remember telling Brittany soon thereafter that if she ever made the decision to marry him, I didn't know if I could attend their wedding. She told me that was an eye-opener for her and knew that she could no longer be in a relationship with someone that her parents couldn't approve. So, after two years or so of being together, she ended it and is now in a loving relationship with a wonderful, kind man. She emerged on the other side and learned some lasting life lessons along the way.

The same kind of scenario has played out in Abby's life, too. If you'll recall, only three days after turning 18 and seven months shy of graduating from high school, she moved out of our home and in with her boyfriend, Austin, and his family. I was home alone when it all went down and it was day that forever changed me. She stayed gone for seven months and ended up dropping out of school. She enrolled in an online high school program. We allowed her to move back home because his parents had given them an ultimatum. Thankfully, the month after she returned, she graduated and earned her high school diploma. They broke up about four months later, much to our relief. We never approved of their relationship for various reasons, primarily because he lied to us on numerous occasions and didn't treat Abby or us with respect. She ended a year-long tumultuous relationship in early-March with another guy who assaulted her on several occasions. I'm sorry to say, but we definitely weren't fans of him, either. He had very bad anger issues. Abby just couldn't see it, though, no matter how much we expressed concern. Thankfully, she got to the point where she couldn't tolerate his behavior anymore and broke up with him.

Now, here's where her story takes a turn. Without going in to all the details, she and Austin reconnected and are now back in a relationship, again. Are Chris and I happy about it? No. Are we shocked? No. Are we trying to convince her to end it? No. Why? Because Abby is 20 years old and is now at a juncture in her life where she has to make her own choices and be ready to deal with whatever consequences result. Chris and I have been her 'safety net' for a long time...always ready to catch her when she falls. We have since come to realize that our ability to control the decisions she makes is gone...God is the only one who is in ultimate control, so we've relinquished our control over to Him. Do we still worry and fret? Yes, but to a much lesser degree than before. We continue to believe that God is going to get her attention, some way, somehow...just like He did with Brittany. It may not happen tomorrow or even weeks from now...it may take months or possibly years. God has equipped us with more strength than we ever dreamed possible. One thing Abby has to have learned through all of this is that our love for her in unfailing. We could have walked away a long time ago, but we believe in extending love, mercy, grace and forgiveness...just as Christ has shown us. Now, that isn't to say that we don't have boundaries, which we do. Austin isn't allowed to come to our home. Interestingly enough, his mom isn't allowing Abby to come to their home, either. So, in this storm...we wait patiently on the Lord to do His work. He is refining and molding us to be the Christ-followers He wants us to be.

So, yes, the journey of parenting can be long, arduous, and gut-wrenching at times. You can experience deep-rooted pain one day and immense joy the next. I've said it before, but I serve a God who is in the mountain-moving business and I know He is constantly at work in my life and in the lives of those I dearly love. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that whatever fork in the road I face next, He is with me.

Say a prayer, if you would for our sweet ol' girl, Maddie. She's 16 1/2 years old and has injured her foot/shoulder and is walking around with a limp. She is not eating very well and has been dropping weight, but the vet says her heart and lungs are strong. I took this shot of Chris giving her some love the other day and it made my heart melt...


We sure do love her a lot.

Masters Practice Round-Augusta National 6 Apr 2017 6:28 AM (7 years ago)

I grew up in a family of golfers. My dad and two brothers played, as well as some of my extended family. Chris, of course, is an avid golfer...borderline golf addict. So, golf is certainly nothing new to me. However, it isn't something I've taken a huge interest in playing. I did take a course in golf back in college and got an 'A' in it and I have been golfing several times, but that's about as far as it's gotten. I do, however, like to ride the course with Chris from time-to-time.

Well, on Tuesday, I was fortunate enough to attend the practice round of the Masters at Augusta National in Augusta, GA. Chris and I drove the 2.5 hrs. down there and met up with his mom and brother. We arrived around 8:30 AM and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. The course was absolutely flawless! Prettiest greens and fairways I've ever seen...

Chris had to have his photo taken in front of the leaderboard...


I have never seen so many folks on one course in my life...



I was lucky to get some good shots of the top golfers. Here's Rickie Fowler...


One of my favorites, Phil Mickelson...



What a thrill to see Rory McElroy...


This is the hole where golfers attempted to skip their golf balls across the lake to the other side...


Chris was definitely in his element, which made me very happy...


Here's the #1 golfer in the world, Dustin Johnson. He fell down some stairs and injured his back, so he may not be able to compete...


Fred Couples hitting out of the sand trap...


Vijay Singh...


I know the caddies make good money, but I can't get over what they're required to wear...


Bubba Watson...


I glanced over and saw this woman's glasses and they left me speechless...


A few more shots of Rory...



One more shot of the impeccable course...


We were there from 8:30 AM until 2:00 PM. We were able to enjoy their famous pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches for lunch. I think they were only a $1 or $1.50. Food was very reasonably priced. Now, the golf shop was a whole different ballgame. They were selling golf shirts with the Masters emblem for $79 and up. You had to stand in a long line to even get inside the shop. Merchandise flew off the shelves!

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend the practice round with Chris and to see everything through his eyes. Getting up close and personal with some of the top golfers in the world was such an unforgettable experience and so worth it in every way!

Wednesday Hodgepodge 22 Mar 2017 4:39 AM (8 years ago)

So happy that spring has finally arrived...the birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and it's time for Hodgepodge! Want to join in, too? Simply answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  Setting aside the real March Madness (NCAA Basketball), describe something happening at your house this month that might earn the title 'March Madness'? Probably the fact that Chris has a golf tournament coming up that I'm sure I'll be hearing a lot about from start to finish. He's very competitive and likes to win!

2.  What's a favorite made up word from your childhood or a favorite from your children's childhood? Does your family still use the word today? If there's a story behind the origin, please share. Well, the only thing I can think of is not a word, but a phrase. We often will say to each other, "You're crazier than a Bessie bug!" It's something I heard my parents say, especially my dad, when I was growing up and I say it all the time to my girls. They have been using the phrase for a good number of years, too. I interpret it to mean that you're saying or doing something that's silly or ridiculous. Wait...I now remember a word Brittany used to always say when she was around 1 year old. She'd say, "Da-doo" and point whenever she wanted something. I have no clue what she was trying to say in its place.

3.  Will you be doing any spring cleaning now that the season is upon us? I read here a list of 15 quick (under one hour) spring cleaning tasks. They were: clean out a drawer, vacuum furniture, whiten the grout, dust the nooks and crannies you don't get to year-round, degrease kitchen cabinets, wipe down walls, go behind furniture, wipe down ceiling fans, vacuum the mattress, clean the range hood, wash baseboards, shine the stainless steel, clean out vents, tackle the windows, and wipe down gadgets.  Of the 15 quick tasks listed, which two most need doing at your house? Will you do them? Quite honestly, I've done many on the list already. The two tasks that I most likely will do because they need to be done is wash baseboards and whiten the grout. Definitely won't be jobs that I'm looking forward to, especially since my knees will be aching. It's called growing older, folks.

4.  A favorite movie set in Paris or New York? Tootsie! Such a cute movie!

5.  What's put a 'spring' in your step this month? The fact that I've redone our guest bedroom. I am so pleased with how it turned out. We bought a new wrought iron bed and bedside table. I added new pictures, comforter set, and drapes. The only thing left to do is change out the ceiling fan. Trust me, the transformation was way overdue!


6.  Did you ever want to be a teacher? Why or why not?  Yes, I would have loved being an elementary school teacher, primarily K-2 grades. I have always enjoyed helping children learn and have volunteered as a tutor when Abby was in elementary school. I loved every second of it! I was a speech-language therapist in the public schools in TN., so I suppose you can say that I was a teacher who helped with articulation, stuttering, and language delays.

7.  What's your favorite floral scent? Do you have this somewhere in your home or maybe in a perfume? How do you feel about florals in food? How about wines with floral notes-yay or nay?
My favorite floral scent is a toss between magnolia and lilac. No, I don't have those scents anywhere in my home, but I do have some magnolia shrubs in our back yard that I'm excited to have bloom. I have never tried florals in food, but it doesn't sound very appetizing to me. I don't drink, so I have no opinion in regards to floral notes in wine.
  
8.  Insert your own random thought here. We had a bad storm roll in last night. I stood outside on our back patio below our deck and watched the lightning dance across the sky. Pretty spectacular!The wind was so strong that it blew our grill from one side of our deck to the other...and I almost went with it! Thank goodness, we didn't get any hail like many folks did and didn't sustain any damage to our home. Do you enjoy watching thunderstorms?

Hope you have a terrific Wednesday!

This~N~That 15 Mar 2017 3:38 PM (8 years ago)

Is it cold and blustery where you live? We were at a shocking 26 degrees when I got up this morning and the highest the temperature has reached today is 46 degrees. The wind has been gusting non-stop, which makes it feel even colder. What happened to the warm weather we had for awhile? Hoping it returns soon!

I was so fortunate to win a giveaway held by my blogging buddy, Pam, over at Empty Nester. She sent me a set of four coasters that she sells in her ETSY shop. They're almost too pretty to use. I really love them and you should pay her a visit, if you haven't already. She's been having giveaways pretty often, so you might be the next lucky winner... 

Ok, is this girl of mine precious or what? She found a little sunny spot and was soaking up the rays. I love her to pieces...


Do you remember how I mentioned recently that I the next thing I planned to craft was a wreath for our front door? I'm all about bright colors as spring approaches (or so we hope!), so I chose some orange and yellow flowers, and painted a 'W' bright yellow and hot glued them to a grapevine wreath. VOILA! Finished product in less than 15 minutes...
 

Abby was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea after undergoing an at-home sleep study. So, the remedy for it is to use a C-PAP machine. She was found to stop breathing 12 times during the night, which sounds pretty scary, if you ask me. The C-PAP regulates her overall breathing. It forces air into her nose throughout the night. The mask looks cumbersome to me, but she says that she sleeps well while wearing it and never even notices it. She goes back in to the pulmonary doctor in a few weeks to see how effective it's been for her and to determine if adjustments need to be made....


Of course, I couldn't resist including a few shots that I took by sticking my camera lens through the blinds of our back door. If I try to step out on our back deck, I always scare the birds away, so taking photos through the back door seems to work fine...


This little cutie was out in the cold, windy weather this morning attempting to stay warm...


Keep cozy, my friends...and let's all hope that spring's arrival will bring us much-needed sunshiny days! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge 8 Mar 2017 4:58 AM (8 years ago)

As busy as I am today, there is no way I'd miss out on the 300th Hodgepodge! How our host, Joyce, has managed to come up with thought-provoking questions each week is mind-boggling to me, but greatly appreciated. Join along with us, won't you? Just answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing? Well, I like to keep a clean and orderly house. Now, that isn't to say it's perfect. I just believe that everything has its place. It can be a good or not-so-good thing. Chris and the girls have always told me that I have a terrible habit of throwing away things...and I'll admit that I do. However, my take on it is that if something isn't being used, toss or it donate it.

2.  What's something you find perfectly ridiculous? The new reality show called "Mama June-From Not to Hot". Mama June is Honey Boo Boo's mom...remember her? She is the little girl who became famous after winning beauty contests, then having her own TV show. Well, her mom, apparently, has gone from weighing over 300 lbs. down to a size 4. I tried watching the first episode, but quickly turned it off because of how crude it is...just couldn't handle it and, yes, I found it to be perfectly ridiculous. 

3.  What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying 'practice makes perfect'?  Making homemade pie crust. My mom used to make the flakiest and tastiest pie crust I have ever put in my mouth. She would put Loretta Lynn's to shame! Well, I have tried over the years to replicate it, but to no avail. My sister-in-law, Sharon, sent me a copy of her mom's pie crust recipe several years ago. I have attempted it before, but it came out a sticky mess, so I gave up. However, I recently gave it a go, again, and let me tell you, it was out-of-this-world delicious! I have since made it a few more times and it was light, flaky, and tasty. I think I've finally gotten the hang of it!

4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast? I'm not one who enjoys a huge breakfast, so for me, it's a bowl of Special K or Cheerios, or a couple of scrambled eggs.

5.  What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you'd rate as a perfect 10? Tell us why. I'd have to say it was when the four of us went to Hawaii for the first time back in 2010. I have never been so excited in my life because it's one place I've always wanted to visit. The beauty was almost more than I could take in. Spending just over a week there with the three people I love most in this world was something I will never forget...





6.  What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close? "So, consider it all JOY whenever you are enveloped in various trials. These are gifts from Me, reminding you to rely on Me alone."~Jesus Calling

7.  How would you spend $300 today? My first instinct would be to split the money between my two girls for a shopping spree.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  Abby has an interview tomorrow afternoon at a preschool to work with infants. She has done childcare before and loved it, so I know she'd do a great job. Prayers appreciated!

Wednesday Hodgepodge 1 Mar 2017 3:40 AM (8 years ago)

It's the middle of the week, which means it's time for Hodgepodge! Glad to be joining everyone today! If you'd like to play along, all you have to do is answer the questions on your own blog and link up. That's all there is to it.

1.  'Slow and steady wins the race'...tell us about a time that was true in your own life.  About a year and a half after Brittany was born, Chris and I suffered two miscarriages, then we went through two years of unexplained infertility. There were times when giving up on having another child would have been the easier route to take. However, God put the desire in our hearts to have another baby, so we had to learn patience...to wait on His perfect timing. Thankfully, it all paid off in the end because we had Abby.

2.  'As slow as molasses'...do you like molasses? How about maple syrup? Caramel? Butterscotch? What's your favorite of the slow-moving treats mentioned here, and what's your favorite food made with that sweet treat?  I do like the taste of molasses, but I can't tell you the last time I ate some. My mom and dad used to take several dollops of it and cut a tablespoon or so of butter into it, then spread it on biscuits. I do like maple syrup and caramel...butterscotch, not so much. My favorite way to enjoy maple syrup in on pancakes and caramel is good on vanilla ice cream, though I haven't had either in quite some time.

3. Your favorite slow song? "Stand By Me"~Ben E.King

4.  Your favorite thing to make in a slow cooker or Crock Pot?  Wild Rice Soup, which is particularly good in the colder months.

5.  'You may delay, but time will not.'~Benjamin Franklin Are you more a hurrier or a delayer when it comes to unpleasant tasks that need doing? What are you currently either delaying or hurrying to get through this week or month?  It really depends on the task. If it has to do with cleaning and organizing, I am definitely a hurrier and won't be able to rest until everything is done. If it has to do with a doctor or dental appointment/procedure, I may delay if for a little while, but certainly not long enough to cause any real issues. One thing I am definitely hurrying along this week is selling the bedroom furniture in our guest bedroom. The bed is an Italian king that Chris purchased when he was stationed in Italy with the Army back in the mid-80's. We're ready for a change, so we're in the market for new bedroom furniture.

6.  Tell us three things you encounter regularly or even just occasionally that you find to be annoyingly slow.  1.) Traffic in and around Atlanta. 2.) Check out lines at Wal-Mart-They never seem to have enough cashiers and the ones they do have seem to take forever to check you out. 3.) Online Kohl's customer service-The reps are from India, I think, so they speak very broken English. I was on the phone with them once for a solid hour and all we did was go 'round in circles.

7.  March is National Craft Month. Are you crafty? Tell us something crafty you'll try in the next thirty one days. Or something crafty you'll like to try in the next 31 days. I'd say I'm middle-of-the-road crafty. I like to make wreaths and paint furniture. One thing I plan to craft very soon is a spring wreath for our front door.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  I could not be happier that today is March 1st! Some of my azaleas are in bloom. I'm hoping that winter is now a thing of the past. Let's all keep our fingers crossed real tight!


Happy Bloomin' Wednesday!

Wednesday Hodgepodge 22 Feb 2017 3:52 AM (8 years ago)

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Time for Hodgepodge! I missed it last week, so I'm glad to be able to participate today. Want to join in? All you have to do is answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  Have you ever been fishing? Did you catch a fish? If so, did you keep it or throw it back? If you haven't been fishing, is it something you'd like to try? Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish, plenty of fish in the sea, fish or cut bait...which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?  Yes, I've been fishing before. My older brother, Mike, who was a big fisherman, took me when I was a young girl. I think I probably did catch a fish or two with some help from him, of course. I'm sure we tossed them back as they were likely too small to even worry about. We had a great time together, but I can recall him asking me to be quiet pretty often...imagine that? The phrase that most applies to my life right now is plenty of fish in the sea. Abby broke up with her boyfriend for, hopefully, the final time over the weekend. I often remind her that there are plenty of fish in the sea...ones who are respectful and know how to treat a young woman the right way.      

2.  What's something you're always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk, or kitchen junk drawer? Lipstick! I have more lipstick than I know what to do with and only a few favorites, so I'm always digging around to find those specific ones.

3.  Your favorite fish tale or movie? I love "Big Fish"! The end gets me every time. Bring on the Kleenex!

                                        (Image via Google)

4.   Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight, or night? Explain why you chose your answer. I'd say I'm twilight because the day is winding down and I can relax, catch up on my favorite TV shows, and head on to bed.

5.  What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear? I own a classic grey wool dress coat that I've had for about 6-7 years and I still wear it during the colder months.

6.  We've got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere. Are you feeling the need for a getaway? What's been the best and worst part of your winter, so far? I am definitely feeling the need for a getaway, but that is nothing new. I'm always up for an adventure! We're planning a trip to Washington, DC in early May with the girls as Brittany has never been there before. We're, also, planning to go somewhere for a summer vacation...hopefully with a beach! I really can't think of anything bad about my winter this year. We've had such mild temperatures and no snow, so I can't complain.

7.  The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day...will you be celebrating? Frozen or on the rocks? Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan? If so, what's your favorite JB tune? No, I won't be celebrating as I'm not a fan of alcohol. I do like Jimmy Buffet, but I'm not a parrothead by any means. My favorite tune of his would have to be "Margaritaville".

8.  Insert your random thought here.  I heard the best news yesterday on "Kathie Lee and Hoda". Hoda Kotb, whom I adore, adopted a baby girl recently, so she is now a mom...at age 52. She named her daughter Haley Joy after Haley's comet and because she brings so much joy to everyone. Isn't that the sweetest? I have a feeling she is going to be one AMAZING momma! What a precious shot of the two of them...

                                       (Image via Google)

Nothing sweeter than a little bundle of JOY!

"Fixer Upper" Inspired 21 Feb 2017 7:20 AM (8 years ago)

We have lived in our home now for 11 years. The time has come to make a few changes here and there. I don't know how many of you watch "Fixer Upper" with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but I love them! I always get amazed how they can take an old rundown home and turn it into something right out of "Southern Living" magazine. Now, I realize they have a crew of folks helping them, but I have yet to see anything they've done that hasn't blown me away and inspired me in one way or another.

I know I have shared before about this 100-year old trunk. It was a tool chest that belonged to my husband's paternal grandfather, Troy. Chris cleaned out and organized his mother's garage last year and came across it and decided to bring it home and refinish it. Unfortunately, he went through the process twice, but neither of us was pleased with the end result. So, he gave it another go recently and we couldn't be more thrilled with how it looks. So much history and it makes the ideal heirloom for our girls. Very proud to have it in our home...    

Now, another project that I've been wanting to tackle for some time is repainting Brittany's bedroom. Back when she was in high school, I decided to paint it this awful salmon color. It was the 'in' color at one point, right? Well, I had reached the point where I was downright tired of it...do you blame me? I mean, c'mon, let's be real...
 

So, I tossed some color options around in my head for awhile, then I finally decided on this teal color. Let me say that I go into every painting project thinking that it's only going to take a few hours. I'm always so pumped to get started and I really enjoy it...at first. Then, I get so tired of climbing up and down the ladder a billion times and I just want it DONE! It took me a grand total of six hours to reach this final result...


I'm very pleased with how it turned out, but I told Chris that the next time I mention painting a room, just put me out of my misery right then and there.

Thought I'd end with a shot of this little fella that I captured on our back deck this morning. With the warm temps we've been having lately, the birds have been out in droves...


Is anyone feeling the affects of the high pollen count? I had the worst headache ever yesterday and I'm sure it's due to the pollen. Having some congestion this morning. If this is any indication of what the pollen count will be like once spring arrived, we could be in big trouble!

Happy Tuesday to ya!

Wednesday Hodgepodge 8 Feb 2017 3:47 AM (8 years ago)

What a great way to break up the monotony that mid-week often brings...Hodgepodge! If you're interested in joining, simply answer the questions on your own blog and link up!

1.  What's the last thing you did that someone thought was super? What stands out in my mind right now is when I played the role of a Puritan in the Christmas production our church choir put in December. Everyone I spoke to said they thought the program was awesome and around 70 souls were won for Christ. I call that in and of itself SUPER! However, that is something I take zero credit for...God moved in that place in a big way.

2.  The last thing you ate that tasted superb? It definitely was a serving of Chang's Spicy Chicken at P.F. Chang's. That's one of my favorite dishes.

3.  Supersensitive ,superstitious, superwoman, superambitious, supercilious, supervisor, superficial...pick a super word from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way recently or currently.  I'm going with supersensitive. Abby and I attend weekly therapy together for one hour. She made mention last week how she feels that I'm overly sensitive, even when she's joking. Guess that's something I need to work on improving.   

4.  Do you love easily? If you're comfortable doing so, explain why you think that is. I do feel I open my heart and love very easily. I do so without expecting much, if anything, in return. I have been that way as far back as I can remember. I even had a boyfriend once who gave me a promise ring on our second date...and I accepted it! I know, I know...how naïve could I possibly be? Chalk it up as yet another life lesson learned. Well, I take that back...Chris and I got engaged three months after our first date. However, the positive side to that is that we've been happily married for 27 years. Why do I feel like I love easily? I've experienced love in one way or another my entire life beginning with my parents. That has caused me to become a giving person, so loving others comes naturally to me. Also,  I love easily because I'm a Christian. After all, isn't that how Christ loves us?

                                        (Image via Google)

5.  Valentines Day lands on a Tuesday this year. Will you mark the day in some way? If your celebrating with a dinner out somewhere, will it be on Tuesday or will you celebrate over the weekend? I don't make a big deal about Valentine's Day. I feel that if you truly love someone, every day should be Valentine's Day. I'd be perfectly fine if Chris and I get to enjoy dinner out and time to catch up with each other, especially since he's gone all week to Mexico. If he's home on Tuesday night, I'll likely prepare something here at home, then we can go out on the weekend so as to miss the crowds.

6.  What's something you are loving right now? Here lately, it's hot bubble baths. I can't seem to stay warm, at all, these days, so a hot bath works wonders for warming my bones up. I like to dim the lights and play some contemporary Christian music for easy listening that soothes the soul. 

                                      (Image via Google)

7.  Write a three-word (or less) phrase you'd like to see on a Valentine candy heart. How about..."Never give up" or "Love heals"?

8.  Insert your own random thought here. Do any of you have a guilty pleasure? Mine happens to be a mini Sonic M&M Blast. They're just the right size with just the right amount of ice cream and M&M's. They perfect whenever I'm hormonal, happy, sad, up, down, hot, cold...I think you get the drift. Indulging in one keeps me motivated to hop on the treadmill! That's my excuse, anyway! ;)

Birthday Girl...25 Years Old! 7 Feb 2017 9:02 AM (8 years ago)

We had a wonderful weekend of celebrating Brittany's 25th birthday! She got home on Friday evening and we had cake (red velvet with cream cheese frosting) and she opened her gifts. She was most excited about her new vacuum cleaner. Let me just say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. We enjoyed a nice dinner out at P.F. Chang's on Saturday night and came home and watched "Sully" with Tom Hanks. I still can't believe my oldest girl is 25! She has grown into such a beautiful young woman, inside and out. She has a heart for others and is very driven. It's remarkable to see how we've come to a point in our relationship where we're not only mother and daughter, but the very best of friends. I'm so lucky to be part of her life... 

I took several photos I had planned to share, but my memory card is now saying that it can't be read. Naturally, Chris is gone to Mexico for the week on business, so I'll have to wait until he returns to have him figure it out. I really hope I haven't managed to erase some 700+ photos that were on my memory card. That would not make me a happy camper.

One additional thing we did before Brittany headed back on Sunday evening was the mold of our hands. It's from the Luna Bean kit Chris gave me for Christmas. The whole process took around four hours, but so worth it. We have to seal it before I display it on a table. Abby's hand is at the top, Brittany's is at the bottom-right, which leaves my wrinkly hand at the bottom-left. Isn't it just the neatest thing? It's something that I will forever treasure. It goes to show how a mother is always connected to her children. Love continues on and on...


There was a tragic thing that happened last week. We learned about it on Friday night. The son of one of our neighbors down the street shot himself in the head on Wednesday and he was taken off life support on Friday. He attempted to commit suicide. Abby went to high school with him; they rode the same bus. He used to talk to her about how he and his parents didn't get along. She said he used to make reference in high school about wanting to take his life. I guess no one took him seriously. I can't even imagine the torment his parents are going through right now wondering if there was something they could have done or even something they shouldn't have done to prevent this from happening. Please keep the family in your prayers. The road ahead is going to be a long, painful one. Incidents like this make you realize that you never know when someone might be hurting deep inside. Offer a smile, an understanding word, a compassionate ear to whomever you meet...it could be the only lifeline they receive.

Wednesday Hodgepodge 1 Feb 2017 3:36 AM (8 years ago)

I'm pretty happy that today is Wednesday...how 'bout you? Even happier that it's time for Hodgepodge! If you'd like to join in on the fun, simply answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  Can you believe it's the end of January? What's the best day of January 2017 for you, and why? I'm going with January 9th because it's the day choir rehearsals at church started back after the Christmas holiday. I love being part of it as it's like mid-week worship. So uplifting!

2.  What sounds make up the background noise in your life? Cars passing by on our road, the TV, snoring dogs, fish tank filter humming, Chris talking on the phone for business, Abby singing in the shower...it just really depends. However, I'm one who loves the sound of silence and I crave it from time-to-time.  

3.  I read on the Power of Positivity website, a list of ten things to drop from your life right now. They are-anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self-talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead). What thing on the list do you most need to drop? Are you trying or will you try?  I'm a big people pleaser and have been for a long time...often so much so that I push my own wants and needs to the side. I am definitely trying to get better about it, but it's hard to let go of the guilt that comes along with doing so.

4.  What is sacred to you? One thing that, immediately, comes to mind is my marriage vows. I take them very seriously. On Oct. 21, 1989, I stood before God, family, and friends, and made a vow to Chris to love and cherish him until death parts us. I strive every day to honor my commitment to him and to God. Sundays are sacred to me, as well, because it's the day I gather with other Christians to worship God. Daily time spent reading my Bible and devotionals is sacred to me. It allows me to have one-on-one time with God.     

5.  January is National Oatmeal Month. Are you a fan and, if so, how do you like it? Yes, I do love it and if I make it myself, I go for the Quaker instant variety...my favorite flavor is Cinnamon and Spice. I wish I knew how to make oatmeal like my dad used to make all the time when I was growing up. He used Quaker Rolled Oats and topped them with butter, cinnamon, and sugar. Talk about a "stick to your ribs" kind of breakfast! 

6.  What feelings does twilight stir up in you? Peace, serenity, relaxation...knowing that bedtime is near.

7.  Something you're looking forward to next month. I'm assuming this means February, right? Well, Brittany turns 25 today and will be home this weekend to celebrate, so that is definitely something I'm looking forward to a lot.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.  Are any of you big fans of the new TV series called "This Is Us"? I have watched it from Day 1 and was instantly hooked. There are so many twists and turns and it's crazy how all the characters are interconnected in one way or another. It never fails to pull at my heart strings because it stirs up so many emotions. Two thumbs up from me!

Guess that's a wrap!

"All Creatures Great and Small..." 31 Jan 2017 6:00 AM (8 years ago)

Well, we now not only have two dogs and two fish living under our roof, but we, also, have a Chinese Dwarf Hamster taking up residence. Over the weekend, Abby and some friends visited a local pet store and they offered the hamster for free, with a cage and some accessories, to the first taker. Of course, Abby couldn't resist. Were we wanting another pet? No, but it is hard to turn away from this little fella, who she named Chi-Chi...

He's very low maintenance, thank goodness, and we haven't noticed any odor...let's hope that continues. One thing he can do is bite...and bite HARD! It's like little needles piercing the skin!

I love how the warmer weather we've been having lately has brought out more birds for me to enjoy, such as this dove...


And a beautiful cardinal...


Tomorrow is a big day...Brittany will turn 25 year old! It just doesn't seem possible. She'll be coming home this weekend so we can celebrate with us. Time marches on, doesn't it? All the more reason to make each day, every moment count!

Wednesday Hodgepodge 25 Jan 2017 4:19 AM (8 years ago)

It's turning out to be another busy week...story of my life, right? However, I wasn't about to put Hodgepodge on the back burner. No sirree! Want to join in? All you have to do is answer the questions on your own blog and link up.

1.  "The cure for anything is salt water-tears, sweat, or by the sea." (Isak Dinesan) Would you agree? Of the three, which has 'cured' you most recently? Yes, I do say there is some truth to that statement. Most recently, I've been 'cured' by good ol' fashioned sweat. I work out not only to improve my health and overall well-being, but it's a great way to ease my frustrations and stress.

2.  What's something you can't eat without salt? Do you normally salt your food a lot, a little, or not at all? One thing that comes to mind is scrambled eggs. I like them with salt and pepper. I don't use a lot of salt in my food. A little sprinkle here and there will suit me just fine.

3.  Sands of time, bury your head in the sand, built on sand, or draw a line in the sand...which sandy phrase could best be applied to something in your life right now?  It would have to be draw a line in the sand. It's something I've had to do with Abby's current boyfriend. I'll do my best to explain very soon.

4.  A favorite book, movie, or song with an island setting or theme.  The first thing that popped in my head is "Endless Love", a 1981 movie starring Brooke Shields. I remember seeing that back when I was in high school with my friends. We thought it was the MOST ROMANTIC movie ever!

5.  Yesterday-did you run your day or did it run you? How so? I'm happy to say that even though it was pretty busy, I didn't let it run me. I got done what needed to be done with some time to spare.

6.  You're on an island holiday. Will I most likely find you parked in a beach chair, shopping in town, on the back of a jet ski, or snorkeling off the back of a catamaran?  I'd definitely be snorkeling off the back of a catamaran. I love to go snorkeling and have been many times. I love seeing sea life up close and personal. My most memorable snorkeling excursion was in Hawaii when I swam with giant sea turtles. AMAZING!

7.  What do you think we humans most take for granted? I think we often take for granted those we love as if they'll be around forever. It's easy to allow little things to get under our skin. What we tend to forget is that when that person is gone, those 'little things' will be greatly missed. I do my best each day to remind myself that those I love and hold dear could be taken from me in a flash. So, I choose to extend kindness, forgiveness, understanding, and love as much as possible.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  I have tried very hard to refrain from posting anything political on my blog, but I have grown so weary of the constant badgering of our President-Donald Trump. Though folks may not have voted for him, I wish they would, at least, give him the opportunity to prove himself to the American people before they start knocking him down. I, for one, am going to pray for him, our First Lady, and for our Vice President over the next four years, as well as this great nation of ours. I have never witnessed so much division in our country and it's disheartening. We need to pull together and offer our support to our leaders, rather than belittling them and the offices they hold. How about we focus on all that is good in our country, instead?

Off of my soapbox now. Go out and make it one awesome day! :)