TF #15

15. I am thankful for the chance to again appreciate what I have cause I don't have it. We are temporarily without home phone, tv, and internet (which explains my lack of TF posts). It has been nice to get the family to do other things and to enjoy our large collection of movies again. But I do miss my internet! Hopefully will have all back up and going right after the holiday. For now I will post from the library when I have a chance to swing in.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of food, fun, time with those you love, and with lots of time to remember what you are truly thankful for!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

TK #13 &14!

13. I am thankful for the ability to be ok with not reaching my goal of blogging every day on my thankful quest. Before work yesterday morning one of my closest friends called to tell me what all was going on in her life at the moment that had put her in the hospital. She needed company to help make it through the day and so her husband could get a little break to relax and not worry about is wife and her comfort. He needed some rest. So I was able to get off work about noon, come home to get my own sick husband comfortable, run a couple errands and head off to spend the rest of the day just getting some good visiting time in with a very special couple working hard to keep a very persistent baby in his little oven a little longer.
I stayed till 9pm and then made it home about 10 and just crashed. Hubby had to wake me to eat my dinner.
So I am going to get back on track with my thankful posting and be thankful for it! hehe.
14. I am thankful to be able to FINALLY enjoy the colors of fall. Yes, the trees have officially taken on a majority of fall coloring. I love driving now and just absorbing the beautiful colors all around me. I am even thankful to enjoy the colors of the Christmas lights that are already starting to show up at night around the neighborhoods!

TF #12

12. I am thankful for poems that stop to make you think and appreciate:

Her hair was up in a pony tail, Her favorite dress tied with a bow. Today was Daddy's Day at school, And she couldn't wait to go.. But her mommy tried to tell her, That she probably should stay home. Why the kids might not understand, If she went to school alone. But she was not afraid; She knew just what to say. What to tell her classmates Of why he wasn't there today. But still her mother worried, For her to face this day alone. And that was why once again, She tried to keep her daughter home. But the little girl went to school Eager to tell them all. About a dad she never sees A dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back, For everyone to meet. Children squirming impatiently, Anxious in their seats One by one the teacher called A student from the class. To introduce their daddy, As seconds slowly passed. At last the teacher called her name, Every child turned to stare. Each of them was searching, A man who wasn't there. 'Where's her daddy at?' She heard a boy call out. 'She probably doesn't have one,' Another student dared to shout. And from somewhere near the back, She heard a daddy say, 'Looks like another deadbeat dad, Too busy to waste his day.' The words did not offend her, As she smiled up at her Mom. And looked back at her teacher, Who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back, Slowly she began to speak. And out from the mouth of a child, Came words incredibly unique. 'My Daddy couldn't be here, Because he lives so far away. But I know he wishes he could be, Since this is such a special day. And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know. All about my daddy, And how much he loves me so. He loved to tell me stories He taught me to ride my bike. He surprised me with pink roses, And taught me to fly a kite. We used to share fudge sundaes, And ice cream in a cone. And though you cannot see him. I'm not standing here alone. 'Cause my daddy's always with me, Even though we are apart I know because he told me, He'll forever be in my heart'
With that, her little hand reached up, And lay across her chest. Feeling her own heartbeat, Beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, Her mother stood in tears. Proudly watching her daughter, Who was wise beyond her years. For she stood up for the love Of a man not in her life. Doing what was best for her, Doing what was right. And when she dropped her hand back down, Staring straight into the crowd. She finished with a voice so soft, But its message clear and loud. 'I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star. And if he could, he'd be here, But heaven's just too far. You see he is an American soldier And died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy And taught Americans to fear. But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away.' And then she closed her eyes, And saw him there that day. And to her mothers amazement, She witnessed with surprise. A room full of daddies and children, All starting to close their eyes. Who knows what they saw before them, Who knows what they felt inside. Perhaps for merely a second, They saw him at her side. 'I know you're with me Daddy,' To the silence she called out. And what happened next made believers, Of those once filled with doubt. Not one in that room could explain it, For each of their eyes had been closed. But there on the desk beside her, Was a fragrant long-stemmed rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, By the love of her shining star. And given the gift of believing, That heaven is never too far.

TF #11

11. I am thankful for our men and women who serve in our armed forces. I have many family members including my dad who have or do serve in our military. Thank you all for what you do and give to keep me and my family safe and free! And thank you so much to the families of those who serve. I am so thankful to each of you too!

TF #10

10. I am thankful for slow cookers. It's so nice to do a little work in the morning, go run errands and/or go to work and then come home to a house that smells wonderful and has dinner ready and waiting for you without having to rely on someone else to remember to get it done. Tonight I tried a new pot roast recipe. Simple, few ingredients, and turned out great!

TF #9

9. I am thankful for cold medicine. Both of the girls are sick today. One stayed home so I called in absent to work, and the other had to be picked up from school. Medicine has helped them sleep and feel better. I am looking forward to giving them more so Larry and I can sleep tonight since we were up all night last night with one child.

TF #8

8. I am thankful for my cat Matty. He is the one animal in the house who actually prefers me. I will get into each of my others another day. Matty has been with us for 6 years now. He was abandoned at one of the properties Larry worked at and we lived at. Larry saw him and told me where he was. Larry said if I could catch him I could have him. I remember I was in the middle of making dinner, dropped what I was doing and caught me a young cat. I tried to get his sister too. She looked just like him but the tips of her fur were burnt orange (HOOK 'EM!). She was too skittish. She did come stay outside our door though and eat the food I left for her. But since that day, Matty has been my shadow. He wants affection so bad at times I have to hide my hands under me so he will lay down and quit pushing me. He is a girl's best friend and a real Mama's Boy!

TF #7

7. I am thankful for memories. Good and bad. They go hand in hand. It will be 2 years tomorrow since I found out my friend Blake had passed away. I think of him often and hurt. But thankfully the hurt subsides and turns me to smiles as I think of all the many good times we had. I love you dearly, Blake, and miss you so very much. So much I still was meant to share with you. I know you are with me always though and for that I am TRULY THANKFUL.

TF #6

6. I am thankful for Saturdays spent with family. Today I had only a half day of work. After I got off I went over to some of the family from Larry's side and enjoyed time hanging out with them at a family cookout. I love that I am so close with them that even though Larry and the girls are out of town I can go and visit and enjoy time with them. I don't feel the need to have Larry along to feel like I am welcome. I am thankful for that and for memories made with them each time.

TF #5

5. I am thankful for books. You can learn from them, escape with them, find new friends with them, write your own thoughts and stories with them. And most importantly they help to carry who we are on long after we are gone by sharing our favorite books with our children who then share them with theirs and so on!

TF #4

4. I am thankful for being crafty. I may not always have the time and definitely don't have the talent that so many out there have. But I do enjoy and love having a creative outlet. And I am so thankful to have a mom, dad, and husband who have always encouraged, supported, and bragged on it!

TF#3

3. I am thankful for good chili on cool days. Today was day two of wet and cool weather. I was thankful to have a later day for going in to work so I got to get chores done and made dinner before I headed in. I was welcomed home after a short day at work to the smell still hanging in the air from cooking it that morning/afternoon. AHHHH!

TF #2

2. My home. After being at work for almost 12 hours (hubby's truck is being repaired, and it definately wasn't motorcycle weather so I arrived 3 and half hours before scheduled to clock in) I was very happy to get home. Long day at work and icky weather make you very thankful for a warm, comfy home to return to. Even if it's not as clean as you may hope. :)

Thankful

It is November already!!! And I have barely blogged this year. So here is something to get me going. Something that doesn't put a lot of pressure and hopefully I can keep up with.
30 days of being thankful.
1. For having an October birthday. I am thankful to be surrounded by Halloween for celebrating. I am thankful for the cooler temperatures we have (most years) around my birthday. I love that is at a time when families are spending time together.

HAPPY

FIRST DAY OF FALL! My favorite season even if we don't get much of a true fall here in Texas. Someday I will have a long vacation where they do.

This Past Weekend

was my wonderful husband's birthday. He turned 36 on Friday. We both had work and I had work on Saturday too, so we decided to plan our celebrating for Saturday night. We enjoyed a FABULOUS dinner at The Keg with a couple we are good friends with. We then went downtown and hung out at a couple bars. We just relaxed, enjoyed good company, and watched the crazy drunks hehe. We greatly enjoyed grown up time and conversations. Some reminiscing and some talk of future. The couple we went out with, Christie and Shayne, are getting married the end of October. So we enjoyed hearing and helping with planning. Looking forward to seeing them in October if not sooner.

At the end of last week, Larry decided he finally had a project he wanted to make with the Plexiglas he has had for quite some time now. He decided our iguana who has been housed in a 55 gallon tank needed a new home. He is no where near out growing the tank yet, but we are doing all we can to encourage him to grow. So Larry did most of the work Saturday, a little on Sunday and Monday coming up with this:

Just a couple more finishing touches and it will be complete. He has already been moved in and our cousin came today to pick up the fish tank for their bearded dragon. I am proud of us girls for moving such a large item and not breaking it! Larry also built the stand a few years ago when we first got the 55 gallon for our fish that we had then. I am more than impressed with his craftsman ship. Looks like we have a pet store display case in our home!

OMG!

What happened to July and especially August?! I thought it hadn't been that long since I posted. But it's been almost a month!

We finally had the baby shower. I got so busy that I didn't get to make everything I wanted for little Alex, so more gifts to come for him. I did get some done. But in my rush to get everything done, I forgot to take pictures of my completed work. :( I made some more chew blankets and I got to try a new baby gift I found. I made this super cute diaper changing pad. Super easy and my new machine made sewing it a dream. On my old one something that thick would have gone no where. But I was able to fly through it.
I forgot to post about Holly's big birthday gift. Holly turned 11 July 19. And the week before she was visiting my brother-in-law's family for a week. While she was gone we did a massive redo of her room. We redecorated, reorganized, hauled out a TON of trash, and turned her room into a more mature, fun, and hopefully easier to keep clean room.

Before:After:The pink does not photograph well. It is bright lighter pink. With a bit of encouragement she has added more of her own touch with posters on the wall. Obviously in the before she never was into hanging posters. She bought them, but just never got around to putting them up. I think the room looks fabulous and fits her personality well. I give myself a big pat on the back. :)
And this Monday was the start of school. Holly is in 6th grade making this her last year in intermediate. And Haylee is in 8th making it her last year in Junior High. AAAAHH! Where did my little girls go?!Obviously this year Haylee decided posing for first day of school pictures was more fun! LOL!

And a Happy Birthday today to my brother-in-law! Love you so much Chris!!

Welcome Baby Alex!

Well due to the early arrival of my friend's baby, it will be a while before I am able to show you the things I made. Little Alexander made a quick and early arrival into the world last night. Approx. 2 hours after mama's water broke he was here! Amazed at the speed for a first born. So obviously we will not be having a shower this weekend. But I think it is for an amazing reason!!!!

This picture was stolen from his Auntie. I am looking forward to meeting him soon.

What a Sewing Machine Can Really Do!

Maybe I mentioned it before, and if I did sorry but I will again. Back in February my wonderful husband and kids got me a new sewing machine for Valentine's Day. I had shown him a new one I wanted a few weeks before. He remembered and went back to get it. I had shown him the mid range model, but he couldn't remember. So after a long talk with one of the sales ladies. He got me the top model of the one I showed him. I was ecstatic! I bragged at work about it, but only one person was mildly impressed. Everyone else said they would have thrown it back at their companion had they gotten one. Still I stayed super happy.

Sadly I have stayed so busy that it has not been touched till now. I have got to get baby shower gifts to make. I had been so good I had these gifts planned out months ago, but here I am with less than a week to go just starting the cutting of the fabric. So over the weekend I pulled out and watched the instructional DVD for the machine. Good thing, learned stuff I never would have guessed. And was blown away at all the things I will now be able to do/learn on this new machine!

This last Wednesday, my SIL called asking about my old machine. A couple months ago I had offered it to one of my nieces after seeing some decorating she had done in her room. She passed on the offer, but mentioned it to my SIL. She called to ask if it was still available to be borrowed. I told her no it was available to be had. So I happily ran out to the garage to get it out to send back with my BIL who was making a quick couple hour trip into town. I had stored it in the box my new machine came in. As I got inside I quickly learned the bottom of the box was not taped for support. The machine fell out landing on my foot that only had a flip flop on. Not a comfortable occurrence but I was upset to think I broke the machine before I could get it to my SIL. Thankfully the machine was ok. My foot was hurting badly though so my oldest helped to get an ice pack on it quickly. I figured this would work quickly to cure the problem Unfortunately my foot developed an egg on the top of it a couple hours later. So off to the ER with the Hubby and youngest daughter. I had already given permission for my oldest to have a friend spend the night, so we decided not to bore them at the hospital.

So at about 1am I was released with a new icepack, a prescription for pain meds, crutches, and a special shoe. Thankfully it was not broken, just badly bruised. I had to call into work for the next 3 days. I then have 3 days off and only work 3 days before 3 more off. Hopefully by the time Wed gets here I will be good enough to go back to work. Hate missing so much. But do to all the extra I do at work and it thankfully being the slow time of year, my boss is not upset. So fingers crossed for it to quickly heal by 2:30 pm Wednesday.


A few pictures of my machines work:

At the hospital couple hours after it happened

Three days after it happened

Today the swelling is mostly gone, and I can walk at a much more companion friendly pace.

After the baby shower this weekend I will post pictures of what the new machine can do. Now back to my cutting so I can get to using it!

Hard to go on

I was brought a situation yesterday that just made me want to walk out and retire from everything.
I look forward to summer time each year. The thrill of planning projects and redoing the house. Some how I think each year this is the summer it will happen. I will only do what I want and be faced with nothing but good. But each year the same situation arises that halts it all in its tracks.
I know this is cryptic. I don't wish to put fully what is going on out for everyone to read. I don't know who all looks at this and don't want the wrong people to see something and twist my words. That is part of what is happening now. Words that aren't even mine are supposedly coming out of my mouth. I don't say much ever that could allow me to get into trouble. I like to keep things around me positive. But it seems no matter how hard I try, this is not what is happening. I had a very huge (for me) break down yesterday. Honestly I probably didn't have as huge as I thought, but the words coming out of my mouth, the feelings I was letting go that I didn't know I had were suddenly pouring out of me. It shocked me.
I am thankful a good friend dropped EVERYTHING as fast as she could and met up with me. Then sat with me for the next few hours helping me to relocate my drive and my hope and my confidence. She allowed me to say anything I wanted. She also brought up other subjects to get my mind on something else to brighten my spirits. I am still on rocky water, but feeling better. I stopped at Barnes and Noble and splurged $52 on only two books. I NEVER do this. I LOVE visiting Barnes and Noble, but usually reserve my book buying to some place with lower prices, sales, and coupons. But I think these books are much needed and are hard to find anywhere else.
With help from those I love pushing me forward and the constant strength my husband provides, I am still going to do what I plan. I just have to know it really isn't impossible to go on. May be hard, but not impossible!

Seriously, I will get back on here!

Life seriously just takes over every year at this time. With school very quickly coming to an end (if all tests and reports come home good, it's over next Friday...AAHHH!!!!), we are bombarded with last minute projects, end of school activities (both of mine are past the classroom party stage unfortunately and are rewarded with trips to places such as Main Event and Six Flags instead. Couldn't we go back to just a cupcake party? Those are waay less than party tickets). We also have been bombarded with doctor visits lately. I FINALLY got in to the eye doc again and got brave and went for contacts. First time ever. Still working on quickly getting them put in. And I can feel my eyes trying to work harder than they need to at times since they think after 20 years, if there isn't something sitting on my face they need to be on overdrive. I am greatly enjoying the freedom I have with contacts. I don't have to switch glasses out coming in and out of stores. I also don't have something I am constantly pulling off to clean due to a smudge. The rest of the family has also been to many doctors a lot these past few weeks. Haylee had a very drastic and sudden eye change so we had to get her eye prescription updated. Then everyone of them has had some complication that has taken them all in to the doctor for various things a number of times lately. Nothing serious for anyone, but all stuff that couldn't be cured at home. I seriously think that if all of us had gone to the same doc each time one went in for something, that doc would have been able to purchase a new car just with the funding from our visits!
We also have been working hard to squeeze in a lot more family time lately. We all are in need of being more active, some more than others as mentioned at some of these doctor visits, so we have been getting out more and doing more activities that get us out and about. I am very excited about it. They are all places I have been wanting to go, but couldn't get everyone inspired enough to go with me. Turns out as I had figured, everyone has enjoyed our outings immensely! A few weeks ago we headed out to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. Larry and I went in the fall for my birthday, but I was really wanting to go in the spring to enjoy the Rose Gardens. I definitely got my wish! I will post pictures from it soon. We took almost 200 that day. And many were by Larry and the girls of the various plants. I am very proud of their artistic eye they are each developing.
I am off though. Got to get to the library, tons of laundry to do, and I need to get my sewing table cleaned up and finally sit down and get some working done on it. Baby showers are quickly coming up, and oh how I LOVE sewing baby things!

Where do you go?

To find the drive to do what needs to be done? To not fall to that weak side over and over again?
I can't find the right answers to these questions.
I am unhappy. With myself, my weight, and so much more. I was a good size when I was in high school. I never worried about what I ate. I was active and just had naturally good health. Then when I was 22 I had a reaction to some medicines I was taking. I ended up not being able to tolerate the medicine. After only 3 doses I was then sick for 3 days straight. I lost almost 10 pounds in those three days and after since it took a while to get my stomach in order to eat. I stayed that small for just under two years. I look at pictures of that time and never want to look like that again. I was waaay too small.
But I look at pictures now and am unhappy again. I have put on a great deal of weight. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel I am horribly fat, but I know I am not a healthy "for me" size. And the places where I carry my weight the most are the places that show signs of major health problems to come. So for my own safety I want to change this. I also want to change it because I know I will have more energy and struggle less with the moodiness I seem to have gained along with the weight.
But I just can't get the inspiration. I was doing great last spring and dropped 10 lbs. I have kept those 10 off but have only dropped about 3 more in the last year. I thought going back to work would help the pounds just start falling off. But this is proving wrong and one more sign I just am not that young anymore. I need to quit treating myself like I am and face the facts that my diet needs to change as well as my activity levels. But the sweets and sodas just tempt me way too much. And the only time to really exercise is early in the morning. But my time with my husband is often late at night and then it is so hard to pull myself out from bed. I know that by making the changes I need to will mean a long and HAPPIER life.
Again, I know I am not huge, but I know my body is not happy with the way it is and how I have treated it. I know that once I get going on a healthier life I will get into it and want to keep going, but I just can't fight the desire for the junk when I come around it. I don't agree with pulling it all together cause I know that is just setting me up for doom. I know just little changes here and there will make a big difference, but it is hard. Work plays a big part in it. My schedule changes daily. I often don't get to take a lunch break at a time when I am hungry and not about to pass out from starvation. This makes me rush to the fast ready junk.
I would love to pack my lunch, but I am limited on time and storage space at work. And I get bored with the same thing.
I just reread what I wrote and noticed I have "I know" a lot in here. So I need to prove how "I know". I also want to be an example for my daughter. My youngest seems to have put on a lot of weight as I have. I am hoping as I loose she will naturally take after me and loose too.
Thoughts ideas on what will give me that drive to finally start the turn around? Again, I know what I need to do, just how do I get myself to make the jump and do it?

My Charisse

My most awesome wonderful friend, Charisse, came to town this weekend. It has been almost a year since I have seen her. We have never gone this long without seeing each other. And normally our time is way longer, but she had to make a flying trip. And no matter the length of time with her I am thankful. We talk so often and she sends me photos so often I truly feel like we see each other way more often (did I use the word often enough?).
I have been friends with this lady since I was 12! I adore her! I never imagined I would have a friend like her. She is the friend you only read about in books. She tells it like it is. She tells me the truth and doesn't hold back. And it is always with love. My heart overflows for her.
She came for me and her other Texas friends and family to meet her true love, Jennifer. Jennifer turned Charisse's life upside down. Charisse never wanted to get married...until Jennifer. Charisse was done with having kids...until Jennifer.
I was very nervous to meet Jennifer. No one Charisse has dated has ever made her feel like Jennifer does. I have met almost all the people Charisse has had a true relationship with, and none had me worried like this. So much of how Charisse talks reminds me of how it was when I met my husband. Why was I so nervous? I don't know. But that went away about 2 seconds after they entered my house Saturday night. You can't help but adore her. And the happiness and love is obvious. I have never seen Charisse like this. No other guy or girl she has had feelings for has ever truly loved or cared for her the way Jennifer does. I am so very happy for her.


My Charisse and me

Charisse, Tina (My other wonderful best! I have never grown so close to someone as fast as I have her. She will have her own post of her fabulousness soon!), and Me

The new family: Jennifer, Charisse, and Charisse's daughter Lorelli (a little crabby to pose for so many pictures in one weekend. Oh how I love that little girl though)

Best Friends with the loves of their lives!

And a huge congratulations to the happy couple on their engagement!

Absolutely horrible lately!

For blog land. I have had wonderful comments to my posts from weeks ago, and I am just now getting to reading them.
And most horrified at my tardiness. One blog that I try to visit most often cause it is so enjoyable, (I love her pictures, and creativeness) is A Friend to Knit With. She recently had a giveaway and I put my name in. I then proceeded to get way too busy covering for all the sick people at work that I completely forfeited my time in blog land. So that included checking back on the drawing.
I finally stopped in and to my amazement, I was the first name drawn! Woohoo!!! I have never won a blog giveaway.
I would completely understand if my tardiness forced her to pick someone else. But no matter what I'm thrilled it happened. And will use this to learn to make time for blog land. Not just to keep from missing out on fabulous opportunities, but to keep from missing out on my cyber friends and this time that really does a lot for me. I never realized how important reading about the goings-on in friends and cyber friends truly was to me. I love to read, and this reading is fulfilling and touching to my soul!
Love all you lovely ladies!

Family Routine

I started thinking tonight about my family routine and the way we live. I see a ton of commercials lately on sitting down as a family at the dinner table. I grew up this way. My husband grew up this way. But when he became a single parent to two very young girls, his dinner routine changed. He began to allow them to all have dinner watching T.V. I can understand in some ways it's probably the only way he could get them to sit for a bit so he could get a moment to rest after a long day at work.
I have tried a few times to get us to have dinner as a family at the table. This has not worked due to 1) we are creatures of habit and it is hard to change 2) our dining room table just sucks and we really need to find a new one, but haven't gotten around to it.
We do sit at the table together when we have company over for dinner.
But with all this not "proper" family routine of pulling out our TV tables and eating in the living room watching T.V. I find comfort in it. We do often still talk during our dinner, and no one amazingly mindlessly eats. I am proud to say I feel comfortable with my family and know a good amount of what is going on in there lives. My girls are preteen and teen, so I would be crazy to think they told me EVERYTHING. But they are good kids. I see it in the daily choices they make. They can be aunory (I am sorry but I just can't think of anywhere near the right spelling of that word toinght), and I am still dealing with my youngest and her acting up every year at this time of year (will she EVER grow out of it?). And my oldest is more into her phone and music than her school work. But both are polite, don't fight with me, and share a great deal with me. They could both do better with their grades, but they are not bad and when pushed to work a little harder on a certain subject they do it.
In other words I am feeling warm and fuzzy about my family and the normalcy of our life even if it is not what is ideal for raising kids these days.

Peace

Today I have felt a major peace about me. Life has been very stressful for a few months now. And I know there will be plenty more of those, but today I feel good!

I know a lot of it has to do with the finding of my aunt. We are not able to have complete closure until (and there is huge hope that is to be an until and not an if) the person who took her from us is caught. But with the finding of her and saying goodbye, we do have some relief.

I also am back to being happier at work. Since she was found and I had to go into sudden planning for taking off from work for the service, there has been a lot of stress. And more on top when the date for the service changed. This time of year is CRAZY in a pharmacy, so my boss was stressed. But now that it is over and I am back, I could feel her relaxation again. I am still majorly learning things, so I don't think I'm a super strong tech yet. But I guess I am stronger than I thought for her to be so stressed at my being gone.

I also am enjoying time more dearly with my family again. And I am trying to make time for things I want to do. Such as creative things again. I have yet to get into much except reading a little here and there, but still it's a step.

With all this I just feel happy and had to share.

And since it's been so long since I've posted a picture, here is one of my and Larry on the way home after my aunt's service. You can tell there was relief from it all.

Since

The day after my last post my aunt was found. But it was only her shell. Her spirit is with our Lord. I have just returned from a 3 day (2 days of driving to and from) trip to Mississippi to celebrate her life. She was an absolutely wonderful woman and will GREATLY be missed. I am thankful we no longer have to sit in worry or wonder for where she is, but I do wish we still had time with her here on earth. She was taken from us too soon. We love you, Wenda. And we are so thankful that we were allowed to have you in our lives as our family!

For no good reason

I have been UBBER crabby lately. And my poor sweet husband has been the one to receive the crummy end of it all. I have picked super ridiculous arguments just for the sack of hearing my own gripy voice. I tell ya, that man must really love me cause he can wake up the next morning rushing off to work but making sure to stop back in the bedroom to tell me goodbye and love you. He then thinks of me at work and brings home surprises he finds that he knows will get me all excited.
I know what has me crabby is still no routine worked out and feeling overwhelmed with house work, work, and studying. Still happy to be working, but just got to bare down and figure a few things out.
Also we have been having illnesses running through the house. I had a stomach bug last week, and Larry has a nasty cold (at least hope it's just a cold). And neither one of us is getting much sleep.
Also another thing going on that I really should have stopped in sooner to mention, is my dad's sister is missing. She has not been heard from or seen at all since the start of 2010. We honestly don't know what could have happened to her or why. She is 70 year old woman who has very little to her name. We have heard various stories as to where she might be, but they all turned out false. I really don't want to get deep into the minimal details the police are willing to give us. I just ask for your prayers for my family and my aunt, Wenda Holling from Kiln, Mississippi. It is a small world due to internet, so please feel free to run a search for her to find all articles and news reports on her and help spread the word. We still have hope we may find her.

Goodbyes are hard...

even in blog land. One of my absolute favorite blogs to read Crazy Mom Quilts has decided it is time to say goodbye. I can completely understand and respect the choice, but I am sad to see her go. She does wonderful work and is so generous in sharing and even teaching her readers. I still have yet to make my first quilt that she has inspired me to do. I bought everything I need for it on my 29th birthday, but just haven't sat down and gotten to work. Maybe with this goodbye it will be the inspiration I need to make the time for it too.
AJ you will be missed, but I respect and admire your decision. Wishing you the best in all you do, and looking forward to visiting your flicker sight to see what you have been up to. Thank you for all you have taught all of your readers!