51 and a day!

I had a lovely birthday... wouldn't have changed a thing! Mother cooked supper for all and it was delicious. What even makes that more special is that I know she doesn't really feel like standing that long and preparing a big meal but she wouldn't have it any other way! I may doubt alot of things but never how much she loves me... I will always be "her little girl". I like that.

I got the best gifts ever! They all went in together and bought me a netbook and I love it! The cutest thing... pink plaid! I really raked it in this year! Family and friends know me well! Jewelry, roses, Paula Deen Cookbook, chocolate berry candle, special coffee, scripture tea, teva flip flops, bath and body works, pineapple address book and birthday cards. I love b'day cards and I will keep them "on display" until... well, a good while! :)

So, all in all I had it ALL... birthday supper, gifts, cards, cake and ice cream! I feel so loved and I should because I know I am! ;)

Happy Birthday to ME!

January 26th,1960! I am getting up there! Funny thing, the whole age thing doesn't bother me a bit! I feel like I have lived such a blessed life-one I am no where near being worthy of. By the grace of God I haven't had any life shattering events in my 51 years, although I know if I live long enough at some point I will. I have 3 children that have brought so much joy into my life and have made me proud beyond words- it has been my greatest privilege to be their Mother. My daughter and I are more like best friends. My sons love me and I'm sure they would do anything for me... as long as it doesn't "cost" TOO much...lol!
I have great friends, more like an extended family. We share the same faith and many times the same kitchen... love to bake! I have one brother- my family is small but all I've ever needed. My Mother always "has my back"! My Dad is funny and I think I'm alot like him. I have been married to the same man for 30 years and I married my first love. I feel like the kitchen is the center of the home and I love it when my children and their friends come to eat.. I love it when they come to visit me too!
I love the Lord and strive to make Heaven my home someday. I hope I can live my years on this earth in a way that 0thers will see Christ through me. I pray in all things my children keep their eyes on the cross and Christ Jesus in their hearts- that will be enough for me. Thank you Lord for letting me see another birthday and for all the many blessings you have graciously bestowed on me.

Tired Tuesday!

I am so tired today... really feeling my age! lol! No, seriously! When I got home yesterday I had all this energy! I had a list I had made at school and I was determined to get everything on that list done! AND in bed by 9:30, asleep at 10:00. (one of my many New Year's resolutions- 8 hrs. of sleep... look rested, live longer!)

*After school I went by Mom's to visit a bit and pick up Sophie.
*Went to post office.
*Got home and changed clothes 'cause I'm washing the bug! It was fairly warm and a perfect day for it!
*Couldn't stop there...I then got all the clutter out of it and drug out the shop vac!
*Unloaded the dishwasher.
*Cooked supper.
*Loaded the dishwasher!
*Washed Brooke's quilt and sheets.
*Gave Sophie a bath... got bit and scratched and if she could talk... OUCH!
*Put Brooke's clean sheets and quilt on her bed.
*Took a bath
*Watched 2 episodes of "The New Adventures of the Old Christine" AND ironically one of them
was about menopause, mood swings, feelings hurt easy, can't sleep, hot then cold then hotter! Which is exactly what I'm going through and I think NO ONE in the world could possibly have lived through this BUT ME!
*Bed at 9:30... maybe asleep by 10 BUT awake at 1 and 3 and yet again at 5 and wondering if I will ever "be right" again. Thinking how and IF it's possible to do this for years and years and actually live to tell anyone about it! By then they'll be no one to tell, I'll have run them all off with all this craziness!

It's Wednesday and I clearly survived but I am tired this Tuesday and praying "this too shall pass".......:)

MONDAY and then....

Tomorrow is Monday. In remembrance of Martin Luther King there is no school. Monday is a good day to be off and to throw you off! First of all Tuesday will feel like Monday, Wednesday like Tuesday and so on! It will be a week long progress that won't seem right until Friday and then it really won't matter.

THOUGH it is a great day to be off- to be home. Weekends are busy. It takes away the dread you feel all day Sunday- just knowing tomorrow is Monday and you WON'T be going to work! ;) In a perfect world, a work week would be as follows: Tuesday through Thursday 9:00 - 3:00, Friday 9:00 - 12:00! Yeah, riiiight! I did use the word "perfect"!

So, off we go to school Tuesday but we will be constantly following Mondays schedule! Hopefully we will make it through the week with NO SNOW. I love snow but I don't want to be going to school the entire month of June! So, for all you school employees it's back to the "chalk" board.. enjoy and "don't" think snow! Itleast not this week! ;)

Where the Red Fern Grows

This morning I got up, brushed teeth, took Frank out, while the coffee was brewing- fed Frank. Still in p.j.'s, turn the t.v. on and in 5 minutes "Where the Red Fern Grows" is coming on Starz.. yeah! I have read the book years ago and had seen the movie- the older version but not this one. So still in p.j.'s I start watching it. It is so good. If you are a dog lover and we sooo are it will pull at your heartstrings.
I said this movie is a good reminder to have faith and as the Grandpa said "meet God half way". The times were so simpler then, such a slower pace. God, family and hard work was what they seemed to live for. I would recommend watching this and as a friend said "with a box of kleenex in hand" :)

Home movies!

One of our snow days this week we watched home videos! It was so much fun! I couldn't believe how funny we were back then and we probably still are, just haven't caught it on tape! lol ! We have alot of them and they're long so we didn't get to watch all of them but I am hoping this weekend we are going to watch some more! Traci, Jessica and I laughed our heads off... they were funny, cute, sweet... very entertaining! We want to get everybody together for the next show! I can't wait! :)

Today...Wednesday!

Today, yet another snow day, was a good one! Actually I have loved the past few days. I owe it to Mother Nature! School has been closed in Campbell and Anderson County so everyone has come home alot the past few days. The weather and the fact that Justin and Matthew have a big decision to make that has alot to do with this county... shhh!
I love having the extras! Saturday for supper Brooke and Josh, Justin and Traci, Matt and Jessica were all here and I loved it! Sunday the boys and their gals came to church, then we ate lunch at Zaxby's and chili for supper at home! Tuesday Brooke, Matt and Jessica, Justin and Traci came for supper, we had the firepit fun then they stayed until almost midnight... Brooke spent the night! Brooke and I watched Julie & Julia, sit up until after 2 a.m... whew! Today the boys had a meeting so again I had the girls, the boys and their friend Derek Rang for supper! I love it! I know the snow will melt, we will all go back to work and all will get busy again but I thank God for these last few days- we are so blessed.

Fun, Snowy Tuesday!

Today has been another fun snow day! Brooke, Matt, Jessica, Justin and Traci came for supper and stayed all evening... Brooke, spent the night! I cooked vegetable beef soup with cornbread muffins and a warm butter cake for dessert. When it got dark Jeff built a fire in the firepit and we roasted marshmallows and hot dogs, made s'mores and just enjoyed being together. It was fun- I loved it!

It's a Beautiful Morning

Cove Lake was beautiful this morning. Jeff and I took a long walk through the woods and through the park. We were the first sets of footprints in the snow... other than the deer.
It was so quiet, peaceful and calm. God was everywhere. I kept thinking how blessed we
are to live here. To be surrounded by the mountains and lakes. I think it's easy to take for granted the things you see everyday. Just as it is to take for granted the people you surround yourself with everyday. I am so thankful for all the things God has given me and I pray that I can hold that thought close to my heart long after the snow has melted.

The Verdict is In!

Brooke's boyfriend...we met him and we liked him! He's handsome, friendly, talkative, has a good appetite (I like that one) and he's TALL! I was nervous about our first encounter because she seemed nervous about it! But there was no reason for that... he was a delight! Am hoping he will come again soon and visit more with me and less with the boys! :)

Boyfriend is Coming TODAY!

This is a big day! My daughter's boyfriend is coming for supper... okay, Brooke...dinner.
We finally get to "officially" meet him! He sounds wonderful, in the fact that he seems to be so sweet to her - a quick way to a Mother's heart!
So, I have lots to do this cold, snowy Saturday. Brooke said he likes mexican food. I am going to cook chicken enchiladas, tacos and a mexican dip to eat with tostitos. I am going to make peanut butter pies for dessert. I also have to get the house ready and ME ready. Thinking the house will be easier than ME!
My sons are bringing their girlfriends too. This is a first..all 3 with dates at the same time! I am so excited. Am hoping they'll play mexican dominoes after "DINNER".
Just have to wait and see.... :)

I'm a morning person...just sayin'

I'm an early bird...what can I say! I like to start my day like this... up early, still in cozy p.j.s, coffee in hand, my journey magazine in the other and when I've been especially blessed (like today)... snow falling from the heavenly sky. I like to pray, read and just gather my thoughts for the day. I'm a list maker from way back so I've always got one going... to do, grocery, wish... gotta have them! I love the check off! Get milk, call Mom back, feed dogs..CHECK!! :) Speaking of checks! I check my email, check out my daughter's blog (which is the best ever) and of course, got to check out Facebook! I have a little planner/calendar in my purse and I write almost everything in it, would be lost without it so I almost always take a peek at that too. A good start and your day just seems to flow. A good cup of coffee and it starts with a smile. A good talk with God and you're raring to go! :)

New Years Resolutions... 2011

A few thoughts for the NEW YEAR!

1. Loose weight
2. Exercise
3. Pray more, worry less
4. Volunteer
5. If I have something to say, just say it!
6. Love with all my heart
7. Be thankful
8. Sadly, some things will never change, except it.
9. Cherish every day with your family.
10. Make every attempt to live a peaceful life.