First Anniversary

Today is the first anniversary of my husband Gary's death. He died one year ago today at 1:15 p.m. This has at times been a very difficult week but with the Lord's help, the prayers of my church family, and my special group of friends (and you all know who you are) I have made it through the hardest part, or at least I think so.

Monday will be the day that his funeral was held and the last time I saw him. I know he is in heaven celebrating and singing and not missing this life at all. Praise God he is not suffering any longer! I know we will see each other again and that Gary will be right there when I leave this world and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I don't have a clue what tomorrow will bring but I do know where my eternity will be.

However, I do miss my husband and my children are far away so today I miss family. I miss the us that made us a couple and a family of 5. I miss my man hugs, intimate laughter, being called "Precious," sitting on the sofa holding hands, and running errands together. I miss much more than I can write on this page.

My advice, especially since no one asked for it, don't take the little things for granted, it's not worth the disagreement or argument, children grow up WAY too fast, and know, really know that life can change in an instant.......

"There's No Place Like Home..."

Yes, Toto I am home! I arrived back in North Carolina this past Monday and have been busy since I landed. I work part time and have spent the week playing catch up at work and my yard needed mowing and clothes needed to be washed and I had to unpack and put stuff away and I still haven't made it to the grocery store! What's a girl to do? I have been tired but not able to sleep and just have that plain "I don't want to do nothing" feeling. And in my case I don't do nothing. So now I am so far behind in the little stuff that the big stuff will begin to get behind. I think I'll probably be behind when I die. Anyone else out there feel that way?

Anyway, I need to leave the Emerald City and get back to Kansas. Hang in there Toto we are only a wish away!

Flower Power

Today I went to The Flower Fields of Carlsbad Ranch (www.theflowerfields.com) and it was amazing. I have never seen such rows of flowers in my life. There was a rose garden as well as a poinsettia house. There is no way to put the 72 pictures I took on this blog. The colors were just breath taking and the fragrance was heavenly. The fields are Ranunculus, butter cup family, and I purchase a bunch of red ones as a reminder of today plus a package of yellow bulbs and purple bulbs to plant in my own garden once I get home. They also have a nursery and the flowers and plants are huge and at a great price. They have some wonderful yard art, bird feeders, seeds and bulbs. It was just the best way to spend the afternoon. The only thing is it began to drizzle rain and the wind picked up which made it cold. I would like to go back when it is sunny and warm. This was great eye candy provided by my MAKER! Grow where you are planted........

"It Never Rains in Southern California..."

Once again I am in California to dog sit my son and daughter in love's dog Zeus. I have been here since April 6 and they left for Greece on April 8. My son Nick is currently in Ireland and will not be home until probably May 5. Something is very wrong with this picture. Why am I not out of the country enjoying myself? I must reconsider this question and step out of my comfort zone and try to go somewhere new and exciting. I am having a great time here and have plenty of time alone with the Lord and look forward to the days ahead. I am beginning a new Bible study called "Stepping Up" by Beth Moore. Plus having quiet time to pray and reflect. I am looking forward to Easter and going to church out here. I hope and pray everyone has a great Easter and that the Lord will bless each of your family! Hoppy Easter!

Cold and Flu Season and Sinus Season

Don't you hate getting a cold, flu or sinus infection? If you don't cure it with OTC meds adding up to the hundreds then you wind up going to the doctor for another couple of hundred in order to cure the common cold! Being able to blow your nose and rid your head of the sinus congestion is worth millions when it is currently happening to you. But then after all is said and done you regret spending the money it took to feel better.

This week I finally went to the doctor on Wednesday after originally saying that I would give myself until Friday (today) to feel better was worth the $90 dollars in antibiotics and the cost of the office visit. I still am unsure as to how I got this since I was in California until last Saturday. I guess I could have gotten it from the plane ride out, because we all know that the air is recirculated, or whether walking the dog and getting hot then cooling off to quickly was to blame. Anyway, it was my time.

So my dears, be sure to wash your hands often, drink lots of fluids, don't breathe plane air or walk a dog, and take every precaution possible in order to NOT catch the cold, flu or sinus bugs that are going around this season.

Vitamin C ya!

LOL

LOL in this case means "Locks of Love" which is what my son did with the 14 or so inches of beautiful red hair that he had cut off recently. Nick's doing his student teaching at a school in Watagua County and has decided that it was time to look like a teacher. He will be leaving on March 25 to go to Ireland to participate in a student teaching program there. He will graduate in May from Appalachian State University! I am soooo proud of him and his accomplishments. Plus he looks so cute with his new hair style. I love you Nick!

Snow Bound with Rudolph

This is what I woke up to this morning! This is my front porch and steps with about 2-3 inches of fresh snow. I have spent the past two days inside with a nice warm fire and very comfortable clothes, which in other words means pj's. I have really enjoyed the alone time and have gotten a few things completed. However, it is very hard to get too motivated when its cold outside and all you want to do is watch the food network!

This is my find last Friday while my friends Carol, Sherry and I were out "Junk'n" This is the whole Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer gang! I found them at one of our local Goodwill shops at the amazing price of 50 cents each a great buy for $5. I can't wait to decorate with them at Christmas.

I hope that wherever you are you are warn and cozy and have access to hot chocolate!

Captain America!

My oldest son Jeremy is currently on his way back home from a 13 month deployment in Iraq. I am so excited to have been able to talk to him on the phone this morning for the first time in many weeks. We had a very long conversation and laughter was abundant. He has been an aid to one of the generals and the experience has been one of a lifetime. I will be leaving on Feb. 14 - 21 to California to spend a week with Jeremy! I purchased my ticket about a month ago and now in only 2 weeks I will be able to hug and kiss my son. Both of my children are precious to me as I know yours are to you. Jeremy also became officially a Captain in the Marine Corps as of Feb. 1, hence the title for today Captain America! Later ya'll!

Rags to Riches

After coming home from Oceanside, CA I thought it would be a good New Year's resolution to get all my unfinished projects finished. Clever idea! At least I think so. This morning I finally finished the crochet rag rug I started in June. I think it looks really good in my kitchen.

This is all I had left over! Got a great deal on the fabric at Wal-mart which was marked at 75% off! This was easy to do and makes a great rug. Looking for a new project - try a rag rug.

Viva Las Vegas Ya'll

We spent Christmas Day until Sunday in Las Vegas and we enjoyed the change this year. However, I will be ready for a real Christmas next year! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

MGM Grand Hotel, this is where we stayed.

Treasure Island, they have a pirate show but we did not get to see it.

Family Elf Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!!!

Yesterday we drove to Julian, California about 60 miles northeast of Oceanside. It took about 2 hours because we were driving through the mountains on a 2 lane road and when we got just outside Julian the traffic was terrible. We were backed up for about 2 miles before we entered the town there. People were everywhere and we could not get into many of the shops. Seems Julian is famous for their apple pies and we certainly made sure we tasted the best, Apple Carmel Pecan Pie! Check out the scenery: Earlier last week they received about 7 inches of snow and we hear that they were snowed in for 3 days. There were still about 3-4 inches on the ground yesterday.

Cars were parked all over the place and on every side street.

Nicholas and Nicolette standing in front of "Nick's Knacks," this was kinda cute since they both go by Nick.

Nicholas and I on the street corner. We really enjoyed the day. I would like to go back when it's less crowded. Who says you can't have a white Christmas in Southern California! Here's hoping your Christmas will be Merry and Bright!

California Christmas Lights

Hope you enjoy seeing these. . .
Don't ever believe that Marines don't have talents beyond the battlefield. Here is proof that they are very much into lights and Christmas. Since I took these several more houses have been decorated and/or added more lights!

Can you guess what this is on the top of this house? Well, if you could look closely it is a picture of the state of Texas!

And last is a picture of the Christmas lights that Nicolette and I hung together. There are very few houses with blue lights, but we are having a "Blue Christmas" without Jeremy.

This past Saturday we went to an Ornament Exchange at a friend of Nicolette's. We really had a great time. It was nice to see some of the people I had met when I was here last June/July.

I took a group shot for the girls because some are leaving the military and some are moving to another post. This group has been together for several years. The lady on the first row with the jacket on is Major Keel's wife Robin. Before Jeremy was sent on this deployment he was in the MASS 3 unit (Marine Air Support Services) and these are the wives of the guys he served with. Most are waiting for their husbands to return in March.

Nicolette and Melody. Melody is from Utah and her husband from Alaska and she lives in the same neighborhood as Nicolette. She is very sweet and they are very good friends. I am grateful that Nicolette has such a great group of girlfriends and that they all support each other during the rough times.

I too am grateful for my girlfriends, and you know who you are, (Fabulous 5 & The Incredible). Without them I don't know how I would make it! Friends Forever. . .

Seashells by the Seashore

I began today finishing up a couple of projects. The first one is for a friend of Nicolette's named Carrie. We are invited to her house on Saturday for a Ornament Exchange and Nicolette wanted to take her a hostess gift. So after a trip to Michael's here are the wine charms that I made for her to give. One set for Christmas...

The other to use whenever!

Then it was off to the beach after a 30 minute Curves workout. It was beautiful and the sun felt great. I think I got a little bit even though it wasn't that warm.

As you can see I had the whole beach to myself. No one, I mean no one around. There was one guy surfing and one lady walking and that was it. I really had it made.

And here are my treasures from the sea. I could not believe I found the sand dollars! They were just laying there waiting for me to pick them up. Of course they are still brown which means they are still alive but after today I think they will be dead. Can't wait to go again! SEA YA!

Subway by the Sea

I have been in Oceanside, CA for one week and so far Nicolette, (my daughter in love) and I have hung Christmas lights and decorated her tree. The lights are blue because we are having a "Blue Christmas" without Jeremy this year.

She purchased 2 pre-lighted Christmas wreaths and I decorated both alike, they look pretty good hanging from the windows and are really pretty at night.

Today I had a Subway sandwich at the pier in Oceanside, these are some of the many surfer dudes that were probably freezing while trying to catch a wave.

These 2 beauties were just a couple of the pelicans that were allowing people to get very close for a picture. I named these two Fred and Ethel.

This was my view from the bench where I ate lunch. The temperature was a warm 74 degrees with a wonderful breeze. Several people laying out on the beach and one was actually in a swimsuit. Tried to take a picture of a seal but you really can't tell much about what it is, so I may have to try again. I am enjoying my time here to just relax and enjoy the quiet and the beautiful weather. God is so good and I am enjoying His goodness to the fullest! Later dudes!

Family & Fall Festival

These are my pride and joy, my daughter in love Nicolette who is a Physicians Assistant in California, and is married to my oldest son Jeremy on the left currently serving in Iraq as a 1st. Lt. in the Marines, and my youngest son Nicholas on the right is a senior at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina. As many of you are I too am proud of my children and all they have accomplished in their short lives. They are much better than I at handling difficulty and are good to their mother. I have the privilege of spending about 6 weeks in California beginning December 2 until January 6 with Nicolette for Christmas and New Year's. Nicholas will be flying out for about 15 days for Christmas. We have made reservations to spend the holiday in Las Vegas, which will be very different for us. Since I lost my husband to cancer earlier this year I am finding that it is hard to do things or get through the "Firsts" and Christmas would just be pitiful here with just Nicholas and myself. So, a new normal will take place this year and hopefully next year we can all celebrate the holidays here at home together and begin to change our traditions to be something we will all cherish and remember without having the pain of loss.

This is a picture of Naileen the nail queen at our church's Fall Festival on October 30th. Needless to say I am a little behind getting this on the blog but Naileen has been so busy that today is the only time she has had available. Yes, this is me in my bling country fair attire. I had a great time! Seeing all the children having a wonderful time playing and eating and even singing to the karaoke was just the best. It was the best pick me up and a great time of fun and fellowship for the adults too! Hope you are enjoying your fall wherever you are!

Blessings!

Second degree burns

I know the title of this sounds weird, but I since I started swapping earlier this year, way before this blog, I was a victim of a never received swap. After I sent mine and it was received as to this day I haven't received the Summer Swap from my partner, even after several emails. Burned once. Then hear lately I participated in the Button Swap and once again I sent mine to my partner and never received anything not even an email saying "Sorry." Burned twice! So, now I think I will not swap for a while and see if I can't get over being burned. It is not a good feeling especially when you put a lot of effort into what you send to get nothing in return, I mean even an appology would be something! So to all of you out there how about letting me know if you have ever been burned and how you dealt or are dealing with it. Hugs!

Where do they get these ideas?

As I browse through blogs and see all the things other people create I am discouraged because I have no creative thoughts at all. Not to mention the time it would take to create and market something great. I am just amazed at all you out there who can just take something so simple and make it into something wonderful.

Please share where your ideas come from. Do you get them from magazines, shops, internet, where!!!! I want an idea too. Any comments are most welcome and will be greatly appreciated.

"There's no place like home. . .'

I am finally home again and alone again, such a great feeling. There truly is "No place like home" and I love being here where all my stuff lives along with the stuff I don't want to live with and the stuff that is out of place, but hey, it's still my stuff.

I made significant progress today by getting my digital camera software downloaded onto my computer and I can now add my personal pictures to my blog. Not that many people are looking at it but at least I am improving myself by the challenge to become more computer literate. What more could a girl want at my age?

I am off though again, however this time it's to Topsail Beach on the coast of North Carolina. I am SO looking forward to this time. I feel like I have no life and what I do have isn't mine, it's been dictated by others or circumstances beyond my control. I need some sort of routine and structure back in my life. I wonder if some of this could be part of no longer working after working for so many years? If anyone has an answer or suggestion for me I am open.

I am having trouble sleeping again and so at almost 2 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2008 I sit here entering this post hoping to be able to go back to bed and sleep until 6 a.m. I am suppose to be at my sweet friend Sherry's house around 6:30 a.m. to go to a regular estate sale that we visit twice a month. Sherry has been on vacation for 2 weeks and tomorrow will be the first time I have seen her since she got back. It will be great to spend time together and to get back into our mode for items and ideas. Nothing like shopping, especially an estate sale, to get one's mind off one's troubles.

That's all for now. Shall we sleep. . .

Haven't Gotten to Normal Yet

Well, so much for a new blog when you don't get to keep it up to date because things just seem to snowball. Right now my daddy is staying with me while he recovers from having steints plus he has to have dialysis 3 times a week. It's a long story and one I just can't get into right now, but maybe just maybe after September 16 I can have a life. However, I have managed to sign up for 2 swaps and currently working on getting them ready to mail. I guess I had better stop this for today and get on with facing what is right in front of me. Later. . .