Joan's Journeys

Hey there! Remember Me? :-)

2012-01-13T22:20:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone or the one or two people who might even look at my blog anymore. :-) It's been awhile for sure but I've had a lot going on in my life and here is the photo version of the past few months. Blogger put my photos in the wrong order so I'll give you the run down of it all. The very best news is a new baby was born in our family. Her name is Savannah Joan! :-) She is just as cute and sweet as can be. Here's some photos of the past six weeks from her birth through Christmas. Her big sisters Maddie and Sydney think she's very special too. And what a special Christmas it was. New babies just make life so much better, you know? The past few Christmas's were hard, so it was such a blessing to have a nice Christmas.
Two weeks before Christmas my little kitty Cleo died. She was 17 years old and really sick, she was such a good girl and I knew from the start I wanted another kitty in the house. She's the kitty three photos down and this past weekend I got a new kitty. A boy this time, his name is Enrico..I call him "Rico" for short. He's a funny guy.
I celebrated New Years quietly with my babies and was sound asleep before midnight, that is until the fireworks woke me up! :-)
So I'm looking forward to 2012 with lots of hope and gratitude in my heart!! I have a few projects I want to do around the house, like painting etc....and I really want to do some traveling again. Go somewhere I've never been before. We'll see......
I hope 2012 will be a good one for you all. I'm not even going to promise I'll be blogging regular again!! Ha! We'll see how it goes!! It looks like"we'll see"is going to be my motto for 2012!! :-)

Catch up post!!

2011-11-27T15:50:00.000-05:00

So it's been a few weeks since my last post and I need to catch up a little!! It's been busy around here and in less than 48 hours from now it's going to get really busy!! Because grand baby #4 will be here!! JUST.CAN'T.WAIT!!!!! So there will be lots of baby pics this week....:-)
But until that time, here's a rundown of what's been going on in my life! I was baptized last week! It was an awesome experience! It was just something I never did and felt it was time to do. I can't even explain to you in words how God has taken me from where I was so broken and brokenhearted to this place where I am now(a good place). I just know it to be true and I am so grateful!

And I've been spinning at least a few times a week!! I LOVE spinning!! It's a really good workout and I've been going with my youngest daughter so that makes it even more fun!!

And can I just say, this Fall was just gorgeous!! The weather was so beautiful and some of the trees around my office were just beautiful!!

I took an art class with some of my friends. Okay, so I'll never be an artist but I had fun and that's all that counts in my book. For two hours I sat there concentrating on this little pink flower thing....LOL It's good therapy too!!

My outdoor tree is up. I need to put a few more ornaments on it but I just love the outdoor tree. It's right outside my sliding glass doors off the kitchen so I can sit in the morning with my first cup of coffee and look at it!! And the little girls decided Cleo needed to be decorated for Christmas. Let's just say Cleo was less than happy with the idea! LOL It's baby week!!! YEA!! I'll be back later in the week with photos and updates on the new baby girl!! Happy Sunday!

IT'S NOVEMBER!!

2011-11-05T11:42:00.000-04:00

I really can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Wasn't it just January? We are anxiously awaiting the new baby girl who is scheduled to make her debut in just about three weeks!! Still not sure what her name is but the girls want to name her Savannah or as Syndey says "Cabana". :-)

Life is busy and I'm sure it'll get a whole lot busier with the holidays and new baby coming. I went back to Weight Watchers this week and was shocked at how much weight I have gained so it's back to eating right and exercising again. I've been spinning since this Summer and I do love it, just wish I could find a place that offers a lot more classes & times. And I've been taking Yoga classes all through the Summer and now into Fall but my Yoga instructor is out of town for awhile and I miss it more than anything. Never thought I would enjoy something as much as I enjoyYoga!! :-) Why can't we just eat whatever we want and not gain weight or hurt our health?? LOL It seems to me I could do that back in my 20's.....

Anyway, these are just a few photos of Halloween with my sweet girls!!! Had a blast with them. And I gave them all the left over candy....I'm sure Mom and Dad love me for that!! Happy Saturday!!

Happy Halloween!!!

2011-10-31T10:50:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone!! Aren't these the cutest photos? What do you all have planned for today? The washer repair men were just here and I will be busy catching up with a week's worth of laundry since it took a whole week for a part to come in for my washer!! I have a pot of chili in the crockpot and am going to Maddie's pre school to watch her class do their Halloween parade in their costumes (so cute). And later on the kids will come over for chili and trick or treating!! So glad it's my day off work!! It's a busy but fun day!! Have a wonderful and safe Halloween!!

We have a new nurse in the Family!!

2011-10-17T14:25:00.001-04:00

My daughter, Christina graduated from nursing school this weekend!! The whole family is just so excited for her and her new future as a nurse! It was a great weekend with the graduation and celebration!! Hope everyone had a beautiful weekend too!! I just love October in Ohio!! :-) Go Nurse Tee-Tee(that's Maddie and Sassy's name for Christina).

What happen to September??

2011-10-06T16:55:00.000-04:00

September kind of got away from me. I really can't believe it's October already! I went to the beach with my son Jim and his son Cameron last month. It was so much fun and such a treat because I don't get as much time with Cameron as I do with the girls. so it was a week of playing pirates instead of princesses. Which I wasn't at all used to but it was fun! Here's a few photos of our time at the beach!!

And we had a sprinkle for my daughter Melissa who is due with baby girl number 3 next month. Has anyone ever heard of a sprinkle before? I hadn't before this but it's like a shorten version of a shower!! We are getting excited counting down the days till she's here. Not much else going on with me other than working a lot. It's been a totally beautiful week here in Cincy, just wish it would stay like this all year round!! Happy Thursday!! It's almost TGIF!!!! Yea!!

Saying goodbye to the Summer........

2011-08-30T22:07:00.000-04:00

It's been a great Summer and I'm sad to see it go. For me Labor Day always marks the end of Summer. So since I've been slacking in the blog world this Summer(and past two years), here's a run down of my Summer!! Spending Sundays at my brother in law's house..watching the kids fish and than eating the fish. Great Summer memories!!

Maddie's 5th birthday...I can't believe my sweet Maddie is already 5 years old. When I tell her and Sydney and Cameron they have to stop growing so fast and stay little, they always tell me"they have to get big" We'll have a new baby to love on soon!! :-)

Christina and I at the Paul McCartney concert. It was so much fun!! And she enjoyed it as much as I did!

Spending time with my family.....my three grand kids loving on each other....

Learning how to do Yoga... I actually love doing yoga and I've been spinning too..but I don't have a picture of that..LOL

Meeting new friends..I was so lucky to get to go down to Ft. Lauderdale and tour the Oasis and Allure Royal Caribbean ships...it was so much fun and such a treat. I hope to go on one of them some day!!

And just enjoying everything the Summer has to offer. I'm still in a season of trying to figure out some things in my life but I'm getting there..it's slow and there are times I think I should have it all figured out by now but as always in life that's not the case, it's ok because I'm learning to take it day by day. I had a wonderful Summer and I hope you all did too. Time to start Christmas shopping......:-)

The many reasons why I "heart" my blogging friends!

2011-07-30T09:41:00.000-04:00

Blogging friends are always there for you with an encouraging word or two. Blogging friends are always supported and kind. They share the mountains and the valleys of life with you. When you are on the mountain they share the joy of it with you and when you are in the valley they share the pain and pray for you and encourage you through it. I didn't even realize that my little blog had an anniversary last week until someone commented on it. It's been five years since I started this little blog on a whim. Never even dreaming that these virtual friends would become real life friends to me. I recently joined Google Plus(which I'm still trying to figure out) and it is connected to my blogger account so it pulled up all the photos I have shared on my blog over five years. WOW!!! There were so many and it was so much fun to look back over them!!
Thank you blogging friends for going on my journey of life with me(the highs and the lows) and all your encouragement and prayers along the way. Thanks for still coming back to this blog even though I am a slacker most of the time(just shows me how faithful you are to a friendship and makes me love you even more). But most of all I thank you for your friendship and how blessed I feel because of it!!

A New Baby......

2011-07-16T14:44:00.000-04:00

We are pretty excited around here!! There's a new baby coming and it's a little girl!!! She'll make her debut right after Thanksgiving! The girls are so excited...Maddie insisted that it was going to be a girl before they actually found out(I don't know what she would have done if it was a boy....LOL). So now they are talking names and clothes and all kinds of fun things!! Gommy's excited too! Happy Saturday everyone!!

2011-07-01T11:59:00.000-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Happy 4th of July!! I love the 4th of July, it's one of my very favorite holidays! So what does everyone have planned for this weekend? My family and friends are coming over for a picnic tomorrow so I am looking forward to that. The weather guy says it's going to be hot and muggy! PERFECT!!! LOL
Happy 4th everyone...stay safe!

Today I am.....

2011-06-15T08:44:00.002-04:00

Today I am grateful for all my many blessings...except for that wolf spider I just found and killed in my basement......LOL Are wolf spiders in all parts of the country? :-) I'm not a fan! Happy Wednesday everyone!! I'm still working on an update post and still trying to get around to visit everyone!! Hope you are enjoying this time of year. I love it! The warm weather, the fresh fruits and veggies, that it doesn't get dark till later and I can sit in my backyard garden and have a nice dinner and the lightning bugs that are slowly coming out when it gets dark and they light up the sky! Love it all!! That's it for now, Have a great day. I'm off to run some errands and find a good Summer book to read!

PS...have no idea why this pic is showing so big.......

Because God loves Me........

2011-05-25T22:59:00.001-04:00

Because God Loves Me 1st Corinthians 13:4-8

Because God loves me He is slow to lose patience with me.

Because God loves me He takes the circumstances of my life and uses them in a constructive way for my growth.

Because God loves me He does not treat me as an object to be possessed and manipulated.

Because God loves me He has no need to impress me with how great and powerful He is because He is God, nor does he belittle me as His child in order to show me how important He is.

Because God loves me He is for me, He wants to see me mature and develop in His love.

Because God loves me He does not send down His wrath on every little mistake I make, of which there are many.

Because God loves me He does not keep score of all my sins and then beat me over the head with them whenever He gets the chance.

Because God loves me He is deeply grieved when I do not walk in the ways that please him, because He sees this as evidence that I don't trust Him and love Him as I should.

Because God loves me He rejoices when I experience His power and strength and stand up under the pressures of life for His Name's sake.

Because God loves me He keeps on working patiently with me even when I feel like giving up and can't see why He doesn't give up with me, too.

Because God loves me He keeps trusting me when at times I don't even trust myself.

Because God loves me He never says there is no hope for me; rather, He patiently works with me, loves me and disciplines me in such a way that it is hard for me to understand the depth of His concern for me.

Because God loves me He never forsakes me, even though many of my friends might.

Because God loves me He stands with me when I have reached the rock of despair, when I see the real me and compare that with his righteousness, holiness, beauty, and love. It is a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me.

Yes, the greatest of all gifts is God's perfect love.

Courtesy of Dick Dickinson.

I posted this a few years ago and had found it looking back over my blog. It's an oldie but goodie and one that I need to hear from time to time. Hope everyone is well and safe. Will try to do an update post on what's going on in my life soon!

Easter, a Birthday and Women of Faith!!

2011-05-02T16:53:00.000-04:00

I'm a week behind in posting my Easter photo but better late than never!! That seems to be my motto lately..... Here's the three munchkins on Easter right before we had brunch with Great Papa. It's getting so hard to get a decent photo of all three of them anymore. No one will hold still for me to take photos! :-) It was a good Easter weekend, very busy with family but so good!

And my son, Jimmy had a birthday last week so we all went out to eat dinner at one of his favorite places here in Cincinnati. It's a good thing they put us in the corner and that it was a busy place because these three were bouncing off the walls. Probably all the cake and cookies we had! :-)

And last weekend I got to go to a Women of Faith event in Columbus, Ohio. I've never been to Columbus and it's just two hours away from me. It's a great city and this event is AWESOME!! I loved it! The funny thing is I went all by myself, I might have been one of the few women who were not part of a big group there and they put me right on the floor in a really good spot and I was next to the camera guy(who was so sweet to me) and Natalie Grant's body guard, who might have been the body guard for all the event speakers and singers. I never did figure that one out. I (and the other thousands of women there) cried when Angie Smith told her story of her sweet baby girl and Sheila Walsh is just a terrific speaker. It was just a great time of learning and drawing near to God and I hope to go again next year!!
That about sums up the past week. Not much planned for this week so far except getting my hair done and starting a work out routine and my regular work schedule(ha!). I hope to get out in the yard this week but the rain has been never ending here in Ohio. My poor little new bike is getting no action these days...the rain has to stop sometime, right? I hope everyone has a great week planned!! Happy Monday!

Happy Easter!!

2011-04-23T07:24:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter!! I love Easter and the WHOLE meaning of it. I hope everyone has a wonderful day planned with family this weekend!. I am going to Easter service tonight at my church and to Easter brunch with my Dad tomorrow and hopefully(if the weather cooperates) an Easter egg hunt with the grands tomorrow afternoon. Busy weekend but so much fun!! Happy Easter blogging buddies, I hope you have the best day! P.S. I took this photo at our Cincinnati Zoo this week( on one of the few days without rain and storms), they have Zoo blooms every year at this time. It is so beautiful!

Getting ready for Easter!!

2011-04-14T20:17:00.000-04:00

We're getting ready for Easter! The girls came over today and we colored some eggs, they had a ball. Just a little over a week left before Easter and today felt like a beautiful Spring day! Love this time of year and I can't wait to get out in the yard and plant some flowers! What do you have planned for Easter? Happy Spring everyone!!

What I've been doing for the past month and a half!!

2011-04-11T16:07:00.004-04:00

So I've been a bad blogger again!! LOL I really do love blogging and I do miss it and I miss all my bloggy buddies. I know we still catch up through Facebook but it's not quite the same, you know? And I really have no excuses other than life's been busy. So here's a few things I've been doing since the last time I posted. Warning...lots of photos ahead!! Hey it's almost two months of stuff!

First I had a birthday and celebrated it with all the special people in my life!!

Watched Cameron at his first soccer game. I just have one thing to say about that....it was one of the most fun mornings I've had in a long time!! Haha.... Have you ever watched a bunch of three year olds learn to play soccer?

I went to watch Maddie in her big dance recital. It was so much fun!!

I bought a beautiful pink bike. It has a great basket on it too that's not in this picture. I rode bikes when we were on vacation and forgot just how much I loved it!! It's so much fun, riding and feeling the wind blow in your face. We have lots of hills here in Cincinnati so it's a challenge to ride it here.

And then there was one of the most relaxing and fun vacations I have had in a long time. My friends and I went to Hilton Head for a week and these last photos are of our time there. We really didn't do much but walk the beach and rides bikes. It was wonderful!!
So how's everyone been? Aren't you glad Spring is finally here and Easter is just a few weeks away!! Hope everyone is healthy and doing well. I really think this was the longest I have gone without blogging and I'm going to try and post more but I can't guarantee life won't get in the way again!! I'm also back at Weight Watcher's trying to lose some of the weight I put back on since I became a lifetime member. So far I've been losing about 2 pounds a week, which is good!! So there you have it---almost two months in a few paragraphs and photos!! Happy Monday everyone!!

Meeting the Pioneer Woman

2011-02-20T19:49:00.004-05:00

My family and I got to meet the Pioneer Woman on Friday night! It was so much fun. Our local bookstore, Jo Beth Books held a book signing of her new book called Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. My sisters were there early and ate at the little cafe in the bookstore called Bronte's that was serving recipes from Ree's cookbook. They said their meals were good. She did a small talk session first and had a question and answer time. She said she was really nervous about talking in public but I have to tell you she is just as nice and down to earth as you can imagine she is. I've never been to a book signing before but it was lots of fun! She signed my book to Gommy, with love, Ree.......I now have her cookbook and Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.
How's everyone been? Yea, I've been a slacker blogger again and we're hardly into the New Year but my sisters and I have been dealing with my Dad's health issues. It's so tough when it comes to the point where the children are taking care of the parent and I'm sure he's having a hard time dealing with this too. He turned 86 on Valentine's Day and I have some photos of his birthday party which I'll try to post soon! Have a great week everyone!!

Funny Girl

2011-01-29T13:46:00.000-05:00

Maddie calls me up at 8am this morning and said "Gommy, can I tell you something" and I say "sure Maddie you can tell me anything"(we do this routine many, many times...LOL....and I hope she always feels like she can tell me anything). So than she tells me that a big ice storm is heading our way. OH NO....NOT AN ICE STORM!!!!......... I looked it up and it looks like it might hit Cincy on Tuesday night. I'm hoping they are wrong and it'll be too warm(hey I can hope, right??). Here's a few pics of Maddie being silly and filling up my bird house to put back outside. She took this job very seriously and is very concern for the birds being out in the snow with no food. Hope you all are having a great weekend. I went out to eat at one of my favorite places last night and I'm also going to the Cincinnati Art Museum this weekend to see the two centuries of wedding gowns exhibit. How did I grow up in this wonderful city and have not taken advantage of our great art museum before? And I noticed the Brenda Photo Challenge is up today so go here to see who's showing some great photos on their blog today!! Maybe one of these days I'll get my act together and show my photos again!! Happy Saturday!! I'm off to church tonight with my silly Maddie girl....hahaha...

Single Digit Days........

2011-01-21T09:46:00.007-05:00

It's cold here in Cincy these days and you all know it wouldn't be Winter around here if I didn't do some weather whining............LOL I'm not a big fan of frigid cold weather or ice and snow on the roads. A few weeks I drove home from work in black ice and I had to pry my fingers from the steering wheel when I finally pulled into the garage after an hour and a half commute that usually only takes less than thirty minutes.

But in between all the snow and ice we took the grand kids to the Mall to run off some energy. Ha! I love these pictures from the food court, it looks like they are holding some big important business meeting. These three make me smile....so we ate at the food court and had some of those big giant pretzels they have there and everyone went home with alot of sugar in their bodies! Ha!

Anyway, I just wanted to show you what my backyard looked like last night while the snow was coming down and what it looks like today as the Sun comes out. The Sun is bright and shining but we are in the deep freeze. The tree has been up since early December and it is still in great shape. You can't really see it in these pics but it is now a Valentine Day's tree. I have heart ornaments on it and heart lights too. I wonder if it'll last to make it a St. Patrick's Day tree?? LOL I don't think it'll last till Easter. Stay warm and safe!!

If we could just ask our Magic 8 Balls....

2011-01-11T10:56:00.028-05:00

A few weeks ago my kids and grandkids went to our favorite local pizza place to meet my Dad for dinner. At this restaurant they are smart enough to supply the kiddies with all kinds of fun items to keep them busy while they are waiting for their food and if you have ever been out with a couple of 2 year olds and a 4 year old, you know how important it is to keep them occupied while waiting for the food. :-) Well, this place has a supply of Magic 8 balls for the kids to play with and of course Gommy(me) had to play with them too. And as I was playing I was thinking "wouldn't it be nice, if we could just ask the Magic 8 ball about our future?" Questions like "Hey Magic 8 ball, will this be a good year for me?" The Magic 8 Ball has 20 different answers it could give you:

As I see it, yes

● It is certain

● It is decidedly so

● Most likely

● Outlook good

● Signs point to yes

● Without a doubt

● Yes

● Yes – definitely

● You may rely on it

● Reply hazy, try again

● Ask again later

● Better not tell you now

● Cannot predict now

● Concentrate and ask again

● Don't count on it

● My reply is no

● My sources say no

● Outlook not so good

● Very doubtful

I looked up the Magic 8 Ball on Wikipedia and it says 10 of the answers are affirmative, 5 are negative and 5 are non committal...so I'm guessing you have a better chance of getting an affirmative answer. But I know life doesn't come with a Magic 8 Ball to tell us what's going to happen in this New Year and you guys have been around my blog long enough to know what I believe and WHO I believe is in charge of my life. So do I know what this year will hold for me, my Magic 8 Ball answer would be "very doubtful" but if I ask " do I believe HE has it all under control for me?", my Magic 8 Ball answer says "Without a Doubt"...............

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T11:20:00.020-05:00

Happy New Year! Are you all ready for 2011? 2010 was a mix bag for me in terms of ups and downs. My Dad getting sick and spending three weeks in the hospital and we weren't sure if he was going to make it a few times was certainly one of the downs. And the on going process of the fall out from my marriage falling apart was another down. But I've never been one to look at my glass as half empty so my up's have been there too. Sometimes I think in the process of some big hits in your life comes the potential for big growth and I have seen that in so many areas in my life(and I thank God for them). I am much more independent than I have ever been in my life(yea, I still have some tweaking to do in that area) but before I would have felt so insecure going to functions by myself(especially when everyone came with a spouse) but I have no problem doing that anymore and I went back to work out of the house, which has been such a blessing. Hey, I even went out and bought my first TV on my own without anyone's help and I think I did a pretty good job in picking it out!! Ha! Might not be a big accomplishment for some but I walked out of that store feeling pretty good.........I was able to do some traveling and remembered just how much I loved that part of my life!! So yes, 2010 was full of ups and downs and I'm sure that'll be true of 2011 too but I'm also sure in the mix of it all will be that potential for mega growth!

Happy New Year friends!! When I count my blessings for the year, you guys are always part of it!

Christmas ~~ 2010

2010-12-28T11:41:00.016-05:00

I've spent the past few days taking down all the Christmas decorations but am just getting to posting about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I usually take everything down right after the holiday but I have loved my outdoor tree so much and it's still in great shape(it's been frozen) that I thought I would decorate it with hearts and red for Valentine's Day! Haha....I thought the grands would get a kick out of it. I don't think it'll last for St.Patricks Day or Easter.....ha! Though that would be fun to have a tree for every holiday...maybe I'll plant a little pine out back for the kids to decorate......
Here's a few pics from my holiday! The girls made a Happy Birthday Jesus cake and decorated it. They said Jesus really likes sprinkles so they put alot(the whole bottle) on the cake. :-)
This photo is funny because they got so many toys but the game they wanted to play the most with everyone was restaurant. What's restaurant? Well, the girls ask you what you want to eat and than they pretend to write down your order and throw you pretend food. Yep, they throw it to you....Ha! And I always catch it and say it's wonderful.......

The last few are of Christmas Eve at my sister's house. Maddie and I were having fun and Maddie and Sydney were waiting for Great Grandpa(my Dad) to give out presents! I had a nice Christmas and still have one to celebrate with Cameron this weekend!! I hope everyone had a great one and I'll try to make it back before the new year but if I don't- Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T18:34:00.011-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!! This is just part of my family after the Christmas program at our church. My son and grandson couldn't make it so they're not in the picture. :-( I need to work on getting a photo of all of us but it's hard to get everyone together at the same time! I hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas week. Mine has been busy and full, dinners, cooking, wrapping presents etc...... I was off work all week, so that was nice. All the presents are wrapped, most of the food is ready( I'm trying to make it as easy as possible) and I guess I'm about as ready as I can be.

Another Christmas, another year....wow......where did it go? I feel better than I did last Christmas and emotionally I'm in a better place.........but sometimes if I'm real honest and don't just want to put on a brave face....I get sad for Christmas past...but in the end it's all about that little baby that was born in a stable. Have a wonderful and safe Christmas bloggy friends!! Thank you for your gift of being my friend!

Baby, It's cold outside!!

2010-12-06T13:05:00.005-05:00

Busy, busy weekend and my car never left my garage till this morning.....LOL My sweet grands all came over this weekend to hang out with me. I LOVE having them but they were with me because my daughter Melissa(Maddie and Sydney's mom) was recovering from what the doctors are calling a missed miscarriage. We are all so sad that we will not be welcoming a new sweet baby into the family next summer. We were all so excited when we found out they were going to have another baby and it's just sad............
So we played in the snow........made hot chocolate and popcorn and I really did try to get them to eat some healthy food but I didn't have much luck!
Sassy(Sydney) was coming at me with her snowball. LOL I have about a half dozen snowballs in my freezer right now. They wanted to save them.....
Here's my outside tree I was telling you about. I really love it out there and will try to take a good picture of it at night to show you. It sits right outside my patio doors so I can sit at my kitchen table and watch the twinkling lights at night. Last night I sat there with a cup of hot chocolate and a chocolate biscotti. I was in chocolate heaven.....
And Aunt "Tess" came over to play with the girls on Saturday night and we took some more photos. I love these photos!! Look at Maddie's face in the one above, she's just so happy!! The girls did not want to come in from the snow, no matter how I tried to reason (bribe) them. LOL
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a great week!!!

Lots of Catching up to do!!

2010-12-02T20:29:00.009-05:00

I have lots of catching up to do! These pictures are in reverse order but it'll have to do because I have no time to fix them! Ha! First off I won this beautiful bracelet from the (in) courage gals. I am so excited. This bracelet is called the shield of faith bracelet and you can find it here at Gracewear. First of all it's a gorgeous bracelet and big and bold--everything I love in jewelry! But the meaning behind this bracelet is especially meaningful for me and I'm sure for many others. It's based on Ephesians 6:10-18 and represents covering women daily in God's protection mercy and grace! Thank you so much!! Everytime I wear it I will think of God's protection mercy and grace.
So here's what I've been up to, other than eating way too much lately. Doesn't it seem like you get on a roll with eating and can't stop...tell me I'm not the only one.......please......ha...okay so this past weekend we all went downtown to celebrate my sweet niece Stephanie's birthday, she's the one I have my arms around. That's my son and his girlfriend and my brother in law and his girlfriend with us! It was fun and it's so pretty downtown right now with all the Christmas decorations!!
The next few pics are of Thanksgiving. Here's me and my little girls!
My Dad and his sister....I love this photo..they are both in their 80's and have some health issues so I'm loving the time with them both!
Here's me and one of my big girls.....my daughter Christina.....we are wearing the same dress only different colors....Ha...she borrowed it from my closet.......
And the day before Thanksgiving, I met my son and my grandson Cameron for dinner since I wouldn't be able to see them on Thanksgiving Day! They were playing silly games....
And remember my last post about sweet Ava, well we did get to meet her and her beautiful family! I told you my Dad had a special place in his heart for her! Maddie and Sydney just adored her too!
This is my Dad and Ava's family which is made up of my aunt, cousin and I guess second and third cousins but I get confused about second and third cousins sometimes...ha!
Ava was such a loving little girl, hugging people and talking and her brother and sister were just as sweet as could be. I hope we see more of them. Don't you love this photo of my Dad and Ava?
Woo...long post....did you make it to the bottom? I've been working alot lately which hasn't been too bad other than I'm tired and I spent Thanksgiving morning to early afternoon working at Cincinnati's Fall Feast. I can honestly say it was one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had and I hope to work there again next year. I've been decorating for Christmas and even put a real tree out on my back patio this year, it was just something I did at the last minute and I am liking it more and more. I'll post some photos as soon as work slows down...which will be the end of next week!!! Take care and sorry for the length of this post. :-) Oh yeah..one more thing...

I was suppose to be going to the Beth Moore Deeper Still event this weekend in Birmingham but something has come up and I can't go now. I won a ticket to go but can't go this weekend. I'm watching my little girls for the weekend and I'll explain why sometime in future posts. But I sure hope to go to one of Beth's conferences someday!! Okay, now I'm out of here!!...See ya.....

Meeting Ava!!

2010-11-17T15:20:00.014-05:00

Next week my family and I get to meet a very special little girl named Ava. Ava was hit by a drunk driver in April of 2009 while she was in her yard and she continues to amaze everyone with her progress. She is the grand daughter of my cousin and my Dad has a very special place in his heart for this little girl so when they come to town next week, we are all getting together for lunch. To read Ava's story go here. You know I'll have some pictures of our visit......take care and have a good Wednesday!!

Life.......

2010-11-02T16:09:00.027-04:00

This is my life right now............grandkids.....family....being blessed with good friends..... a job I like and for this month of November which we usually associate with being thankful....I'm TRYING to concentrate on what I have to be thankful for and not what I don't have. I'm THANKFUL for all of my blogging friends!!! What are you thankful for in your life right now?

Fun at the Firehouse!

2010-10-18T20:39:00.011-04:00

It was a beautiful weekend here in Southwest Ohio! It was just perfect for the open house at our local firehouse. We took the grandkids last year and they loved it and now that they are bigger they loved it even more. The top photo is of my whole family, all three grandkids, all three kids and my wonderful son-in-law! I wish I would have had someone take a pic with me in the photo with them because sometimes it's hard to get everyone together in the same place at the same time! LOL

This is my grandson Cameron and one of the nice firemen at the station! They were all so nice and patient with the kids. Doesn't Cameron look so cute as a fireman??

We had a hard time convincing Cameron to get out of the firetruck and let another little kid "drive" the truck. LOL He couldn't understand why he couldn't "drive" the truck all afternoon.

I love this last photo of Cameron "putting" out a fire. He took his job very seriously. All in all it was such a fun afternoon! So grateful to people who serve and are willing to put their lives at risk for others!! Have a wonderful week!!

Hey There!!!

2010-10-14T21:57:00.008-04:00

Hey everyone!! How are you? I'm back from Idaho and loved it there and hope to go back someday. I was with my brother in law and his girlfriend and we just relaxed and had some really good food and they showed me all the sights of Sun Valley. It is beautiful there and if you ever have the chance to visit, just do it. But this first photo is of Sassy(Sydney) at the Pumpkin Fest this past weekend! She kept telling me "I push it Gommy".........LOL

These photos are of my Idaho trip as I took my walks!! Would you believe that all of these photos were taken with my camera on my Iphone! Haha.....I bought my Nikon with me but my best shots were when I went on walks with just my camera phone. They are not perfect by any means but they are not bad for a cell phone camera!! So I've been working alot since I came back. Today I went out and bought some work clothes for the winter because I haven't worked out of the house in about 4 years(that means I only have jeans in my closet for the winter) so I bought new black pants and two black skirts!! I figure I can mix and match my tops and I have black tights to wear with the skirts. I like my job and the people I work with! Hope you all are doing well and I said it before but I really hope to come and visit you all soon and see what you've been up to!! Take care.......

Time......

2010-09-28T08:30:00.026-04:00

Lately it seems like I never have enough time in the day. Do you feel like that sometimes? I go and go some days and feel like I've not accomplished anything that I really wanted to in that day.

But I have been busy. My Dad has been in the hospital the past few weeks so my time has been spent working, eating, sleeping and going back and forth to the hospital to visit. But after a few rough days, he's seems to be doing better and should be home later this week.

So that's good news and the other good news is that I'm going to Sun Valley, Idaho! I'm so excited because I've never been there and it will be total down time. Just time spent with friends and family, relaxing reading and hopefully taking some pretty pictures like this one. I'm taking my baby IPad with me so if I have time I'll try to post some photos!!

Hope you all are doing well and enjoying some cooler temps now that it's Fall. I am decorating my home with some pretty Fall decorations and will take some pics of them soon!

Happy Tuesday!

Weeks of Fun!

2010-09-08T20:12:00.003-04:00

Ok so I've been having too much fun to post lately!! LOL So what have I been doing? Well, Miss Maddie started school yesterday. Doesn't she look so happy and cute? She's in preschool and loves it! Gommy just can't believe that she's such a big girl now. It's kind of bittersweet!!
We also went over Aunt Steph's house this weekend for a party and the girls tried fishing. They loved catching the fish but didn't want to touch them. Haha...
I just thought this photo of Sydney in the tree was so sweet.
Here are the girls with Aunt Steph!

I also had the chance to go and watch the Labor Day fireworks here in Cincinnati. It's on the Ohio River and it was such a gorgeous day for a party!

And my best buddy Vickie was so nice to include me in her family reunion this weekend! She is from a family of 11 kids so with kids and grandkids it was so much fun! I am so blessed to have such good friends and family!

And last but not least I had the chance to meet with fellow bloggers and friends Sue and Kari. My sister June came along with us(haven't convinced her yet to blog). We went to Lebanon, Ohio to a really great restaurant and old Inn but I was so excited to meet with these two women! I've met Kari(and love, love her) before but this was my first time meeting Sue and I have to tell you she's just as sweet in real life as she is on her blog. I hope this isn't the last time we get together. I just love meeting my blog friends so if you are ever in my neck of the woods, please let me know!

So that's about it for me these days. Life is busy but full and I am so grateful. One of these days I'm going to get back into blogging again. Does it seem like alot of bloggers aren't blogging regular anymore? I really hate to see that happen because I have made some really good friends through blogging! Oh and by the way Kari, Sue and I are trying to put together a Spring blog get together in Knoxville. What do you think? Anybody up for a weekend trip?

And this is totally off the subject but I just changed my blog look and was looking to make the font bigger but can't find that option anymore. Does anyone know how to do it or am I just blind!! Haha... Stay safe and healthy!

Never mind...found how to change font size....LOL

Happy Birthday Maddie!!

2010-08-17T22:30:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet granddaughter Maddie who turns 4 !! We already had the party and she got a big girl bike!! She was so excited and has been zooming around my street on it(and my living room too)!!
Happy Birthday sweet girl!! We'll skype!!! Gommy loves you!
I also wanted to tell you all that I'm doing well. I just have had trouble thinking of anything to write on my blog or twitter or facebook lately, which is so unlike me. I used to be able to write about anything and everything. I even thought about posting a blank picture & saying I got nothing!! Hahaha... And yes I've been busy with my new job and my old job but it's just that I don't know what to write anymore. Oh well, I guess it'll work itself out.....

I do have some exciting news!! Well, it's exciting to me at least...next week I am meeting with fellow bloggers, Sue and Kari!! Kari and I finally got to meet last Fall but I have never met Sue and she doesn't live that far from me!! I'm sure between the three of us there will be lots of pictures!

And just one more thing.....I bought myself an Ipad!!! Yea!! I never thought I would like to read books on an electronic type reader but I love to read on this thing and I also love playing on it and I can work on it too!! And the very best thing about it is that I bought it with cash!! My very own cash that I earned. Which may not be a big deal to anyone else but it's just another step of independence for me!

I have been lurking on all your blogs but not commenting as much as I used too. And for someone who can't think of much to write, I just wrote a bunch!! Haha....Hope you all are well, I should do miss my blogging buddies....take care and hopefully I will talk to you soon.

Fake Beauty!!!

2010-07-12T16:32:00.010-04:00

My friends at Girlfriendology had this on their Facebook page today!! It's a great video!! Hope everyone has had a great start to their week!! I am trying to get motivated to get some work done!! Hahaha......so I'm playing on the internet.......I'm so motivated(not)......ok......going to get to work now......maybe I'll check one more blog or play on Facebook and Twitter some more!! Have a good one!!!

4th of July 2010!!

2010-07-06T18:16:00.012-04:00

I hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July! I had a wonderful day! After the miserable 4th of July I had last year it felt so good to smile and laugh again on the holiday I truly love. Sometimes I think that this process of grieving over a loss is so slow but then I see how far I have come over the past year and I also see God's hand in my life and how he has protected me and taken care of me and sent angels in the form of family and friends. So while it may seem slow moving to me sometimes, I believe God has me right where He wants me right now. So here's a few pics of my 4th! Hope everyone's was as wonderful!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

2010-07-04T09:44:00.000-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Happy 4th of July everyone!! The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays! I don't know why I love it so much, I just do. The 4th of July means grilling out, ice cream, hot Summer days and nights, fireworks, being with family and friends, eating way too much good food and it means freedom. Freedom that was fought for! I am so grateful I live in the USA!! I hope everyone has a safe day filled with fun and family!! I'm having a party today!! Hopefully I'll post some pictures from it this week!!
I seen this quote in the paper this morning and thought it was so great!
"America needs God more than God needs America. If we ever forget that we are One Nation under God, then we will be a Nation gone under." Ronald Reagan

Why I've been MIA!!!

2010-06-16T21:13:00.004-04:00

Okay, so I've been missing in action for a few weeks but I have a really good excuse! LOL I've been busy with home projects and my little girls and watching friends try to play soccer.

And eating ice cream and celebrating birthdays with good friends!

And hanging by the pool with movie stars!! LOL But what's really kept me busy is that I have a new job. I'm still doing my travel agent job from home(I'll do that till they kick me out because I have a love of travel in my blood) but I also took another job with a group of counselors working in their office. It really just fell into my lap and it's good for me to get out of the house and be around people. I really like it and I like the people I work with and they are teaching me how to use their computer system so I've been adjusting to that routine!! It's all good though and I feel really blessed. I'm much better at checking in with most of you on Facebook and Twitter but I'm going to try and keep up with my blog. I miss you guys though and hope to check in on each one of you soon! I hope you all are having a wonderful Summer. My backyard is almost finished(yes it's still being worked on). It actually looks like a backyard now. I'll post some pics when it's all done. I still need to add landscaping and the pond needs to be done! Take care and I'll talk to you all soon!!

I'm Back!!!!

2010-05-28T21:10:00.006-04:00

Hi Everyone!! I made it back from Mexico in one piece. We had a great time and I loved this part of Mexico. Here's a few pictures and I hope to catch up with everyone sometime soon. Things are really busy in my life right now. Sometime in the middle of June things should calm down and I hope I can spend some more time blogging. Hope everyone is well, been keeping up with most of you on Facebook! Have a great Memorial Day weekend. We have birthday parties and cookouts all weekend!
I love this photo of the girls in their uniforms but it turned out a little blurry. Bummer!!
I didn't go on the pirate ship but that big white ship was home for a week. It was huge and so much fun!
Happy Memorial Day!!

Wrinkled Ladies

2010-05-14T14:08:00.003-04:00

Ok, one more video for you guys to enjoy before I head out to LA and on to Mexico!! I had high hopes of visiting everyone before I left but I had so many things to take care of before I went on my trip. I finished painting a room that I've been trying to get done for 3 months and I put down mulch in the front yard and pulled lots of weeds! Ha! And my poor back is feeling it right now so hopefully it'll calm down by the time we get on the ship. Either way I have a supply of advil coming along with me! I'll have my netbook with me too but not sure if I'll be able to blog, twitter or facebook. LOL I'm sure I'll make it through a week with out being so connected all the time!

Anyway, take care and enjoy the video. This one is too funny!! And I promise I'll be around more when I get back!!

Because I'm the Mom........

2010-05-08T08:00:00.005-04:00

Happy Mother's Day Everyone! Well it's really tomorrow but I seen this video on Facebook the other day and thought it was so much fun! It's probably one you've seen before but it's worth watching again! So what does everyone have planned for Mother's Day? Brunch, lunch or dinner with family? I'm hoping to put mulch down in my front yard tomorrow. Hahaha...exciting stuff for Mom's Day but that's what I want to do. I hope all my bloggy friends have a great Mom's Day!!

Doing a whole lotta dancing!!

2010-04-26T07:00:00.043-04:00

So my granddaughter Maddie had her first dance recital this weekend!! Oh boy, it was alot of fun. She was just out there having a good time and waving to her adoring fans(all of us) and I swear we were the loudest people there cheering her on. Hahaha......One of these little girls balloon went up into the rafters and that was end of dancing for her after that. LOL It was a great weekend. Here's a few pictures of her dancing!

Also just wanted to tell you I am very excited because I am going on a journey soon!! Yea!! it's been so long since I went away and I am a person who has always loved to travel but this past year kind of put a hold on all of that and for a long time I didn't want to leave my familiar surroundings. So I'm going a cruise with my best buddy Vicki. It's really kind of a working thing for me. It's a seminar at sea for travel agents but I love the cruise line we are going on(Royal Caribbean) and I love learning new things about the travel industry. They give us plenty of time to see the sights and most of the class is spent when the ship is at sea. Not sure if I'll be able to blog or twitter or facebook while I'm there because I'll be out of the country(they have internet on the ship but will have to check out pricing, don't want a surprise high bill at the end of cruise)! Haha.....I'll probably have some kind of withdrawal from being so connected all the time!! Hope everyone is doing well! Happy Monday!! P.S. Totally off the subject but does anyone have a flip video camera? I'm thinking of getting one to take with me and just to have for when the grandkids come over and was wondering if anyone had one and what you thought of it!! That's it for me today, off to get some work done and meet some old friends for dinner tonight!!

If you are thinking of getting an IPad.......

2010-04-18T12:14:00.004-04:00

This is too cute! I haven't looked at the Ipad yet but this kitty seems to give it a two paws up!! Hahaha...... I know this is a little long but watch it to the part where he plays the virtual piano! Have a great Sunday!!

Spring Snapshots!!

2010-04-13T08:16:00.009-04:00

Spring is in bloom here in Cincinnati!! I LOVE it!! Here's a few photos from the past few weeks. My yard is still a work in progress but the steps to the new back patio are coming along nicely. Yea! No more step ladder from the back door to the new paver patio. Haha.... The grand kids are excited for the new pond/fountain to be put in. I promised them that I would get a fish for each one of them to put in the little fountain/pond. Maddie says her fish will be named "silly guy". I have no idea why but every fish she has ever had is named "silly guy". LOL I am getting some Koi fish but have never had them before so if anyone has had any experience with Koi fish, I could use the advise! Happy Tuesday everyone!!

Just a few Easter pics.......

2010-04-05T20:52:00.007-04:00

It was a beautiful day here in Southwest Ohio yesterday and I had a wonderful Easter Sunday! Here's just a couple of pics after our brunch yesterday! I took so many photos yesterday and I'm still going through them all. LOL My little granddaughters were so cute in their Easter dresses! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and I really am trying to work my way around blogville but this beautiful weather keeps calling me to go outside. Haha.... Today it felt like it was early Summer around here but I'm not complaining, I love the warm weather and tonight we have tornado watches in our area. I hope everyone is safe and happy!!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T08:10:00.015-04:00

Happy Easter everyone!! I hope you all have a wonderful day with family! It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day here in Ohio. I am heading off to brunch with my Dad and family and the kids and grandkids are coming over later today for a grill out and Easter egg hunt. It should be fun. Last night I went to an early Easter service at our church and was so moved by the service. I love Easter and what it means! Have a great day!!

Beautiful day at the Zoo!!

2010-04-01T18:27:00.006-04:00

What an absolutely gorgeous Spring day it was in Cincinnati today!! So I decided to tag along to the Cincinnati Zoo with Madison and Sydney. Here's a few of our photos:
I love the way Sydney carries her baby doll around. She has to have her by her side always!
And I got a half way decent shot of both the girls sitting in this fake tree!
And this is my very favorite shot of Sydney! Isn't she the sweetest little thing in her pink sparkle hat?

I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Easter!! Happy Easter bloggy friends!!

Birthday Boy!

2010-03-24T12:45:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was my grandson Cameron's 2nd birthday. So all three of the grandbabies went to lunch at Panera's and shopping at Target. And we picked "flowers". LOL These three melt my heart. Happy Birthday Cameron! You have the best smile and laugh in the world and seeing the three grandbabies play together and love on each other the way they do is priceless. And that's all I wanted to say today so have a great day!!

I've been off planting pansies....

2010-03-22T20:59:00.003-04:00

I really have no excuses as to why I've been missing in action on my blog the past few weeks. Well, my computer died and I had to get a new one and I've been playing around with it trying to learn it. It's a IMac and I've never had one before so it's a little different from my old computer but it's so much fun! :-) So hang with me while I figure out things like how to get to all of my photos(for some reason I can only see a few and the rest I have to figure out by their numbers). I'll figure it out because that kind of thing bugs me until I get an answer to it. Haha.. I'm such a nerdy geek!!

Anyway the girls came over to help me plant a few pansies in some pots. I just couldn't wait to plant a flowers. They had so much fun but I think they liked digging in the dirt more than planting the flowers. LOL
I hope everyone is enjoying the Spring. Spring is one of my favorite times of year and here is what one of my favorite authors(Karen Kingsbury) wrote in her newsletter today:

You have one chance to write the story of your life! One chance to love, one chance to laugh, one chance to truly live! Choose life this spring, and make sure to hug the people you love. The characters in your life story won’t be there forever.

HAPPY SPRING!!!

Thinking Spring and another year older....

2010-03-05T07:30:00.010-05:00

So today's my birthday! Yes, I am officially another year older and much wiser. LOL Thanks bloggy friends for being there for me this past year and making me smile when at times the last thing I wanted to do was smile. But you guys sent me funny emails to lift my spirits and checked in on me even when I wasn't being the best bloggy friend out there. Bloggy friends are the best, they really are.......So I am very hopeful for my new year and I am here to tell you that you don't actually die of a broken heart but you learn that you are stronger than you ever thought and that God is the one constant that will never leave you. So that's enough of the serious and mushy stuff....LOL
Yesterday, I was running around doing errands and it was sunny and beautiful out and when I came home these flowers were waiting for me. The photos were taken on my cell phone so the quality is not that great. Remember how I watched little Lexi a few weeks back, well her Mommy and Daddy sent me these beautiful flowers and cute note for my birthday! The note says "Dear westside mom, thanks for taking great care of me. Hanging with you was terrific. Maddie, Sas and Cleo are the greatest. If you ever want company, my toys are packed. Mom and Dad say thanks too: we wish you an especially great birthday. Love , Lexi Cute huh? It made my day!!

So what are my plans today? Well, I'm going to Red Lobster with my Dad and family for lunch and than I'm taking my little girls to the creamy whip(today's the official opening of the creamy whip) for ice cream and than I am going downtown to my son's restaurant tonight and meet the people who mean the most to me and celebrate my birthday! A busy and full day but it should be fun. And I bought a new outfit to wear tonight. I'm a big TJ Maxx shopper, I love a deal but every once in awhile I splurged and that's what I did this week. One of my favorite stores is White House Black Market and this Spring they have added pink to their black and white clothes!! Hahaha...you know I'm all about pink. So I bought the following top and accessories to wear tonight and I'm not going to feel one bit guilty about spending the money!

Isn't this top just so pretty? It's so soft too but I don't do off the shoulder and you can wear it covering the shoulders and it looks great!!!
Than I got the matching clutch purse! They had the cutest tiny pink purses but I need something bigger to hold my camera and cell!! I love it!
And than I really did it and bought these strappy sandals(I just hope I don't kill myself in these, LOL). I'm wearing jeans with the whole ensemble...haha.....I'm sure I'll have some pics of it all put together tonight!! I hope everyone has a great weekend planned and this next pic has nothing to do with my birthday or anything else but it just screams Spring! This is Target's(I heart Target) new line coming out. Is this not the cutest stuff???? Oh how I wish I would have waited to buy my bike.....I love that bike!! Have a great weekend everyone!!

Hey There!!

2010-02-25T10:56:00.012-05:00

Hi Everyone! Hope you all are well and are getting ready for Spring. It's almost March!!! Yea!!! Spring is only a few weeks away and I am so ready for it. We've been hit hard here in Cincinnati this Winter and I am ready for blue skies and new life! Here's a few pics of me and my sweet grands the other night. It's a real treat when we all can get together so my sister Judy took lots of photos of me with my babes for me. They are funny!
And photos never do any paint job justice but here's part of my bedroom that I painted. I seem to have an animal print obsession lately(you should see the master bedroom bathroom, it looks like a leopard exploded in it, LOL). I'm not sure yet about the mirror above the bed, I'm thinking I might need something a little bigger for it and my friends are are worried that this thing is going to fall down on top of me in the middle of the night. I don't think they trust my hanging skills! Hahaha.... And the mirror really isn't dirty like it looks in the photo. The color of the walls is called mocha and the paint is Sherwin Williams. I love it!!! Anyway that's about it for me today. Do you like my new blog layout? I found this layout from Smitten blogs and you can go look around at what she has by going here and than going to her free gallery! Happy Thursday!!

Pretty Red Nails......

2010-02-17T09:48:00.012-05:00

During the big snowstorm this week I decided to paint my nails red. OPI's Malaga Wine red, it's a really deep red wine color. I love having my nails red, I love seeing them all nice and pretty when I type on the computer and I love looking at them but red doesn't want to stay on my nails very long. I can go for about three days before it all starts to chip off. It makes me very sad.....LOL
My nails are more this short length, I can't grow long nails for anything! So does anyone have any favorite nail polish colors? I personally love OPI colors, they are more expensive but seem to be of better quality and you can't help but love the names, like "I'm not really a waitress" red or "My Chihuahua bites" or "An affair in Red Square." I wish I had the job of thinking up the names for the polish! Wouldn't that be fun?

These nails are a little too long for my taste. I'd poke out my eyes just trying to put my contacts in every morning. LOL So go paint your nails a bright red or deep red, it'll brighten your spirits, at least for about three days! Have a wonderful day!!

An add on - I have just realized that many of your comments the past few weeks are going into my spam box so I am so sorry if you have asked me something and I haven't responded. It's because I never look in there. Does anyone know how I can get your comments to start coming back in my inbox? I hate that they are being thrown in spam.

California dreaming on such a winter's day...........

2010-02-15T09:08:00.027-05:00

So it's been snowing here since around 3 this morning. NON.STOP. I am going crazy!! We've had so much snow in the past few weeks, my poor mailbox is almost covered up. They are talking ten inches by the time it stops today. And my internet went out for hours this afternoon. Talk about a tragedy. LOL I was on the phone right away and fixed it myself(with some guidance from the tech people). Now you can not only call me the dancing queen but also the techno queen!! Haha.. So anyway, here's a collage of some of my snow photos. I just don't have in me today to go back out there and take some more though I should just to show you guys how much we have gotten these past few weeks!!
And this collage is of my Dad's 85th birthday breakfast and just some randoms of me and my babies having fun!! Hope everyone is staying warm and safe! Now that I have internet again I am going to catch up with my bloggy buddies!!

And the snow just keeps falling.....

2010-02-09T10:23:00.012-05:00

I am snowbound(housebound? going crazy?) today.....and hopefully I won't go crazy. LOL I am doggie sitting for my brother-in-law. This is Lexi and she's so very sweet. She has been loving all the snow, I can't get her to come in when I take her out. At least someone likes this stuff. I dream of white sandy beaches instead of white fluffy snow. I have some work to do and than I think I'll watch the Time Traveler's Wife on pay per view because the way the weather people talk I am not going anywhere for the rest of the day. We are suppose to keep getting more snow all day long and into the night. Joy, joy..........
And I had to show you my mailbox this morning. Now how am I suppose to get my mail?? LOL There's something weird about a mailbox with lots of sunflowers and snow!! Hahaha....Stay warm and safe today!

An Oldie but Goodie.....

2010-02-08T08:38:00.009-05:00

Because God loves me He is slow to lose patience with me.

Because God loves me He takes the circumstances of my life and uses them in a constructive way for my growth.

Because God loves me He does not treat me as an object to be possessed and manipulated.

Because God loves me He has no need to impress me with how great and powerful He is because He is God, nor does he belittle me as His child in order to show me how important He is.

Because God loves me He is for me, He wants to see me mature and develop in His love.

Because God loves me He does not send down His wrath on every little mistake I make, of which there are many.

Because God loves me He does not keep score of all my sins and then beat me over the head with them whenever He gets the chance.

Because God loves me He is deeply grieved when I do not walk in the ways that please him, because He sees this as evidence that I don't trust Him and love Him as I should.

Because God loves me He rejoices when I experience His power and strength and stand up under the pressures of life for His Name's sake.

Because God loves me He keeps on working patiently with me even when I feel like giving up and can't see why He doesn't give up with me, too.

Because God loves me He keeps trusting me when at times I don't even trust myself.

Because God loves me He never says there is no hope for me; rather, He patiently works with me, loves me and disciplines me in such a way that it is hard for me to understand the depth of His concern for me.

Because God loves me He never forsakes me, even though many of my friends might.

Because God loves me He stands with me when I have reached the rock of despair, when I see the real me and compare that with his righteousness, holiness, beauty, and love. It is a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me.

Yes, the greatest of all gifts is God's perfect love.

Courtesy of Dick Dickinson.

I was going through some of my old posts and found this. I still love this....hope you do too. Have a great week!! We are suppose to get more snow tomorrow. Ugh!!!! I want Spring!!! LOL I know I'm such a baby when it comes to Winter! :-)

Dreaming.........

2010-02-06T11:26:00.014-05:00

I am here today.....

but I wish I was here..................LOL

Stay safe and warm!!

What I've been doing....

2010-02-05T17:36:00.012-05:00

Hanging out with friends....
Putting grandbabies to work.....

Hanging out with friends......

I've been doing lots more than that. Hahaha....And Sydney is not really painting by herself, Mommy and Gommy were right next to her. But I did have a good week with girlfriends and grandbabies and I went back to work in the travel business! Yea!!! I took a break last year and am now excited to be back into it. I'm a little rusty and have to catch with all the new ships out there and the new resorts but I'm sure that's just a matter of time. I work from my home so I have some flexibility with my time. I am also excited because I want to travel again myself so I consider that progress. Where should I go? LOL
Anyway we are in the middle of a big snowstorm tonight, I've heard reports that we could get more than 7 inches of snow in some places. So I am settled in for the night with lots of food, a nice fire going and hopefully catch up with my bloggy buddies! Stay warm and safe where ever you are!!

Hanging out with the "kids"

2010-01-26T20:55:00.008-05:00

Did I ever tell you that I'm a lucky girl? My kids seem to like hanging out with their old Mom on a Friday night! And it wasn't because I was buying.....LOL Hope everyone is having a great week! It is cold here in Ohio again. I need me some sun and I need it soon!

Pink Glove Dance

2010-01-19T13:19:00.009-05:00

This is just too cute not to share. Turn up the sound and dance along! Happy Tuesday!!

January Blahs.......

2010-01-17T17:59:00.002-05:00

Well, there's nothing "blah" about these three angels. But I really haven't had much to blog about this past week. My life's been about as exciting as watching paint dry, which by the way that's exactly what I've been doing. Haha... My back was out of sorts for a few days after painting. I guess this old body just can't handle things like it used to. There used to be a day when I could paint all day and it wouldn't be a problem, but now my body just doesn't like it. Oh and then there's the problem of staying focus, haha....I stop painting to check my computer and before I know it an hour has passed. You know I have to keep up with the blogs, facebook, emails and now twitter. Twitter has become very addicting especially to check on news. But in between I got to spend some fun times with my grandbabies and also have been out with girlfriends. So that's about it for me on these dreary days in the middle of January, hope everyone is doing great! Have the best week!!

Time for some weather whining......

2010-01-10T18:42:00.009-05:00

I just realized I haven't whined about the weather yet! LOL Yea, it's that time of year in Cincinnati, when the skies are grey and the air is cold(really cold) and I feel like a bear that's hibernating for the Winter. I'm just kidding, I really do get out of my house alot but I hate wearing winter coats and the hassle that comes with Winter driving. So I've just about finished painting my bath and I got lots of leopard type things to go in there. I have a leopard shower curtain, towels, toothpaste holder, etc.....you get the picture. Hahaha, but I love it and it's just so pretty. I'll post some photos when I get it totally done.
I hope everyone has a great week! I think we are going to have a heat wave by the end of this week! Yea!! Oh and the collage is just a few pics around my yard after our "big" snow last week!

New Year's Fun!

2010-01-04T15:16:00.015-05:00

I hope everyone had a great New Year's weekend! I had a great time. I had some good friends over on New Year's Eve and they bought Olive Garden take out, we had so much fun and the food was wonderful too. On New Year's Day I went to a little party to watch the Sugar Bowl(the Bearcats lost) and ate sauerkraut for the first time ever. I loved it!! I guess it's suppose to be goodluck to eat sauerkraut for the New Year. I ate enough of it to bring me lots of luck in 2010! LOL I also tried espresso vodka, which basically taste like a yummy coffee drink........dangerous....hahaha...and on Saturday my little girlfriends came over while Mommy and Daddy went out on a date. We made pizza and chocolate chip cookies, you know all healthy food.....hahaha.....we also played with the girls new Elefun game, which is the top photo and Maddie played Paper Toss on my Iphone all night. She was really into it........So now it's really cold here in Ohio and I am still trying to get that border off my bathroom walls so I can finish with this painting. I hope everyone has a great Monday and you are staying warm!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-12-31T14:48:00.018-05:00

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has a safe and fun New Year's! One of the things I would like to do is get back into the blogging world in 2010! I have so enjoyed all the friendships and encouragement you all have given me. 2010 is going to be a better year, I just know it.......Happy New Year!! Oh and where can I find a computer that sparkles like this one?? LOL

Christmas ~ 2009

2009-12-28T08:53:00.009-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I spent Christmas Eve and morning sick, it was a good time...hahaha....I think I might have eaten something bad or had a stomach bug. Not much fun but I am feeling better today and at least I know I didn't gain any weight over the holidays because I couldn't even keep anything in me for a few days. :-) So here's a few photos of my kids and grands. The grands were the best part of the holiday! Hope everyone had a great one and I for one am thinking positive thoughts for 2010!!

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-24T10:05:00.020-05:00

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Do not be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger!"
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas friends!!

Festival of Lights ~ Cincinnati Zoo

2009-12-20T20:41:00.011-05:00

My family and I had a great time at our zoo here in Cincinnati. It is a beautiful display of lights and we had a great time. The grands all "wrote" letters to Santa and Maddie made sure they were put in Santa's special mailbox! :-) I'm in the middle of the first photo, the person who looks like she's frozen! I'm sure everyone is very busy this Christmas week but I hope you all have a wonderful week filled with lots of memories and family!

Couldn't help but post this.......

2009-12-12T14:41:00.004-05:00

This came in an email the other day and I just had to post it!! Yea, it's my wish come true..........hahaha ......Happy Saturday everyone!

This looks about right...............

2009-12-10T19:50:00.011-05:00

Yea, this looks about right when you have a cat in your house at Christmas! LOL Have a great weekend everyone!!

My Snowmen were happy...........

2009-12-08T09:57:00.067-05:00

We had our first snow of the season yesterday. It was only a dusting but you would have thought it was more, the schools were on delays and there were multiple car accidents. My little snowmen loved it!! Hope everyone is staying nice and warm and safe where ever you are. I think I am done Christmas shopping, thank goodness because I hate going to the mall this time of year if I don't have to go. A special thanks to everyone who has emailed me with encouragement at this time of year, the holidays can be tough when you had a bad year and in general sometimes. I think expectations run high for the holidays and it's just not reality for some people. So I'm focusing on the reason for the season and have been telling the Christmas story to my three year old granddaughter Maddie. So MERRY CHRISTMAS blogging friends and I hope it's a special time for you and your family!

Happy Tuesday!!

2009-12-01T18:13:00.013-05:00

Happy Tuesday everyone! I had lunch today with three of my favorite people in the world, my three grands.........It's not often that the three of them are together so it was a real treat. It's so much fun seeing how much these three love each other. I loved this top photo so much that I made it my new profile photo. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Have a great week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T06:42:00.004-05:00

I hope this Thanksgiving week finds everyone happy and healthy and with lots of food and many blessings to be thankful for! I've been very busy lately and I know the with the holidays upon us it will only get worse but I wanted to wish everyone a very blessed Thanksgiving! These are photos of my little granddaughter Maddie a few weeks ago enjoying the last of the Autumn leaves ! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Happy Thursday!

2009-11-05T16:39:00.012-05:00

"A bad day is all about perspective"

"In life, it's not where you go, it's who travel with"

Hope everyone is having a great week! Thought these were too cute not to pass on!! I am SLOWLY making my way around blogville and hope to visit everyone soon. I am almost done painting the bedroom and I am so excited about how much I like the color, sometimes it's so hard to imagine a color on all of the walls and this one looks great! I'll share photos when it's done. Have a great evening!!

Halloween ~ 2009

2009-11-02T20:30:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!! Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! We had a fun evening with the two little girls(Madison and Sydney) coming over for pizza and trick or treat. It was a little chilly and we were all fighting whatever sickness that has been being passed around our family. I am just starting to feel better tonight. I am hoping that this is our one and only time we get that nasty stuff. Ha....what are the chances of that?? So here's a few photos of my girls in their Cincinnati Bearcats cheerleading outfits(can you tell what school their Mommy and Daddy went too??). I hope everyone has a great week, I am trying to work on painting some rooms this week. I started painting the master bedroom one color and decided I wasn't crazy about the color so I got a completely different color!! LOL I'll use the other paint for another room. Have a great week!

Happy Halloween!!

2009-10-31T08:06:00.013-04:00

Just wanted to say Happy Halloween to everyone from my favorite little goblins and my photos go along with the Brenda Photo Challenge theme for Halloween too. I hope everyone has a fun and safe day. Maddie and Sydney are coming over for pizza and trick or treating later on today. We all have been fighting some sickness so hopefully everyone will be feeling better. Maddie had walking pneumonia and has been doing breathing treatments all week but she feels lots better now and is so excited about trick or treating! This bottom photo is from last year but has always been one of my favorites! So pizza and candy today, haha.......where's that pink stuff for stomach aches..........Have a great day and go over here and check out who's playing in Brenda's Photo Challenge today! I'm betting there will be some BOOtastic photos...........

Happy Birthday Christina!!

2009-10-26T10:51:00.019-04:00

Happy Birthday Christina! My youngest turns 28 today and nothing says happy birthday like an old photo(love that big button bow thingy)! We went out to dinner Saturday night which was lots of fun and tomorrow Christina starts nursing school. Some big changes for her but very exciting. Happy Birthday! I love you!!

Fall Photo Session!!

2009-10-23T08:22:00.016-04:00

We took the girls out the other day to get a few photos while the Fall colors were still around. This is at a park by my house on the Ohio River! All of the photos are straight out of the camera, I just haven't had time to play with photos lately. This one of the girls is my favorite!

Here's one of me and little Sydney! What you don't see here is Maddie off to my side not wanting to get in the photo holding on tight to a bag of sugar cookies I had brought along to bribe her with!! LOL

Sweet, sweet sisters..............

Anyway, we had a few really beautiful Fall days here in Ohio but are now back to rain and chilly. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. We are celebrating a birthday this weekend, which I am sure I will take lots of photos to share next week!! Happy Weekend!!

Fun, Fun, Fun..............

2009-10-19T13:03:00.000-04:00

Even though I've been a slacker lately I have made some good friends from this blog and I got to meet one on Friday!!! I've never met any of my blogging buddies before so I was thrilled to finally meet Kari! She is just how I pictured her to be, outgoing and friendly, beautiful inside and out.........and she's a great listener because I'm afraid I talked her ears off(sorry Kari...). We had so much fun, I tried to show her a little of Cincinnati and we did a little bit of shopping at Ikea and I truly just enjoyed her company. So my question is when are you coming back Kari because I thought of a million other places for you to see and when are the rest of you guys going to come to visit me in Cincy? :-) I just know I would love meeting you all!!

Okay, I totally stole these photos from my daughter but I just had to share my cute little granddaughters Maddie and Sydney and their trip to the pumpkin patch or as Maddie calls it the pumpkin pants!! Maddie was so excited telling Gommy all about this wonderful place that has pumpkins everywhere!!

And I love, love this last photo of the two girls walking down the road with the pumpkins on either side and they are holding hands! Is this not the sweetest photo?

Anyway, I am slowly making my way around blogville(very slowly), it seems like I have missed alot being a slacker! Hope it's a great Monday for everyone, it's finally sunny here and the leaves are beautiful right now in Cincy!!

A Visit to the Firehouse

2009-10-15T08:09:00.053-04:00

This past weekend our local firehouse had an open house and we took the grandkids to it. They had so much fun, Cameron is going to be a fireman for Halloween so he was very excited and even though these guys are still a little young to even understand what firemen do they loved the big firetrucks and equipment!

Everyone's checking out the big firetruck!!

Maddie had to explain to Cameron what's going on! :-)

They had the ladder all the way up with balloons on it. It was a beautiful Fall day here in Cincy!!

The kids were a little concerned about this dummy on the floor. Ha..........

And Cameron loved sitting on the big firetruck!!

Just one last photo of the fireman's boots sitting on the floor ready for them to put on. Okay, before I go today I have to tell you. I am meeting a fellow blogger tomorrow for the first time. Actually it's the first time I have met any blogger in real life and I am so excited to finally meet her in person. Can you guess who it is???? It's Kari from Just Livin Large!! I'm sure I'll have lots of photos to share! I'm pretty excited to finally get to meet her! I'm surprise any of you guys are still hanging with me since I've become a slacker----haha.........but some of you know that I've had a rough six months or so but am coming out the other side a stronger woman. Happy Thursday!!!

I'm Such a Slacker................

2009-10-10T09:28:00.005-04:00

I have no excuse for ignoring my blog other than I am such a slacker.............hahaha.......really I think about updating it everyday but than the end of the day comes and I have not done it. Where does the time go??? So here's a bunch of random photos of what I've been up too. Of course it includes grandchildren!!! When will I ever get a photo of all three of them that's good?? LOL

I thought this was cute of Sydney peeking around the corner at her house..........

And I've been taking a few photos of old buildings around the neighborhood. Does anyone else like old buildings?

I did a walk/run with my sisters and family...................

I had all the kids over for dinner............

And had a quick photo session on the front porch with the giant pumpkin and Maddie and Sydney! That big pumpkin is really heavy!! I am doing well and hope to see what everyone is up to soon. Yea, I am a slacker.................but I love you guys and miss you...........

This and That!!

2009-09-17T07:36:00.011-04:00

Hi Everyone!! The weather here in Ohio has been so beautiful for days now. Sunny days and cooler nights. It has been gorgeous!!! I've been busy with lots of things. We are finally getting somewhere on our backyard project, all the pavers are here and ready to go and I am looking at having a pergola put up to get a little shade during the day. We get direct sun in the backyard so it would be great to have a little shade. I also planted some Mums and cleaned up the front yard. So here's some photos of the grandkids over the past few weeks. Every week my Dad takes all his girls out to lunch one day and breakfast one day and we always go to Frisch's for breakfast. I think breakfast is Maddie's favorite thing to do, she loves to get cupcakes(pancakes)!! So I took her photo with the Frisch's Big Boy. LOL

I think Maddie actually took this photo of Sydney one day at the Zip Dip(creamy whip ice cream). It makes me sad the Zip Dip will be closing for the season soon!!! :-(

And these are a bit blurry but here's Cameron playing in a pine tree. It's always amazing to me that a little kid can have so much fun even with a pine tree!!! Hey I'm on a roll here, two posts in a week!! LOL Happy Thursday!!!

Has it really been two weeks????

2009-09-14T15:18:00.001-04:00

First off has it really been two whole weeks since I last posted something on my blog??? I am becoming a bad, bad blogger.........LOL But I've been really busy and the weather has been gorgeous here in Ohio so I've been taking advantage of that and getting out of the house(alot). But I really do miss you guys and hope to have more time to visit soon. :-)

Saturday morning I did the Race for a Cure walk with my sisters and niece and two of my brother in laws. It was more of a stroll for a cure because there were so many people walking there was no way you were going to race but they had a great turn out and the weather was just the best. This first photo is at the ballpark here in Cincy, it was open for the race. Thank goodness because we could actually use real potties instead of those porta ones(that is a big deal to me). LOL

So many pink items were for sale but I thought this one was cute "real men wear pink"

Here we are right before the race started at the ballpark. From left to right, it's my sister Gail, my sister Judy, little old me, my niece Allison and my sister June. Yea, I have alot of sisters.......LOL

These next two shots are to show you how big of a turnout it was. Look at this!!!!!

This is the bridge we call the Purple People bridge here in Cincy! It is purple and no cars drive on it only people. It's one of the bridges that connects Cincinnati to Northern Kentucky.

We made it across the finish line!!! Yea!!! The breast cancer survivors got medals as they crossed the line. It was a wonderful walk and a good cause!

I hope you all are well and I am really trying to get my act together and post more and check in on everyone more. Happy Monday!!! :-)

Making Smore's

2009-08-30T18:56:00.010-04:00

We went out today and got a firepit and made smore's as soon as we put it together! LOL Maddie and Sydney were more interested in the Hershey's chocolate(smart girls) than the smore's all put together but Maddie loved toasting the marshmallows! What a gorgeous weekend of weather here in Cincy. I had my girlfriends over for dinner Friday night and went out to eat at a place on the Ohio River Saturday night. And while I was driving around town today, I seen some trees already changing color. It seems a bit early. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and if you are in the Cincy area, drop by my house and I'll make you some smore's! :-)

I had to add this photo of Sydney and her cute little pony tail on top of her head! Have a great week!

The Beast

2009-08-27T21:15:00.049-04:00

There's a theme park near Cincinnati that is called King's Island. I haven't been there in years but they had a roller coaster there that was called The Beast, I am not sure if it is still there or if it has been replaced by something bigger. I was thinking of The Beast the other day when I was talking to my counselor about everything I have been through this Summer, he told me it was like I was forced to go on this roller coaster(and I don't like roller coasters LOL) and someone took my head and put it out the side and my head was hitting things the whole way. I thought it was a good way of describing it all. Things have settled down a bit for now and for that I am so grateful. It has given me a chance to actually breathe and stop holding my breath as I waited for my head to hit another obstacle. Now as I write this I understand that there are people who are going through so much more than I have. People who are fighting battles against death and disease and have lost loved ones way too soon so I know in the grand scheme of things my problem is not on that scale but it is a loss and one that hurt me deeply. But God has been so good to me and for that I praise Him and for now I am grateful that the Beast is not banging my head around.
So let's move on to more fun topics, like my grandbabies!!! LOL Do you really think I can do one post without a mention of them? A few weeks ago we took the younger ones to get their silhouettes done. Maddie had one done when she turned one and I wanted one of Sydney and Cameron around the same age so here they are. I love how they turned out!
So since this a catch up post I also wanted to mention that I am also doing a few walks here in Cincy next month. I am doing the Race for a Cure on September 12th with all of my sisters and am also doing one called Sophie's Angel Run on September 27th which benefits brain tumor research at our Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Go here to read all about Sophie, it is a special story. Neither one is a long walk/run but I better start training. :-) And come join me if you are in the Cincinnati area, would love to have alot of people walk for these two great benefits.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, I am having a few girlfriends over for dinner tomorrow night so it should be fun!

Cameron

Sydney

And Maddie

Birthdays, Babies and Bees...........

2009-08-20T09:24:00.016-04:00

Hi Everybody!! Where have I been? Well celebrating Maddie's 3rd birthday of course...........LOL I've been a bad blogging friend and have been spending more time over on Facebook because it's fast and easy so I am sorry for the ignoring my blog these days.

Maddie's party was a lady bug theme party and she loved every minute of it. She came over Gommy's house afterwards and told me "my birthday party is oder(over) Gommy" and she also said "thanks for coming to my birthday party Gommy" What a sweetheart she is...............

Here's a photo of my daughter Melissa and the birthday girl and my Dad and I at the party.

The party was held at a local park around here and Cameron came. I just love his little hat.

And I LOVE this photo of Sydney eating ice cream. Haha.........Does it look like she is enjoying herself?

And this bee photo has nothing to do with the big birthday party. I just took it the other day and liked the photo, colors and rain on the flowers. Hope everyone is doing well and I hope to be a better blogging friend soon. Take care.............

Weekend Party!!

2009-08-10T18:02:00.018-04:00

This weekend my brother in law Jim had a party at his house. Not everyone could make it but those who could had alot of fun. That's me in the middle holding the glass of wine.......:-)

Here's my niece Stephanie and my daughter Christina.

Here they are with Grams(my mother in law).

We took Maddie for a spin in the golf cart.

Sydney and Christina took a ride. Maddie would have rode this thing all day and night if she could........LOL

Pretty girls!!

Time to take your purse and head home..............

Ice Cream Babies and Truth

2009-08-04T09:14:00.006-04:00

Hi everyone! I know it's been awhile since I did a post and alot has happened in that time. First I can't have a post without my sweet grandbabies in it. LOL We all went to get ice cream at a soft serve place on Sunday. Nothing says Summertime than eating soft serve ice cream with sprinkles on top. Love these little guys.
Okay, where do I start? Let's start with God. I don't know where any of you are with your belief in God but last week I seen the awesome power of God in play. Last Tuesday night I asked God for truths and answers and I have learned that when you ask God for that you had better be prepared for what he shows you. As I was falling asleep my truths and answers were starting to come(I just didn't know it till the next day). Not only did He show me truth once but He showed it to me three times and they were not subtle truths, they were hit you in the face truths. I am still in shock and processing what happen. So I had my truth and on Thursday as I was falling asleep again I asked God for wisdom and guidance on how to deal with the truths that He showed me. I ask Him that one everyday now and He is guiding me as I process all of this.
I am not getting into details here but needed to tell you all of this awesome power I was shown and I've taken off those rose colored glasses and probably will never look at life through that lens again.
I had an email from Chuck Swindoll from Insight for Living delivered to my mailbox the other day that kind of sums everything up perfectly:
God often delivers His best gifts to us in unexpected ways......with surprises inside the wrappings.
About the time we think we've got the whole picture in finite focus, an infinite hand quickly grabs the camera, changes lenses on us, points in another direction, and has us take an entirely different picture. Yet to our amazement, when everything is developed, we get the one thing we wanted all along through a process we never would have chosen.
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked God for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked God for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked God for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked God for things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy things.
I got nothing I asked for.
But everything I had hoped for.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

House/Cat Sitting and Happy Blogoversary to Me

2009-07-24T14:52:00.009-04:00

Do you know today is my Blogoversary? Happy Blogoversary to me! I was house/cat/ sitting this week and had to show some photos. This first photo is looking out onto the backyard of my sister-in-laws home. It was so peaceful sitting outside on her deck and listening to this water. I am using this as my banner also.

And look at her crazy cat Louie! He loves sitting in the sink and kept wanting me to turn on the faucet so he could drink from it. If you click on the last photo you can see how unusual one of his eyes are. So that's what I've been up to this week. I am going out with my girlfriends tonight and to a Christmas in July party tomorrow night. Yea that's what I said Christmas in July! LOL I'll try to remember to take some photos.............Have a great weekend!

Baby Love............

2009-07-18T08:22:00.029-04:00

So I got to love on all three grandbabies at the same time the other day, it's not often that all three of them are together so it was fun watching them interact. Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I am taking my youngest daughter to see Mama Mia tonight and am excited. We are meeting my best friend Vickie and her daughter and daughter-in-law for dinner before the show.
It is beautiful outside today, the sun is shining and it is probably only in the 70's with a nice breeze, just gorgeous. Have a great weekend everyone!

I'm Alive, I'm Alive.............

2009-07-14T09:45:00.011-04:00

LOL Yes, I am still alive and have not forgotten my poor blog. I just seem to have some kind of attention deficiency which doesn't allow me to be able to focus on more than one form of electronic communication at a time. It seems like I can do twitter sometimes and facebook other times or my blog but not all three at once. LOL Do you think it's a menopause thing or something else?
Anyway, I have been keeping myself very busy. We painted the grandkids room and only need to do touch up work and the trim. I really love the colors and will show photos when it's all done.
Here's a collage of my visit to the Newport Aquarium with my son Jim and grandson Cameron. I know I am a bit partial about this little boy but he is about the cutest and sweetest little boy ever. He has the most wonderful personality, very laid back and smiles all the time. Everywhere we go with him people comment on how friendly and cute he is. Okay I sound like a proud Grandma don't I? LOL
Hope everyone is well and enjoying their Summer. I have some fun plans for this week, Maddie and I are going to see another movie and go get ice cream afterwards(her favorite thing in the world) and this weekend I have tickets to go to see Mama Mia at the Aronoff theatre here in downtown Cincinnati. This is one of my favorite shows and my daughter Christina is going along with my best friend and her daughter so it should be lots of fun! Have a great day and I am trying to get my electronic attention deficiency under control.........:-)

Fun Summer Reading

2009-07-07T07:54:00.029-04:00

I just love a good beach book during the Summer and I especially love books by Dorothea Benton Frank. Her books are always good and they usually are about the Low Country in South Carolina. I try not to buy hardback books anymore but there are a few authors that I will buy and Dorothea is one of them. Go here to read a portion of this book. She has lots of books in paperback out there so if you have never read any of her books and love a good Summer read go and get one. I really liked The Land of Mango Sunsets and it is in paperback.
Hope everyone is having a good start to their week. The weather was cooler here last week but it has decided to warm up again. And I can't believe this but I was in a store yesterday and they are putting out school supplies already. Didn't Summer just start? LOL Have a good one!

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-03T08:21:00.040-04:00

I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July! Not doing much around here this year. Usually we have a party but with the backyard all torn apart because of the new patio being put in, there's no party here. The backyard project has been stalled because of all the rain we had, we need to have a big truckload of rocks delivered to our backyard but the only way to our back is through the front yard and with the ground being so wet it would make a mess. A big mess! So for now I am still using a step ladder to go in and out of my backdoor. My neighbors look at me funny when I go in and out the back. LOL I am also doing a painting project, my daughter and I are painting the bedrooms upstairs. It hasn't been done in years so it's been alot of fun picking out paint colors. We have picked out brown and blue for the first room. I'll try to post photos as we go along. It's amazing what a little paint can do!
Okay, why can't I catch up with my blog reading???? LOL Is anyone else having catch up problems? Maybe it's just this time of year......... Anyway have a wonderful 4th and stay safe!!

This is too funny..............

2009-07-01T15:16:00.026-04:00

So I am driving along today and pulled out my favorite lipstick(Black Honey by Clinique) and I just had to laugh. What the heck do I do to make it look like this? LOL Eventually this top part will fall off. Everyone who sees my lipstick always laughs about the shape that it is. This is not the best photo but you get the picture.........
Hope you all are having a good week. What does everyone have planned for the holiday weekend? I can't believe it's already the 4th of July weekend. Be safe and I am still trying to make my way around to visit. Between Facebook, Twitter and my blog it's hard to keep up. :-)

Mosaic Monday

2009-06-29T07:44:00.012-04:00

It's Monday and that means it's time for a mosaic! This is just a little mosaic from the race that I did on Saturday. I had my little point and shoot with me while walking. It was a really hot day but I had alot of fun doing this race and hope to do more in the future. Is it just me or does it seem really hard to keep up with the computer during the Summer? I am going to try and visit everyone this week, I really am. Not much else going on right now, I bought some fresh corn and tomatoes from a roadside stand yesterday and they were so good. The white corn was picked that morning and was just so sweet and for some reason I have been going crazy over tomatoes this summer. I just love all the fresh produce during the Summer. Happy Monday everyone and I'll be around to visit ya"ll soon. Oh, I am number 2003 in the photo, LOL.......

I'm Doing a Race.........

2009-06-26T15:37:00.022-04:00

Okay I am not actually doing any bike riding but this was the only photo that the race site would let me upload. LOL And I am not actually doing any running either.... but I am walking in a race tomorrow morning for an event here in Cincinnati called the Hyde Park Blast. I went today and picked up my chip and my number. All proceeds go to charity so I am looking forward to doing it. It's only a four mile walk through a really beautiful area of Cincinnati. Now if I can find my over to the other side of town at a really early time in the morning. LOL I will have my little point and shoot(I am a serious athlete) so hopefully I can take a few photos.
Wasn't yesterday a totally crazy day with the death of Farrah and Michael Jackson? And to top it off we had one of the worst storms I can remember in the middle of the night. I have never seen such lightning before. Anyway, I really meant to post more this week but the week totally got away from me. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and stay cool!

Mosaic Monday ~ Father's Day ~

2009-06-22T16:19:00.017-04:00

Did you guys know about Mosaic Monday? I found out about it from Jeanne's blog and you all know how much I love making collages. LOL Anyway Mary from Little Red House is the hostess so go over here and take a look at her beautiful photography and everyone who is playing. This is just a little mosaic of Father's Day this year, with my son and my husband and my Dad and some extra photos of the grandbabies running around yesterday. Hope everyone had a great day and I am going to try and do this every week because I do have the need to make mosaics and this will fill that need. :-) Hope you are staying cool, it's hot and humid here.

Brenda's Photo Challenge ~ Using Macro~

2009-06-20T07:38:00.029-04:00

Hi Guys! I decided to join in on Brenda's Photo Challenge at the last minute(like this morning). It's time to join the land of the living again or as I like to say put on my big girl panties and get on with life and you all have been a big part of my life and I am sorry if I have not been there for you all lately. So here's my photos for the challenge, I really would like to get more into macro photography, I think it is so cool. These are old photos but I especially love the water drop one because you can see the reflection in the water drops. Not sure if these are true macro shots but they are as close as I can come.

Hope you all have a great weekend. It's a steamy one here in Ohio! I will be around to check out everyone's photos but first it's off to shop(retail therapy) today. Have a good one!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

2009-06-16T06:47:00.028-04:00

All my girls were over on Sunday afternoon. My daughters and granddaughters, my niece Stephanie and my daughter Christina's best friend Molly all came over. That's alot of girls! LOL They wanted to swim but strong storms came through and the water in the pool is only in the 70's so they played in the puddles after the storm instead. Little Sydney is now walking(go Sydney!!!) she loved splashing in the puddles.

Okay does anyone else think it's funny that Maddie is wearing her swimmies on her arms to splash in the puddles? It just cracks me up................ :-) That's Molly's dog Cooper wanting to join in on the fun!

This is totally off the subject and should have been at the end of this post but blogger gave me a fit with photos today. This is my new mailbox and I just wanted to show you how pretty it is. LOL My sweet son-in-law helped me put it up. I got it at Homegoods(love that store) for such a great price. Anyway totally doesn't relate to this post but hey I wanted you to see it. LOL

Here's another photo of Maddie wearing her swimmies in the puddles. I guess you never know when you might need them.

Even big girls like splashing around in puddles.................

Christina and Sydney playing..................

There's something about Summer storms that I love. Hope everyone is having a great week!

Up and my new lawn care service...........

2009-06-10T07:37:00.017-04:00

So Gommy(me) took my granddaughter Maddie to see her first big girl movie in a theatre yesterday. She will be three in August so I wasn't sure how she would do for the first time. She was so excited the whole way to the theatre, she kept saying"I go to movie and eat popcorn and drink juice" LOL When we went into the semi dark theatre she was a little scared and jumped up in my lap until she felt more comfortable and then she decided that she could handle sitting in her own seat(which by the way she could hardly weigh down because she's so little). But she loved every minute of watching the big screen and eating popcorn. I think I had more fun watching her face as she watched this cute movie. What a sweet movie this is and if you have any little ones or just like to see something cute and fun yourself, go and see this film. When we left I asked her if she liked going to the movies and she told me that she wanted to go again so I took that as a yes. :-) I was going to take a photo of her sitting in the theatre but I didn't think the other people watching the show would be too happy with a flash going off like that. I am glad she likes going to the movies because it has always been one of my favorite things to do.

And here's my new lawn care service. LOL She works hard for all of two minutes and then................

it's time to stop and run down the hill..........hope everyone is having a good week. I plan on catching up with you all soon. Take care and have a great day!

Still Here...........

2009-06-05T06:35:00.038-04:00

I'm still here and haven't fallen off the face of the Earth just yet, I just have alot going on in my life right now so I will probably not post as much as I usually do. I so appreciate all the prayers and emails you all have sent me. You ALL are such blessings in my life and I thank God for all of you. So here's my grandbaby photo post of the week. LOL You know I can't do a post without some grandbabies in them. My son Jim and I took Cameron to visit Aunt Christina at work this week and he had a great time playing on the computers and keyboards. What is it about keyboards that little kids love? :-) I hope you all are doing well and have a wonderful weekend!

Where did this week go??

2009-05-29T07:24:00.023-04:00

I can't believe it's already Friday. When Monday is a holiday it always throws me off for the whole week. I hope everyone has a great weekend! It's really pretty in Cincinnati this morning, the sun is shining and it's a little cooler outside. Just wanted to share a few collages(okay, I never tire of making them, LOL). The first collage is of the "gals" playing with Sydney's new water thingy(don't know what's it's really called). They love this water thingy and I added a few photos of them eating ice cream and cupcakes.

This collage is of the butterfly show at Krohn Conservatory in Eden park here in Cincy. This show last from April to June, but it is always best to get to it early because the butterflies start to die off by the end of the showing. We happened to be there on a day when there were lots of school groups there, so it was hard to get good photos. Maddie and Sydney loved looking at all the butterflies. Really if you are ever around Cincy in April through June come and see this show. Have a good weekend everyone, maybe I'll go and play with the water thingy with the "gals" this weekend. :-)

Happy Birthday Melissa!

2009-05-27T08:00:00.028-04:00

It's our daughter Melissa's(also known as Maddie and Sydney's Mom) birthday today. Everyone go over to Buttons and Sas and wish her a Happy Day! Happy Birthday Melissa! We love you! I am going with her while she has the girls photos taken(hopefully both girls will cooperate) and we are going to lunch at the Olive Garden afterwards. Lunch at the Olive Garden is always fun! :-) Have a great day everyone!

Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T09:31:00.021-04:00

Happy Memorial Day! I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial day. I am off to the store to get some goodies to grill out today. I always think that Memorial Day is the start of Summer and Labor Day is the end of Summer even though the calendar doesn't officially see it that way. LOL We might be getting some rain today so I might be grilling in the rain, oh well............. Have a great day and I am getting back into the swing of things and will be around to visit everyone this week! Be safe!