Cottage Dreams

First Pinterest Challenge

2012-01-18T21:19:00.000-05:00

OK so I have been pinning since Pinterest started, apparently if I don't start some projects, Pinterest will be my project! LOL! So I picked this one for 2 reasons. Number 1.. I need a new set of sheets and pillow cases. We will see how this one goes, usually costs more than Walmart! About 10 times as much. Sometimes buying saves so much time. But there is the satisfaction. Like climbing Mount Everest, especially when you work 9 hours a day plus and have a toddler. Tired already.....yawn! I will sleep on it and start it tomorrow! Promise!

Letting Go

2012-01-18T18:43:00.000-05:00

This past year 2011 has come and gone! Last time I posted anything or sat down to write was January 2011. Wow how crazy is that. But really when I honestly sit and look back, no regrets it couldn't have been done any other way. God's plan I guess.And we each have to follow that in our own way.

I have had yet another birthday, they come and go now. I am finally O.K. with that or I am finally becoming O.K. I am confident that next year it will all be an acceptable milestone to reach the age where life takes that turn. You are descending the final stretch in the road, where everything is so much more appreciated and honored then it was 30 or 40 years ago.Where you tend to just stop and appreciate everything and everybody that has touched your life in some way or the other. You learn to accept each moment as a learning experience and an occasion to grow. Something that 40 years ago I couldn't have done. 40 years ago was the time of taking everything for granted, of course there will be another tomorrow, of course or that doesn't or won't effect me, not at all. Today its now different, all so different. I now look at the world through "rose colored glasses" I guess you might say. I now think that it's not how you look at things but how you think of them that counts. It's all so different at this stage in my life. I have a more optimistic outlook on life. Things are changing and I am so much happier because of that. I can now recall very dark moments in my life where I was so pessimistic, so negative. Just another stage I had to go through to bring me to where I am at this given moment.

What I struggle with tremendously is letting go of my children. I remember when I was younger just wanting to have the perfect family, perfect husband and most perfect children imaginable. A reputable and honored desire and dream for any mother. Not rational at all, but I was younger, and the Capricorn is a very driven sign. Striving always for perfection for that need for everything to be just so. To be so called"perfect". I have always attempted to be in control at all times. Not in a bad way but in the sense that I wanted my household to run like a tight ship may we say. Everything has a place and everything is in it's place. Organizational queen. Unfortunately my children saw that and internalized it as well. I tend to beat myself up, I have always beat myself up over my mistakes, the mistakes of others, things that I couldn't control nor change, this behavior no longer has a place with me. I guess as Maya Angelou says, "when you know better, you do better." I now know that at that time in my life, I just didn't know better, I did the best that I could do at that point in my life. Very dark part of my life the, "oh my God I am not a perfect mother part!" It has been the roughest and hardest thing I have had to face in my life I think for me ever....just being able to let go and just be at peace with it. And now some 40 years later or so the peace has come!

Last night I had the opportunity to watch Oprah's Master Class, wonderful and inspiring series, Goldie Hawn was on, I have always just adored her. So intelligent, entertaining with a very playful personality. A favorite of mine and by what I hear is also Goldie Hawn's. An Ancient Myth, the story of Demeter the mother, letting go, and her message to mothers. And as the story goes the abduction of the beautiful Persephone is the reason behind the sweetness of Spring and the bitterness of Winter.One day this little girl of life and laughter, Persephone, was collecting flowers on the plain of Enna when the earth opened beneath her feet. Up from the gap rose Hades, grim God of the Underworld, and abducted her. And only Zeus the all seeing, knew what had happened.

Broken hearted, Demeter wandered the earth, her hair unbound, wailing into the wind, searching for her little daughter until - at last - Zeus told her what had happened.

Now Demeter was angry as well as heart broken! She demonstrated her rage by punishing the earth's inhabitants with fierce cold, bitter winds and an end to all fertility. Unless Persephone was returned, the earth would surely perish.

Finally Herakles the Hero went down to the kingdom of Hades to negotiate the return of Persephone. But, before she was released, the God of the Underworld tricked Persephone into eating six pomegranate seeds - thus she would always be connected to his realm.

For part of the year Persephone must stay in the Underworld and for part of the year she returns to her mother.

When Demeter and her daughter are together, the earth flourishes with vegetation, but, for four months of the year, when Persephone goes back to Hades, the earth is a barren realm.One important lesson from Demeter is not to place all of our life into our children. It's a trap that any mother can fall into, putting her talents of spontaneity, creativity, playfulness, wonder, curiosity, love of story and all that we call imagination into her children - forgetting that these belong also to her own inner child.

When her daughter is abducted, the loss causes Demeter to go into deep depression. A depression in which she ceases to bathe, ceases to eat, disguises her beauty, neglects her daily duties, denies her future and becomes self absorbed, angry, resentful and lost in torrents of incessant weeping.

If we hold on to our children too tightly, if we weave our lives totally around them, we are then at a loss when they mature and become independent. We can suffer very real and very deep pain. Like Demeter, our own inner child has been displaced onto our actual children.If we place all of our eggs into one basket, if a friend grows away from us, if we place all of our love into one partner and that relationship ends, we can be shattered until we realize that what has passed, has passed.We can't go back.
For everything there is a season.
And there is a time for letting go.

My Wishes For All My Family And Friends In 2011!

2011-01-01T21:19:00.000-05:00

Well it has been an amazing year may I say. Many surprises, a lot of laughter as well as a lot of tears. We have had a birth, our second grandchild, Landen Anthony. How blessed we are. Perfectly heavenly he is, a joy every single day. And to think God chose us to be his grandparents I am overwhelmed with thankfulness!

We have watched people near and dear to us move on to be with God! New friends have been made and old friends have been embraced closer yet to our hearts. I have personally made several people extremely angry and even more happy! LOL! Life moves on. We have all aged another year....booooo! Dear God the wrinkles! Yuc, yuc and more yuc. Well someone in my life has said..... (I am old and I can't remember who), that each wrinkle should be seen as a sign of wisdom and embraced. And when I find that person or remember who it was that said it, I am going to plot their demise. 99.9 % of it has been heavenly. My family I adore, good and bad they are family. Familia......Precious they are. Even when they are often holding tight to their differences in opinions. Each day is a gift and I am so thankful that I have received yet another 365 of them! So to begin the New Year I would like to share some wishes for friends and family for your coming year!

I wish you Health...
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generousity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything...
That you so well deserve.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!! MAY GOD LOOK DOWN UPON YOU AND BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE!

Grandma…Nana..Mema!

2010-09-18T21:29:00.000-04:00

However you say it, you don’t have to say it more than once to make a grandmother melt! You don’t have to look into those sweet little eyes and not say….whatever your little heart desires! (Bad grandma!) It’s OK, it’s good to be bad! Well in this grandma’s book it is! This little guy just does me in! I think he has us all hooked! What do you do in a case like this. I can’t run, can’t hide, I guess I have to just let myself fall head over heels! How do you resist I say.

Oh and don’t you know he has his grandpa oohing and awing…..now that’s bad! Mr Rough and Tough himself broke down into tears. You just don’t think the day will come and then it’s upon you. Your baby is having a baby. Flashbacks, memories, sadness over days gone by. Happiness over happier times when they where in your arms and just that little, Awwww! Sniff, sniff!

Love these 2 people just a little wee bit! Little bitty and a new little bitty. That’s her grandma’s name for her. She loves her some Grandma!

Little Sir Landen has captured the hearts of the Riley household and that is more than fine with us. Cry until your hearts content, make big messes until you can’t make any more, Grandma’s got your covered itty bitty like nationwide…..I’m on your side little man!

Sir Landen Anthony Has Arrived!

2010-09-15T22:59:00.001-04:00

Your day has finally arrived! More beautiful than anyone had ever imagined! September 15, 2010, at 5:18 PM you arrived. 5Lbs 9 oz. You are the most perfect baby boy ever. Your mommy is just a little busy loving you up so Mema has to post this one. Happy that she is to do that! Happier that you and your darling mom are healthy, happy and out of all danger. Mema can finally sleep a peaceful night! So here we are your first photos with many more to come! We thank God for you and we thank God for your mother!

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Hate Me Now…I Hope You Love Me Later!

2010-08-27T01:34:00.001-04:00

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. [Luk 12:7]
Our Greatest Fear is not that We Are Inadequate,
but that We Are
Powerful Beyond Measure...
It’s not hard to decipher what this post might be about just from the title. We have been having a vey rough time with our teen son, Mat. The baby in the family and showing it in every way. Not spoiled but just most of the time I would imagine! Not really very funny now that all hell has broke loose in our household. Mainly caused by this one little terror causing individual which I will so lovingly call, Mat!
It’s amazing the extremes that one child who's being rebellious will go through in order to gain control of any given situation. There is screaming, cursing, displays of anger, more cursing, throwing, slamming, stomping, spitting and cursing, you are getting the cursing here right! That seems at this point a very large issue. At some points I am not sure if I have ever heard the F word used in as many combinations ever before as this child can use it in just one single sentence.
“You are the meanest mother there ever was!” “”I hate you!” What makes individuals say these words to the ones they love the most? I guess sometimes we speak out of anger, but aren’t the most hurtful words spoken then? Thank God a mothers love is un touchable and unwavering.The longest moment in time I think is when you actually stop and think before you speak. You want to just blurt something awful out but something in your conscious says, that's just wrong, now wait a moment here. Speaking out of anger destroys the soul and the spirit. I will never say that I haven’t blurted out words that I haven’t then said, “oh my God did that just come out of my mouth?” Then later I would apologize because I know how absolutely hurtful I was being to another human being. I am not perfect, I will never be, I am human!!! I am not a perfect parent, but I am a good parent.
You may hate me now Mat, but I sure hope you love me later. Our life is about choices. If you can make the choice to do wrong, you are also capable of making the choice to do that much good and more, not only for yourself but for others! If you can choose to disrespect me as your parent, I hope that one day you choose to respect me once again! Tough love is very hard and at times I think it is almost unbearable on a parents heart. But even worse I think, is watching a child that you would give your last breath to save, self destruct! As a mother I have questioned myself and my motives at times but I know it is what I have to do to get you to be the best individual you can be, and in that case I can stand just a little hatred. Someday you may stand in my shoes and I hope you will make the same choices that I have made, to do whatever it takes in one given moment to show your child what unconditional love really is!

"But somewhere along the line you changed you stopped being you you let people stick a finger in your face and tell you your no good and when things got hard you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know, The world aint all sunshine and rainbows its a very mean and nasty place and I dont care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it “You me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life but it ain’t about how hard your hit, its about how hard you can get hit and keep movin forward, how much you can take and keep movin forward,thats how wining will start!"

COWARDS DO THAT AND THAT AIN'T YOU, YOUR BETTER THAN THAT! YOU ARE.....POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE! MAKE A CHANGE...MAKE A STAND! MAKE A YOU THAT COMPARES TO NO OTHER! BE PROUD OF THE LIFE YOU ARE CREATING! NOTHING CAN STOP YOU OR WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF....NOTHING EXCEPT FOR YOU! BE GREAT MATT, BE POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE!

A Little Sanity For My Sometimes Insane Little World! How Fitting!

2010-07-10T02:55:00.002-04:00

Quote of the Day:
Pessimist: One who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.
--Oscar Fingall O’Flahertie Wills Wilde

What To Do When Your Baby Is Having A Baby!

2010-07-10T02:17:00.002-04:00

Panic! That is what you do! Well it’s what I have been doing! I have not posted a single post since Mother’s Day. I have been focused on Momma and baby. It’s all I see and all I know at this very moment. Well then I have also been enjoying my family and not blogging so much! Life is so very short and I think I loose to much when I am focused on posting and not on my priority...Family! So family it is! But this is something so near and dear to me. I had my reservations at first they are very young, but God has a plan! It has always been in his hands as it is now. I believe and have faith it will all come to be as it will be. Here they are momma, daddy and baby! So beautiful to me. Many things really were wearing hard on my heart about this whole situation at first, let me count the ways. I was angry, furious, upset, hurt, etc, etc, etc. I thought and I prayed and I thought and I prayed. The thoughts are what got me in the most trouble so I prayed again! Then there was this:
And this:
And finally this:
Then I think I felt overcome with the fact that my baby is having a baby and I just couldn’t have ever really liked the fact that she just wasn’t MY LITTLE GIRL any more. She just may be his! I really hate that I have to ever let my children go …but I do! There is something that a mother feels when they are about to leave the nest…empty and lost! She’s my 2nd best friend, how do I loose her now? So many things raced through my mind. Now I am just OK I guess with it. I have to be I don’t have a choice. And I am just going to be OK because she will always be my baby first!

Happy Mothers Day To All!

2010-05-09T23:00:00.001-04:00

Mothering, the most rewarding and wonderful jobs of all. 5 children and 29 years later since I first became a mom, I can truly say I have been blessed thousands of times over. I have also endured many tears and many heartbreaks as well. All part of being a mother. So many times we take for granted the time that we have and do not stop to just reflect on how blessed we are. As in all of life are greatest treasures are, our children.Our next greatest treasure is the honor of being called...Mother! God bless each mother on this day and always. May you find the strength you need to always find the humor in every crisis situation and the creativity that bubbles over from the scribbling little human being standing before you with marker in hand and a beautiful beaming piece of art...on your newly painted wall. Laugh mothers, there just isn't enough time for anything else. Before you know it, your baby's having a baby. Keep every moment precious as every child is precious. Just enjoy being called....Mother! Enjoy the video...I did! Taylor Swift ...Best Day with lyrics

A Few Lessons More I Have Learned In This Life...For The Loves Of My Life...My Children!

2010-02-25T12:50:00.003-05:00

(1) Never, ever give up!
You just never know what’s around the corner. Sometimes, but not always, it can be just what you may never have expected something that leaves you singing praises to God! Something that you know only God himself could have done and no one else. At times it may not always be this way but you must know that also comes with a purpose, if only to teach us to be stronger and tougher. You sometimes have to stand back and just wait for the purpose to be revealed and it will, but your heart has to be open as well as your mind! You can not learn if you are not open minded.
(2) Expect The Unexpected!
When you think that you know just what life is going to throw you and you have it all figured out, something else comes your way totally unexpected.It catches you off guard and it throws you on your a$$.I think it’s Gods little way of saying, hey now, your not dead yet, stop getting so set in your ways, let’s go, there is a lot more to be done here! At times this unexpected event can be something that again makes you question God’s plan, do not! It’s his plan not yours, remember that! Keep it sacred, your going to need it!
Stay with me here keep reading!
(3) We Never Stop Learning, Never!
Never be a know it all, your not! On this beautiful planet called earth, there is no one that knows it all from the very brightest of scientists to the discovered genius's of our times, we will never know it all. Only God himself in heaven is all knowing we must learn this. Our elders have so much to teach us but we must be willing to learn from them. The wisest beings ever known, learned not alone but from others. We must always be open to learning something new. This great concept is what makes us wise as we grow older.
(4) At Times Choose The Not So Traveled Path!
It may be just that, the not so traveled path and others may try to persuade you against it, but choose it anyways. Not always will you follow but have to make the choice to lead, you will know in your heart which is the right path because your heart always, always knows! This is why God, in his ever so awesome design, gave us this organ to work together with our mind as one. Choose it no matter the consequences, if you know that it is right and just and do not falter. Do not waiver from your path.You may have to guide your way around some obstacles but that’s all in the learning it teaches you to be willing to change and give just a little and to still accomplish your goals.
(5) Never Let Anyone Tell You That You Can’t!
You can and you know that, so don’t let someone else tell you that it is impossible (yes that is another lesson, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, NOTHING!) It may take everything you have and at times you may thing you don’t have what it takes, you do! Don’t ever fall prey to defeat! Always give it your all, especially if it is your dream. The light bulb wasn’t invented in hours and we didn’t put a man on the moon in days and yes people said, “it was impossible!”….how do you like me now! That is what you say when you accomplish your dreams and leave everyone else standing there in heir own dust! Because there is nothing that can’t be done! It takes hard work and perseverance! You can’t stop in the middle, you must see it through till the end. How can you see the end if there is no beginning I ask?
(6) When Life Knocks You Down, Get Back Up!
When you try your hardest and give it your all and life knocks you down, stand back up brush yourself off and keep on going! Laugh your way through it, it’s just that, something to laugh about, don’t let things get you down, let them make you smile, no matter how bad they are, you are just learning, you are on your path and you are giving it your all, what could be bad? Bad is a thought we ourselves create out of a learning and living experience.If it was supposed to be all good all the time, we apparently stepped off the bus at the wrong stop and you may have to get back on and get off somewhere else, not sure where that may be.This is life and I’m sure where I’ve been standing for over 45 years, it darn straight hasn’t been easy!
(7) Nothing Is A Panic Situation!
Panic is a label we assign to any given time in our life where we are weak and just are not focused enough to be able to stop and think before we act. A moment of weakness of which I have had many! I tend to have been one who has had many moments of panic in my life. Life has taught me that there is no time for this shit, no time at all! As I age and through the love and help of those that love me so dearly, I am overcoming this weakness that I have. Because yes I am still learning myself! And yes I do still at times panic! Panic has no purpose when you consider the outcome. Nothing gets accomplished at all and anything can happen usually none of which is good. So stop and think it through if you only have seconds or minutes it may save you a lifetime of grief! No situation or great idea has ever formed out of panic. Exercise control. Your children are watching and so is everyone else.
(8) Family Is all We Have Our Most Priceless Treasure
When all is said and done there are no humans on this earth more important than these ones. No friend, no boyfriend, NOBODY! The ones that ride the storm right at your side are the ones you call your family. I’m not saying that your family is always comprised of just blood relatives because it may not be, and often is not. It is the ones that have proven themselves over and over again no matter what the cost to them but merely out of their love for you. You will always know these people. They do not just appear this way they are this way. Family will disagree with you, if they know you are going to harm yourself, no matter the cost, but merely out of love they will tell you like it is( in the great wisdom of my Aunt), God designed it this way. But family is family and families should always be our love, our strength, or support, and our rock when we are facing a storm. There should be nothing but kindness, love and mercy when it comes to the ones we love. In the same light they must prove themselves as being these things over and over again. Honest, trustworthy, unfailing, giving, loving, forgiving and supporting. These are the ones that make up our families and family members change, they come and they go but they always return when they are true!
Some of these things I may tell you, you already know, some you may have not thought of in this light. If you already know then God has blessed you and you are on the path! Some you may not and I hope I have passed on some valid truths that you may be open to incorporating into your life and thus changing it for the better, God will bless you either way, he just does that! I have learned so many things in his life and I am always learning. Its a process. Now that I am the mother of teens I sit back and just watch and listen and remember what my Aunt Peg used to call me when I was young, “Little Miss Know It All!” I was about their age and I really thought that I had it, I thought I knew it all. I have come to learn that it is part of life, it’s a phase we all go through. Beginning in the teen age years and ending God knows when. I say that because my children range in age from 13 to almost 29 yrs old. Making me just a young sweet thing as my Aunt used to say. We never stop learning, some of us just think we have it all concurred at certain points and, WE DON’T! That’s when life knocks us down and we get up and keep going.
So many times lately and in my life I have seen God’s work over and over again and seen all the above lessons played out, again and again. It never stops and it keeps on repeating and repeating as if he’s saying, you didn’t get this one right, here it is again. Or just that you know this one, lets see if you have learned your lesson from our first teaching, let’s practice it. It’s a test, the test of life. That is what it means to age and become wise. Because the best of life’s lessons are learned all along the way.And we learn that the best lessons don’t come from a book or something that you read, they come from what we learn from life and from the ones we love, from our friends and from our colleagues, our mothers, our fathers and sisters and brothers and the ones that we travel this life beside. It’s hard, it will never be easy although at times we rest and sit back and enjoy it, life’s next lesson is right around the corner, just waiting. May that be good or bad we must face it and never run from it.
I believe that my strengths come from 4 people in my life more than any, my Great Grandmother Jennie, my Dear sweet Aunt Peg and my best friend, Sara and of course my husband, Joe. They haven’t always thought I was listening but I always, always was. I may have gotten upset with them at times but my love never failed for them, ever. They may have said something I didn’t want to hear, just as I have, but still my love never failed for them. I have learned so much as well from my mother. That strong means you just don’t give up until it is your time to give up! Just as I didn’t give up on her. I listened! Another lesson we must learn, that love is about listening with an open heart and mind. Sometimes it’s not about what we want, but about what they want, they are not always one in the same. And I believe that when people love one another they will respect these wishes and honor them. That is after all what love is.
We have been thrown a few hard balls lately, I think I caught them and I think I am dealing quite well and I think I am learning. Also we have been dealt a few Aces and we are basking in their greatness if only just for a while. My mother is talking and she is moving her right arm and her right leg….take that one and contemplate on that for awhile. Above all odds and out of the goodness and graciousness from God we have a blessing, a miracle. Yet another that I have seen in my life. All the more proof that there is a God! We are blessed and that coincidences are not just that! They are all apart of the plan. So Hospice is leaving our house for now. But in comes yet another challenge for our family, see how that goes! In comes baby booties and crying and yes teen pregnancy. Not a curse but yet just another blessing. Not part of our plan but apparently part of God’s. Its OK we can deal we are strong and we are a family and we will go on together and we will deal with it just as we always have, together. Our family will band together and will stay strong and will triumph again! I am at peace with it! My daughter is my love and my love is very precious to me and I will support her and help her to learn to also be strong and we will become strong together. Not always can I get my children to sit still, be silent and just listen to me. Sometimes it doesn’t come out just the way I had planned it to and I’m hoping that this is just how I hoped it would “roll” as they say. I hope that for a moment they can sit and just read, because boy they like to read the things on the computer. It’s not Myspace or Facebook, it’s “Mom’s Space.”And it’s Mom’s heart. It’s what I have on my mind at any given time of the day, it’s the love I have for them, each and every one of them, no matter what or when or through whatever it is they have done, as I have said before it is unfailing and unwavering, it is strong and it is a deep love for each.
What started all this was a beautiful video I saw today that brought back memories from my childhood and my great grandmother. Took me to raise me at 85 years old, talk strong, because I was family, her love never failed me. Even at the end she told me, I need you to be a big girl and to help out because I have to leave here now. I’m sick and I’m old and I’m tired, I can’t stay any longer. I guess we get that way. And she assured me that she would always be with me watching over me even from afar. Till this day I look up when I get in trouble, first to God and then to her. That is where my strength comes from. Anyways when I was little she would rock me and brush my long hair and sing to me, most often church hymns or old musicals that she had heard. So that is what started this all and I am glad. I know that she has found yet another way to reassure me that it will be OK! Everything will be OK. She used to sing this song to me as a little wee girl and I sang it to my children and here it is again!
You’ll Never Walk Alone!
When you walk through a storm
Keep your chin up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At he end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone.

I Am Surrounded!!!

2010-01-10T22:08:00.003-05:00

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.
Camille Pissarro
The success of love is in the loving - it is not in the result of loving. Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of what we have done.
Mother Teresa
Blessed Mother Theresa, God rest her soul. Kind, loving, giving without end, devoted to Christ and to humanity. Loved every single individual without prejudices or without judgment. Spent countless hours with strangers, but yet looked at them as family. She said, we are all family because we are all God’s children, he is father to us all. How humbled she must have been to service others with such compassion and love. She never stopped to question why, she just carried out her calling from God, to take care of all of God’s people, sick, suffering, impoverished and the dying. Questioning would have meant doubt in God’s plan. And she never doubted that plan, even through extreme situations where there was much suffering and loss of many lives.
I don’t always understand God but I trust him.I trust that he always has a plan for us. I believe that we are never alone. I said in a previous post that I believe that no one should die alone, I believe that he will not allow that. No matter who we are or what we have done, he will not allow that. You always have to have faith. Our faith does not die with us it lives on in the lives of those that we have touched along our journey. The kindness we have shown to others. The entire basis of human existence is love.
I feel very humbled to be given the opportunity to care for the individual that gave me life. There is a feeling of honor to brushing your mothers hair, stroking her hand, sitting in silence and praying over her frail body, putting a cool cloth to her head. Or just repeating I love you over and over, you are precious to me and I adore you and I always will. There is a humbling feeling to saying, OK this ones for you father. You have the wheel, I cannot do this without you. I know not what you have in store, but I am ready! I put my faith in you. Today I am at the stage where I have given God the control. I am only his servant. I will love and honor my mother always until death is upon us. I hope to be at her side but I have assured her that she is not alone and neither am I. That we will weather the storm TOGETHER. Always TOGETHER. Whether that only be in spirit that is enough.
It seems to be that today death lurks at my doorstep no matter where I turn. I feel as if “I am surrounded.” Maybe that is what my calling is. My darling son has a friend who I lovingly refer to as my 4th son. (3 biological) then there is my Ryan, my 4th honorary son. He calls me “mom'” and rightfully so I adore him as well. He is not really my son though. He was diagnosed with Cancer (oh that ugly, ugly word) less than 6 months ago. The cancer is in his brain now. The tumor is very invasive. He is currently taking Chemo and is showing signs that he is becoming more and more overcome by this ugly monster everyday. Each time I see him, I see a young healthy vibrant young man with all the promise that this world holds crushed by an awful disease. He smiles as if it doesn’t even exist. He acts as if it didn’t happen and I don’t think it has ever really occurred to him what the outcome may bring. He say’s I just don’t think about that and what may come. He will say when you talk to him about it, I really don’t think about it. “If I think about it I may just stop.” If I stop then where will I be. I always say have faith, never stop having faith.
I have watched this child deteriorate right before my eyes. Tonight the conversation was….The make a wish organization contacted him about his wish. He said I can go anywhere and do whatever I want. They said I can have whatever I want. As we all know to be eligible for Make A Wish there are certain guidelines and the most crushing is: To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition – i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy. THE VERY SAD THING IS THAT THIS CHILD WILL MOST LIKELY NOT SEE HIS 18th BIRTHDAY!!! I look at my son and I feel such overwhelming feelings of thankfulness and appreciation. Although this child is like my son he is not. I cannot even begin to imagine his mothers heartache. I really don’t think at this point any organization would be able to grant my wish! Ryan is a very outgoing, sweet, respectful, kind and loving young man. I stood one night off from the two of them, watching them. In total amazement of what was becoming of our sweet young man. One day perfect and the next broken. It is a very eye opening and humbling thought to a mother. He is always in my prayers. I have pictures of my sons….would you mind if I brag a little, since I had a little to do with his raising too. The silly little eye closer is my Mat, he always does it to me! I will post his earlier pictures later. The difference is astounding! Our Ryan is on the left. He refuses to take that LIP THING OUT…..Beautiful, beautiful boys! Here they are:

I want them always to remember their bond, their closeness and their love for one another and to always hold on to that and never, ever let it go. They did a study amongst people who have lived to be well over a hundred. What they found was that one of the things that these people had in common was they all had close and endearing relationships with at least 2 other non-family individuals, i.e; a close and beloved friend. It all comes down to love again and again. It can heal the world! It will heal our beloved Ryan!
Where there is great love there are always miracles! So see I am surrounded by death as well as I am surrounded by love. My mother and our sweet young Ryan to different ends of the spectrum yet such similar fights! I am blessed! I am blessed and honored to have these 2 very precious people in my life teaching me great things, no matter what God’s plan is for the future, today is all that really matters to me, because today is all we really have! It has been a good day! Everyday is a good day!
I find Mother Theresa’s talks very soothing and enlightening. Please take a moment to listen to this video. Don’t forget to pause the little player so it doesn’t interfere…….

If you are interested in knowing more about Mother Theresa here is a link….God Bless! Biography of Mother Theresa

This Is A Must Watch!

2010-01-09T18:50:00.003-05:00

Pause the Ipod Player on the right to watch the clip...

I Know You By Heart….Hospice Is In The House!!!

2010-01-09T17:03:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite songs, very fitting for the occasion I would say…..
Midnights in Winter
The glowing fire
Lights up your face in orange and gold.
I see your sweet smile
Shine through the darkness
It's line is etched in my memory.
So I'd know you by heart.
Mornings in April
Sharing our secrets
We'd walk until the morning was gone.
We were like children
Laughing for hours
The joy you gave me lives on and on.
‘Cause I know you by heart.
I still hear your voice
On warm Summer nights

Whispering like the wind.
(Oh oh ohh…)
You left in Autumn
The leaves were turning
I walked down roads of orange and gold.
I saw your sweet smile
I heard your laughter
You're still here beside me every day.
‘Cause I know you by heart,
‘Cause I know you by hear
YOUR STILL HERE BESIDE ME EVERY DAY. ‘CAUSE I KNOW YOU BY HEART!!! I see your sweet smile shine through the darkness, it’s line is etched in my memory. I remember everything always! Always. I know your sweet smile, know your sweet face because every time I look in the mirror it looks right back at me, every time. Thank you for giving me life, thank you for giving me those few words…”no more!” It helped me to find some peace.
Out of the mouth of babes my daughter says, Mom why are you crying, if you know what you are doing is the right thing to do, if Grandma will not suffer anymore ever, doesn’t that make you happy? I guess it should! So why do we cry I ask? I did ask her why she would cry if it was my time…no answer. Because loss and the thought of finality are devastating and beyond human comprehension. It’s the whole heart, mind, spirit and soul connection. It’s not only your heart that is crushed it is your whole being.
We tried, but it failed so what would you like us to do from here? Well I would like it if you would make it the way it was right before this nightmare all started, how about that? OK guess not. IT ALL FAILED so what do we do, she can’t swallow, so she can’t survive and she is struggling but holding on without the vent…so where do we go from here? Do you want hospice? Oh my God no… that means that it’s over with! Oh no…..we let her go! I do what I hope she would have done for me, what I hope someday my family will do for me….let me go!
Dr says you do realize that she will expire without any further efforts to sustain her life? How I wish I didn’t know that. Sometimes it’s worse to know then to not know I think. Dr says I am very sorry for you loss. I said I lost her days ago!
God has bigger plans than we do I think and now he just needs her more than I do, so he’s borrowing her I guess. I sure hope someday he gives her back. I believe that we will all find one another in the place that we are going. We may not know one another by physical appearance but we will know one another because our hearts will allow us to do so. That is just my belief.
Man how this life flies, where does it go to? Just when your having fun…puff it’s over….it’s gone! That quick. As you get older, days seem like minutes. Years are like weeks. So much to hold onto I guess. Do we ever actually take the time to hold fast to what we really should be those that we care for so dearly. Do we allow it to slip from our fingers like sand? Have you ever really watched an hourglass? Just like life when the last grain falls, as in life your time is gone. Only difference is, we can’t turn it over, life that is. Funny as hell how you think about life so deeply when impending death is at your doorway or within your path. Been there and done that several times now and it is scary as hell it is! Just as this is. So I think this saga is done my friends. Our fight is finally done!

La Belle Vita….It’s Time

2010-01-08T15:00:00.002-05:00

A little later than I had wished, but with the obvious things so unexpected happening in my life right now, I thought that once again the new site would have to be delayed. Working until late last night I finally finished it, well almost, have to get Etsy on! So check it out and see what I do instead of sleep! May explain my exhaustion at times. Click the link and see what you think of my work. get inspired to love Art!
La Belle Vita....The Beautiful Life!
Published and posted a few things!That’s an ahhhhh! It was one of my January goals. It’s done! Bravo!

Where There Is Great Love There Are Always Miracles! (Update on Mom!)

2010-01-08T14:29:00.005-05:00

Sometimes what we least expect becomes the unexpected! We are now waiting on a miracle. Sometimes a sign of life comes in a simple grasp. A breath that shouldn't have been, or just something you never expected. I really in my mind expected my mother to just leave this earth without her dear sweet daughter grasping on to little signs of life. I expected nature to just take its course and just happen.Well then we all know there is the unexpected feelings that we all feel when that time comes. I cant bring myself to say…STOP!

Do Doctors know, do we know, of course not! Only our sweet Lord has that ability. When he says that’s it, then, that’s it! I guess it’s all in his time not ours. So many decisions, so many I wish I never had to make, ever! No pain, no suffering that is all I wish. How do you determine if something hurts if you are not in that body yourself? How do you determine if they are still in there…somewhere. Well I’m hanging on to something as simple as what I thought was the grasp of my hand.

Today is Vent weaning day! 2 days ago we failed miserably. I just couldn’t say pull it that’s enough! I just couldn’t. I’m not sure now that I can ever. WHERE THERE IS GREAT LOVE THERE ARE ALWAYS MIRACLES! I can’t seem to get that out of my mind. What if I say stop and what if I don’t fight like she is, what if it’s not time yet, what if God’s not ready for her yet? I guess we will see.Life is so full of what ifs. It’s a wait and see game I guess. If it’s her time she will go no matter how many heroic efforts are made. She is strong enough to hit people and to yank out tubes, she knows she doesn’t want those things, well that’s what my sis says. And she is my hero and she knows it all, really she does. She is much smarter than I will ever be. She is my rock especially right now. Need some great advice ask my Sara! Because your OLDER sister is always wiser and smarter than you.

Days maybe hours…my a$$! They have no idea it’s like predicting the weather they only know what hey know and that’s not a lot. When did we get so great at doing God’s job?..we haven’t yet! Never will! Maybe I’ll just leave it to him. I leave a lot to him.
I had to speak to 2 Doctors 2 days ago and the amount is growing. It’s amazing with all the specialist there are, that none of them know more than what they see on a picture, well pictures say a thousand words in an artists view. Huh she will prove you all wrong I think! I hope! Time, it’s all about time. So let’s see how Vent day goes. I have seen a hundred cases where you thought it was someones time and you were oh so wrong. Lord prove me wrong!

Please Lord don’t ever let me be the kind of nurse that takes someone's hand and drops it on their head repeatedly and first says, what am I doing Linda? Well hell she’s lethargic and has a vent where would you expect that answer to come from? Let’s see….Secondly if someone has severe swelling in their brain…do you think they may have a LITTLE head ache? Hum…let’s see. All that education and no common sense. If someone’s thrashing about on their bed do you think you should look in the room turn around and leave or do you think you would help? Maybe check it out? If you hear an alarm do you listen then walk away or do you act? These are pretty intense questions, I will give you a moment to answer. Shouldn’t have been hard a all. Most folks would at least give it a shot, not our fine medical staff.

Everyone hurries away from our precious human lives as if they are nothing more than things. When this old world ends I really hope I can say that I stopped along the way to hold a hand when it was needed, or said a few words that made someone feel better inside. I hope I can say I didn’t hurry by someone in need ever. My philosophy is no one dies alone! I can’t stand the mere thought of that! It makes me cringe. I think with all the money they spend on stupid things they really need to research death and dying. I attended a really great workshop one time on the subject. Really helps me a lot now. My decisions are different than they were way back when. Hospice is an awesome organization and their business is just that…death and dying. Haven’t really thought about that whole thing a lot just yet.
Time will tell.

My favorite song by John Mayer Is Say…
Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .
Say what you need to say
Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again
Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open
Say what you need to say!!!!

On One Of The Saddest Days Of My Life…..Why I Have To Now Just Say Goodbye!

2010-01-06T11:25:00.003-05:00

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle… Albert Einstein
On one of the most difficult days of my life, where is she to help me make this decision? No longer can I look to the person I call Mother. I realize that it’s her time now to be with God, still doesn’t make me any less madder than I am at her. On the other hand sadder than I am to loose her dear soul. That can only make sense to me right now. I just cannot feel any sadder than I do this very day! So very hard to say goodbye, so very hard to make that decision for another human life, especially the one you call Momma. This is why they say life is just not fair! And for all of us it can never be that way, that is why we call it life.
They say she’s had a massive stroke, the bleeding is so bad they cannot do anything else for her. Hours maybe days. I say you are just not telling me these things and that’s just not true. I need more time! Mother my birthday is in a few days! Now is not that time! In my heart I know these things are true, in my mind as a nurse I know the outlook is bad. But my mind says, it can’t be! It just can’t be now! It has to be fixed, because I am a fixer type person. I have to fix everything! But you know what, I can’t fix this! I JUST CAN’T FIX THIS! I have to make her understand how much she was loved, how much I adored her and everything she was, mother. How do I do that now? The tears make it worse. And there are many. My aching heart is so saddened and she is not even gone physically, but her spirit and her soul are gone! Only her being is her with us!
I am guilt ridden because I worked to much and wasn’t there for her enough. I am guilt ridden because I didn’t say I love you enough. I’m guilt ridden because even at my age we didn’t cuddle up enough. I’m guilt ridden because I wasn’t there at that very moment she may have needed me the very most and once again I was mad at something so very stupid she may have said or done! How stupid I am! How stupid I am!!!!! God forgive me for this! Of course when do you ever feel you have done all the right things at this moment. Regret and remorse, sadness and heartbreak. But as the saying goes.. choose with no regrets! How very difficult that is at any moment in life. Difficult is what makes life. God never said it would be easy this ride we call…Life!
So we now go on, we now say goodbye! My dearest mother, my sweet, sweet mother, a piece of my heart dies with you! I am so glad to have had you with me, so very sad to be without you. Please forgive me for setting your soul free. I know it is the right thing to do, but to me it is one of the hardest things I shall ever do in this life of mine. You leave behind 3 woman that are very much a part of you. You were strong and we are strong like you mother. It is the Irish in us! You smiled all the time except when you were sick just like we do Momma. You were creative with what you had, so are we momma. You were loving to people, strangers and every stray animal you found and we are to momma. You are beautiful and look at your girls mom, we are to inside and out! So thank you mom we adore you and love you with all we have! Goodbye my dear, sweet, loving mother, goodbye. May your journey to heaven be swift and effortless, and may you feel our love with you always. See you soon! Your loving family!
Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Irish Blessing From Our Home To Yours...Happy New Year From Cottage Dreams!

2009-12-31T20:05:00.002-05:00

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

Let It Snow..Let It Snow..Let It Snow!

2009-12-16T12:15:00.004-05:00

I adore the snow! Yes I am a snow lover. I don't care how much we get at all as a matter a fact I demand more! I would be happy to be snowed in, for all thats worth. Here in Pennsylvania it either snows really alot then it all melts or it looks as if we may get 3 feet and we get something that resembles a dusting of snow or lately we have been getting NOTHING at all! It started yesterday and has just kept coming over night. Not a lot just here and there. My hubby has been growling for 3 weeks or so about the snow blower we purchased and have not yet been able to use. Sorry for that Mr. Cottage Dreams. Hey maybe your dreams will soon come true. Well if we keep our fingers crossed we may, just may be skiing and snowboarding our way into the New Year. Can't wait for that! So until that really big snow arrives, keep warm, stay away from sick people (the nurse in me) and for goodness sakes WEAR A HAT! (Thats the old person and mother in me) Go out and build a snowman, find that perfect tree, throw snowballs or just take a walk in the snow. Shoo, go now, don't waste another moment. The clocks a ticking. Soon winter and another year will be gone. Have a simply wonderful week, with NO stress. If you are having it you are doing something wrong….so get rid of it! Family is all that matters, nothing else!

Why The Evergreen Trees Never Loose Their Leaves

2009-12-09T20:06:00.002-05:00

BY FLORENCE HOLBROOK

WINTER was coming, and the birds had flown far to the south, where the air was warm and they could find berries to eat. One little bird had broken its wing and could not fly with the others. It was alone in the cold world of frost and snow. The forest looked warm, and it made its way to the trees as well as it could, to ask for help.

First it came to a birch tree. "Beautiful birch tree," it said, "my wing is broken, and my friends have flown away. May I live among your branches till they come back to me?"

"No, indeed," answered the birch tree, drawing her fair green leaves away. "We of the great forest have our own birds to help. I can do nothing for you."

"The birch is not very strong," said the little bird to itself, "and it might be that she could not hold me easily. I will ask the oak." So the bird said: "Great oak tree, you are so strong, will you not let me live on your boughs till my friends come back in the springtime?"

"In the springtime!" cried the oak. "That is a long way off. How do I know what you might do in all that time? Birds are always looking for something to eat, and you might even eat up some of my acorns."

"It may be that the willow will be kind to me," thought the bird, and it said: "Gentle willow, my wing is broken, and I could not fly to the south with the other birds. May I live on your branches till the springtime?"

The willow did not look gentle then, for she drew herself up proudly and said: "Indeed, I do not know you, and we willows never talk to people whom we do not know. Very likely there are trees somewhere that will take in strange birds. Leave me at once."

The poor little bird did not know what to do. Its wing was not yet strong, but it began to fly away as well as it could. Before it had gone far a voice was heard. "Little bird," it said, "where are you going?"

"Indeed, I do not know," answered the bird sadly. "I am very cold."

"Come right here, then," said the friendly spruce tree, for it was her voice that had called.

"You shall live on my warmest branch all winter if you choose."

"Will you really let me?" asked the little bird eagerly.

"Indeed, I will," answered the kind-hearted spruce tree. "If your friends have flown away, it is time for the trees to help you. Here is the branch where my leaves are thickest and softest."

"My branches are not very thick," said the friendly pine tree, "but I am big and strong, and I can keep the North Wind from you and the spruce."

"I can help, too," said a little juniper tree. "I can give you berries all winter long, and every bird knows that juniper berries are good."

So the spruce gave the lonely little bird a home; the pine kept the cold North Wind away from it; and the juniper gave it berries to eat. The other trees looked on and talked together wisely.

"I would not have strange birds on my boughs," said the birch.

"I shall not give my acorns away for any one," said the oak.

"I never have anything to do with strangers," said the willow, and the three trees drew their leaves closely about them.

In the morning all those shining, green leaves lay on the ground, for a cold North Wind had come in the night, and every leaf that it touched fell from the tree.

"May I touch every leaf in the forest?" asked the wind in its frolic.

"No," said the Frost King. "The trees that have been kind to the little bird with the broken wing may keep their leaves."

This is why the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are always green.

(In)Courage: Inconvenient Gratitude

2009-11-19T20:11:00.002-05:00

I think this is a blog more than worthy of our time. It is uplifting, motivating and thought provoking. And in these times we all need a little of that. (In) Courage is great reading. It is good for the heart and great for our minds. So if you have a few moments go over and check it out, you will not be sorry you did...I wasn't! So this season and throughout the holidays lets all think about what we are truly thankful for and whether we truly are thankful! Here is a small excerpt from the post....

Am I thankful?

Sure I am. As long as it’s convenient.

As long as the gift-giver is within ear’s reach of my thank you. And as long as what I’m thankful for is good, comfortable, pleasant and smells great.

I never thank anyone for rolling over my toe with their cart in the grocery store or thank someone for an unkind word. And I never thank God for struggles.

(In)Courage: Inconvenient Gratitude

Happy Birthday Sweet 16!

2009-11-18T19:55:00.002-05:00

Happy birthday to you…Happy birthday to you…Happy birthday dearest Jessy…happy birthday to you! Oh to be 16 again. So young and to have that just one more time. You are so dear to my heart my darling! I remember the day you were born so beautiful I was in love, again. 16 years later guess what my baby girl? I’m still in love. Every time I see your face, hear your voice I fall in love yet again. Even when I really don’t like what you are saying I still love you with all my heart.

I still love your sweet heart and your beautiful voice and your kind and gentle spirit. The way you just can soothe even me at times when I am upset with something and you say it’s OK mom it’s not the end of the world. I smile and think maybe I have done things right somewhere. There’s your kindness towards others and your very compassionate soul. The way you love the people that are special to you. It is a pleasure to have you as my daughter. I am blessed!

What can I say you are just simply beautiful!

You have danced and sang your way right into our hearts! My sweet baby Jessica, how wonderful you are!

Those eyes they are the most beautiful I have ever seen. Someday those eyes will melt another soul beside just your fathers and mine. At times it is very hard to say no to those eyes, but it has to be done!

You are definitely mommas girl! And you have definitely won me over for life. I will always be your favorite fan! Couldn’t imagine going through this life without you ever. You have made every day such a sweet part of being alive. Today we celebrate you my darling and your wondrous birth! We celebrate the ever so beautiful and precious……Jessica! Happy birthday my darling! Happy sweet 16th birthday! Many, many more to come!

Welcome To Our Family Chino And Chico

2009-11-17T13:57:00.002-05:00

Chino and Chico are Toy Fox Terrier and Chihuahua. Otherwise known as Taco Terriers. Who would have thought! They are a wonderful addition to our family. So full of boundless energy and excitement. The poodles HATE them and stay as far away as possible. Spoiled a little I might say. Just as they should be of course. OK so our children are at that age where no one wants to cuddle, no one even wants to stay around. It’s all about friends, friends and more friends. Mom is adjusting. OK she’s not. Actually Chico was our youngest daughters 16th birthday present. The chocolate and white is Chico, Chico the terror. Chino is very mellow. Cuddler’s they are! Very fragile weighing about 2 lbs each. It’s scary at times stepping on them would mean tragedy for them. They are a handful literally. 10 weeks old and both boys, oh my!

Welcome Chino and Chico to our family. Many years of love you will bring us! Thank Heaven For Little Boys!

In Memory Of Our Veterans, Thank You! Buy A Red Poppie Today!

2009-11-11T11:29:00.004-05:00

Courtesy of the History Channel, for more information on the holiday please just click on the post

Veterans Day History
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

The Great War & Armistice Day
Though the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, November 11 remained in the public imagination as the date that marked the end of the Great War. In November 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The day's observation included parades and public gatherings, as well as a brief pause in business activities at 11 a.m. On November 11, 1921, an unidentified American soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.; the U.S. Congress had declared the day a legal federal holiday in honor of all those who participated in the war. On the same day, unidentified soldiers were laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in London and at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

On June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution that the "recurring anniversary of [November 11, 1918] should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations" and that the president should issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day. By that time, 27 state legislatures had made November 11 a legal holiday. An act approved May 13, 1938 made November 11 a legal Federal holiday, "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" In actuality, there are no U.S. national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own, and the government can only designate holidays for federal employees and for the District of Columbia. In practice, however, states almost always follow the federal lead.

Celebrating Veterans Day around the World
Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November). In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.

In the United States, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day--a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American servicemembers who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans--living or dead--but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

DID YOU KNOW?
Red poppies, a symbol of World War I (from their appearance in the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae) are sold in Canada and the United Kingdom on Remembrance Day to raise money for veterans or worn in the lapel as a tribute.

My father fought in World War II. What these men gave up and what they still give up to this day is just comprehensible. The great little joys we have everyday, the ones they cannot enjoy, the ones we take for granted. Hot coffee in the morning. A soft and comfortable bed at night. Being able to walk outside and say what a beautiful day and not be shot when doing it. What we take for granted!
So here's to all that have served, and to my father, God bless you all! We will always appreciate what you have and what you are doing. Thanks, thanks thanks!!!

Article: Found on the History Channel.

Brilliant! Discovery Of The Century!

2009-11-09T11:52:00.002-05:00

Discovery of the day, the month or just possibly the century. Yeah! I am excited. Probably really far behind but it's OK as long as it is here, I am just that excited. It changes life as we know it at our cottage. I was reading this morning about menu planning, which I have been doing for a really long time. Now we have the easiest way to do it and make it far more exciting for our family. 2 discoveries, Google Calendar and RecipeZaar. Yeah the computer is a genius. First I can find my recipes on RecipeZaar, change quantities if I want, make a shopping list and then copy it to my Google calendar for future reference and also to make our life a lot easier, since I am a full time working momma. I am dancing and jumping up and down. Finally someone else will HELP me with my job! Loving it. It is so easy to use both the calendar and the RecipeZaar site. A link for you to find this great website:http://www.recipezaar.com/
Please take a look below at my calendar, which is in process, but with all the great recipes, where does one start?
Start today saving recipes share them with family and friends. Make life just a little more simple for you and yours.

An Autumn Walk

2009-11-07T14:32:00.001-05:00

AN AUTUMN WALK.

Could this little old road be luring me now
Deep into autumn's fold;
Through the glorious light of the noonday sun
That illumines the trees of gold?

Through the vista that wanders and curves its way
Along the dreaming hill;
Through a radiant wood of leaves and boughs
That ring with the warblers' trill?

Could this little old road be enticing me now
Through the Indian summer heat,
Where the meadows are sprawling with flowers and grass,
And the orchard is mellow-sweet?

Where the faraway hill stirs and glistens anew
In the beautiful autumn glow?
Could this little old road be beckoning now--
My heart is eager and I must go!

~~By Joy Belle Burgess.~~

Tuesday Laughs-Late Show - Farewell to "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches

2009-11-03T07:45:00.003-05:00

Gosh do I really miss this guy. That was very sarcastic unfortunately! He certainly was great for something.....great speeches and shoe dodger. I apologize to everyone that may have been a fan of President Bush, I was not! I certainly am glad I no longer have to hear this man give a state of the union address. You just never knew what was coming. Well here are a few (LOL) there were many that stuck out!

Lacy Leaves

2009-11-02T20:58:00.001-05:00

Here is a very beautiful and inspiring piece of art that you may enjoy creating with your family this fall. Family time is so very important to us all. It is getting close and keeping warm and treasuring your time together. Here is a way to not only take time to collect the PERFECT fall leaves but then preserve them for the years to come. Screen who would have thought? The creative minds of BHG are always working. So many ways to be creative with this one. Hope you enjoy making these with your loved ones! Heres the link now go and make some with your family!

Lacy Leaves

It’s Going To Be A Long Winter

2009-10-28T21:12:00.002-04:00

Since I have a little OCD going on sometimes it is hard for me to get up and get moving on a project. Problem being it has to be well…just so, to say it mildly. Color has to be right, the shapes have to be right, the positioning of things have to be right, the angle of furniture has to be right and so on and so forth and so on. And boy does it ever go on. I looked for a solid year for the perfect couch, what an experience that was. Mr Cottage Dreams is absolutely ecstatic that it is here. Now he’s not allowed to sit on it, that’s another story. The couch is white and his job requires he get all black and dirty. OK ladies enough said! No sitting on the couch dear! Our new couch is almost exact to the above picture except it has a skirt. I love it he hates it! It’s a woman’s world sorry guys! Anyways back to the picture I of course LOVE the couch but even more I really get a lot of inspiration from the picture on the wall….thinking maybe the old windows taking up room in our garage!

I am currently working on a project right now very close to the one above. My container is a heart shape and causing me some distress. It will be fine I just need to remember to breathe when it falls left or right continuously. I’m still searching for the right picture holder thingy. I did a fall arrangement. Guess you could do all seasons or holidays with a little changing of the foliage. It’s going to be a long winter!

Several of these in a bathroom would make beautiful towel racks. I love it.

I really hope I’m not stepping on any toes but if I have your picture here that means I just adore it! And thanks so much for the inspiration that comes from your beautiful photos. Just leave me a comment and I will be happy to link back to your blog! This is a magnetic photo board made from 2 sheets of sheet metal. I was reading that it can be found at your local Home Depot…awesome! This is a great idea and I do really love it! Hope your week is going well and hope all your cottage dreams are coming true!

Just Dreaming

2009-10-24T20:27:00.002-04:00

I have so dreamed of including this beautiful piece of furniture in my back entrance to my home. If it takes me a year it will be there, I just love it! I may decorate just a little different using baskets, but pretty much I would like to build one very similar! Ah!

Inspiration! Many ideas in this photo! Love that slip covered chair. I really love that table as well. Beautiful. Peaceful.

I think I included this photo in another post. Well here it is again….what does this tell you? I love, love, love it! Cozy and comfy.

I’m working on it. I can do it. Oh my! Love those pictures and that beautiful shelf. Colors are perfect together. Soothing.

Actually we just finished painting a beautiful cedar blanket chest with this beautiful color. It really just pops in the room. Makes a statement as soon as you walk into the room.

Just want to sit right down and stay for a while…How about you?

It’s back…Ah! Phooey! It’s following me…eek!

The sofa and pillows are simply it!

The inset is just lovely and oh so cozy!

Lesson to me…more shelves. Apparently I am shelf poor. I redid my pantry several weeks ago and hey…something is missing. Looks almost like mine except, I have 400 more cooking pans and bowls and appliances, Hey we love to cook. Maybe I should just ring up Mr.Cottage Dreams and say honey, more shelves please. I’m his favorite you know!

OK so we are going nautical in our all season porch. I was just wondering where do I purchase this lovely little creature or make that creatures. I will take the rug and the sconces and the flag picture. Cha ching!

I give up!

Lovely little pillows…I can do that to. Dear lord can I have another 50 years please?

Have the bench…don’t have the time…will make it!

I just adore making our house a home. I just love it when someone comes to our home and say’s you should be in a magazine. Your house is beautiful. Praise the lord for the knowledge and strength. I am so very blessed. Hope you found some ideas. There are so many you just have to find the things you love the most. Mix some old and some new. That’s cottage decorating. Have a great week and God bless!

The Sweetness Of Friendship

2009-10-19T07:12:00.006-04:00

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931)

Where Has Alll The Time Gone?

2009-10-15T02:10:00.002-04:00

Where has all the time gone. Last I remember you 2 were little baby girls. Pink blankets and bows. Brushing your hair and reading you stories. Look at you both. It doesn't even surprise me that you would ever become so close. The bonds of family are strong. The bond of sisters is for always. When we have long gone from this earth you will always have each other.
Barbara Alpert says it well: She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. ~Barbara Alpert

To Motivate And Inspire You

2009-10-12T05:48:00.003-04:00

“Time is a created thing.
To say ‘I don’t have time’ is to say ‘I don’t want to’.”
Lao Tzu

Have A Wonderful Sunday...God Bless!

2009-10-11T07:00:00.002-04:00

Very inspiring and beautiful video. Thanks for visiting and God bless you and your family.

To Motivate And Inspire You

2009-10-05T05:48:00.017-04:00

“I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate.”
George Burns

To Cute Not To Share!

2009-09-29T00:28:00.005-04:00

Don't miss the leg action.

Baby Dances To Beyonce @ Yahoo! Video

A Few Of Katie's Cottage Dreams

2009-09-28T11:21:00.000-04:00

Here are just a few beautiful and inspiring photos and maybe a project for you to start in the near future. Hope you find something that you can't live without or that you may be able to do from a found object thats just laying around and collecting dust. Happy Monday ladies!

Organization. I could only wish that my pantry was this large. That will come when I buy my old barn and renovate it. Around 2050. Hey it's a dream.

Here is a mud room/ entrance to die for. I just love the white. I am in love with white. One of my changes in color theory as I got older. I am a little weirder about organization as well. It's an even worse obsession. Ask my sis! Last night I was organizing the spices. Worked out well though. I would just love to have this on a smaller version in my back porch. I'm looking for al the right things. Free or cheap of course.

I actually have a little alcove type bed my hubby built in the spare bedroom. This idea is simply perfect. I just want to crawl into this bed and never leave. So cozy and inviting. Love, love, love it!

Beautiful cottage bench made from an old head and foot board from a bed. If you remember I posted a tutorial for one not to long ago. Would help a lot if you were considering trying one yourself. This bench just says cottage.

This my friends is not only the color I want for the entrance but the layout as well. This is my favorite of all. I had so many photos I was dying to display and just could not figure what was the most beautiful way to do it then poof here it was. I even have the bench which is very similar but has a higher back. Just got to love this. So inspiring. Love the baby as well.

Of course you recognize Martha's Vineyard. This most likely is a picture of a spot in her home, which is stunning. I wonder if Martha made the chair? Not sure but since I am now in love with the color blue again and the bead board. I cannot forget puffy sofas and wingback chairs.....ahhhh! I would be so at home in this little areas. My new front porch has a very similar look. Due to be finished spring of 2010 or possibly before. Depends on me and how fast I move and how fast my hubby saws. Can't wait.

Well have a glorious Monday! Stop back and see some more inspiring photos or just look aroung a little never know what you will find.

The Reveal....Back In Black

2009-09-23T12:08:00.001-04:00

This project just about killed me. I really thought, how long can this project take? Behold, 1-1/2 weeks was the answer. Not my original thought of ...oh I can whip this one out in...4 hours, no problem. Huh!!!Well as usual there are always problems. You start out and well, this needs to go and that needs to be different..etc...etc. But then in the end I found this object that I can't stop looking at. It was beautiful before when the room was a different room. Now it is beautiful in this room.This is originally 2 pieces, who would have known. They were paired together and came out as one really pretty china cabinet. You just never know! I love, love, love this project and the outcome.

Even changed out my china. All blue. I love it!

Procrastination

2009-09-15T22:14:00.002-04:00

This project is really scaring me. I have been looking at it for days now. Everyday I say to myself today is the day. But being a full time nurse and mom is really exhausting. I have 300 painting projects I would just love to do. My average is now down to 1 project every 3 weeks. That really, really stinks. At this rate I will be 85 when I paint this china cabinet. I have to make a pack with me. OK here I go. I will paint at least 1/2 in the morning, no blogging. OK...it's a deal. Starting to feel a little multiple personalityish. I'm pretty sure that one will not pass the spell checker. I really have to overhaul this cabinet. I would like to rid it of it's clutter and rearrange it in a more pleasing pattern. Wish me luck!

Here Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

2009-09-15T15:21:00.000-04:00

Some inherited, some picked up along our travels at antique shops and my favorite flea markets and garage sales. Love finding those treasures. It's all in the hunt! Found my tea set it's called:"GOLLYWAGS CHILD'S TEA SET BY ROYAL RUDOLSTADT c.1914." I think it is one of my most prized possessions. I just adore the pattern on it. If you would like to see a few pictures of it here is a link: http://www.reillyandjenks.com/childrens/gollywagteaset.html It is a family heirloom, to be passed to my daughter some day.Funny how you become attached to things. China is a favorite thing of mine. I love roses and of course anything that has beautiful roses on it is mine. My husband says I have to. Well not really but as soon as he reads this he will. Have a great Tuesday!

Men Are Just Happier People

2009-09-15T13:30:00.001-04:00

NICKNAMES
If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.
If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla and Four-eyes.

EATING OUT
When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

MONEY
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
*A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.

BATHROOMS
A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel .
The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.

ARGUMENTS
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

FUTURE
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

SUCCESS
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

MARRIAGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.

DRESSING UP
A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
A man will dress up for weddings and funerals. [and sometimes then only under duress]

NATURAL
Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

OFFSPRING
Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

Sad, Sad Sunday

2009-09-14T01:35:00.012-04:00

Today is a very sad day in the Riley house. Our poor kitty had to be put down. He was 13 years old and graying just as we are. He saw his share of ups and downs but today was the end of all that. How very sad for our home to be missing one of our best friends. How lonesome to come home and not ever be able to have him meet me and greet me as I arrive. He did not meet a nice end but a terrible accident. We will forever miss our sneakers and forever remember his companionship for all these years. We will never forget you our sweet, sweet friend!

This Is What Beautiful Looks Like

2009-09-11T02:44:00.006-04:00

These 2 have captured their mothers heart for all time.This was the girls final trip together before school started. Off to New York without mom. Just us girls, I was told. Maybe mom can go next time.They had a great time and came back laughing and smiling and closer than ever. That's what family is!

Let Us Never Forget!

2009-09-11T01:33:00.003-04:00

On the anniversary of one of the most tragic days in history, let us not forget to bow our heads, just as we did that very day. For the families and the loved ones and for our men and woman that defend this country against terrorism daily, let us never forget! God bless all!

Real-Life Makeover: Southern-Style Kitchen

2009-09-10T11:54:00.003-04:00

Real-Life Makeover: Southern-Style Kitchen

Shared via AddThis

I'm now convinced that i need to add more shelving to my kitchen pantry. I check my BHG emails just about everyday looking for great ideas. This pantry is very similar to the one I have in my kitchen. Maybe it needs more tweaking. Another project! I also found some great stacking shelves on the Minwax site. Looks like another busy winter ahead.

Mat's Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

2009-09-10T09:48:00.003-04:00

These are simply wonderful. They take a bit but so worth it. Bread machine does the work. Love my bread machine. It works hard and I dont have to...yes! Now that I am posting this you know it will be requested. Here is the recipe:
Harvest Cinnamon Rolls
1 cup milk (heated approximately 1 minute in microwave)
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F.)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature and beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
5 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten (optional)*
3 teaspoons instant active dry yeast
Cinnamon Filling (see recipe below)
Butter Frosting (see recipe below)
* The Vital Wheat Gluten helps the sweet bread dough rise better, be more elastic, and easier to roll out. I have these cinnamon rolls both with and without this ingredient with excellent results.
Bread Machine Recipe: Add all the ingredients, except the Cinnamon Filling and the Butter Frosting, in the bread pan of bread machine. Process according to manufacturer's instructions for a dough setting. When the bread machine has completed the dough cycle, remove dough from pan and turn out onto a lightly oiled surface. (I use a nonstick cooking spray). Form dough into an oval, cover with a plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
NOTE: Check the dough (don't be afraid to open the lid). It should form a nice elastic ball. If you think the dough is too moist, add additional flour (a tablespoon at a time). The same is true if the dough is looking dry and gnarly. Add warm water (a tablespoon at a time). If you can't judge your dough by looking, stick your finger in and feel the dough. It should be slightly tacky to the touch.
Standup Mixer Recipe: In a large bowl or in the bowl of a 5 quart stand mixer, combine all the ingredients in the order given except the Cinnamon Filling and the Butter Frosting. Using a dough hook, mix everything together until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled surface (I use a nonstick cooking spray), and knead until elastic, approximately 10 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
Food Processor Method: Put dry mixture in processing bowl with steel blade. While motor is running, add liquid ingredients, butter, and egg. Process until mixed. Continue processing, adding remaining flour until dough forms a soft ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled surface (I use a nonstick cooking spray), and knead until elastic, approximately 10 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
Butter a 9x13x2-inch baking pan; set aside.
After dough has rested, roll and stretch the dough into approximately a 15x24-inch rectangle.

Brush the softened butter over the top of the dough with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle Cinnamon Filling over the butter on the prepared dough.

Starting with long edge, roll up dough; pinch seams to seal. NOTE: Rolling the log too tightly will result in cinnamon rolls whose centers pop up above the rest of them as they bake.

With a knife, lightly mark roll into 1 1/2-inch section. Use a sharp knife (I like to use a serrated knife and saw very gently) or slide a 12-inch piece of dental floss or heavy thread underneath. By bringing the ends of the floss up and criss-crossing them at the top of each mark, you can cut through the roll by pulling the strings in opposite directions. Place cut side up in prepared pan, flattening them only slightly. The unbaked cinnamon rolls should not touch each other before rising and baking. Do not pack the unbaked cinnamon rolls together.

TWO OPTIONS:
Refrigerating or Freezing Unbaked Cinnamon Rolls:
At this point, the cinnamon rolls can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight (I've actually made them two days in advance) or frozen for 1 month. Before baking, allow rolls to thaw completely and rise in a warm place if frozen. I have found that I have to take the unbaked frozen cinnamon rolls out of the freezer 10 to 12 hours before planning to bake. I just put the frozen cinnamon rolls (container and rolls) on my counter (not in the refrigerator) overnight for 10 to 12 hours.
If refrigerated, they can be either baked upon removing from the refrigerator or let come to a room temperature (I've done both ways). They do a slow rise overnight and it is not necessary to let them come to room temperature before baking. NOTE: If you rolls are not rising enough after being refrigerated, your yeast may need to be tested. To overcome this, let them rise, while sitting on the counter, until you achieve the desired rising before baking.
Bake Immediately After Making:
Cover and let rise in a warm place for approximately 45 to 60 minutes or until doubled in size (after rising, rolls should be touching each other and the sides of the pan).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. for regular oven or 325 degrees F. for a convection oven.
Bake in a convection oven approximately 15 to 20 minutes until they are a light golden brown.
Baked in a regular oven approximately 20 to 25 minutes in a regular oven until they are a light golden brown.
Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Spread Butter Frosting over the cinnamon rolls while still warm. Best served warm, but room temperature is also great!
Yields 15 cinnamon rolls.
CINNAMON FILLING:
1/2 cup butter, melted or softened
1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
4 to 5 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 to 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Soften the butter; set aside. In a bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon; stir in chopped nuts (optional). NOTE: I like to sift the brown sugar and cinnamon together to remove any lumps.
BUTTER FROSTING:
2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon lemon extract or oil (optional)
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon extract or oil until well mixed and creamy. Refrigerate frosting until ready to use and then bring to room temperature before spreading.

Now these are cinnamon rolls....put the coffee on Sara Lee!

Just Have To Brag A Little...Our First Eagle Scout

2009-09-10T09:23:00.002-04:00

Yes I do have my hands in everything. We have a great Boy Scout Troop. Our family has been involved in scouting for about 8 years now, Wow I can't believe it has been that long. Enjoyed every second of it. Our 13 year old Mat has been in scouting since age 6. We are so very proud of all of our guys. They work so very hard. I do many different forms of art, that is my first love. Photography and manipulation of photos amazes me. When I was asked to do an Eagle photo of our young man I was honored. He was very excited and so was I at the results. In the picture it appears that he is holding on to the Eagle, and we all know that he really is! Love this picture!

Trash To Treasure...$2.00 Night Stands

2009-09-10T09:00:00.001-04:00

Here's a project I completed a little earlier this year. Paid $2.00 for each, love the price. $4.00 for 2 side tables for my bedroom. They are simply beautiful now. Constructed well! I used a stain and Poly mix from MinWax, love that product. Covers the worst messes ever. Of course I had to sand just a little. Nothing major. And here they. Of course Months later and I still have not managed to fill them. I will work on that. Organization project I guess. Please check out the Minwax site for some really great projects. Here's a link if you would like to check them out yourself: http://www.minwax.com/projects/storage/ They have downloadable project sheets which are really great.

What A Little Paint Can Do!

2009-09-08T13:53:00.002-04:00

This is my kitchen island project. It was outdated and I hated the scratches and color.

It seemed as if it would never cover. Not to mention the humidity was awful.

After much perseverance. I won!

And I love it! So glad I decided to do the black. It is just great!

What a little paint can do!

Cork Boards Are Up….That’s One For Me!

2009-09-08T12:44:00.003-04:00

These were really easy and create a great place for me to post our weekly menu and shopping list. Of course there has to be schedules and eek…Bills! I said it. How I ~~hate,~~love those things. This cabinet always scares me I organize it then organize again. This all means I’m not happy with it. I’ll work on that one I guess. I have managed to make my entire house a shambles. I have each and every room tore apart. Like a squirrel preparing for winter I guess. It will all come together. As I mentioned before we are in the process of remodeling our front porch. Soon to be enclosed front porch. What a project! My hubby doesn’t know it…Shhh! I want to redo our kitchen. I being the key word there. Painting, down with the wallpaper. Something fresh and new. Well back to my hundred other projects I have started.

Pretty Pillows

2009-09-08T12:06:00.003-04:00

Pillows are my absolute favorite. They make the home cozy and just beautiful. They create personalization. I love to create them. The pillow with the “R” was created out of recycled fabrics. Sheets. It is so great when you can take something you may be ready to toss and create a beautiful project. This is actually a project I created in 2008. It is still displayed in my home and an absolute favorite. My plan is to start creating lots more as soon as I gut my studio/ office...again. I'm just not happy with it. it's not comfortable for me. This project is starting A.S.A.P. I hate disorganization and clutter. As if you haven't caught this one already. Working full time as a nurse makes all projects difficult to accomplish but I push on. Fall is upon us already and I better get busy.

Summer Is Wrapping Up…Can That Be

2009-09-08T10:56:00.002-04:00

I really am having a hard time with all this. Where has summer gone? Is it really true that the older you get the faster the seasons fly by? I know for sure summer has come and gone way to fast. Summer is wrapping up! Fall is really a beautiful season though. The colors that come out can only be created by nature. Trees are changing and the orange colors that are created by the trees are breath taking. I am thankful for everyday. I would like to share some pictures of fall in Pennsylvania with you. Enjoy!

Have A Wonderful Labor Day

2009-09-07T00:26:00.002-04:00

View Full Album

I have been so exhausted lately. The one and only thing I really wanted to do today was fish. It started out really bad an hour or so and nothing! Its the relaxing part I was really into so it wasn’t mattering none to me. Feet up on the seat drifting and drifting and yes I was feeling like sleeping when my husband said lets move to another spot…thank God! So we did. Ending all the way to the other side of the lake in the most perfect of all fishing spots ever. I won by the way. Biggest and feistiest please do note I DO NOT REMOVE THE LITTLE BUGGERS EVER! I’m just not that kind of girl. Especially when they are that big…dig, dig, honey! Wonderful day on the lake! Please view are photo album just click on the pictures above. And do note the large fish (large mouth bass) That baby's mine all mine!

Beautiful Photography

2009-09-06T23:43:00.002-04:00

Just some really beautiful pictures I would like to share. I find such amazing pictures on the internet, I just love these. I really wish I could take credit for them but i cannot. There was no artist mentioned really. Have a great holiday weekend!

Home Safe From New York

2009-09-06T09:36:00.002-04:00

My two sweet girls are back from New York and safe. I always worry too much. 4AM Saturday they arrived. Had a great time and I am thrilled to have them home. Always miss them so. Soon one will be off again to Miami. How much can one mother take? So I am a very happy mom this Sunday morning. I think we will make some favorites today. Chocolate chips and pancakes. In observance of the diet of our model. She has to cheat now and again. So it’s now! Maybe some fishing and boating this afternoon. Hopefully can squeeze a project in.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight

2009-09-04T12:00:00.002-04:00

SERVINGS: 15

CATEGORY: Dessert

METHOD: Baked

TIME: Prep: 35 min. + chilling

Ingredients:
1 tube (16-1/2 ounces) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
3 cups cold milk
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
Chopped nuts and chocolate curls, optional
Directions:
Let cookie dough stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
    In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in 1-3/4 cups whipped topping. Spread over crust.
    In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes; let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Spread over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate curls if desired.
    Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight until firm. Yield: 15 servings.

Source: Taste Of Home

Weekend Project…Organize

2009-09-04T11:55:00.002-04:00

Love this idea for organization. It’s cheap, my favorite thing. Free is the other. Love free!!!You can buy these at Lowes or your local hardware stores. They come with self stick adhesive pads on the back. Which makes it even quicker and easier. I just adore 15 minute projects with a beautiful functional outcome. I will post a few pics when I get mine done. Have a great Friday! Smile it’s the weekend and I have 2 days just for my family…yeah!

School Time…Already

2009-09-04T11:24:00.002-04:00

He just excels at all that he attempts. I am always so very proud of each of my children. They astonish me always. This was track. I hate being negative in my own thoughts at times but what I was thinking (not saying) was, oh no, I hope this isn’t like the Heely’s. That’s another story. Or like skateboarding or professional BMX biking, oh my! But it wasn’t, it was like state champ in pole vaulting stuff! Go figure. Yes my baby boy holds the state record for pole vaulting. He was tremendous this day, as always to mom. This is what working mothers miss. Yes I missed this…boo! I did cry over that one. It happens so fast they grow and do things without you and life passes. The pride will always remain no matter what!

This is September 2009. What will he do this year? He of course had to have a hair cut (thank God) I mean better for him with the helmet! It’s not so hot for him. He was in a phase…long, long hair.

Weekend Project…The Kitchen Pantry

2009-09-03T13:24:00.002-04:00

This is a mess. I hate it and it makes me nervous. They say in my family that I am OCD with cleanliness. I disagree.

I am absolutely overwhelmed when I see this. OCD. Of course so is the rest of the family they just don’t say it like I do or as well! I hate this pantry.

Well last weekend its time was up. It was getting an overhaul if it killed me. It did. But apparently I’m alive enough to type. And I am so very happy with the way it turned out. That’s how it goes in this old house one room and one day at a time. I picked a beautiful very pale yellow for my walls, light and bright. Cheery I love cheery. I hate drab colors and I’m not partial to bright crayon colors either. I’m a country old fashioned girl.

The door is a work in progress. I can’t decide. Paint it or varnish and stain ? Have to think about that one.

From mass destruction, which the entire family was mad at me for to total organization and peace. That was the goal here organization and pretty. I had more comments during this phase then any. How do I find my….Where the heck is the….Mom what are you doing with this….I and my OCD self had to worry. Have I infected the entire household? I think.

This made everything worth it. Everything has it’s place. I can easily find exactly what I need. No more guessing. But my temporary labels have to go. Sorry masking tape you do not cut it for me. I throw out so much garbage. Now the garbage man will hate me, and that’s OK!

Even my baking pans have an area no more piles…yes! I’m working on this.

Complete and I am thrilled. This old house is coming along rather nicely. And the work never stops. But I love it and my family does as well. Mission accomplished.

Don't Forget To Fly Your American Flags September 11th

2009-09-03T10:35:00.004-04:00

8th anniversary of the tragic attack on our country. Let us never forget to remember this tragic day and what it stood for. Do not forget to fly your american flag. There is a big push for all americans to fly the american flag this year. Be one of the ones that do. God bless each and every one of the families that have lost a loved one on this day. May God be with our soldiers who still fight for our freedom and for justice to be done. May God be with you and protect you from harm.

My Babies In Miami

2009-09-01T02:12:00.001-04:00

I am so proud of my baby girl. What a place to stay. I think I could probably be forced to spend a few nights here myself…maybe. Mercedes better be treating my girl good, she sure deserves it. She has worked so hard to get this. She’ll be home soon and I can’t wait to here all the stories. Missing you very much Jay Bug.

It's Apple Butter Time

2009-09-01T01:00:00.008-04:00

It's that time again when I get to make my favorite thing of all, apple butter. If your not sure how go on over to Southern Plate for a great tutorial on canning. Christy at Southern Plate has some really great recipes as well.
http://www.southernplate.com/2008/09/yes-you-can-can-canning-tutorial-with.html or just click on the title of this post.

I don't mind canning at all. I really had a great time the first time I canned and have continued to through the years. It is healthy for all. Nothing compares to the freshness that comes when you do it yourself. I use to be really energetic and make my own baby food. All fresh and wonderful. That was a lot of years ago. Now I just do jams and jellies and of course Apple Butter.
Now that I have my pantry all beautifully organized it's time to can.

Fresh Corn and Chicken Chowder

2009-08-31T11:38:00.004-04:00

Ingredients

12 oz. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves or chicken thighs
4 fresh ears of sweet corn
1 32-oz. container reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 small green sweet pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 cup milk
1-1/4 cups instant mashed potato flakes
Salt and ground black pepper
Crushed red pepper (optional)
Directions

1. In Dutch oven combine chicken, corn and broth. Cover; bring to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat. Simmer 12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken and corn to cutting board.

2. Add half the sweet pepper to broth in Dutch oven. Stir in milk and potato flakes. Shred chicken using two forks. Return chicken to Dutch oven. Using a kitchen towel to hold hot corn, cut kernels from cobs. Place corn in Dutch oven; heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle each serving with remaining sweet pepper and crushed red pepper. Makes 4 servings.

Source: Better Homes And Gardens

Thoughts On Life

2009-08-31T10:43:00.006-04:00

WORRY
Is there a magic cutoff period when offspring become accountable for their own actions? Is there a wonderful moment when parents can become detached spectators in the lives of their children and shrug, 'It's their life,' and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor waiting for doctors to put a few stitches in my daughter's head. I asked, 'When do you stop worrying?' The nurse said, 'When they get out of the accident stage.' My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, and was headed for a career making license plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher said, 'Don't worry, they all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them.' My dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come home, the front door to open. A friend said, 'They're trying to find themselves. Don't worry, in a few years, you can stop worrying. They'll be adults.' My dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable. I was still worrying over my children, but there was a new wrinkle. There was nothing I could do about it. My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.
I continued to anguish over their failures, be tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in their disappointments.

My friends said that when my kids got married I

could stop worrying and lead my own life. I wanted to believe that, but I was haunted by my Dad's warm smile and his occasional, 'You look pale. Are you alright? Call me the minute you get home. Are you depressed about something?'

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry? Is concern for one another handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of human frailties and the fears of the unknown? Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of life?

One of my children became quite irritable recently, saying to me, 'Where were you? I've been

calling for 3 days, and no one answered I was worried.' I smiled a warm smile.

The torch has been passed.
Author Unknown

Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou

2009-08-29T02:32:00.001-04:00

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Maya is one of the most brilliant poets ever. She is definitely one of my top favorites. This really makes you realize that as women we are phenomenal and that each of us has so very much that we add to this life merely by our presence. As i have grown older I no longer appear as I did 20 years ago and that's OK with me. Every day and every experience, every line on my face, every tear I have shed or great laugh that I have engaged in has made this sweet life just that much more sweeter. Every day is a gift, every family member, every friend, every contact I have made with all the people that have come and passed have made me who I am, stronger and better than the moment before. Always remember, you are a phenomenal woman!

Best Chocolate Chips Ever!

2009-08-29T02:01:00.002-04:00

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

adapted from America's Test Kitchen

Ingredients:
2 cups plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
12 Tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted & cooled until warm
1 c brown sugar, packed
1/2 c granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
-Adjust oven racks to upper & lower -middle positions & heat oven to 325. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
-Whisk dry ingredients together; set aside.
-With electric mixer, or by hand, mix butter & sugars until thoroughly combined.
-Beat in egg, yolk and vanilla until combined.
-Add dry ingredients & beat at low speed just until combined. Stir in chips.
-Roll scant 1/2 cup dough into ball. Holding dough ball in fingertips of both hands, pull into 2 equal halves. Rotate halves 90 degrees and, with jagged surfaces facing up, place formed dough onto cookie sheet, leaving ample room between each ball.
-Bake, reversing position of cookie sheets halfway through baking, until cookies are light golden brown and outer edges start to harden yet centers are still soft & puffy (about 17 minutes in my oven).
-Cool cookies on sheets until able to lift without breaking and place on wire rack to cool.
Makes about 24 give or take how much batter you eat before they get in the oven!

Source: Good Things Catered

2009-08-27T20:07:00.005-04:00

This is kinda the mindset in our home right now. Really cute I laughed very hard right in the middle of watching my paint dry. Kinda like watching water boil. I keep checking and no it's not dry.So here I sit.Today is my day off and what am I doing playing catch up on my blog and an extensive redo on my kitchen pantry. Well it has become much greater than extensive more like overwhelming. Leave it to mother. Yikes I really have our whole organized home in total disarray. It will be worth it. I keep telling them, have faith little people. We shall overcome. They really, really don't believe me. It will be OK. So in the meantime enjoy some music and take a look around. And come back maybe even leave a comment, we love it.

2009-08-27T12:03:00.006-04:00

Here are a few of those things that make you go...yes, I love that so. My window seat slash blogging spot. And my most favorite of all my child's tea set. Nothing like relaxing with your feet up and a great cup of coffee just enjoying life. My poodles absolutely love, love ,love this spot as well. It's always warm and that's great. Thanks for stopping by have a great relaxing day at your home.

My Little Mercedes Girl...I Always Knew

2009-08-27T11:12:00.004-04:00

I call home last night after receiving a message that said, I really have to tell you something mom, from my youngest. Call home on your break as soon as possible. I'm a nurse now come on. I don't have breaks I have quick sits. Not to be mistaken with a real break where you sit and put your feet up and go aw, that feels so good. Our buts hit the chair and there someone stands before you, so and so needs pain medication, such and such wants to talk to you, and on and on. NO BREAK, its over. So back to my story, I finally call home and no one answers. Oh my. Then the news. My baby girl is now a model for Mercedes Benz. YES, did I say...YES. She has a year contract and I am just glowing with pride. The car is awesome. Have you ever said to your kid....hey honey can I borrow the Benz. Heated seats, neck warmers, leather and just as gorgeous as her. She is truly where she belongs. Best of luck to my baby girl. Just remember, momma always knew you were the most gorgeous girl ever. I guess my secrets out. I am so happy and just so proud. Show off that smile it's beautiful. But throw on some clothes per your father.

Roosters And More Roosters....Oh My!

2009-08-27T10:46:00.009-04:00

I started a few years back saying, you know what, I really kinda like those roosters. My husband and I were at a little country shop and a few just caught my eye. KINDA! I really did. Now I have become over run with the little fellows. They are here, there and everywhere.

My best friend in the whole world got wind of this and oh dear there were more and more and more. Last year at Christmas I finally said to everybody, lets just kill the rooster remark in its tracks.....now. I love the little fellows but there running all over my kitchen. They have even filtered into the other rooms in the house, dining room, mudroom and storage. I just can't house them all the coops to small for hundreds of roosters. My kids especially get a kick out of the sign above my sink. Dirty minds that they have at this age. So that's enough with the obsession...IT IS OVER my dear family and friends. I love you all for your donations. Here are a few of my little critters I do love them all but not enough to get them as PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS! So here are a few of my favorite things...my roosters.

Have You Ever....

2009-08-26T11:10:00.007-04:00

Cut and paste then highlight those you have done. I have a list of my own. Everyone should have one. On Home Again Vintage Treasures, she refers to it as the Bucket List, loved the movie and I would say that's kind of what this is. Leave a comment. I put mine in red (my favorite color) Have a great day and God bless.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (This was one of my favorite things ever)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Guide Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (NEVER WILL EITHER)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem*
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Paul McCartney In New York City)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Please Outlaw Texting While Driving

2009-08-26T10:58:00.001-04:00

Text Messaging While Driving...Stop It Now.

2009-08-26T10:55:00.002-04:00

Push for those bills, push hard so we can stop this.

A Mothers Greatest Nightmare

2009-08-26T10:07:00.006-04:00

This is the most powerful, saddening clip I have seen. This happens everyday all across the world. None of us are safe as you will see. Cell phones and texting while driving, we know its horrifying, what do we do. Contact your state reps, congress if you have to. They are currently in the process as we speak of making a law to stop it. We really need to push this one. Will it stop them, for the sake of everyone on the road, we would hope.

Show this to every teen and adult you know. Pass it around and then pass it back. Hopefully it will stick in their heads. For the sake of all please contact your state rep and say, what can I do. If there has not already been a law put in action push for one. This needs to stop and it needs to stop right now for all our sakes. The senseless deaths are astounding. It takes a lot to make me cry, this made me come to tears instantly. I have 5 children. They can say they don't do it but I know better. I can't even imagine the call from this. To see your child like this. I personally would never survive this heartbreak. Please view this with everyone you know again and again until they get the point, it's an important one and it may mean your child's life.

In Pennsylvania and these areas, Michele Brooks, State Representative for the 17th District. 17th District comprises part of Mercer County, consisting of the townships of Coolspring, Deer Creek, East Lackawannock, Fairview, French Creek, Greene, Hempfield, Jackson, Jefferson, Lake, Mill Creek, New Vernon, Otter Creek, Perry, Salem, Sandy Creek, Sandy Lake, Sugar Grove, West Salem, Wilmington and Worth, as well as the boroughs of Fredonia, Greenville, Jackson Center, Jamestown, New Lebanon, Sandy Lake, Sheakleyville and Stoneboro. The district also includes part of Crawford County, consisting of the townships of East Fallowfield, Fairfield, Greenwood, North Shenango, South Shenango, Vernon, West Fallowfield and West Shenango and the borough of Cochranton. In addition, the 17th District also includes part of Lawrence County, consisting of the townships of Washington and Wilmington and the boroughs of New Wilmington and Volant. Please mother to mother, stop this.

Happy 28th Birthday Baby Boy

2009-08-20T09:37:00.000-04:00

Let Yourself Feel

2009-08-18T23:09:00.002-04:00

let yourself feel. from Esteban Diácono on Vimeo.

Beautiful Clip!

Georgia Pecan Brownies

2009-08-18T20:11:00.005-04:00

Not that I was thinking chocolate today or anything, but here is something that just may get you saying, darn that looks so good! I just have to make that! So hey...go and do it! Everybody will love you for it and when its done, bring me over some because I'm really hungry now to.

Georgia Pecan Brownies

Adapted-Virginia Willis; BON APETIT, Y’ALL

1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups dutch cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons homemade baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon homemade vanilla extract
12 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup toasted pecan pieces
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish or pan with butter
In a saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter over medium heat; add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Keep mixture warm.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
Add the butter mixture and stir to combine.
Add the eggs, vanilla extract, chocolate and the nuts.
Stir until the chocolate is almost all melted and the ingredients are combined. (This is a thick batter)
Spoon the batter into a prepared pan and spread the top to even the mixture in the pan.
Bake until set, 25 to 35 minutes.
Remove to a rack to cool.
Cut into pieces and serve.
Store into an airtight container for up to 3 days. Frankly, they won’t last 3 days!

TRIP TO COSTCO

2009-08-17T12:18:00.008-04:00

Yesterday I was at my local COSTCO buying a large bag of Purina dog
chow for my loyal pet, Biscuit, the Wonder Dog and was in the checkout
line when woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

What did she think I had an elephant? So since I'm retired and have
little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I
was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't,
because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50
pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming
out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.

I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way
that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and
simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is
nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it
again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was
now enthralled with my story.)

Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog
food poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff an
Irish Setter's ass and a car hit us both.

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was
laughing so hard.

Costco won't let me shop there anymore..

Better watch what you ask retired people. They have all the time in
the world to think of crazy things to say. Forward this (especially)
to all your retired friends......it will be their Laugh for the day

(Now I just had to share this I found it this morning in an email from a friend.)
I don't think that she realizes how hard of a laugh this caused! I will be sure and tell her! We met over some free pears how crazy is that. Just shows friends are made at the most unexpected times! Mary you are so great!

Thoughts On Life...

2009-08-16T12:35:00.005-04:00

Thoughts On Life
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried,
for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.

Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.

Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

Find the one that makes your heart smile.

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with,
never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back!
Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

Who's That Girl???

2009-08-16T01:41:00.006-04:00

Where is this girl? My how time flies when you are having fun! Everyday goes by faster and faster as you begin to get older. This picture seems as if it was forever and a day. I can remember posing for this the kids running around me. What a beautiful day this was and what a beautiful and happy life this has been! Everyday is a blessing and everyday I am thankful for. Hope you are all having a great summer!

Rosie Thomas

2009-08-16T00:30:00.004-04:00

Listen to Rosie Thomas and see what you think. She has a beautiful voice. Once I heard her she instantly became one of my favorite singers.

Just Enjoying Summer!

2009-08-15T20:44:00.016-04:00

I love to watch my teens, enjoying just being little kids. This world is just so tough on them. Their peers push them to conform. You really hope they make all the right choices. Sometimes they do and a lot of times they don't. It's hard as a mom to watch them struggle between right and wrong. Its hard to watch them grow up and make mistakes that sometimes are not only difficult for them but for you as a mom as well. I frequently question their thoughts, but it's all part of the process of growing up. I wish there could be more happiness and less hardship but unfortunately that's all I can do is wish, they have to make their own way.

I have learned so much going down this road called life, one of the hardest lessons I've learned is listening. It pretty much applies to all, friends, family as well as your teens. It has probably taken me years and I'm not sure at times I still do such a great job but I do it. Teens don't always want you to talk they just want your ear. They will tell you when it requires more then, "I'm so sorry to hear that honey, is there anything I can do?"(Hardest words I've ever spoken) If there isn't they will be the first to let you know. I would guess this allows them to then work it out for themselves. I think the greatest injustice you can do for your children is be a "do it for them parent." You can jump right in and change the tide, then they do not get to experience what life is really all about, happiness and sorrows, ups and downs, learning and maturing. They never grow up and they never become responsible adults. Take a look around at our society. What are we teaching them? What is the difference in our generation and in theirs? The difference is we were told to work it out, decide what we were going to do about a situation. We were given reasonable suggestions but never solutions. We worked hard to save for things and really appreciated them. We were proud of what we had and treasured it. We were allowed to live with our mistakes, right or wrong. Crying was not something we were put in counseling for nor was feeling sad. I agree there is a degree of being sad that needs immediate attention, I am a nurse I had better understand, clinical depression is a very serious situation. But what are these teens so saddened by? They can't have a new cell phone. Well do they have a job?Because cell phones are expensive. I didn't have a cell phone until I was in my 30's (late 30's) When parents learn to just say no, they will take a lot of the sadness and weight from these children. Soon enough they will be adults, soon enough they will have jobs. Soon enough they will pay bills. I have paid my own bills in this life and they should have that opportunity as well. Luxuries are just that, luxuries! Sometimes we have them, sometimes we don't! They will appreciate what they pay for, not what we pay for. Today's teens live like millionaires compared to the teens of yesterday. Seeing things that their parents had only dreamed they would see. When you dream about something and work hard for it, it becomes precious. Parents are willing to go under just to give their child the world, there by creating a society of debt. What makes our teens so sad and so depressed? They miss the one thing they need the most and it doesn't come from a shelf, its called parents. They miss mom and they miss dad. If they don't have that, they miss out on life and they miss out on love. That is what makes this life memorable, love. When it all comes down to it, 30 minutes of undivided attention is worth far more than an Ipod touch, more then a game system. It is priceless. They can't take a cellphone away from this world, but they will always remember how you loved them. My teens always recall stories about our times together and smile. They have never recalled a story about something that was bought, with a smile that goes from ear to ear. It's always, remember when we would cuddle and remember when, we went here or there, just the 2 of us?

I love my children, I cherish every second of everyday I have with them and every one I have left. If God allowed me just one wish, it would not be for money or for worldly possessions, it would be to have those happy moments to spend again with my children. Nothing fancy, just that simple wish. When they say "mothers rock your babies and let the housework go!" That's one of the greatest lessons mothers need to learn. Cobwebs and all, you cannot build a home and family on a foundation of anything else but unfailing love.

The day we took these pictures I remember thinking, oh my God he could break an arm or leg, he could slip and fall, he could, he could, he could. My heart said, just let him be a boy and you just be a mom. My son had the greatest time this day, just being a LITTLE BOY again and my heart was so happy. Happy momma, happy babies!

Awesome Headboard Bench!

2009-08-15T20:35:00.004-04:00

Here is a great idea for using those old headboards that you have seen and maybe passed up or have laying around. I may have one myself and if not I sure will look now. It never stops amazing me the great ideas that you can come up with and everyone is capable of this. So take a look and see what you think.

2009-08-13T13:11:00.005-04:00

I'm always working on something! This was made from a little this and a little that! Just messing around with some very old material I had and this is what came of it. This is my most favorite thing to do after kayaking. My new found love. Well then there is painting. If its there it has to be painted. This was an old project but it came out really well. Found it on my pics somewhere on PC. Wondered where those went. Now we know! I need to find more me time. Work takes up a lot as well as the kids. They are always a little more important at times. Especially the kids. Now that they are teens I think I'm gaining more time. They just don't want to hang as much with mom! That really sucks! Have a great day!

Friends That Inspire Us

2009-08-10T21:58:00.001-04:00

People come into our life disguised as angels, and sometimes angels come into our life disguised as people. It is possible to see God anywhere. All it takes are open eyes and ears and the willingness to see miracles. They are everywhere. God is as available as we are. Having friends that inspire us to rise to higher and greater levels is an awesome gift. Surround yourself with people that inspire you to do better and inspire your friends as well. It is a profound truth that the people we hang out with will shape the path that we travel.

More Great Ellen Moments From YouTube

2009-08-10T19:33:00.001-04:00

Ellen Favorite Moments

2009-08-10T19:31:00.003-04:00

These Are 2 Of My Favorite Ellen Videos

2009-08-10T19:20:00.001-04:00

I have to admit I just adore Ellen! She makes me laugh till I could just cry...shes awesome!

Two Of My Most Favorite Comedians In The World

2009-08-10T19:06:00.001-04:00