Thankfulness Thursday!

I didn't finish this on Thanksgiving Day, so it's just a little late:

I'm typing this on Thanksgiving night at 9:53pm. It's been a wonderful Thanksgiving Day today. Our holiday travels started yesterday around 1:00pm. Chuckie, Newman (one of our Cocker Spaniels) & I rode with his parents to Clearwater, FL to stay with my sister in law, Amy & brother in law, Dennis. Kayla, my niece was able to fly in & join us for the holiday too. (Ollie our other Cocker Spaniel stayed with my parents. My Mom said he was on a doggie vacay with them.)

Newman is such a great rider. He sat right beside me. :) I love taking him with us. He is such a sweet little fella. I'm not sure what I'll do when something happens to him. I try not to think about it but it does cross my mind.

On our way down we stopped and had a Starbucks coffee. I decided to try something different. Typically I always chose the White Chocolate Mocha. This time I picked a holiday special called White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha. It was delicious!!! I'll definitely order it again.

We arrived at Amy and Dennis' around 5 pm. We unloaded our vehicle & got settled in. Amy and Dennis have such a cozy house. I love visiting them. They have two beagles named Annabelle and Remy. They get along great with Newman. It wasn't long before us girls decided we needed to go shopping. We went to JC Penney. I was a good girl and didn't buy anything. I know that's a shocker! We stopped at Publix on the way home. It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be considering it was the night before Thanksgiving. Amy rented three movies for us to watch. I ended up not watching any because I was either on the internet or editing photos.
Amy had some of her parents old movies back in the 70's that were on 8mm film and she put them on dvd's! She even made each of us a copy. :) We watched those and laughed and reminisced.
I'll post more about our Thanksgiving trip in a little while. :)

Simple Days are the Best

     Last week I spent the day babysitting my sweet little nephew. He's amazes me with his manners. He almost always says, "yes'mam", he says the prayer for our food when we eat lunch and he has the heart the size of Texas!

Kason's best friend is "Ollie" which is a little stuffed doggie I gave him several months ago. He does not go anywhere without his little Ollie. Kason gest a treat when he goes potty, which is usually a skittle (one piece). He always gives Ollie the first bite!! Or if gets a lolly pop, Ollie gets the first taste. He understands the concept of leaving Ollie in the car if we stop at the grocery store so he doesn't get lost in the store. :) He's pretty good at reasoning. Since last week I bought him another little doggie which he named "Old Yeller", now he has two to keep up with. I'm sure Karen is just thrilled!

Kason and I had so much fun sitting out on the front porch blowing bubbles. I forgot how much they are. He had the best time trying to catch the bubbles on his wand and then reblowing them!! I had fun snapping pics of him! He would ask me after I snapped a pic, "Aim Aim, did you get it?" I would say, "Yes, Kason I got your picture." Something as simple as blowing bubbles made me realize it's just the simple things in life that mean the most. I'm so very thankful for the time I get to spend with Kason because I know how fast time flies! Our boys or should say young men are 22 & 20 years old! I'm thankful for the job I have working at home. I am able to spend more time with Kason, my family & extended family & friends, more time to clean house, & have down time. I'm super duper thankful for my blessings. :)

Here's a few of the pics I took:

Kason loved his little cupcake! We each had one. :) 

Little Things in Life Are Really The Big Things

     I"m really enjoying working from home. I'm still learning how to balance housework & working from my desk. I really find it hard to stop working so I really need to work on that. I'm thankful I have found a product I can be passionate about and believe in 110%! I know my paycheck literally depends on how much work I put into my business. So I'm working hard! You can check out my latest POST & see how my first paycheck turned out. I was quite pleased to say the least! I'm trying to grow my blog and if it's something that interest you, please click on the follow button. :)

     I love to watch Good Morning America as I'm waking up. (no we don't have a tv in the bedroom. only because hubby insists we don't need one. we use to have one, but he didn't like it. me..i loved it!) So I have to walk  stumble to the living room. This morning, Newman wanted to sit with his Mommy. He weighs around 50lbs but he thinks he's a Chihuahua!! I love him so much and he's brought so much joy to all of us. I dread the day that he's no longer with us. So I try to enjoy every minute with him.

     Chuckie started working back here at the Trenton office on Friday! No more driving to Old Town / Cross City. That means we'll be saving lots of $$ on gas! We rent a house here at the Forestry Office so now all he has to do is walk out back and go to work! That also means he'll get to come home from lunch. That can be good and that can be bad. I'm not particularly fond of cooking and especially not two meals a day. I see lots of left overs and sandwiches in our future. ;)

     Last week my sister-Karen had a dentist appointment so Mom and I rode with her so we could watch Kason. We went to the Christian book store (one of our most favorite places to go!) and looked around. I should get an award because I didn't buy one thing! Afterwards, Karen dropped me, Moma & Kason off at Books A Million (another favorite place for Moma and I). Kason started to cry because he wanted to go with his Mommy. But I was carrying him and distracted him as went in the store. He had Ollie with him (I gave Kason a little brown cocker spaniel) which he carries everywhere! I asked him if he wanted to ride in the buggy (inside the cart) & he said, "yes, mam". This kid has such good manners! I pushed him over to the kids section and I saw some stuffed animal doggies. I asked him if he wanted to ride around with more doggies and he loved that idea. So I put around 5 doggies in his buggy, a raccoon, kitty cat, & elmo. He thought he was big stuff with all those animals in there.

 It's funny how when you get older you do things you wouldn't have done in your younger years as a Mama. I would have never done that with my kids when they were little!! When my Mom spotted us, she said, "are you really going to let him ride around with all of those animals? I told her, "yes, mam. He's not hurting anything & I'll put them back when we're finished." She just couldn't believe it! Kason had the biggest time riding with his animals. About 20 minutes into pushing him around, he said, "Aim Aim, my hiney is hurting, but it's okay because the doggies make me feel better." He just makes makes my heart happy! I said, "Kason, I'll buy you one doggie, okay?" He sorted through his puppies and decided on a little light brown puppy and he named him Old Yeller. Old Yeller is one of favorite movies! He started handing me back all of the other doggies..he wanted them out because he had his Ollie and Old Yeller and that's all he needed!!! Here's a pic of Kason and his two special doggies:

We ended the afternoon by eating supper at Cracker Barrel. It was delicious!! I had the chicken and dumplings, carrots and hashbrown casserole. Kason loves Nannies turkey breast. He at super duper good!

I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my best friends which happen to be my Moma and sister. Of course spending time with my little nephew is one of my most favorite things to do! We had a simple afternoon spent together and enjoying each others company. I love being able to work from home. It gives me extra time to spend with my family and I'm very thankful!!

Happy Happy Friday!!!

     Happy Friday y'all!!! I'm very thankful for Fridays. It means tomorrow = sleeping in. :)

     I am very thankful to have a job with benefits and more especially thankful for the ladies I share my days with. They are like family to me. At times it can be very stressful but that would be true anywhere you work for the most part. I really love helping our patients. I work at the Outpatient Lab at our local hospital. Most of the patients we see are sick of some sort. Our smiling and willing to serve them may be the nicest thing they see today!! A smile doesn't cost anything.

     We (as in my coworkers) also enjoy telling about our afternoon from the day before. It sure makes the day go by faster. We learn about one another by telling stories, sharing photos, &  laughing until we cry. So that I'm very very very thankful for them!! I know a lot of people are not that fortuante. Especially when a bunch of women work together! Yes some women can be very caddy. Luckily we are not! 

   

Here's Jean. She has been my mentor. She trained me for the position I have. We have been really close friends. She's a gem, that's for sure!

Here we are at Halloween!

From left to right: Me, Jenna (she lives in the same town I do but we can't car pool because we have different hours) & Tina. We have a great time together!

Tina....

I hope y'all have a wonderfu Friday afternoon & a wonderful weekend!! ....

My sister in law - Amy & her hubby Dennis & their two fur babies- Annabelle & Remy are coming up for the weekend to celebrate her Birthday! It was Feb. 8th. We are all going out to eat Saturday night so that will be wonderful evening spent with family & friends. :)

My Thoughts for Thursday

     I woke up not feeling the best (what's new with that, huh?). I kept wishing I could just stay home and go at my own Fibro pace. Which is really S L O W.

     I managed to shower, blow dry & style my hair, put make up on, & of course accesorize my jewelry with my outfit, all in about 1 hour. Not to slow now that I think about it. It just felt like I was moving really slow.

     I normally listen to a Christian radio channel, the Joy FM on the way to work. Of course I always pray before I cut the radio on. I just have that has my definite set time to pray. I pray during the day too...What a blessing to be able to do that with out the fear of being hurt!

     At this point I still felt crummy. As I listened to the radio they started talking about a little girl that started raising money for this other little girl that had brain cancer!!! Then to top it off the little girl that was raising money ended up being dx with a brain tumor. You know what I'm fixing to say....? My little ole crumminess just dissolved just like that. I suddenly felt better. I automatically thought, "Wow. I think I have problems? No way I do not. Not compared to those little girls."

     Isn't funny how something like hearing bad news of someone else and then all of sudden we realize we don't have it too bad after all. This was an eye opener for me. Not that it erased my pain but because it didn't. It just made me think a little differently.

     I have continued to have a better day today. I'm very very thankful for a good day. :)
     I pray these little girls get better!!!! They have a long road ahead of them......

My version of "One Word for 2012..."

     I have seen this all over blog land: You choose ONE word you would like to focus upon during the year. It can be any word....Well I couldn't choose just one! Ha,ha!  I know I have to be just a little different. "  I really want to focus on these words:

     I'll tell you what each word means to me: Create: I want to create scrapbook pages - the regular old fashioned way & digitally, I want to make a wreath I saw on Pinterest, I want to create Subway art, I just want to be create - ful!
     I want to simplify my life. I want to simplify my home, as in decluttering my home. You know the saying, "less is more."  I really do believe that. I just haven't putting "less is more" into my home!  When I was a little kid my Mom use to tell me, "everything should have its place, if it doesn't you don't need it." I just have a habit of sitting stuff done & telling myself I'll put it away later & then I don't. I've been working on simplifying  my scrapbook area since last weekend. I totally forgot to take photos of the before mess...that's exactly what it was, a BIG MESS! I promise to take after photos. :)  Am I the only one who feels embarrassed about before pics? I know there is no way on earth I would ever post a before pic on my bedroom right now. NO WAY! I can only imagine walking in my kitchen, living room & bedroom & for there to be no clutter...this would be simplifying my home / life.
     I want become more thankful for my surroundings. I know I focus on the things I can't door don't feeling like doing because I lack energy  (due to having Fibromyalgia) &  I need to be thankful for the things I can do. I want to be thankful I have a home (even though it's a rental home & not our "own": home, at least we have one! I want to be thankful I for my job, even though I would love to be a stay at home wife, so I could manage the house, chores, helping out church family more often, not being exhausted all the time from being gone 11 1/2 hrs from home. I have to tell myself I'm blessed to have a job because there are so many that do not. I love my coworkers to deatlth. That right there is a reason to be thankful!!
     I am going to make more time to STUDY God's word! I am going to start reading the Bible everyday. Monday thru Friday I will read in the mornings after I arrive at work. I always get to work early and get coffee and sit in the little bar area at Shands. So this will be a perfect time to read. I also want to learn photoshop so I'm going to study some tutorials!!!
     I'm giving  2012 my best shot at being a more creative person, simplifying my life, thankful in mind & spirit & I want to study the Bible more this year than any in the past!!!
     I will be posting updates to all of these words as to how I'm progressing! Oh yeah, I needed to throw in exercise as a one of my words too...Ummm. I 'll have to work on that one. I really started a few weeks ago by walking to the parking garage instead of riding the shuttle bus. BUT, I've slacked off so I need to jump back on board asap.
     What is your word(s) that you are focusing upon? I'd LOVE to hear! :)
  P.S...did you notice my creative attempt to up above with my four words? I love Picnik!!!

Christmas 2011

     Our Christmas started out Friday night with dinner at my mother & father in laws house. I had to work until 5:00pm so I wasn't able to help prepare any of the food. Frances had everything cooked when I arrived. Chuckie, Brandon, Colby & Sarah were already there too.
     Before we ate supper, Frances told Colby & Sarah they had a wedding present for them. They ordered them a new washing machine from Lowe's. It will be delivered next week! They gave Sarah the sheet which described what they were getting. She started crying then Frances started crying. It was oh so sweet because she was genuinely thankful. :)

     Frances baked a ham (one of my personal favorites!),  home made: scalloped potatos, mac n cheese, freshly baked bread & green beans!!! We all ate entirely too much! But oh was it good. :)
    We weren't suppose to exchange gifts with Richard & Frances, but they surprised us and got us gift cards to Outback, then for Sarah & I a gift card to Old Navy & the guys gift card to Gander Mountain. :) You can tell where we will be eating soon!!! We were very thankful for our surprised gifts.

                                                Stay tuned to Part Two tomorrow!

Making Memories = {Priceless}

     I love making memories with my family. I also love to document our life by photographing anything & everything. I mean seriously, I keep my camera in my purse at all times.
     This past week I was lucky enough to be off for Thanksgiving & the day after.  No I did not do any Black Friday shopping instead I slept in while all the shoppers were searching for their perfect deal. I knew my fun time was coming later that afternoon! My sister Karen invited me to come spend the night with her & my little nephew Kason (he's 20 months old) since her hubby would be in the hunting woods. I had been looking forward to this all week long!
     Karen had to work but did end up closing her consignment shop "Second Impressions" early. So I ended up meeting her at her house at 4:00pm. Then it was time to go pick Kason up at his Nana's & Granny's house since they had babysat him for the day. He was busy playing with his little cousin Charity. Surprisingly, he was ready to leave when we told him we were going home. We figured he may not want to leave Charity. You know how it can be when children are having fun, the last thing they want to do is leave the fun!
     Kason was a little ham. He showed me how to ride his stick horsey, he showed me how he shoots the buck, which is Jays deer head hanging on the wall, he went to work in his little Tikes truck ( a game he plays with his Mommy & Daddy all the time) & more..... I just continually smile while I'm at Karen's home.
     I know I thoroughly enjoy Kason even more than I normally would because my boys are grown & now I get to watch him grow up. I know how fast the years fly by and it's like I'm getting a second chance with Kason. I almost feel like I'm a grandparent even though I really don't know what that feels like, but I'm imagining it's got to feel a lot like this!!
     Here's pictures of Kason playing & during bath time which at this time
he does enjoy:

Mr. Kason getting his hair washed. :)

One is favorite things: his tongue!

There's my smiling little nephew!

He was busy looking at his sweet Mommy. :)

Kason loves shooting the big buck! It's one that has already been shot

though, by his Daddy. ;)

There's the big buck...on the wall. lol 

I Have So Much To Be Thankful For!

     First off, I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!!!


Our holiday was such an enjoyable day spent with family. My morning started out with listening to Chuckie & Colby rustling around the house getting ready to go hunting. Then Brandon arrived (he has been house sitting for a family from our church) to gather his hunting supplies. Chuckie & Brandon kissed me by before they left. I think Colby was preoccupied. ;)  


I was able to sleep in until 8:30am which I am very thankful for! The only reason I woke up was because Newman was ready for me to wake up. I could hear him at the foot of my bed on the floor whining. Honestly it could have been because he needed to go potty. Chuckie new to keep the doggy door shut otherwise I would have been woken up earlier with Newman either barking or I would have a dirty comforter because Newman will get out in the backyard and run & play then come inside & sail up on our bed. Ewww, what a mess that would have been. I am thankful Chuckie left the doggy door shut! ;)


I left our house around 11:00am to head towards my Mother & Father in laws house. But not before I went my McDonald's and ordered a peppermint hot chocolate. This was the first time I've ever tasted one. I really liked the peppermint flavor! 


My job for Thanksgiving lunch was to make home made macaroni & cheese. We all just love it...even if I do say so for myself! My sister in law Amy, made her sweet potato casserole. ( I secretly had hoped she was making it!) We had a whole turkey, then a turkey breast, mashed potatos & gravy, acre peas, dressing, rolls, mac n cheese, & my mother in laws famous coleslaw which we all love (well the boys don't..)! Dessert was pecan pie, pumpkin pie & Kayla made a Reese brownie that you keep in the fridge. If anyone left the table hungry, it was their own fault!! :)

My in laws drive way....

My mother in law Frances & sister in law Amy...

My father in law & son ready to fix their plates!

My beautiful niece Kayla & brother in law Dennis. ( He is a nut!)

I asked Amy if she would take a few family pics for me because I wanted to do Christmas Cards this year with a family pic. So after lunch, you guessed it, we had a family photo shoot! The guys weren't thrilled at all, but I told them I don't ask for much & I really wanted a family pic of us! Our family has grown by one addition...well not exactly yet, but close enough: Sarah is in our family pics... her & Colby will be married Dec. 31st, so that's close enough! I told Sarah it was nice to look at our pics & for me not to be the only girl in the pic! Well for 21 years I've been surrounded by guys! I mean even our cocker spaniels are boys! Amy did an excellent job taking our pics! I am very thankful for Amy taking our pics. :)

This is going to be the pic I use for our Christmas Cards!!! 

Amy also took pictures of my niece which is her step daughter Kayla. The pics of Kayla turned out just perfect!! Kayla colored her hair red, which looks absolutely stunning! I've even thought about coloring mine red! ;)

Brandon our youngest son, Kayla, & Colby our oldest &

soon to be married!

Kayla & Brandon.. :)

Later that afternoon I decided to go hunting with Chuckie! I haven't been hunting in several years. We sat in hunting hut. It's big enough two hold plastic chairs, there is even a little shelf..just perfect to sit my camera on it! The only thing we saw was two deer tails because they were running very fast!! It was very nice and peaceful to say the least. :) I am very thankful being in driving distance to go hunting. :)


This year my Mom & Dad celebrated Thanksgiving with my sister Karen & her family at the hunting woods in Cross City, Fl. We will celebrate Christmas with my family. I can't wait because Kason will be big enough to have so much fun this year!!

{Little Bit of This & Little Bit of That}

     Happy Friday!! Here in Gator Country aka Gainesville, Florida it's the University of Florida Homecoming!! "Go Gators!" Unfortunately I have to work so I will not be at the Gator Homecoming Parade. But I am very thankful I have a job that I really like. I have the best coworkers & now I call them close friends a girl could ask for! I know without a doubt God had in huge hand in me ending up working at Shands Hospital.

 But in all things I am thankful even though sometimes I take stuff for granted!! I hear from patients all day long that have had or have cancer, strokes, heart, liver, kidney transplants; somtimes they are discouraged, grumpy, & sometimes thankful. I heard someone recently say, " I am so thankful I had a heart transplant I now can live." It makes me think, "we should all live like we've just had a transplant that has saved our life!" Just think what positive attitudes this would accomplish if we would think that even every once in a while.

     I have found so many quotes on Pinterest that I love. One of my very favorites is this:

This sums it up doesn't it!?

     Right now on this day, Nov. 4th 2011, I am most thankful for my family, friends, my health (because I know it could be 100x worse!), my job, change of season, blue skies & gray skies, for Jesus dying on the cross for each & every one of us, our home (even though we are renting & it's not my dream house by know means. Sometimes I think God is testing me or wanting me to learn  gratitude:the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.) I am learning each day not to focus on the things I don't like about our house, instead I look at it as our home for now & one day we will found our house. 
     I believe we all have our struggles in some way or another. What are you thankful for? What are your struggles?