Time With My Family

I feel so blessed to be here in Arizona this week.
I have had the pleasure of staying at my sons new house. Where I was privileged to see, once again, how he and his lovely wife have created such peace, harmony and happy in their home. They are even perfect pet parents. I love everything about the two of them and have enjoyed watching how well they interact together, in tandem, perfectly in unison. I was blessed to take part in Christmas with my sweet daughter in laws family. This year, as in the past several, they have made me feel like family. I also got to spend some time with their friends, that also feel like family. I think the kids that have been hanging out together all these years are great adults. Because, I’m part, they have each other to call family, to count on, to always be there for each other. My son said, “Family isn’t necessarily what you were born into... it’s something that is made and brought together.” Wisdom, from this old man of 25!
My first two trips to Arizona in 2019 were for my son, but this trip was really all about my daughter!
This trip was to see my daughters latest... and greatest artistic creation. And I do agree that it is her finest work! Pure perfection! My daughter and her charming husband are now parents! I couldn’t be happier! In fact, I’m absolutely tickled!! Along with sharing their baby with me this week, my son in law and daughter have shared stories and future plans, that have delighted me. I have spent “one on one” time with my girl and watched her creativity and perfectionism come out in the most delightful ways. I have seen just how great she and her honey are going to be at parenting. Watching them has made me fall in love with them all over again!
Their menagerie is also wonderful, I even enjoyed watching Sterling slither around his domaine.
I loved my daughters new cute haircut and her enchanting playlist. I love her new go to calming method. I loved watching my son in law and daughter compassionately care for their dog who suffers from join pain. They are so loving. And my new granddaughter is perfect! I love her so much!!!
My heart is filled, perhaps overflowing. I couldn’t be happier, even though the leaving part is breaking my heart. The trip home was great! ♥️

My ♥️

SNOW

Fountain Hills Today

Full Circle

This trip to Arizona has given me time to ponder.
I have reflected on where I was and where I thought I was going.
I have retraced the paths I walked and the forks I chose.
Blessings have come through the people in my story.
Lessons have been learned and doors have opened.
I love my life. I love where I am and who I am at this moment.
“Grateful” doesn’t quite fit the whole feeling I have
for the people in my life that I love and who love me.
I know there is so much out there that I want to see, do and experience.
I am happy that I know it’s all within my reach.
As I have talked with friends, family and my kids this week,
I have taken in my past, my present and glimpses of my future.
I have come full circle and I am so happy with the journey.

Eek♥️

HOME

Home is about the feeling of belonging and where we find moments of peace .... Home is anywhere we allow it to be.

Vivian Chung 

Sweetpea and Me

♥️♥️♥️

A Lovely Perspective

As I view the world out the window of the airplane...I see the world from another prospective: I long to touch the topography of land I will never walk,  to feel clouds that surround me, that seem to whisper that I am so near to heaven. I see the snow on the earth below me, yet the sun warmth is reassuring as it pours in this little oval window. Amazing!

I am grateful fo so many things in my life. I am grateful to live in this time upon the earth. I am grateful to be able to do anything my heart desires. 

I am grateful to have people in my life that make this journey so worth living. I am grateful to have a relationship with my Father in Heaven. I know I am always supported and encouraged. I know I am loved and I am never alone. Someday, when I have done all the things here on earth that are on my life journey, I know he will show me “What’s Next!” I am so grateful.

 The song in my ears is “You Say” by Lauren Daigle. It’s is comforting, peaceful and powerful

‘Tis The Season

♥️♥️♥️

I didn’t know!!!

Grover is Jewish!

Change

Quote from Aeronauts

You don’t change the world 
by the way you look at it
but by the way you live in it

Oh my!

I took today off, needed an extra day to get holiday things done.
I lounged in bed for a while, then go up to get ready.
Only to find the bathroom sink was not having any of it
and it proceeded to convince me that there is a corpse hidden in my bathroom sink.
So I went about using baking soda and vinegar on all remaining drains upstairs.
Then I moved all make-up and hair care needs to the smaller bathroom and got my game face on.
I then puttered around, pulling out the last few gifts I have been hiding.
I tossed a load of wash in and realized I was starving. Not wanting to take the time to prep,
I simply pulled out the peanut butter and crackers.
I don’t love peanut butter, but figured I might like it better today.
I munched away as I gathered up the empty water bottles that I leave around the house....
And realized that I was going to die due to this peanut cracker concrete I couldn’t get to make its way down my esophagus. I took a drink from a particularly empty water bottle and then another.
After several swallows of yucky water I could see I was going to live.
But the peanut butter had to go.
Then... I remembered that I use to love honey peanut butter. So I looked through the pantry for the honey. Of course it was crystalized and wouldn’t pour. The Egyptians stored this stuff into the next life, I could surly nuke it and revive my little plastic bear of golden goodness.
So into the microwave the honey went.
When the timer rang, I opened the door. Only to find that the little plastic bear, whom was holding all my honey, had given up the ghost and fallen face first onto the revolving microwave plate. Letting it’s golden honey pour all over the plate and as opened the door it poured out.
I realize at this point that I haven’t accomplished even one thing on my todo list, and yes I may be dealing with first world problems. But I wasn’t sure I could take much more.
So I poured the warmed honey from the plate into a bowl with icky peanut butter and mixed.
Then I washed the microwave and tossed the traitorous bear into the trash.
I mixed the bowl, covered a cracker, popped it in my mouth. And decided it was time to regroup.

Damsel

Grateful for the hero that lets me be the damsel in desires.

Yes I can still do it all!

But at this pivotal point in my life
I like knowing that I don’t have to. 

I am grateful that there is someone else who
will take care of all I can not / do not want to take care of. 

I am delightedly grateful!

(“I don’t think all that nasty hair in the sink drain is mine.” Said the damsel to the bald hero.)

Abe

SHE WORDS

So Big!

THOUGHT

ELF WORK

Food and Wine Tour

A client came in wanting some help with her European travel plans. She is heading to Italy, England, Ireland and would like to toss in a few days in Iceland. We chatted about the trip and went over some details. 

My client has lived in Europe before and even met her Italian husband there. She is a college professor heading over the pond to teach for a few months at Harlaxton College.  

She shared that her best friend since childhood does 

private Roman Food and Wine Tours. 

She gave me this link, and I thought I would share! 

http://www.storytellingrome.com/tour/food-wine-tour-in-monti-neighborhood/

https://harlaxton.evansville.edu/

Who knew?

This man...

The bald one, 

The one with the tattoos and a Harley,

The bad ass one. 

He loves to make fudge!

He has made fudge two years in a row. 

Chocolate, Chocolate Walnut and Peanut Butter!

Amazing... Who knew!

Do this on your phone!

I had a teacher in junior high that would wright like this. It was so neat!  

No Set Schedule

My Kids

Missing my kids tonight.
I loved them at all ages, they were the best.
I would give anything to have them all together again.
So excited to see my new grand baby!
But oh to have them all together again would be great!

Kindness

Seniors

https://youtu.be/pTVYDPZ4qPQ

Good Movie

I highly recommend “Knives Out” it was really great!

4:39am Text

The dad to be texted me early this morning.
They are at the hospital and things are getting real!!
Poor mommy to be had back pain yesterday.
I love these kids so much! ♥️

*29 hours later and still no baby.
Waiting and worrying is hard on this GG!

**34 hours of labor turned into a c-section
Mommy was wonderful, Daddy was wonderful too!
My Sweetpea Mayberry weighed 9 pounds when she was born December 8, 2019 ♥️

Commercial Love

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/04/uk/heartwarming-christmas-advert-intl-scli-gbr/index.html?utm_source=CNN+Five+Things&utm_campaign=803b932227-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_05_01_38&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6da287d761-803b932227-105872385

Hot Cocoa

Watching Noelle on Disney+ 

They are in Phoenix ... I’m feeling homesick. 

God & Nature

Quote

Trust your journey 
It will take you where 
You are supposed to go. 

Nancy Naigle

Ford v Ferrari

We went to the movies today,
I highly recommend this to any race fans!

A Shaman Was Asked

What is poison?

- Anything beyond what we need is poison.

It can be power, laziness, food, ego, ambition,

vanity, fear, anger, or whatever.

What is fear?

- Non-acceptance of uncertainty.

If we accept uncertainty, it becomes adventure.

What is envy?

- Non-acceptance of good in the other.

If we accept good, it becomes inspiration.

What is anger?

- Non-acceptance of what is beyond our control.

If we accept, it becomes tolerance.

What is hate?

- Non-acceptance of people as they are.

If we accept unconditionally, it becomes love.

Via Chris Youakim

Choose Wisely

TRUE

 “True Love & True Friends" 

Come Naturally

A Birthday Treat

We took a ride on the bike as the sun was setting tonight. The sunset was lovely but what a treat to see Venus and Jupiter there to celebrate my birthday! 

Fifty Three

5 Years

November 17th
Five years ago today was a life lesson for me.
It snowed the night before, and I woke to the most beautiful winter landscape.
The Kentucky hills were covered in white. It was my first snowy morning.
I loved everything about it!
Then in my best winter wear.... I’m a girl from Phoenix, so my best winter wear was lacking,
off to work I went. The roads had been cleared before I left, a blessing I’m sure.
But little did I know that black ice is a thing. I soon found it to be super scary.
The narrow two lane country road came to a sharp curve where the overhanging trees dripped melted snow on the road as the freezing wind turned it to ice.
I remember driving slowly, but when I hit that ice my Tahoe had a mind of its own. It slid this way then that, then spun around before hitting the ditch and rolling over.
I learned that you should always keep your handbag closed so it doesn’t empty all over your cars interior. I learned that you should keep your cell phone somewhere where it can’t go missing. I learned that seatbelts work, even when you are hanging upside down. I also learned that strangers are often the biggest blessing in a very scary event.
I will never forget the events of that day or the people who took care of me.

THANKSGIVING TREE

When my children were young, we made a Thanksgiving tree each November. Each leaf was something we were thankful for. 

This year I made the tree alone. 

I have so much to be thankful for. 

But I sure miss this kids! 

BOOKS

In the past I read to fill boredom.  Now my eyes are it what they once were,
but my passion for reading has grown. I try not to be a tv watcher as a rule.
(although I do more bing watching than I’ll admit to)
In the past I bought lots of books. I can say I had a very nice book collection.
But after several moves, I donated more than a few boxes of literature.
Now I use the app through my local library to find my books.
I just can’t see paying for something I will only read once.
Please don’t get me wrong, I do buy books, I still love my little hard and soft cover collection.
But for the most part I listen to audiobooks.
The invention of audiobooks was the best thing since the internet I do believe.
I spend about 7.5 hours a week driving.
I also have hobbies that give me time to listen.
So as I drive or sew or paint or cook and clean, I listen.
I try to listen to a verity of genres. I love historic fiction, cozy mysteries,
magical suspense, self help and a steamy romance every now and then.
I try to choose books that are part of a collection.
I also like books with several hundred pages.
If the book is filled with details and an intriguing plot,
I want to get caught up in it for as long as possible.
Last year I listened to 53 books. This year I am currently on 43.
But there are several weeks to go still in this year.
📖🎧📚♥️

Funny...

French Toast Sticks

This morning I made French Toast Sticks

I really miss my babies being little♥️

Cool Site

www.duolingo.com

Table and Chairs

I bought the table several years ago, at a second hand store. I fell in love with it. 

It cost me $25.00

It had paint splatters and oil rings on it.

But, it is a darling little table.

I had sanded it twice but it still looked sad. 

So it was time to give it some TLC. 

We sanded it for the third time and picked out some paint. After several coats and some very stinky polyurethane, my darling table is now a dining room table! 

Then there was the issue of chairs.

I knew I wanted a mismatched set of sturdy wood chairs. We found the first one at a second hand shop in Central City for $6.00

Then we went to Owensboro’s Trading Post. 

It is an amazing place! They have everything under the sun there, it’s organized and stocked full of happiness! 

We chose 5 chairs we liked, all of them mismatched. Sturdy old wood beauties! One is totally unfinished, and gives off splinters. One was broken and has been repaired. One matched my parents chairs from my teen years and one was from the Tell City Chair company. We liked them so much I went back and bought two more! The chairs need some elbow grease. But they are wonderful! 

First chair

We went to one place to look for chairs, and were told that we would never find good chairs for my asking price. 

But we did. 

In the long run, a table and eight chairs cost $101.00...not bad at all! 

Cookie & Milk

When you are binge watching Jack Ryan and need a sweet but don’t have time to roll those cute little crisscross cookies! 

2 of My Fur Grandbabies

Sketti and Eddie

Today’s Funny

As I researched promotional details with a vendor today, I got more than a little grumpy with the rep I was speaking with. I knew the information I was requesting was accurate. I just needed specific details. However the rep was fast to tell me I was inaccurate and to email my information in to their support department. I thanked him and hung up.

I then called back and got a different rep. 

I asked my question, provided my sources and showed the new rep where to find the information I had. ( Same information I attempted to give the first rep.)

This rep walked through my steps, put me on hold and got a supervisor to verify my details. 

She came back with the requested information. We went over all the details and the process to get it taken care of. She thanked me for being so patient. (The call should have taken no more than 10 minutes and I had now been on the phone with this company for over an hour.)

I thanked her for all her help and for not being the same rep that I spoke to at first. I may have said something about doing bodily harm to the first rep. (All my coworkers overhearing me, all laughed out loud.)

As I concluded my call my boss walked into my office and set a toaster on my desk and then left my office. I laughed so hard I nearly cried! 

You see, I try to treat everyone as if they are all wonderful humans. But truthfully, some people just aren’t. And once in a while I just want to gift those people a toaster for their bath.... I may have an wicked streak!

At my desk, back against the window is a cute little picture in a cute little frame that eases my evilness. My coworkers know me well, one giving me the frame, one giving me the picture. But when my boss brought me the toaster today... that was just priceless!

Positives

When my children were young, I didn’t allow tv programs, video games or movies that were stupid, ugly, rude, negative or hateful. My thought was that if we had positive and wholesome in our home, then maybe the stupid, ugly, negative and ugly in the world outside our home would stay a foreign thing, an outside thing. Not a thing that became part of who my family built their lives on.
You can not shelter your family from the realities of the world but you can definitely make sure the positives in life are the building blocks from what was learned at home.

Road Trip to The Stars

https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

✅