MONDAY MONDAY,

so good to me, .....

Just thought I would share what I have been up to lately.

Sex and the city 2!

Did I tell you that my heart TP roll was famous.

I made a French Toast Casserole for our bowling party.

I served it with syrup/powdered sugar.

Very easy to make and would only change one thing ~

stirring as I put cinnamon & sugar on.

(it's not burnt, just darkened cinnamon)

My two Keepsake Ornament Club pieces arrived the other day!

What are they looking at ~ a lizard!

You should have seen their craziness a few minutes before.

(Please note that the lizard is only about 10" long

but looks like an iguana in this zoom shot!)

My favorite fruits, my new sunflower plant,

a little bit of Skye and my new Tony reusable bag!

(just above is where the bees were, her favorite corner)

Weekend project, putting stones down to finish a few sections

we made some changes to. ( also replacing bark areas)

Hope your having a wonderful Holiday Weekend!

We had steak, mashed potatoes, asparagus, corn and parmesan monkey bread on Sunday.

Made Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler by The Pioneer Woman Cooks :)

(pictures to come soon)

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REMEMBERING ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES

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P.S. If you want the lyrics to the Mamas And The Papas song you can go here. Boy does that song bring back memories.

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY......

I have recently discovered that I cannot handle stress very well as I get older but I know that I have so much to be thankful for. I have had pain in my life but nothing compared to others pain. I know this yet it was my pain and it hurt. I have had experience in my life that drained me emotionally and I don't seem to have the patience to be strong.


This post isn't about pain but how I handle stress now. The littlest things get me overwhelmed and then I feel foolish for acting the way I did. I mentioned that I have felt tested lately. Life is always about tests I just don't like having them anymore. I do know that many of you would like to be in my shoes because you are drowning inside. ((HUGS))

Skye was having some issues with throwing up the last two weeks. Making this short we think we have figured it out. Either we did or what she had has passed. It really had me worried. She is never sick. She had an appointment for her shots and checked out wonderfully. (They said she has beautiful teeth and said she is a very pretty Cairn Terrier) Yes I am a proud mama. Did not show any signs of illness other then throwing up stomach acid. She played, ate, drank, peed and pooped like normal. She would vomit, collapse and then be herself for several days. She has been good for over a week now and it appears that if I put her in her kennel she is working herself into a stomach ache. So we are going to start leaving her loose or in the laundry room. She had me very worried. ~sigh~

Then we had the fires which really didn't scare me to much but it made me think how quickly you can lose everything you have. Then last Saturday afternoon my daughter and I took the dogs out. All of I sudden I saw a large swarm of bees. We grabbed the dogs and ran in the house. They flew around for about 20 minutes and then they landed on a very tiny palm tree. I didn't handle this well at all. Yelling at my husband to get rid of them, put the hose on them, call somebody to fix it, do something!!! (I apologize honey)

Click to enlarge the photo

For me it was all about Skye because that is here favorite corner of the yard. You let her out and that is where she runs to find the birds, lizards, etc. NOT BEES! So we knew at that point that Skye would have to be leashed. So we did a little research and found out that it is what they call a swarm. At Wikipedia we read "Swarm clusters, hanging off of a tree branch, will move on and find a suitable nesting location in a day or two." So I calmed down a little bit and within two days almost to the hour they were gone! My daughter forgot about the leash thing and Skye actually went up to them and barked. Two hours later they were gone, do you think she scared them away? ~sigh~

So my DH went in for a regular routine physical. All went well until they called him in to talk about his blood work results. See we have been seeing this doctor forever and he never calls you in. If your cholesterol is high they tell you over the phone, blood sugar high they tell you over the phone, hormones off balance he tells you over the phone, etc. So wanting him to come in had me very worried. So six days later we found out that his thyroid numbers are high. Like off the charts high. Nothing of real concern right now, running another test and most likely some pills to regulate it. ~sigh~

Then I banged my toe really bad and I am hurting. It has turned purple and I hope that it will feel better before I bowl in Vegas on the 5th! Actually saw the doctor, all is well just a very bad sprain. Speaking of that the day I leave they are turning our power off from 9am until 3pm so I have to get ready extra early that day. ~bummer~

I guess typing it out makes me sound kind of wimpy doesn't it! I was thinking I was living in my own little version of Revelations! (we even had a weird rain storm on Sunday) See I told you I can't handle the stress anymore and this a perfect example of "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff." But when it was happening it didn't feel small to me. I have to say thank you to God for always being there for me. I am thankful for all.

I am always thankful for all but here is something that has me pretty darn mad!!! After bowling on this league for something like 18 years, finally getting into first place and this year they are not giving out trophies :( (This is not going off without some letters from me to Bruns*ick!)

......COME BACK ANOTHER DAY!

CUTEST PET PIC CONTEST

Well of course you know that I have to enter Skye in this contest. She brings me so much joy and I love her so much. However I do know that everyone who is entering has the cutest dog in the world too! (but when the breeder says she has the cutest face she has ever seen in a Cairn Terrier who am I to argue that point :)

MISS SKYE B

Interested in a few more pictures go here , here and here.

Head on over to Supah Mommy at The Adventures of WannBe SupahMommy to enter.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO

Me!

Dena, my new friend, has given me the above award. Thank you Dena, this is so sweet of you. You can meet Dena at Dena E's ~ God ~ Everyday Living ~ And ~ Dream Doodlers Art Blog. Here and her husband make cards and they are beautiful. (Art Cards 365) She received this award from the sweetest lady, LV, at Thoughts From Meme's Corner. When I went over to check her out I was very impressed with her. She is 80 years old and is blogging. So click on their links and meet them.

I am going to pass this award on to my newest followers so everyone can go over and meet them, they are all very new to me too so join me in welcoming them.

1. Jan at A Tapestry of Life (She is from Australia)


2. Karen at Karen's Journal (You have to see the post she did about me, what a beautiful surprise)


3. cfoxes33 at See Foxes? (check out her header)


4. Shesilia Sondakh at The Ordinary Me
   
5. Kelly & Sara (I have no link)
   

Thank you for following me.

THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL

Lee DeWyze

Congratulations Lee!

If you have time to watch Lee sing Hallelujah you won't be disappointed.

RANDOM DOZEN

Click on the button, visit Linda and join in on the Random Dozen.

1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party?
Definitely attend although I don't usually go to them when I am invited!

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.
It's been a very long time since I've been to one. Loved my daughters wedding!

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?
Meeting Jesus,being with my family, dogs and friends. How fun it will be to see everyone who I loved who passed years ago. (mother, grandparents,etc.)

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?
It's warmth & the fact that it just makes me happier then a cloudy day! I guess I could say that it is what our plants need to grow and without it we wouldn't have all the wonderful food that God gave us.

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?
I love to bring my own gift. I think it is so much fun to shop and wrap the gift.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?
Meals would be nice but I will pick my house cleaned, I would want them to do all the ugly stuff like the wooden blinds, windows, clean cabinets and things I don't do too often.

7. What song describes your mood today? (actually yesterday when I did this)
If your happy and you know it clap your hands! I bowled great and it was just a very nice last day of the season for our league.

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)
My china which I love even after 38 years. A nice wooden salad bowl that I keep potpourri in.

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?
Butter Pecan

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"
Right now, I will post about it later this week.

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."
Pizza

12. "-----" is the best motivation.
I am not a very motivated person so I am going to say a good partner. Like someone to push you to walk with them. Someone to help you clean out a closet. I guess I could get motivated if someone offered me a trip or a very large sum of money. On a different note helping someone in need is also a motivator. (when they get into my heart)

POST IT NOTE TUESDAY

~What Are You Waiting For ~ ~Just Click The Button ~ ~ It's So Much Fun! ~

10 FROM HEADLESS MOM

I have been given a tag from my friend IRL Headless Mom at The Adventures of the Headless Family. Go on over, meet my friend and read the questions she was given to answer.

The rules: Answer the questions, come up with 10 more, and tag 7 people. Easy!

1- Which celebrity do you want to tell to "Shut up, already!"?

Since I don't watch the news or read trash magazines I really haven't got a clue.

2- What is your favorite happy hour drink?

Margarita

3- What is your favorite thing to cook/bake?

I don't have one but I would say that a turkey w/stuffing is the easiest thing to make. I do enjoy making cookies at Christmas.

4- What is one thing that you wish you had more time for?

Honestly it's not about the time for me. I have the time. It's about moving past my insecurities, meeting friends for lunch and traveling to visit family/friends or see the world.

5- What is the FIRST thing you would do with a jumbo lottery jackpot?

Obviously give to charity. Invest it for the future although our money isn't making money right now. Pay off the mortgage, our sons mortgage and buy our daughter a house. Then maybe pay off the kids cars. I love, love, love to take people out to dinner! It brings me great pleasure to treat people.

6- What song/artist do you always turn off when it/they come on the radio?

Country Music, I just can't get into it. I have tried several times. Honestly I seldom listen to the radio, I always play Cd's or my MP3.

7- What one household chore is your favorite? (Or at least the least hated?)

I like doing a load of towels, they are so easy!

8- What is your favorite flower?

I love the smell of a Freesia but I love the looks of Sunflowers!

9- What food do you like that most would say "Eeeeew!" to?

I can't think of anything other then raw mushrooms. I know several people said eww to them on one of my posts.

10- Is there something that you refuse to blog about? Why?

Well I don't post pictures of my children as adults because they don't want me to. Otherwise I am pretty open and honest. (I don't think I would ever talk about sex)

If you are here and want to play along, these are your ten questions from me.

(I'm not tagging today since I just did one on Friday)

1. How often do you change the sheets on your bed?
2. Do you wash your hair everyday?
3. Have you ever told a white lie to get out of doing things when people ask?
4. Do you like to talk on the phone or send emails to communicate?
5. Matthew McConaughey or George Clooney?
6. I have know people who take a new towel each day after they shower. Are you one of those people?
7. Have you ever been on the news or had your picture in the newspaper?
8. Do you buy new cars or do you always buy a used car?
9. Do you have a green thumb when it comes to house plants?
10. Where would you like to live when you retire?

So come on, give the tag a try and pass some questions on to others. Let me know if you play!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to my sister,

the monkey in the middle :)

I love you with all my heart,

(I have turned comments off)

TAG YOUR IT !

I was tagged by Kim over at Consider It Pure JOY. I really enjoy answering questions so I have decided to play along. If you have some time please go over and visit with my friend Kim today.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Not my first name but my middle name was after my moms sister.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I believe it was Saturday morning. Skye ran into my office and apparently wasn't looking for me and ran back out. She hadn't even said good morning to me yet. I was hurt :(

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
No, never have!

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Salami, roast beef and turkey. I usually eat turkey because it's better for me.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes I have a son and a daughter.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
That is a hard one to answer. Definitely yes but over the past few years I have become a bit of a shut in and always turn down invitations, lunch dates, parties, etc. So I'm not the friend I should be or use to be.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Yes, but in a fun way, we have quick comebacks!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
If I knew it was 100% safe, yes!

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I had to be in the past so I would say that I was but I am kind of burnt now when it comes to inner strength. Now if you are talking physical strength I use to be very strong, not so much anymore.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Butter Pecan

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
I would have to say their eyes and looking for the honesty in them.

15. RED OR PINK?
Pink

16. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE OUTSIDE?
Sunny and warm.

17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?
I have several. Margarita, wine, green tea frappuccino and lemonade.

18. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Skin tone because I am barefoot and are usually that way unless I leave the house.

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A turkey sandwich with mustard and muenster cheese. (I love those new bread thins) Oh wait I think I had a peanut butter egg since that!

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Bride Wars is on TV right now!

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Yellow

22. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Freesia flowers or my Tova perfume but if I really give it some thought I could say puppy breathe or babies!

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My husband yesterday

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Golf ( speed skating in the Olympics)

27. HAIR COLOR?
Color weave of brown & blonde

28. EYE COLOR?
Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza from Chicago

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Well I just said that Bride Wars is on but last night it was The Hangover.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
PJ's (computer & Debby is almost always PJ's) they are white with grey flowers.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs

36. CAR OR TRUCK?
Car

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Not! Have several to read but only have found time to read my TV Guides!

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Mini Coopers

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Watched my Tori & Dean from Monday, watched Flashforward, V and Parenthood.

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Listening to a water fall.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles

44. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO TO NEXT?
Condo on the beach and a cabin in the woods!

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
No, but I do like to talk with people who are hurting.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Illinois

Like I have been doing for a few months now I will be tagging my newest followers providing they have a link in their profile. Head on over and visit with them. If you would like to play along too just grab the questions and do a post. It is really allot of fun and it gives us an opportunity to get to know you better.

• Linda at Just Words
• That Corgi at A Corgi In Southern California
• Terra at *Terra Garden*
• Eve at Tranquiltity..and Turmoil
• Scrappy Girl at Scrappy Girl's World
• Dena at Dena E's ~ God~ Everyday Living~and ~Dream Doodlers Art Blog
• Gigi at Afterthoughts
• Nananor's at Life Blessings

If your not interested in doing a post and answering the questions that is perfectly okay with me :)

Here are the questions without my answers so you can just copy them and past them on your post.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
15. RED OR PINK?
16. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE OUTSIDE?
17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?
18. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
22. FAVORITE SMELLS?
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
27. HAIR COLOR?
28. EYE COLOR?
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
36. CAR OR TRUCK?
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
44. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO TO NEXT?
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND,

P.S. Update on the fire. It went in a different direction then my house. It burned 50 acres when I told you about it yesterday. Over 800 acres have burned. Our brush got very high this winter with the rains. Then the heat comes and it all dies. It is all brush, no trees which is better. They have already trimmed the brush behind our fence, they go out about 50 ft. They actually said my street name several times on the local news. As of 11pm last night it was still burning and they hope to get it contained by this afternoon.

RIGHT NOW AT 1:45 NEAR MY HOUSE

We are okay, we had to get in the car to get these pictures. We can only see smoke from the house. It's about a mile from my house but in our neighborhood.

Click on the picture to enlarge it. Can you believe I got into my daughters car in my robe! We can hear the airplanes flying over and can see some flames from the front of the house through the houses across the street. It is on our local news!

RANDOM DOZEN

Head on over and visit with Linda. Join in the fun!

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?
Really, I don't do in a pinch, I barely cook as it is !! I would have to say a can in the cabinet or maybe a salad! Okay I have my answer.....it's Pizza Hut online!

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)
Primatene Mist for my asthma and most likely a bottle of water.

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?
Mammoth Lakes, California. We spend a week there every summer and it never grows old on me. I love the mountains, trees and lakes.

4. Share one factoid of your family's history.
I know that my grandparents on both sides came over from Checkoslovakia when they were children with my great-grandparents. They had to learn English and become citizens of The United States Of America.

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."
... was thin. (sorry, that is what came to me)

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?
Pizza from Barones's in Countryside, IL (My all time favorite with sausage)

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."
Thinking........still thinking......I have to have a few but I am not coming up with anything.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?
That depends if it is my very last thing in life or just until I get to the bank! If I am hungry I guess I would get a dollar meal somewhere or a really good candy bar.

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."
Gas ~ like natural gas out of a butt! Can't help myself. (Maybe that would be my quirky thing for #7)

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?
My first response was "stop eating" but then I realized I have to eat so I will say start walking everyday.

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?
Pray. Being online each day reading blogs has me praying all day long. I believe that prayer changes things and I often stop what I am doing, get down on my knees and pray.

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?
Las Vegas !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR DAUGHTER

Born May 18, 1981 in Downers Grove, IL. Her birth was a much better experience then the birth of our son. It was a planned c-section and this time I was awake with an epidural and plenty of medications so I wouldn't have an asthma attack and spend 24 hours in intensive care.

I had my boy and my girl.

Aww.........check out those dimples!

Look at those big brown eyes!

Her and her brother.

She was adorable and is a very beautiful woman. When she was very young I would say this is my daughter the bitch. I know that sounds mean but she was as stubborn as they come. Those who know her agreed with me. One of my friends asked me one day if she could reprimand her, I said sure go for it! It didn't faze her at all, she still didn't listen. The doctor told me that I should be able to reason with her when she was 3. I think he meant 30, we are still waiting :) (Had to share that story honey, you know how much I love you)

She was married in February 2002 to our wonderful son-in-law. He had been away in the service when 911 happened. They decided that when he got home they would get married. They got engaged around the 12th of January and were married a few weeks later. She actually had the most beautiful wedding you could imagine, you would have thought it was planned out for a year. She was married at the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. We didn't live in Riverside at that time. She was a beautiful bride. I must tell you that when you need to get things done you get them done! (It couldn't have been more perfect and we didn't have the stress of waiting a whole year)

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Love, Mom & Dad

Some facts from 1981

Click on the picture to enlarge it

We celebrated her birthday here at the house on Saturday. She didn't want to go out to eat, she wanted my Black Bean Chili, garlic bread and a coconut cream pie. (In the top photo but I didn't make it) We played cards for a few hours and after dinner we played Taboo! It was so much fun and we laughed allot.

These are the pictures she allowed me to post.

I'll be back next week with Post It Note Tuesday!

THERE ARE SIGNS EVERYWHERE

I received this in an email and wanted to share this story with you.

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him.

Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.

NOT MUCH GOING ON.....

When you feel the need to post a picture of the toilet paper roll that showed you it's heart when you went into the bathroom that is pretty sad don't you think?

This are the cutest little plates. I love leaf design plates. I got these for something like $2.00 each from Coldwater Creek. They are appetizer plates so whenever the kids are over and I put out snacks we will use these. LOVE THEM!

Look at these pretty little pebbles. I bet you can't guess what they are? If I were guessing this on someones blog I would guess candy. I have seen candy that looks like little pebbles. These are soap, can you just picture how cute they will be sitting next to the bathroom sink!

A few shots of the tulips I received from my husband as they opened up and the bouquets that my children gave to me. I love having flowers in the house. Thank you to my husband and children for giving me these beautiful flowers for Mother's Day. Also one of our climbing rose bushes is blooming like crazy right now.

That's all folks! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. We are celebrating our daughters 29th birthday on Saturday. Her birthday is actually on Tuesday the 18th! Her and I have plans to go to lunch on Tuesday and hit a few stores along the way.