Word of the 2012

ac·knowl·edg·ment
noun
1. an act of acknowledging.
2.recognition of the existence or truth of something


Several years back I stopped making resolutions and instead started picking a word for the year. It makes things easier. As resolutions seem to get broken very quickly. Over the last few weeks I have been thinking of my word for 2012 and this what I choose.

Over the past several years I have been doing a lot soul searching and reflecting. I have come to the point that I need to acknowledge many things.

1. The positive aspects of my life and not the negative ones. 2. I maybe better/have more than some and not as good/have less than as others. 3. People will not like me and that I don't have to change just to make them to like me. 4. God will, when the time is right, put people in my life. 5. Yes I have good points and some that need to be improved upon. 6. My past is just that the past and I need to leave it there. 7. To live here in the moment, so that I can have real pleasure. 8. My children have become wonderful adults and to relish in this new relationship with them. 9. How to give back to my community. 10. Finding time for me and not feeling like I am being selfish. 11. What gives me happiness and learn to do it. 12. God is there for me and loves me for who I am. 13. Frugal doesn't mean poor or cheap.

So I am looking forward to what 2012 has to bring. I am ready to begin the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of what a NEW YEAR has to offer.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all who may read this.

Birthday Thoughts

rEven at 44 you must keep up with the trends. Cupcakes are it. My girls(Stephenie, Emily and
Tori) made me a giant one to celebrate my birthday. Mom took all the family out to Steak and Shake for dinner tonight. There are sometimes that a burger and fries with a coke is so good. Tonight was one of them.

Yes they let us light this fire risk in the restaurant. I have you know that I blew out all 44 candles plus the ? in one breath while making a wish! And no spit on the cake. So I guess this old girl still has it.

Here are the 3 bakers. They were so sneaky about making this to surprise me with it.

As I look back over the past 44 years there have been good times, bad times, tough times and times that I would not like to repeat. But I have been blessed with many great things, family, friends and that is what I plan to focusing on this year. So tomorrow on 01.10.10 I will start the 44th year of my life looking for Sunshine and Sliver Linings.

PS! Even though I am trying to look for the positive in everything. I am still learning to live with out my Dad here to be apart of it. The positive side is I had 43 year 7 months and 28 days of love and memories of my Dad and no one can take them from me.

Word for 2010

As I have been thinking of my word for the NEW YEAR one has not jumped out at me like in the past several years. I was talking with a friend in sunny CA the other day via instant messagener(man computers are great) and as we were talking it occurred to me that instead of a word for 2010 I really want to have a different attitude. I use to really try and most of the time did find the positive in all situations and life occurrences. As most of you know this past couple of years has thrown me multiple bad things back to back and my attitude has taken a real shift to the negative. It seems that once you start down this path it is very hard to get back on the positive path. So instead of a word for 2010 I am going take an attitude change. I have several things that I am going to do to help with this along the way. I have them ready to go and will start on 01.01.10 to incorpate them. So, as those of you that cross my path in the coming year and see that ugly NEGATIVISM coming out, if you would gentle remind me to see the sliver lining, it would great be appreciated.



As I say good bye to 2009 the 43 year of my life I said good bye to my Daddy and Daddy T. These men played a very big part in my life and will be greatly missed for years to come. I also said good bye to alot of money that went on the house and hopefully the big stuff is done for awhile. Of cousre I still have small things left to do and many are non-money projects, just getting done projects. I did do more going green this past year and look forward to the challenge of doing more in 2010. As with most years people came into and left my life. Stepehenie did get through several sickness and will be able to go back to school on Jan 4th. I saw my first born Michael turn 21 and turning into a great young man loving life. Lived through Stephenie turning 16 and getting her license and experiencing that freedom. Learned how to go places by myself which is very hard for me, I am doing it enjoying it. Am learning what and who I am and boy at times that was scary.



GOODBYE TO 2009 and WELCOMING 2010 WITH OPEN ARMS. Ready to learn to embrace life!

Day of Reflection

This post has been running in my head for the last few days. Last Saturday was a day of many emotions, thoughts, feelings and self discovery. As you will notice by the slide show the military is involved and especially my oldest Nephew Josh.

I was invited to attend the parade that the Town of Hernando put on for the 2-189th Combined Arms Battalion. My first thought was of pride as Josh serves in this Battalion and will be deploying with them. Then I began think about how his Mom and Dad must be feeling sending off their first born to war and how I think I would feel if it were me.

One of the first sights I saw on this clear and pleasant spring day was the American Flag flying high over the Armory where we were to eat lunch. For the first time in a long time I really thought about what the flag meant to me. It symbolizes FREEDOM and many lives lost to maintain this for all of us here in this great country. I realized that I have take this for grant it way too much. As I was snapping pictures many thoughts and emotions began to flood in my heart and head. Watching Dads holding their babies and playing with their children savoring every second of this time knowing that there will be many of these moments lost over the next 13 months. That by the time they will come back some be will be walking, talking, completed another year of school, had a broken heart or two, many first, hurts and there were even some little ones that haven't made their appearance in this world yet and will do so while they are away. Wives getting ready to be Mom and Dad, knowing that they will the only one to handle all of the household responsibilities, making all the choices that will effect their children's lives and not having anyone to help with them. Uncles savoring nieces and nephews and hoping that they remember them when they return. Grandsons sharing moments with their Grandfather hoping that there will be more when they get back. Parents showing pride and hiding the fears that their sons are going off to war. While taking in all these sites I begin to really realize just what all MEN are giving up for ME, so that I can live this life that I live, have the freedoms that I have. It also gave me a wake up call on what is important in life. That you need to speak those unspoken words of love and give those hugs. I learned that there are not words to express the GRATEFULNESS, THANKFULNESS and APPRECIATION I have for each and every one of these men putting their lives on the line for me,my freedom and the memories I get to have with my children in a free county.

I will now share with you a few of the most emotional moments of the day for me: 1) The Color Guard from the fire department, 2) The Bagpipers, 3) The young man that was a Honoree Solider for the day by having his wish granted from Make a Wish, 4) Seeing the troops marching in perfect formation, 5) Hearing Josh's name in the roll call, 5) Watching everyone of these young men stand attention from the first note of the National Anthem and through the Pledge with such great pride, 6) Learning not to judge a book by the cover, meaning that just because they ride motorcycles doesn't mean they don't have pride and respect for this country and soldiers as they stood Honor Guard around the perimeter of the ceremonies.

I challenge everyone that might read my blog to THANK at least one soldier who is serving this GREAT COUNTRY(aka you). Take a few minutes to REALLY think about what they have given up so that you can live the life you live. Then think would you do it for people who you don't know and might not even appreciate it.

I want to take this moment to say THANK YOU JOSH and I LOVE YOU, you will be in my thoughts and prayers over the next 13 months. I want to THANK DREW KING who will be leaving soon to server this County too.

Discovery of my Niece

This is Katalina an AWESOME soccer player! She has been playing competitive soccer for over 2 years now. I am sorry to say that this is the first time I seen her play. Now that I am back in charge of what I do I went to see her on Saturday for the first time. It was so cold, but at least the rain held off until the end of the game. That I might add they won!!!! I felt so sorry for the girls standing out there on the field in shorts and all of us sitting on the sidelines in coats, covered with blankets and drinking hot beverages.

This is how I saw her most of the game running and man can she run. I am sure that is way she stays so small. After running this whole game she only ate a pbj sandwich. MMMMMMM maybe I should take up soccer for seniors and maybe I could lose all my weight. On the other hand I think I will stay with walking.

Not only did I discover that she is an awesome soccer player but that she is turning into a wonderful young lady. She has a heart full of love and smile that shines for miles.Especially now that she had braces taken off last week. She has a natural beauty that girls and women alike would die for. Discovering how wonderful this blessing from God made my weekend.

I see soccer being added to my spring time schedule. Watching her was great fun, but also taking photos of her and her team was lets say was another discovery that I made this weekend. I have spent years wanting to learn how to take photos and be one of those photo hounds that always has their camera with them. Taking snap shots of life as it pass by way too fast.

This was a weekend of moments. I even slowed down and noticed them. I went to a soccer game, lunch with great friends, shopping with another friend, created a couple of art pieces, got hugs from friends that I haven't seen in a while, (yes I love hugs), spent time with my sister, attend Sophia's birthday party, laughed and spent time with my wonderful daughter. AHHHHH the everyday MOMENTS!

Fall 2008 in Arlington

Okay I just wanted to share with all of you what a great FALL we are having here in the south. This is how God rewards me for suffering through the hot, sticky and humid summers here in the south.(if you are thinking that she doesn't like the summer heat you are on the right track)Have been saying for a few weeks now I was going to take the time and get shots of these great colors of fall and have not taken the time. Well last Sunday while working in the yard with the great crisp breezes from the north blowing I took the time. I could have filled up a 2g memory card with photos but stopped and got back to work after about 15 minutes. I would love to someday be one of those "LEAF PEEPERS" on the New England Coast. Since I am not I will relish the fall here in the south. I just feel so alive this time of year and rejuvenated. So to all my friends that don't get to see this great change of season enjoy and just pretend that it is a little chilly,a slight breeze is blowing and you can here the leaves falling.

As you have noticed I have several places to sit in my yard, but now I need to learn how to sit there and in joy. Any suggestions???

HAPPINESS, SADNESS AND STUFF

Today is the first day of Stephenie's sophomore year. You see the joy on her face. Well Mom had tears as she left the parking lot of the school. She is turning into a great young lady and in this day in time that is a very hard thing to do. It dawned on my that this is probably the last time I will be making that first day of school run forever as she and I are hoping that she can drive next year. So I am trying to reveal in the fact that she is growing up and am sad as it is pushing me into a new phase and uncharted waters in my life. As most of us do I am wondering if I did the best I could by her.

As promised here is the RED couch. I must say that this has been my most favorite piece of NEW furniture I have ever bought. It sits great, lays great and looks great. Can you believe that the nail heads are real and not the fake they use on so much furniture today. I made new fleece blankets that look like old wool blankets to use on it. I just love having a comfy place to sit that I actually did a lot of that this weekend.

Okay last! I know that this has been a long post but figured I would do it all in one. Found these great old can bins a couple of weeks ago for an awesome price both for 22 bucks. Well, I do have another plan than candy for them. They will be new wall sconces in the den. I am one that believes that everything has more than one purpose.

Thanks to all who read my blog. I must admit I look at the counter then have a tenancy to compare mine to others and I have very few people that hit my site compared to theirs.Then I remind myself that everyone of those hits I get is from someone who really wants to know what is going on in my life.I also want to say THANK YOU for the comments and emails from the blog. If you don't comment or email PLEASE feel free to do so. I blog to let all you know whats going on in my life and REALLY would love to know whats going on in yours too. Thanks for reading.