Update on my Aunt...

Update on my Aunt...  I visited yesterday and she was a little better and more alert:)  I took a small white board so that she could write us notes.  Sometimes her voice is so tiny and we just can't understand what she is saying.  One of the first things she wrote was "I love you"!  I am not surprised at that:)  I cherish your prayers for that miracle that she will recover.  There is finally a bed available in a local rehab facility and perhaps she will be moved early in the week.  Thank you again for your prayers, she has a rough road ahead but she is a fighter!  I want her to be like this again:)

It is going to be a beautiful day, lower temps and more "Fall like"!  I am excited to have a little less hot weather like the Calendar says it should be:)  Today the high is going to be 80 and tomorrow 70!  I'll take that!  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Alex's fun day...

AND she is a teenager!  Alex had a great birthday:)  Her Mama made those pretty heart cookies and took them for her to share with her friends and Avery at lunch!  We met for dinner at the Japanese restaurant, enjoyed great food, laughs and conversation with family and then it was cake time!  Tracy made Alex the exact cake she chose, lemon cake with buttercream icing!  It was DE-licious!  Then we sang "Happy Birthday", Alex opened her gifts and off we go!  I forgot to take a group picture:(  It was a really 

fun time together!

Now it is Friday again, this week, month and year have flown by!  I am looking forward to the weekend and some cooler weather even if just for a short time!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy 13th B'day Alex...

Happy 13th Birthday to my precious granddaughter Alex!  She is sweet, beautiful, so kind, caring, AND talented!

Sweet memories over the years!  13 years and it seems like yesterday that she was this little baby top right!

I am excited to see Alex tonight and watch her open her gifts!  She will smile and be thankful for each and every one!  She will thank us for coming and give hugs!  These are things I know that this precious Girl will do!  Alex is always kind, it means a lot and is something you never forget!  This is her birthday dinner last year:)

Last year's group for her birthday dinner...

I wish we could all be together tonight but two of her siblings are away at College! 

Sometimes when I am pulling pictures to post, I look WAY back...  these are the ones that make me sniff sniff!

Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

This day in 1988...

Today is the day in 1988, my Mama left us for her heavenly home!  I miss her and pray she sees her family sticking together and loving each other!  Our lives changed on that morning and it has never been the same!  I was working still, getting my morning coffee in the break room when one of my co-workers came to say my family was calling!  I remember that feeling as I sit here this morning and how scared I was, praying as my husband drove me to our family home!  SAD day for the Howell family!  I love you Mama, forever and always!  I will see you again in Heaven!

Yesterday as I was having lunch with many old work friends, lots of them were there on that day in 1988!  They were at my Mama's funeral and have been there ever since!  I love this bunch and can't wait to see them again!  Many of them are aging and it's sad to see them moving slowly or needing help getting around!  Former co-workers/forever friends...

Have a blessed day dear friends, cherish each day and the ones you love!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Old friends...

Today I will be meeting some of my retired friends for lunch!  I am looking forward to seeing some faces that I haven't seen since I retired 15 years ago!  Lots of us get together often and some are joining us for the first time!  This is my Granddaughter Alex singing "Old Friends"!  She is about to turn 13 and I love hearing her sweet and oh so smooth voice!  The song suits my day...

Click on the picture to hear this sweet girl sing:)

My Niece Kelly reminded me at Church Sunday of this quote... She said to share it with Alex 
and I will:)

Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Good Monday Morning...

Good Monday Morning!  This picture was taken by my Granddaughter Avery before school!  It got my morning off to a great start!  They ALL know how much I love the sky, sunrise and sunset!  She perhaps was thinking about me:)  I am heading out shortly to visit my Aunt!  
I pray that I find her better!

Have a blessed day dear friends!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Busy weekend already...

After a Friday night game and a sleepover at Ganky's... time to meet their Mama to go home!  They always make me smile:)

My Great-Niece Haley is expecting a little girl Sophia in January! I attended her baby shower yesterday!  It was a fun shower, lots of pretty little girl things and SO much good food!  I enjoyed seeing Haley, her sister Destiny and her little ones!

After the shower I went down to my Nephew Kenneth's farm!  It is SO beautiful with lots of fields filled with animals!  They are loving the farm-life:)  It is peaceful out there!

Now it is Sunday again!  The week sure flies by!  I know I have said that a lot lately, but it seems like time is moving faster than ever!  Have a blessed day, I'll be heading out to Church!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Different side of the field...

SO... we spent our Friday night with Alex and Avery at their new school's football game!  BUT, their new school was playing their old school!  Yep, it felt strange to sit on the opposite side from the team Austin played on just last year!  We watched, we listened to the band we were familiar with and even some of the names on the team played with Austin!  It was different but we adjusted to clapping for our NEW team and it was a great game!  It was the Fox5 game of the week too:)  Back and forth and then forth and forth for us:)  We won 28-14!  I missed seeing Austin out there playing:(  The girls had a great time with their new friends, a late night visit to Sonic on the way home and midnight bedtime!  Oh my, am I getting too old for this?  NAH:)

Today is the first full day of Fall, my coffee is hot and the news on TV is about the same as yesterday!  I have a family shower to attend this afternoon and I am looking forward to seeing SO many that I don't see often enough!  Have a blessed day, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Fall arrives at 4:02 PM...

Fall arrives today at 4:02 PM!  I will be watching:)  Are you ready for a change in the weather, I think I am!  It is time for a little cooler weather... not quite yet per the weather people, but it is coming!  It is time to pull some Fall decorations out of the attic and change things up a bit!

Have a happy first day of Fall!  I will be watching the sun set tonight at the High School Football Game!  Doesn't that sound like a good FALL-ISH thing to do?  Me too:)  Enjoy your day whatever you are doing!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Last day of Summer...

So... today is the last full day of Summer.  WHAT?  Where did the time go?  I look forward to cooler temps, leggings and boots, sweaters and scarves!  BUT... today, I will enjoy this last day of Summer!  Tomorrow I will be talking about the first day of Fall, seriously?  TIME SLOW DOWN!

Update on my Aunt, she has the feeding tube and hopefully is getting some much needed nutrition today!  She MUST improve!  I hate seeing her like this and I am praying that each time I see her... it won't be the same as the day before!  BETTER, that's what I am praying for!

Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Still gentle and kind...

This lady, Martha George, has been in my life ALL my life!  She went to my Church until Alzheimer's took her mind away!  She sang with the most beautiful voice ever!  I still hear her singing some of her favorite songs even though she isn't at Church!  I have had her on my heart more than ever lately and paid her a visit at the Nursing Home yesterday!  She smiled, she didn't know who I was, but I talked to her about my Mama and Daddy!  She was gentle and kind AS ALWAYS!  I reminded her of what she said to me every Sunday... "you are just like one of my own"!  I love you Martha George!  This is one of the pictures in her room and this is how she looks to me in my heart!

My Aunt is getting a feeding tube this morning because she still can't swallow:(  I talked to my Cousin last night and they are hoping to get her in rehab very soon!  Praying that she can recover and get back to her old spunky self!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Count my blessings...

This sits on my counter next to my Bible!  Tracy made this for me many years ago!  After visiting my Aunt at the hospital yesterday, I stopped to count my blessings and that includes all of you!  I know you are praying for her, she is doing a little better with communicating but still no use of her left side!  The Stroke has messed up her swallowing:(  It is heartbreaking to have someone ask you for a cup of coffee and that simple requests can't be fulfilled!  Thank you for your continued prayers!  She will be in the hospital for a while longer and then off to rehab!

Enjoy your day dear friends, I appreciate your friendships!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Weekend recap...

Here is a quick recap of my weekend!  Let's just say, it was busy and GOOD:)  We started out Saturday at Justin and Kimberly's house warming party!  It was lots of fun with family and friends!  Then off to my Daughter's house to spend the evening with the grandchildren!

We shopped, we played clue, we walked to the trampoline for some jumping fun and they had me smiling a lot:)  It was a wonderful time spent with these cuties!  Austin was home from College and that was a bonus!

Now it is Monday, I am getting my morning started!  Hope you all are happy and healthy!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Busy Weekend...

Busy day ahead...  My Nephew Justin and his wife Kimberly are having an open house!  Lots of friends and family will be together for the afternoon!  Can't wait to see their home and enjoy some fellowship with others!

THEN... I will spend the evening with 3 of my 4 grandchildren!  Austin will be heading back to College tomorrow after a week home because of the storm!  I am looking forward to being with them and hearing all about what's going on in their lives:)  This is an OLD picture but I love it and well... here is a picture from 2014 in California:)  Wish I could go back to this day!

SO... I guess I am getting off track:)  Enjoying my morning coffee and hope you are also!  Have a blessed day and please keep praying for my Aunt!  I didn't visit yesterday but she seemed a little more alert!  She needs a miracle and I believe in the power of prayer!

Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Prayer request...

This picture was taken in July when we celebrated my Aunt's Birthday!  She is back in the hospital with what I am sure is another stroke, a more serious one!  I cherish your prayers that she will be healed and get back to her spunky self!  I sat at her bedside while she slept yesterday and when she woke up... we held hands!  I love her SO much and my heart is breaking to see her go downhill so quickly in just one month:(  Thank you for praying for Mattie Lou, AKA Lou, many of us call her "Foo Foo"!

Have a blessed day, don't take any day for granted... Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy Anniversary...

Happy Anniversary to my Daughter Tracy and Son-in-law Derek!

This is my little girl on her Wedding day!  

She was the most beautiful bride ever!

It was a perfect September day and I loved every minute of it!  Happy Anniversary Tracy and Derek!  We love you both and your precious Family!

SWEETEST couple, still in love!

Together they gave me FOUR precious Grandchildren!

I wish them MANY more years of happiness together!

Have a blessed day my friends!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Back to normal...

Things are getting back to normal around here!  I know there are SO many still struggling with loss of power and homes!  I am thankful that I am not one of those but praying for ALL of them!  My Sister Cindy got the tree removed and covered in tarps, thankful for that!  We have one tree on the fence out back but it didn't fall on my little cottage, thankful for that!  

I started clearing out the fridge yesterday but the garbage pick-up was delayed so I will finish before they come!  The lights are on, the TV is working and my home phone is back on:)  I started thinking about what to fix for dinner last night and decided NOT to fix anything!  Zaxby's was open, so we had salads or as they call them Zalads:)  Not many plans here today, grocery store for sure, bills to pay and prayers to pray for my Aunt!  She is back to the doctor today and perhaps back to the hospital:(  I know that she is terribly frustrated and that makes me sad!  Enjoy your day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Note to self...

Note to self... buy some candles that don't smell like ANYTHING:)  We burned candles all over the house and the scent was eventually too much, I blew them all out!  ALSO, fill the oil lamps with oil... DUH!  We were without power thru dinner, AKA a sandwich and chips!  While I was thankful to have sandwich making stuff, I wanted something else:)

We sat in the dark for hours listening to the football game on a battery powered radio!  AGAIN, while I was thankful to have the radio, candles and matches... we waited patiently for the power to come on!  NOPE, so I headed up to get some sleep and at 12:30ish the power came on!  I was SO thankful!

SEE all of these trees, they were swaying and I was praying that they didn't fall on my little cottage out back!  Thank you Lord for keeping us and our home safe!  My Sister Cindy had a tree fall on her porch and vehicles:(  Praying that the insurance takes care of them!

SO... while I am sitting with my hot cup of coffee, watching the morning news, SO many are still without power!  I will start the cleaning out of my fridge food later today and thankful I can refill it!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Never forget...

Remembering... 9/11/2001

We are safe, waiting on the winds and rains to hit us!  I am praying for all of you and us to stay safe in the storm!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

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God promises...

We are watching as Irma is hitting down South!  Praying for ALL in the path of the storm and those who have loved ones there!

Romans 8:28King James Version (KJV)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I am thankful for this beautiful Sunday morning, knowing it won't be like this in the days ahead!  Have a blessed day, stay safe!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

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Stay safe out there...

Praying for all in the path of Irma!  The track continues to change but is going to cover the entire Florida peninsula!  As they have said on the news, just because the eye isn't going right over you... it is going to be widespread devastation!  Pay ATTENTION PEOPLE and stay SAFE!  
Prayers continue!

I have been freezing our credit reports this morning!  ONE in 143 Million were affected by the Equifax hack!  BOTH Marc and I were in that 143 Million!  What a hassle!  SO... check yours to make sure you aren't affected!  Here is the link to help you!

Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Yep, we did it again...

49th Annual Yellow Daisy Festival Stone Mountain Park  Tracy and I met at the gate, posed in front of the big sign to get our picture made:)  Off we go to shop 'til we dropped!  The weather was PERFECT!

  

We stopped for a few pics along the way...

This was my favorite picture:)  We enjoy our time together whatever we are doing!

Tracy and the tall flower sign!

The tall flower sign and Me!

On the way out, I snapped this picture from the little old town of Stone Mountain!  The buildings are so pretty to me!  Til next year...

Stay safe in the path of Irma everyone!  The path has changed and is headed straight up the middle of Florida into Georgia!  Massive storm and very scary!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Yellow Daisy with my Tracy...

Today is the 49th Annual Yellow Daisy Festival!  Tracy and I will be shopping together again, just the two of us!  I look forward to this day SO MUCH!  I can't remember how many years I have gone, but it's a lot!

Last year, 2016 Just the two of us:)

A look back... 2015!  After a threat of rain, the weather was perfect!  Tracy, Britani and Cindy joined me!

We stopped at the huge sign for a group picture... 2015

AND a little silliness:)

This was a TALL sign and a SHORT lady... ME:)

A look back over a few years... 2013, 2014, 2015

Have a great day!  BIG HUGS and PRAYERS heading your way!