Halloweens past...

Times have changed and so have the Halloween celebrations, especially this year.  Some of the grandkids are too big to Trick-or-treat and the other grandkids and Great Grandkids are out of state.  SO... I take a look back in pictures:)  Dressing up for Halloween was something I enjoyed.  Here is "Crackity Ann" (Autumn gave me that name) and Little cheerleader Autumn.  She loved me in my costume and always wanted me to dress up, so I did:)

We always spent Halloween with Tracy's neighbors Patty and Eric even after they weren't neighbors anymore.  We always looked forward to this time together, we miss this!

And... this picture is looking WAY back:)  The little baby being held by the clown is my Granddaughter Autumn.  She is turning 25 this coming week.  The little kids are all grown up now with kids of their own.  Love looking back while looking forward.

Enjoy your day dear friends and thanks for going along with me on this journey back in time.  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

October is almost gone...

October is almost gone, wait where did this month go?  My morning is going good with a good hot cup of coffee and a peek at the news.  Mostly political ads with a little news and weather added in, UGH.  I am truly tired of politics and ready to get beyond Tuesday.  My day ahead includes a trip to the post office to mail my Granddaughter Autumn's birthday gift and not much more.

Not much news but just saying HI and I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed day.  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Missing my Sister a little extra...

My Sister left us a month ago yesterday and I miss her every single day!  She and I didn't talk everyday but we sent each other text messages usually before noon to say HI, what are you doing today and always "I love you"!  Fortunately I don't delete messages and have read them over and over.  One of the last ones when she was in the hospital said "I love you in the sunshine and the rain"  I replied "I love you even in the snow".  I look back at pictures a lot and remember happy times.  This picture was on Brenda's birthday a couple years ago.  She wanted a taco salad and that's exactly what she got:)  Memories... I cherish them and the time we had together.  

This was the poem that I read at her Memorial service.  This blog is my journal and I wanted this to read again.  It was so appropriate about Brenda and her journey...

While on our recent trip to the beach, we took a night walk.  I wrote Brenda's name and watched as the waves came in.  She really wanted to go to the beach again but her health wouldn't allow it.  I love you Brenda and wish I could send a text message this morning.  You would ask me what I am cooking, you would laugh that I had to run to Kroger for bananas and we would giggle about the silliest things!

Missing my Sister a little extra this morning:(  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Voted, make a wish and pretty tree color...

 Monday morning I stood in line THREE hours to cast my vote.   I got that checked off my to do list.  While in line, I enjoyed the company of other voters, we chatted and laughed and all of us wished we had brought food:)  It was a good feeling.  We voted mail-in ballot for the primary but wanted to do in-person for this!

Standing at the top of the steps, almost at the end of the line and had to take a pic of this pretty dandelion.  Make a wish...

Some of you have shown your pretty trees and I commented that we don't have that much color yet.  This was one of the trees at the library near my house.  It was the prettiest red!

I stayed in yesterday, put a roast in the crock-pot and got some chores done around the house.  Today is supposed to be rainy.  I'll stay in again:)  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

To the beach and back again...

 What a nice beach trip!  Tracy surprised me with a new coffee cup!  We had our coffee together every morning.  It was a great way to start the day!  I will miss that!

Our first night's dinner plan was Captain Anderson's!  But first lets get a picture.  Tracy, Alex and Avery...

Add in Ganky and Pa...

The dinner was delicious as always and on the way out, I had to get a picture with this masked fella serving up a delicious spider:0

We had lots of time on the beach and I always snap a picture of a friend:)

We brought in food one night and then after a shopping day on Saturday, ate at Margaritaville for our last dinner at the beach.   

This big chair was wet from the rain but that didn't stop me from climbing up to get my picture made.  We all laughed and laughed harder when I tried to get down:)

I watched a wedding on the beach one day and made sure to get a view of the gorgeous sunset every night.  A fun few days and memories made!

Now we are back home, I am drinking my coffee and off to vote!  I hope you all have a beautiful day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Sunrise, Sunset...

The Sunrises and Sunsets are some of my favorite things anywhere, but over the ocean... oh my!  I am taking one more 2020 beach trip with my Daughter Tracy, her two daughters Alex and Avery and of course my driver AKA Marc:)  The girls are on Fall break and what better way to spend those days that with your toes in the ocean.  I am looking forward to this trip, spending time with my people and can't wait to share pictures with you all!  This picture is from another trip but you can rest assured I'll be watching for the sunrises and I'll make sure to get a picture of every sunset.  Peaceful...

Thank you all for your comments on my last post about my Sister Brenda's service.  I read each one and appreciate you all and your continued prayers.  I took the Sibling spray to my Parent's cemetery after pulling a rose to preserve for each of my Brothers and Sisters.  I also stopped by and delivered a rose to our lifelong friend Henrietta.  She is 93 and that rose from Brenda's service was sure special to her.

I am so thankful for the friendships of all of you!  May God bless your day, stay safe and well!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Honoring my Sister Brenda...

 We celebrated the life of my Sister Brenda yesterday at out little Country Church!  It was perfect to me.  It made me sad, happy and proud if you can believe all that can happen at a memorial service.  I know that Brenda was smiling down seeing so many family members gathered together.  I left with a peace that I can't describe.  Her death has hurt me deeply because we were so close.  This was the cover on the guestbook that I ordered from Amazon.  It was perfect too!

The flowers and urn that my Niece Regina chose was perfect.  I seem to be saying perfect a lot in this post.  My Sister had the prettiest smile and there she is smiling at her service!

This is a collection of old pictures and recent ones.  It had pictures from childhood to high school graduation and on up thru the years.  It took days to put this together and I am proud of how it turned out.

The heart flower is from the siblings.  It was beautiful and I am delivering it to our Parent's cemetery so they will have a piece of Brenda's service.  

Thank you all for praying for me and my family!  I know that I have been missing a lot from blogging and commenting but will be doing better I promise:)  Have a blessed and beautiful day dear friends, sending thankful HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Back to reality...

 We are back home after a few days away celebrating our 35th anniversary.  It was one of the best and most relaxing trips ever.  Over our 35 years together, we have visited Helen many of those years to celebrate.  This year we had a room with a nice view of the river and spent lots of time sitting on the balcony.  We had a nice dinner at Paul's Steakhouse on our anniversary which is always delicious.  There where cute Fall/Halloween decorations scattered around, the one in this collage was my FAVE!

Our room was spacious and even had a fireplace:)  Marc said that I tricked him and reserved the "Honeymoon Suite":)  

Over the many years and visits we always have lunch at a restaurant on the river.  Yummilicious Reuben sandwich is what we eat and it never disappoints.

Our last dinner was at a nice restaurant with live music.  Such a fun atmosphere...

AND... our after dinner stroll back to the hotel was magical.

Back to reality yesterday, I had to make a run to the grocery store and have chores to catch up on today.  I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

35 years and Happy B'day Kelly...

 35 years ago today, we said "I do", Happy Anniversary to my precious husband!  Marc and I will be celebrating as we take a look back while planning for the years ahead:)

Happy Birthday to my beautiful niece Kelly!  I love you Kelly and hope you have a wonderful day filled with hugs and smiles!

I'll be back soon with pictures and stories!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and prayers your way!

Celebrating TWO Birthdays...

 TWO birthdays to celebrate today!  TWO Nephews, Justin (My Sister Cindy's Son) and Kenneth (My Brother Leon's Son)!  Happy Birthday to these special Nephews, I love them both!

Kenneth and his wife Stina!  Kenneth is the big 50 today!

Justin, Kimberly, Waylon and Addaleigh!  Justin is 31 today!  I had a great visit with this sweet family yesterday!

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

Good morning...

 There isn't much happening around here but I wanted to pop in and say HI and GOOD MORNING!  We are expecting some rain from the hurricane but perhaps not too much.  How is the weather where you are?  The warmer days have returned for us!

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

I am thankful for all of you...

 There is always something to be thankful for!  I am thankful for ALL of you, your sweet comments and emails.  What a blessing to know so many wonderful friends here in Blogland!  I just wanted to say hi, and a big THANK YOU!

Love you all, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Taking a little time away...

 I have had to take a little time away and I am probably not done yet.  The kindness of so many have helped me after my Sister Brenda passed away.  Autumn and the kids came for a visit and I got to spend two days with them.  They make my heart happy when it doesn't seem possible.  My Nephew Bradley and his family visited with us too!  It was a wonderful time together.  

My BFF Celene has been with me thru it all.  I love you Celene, Eddie and Henrietta and appreciate the meal you prepared and especially the hugs, chats and prayers.  Friends are truly God's gift to us.  Celene's birthday was yesterday, Happy Belated Birthday Celene!  I love you!

Celene is my best friend and her Mama was my Mama's best friend!  I love you Henrietta!

My Daughter Tracy, Alex and Avery surprised us with a gorgeous basket of mums and dinner last night.  Honey baked ham and fixins'.  SO yummy.  We enjoyed the food but the visit was the most special of all.

Enjoy your day and weekend dear friends, I'll be back when I can.  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!