Getting my Christmas on...

If you miss me, I will be getting my CHRISTMAS on:)  Marc went up to the attic last night and brought down the tree and this guy!  My Sister Barbara gave me this SO many years ago and he brings me joy every year!  My mantle is all lit up and the glow every morning makes me happy.

This guy sits on the bar every year.  He was a gift from my Friend Marion a long time ago.  I love you Mr. Christmas Snowman:)

Another gift I enjoy every year.  Austin's girlfriend's family gifted us this pretty centerpiece several years ago!

I hope you all are doing great and enjoying this most wonderful time of the year.  I have stacks of gifts to wrap and will tackle that another day.  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Thanksgiving different but still good...

We had a great time at Tracy and Derek's for our Thanksgiving lunch.  Not a crowd and plenty of room to keep our distance.  Some at the kitchen table, some at the bar and some in the dining room.  TONS of great food and even better just being together.  We have learned how to manage during these times but hoping next year we can say "Remember when we couldn't all be together"!  I took lots of pictures and here are a few of them!

I am slow moving this morning but still moving:)  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending AFTER Thanksgiving HUGS and PRAYERS your way! 

Then and now, Thanksgiving dressing...

Two of my Sisters  (Cindy and Brenda) always made a big 'ole pan of dressing for our Thanksgiving gathering.  They were both yummy and I made sure that I tasted a little of each.  My Sister Brenda on the right passed away in September and our family will never feel exactly right without her.

2015 Sisters and their dressing

When I picked up a cake at Cindy's yesterday, she had me a tiny pan of dressing and gravy.  It had a note on top that it was from her and Brenda.  We cried, we hugged we chatted, we giggled a little with some memories.  I left her house thinking about Thanksgivings past.  We will make new memories but never forget the old ones!  I will enjoy this little pan of dressing and gravy later today.  Thank you Cindy, I love you!

Today, I will be in a small group at my Daughter's house for lunch.  NO big family gathering but we will do it again next year and I will look forward to that.  Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving my friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Moving ain't for old folks...

My Granddaughter Autumn and her family are moved in and we helped do some of the unpacking and organizing:)  They are warm and cozy in their new home:)  I have sore muscles and decided "moving ain't for old folks".  I didn't pick up anything heavy except for my Great-Grandson Jameson and loved every minute of it.  Here are a few pics from yesterday, there was little time for picture-taking but I managed a few:) 

Thanksgiving is upon us and while the family gatherings will be much smaller than we would all like, let's PRAY that next year we can return to normal.  I don't like this way but will do what I can to stay COVID FREE.  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Safe travels and welcome home...

By the end of the day my Granddaughter and her little family will be a little closer to us.  They have lived 5 hours away for quite some time.  The visits had to be scheduled and were not often enough to suit me.  Autumn has brought them to see us and we have gone to see them.  Today they are moving home.  I get butterflies thinking about it and will be SO happy to have them a little closer.  Safe travels🙏🏼

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

A perfect weather day...

Yesterday was a PERFECT weather day!  The temps were not hot and not cold, the sky was blue!  I spent the morning sitting in the waiting room to get my oil changed:)  But I did enjoy the ride to and from!  Today looks like the same with the possibility of a little rain late in the day.  I say it's going to be a great day whatever the weather:)

I hope your day is wonderful!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy 73rd B'day and missing my Daddy...

Happy 73rd Birthday to MY guy!  He doesn't like the spotlight but I found a couple pictures from Birthdays a couple years ago.  We will do whatever he wants today to celebrate this day. 

He loves cheesecake and this birthday Tracy made him a beauty!  

Little Marc with his Parents and his Sister Karen!

My Daddy passed away on this day in 2006.  I miss him every single day but know for certain that I will see him again.  I hope that he is looking down from his Heavenly home and proud of his growing, loving family!  I love you Daddy!

It is a bit chilly this morning, the birthday boy is having his coffee and has opened his cards and gifts.  The day is going to be a great one, I can feel it!  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Families are like branches...

So Thanksgiving is next week and we won't be having our big family dinner.  It makes me very sad but we just can't chance anyone old or young, or those in the middle having even the slightest chance of getting that stinking virus!  Times are different and I pray that my favorite saying comes true in the not too distant future "THIS TOO SHALL PASS"!  Even though our big family can't gather on Thanksgiving, our roots still remain as one even when we can't be together.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving?  I will have lunch at my Daughter's house and back home.  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy 51st Birthday...

ONE year ago we celebrated my Baby Sister Cindy's 50th birthday and now she is 51 today!  It is hard to believe a year has gone by since we had this party but 'tis true.  I was 15 when Cindy was born and what a sweet little baby she was.  My Mama and Daddy were older than most new Parents and felt incredibly blessed to be having a little one!  Our family was complete!  I hope you have a wonderful 51st Birthday SIS!

This is Cindy's family at her party last year!  What a wonderful loving bunch they are!

Look at this cutie-pie!  Happy Birthday little Sister, now 51!  I love you!

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

It's Sunday again...

I am not sure where the week went but it is Sunday again!  The weather has been perfect in my "neck of the woods", not hot and not cold... perfect.  I have been steady working on swapping out my warmer weather things for the cooler weather things but right now it isn't clear which ones I need:)  What is going on where you are?

Even though there is nothing much to report around here, I don't like to go many days without at least saying HI!  Enjoy this day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

I didn't know this, did you...

SO... I recently saw a post on a friend's FB page showing their Thanksgiving Cactus.  WHAT?  I never knew that there were different kinds.  Mine is blooming, I always called it a CHRISTMAS CACTUS.  Lookie there, mine is actually a Thanksgiving Cactus based on this chart.  The leaves match the one in the middle!

My sweet husband takes really good care of it and it is bursting with blooms.  It stays outside until it gets cold!

Did you all already know this?  If not, you're welcome:)  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Veterans Day 2020, THANK YOU...

Veterans, 

My Daddy Navy and My Nephew Justin Marine

We have more Veterans in our Family, My Husband Marc Army, My Brother-in-law Jerry Army,  My son-in-law Richard Army and soon to be Veteran Grand-son-in-law Seth.  I couldn't locate pictures of all but wanted to say THANK YOU to ALL for your service past and present!

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

Visits with family are special...

I had a really nice visit with my Brother Marshall and Sister-in-law June yesterday.  I love to just sit in the rocking chair and chat the afternoon away.  I wish my memory was as good as his.  He walked me out as he always does and poses for the picture that we always get!  I sure love this fella!  I always say "I love you MY BROTHER" and he says "I love you MY SISTER"!

While driving out the driveway, the windmill was whirling.  SO Peaceful!

I stopped by my Sister Cindy's house too.  She had something for me from her Mother-in-law Teressa!  It's a necklace in memory of my Sister Brenda.  I love it!  Thank you Teressa❤️

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

Living an Unplugged Life...

It feels good sometimes (especially in these times) to just unplug and that's what I have been doing.  The TV has been off except for sports:) and wow it feels good.  I spent all day yesterday cleaning, sorting and finding Fall/Thanksgiving decorations to use in our home.

Enjoy your Sunday dear friends, that's what I plan on doing!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy B'day Madison and a little shopping...

Our Granddaughter Madison is 14 today!  Happy Happy Birthday Madison!  We love you SO much!  This girl has grown up in the blink of the eye!  Last year we celebrated with a trip to ANAKEESTA and it was a ton of fun.

Yesterday Tracy and I escaped to do some shopping but mostly to be together:)  We walked up and down the aisles and found some things that we needed, haha!

Happy together!  These made us giggle!

Now I am working on my grocery list and making a much needed trip to stock up.  I used some pork chops from the freezer last night and they were so delicious.  Here is the recipe that I used in case you wanna try them:)  That's it for this morning!  I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy 25th...

Happy 25th Birthday to the one who named me "GANKY"!  I love you Autumn and I am SO proud of you and the MOMMY you are to Brooklyn and Jameson.  Enjoy your day and I can't wait to sing "Happy Birthday to you"!  Next year we will be together to have lunch and do some shopping!  LOVE YOU to the moon and back!

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

It's Election day, let's all pray...

Election day is finally here, I voted and so should everyone.  We don't all agree on who should be President and that's ok.  We can all agree perhaps to pray for this Country and what lies ahead no matter who the winner is.  

I am up early this morning having my coffee on this gorgeous FALL day, the heater is humming and it's going to be a great day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

**Comments turned off today**

ALL clocks changed...

Yep, before I turned in for the night ALL clocks were changed.  I complain every time the time changes, it should just stay one way or the other.  ANYWAY... it is what it is and it is daylight earlier (good)👍🏻 and darker earlier (bad)👎🏻.  That's all I am gonna say about that:) 

A new day is here and I plan to make the most of it.  Enjoy your Sunday dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!