Our Thanksgiving and "What a day that will be"...

Thanksgiving 2021 was a great time together, lots of good food, smiles and hugs.  I left my phone sitting most of the afternoon so I don't have many pictures.  Tracy and Derek hosted the gathering for Derek's family and US.  We had the best time, the little ones ran around and played and the big people played games and enjoyed lots of good conversation.  I am thankful for so much and so many in my life.  Our family suffered huge loss over this year and last year but we will all be together as a big family again, one day in Heaven!  "What a day that will be"!

My Christmas decorations are up and the lights are glowing.  SOME Gifts are wrapped and under the tree!  I will peck away at doing a little wrapping in the days ahead.  I enjoy the lights so much!  Have a blessed day and weekend dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Since my last post...

It's a busy time of year, right?  I don't post like I used to and although I try to do better, well the posts just don't seem to get posted.  SO... here is what has been going on since my last post.  I led off with a picture of Brooklyn's turkey that she made in school, it is made using her sweet little handprints.

We celebrated my Sister Cindy's birthday!  We started out to eat Chinese buffet but it was closed.

Cracker Barrel had a nice table and the crowd grew into a nice lunch bunch!

A sweet visit with the babies.  Brooklyn was telling me about the cornucopia that she made at school.  

Jameson loves to help bring the groceries, he was so proud!

Last night I took a walk outside and saw all of my solar lights showing their beauty.  Top left is a gift from my Sister Barbara many years ago that I wouldn't take a million dollars for, I miss her:(  Top right was a birthday gift from my niece Britani, bottom left gift from my Daughter Tracy and still shines so bright with it's flame-like light and the blue string lights with reflection in the pool were a gift to me from me:)

I have recently spent time in my little cottage.  I take a few VCR tapes out there and sit and watch them.  While out there, I put the little Christmas tree on the timer.  That's about all I have done in the way of decorating for Christmas!

One of the movies that I watched was My Mama and Daddy at one of their Anniversary celebration.  Mama always loved to get cash in a card.  This picture brought a big smile to my face and tears to my eyes.  This was#47 for them I think.  My Mama passed away in 1988 and Saturday was the day that my Dad passed away in 2006.  Time helps our hearts but the pain never goes away completely.

Saturday was Marc's 74th birthday, Tracy and family came to visit and bring gifts and smiles.  It was a wonderful time together!  Thank you Tracy for taking the time to bring your HAPPY Birthday bunch!

Alex was out of town and Autumn was home taking care of the babies, here are Austin, Avery and their PA!

Last but certainly not least, our dear blog friend Mildred passed away after months of sickness.  I cherish our friendship.  We never met in person but emailed almost daily even the day before she went to be cared for in a Hospice facility.  She cared about me and my family, she prayed for me and I prayed for her.  She talked to me thru the deaths of my loved ones and I will hold her in my heart forever.  One of the last emails she sent said "I know I will see you in Heaven" and I will certainly be looking for my friend Mildred when I go thru those pearly gates.  I love you Mildred and will miss you terribly!  This was her last picture she posted on her blog Laurel Wood, her Fall Wreath.

Cherish each day, cherish each friendship, cherish the love we have for each other and NEVER take one day for granted!  Sending my love and prayers to all of you!  BIG HUGS!

Happy Thanksgiving WEEK, I hope you will spend time with your loved ones, eat lots of yummy food and enjoy it ALL!

My Baby Sister's B'day...

Back in 1969 on November 16th, I became a BIG SISTER thanks to this little cutie.  It's my BABY Sister Cindy B'day today, Happy Birthday Cindy!  She blessed our family on this day and still does.  I was 15 years old when she was born, it was a miracle.  My Mama was 44 and my Daddy was 47.  A bit old to be having babies, but Mama did great and Cindy was born healthy... we were thankful.

Over the years, we have been close... not so much in age but joined at the heart.

I picked a few of my favorite pictures to post.  Cindy and Tracy, Aunt and Niece grew up together.  I worked from the time Tracy was 1 month and 18 days old.  My Mama kept her while I worked.  So these two were more like Sisters than Aunt/Niece being only a few years apart in age.

One of our times together...

Us being Silly at Tracy's:)

I love you Cindy and I am thankful that you are my Sister!  Happy 52nd B'day SIS!

Hope you have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Beats all I have ever seen...

As my Mama would say "beats all I have ever seen"!  This hibiscus has been talked about a lot since I bought it in May.  It has given me so much joy with it's bright yellow blooms, over and over they kept budding and blooming.  When the weather changed, SO did the color!  The blooms are now the color on the right.  Who knew that this could happen, certainly not me.  Anyway I did some research and found this about the color change.  

"They will change color given a temperature change".  

Just thought I would share so you all would know too:)

That's all I have for this Monday morning!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!  

Special prayers for YOU MILDRED, I love you!!!

A year ago...

Sometimes I look back what I was doing a year ago on this day!  This picture was taken ONE year ago, my PRECIOUS SISTER Barbara (Nanny to most) sitting at my kitchen table.  She needed a car and my Grandson Austin had the perfect car for her.  She was the happiest to have a dependable car!  I am thankful that I took pictures to remember that happy time.

 Here they are leaving in their new ride.  My Sister would pass the following February.  I miss her every day.  Grief overwhelms me sometimes and because I don't talk about it often, doesn't mean it isn't there.  Losing 3 siblings in 5 months hurts :(  I miss them all and cherish the memories like this night with my sister.

Cherish each day, we aren't promised another!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Time change, UGH...

Time change, either one... I don't like it.  I am thankful that my working days are WAY behind me and bedtime and rise time are whenever I choose.  BUT... let's leave the time alone.  It is supposedly in the works to vote on doing away with changing the time Fall and Spring.  I will certainly vote to keep ONE time, I don't really care which one we keep:)  With that being said, I am enjoying my coffee this morning and making a grocery shopping list.  The prices are high but we have to eat:)

I am busy cleaning out around my house, shredding lots of old papers and it really feels good.  Once I get started, it is hard to stop and that's a good thing.  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Whew, busy week...

It has been a busy week for this ole gal, but this morning there are no plans.  Autumn and her family moved to a new house.  Tracy and I baby sat on Monday.  I visited to see the new house on Wednesday.  Yesterday was our Granddaughter Autumn's 26th Birthday so we had lunch and did some shopping.  See what I mean about a busy week?  Anyway, it was a great week with lots of family time.  Happy Birthday Autumn, we love you hope you enjoyed your day ALL DAY LONG!

Tomorrow is our Granddaughter Madison's 15th Birthday.  Happy Birthday Madison, we love you and hope you have a great day!  The years sure fly by!

There just hasn't been much time for blogging this week.  The BRAVES won the World Series and kept me up late every night:)  It was worth it.  The parade is today, I would love to be there but there is something about crowd of a million people that makes me stay home.  I will watch it on TV:)  

Enjoy your day dear friends, I am off to catch up with you all and see what you have been up to.  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!