24, he can’t be!

that’s right, my son is 24 today.  I can’t believe it.  Where did the time go?  Seems like only yesterday I was singing “You are my sunshine” to him, and he was asking me “Mommy settle me down” (rubbing his back before going to sleep).  Oh how I cherish those memories.   Q Happy Birthday Derek!!! d

K…let’s see what have I been up to since I last posted.  The two biggest things were I was out of town for a family reunion and still working on getting the basement prepped for carpeting, coming on Wednesday. 

Hubby’s family had a reunion in Livonia Mi over the weekend, so we traveled about 8 hours to attend.  We had a wonderful time, visiting with his family and relatives he hadn’t seen in a few years.  On the way up we stopped in Amish country in Ohio.  We had a blast, the only problem is we didn’t have enough time to see much, so I’m sure another trip will be in the future. However we did hit a few antique shops while in the area. And Sunday on our trip home, we stopped at three more.  I will have to say we did pretty good on this trip.  We didn’t fill the truck up.  B   Although I did find some of the glassware that I have been searching for.  I  have been collecting some snack plates, some for any occassions and some with snowflakes for the winter months, and found both that I was looking for.  SCORE!

I think we have finally got all the floors prepped and the furniture moved out of the basement for the carpet layers tomorrow.  I’m so excited about getting this new carpet.  It is going to give the area a whole new feel and look.  Woohoo.  I’m not going to want to put anything back in the basement.  I share a few before pictures here if you missed them.  I will try to snap some new ones once we have things back in place.

well I really should scoot, just wanted to keep you up to date what is going on with me.  I need to get around to visit with you all.  Bare with me. 

1 Samuel 16:7“But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Our trip to see the CATS!!

I can’t believe I haven’t posted since last Friday, where has the time gone, but before to much time got away from me I thought I would share a few pictures of our beloved CATS!!! and our trip this past weekend to watch them play.

Taken in Syracuse NY at the Elite 8 competition.  (although we lost, we had a great time).  It was amazing seeing all the blue and white in New York.  These fans are fanatic about their team and will follow them anywhere.  We were amazed when we arrived at our hotel on Saturday, all decked out in the BLUE and WHITE, we were staying at the hotel that the players were staying in and their was a sea of blue and white in the lobby and halls, as well as the cars in the parking lot.  I felt like  I was home.  It was wonderful.

Cuz (Cousins) boarding the bus to go to the dome!

John Wall headed to the bus!

   Waiting for the game to start, decked out in our blue and white!

Believe me we have tons of pictures to capture our weekend spent in New York, but this gives you a taste of my weekend. 

Now this weekend, we are traveling to Charlottesville Va. to see the George Strait concert.  We missed him when he came to Baltimore in January, so we are going to make a three hour drive down to see the concert and spend the weekend traipsing through Va with some friend, hoping to get some antiquing in while we are gone.  What are your Easter plans?

Have a blessed Wednesday!

Roatan, Mexico

  Wow!  Boy did we have fun here….Michael  and I disembarked the ship that morning after a having a big breakfast with the family.  Originally we wanted to rent a moped to see the island but by the time we got to the rentals they were all gone, so we elected to get a driver to take us over the island.  Below you will see some of the beautiful countryside. I love this view of this little church nestled in the hills. 

When we stopped to have lunch that day, this was the view that we had.  To the right (even though you can’t see it) people were lounging around on the cliff and going into the water to snorkel. 

The infinity pool at the the resort.  The was breathtaking.  You can’t see where the pool stops and the ocean starts. 

The beach down from the infinity pool.

 

These pictures don’t do the island justice, it was so pretty there and the water was so blue and clear.  You could see through it. 

Matthew 7:12“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

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Happy New Year (a little late and from the cruise ship)

 

  Just wanted to say howdy and hope y0u all had a wonderful New Years Eve/Day!  I will say that I did…spent New Years Eve in Costa Maya Mexico and News Years Day in Cozumel, where the temps were a whopping 95 degrees and believe me I have the sunburn to prove it. 

At this moment I  am sitting here in my cabin on the Royal Caribbean “Voyager of the Seas” cruise line, and thought while I had a few minutes would let you all know that I am still alive, just have so busy since the holidays started.  We dock in Galveston tomorrow (Sunday) and will post this, don’t have access to the at the moment….but will post pictures soon, hopefully in the next few days….Monday will be a day of traveling from Texas, to Nashville to pick up our vehicle and then we have a nice long 12 hour drive home…so it might be middle of the week before I get them up…play to share some of fun in the sun….more to come….

Wow, how time flies

My question is wow where does the time go?  I can't believe it has been over 1 1/2 months since I wrote anything on my blog.  Life has really been busy for me over the last month or so...it naturally is but for some reason this year it has been particularly busy. 

As you see from the last post, we got our house on the market, and that is a experience all in itself.  As any of you that have done this knows, it is alot of work to keep your home "show ready".  So that has taken up some of my time, not to mention having to leave the house each time someone wants to come and look at it.  Oh well, that is part of the process I guess.  Everyone keeps asking....nothing has happened yet with the house, but we have had a abundance of second and third time lookers.  Guess people are being cautious about spending that kind of money so they want to get the biggest bang for their buck.  Can't say I blame them.  So if and when it sells, you will be one of the first to know.

I also have started back to work full time and that has taken a adjustment...the early hours and early nights....so therefore my evenings are more structured and blogging doesn't always fit into the plan. 

This is the first weekend we have been home in a month.  Three weekends we had a unexpected trip to Missouri for my dil's mothers funeral.  It was such a shock and sad time.  She was only 52.  I think our dil was glad we came down, just wish there had been more we could have done for her.  She is such a sweetie and glad to have her as a part of our family. 

The next two weekends were spent in Williamsport Pa, for the Little League World Series.  It just so happened that both my hometown team, Russellville, Ky....the Logan County team made it as well as hubby's team from San Antonio...so of course we had to go and root our boys on. We had a great time, seeing old friends and making new ones.  Although neither of our teams won the title we were so proud of them and the way they represented us.  Our hats off to the parents and coach's of these young men.  What a wonderful experience for them to carry into adulthood.

Our weather here has turn almost fall like, and I welcome it.  It is by far my favorite season.  It has my mind reeling with all kinds of things I want to cook and bake....I love the days spent out going to craft fairs, fall festivals, apple picking, hayrides, shopping for the perfect pumpkin.  Is there anything about the fall NOT to like.  God blesses us with wonderful warm and cozy colors to set the perfect backdrop for this time of year.  Simply gorgeous!

I have also been reading like a mad woman...I have read some wonderful books written about the Amish...my favorite...and have a list of about 6 more to buy...both Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter have new ones out.  Woo Hoo!  So might try to hit a bookstore over the weekend to pick them up, if not...here I come Amazon.

Well that is a brief snippet of what has been going on with me...with alot of little mundane sprinkled in there...but overall just real busy and feeling real blessed.  God is so good! 

Heading out this morning to get me a manicure which is in great need as lately typing has become a major chore....so going to take care of that before much else gets done. 

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Happy Labor Day, spent with those you love and capturing sweet moments that will linger as wonderful memories with your family and friends.

Till next time,

Hugs to all!

Where has the time gone (NO pictures this time)

Seems like I was just here, and it has been weeks since I posted anything.  Yiiikkkkkeeesss!  We'll I will try to make a quick update. How's that?   Life is life and I am living it day to day, and trying to just do what is humanly possible.  How's that?  No, really, everyday for the last several months has brought on many new struggles and changes for me and I am just trying to adapt to everything.  In the last several months, as most of you know, my kids lost jobs and we have been praying.  God answered our prayers this morning with a job for my #2 son (only in birth order, :) ) he will be starting a job in a couple of weeks and my #1 son (birth order, remember?) has a interview tomorrow and a possible lead for another job.  So we are praising God today.

Michael and I had a nice day out on Saturday, we drove up to Washington Pa to visit with his sister and had a nice lunch out with her and her hubby and scooted into a antique shop.  It was just a beautiful day to be out.  The weather was so nice and such a change from the cold temperatures we have been having.  Yesterday was spent with the boys at the house, helping Michael with some projects.  Oh joy!  We asked them to come over and help out and we would pay them.  They have been doing some odd jobs here and their for family members to pick up some spending cash until the unemployment kicks in.  It was nice to spend some time with them.  My daughter darted in for a few minutes and then she was gone again, but I always enjoying seeing her if only for a few minutes.

Today the weather has been great.  A perfect spring day.  As much as I dislike the time change, I do like the longer daylight hours. So thankful for that. I am really ready for the weather to get warmer and stay that way, although the forecast calls for cold temps again later this week. UGH!

Michael's son is getting married in a couple of weeks in Knoxville so I am hoping when we go down for the wedding it will be nice.  Looking forward to that little time away.  That also happens to be "our" first anniversary.  Woo Hoo!

Well, I just wanted to say hi. Hope you all have a blessed week.

Hugs,!

Tuesday Thoughts

I hope this finds everybody doing well and from the little glimpses I have had when reading or visiting your blogs it sounds like all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know we did. Traveling to Kentucky was long but we had a wonderful time spending it with family. Of course, the food was plentiful and tasty. Since our actual meal was the fifth one for my sister this year, and my parents were leaving town the day after we left, mom sent all the leftovers home with me. Needless to say I am still eating turkey. Since my days are long and I am so tired when I arrive home in the evening, I have been enjoying not having to cook.

I still don't have things quite back to normal, but fortunately when I left for my moms, I had cleaned my house so I came home to a clean house. Granted since we have gotten home we haven't been doing so well keeping things picked up. But hoping that in the next couple of days things will come together a little bit for me.

I have really been struggling with some personal issues and I think that has had me just a little bit more moody and exhausted than normal. I have been seeking some peace through scriptures and one that keeps popping up for me is "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV This passage over the years has really helped me....as well as the old adage " One day at a time". I know from past experiences that this scripture holds alot of power for me, I have seen it. So why do I always doubt when things seem so "hard, miserable". I pray that God will not let these trials steal my joy during this holiday season. But my body and my mind get so tired.And I know when that happens, I lose joy! Does this happen to any of you, or is it just me? Sometimes it makes me wonder if I don't have enough faith or what I am doing wrong. Is it me?
I read one post this morning that really was beneficial for me. I could see me all over this post. Feel free to read Broken Vessels entry from Dec. 1.

I need to scoot for now, but I hope you all are having a blessed day.

Hugs!
Cindy

Black Friday

Are you out today in this? Stores opening at o dark-thirty, racing and pushing and shoving....

 

 

While everyone is out racing around doing this today, I am at home doing this....Having my meal with my family.

Did everyone have a great Thanksgiving day?

Most likely Michael and I will leave mom's some time tomorrow, so I might not get back to the computer until I get back home.  For those of you that are traveling have a safe trip home.  

Blessings to all,

Cindy

Heading Home

Traveling to Kentucky for Thanksgiving.
Just a few prayers/verses to ponder on and give thanks!

Psalm 31:19(NIV)How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 95:1-6(KJV) "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."

Psalm 100(KJV) "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Psalm 107:1(NIV)"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 145:7(NIV)They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13(KJV)

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name."

It's done!

Hi ya'll!  So glad you got a chance to swing by and visit with me for a few minutes this morning.  I can't believe another weekend has come and gone and we are into a new week.  I had a very productive weekend though, and for that I feel such a sense of relief.  I actually had some time to spend in my bible study and bible reading.  What a treat. 

Anyhow, I got my house decorated for Christmas and I am so happy.  I normally don't decorate until the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but since we are going to be in Kentucky for the Thanksgiving holiday, and will not have alot of time when I get home I thought it best to go ahead and put it up.  Whew it was a two day job, and believe me when I say every muscle in my body aches.  Up and down steps, squatings, lifting, etc. about did this old body in. So now my focus will be on buying and wrapping presents when I get back.  I have only bought a few little gifts. But I do have my list made of ideas. That will be a big help for me.

I am going to try to take some pictures of the house, but not sure if I will get it done before I leave for Kentucky.  If I don't then will try to get some up for you to see when I get back home.

K...just wanted to give you a update as to what I am up too.  I hope you all are having a great week.  What kind of Thanksgiving plans do you have.

Blessings,
Cindy

Time is running out

Oh my, time is really getting away from me.  Sorry it has been a bit since my last post, but seems like when I have time to post, I don't really have anything to share.  This past weekend, should have been a busy weekend for me, but I wasn't feeling all that well. So I let some things slide.  Which isn't a good thing since my parents will be coming in from Kentucky tomorrow.

On Saturday, the weather was gloomy and rainy and so I stayed in my jammies most of the day.  For some odd reason my whole body ached, and I had chills and then I would get hot.  Go figure!  Anyway, I just kinda was lazy that day.  But I knew I had tons I needed to do on Sunday so I woke up rarin to go.  My handy little list in hand and I was ready, until Michael mentioned going out for breakfast.  I love eating breakfast out.  So off we went. Seems afterwards  I went downhill.  I think it was the eggs at breakfast that made me sick.  I spent the rest of the day sick to my stomach.  (Recently I found out that I have a allergic reaction to eggs and therefore I order and eat Egg Beaters) However I am thinking my order got mixed up and I ended up eating eggs, but believe me I paid the price.  Even though we still had to do errands we were quick about it so that I could get back home.  The day turned out to be a perfect fall day and even though I didn't get alot done, Michael got the yard work done and trimmed all the bushes, and cut back flowers and got everything winterized.  Thankful that is done.

Back to work I went yesterday and trying to get back into my routine.  Although this is a short week for me.  I plan to take Friday off so that I can spend it with my parents as well as go to Tori's football game.  Friday night is senior night, and her school does a big thing for the seniors so that is one of the reasons for my parents visit. Unfortunately they have never gotten to see her cheer (live) in high school so this will be a first.

I think Saturday we are going to head to Amish country, Lancaster Pa..  My mother and I love it up there and it is great this time of year.  I can't wait.  It will be perfect if it isn't rainy.  I can handle the cold, but not if it is wet on top of it.   Karen at My Colonial Home did some great posts on Lancaster on her recent trip. Take a look at all her pictures and you'll have a idea of what we are in for.  Not to mention, spend some time just looking around her lovely blog.

On Sunday since my boys will over visiting with my parents, I plan to make a nice dinner.  This isn't the norm anymore now that the boys have grown up and aren't living at home.  Boy do I miss that time of sitting down at the table all together as a family.  So this will be a nice treat for me to savor.  Granted, I know that football is going to be in on the day too.

On Monday I will be back at work and my parents will be on the way home again.  So this is going to be a short trip for us all, but one that I look forward too.  This is a brief summary of the days ahead, but I wanted you to know why I am not around.  I will be back first part of next week if everything goes okay.  (By that I mean, I haven't gone out of town) Every day Michael and I keep waiting on news of his mother.  She is terminally ill and we know that we don't have much more time.  At the moment, we have tickets to fly out to Texas in a couple of weeks to visit and help out the family.  Just don't know if we will have to go before that.  So basically letting you know that I will get back when I can.


Have a wonderful Halloween. 

A week half over

Happy Wednesday everyone, hope this finds you all having a great week. I can't believe that it is already the middle of the week, not sure where the time is going this year, but seems to be getting away from me. Although when I look back on the year, I feel that I have gotten much accomplished but wish I was farther down my list. Make sense? Am I ever happy with my progress?
One thing that I haven't done real good at is my blogging (sorry ya'll)...kinda been taking a break from posting as there really isn't much to share but the same ol stuff...so have just been quite. Been using my blogging time for different things...I know with Fall upon us, I will want to spend my evening cuddled up with Michael and watching some tv or just talking. We really need that time as a couple and with our work schedules as they are, that doesn't leave much time to spend together unless it is in the evenings.

Speaking of Fall, I am so ready for it. The weather here has been strange for August. This morning while driving into work it was 55 degrees and the high yesterday was only 77. Great weather for me. Wish it would stay that way. It is suppose to be cool again tonight and rain, so thinking that I might go home from work tonight and make a big pot of soup. That sounds yummy to me.

Michael and I did get away this past weekend. We went up to Lancaster Pa (Amish Country) and had such a wonderful time. Actually the purpose of the trip is he purchased a antique library table off of ebay and we had to go up there to pick it up. I love it. Can't wait to show you the pictures. Anyway, we spent the days wondering through the antique shops in the area and beyond. Now I just have to take a weekend to go up there and get to Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. Two of my favorite little towns.

Well ladies, I need to scoot. I will try to get around and visit soon.
Hugs!

Getting Organized

Welcome everybody. Hope this finds you having a good weekend. Mine has been busy with errands but I have been getting things done around this house...which was in a big need. Since early spring, I have been letting things slide because of getting things ready for the wedding....now that that is over, he and I are settling into our lives as man and wife. Woo Hoo! So much is going on around here it hasn't been boring.

Well guys, I have been fighting something. Not sure what. It all started on Friday. I woke up with a sore throat and it continued into the morning getting worse. By the time I had been at work about a hour, my ear was ringing and my jaw was aching. I got the fear that I was coming down with the flu as everyone in my office has had it this year. Which wouldn't have been a good thing because Michael and I are heading to Houston this weekend for Mothers Day to spend with his mom (and they have basically confined her to the house, because they don't want her around people because of her immune system). Anyhow, I left work after being there 2 1/2 hours. When I got home, I came in and took some pain meds for my aching jaw and arm (another story) and took some thera-flu and grabbed the heating pad for my ear and went to bed, I spent the entire day in bed. All I can say, is that while I am taking meds, I feel okay but definitely can tell when it is wearing off, because the sore throat comes back as well as the ear ache. So not sure what it is. Sinus', Ear Infection, ? What? Needless to say, I am living off of medication this weekend...but I have so much that I want to do in this house, and I know with the upcoming work week and then being away over the upcoming weekend, I have to get these things accomplished.

Now about my arm....several weeks back, not sure when...I must have hit my left elbow or pulled a muscle or something, since then I haven't had much use in my left arm. Sometimes it pains me just to lift a glass, or my little tiny purse. Not sure what I did to it, if I chipped a bone, or pulled a musle or what. In order to sleep most nights, I have to take motrin or something to sleep. So basically what I am saying....I got married and now I am falling apart. Michael has been teasing me about it. He tells me how I am younger than he is and shouldn't be having these problems.

Rememeber several months back, I wanted my computer moved upstairs so that I would have it more accessible to me, Michael is finally moving it for me today. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I will now have my computer with all my information at my fingertips. Hoping over time to get my recipes and homemaking tips all in one place and organized as well.

In the meantime, Michael has quit his job and will be starting another one in a week or so. So he is trying to get things caught up at home for me. He has been spending lots of time in the yard and he has it looking so good. He finally got in the garage and did some sorting and cleaning....it's not done yet, because we have things to take to goodwill and the dump . Plus he has the furniture from his old office in the garage, but it will go back to his new office when he moves. It's amazing how better you feel when you feel like you are making some headway. Granted we still have a list but we are working on getting it down. Over the last several weeks we have bought quite a few annuals that need to be planted...so I might try to work on that this afternoon. If not, then hopefully we can get that done tomorrow. We didn't want to do it before now, because we got down into the thirties several nights last week. We just want to be out of danger of frost.

Our weather has been so crazy here. Friday it was simply a gorgeous day....wish I could have enjoyed it, but like I said, I was in bed...but Michael did...he mowed the lawn twice. Had too because of the rain over the past week and the grass has grown so fast. Since we got back from Cancun he has mowed the lawn 6 times. Twice each time he has mowed. Not sure what the weather is suppose to be this week, but I know it will be hot in Houston, and I am looking forward to some constant warm weather. Maybe I will actually get more of a tan. Although when we were in Cancun, we didn't get alot of time at the beach, because we did alot of touring.

Well guys, I guess I should get at it. I have things to do and I am wanting to get some reading and bible study in today. Hope your having a blessed week and if you think about it, please pray for my ailments. Thanks!

Last full day in Cancun

Hi everybody. Have a minute and wanted to say hi. This is our last full day in Cancun and we are heading back home tomorrow. It is a bittersweet feeling, as it is so lovely here and we have had a fantastic time, but I am wanting to see my kiddos, so have to go back.
Hopefully on Sunday or first part of next week, I can write about the trip and post some pictures and tell you about the wedding.

Plus hopefully I can get some blog visits in. :)

Sending hugs and hope you have a blessed weekend.

Cindy

I'm a Mrs. again.

Hi everybody.

thanks for all the well wishes. The wedding was simply beautiful. I will post more later. Michael and I are heading to Cancun this morning,so I don't have alot of time, but will be posting pictures and I will write all about it when I get home.

Hoping all is doing well and that you all have a blessed week.

Love and hugs,
Me

Bits and Pieces

Happy Tuesday.  Just popping on to say hi and let you all know that I am still alive.  I haven't been feeling great.  Not sick, just extremely tired and sluggish.  Not sure what the culprit is, but I really need to get over it. 

Tonight I played hooky from a meeting just to stay home and play on the computer.  I had some things that I needed to get done before they got away from me.  So that was accomplished. 

I am glad that tomorrow is Wednesday, the half point of the week.  At this point, I plan to run some errands after work tomorrow (must do's) and also see if I can set up a final fitting for my dress on Thursday before it goes to be pressed. 

Our passports came in on Monday...the application was only gone for a week.  I can't believe it.  I was so glad that they got here as fast as they did, because Michael and I dawdled applying for them.  Now we should be able to get to Cancun.  :)

 

Today I made a few minor changes and added a few things to my blog.  It was in much need of some fixes.  Hopefully I got that done.  I also made a post at my homemaking site. Check it out here if you have time.  I also added a new section in the right hand column Blog Land.  There are some neat little places to visit for some cool things for your blog as well as some useful sites to help with tips and tricks and tutorials. 

Well I need to get myself ready to go to bed...so I will bid you a goodnight and hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.

 

Hugs!

Cindy

Wedding, Again!

Hi all...did you think I forgot about you? No, really I haven't, but just haven't had any free time for the computer unless it involves looking up something for the wedding or honeymoon, etc. Anyway, I just feel terrible that I don't have a clue as what is going on with most of you. Forgive me for not being around, and know that when things slow down some I will get by to visit and check up on ya. But for me, if I get on the computer I can lose alot of precious time just 'visiting and playing'. So try to keep to my list in the evenings so I can accomplish as much as possible at a given time. Each day brings a new list. :)

This past weekend was a productive weekend for me. We didn't go to Philly to see the Spurs so I took care of some much needed things on my "blessings" list. On Saturday morning I went to get my hair cut/trimmed and highlighted. Looks much better, if I say so myself. I also took Tori shopping for her dress and we found one. WooHoo! It's simply beautiful, but it is going to need some alterations to the length, so if it can't be done then we have a back up dress. Either one will be pretty for the wedding and they both look great on her. So that is taken care of. The week before I had searched everywhere for some shoes so that I could take them to my fitting last week...and couldn't find anything. Michael if you are reading this stop now. To view my dress click here. Anyway, Saturday night while I was out looking for Tori's dress, I found a pair that I really liked, no actually fell in love with . Granted I didn't want open toed, but these were on sale and so pretty, I couldn't resist...so now a pedicure is in store for me. You'll find pedicures on my "Kentucky list of things to do".

I think Michael and I have just about got all major decisions made and all the airline tickets bought and honeymoon planned...so now it is all the loose little things to do. On Sunday I went out for a while and did some shopping for some clothes for the honeymoon, but really need to pick up some more things, shoes, makeup, suntan lotion, bathing suit, things of this nature. So we are planning to do that this weekend. The wedding is in just over three weeks. So I want to have everything done that needs to be done from our end by next week, so I can concentrate on getting all my packing done, as well as help Tori pack.

Michael and I will head to Kentucky the evening of the 9th of April, and the kids will fly down the evening of the 10th of April. Rehearsal will be on the 11th and the wedding on the 12th. The kids fly back to Baltimore on the 13th and we fly to CANCUN at the same time. We will be there from the 13th until the 19th in which we fly back to Nashville for a 5 hour lay over, so we will go out to dinner with my family ( they will all travel down to meet us/plus sister lives there) before heading back to Baltimore later that night. So I think that is our plans for now.

Besides the wedding, things are busy as ever. Tori is busy with school and her cosmetology class and 'travel' cheer squad. Plus it is that time of the year when they are bombarded by dances and fund raisers at the school. Plus she has been practicing her driving so that she can take her driving test. Believe me, I am not ready for that. The week before the wedding she is flying to Kentucky with her dad to go to the UK (University of Kentucky) cheer camp. She is really looking forward to this and I am sure it will quite informative for her. So as you can see, I have my hands in quite a bit with her.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week...and I saving things to share here once I have time and the wedding is behind me. Bear with me.

Back home!

Wow what a busy several days I have had.! Not sure where to actually start . Michael and I arrived back in Maryland late last night to quite a "treat" from my adorable furry pal, Mocha. She left us several care packages if you know what I mean. Ugh! So guess what Michael and I were doing around midnight last night. Shampooing carpets. Yeppers. I ended up getting to bed late but fortunately I didn't go in to work today as early as I normally do. I just needed to get some sleep. If I had it to do over I would have stayed home...just feeling kinda run down...but I am sure once I get back into the swing of things I will be fine

A little rundown of my trip, friday night we arrived in Houston about 8:30 pm. I was so glad to finally be there because it was a long day. Anyway, when we got there, we visited with the family and Betty. She seemed to be doing well, but you can never tell when someone is in pain. As we found out with being there several days she was taking some powerful pain medication. But she was a trooper and we loved the time we got to spend with her. She gave Michael 'her' ring to give to me right after we arrived. I ended up having to have it sized so we took it out on Saturday morning for resizing. I will have to get Michael to take a picture of it, as it is definitely unique and no other one is like it. It still means so much to me that she wanted me to have it. Still I feel it is a honor.

Later on Saturday afternoon we got word that Grandmom had past away. She had really been going downhill since last week. But God has a wonderful and remarkable way of working things out in his timing. Since I already planned on being in Ky. on Monday and Tuesday and her viewing and burial were then. So it worked that I could be there for that as well as take care of the wedding preparations that we needed to take care of. I am so thankful that my hometown isn't a big place,so we could take care of what needed to be taken care of it a matter of hours. We got to the florist and ordered my alter and reception hall decorations. I went with tulips as my flowers. I love tulips and since it is spring I thought this would be very springy. I am going to do hycinths on the reception tables in assorted purples and pinks. The florist had some pictures of some weddings they had done in the past using tulips and it looked so nice. Very elegent and simple. That is the look I am striving for. Simple and sweet and not overly done.

We are going to have a rehearsal dinner at the church afterwards and it will be catered. Got the menu in place for that. I also am having a small reception with cake and goodies after the wedding on Saturday but afterwards we are going to have a dinner at a resturant in town(as most of our guest are from out of town). We went to the location and reserved the hall and set a menu. Whew! We also checked with the local hotels to reserve a block of rooms for out of town guest and we ordered the tuxes and Michael got fitted. We also had to run to the county clerks office to see what we needed to do to get our marriage license, since we don't live there. Got that taken care of too. So as you can see this was a busy trip. I know there is much more, but this was the highlights. Anyway, Michael and I still have quite a bit to do but we will get it done. Only five more weeks.

This weekend, I have to find shoes and lingerie to wear under the gown so that I have them for my fitting next week. We still need to get our wedding bands, and Tori's dress and shoes, and all the incidentals that go with that. I still haven't decided what I want for my hair....but will decide. The one and major thing I fear is that since I am older and this is a second wedding, I don't want it to look like I am a young adult doing this for the first time. I am just trying to stay true to myself and what I like and keeping it simple, incorporating a few things that I really like from larger weddings.

Not planning on doing much the rest of this week other than work...I need to give myself a little break from the wedding plans. I will work more on the plans this weekend. My house really needs a good cleaning but will work on that this weekend too....I plan to spend some time over the next several days catching up with emails and such. I have a ton to go through that is the worst thing when you go on a trip and can't check your mail properly and open your inbox to 3 or 4 hundred emails. YIKES! So need to get through those. I also got backed up on my bible reading, so actually played catch up with that this morning. Now I am back on schedule.


I am sitting here watching American Idol while writing this....so if it doesn't make alot of sense you understand why. Actually Michael and I have been watching the ones we recorded to get up to date. Now I am caught up, watching the current show of the girls. I thought last nights show with the boys was actually good. So far this one has been just okay for me. I think I really like this Carly. Can we do something about the tattoo though? Its so distracting.

Before I leave, can I ask you all to please remember Michael's mom again in prayer, she went back to the doctor today for more chemo and test, we don't have any news yet how things went today, but just praying that she isn't in any pain, and that the chemo will continue to reduce the tumor she has. She really wants to be at the wedding so praying it works so that she can be there.

Hope you all are having a awesome rest of the week. I will try to stop in and visit with you all soon.

God Bless and hugs!

Different Day, Same stuff

Since I hadn't posted since Saturday morning thought it best to do a little update. We did go out on Saturday to look for my wedding dress and I am happy to report I found one. Yeppers I did. I had done some searches prior to going out and found one that was exactly what I was looking for online so wrote down the design number and when I went to our local bridal salon, they actually carried the designer and had that dress. I was shocked. I tried it on and knew that it was the one. My girlfriend went with me and she told me is was the 'one' too. I did try on some others but they were a little much, too formal. If it had of been my first wedding that would have been one thing but with this being the second, I was going for a total different look. The first dress was simply gorgeous with a long train but it looked so youthful and not me at all. Anyhow, I decided on the dress(the one I saw on the internet) that I wanted and paid for it. Much to my surprise, it was marked down 1/2 price. Wow! I was thrilled. So not only did I get the dress I saw and wanted, the local salon had it and it was 1/2 off. Can't beat that.I have to go in for my fitting on March 13th. WooHoo! So now I have to look for shoes and something for my hair. Thinking about wearing my hair half up and half down. But we will see. I am thinking that a pretty comb or decorative hair pins might be the way to go. Although I would love a simple little tiara. As for shoes, I want some simple but classic and comfortable. Since the wedding is in April, I don't think I will do open toed unless I just find some that I love.

In saying all that about the shoes, I might have to wait for a bit before I actually get some due to the fact while I was at the salon I stumped my toe, I heard it pop, and it is every color of the rainbow. I am not sure if it is broken or fractured but either way it is painful and sore. So now I am running around with tennis shoes on and my toes taped together. Call me grace. :)

I am in the process of making tons of list for our upcoming trip to Houston and Kentucky. I have so much to accomplish in a few short days so don't want to forget anything. Upon getting back home, I will be getting Tori's dress and shoes. She has seen some that she likes so will go and check them out. Not sure exactly what I want though, so this gives me a little time to think about it.

Enough wedding talk for now, on to something else. My sister is going in this morning to have sinus surgery. My folks are going down to Nashville to be with her, it will be done outpatient but they want to be there none the less. My sister has always had problems breathing so they are going to be doing a new procedure to help her breathe better and improve her quality of life. They said if this procedure didn't work they were going to do something different. Please remember her in prayer for a speedy recovery.

Today the weather here is raining and the temps are only suppose to be around 40. I am eagerly awaiting spring. Seems lately I haven't been to motivated to do anything, and I am eager to get some things accomplished. If you could only see my garage, but the weather has been so cold, Michael can't get in there. For a while he worked in there with a heater on, but that doesn't seem to help when the temps are down in single digits or teens. So hoping next weekend will be a pretty weekend so maybe he can get some things done out there. I haven't had my car in the garage since last fall. ;(

Hope you all have a great Tuesday and blessed week.

Hug and God Bless!