Pets

I was going through some pics on my computer trying to rearrange them and ran across this picture of my daughters dog Peyton. He is a puggle and she got him at the animal shelter. He is such a good dog. She couldn't have asked for a better pet. My daughters friend from high school comes over and visits a lot and brings her two kids. They love the dog and show it everytime they get an opportunity. Peyton just takes anything these kids dish out without complaint. But...this picture reminds me so much of the look he gets on his face each time...HELP ME! LOL I thought I would share this picture and make someone else to smile and chuckle like I did when I ran across it. Enjoy and have a wonderful day.

Fall, My favorite season!!!

I love fall. I love all the beautiful colors that come out this time of year. I love decorating my house for fall. I love the crispness in the air. I love to have the windows open and hear all the nighttime noises like the crickets chirping. I work the midnight shift so when I get ready to leave the air is cool and is still cool when I get of in the morning. The car windows are fogged up, the world is all dewy, clean and fresh smelling. I love the sky this time of year. You never know what color it might be. This picture was taken from my front yard last year right about this time. So cool looking. Did I mention that I love fall??

Nostalga

Not sure why but the last couple of days I have been thinking about my childhood. I have been remembering all the good times we had as kids. All the fun things we had to do long long before all the electronic things kids have today. We made our own fun, used our minds and what we had from our surroundings. We went visiting family and friends, drives on Sunday afternoons, playing games or putting a puzzle together or layed in the grass and looked at the clouds and tried to figure out what shapes the clouds made. While growing up I swear every time someone sneezed my fathers side of the family got together for some reason or another. We had picnics every 4th of July and still do till this day, we got together around Christmas and Santa even came and brought all of us kids presents, got together on New Years Eve to celebrate my grandparents anniversary and my grandfather would shoot off his rifle. Grandma & Grandpa K's house had lots and lots of property for all us kids to run to our hearts content. There were anywhere from 5-20 grandkids running around. I believe there were 24 of us total. There was this big white chair that sat in the side yard and we all would fight over who would sit in it. But we all got a turn. My dad and my uncles would set up a table and play cards outside during the warm weather. There was a shed that had a faucet on it that we had to use to get a drink of water and we all used the same glass that was kept on the little shelf. No one ever got sick from drinking after each other. I can remember my grandmother setting any number of us around the kitchen table and teaching us how to crochet. When you sat beside grandpa at meal time you had better keep an eye on your food because if you looked away he would slip some horseradish in your food. UGH LOL but we all loved sitting next to him. Oh to get those days back. To show my children and grandchildren what it was like. The memories are forever etched in my mind.

One picture is of the chair with my mother sitting in front of it on the blanket and my brother, not sure who the baby is. The other picture is a side view of the chair and you can see the card game going on. Enjoy.

Remembering

As I drove home from work this morning I was remembering this day 7yrs ago. I remember waking up to the telephone ringing and a friend of mine asking me if I had heard what was going on that day. I had just woke up so I turned on the TV just as the 2nd plane hit the 2nd tower. I was stunned and shocked but thinking I was seeing a replay of what had already happened. Little did I know that is what was happening at that moment. My daughter and I were going to go carpet shopping for our new house that we had just bought. Everywhere we went that day TV sets were on and we were glued to it. It was something everyone was talking about and couldn't believe that it could happen here in America. It still to this day seems so surreal to me. We were glued to the TV at work also, just trying to make some sense out of this tragedy. The countless number of lives that were lost that day. So many innocent people, so many families affected, and such a senseless act. I think this changed our nation and changed how we do things. Growing up I just always believed that we were safe living in the United States, nothing bad happens here like it does in foreign countries. Now that feeling of contentment, safety is gone. We are forever changed because of this one fateful day. Some good changes have come about and thats a good thing. I have always believed that things happen for a reason, but I just can't figure out what this "reason" is. I just hope we all take the time and say a prayer today for all those lost and for the families that are left behind that everyone gets the things they need. I hope and pray that this never happens again.

Fall is in the Air

It's been a long time since I have posted anything. I honestly don't know where the time went. Well partly I think I slept it away. Working these midnights is not a good thing. But for the moment I need to make the best of it. I am going to try and catch things up and try and keep up with this blog and just start documenting what has been going on in my life. Well here goes.

I am still losing weight. Its going slow now which I knew it would. You get to a certain point and it goes slower and slower. I am not complaining, this past year has been a very wonderful journey and I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. Its always a different challenge daily to see what is going to fit and whats not. I really am going to have to get on the ball and get some winter clothes and shoes. Sandals and capris are not going to work when the snow starts to fly. I think I will be able to get through this winter with the coat I have. Its big but that will work so that I can wear sweaters/sweatshirts for extra warmth. Did I mention that the more weight I lose the colder I get. I hardly had my AC on over the summer because I was just fine with the air coming in. Now the humidity, well I can do without that.

I was able to go to two Nascar races this year. One in June with my mother and then another in August with my mom, my sister and my daughter. We had a wonderful time. I think I have my daughter hooked. She is even talking about going to Daytona for a race. WHOO HOO bring it on. I am up for that without a doubt. Both races we went to were in Michigan. The weather was beautiful, Hot, but beautiful. We had wonderful seats both races and I think we are going to try and get these last set of seats the next time. It is so exciting to be sitting that close to the track and feel the cars as they go by at 180+ mph. You have to be there to believe it and understand what I am talking about.

I have been trying to do some crafts for around the house. Not that I don't have a lot already but I am wanting something to keep me busy and something new to put around here. I seem to get this way when the fall season comes upon us. Maybe its just the cozy weather, all snuggled under the blankets and trying to keep my mind sharp. I have some new ideas floating around in my head and am going to try and work on all them.

I got to see my grandson on my birthday. My granddaughter and I drove out to his house and saw him. I had not seen him in over a year. But thats a story in itself and I hope it all works out. He is getting so big, so tall. Still skinny but looked wonderful. This year he is in 9th grade and Morgyn is in 11th so they get to see each other daily at school. That is a good thing and they both need that. Brothers and Sisters should be able to have a relationship no matter where they live.

I have been reading other blogs and have really been inspired by them. There are so many out there and most have some really good ideas. I love reading them and seeing what others are doing. Some make me laugh the moment I start reading, some make me cry in sadness and happiness, some are informational and some are just good reads. Who would have thought even 10 yrs ago what the internet would bring. It is amazing to me at times. But hey I am glad its here.

I am really going to try and keep up this blog as more of a journal of sorts. I think in many ways it will be good for me. Even if no one ever reads it, putting things down in writing is a good thing for everyone.

The pics are of me at the race in August, Morgyn & Kharson, and the 4 of us at the race in August (lt to rt-mom, lisa, amanda & me) I hope you enjoy.

And today is...

With the way my life has been going lately, I don't know even what day it is anymore. Nothing bad has happened, which is a good thing. But my work schedule has been hectic. We were on a swing shift since Jan of this year. Then it was decided we would go back to a permanent shift but there would be some staff changes. Man here we go again, disrupting everyones lifes to benefit a few people. After all the dust has settled I now work the midnight shift. I honestly don't mind this shift. Now getting used to a new sleeping pattern, thats the hard part. So far I am doing ok. With as much trouble that has been going on, I am happy and content to work this shift. You don't see any of the administrative powers that be. You don't get caught up in any of the drama that is going on. You just lay back and relax and do your job without most of the hassles.

I was able to go again to another Nascar race in June of this year with my mother. I know the directions but they slipped in a new stop light on the road we get onto off of the interstate. I thought we had gone to far so I turned around and ended up going way out of our way. But I now know like 3 different ways to get to the track. I made notes to myself on the directions so I run into problems next time. My mother and I are going again in August and my sister and my daughter are also going. We had wonderful seats right on start/finish line row 3. Its an amazing feeling sitting so close to the track. This next time we are one row closer. Can't wait to go back.

I am still doing great on my weight loss. I am now up to 174lbs lost. I have pretty much had to buy all new clothes. Could not take in my pants anymore. I am now wearing shorts and capri pants. which is something I would have never done before. Its amazing at how much energy I have. Yesterday at the family reunion 4th of July picnic that was held at a park, I actually got an opportunity to swing on the swings. I can't remember the last time I actually fit on a swing. It was a wonderful feeling. One of my aunts asked "who is that lady sitting over there in the pink shirt?". My cousin said it was me, and my aunt didn't believe it. She came over and gave me a hug and told me the story and said I looked great. It made me feel good. There always is a new thing that comes up daily it seems for me in the way things fit, what I can do, how I feel, and the list goes on and on. These things may not mean anything to anyone else, because they are just things people take for granted, but for me they are "WOW" moments. I can't wait to see what the next WOW moment will be.

The new pic was taken at the race in June. I have to laugh though, I am so short that my capris look more like pants on me.

Cruise

Going on a cruise is just what I needed. I want to go on another one sometime in the future. It is so relaxing just to sit and watch the world go by. Seeing all that beautiful blue water and the magnificant sky. It really is hard to describe. We had a wonderful time. Even my grandduaghter who didn't want to go in the first place had a great time. Once we made her go into the teen club we pretty much didn't see her except for meal time and at bedtime. Actually Amanda and I were in bed before she even got back to our cabin. She met a lot of people and now has added to her texting friends. We got to see some dolphins while we were docked in Key West. The sea was pretty rocky while going into Mexico. Made me a little seasick but it didn't deter me from having fun. Can't wait till I get to go again. We had this family picture taken one night when we were dressed for dinner. The other picture is of the front half of our ship as it was docked at Key West.

I went to my weigh/measuring appt today. I have lost now a total of 164 lbs and 70 inches total. I am very happy with this loss. I feel great, love that my clothes daily get loose. Amanda and I started at Curves on Monday so will be going 3x a week. This will also help in losing weight and toning up what I have already lost. Everyday is a new WOW moment.

Work is interesting. I work midnights again in May. We had a big meeting on Monday afternoon and pretty much will have to reapply for my supervisor position. So will need to get a resume together and a cover letter in the next couple days. But will get it done and see what happens. Guess everything is changing in my life it seems. So far so good and I hope it continues to go this way.