Those Were The Days, My Friend

This is a picture of me (on the right) and my best friend from high school, Nancy. We met the first day of freshman year. Prior to high school, girls were not allowed to wear pants to school. In elementary school, on cold winter days, our mothers would often make us wear pants under our dresses - which we all despised doing, but we did it because our mothers told us to. The year we started high school, they lifted the ban on pants. We were all so excited to have the option of wearing them, though no one wore them the first day of school, well no one except Nancy. She wore blue jeans - low, low hip hugger blue jeans. Nancy had long blond hair and a gorgeous golden tan from spending the summer at her beach house in Surf City. She was the talk of the freshman class and we quickly became the very best of friends.



Nancy and I spent all of our time together throughout our four years of high school. We grew up together, shared our dreams and made memories to last a lifetime. Nancy came to visit me today at my sister's home in New Jersey. We have not seen each other in 18 years, though we have kept in touch with holiday cards and emails. I just cannot tell you what a pleasure it was to see my very best high school friend in person today. Sure we both look a little older, but she has the same fantastic sense of humor, the same wonderful laugh that makes you feel good all over and such a calming peacefulness about her that brought me back to days gone by that I will cherish forever.




I love this picture of us. I have a picture of us standing the same way when we were 17. When I get back home to Florida, I am going to scan that picture for posting. It's so nice to see an old friend. It reminds us of who we once were and how far we've come since then. Nancy helped me become the person I am today and that is a wonderful thing.




Those were the days my friend. We thought they'd never end . . .

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane

My Thankful Thursday post is extended to the pilots who are commandeering the pretty little jet we are riding on today to get to my home state of New Jersey.





I am truly hoping the wonderful, highly skilled pilots slept well last night and that they are feeling good and in control of this little piece of machinery that is carrying us through rain and wind to our destination. I greatly look forward to a smooth flight and a happy landing. I will read, relax and maybe watch a little t.v. because after all . . .



Thank you Rhondi for encouraging me to express my gratitude each and every Thursday. I really enjoy this. Be sure to visit other Thankful Thursday participants at www.rhondisrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com. Perhaps one day I will learn how to do links correctly, but until then . . .

I'm leaving on a jet plane . . .

Things I Love

There are several things around my house that I just love. You know that kind of thing that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy when you see it. Those things that you've had for what seems like forever, but you can vividly remember the when and where behind them.



I love this pink cat. I am not a cat person at all, but I love this cat. She probably holds a special place in my heart because she is pink and I do love pink. I bought this pink cat in Summit, New Jersey at a country-crafty type of store. I was pregnant with my son, Logan, at the time. It was a wonderful time of my life because I was so very excited about the coming birth of my first child. Remember when you were pregnant for the first time? I will never forget that time of my life. I had a great job located in downtown Summit, which if anyone has ever been there, you know it is a quaint old town with lots of character and lots of history. At lunchtime, my friends and I would browse through all of the unique shops to find treasures. This pink cat is a treasure of mine from that very special time in my life.




This cherub picture I bought from the Spiegle catalog - a gift for myself - the last Christmas without children. The year was 1989 and I just fell in love with this picture. It has been hanging in my bedroom ever since. The second photo includes the ceramic pitcher and bowl I made the year I got married - 1983. This also has been displayed in my room ever since.



My Norman Rockwell plaques were a gift from my mother before I was even married. I always loved anything Norman Rockwell and my mom was thrilled when she found these for me. It was hard to get a good picture of these, so they don't show real clearly, but hopefully you can get an idea of just how beautiful they are. They are hanging in my bathroom and each day I remember fondly the joy my mom had in giving them to me.





I love angels. Here are two more that I love. I must admit that I do not remember their history, but that I have loved them for years is history enough for me.



This angel I picked up at an estate sale not too long ago. I got her at the bargain price of 50 cents! She would look great with a mate, but there was none to be found. She holds a regal place near my front door. She blesses me each time I walk out the door.




My books! Oh how I love my books! I love decorating books. I love fiction books. I love motivational books. I love money-management books. I just love books!! They bring me peace. They bring me knowledge. They bring me contentment.

These are some of my favorite things that are very special to me. Thank you Rachel for taking these pictures for me. I hope you enjoyed this little peak into my world and some of the things I love.

Happy Fall

I love this time of year!!! Yes, even living in South Florida - I love this time of year!! I grew up in the northeast and I can appreciate the fall colors, the crispness in the air and the cooler weather. Now, having lived in Florida for 18 years, oh yes, I can see a change in the weather when Fall arrives. Of course I don't have a view like this . . .



And the pumpkins don't come to the church on the corner until the end of the month.



But I love Fall just the same.



I must go decorate! I love to decorate. I've only put a little "Fall" on my coffee table so far.


We are going to New Jersey for a wedding this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing family and friends . . . and a little bit of Fall. I really don't like going away.



And I will miss my puppies terribly . . .




But Logan will take care of everything while we are gone. Yeah Logan!!



Mmmm. Need to take more pictures of Logan. This one is a little old, but cute just the same.

Tomorrow I am going to post pictures of some of my favorite things. I asked my lovely photographer daughter, Rachel, to snap some of my faves because lately I'm very into feeling good about the things I love to do and to view and I would like to share them with you. I will end this post with one of my favorite angels. She graces my bedroom door because, after all, the angel is within . . .



Happy Fall one and all!!!

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday and I am thankful for the peace I feel when I do the things I love, such as baking yummy things that make the whole house smell and feel warm and cozy. I love to read books that inspire me and books that take me to faraway places and books that motivate me to do things better or smarter or more efficiently or that encourage me to do nothing at all. I love to create. I get such pleasure out of making jewelry, painting odds and ends, cross stitching, scrapbooking and organizing the special things I love. I love to look through old pictures that bring me back to days gone by. I love that feeling of peace I get when I do the things I love and I am thankful that I am able to take the time to bring this peace to my life.

Be sure to take a moment to stop by Rhondi's blog to see other posts from Thankful Thursday participants.
(http://rhondisrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com)

Bella Is Growing Up

Where are my eyes???? Oh, they're in there! Here is Bella at 6 weeks of age. When she went to the vet two weeks ago, she was 1lb. 8oz. She's got to be at least 2lbs. now. She is so funny! She goes running all over the place, sometimes even hopping here and there. She has been off the puppy formula for close to two weeks now and is doing great with the wet Science Diet food. Her teeth are coming in great, but not enough to handle the dry food yet, but I'm hoping within the next two weeks we can move on to that.


My neightbor, Susan, lent us this really neat puppy playpen that is set up in the kitchen. Bella stays there during the day and is safe. I put her little crate in there for her to sleep in, but she always scutches herself in between the crate and the playpen and sleeps like that. At night I keep her in my room in her crate. She often wakes during the night to go to the bathroom and then goes right back into her crate to sleep until morning.


Can't say that our Lacie likes Bella all that much. Her turf has definitely been invaded and the Poodle Princess isn't real pleased about sharing her domain. Hopefully that will change as time goes on. Bella just loves Lacie and often chases her around the house with her little tail wagging. Bella almost looks like she's smiling. She is a great little addition to our family and she has brought us much joy - interrupted sleep, little messes here and there when she can get away with it, but sweet little snuggles next to my neck with her little face hidden by my hair.


It's amazing that we got Bella when she was 3 weeks old and we have survived the stages since then. I was nervous that she'd be okay so young without her mother, but I guess me and Rachel took on that role well. I remember when Tom and I first had Logan. Tom took a week off from work to stay home with me when we first came home from the hospital. When he returned to work, his coworkers asked him how it was going with the baby. Tom responded that he was still alive so we must be doing something right. I got such a kick out of that response at the time, but feel that it is a very appropriate response now with Bella.

Thankful Thursday

In memory of those that perished on September 11, 2001 . . .

In honor of those that serve our country so that I may be free . . .

I am proud to be an American . . .

Thank you to Rhondi http://www.rhondisrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com/ for hosting Thankful Thursday. Stop by Rhondi's blog to view the other participants, especially today - September 11, 2008. God Bless Us All.

My 50th Post and My First Two Awards!!!!

Today I have hit 50 posts!!! Yeah!!! Never thought I'd see that and I know it's nothing in comparison to so many others that have hundreds of posts, but I'm thrilled!!! Yeah me!!! But, to top that, I received two awards recently and I am ecstatic!!

I am late in acknowledging these awards, but only because I'm worn out from caring for a new puppy, so please forgive my tardiness!! My first award was received on August 25th by Connie from http://www.connie-livingbeautifully.blogspot.com/. Connie presented me with the Smile Award, which, after reading the required characteristics, pleased me immensely.

The Rules for the Smile Award are as follows:

1. The recipient must link back to the awards creator - yeah Connie (www.connie-livingbeautifully.blogspot.com)
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award (see below).
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude.

2. Must love one another.
3. Must make mistakes.
4. Must learn from others.
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world.
6. Must love life.
7. Must love kids.

I picked three to receive this award. My choices to receive the Smile Award are as follows:

1. Joanne Kennedy - http://www.cottageinthemaking.blogspot.com/ - for posting about wonderful topics, taking us on interesting tours and sharing fun things for young and old alike. My 14 year old daughter LOVES Joanne's blog!!

2. Theresa - http://www.theresa-sentimentaljourney.blogspot.com/ - always cheerful - even when she got a little fender-bender. She has great posts and just is always so upbeat!! Theresa's blog is a pleasure to read.

3. Kay - http://www.travelerswife.blogspot.com/ - a very positive contributor to blog world in that she takes us on such interesting journeys and often leaves you with something very thought-provoking.

Thank you again to Connie for recognizing me for this award. I am very thankful for your thoughtfulness!!!

I also was very happy to be honored by Kay from Musings (http://www.travelerswife.blogspot.com) for being a super commenter!!

I now must present this wonderful Super Commenter Award to seven other super commenters and I bestow this award as follows:

1. Glenda - http://www.manyfondmemories.blogspot.com/ - for always knowing just the right thing to say and for being one of my first blog friends.

2. Victoria Lynn - http://www.sweetvictoriaantiques.blogspot.com/ - for always commenting so sweetly and for starting the "Lynn" club.

3. Karen - http://www.myaliasgigi.blogspot.com/ - for being my friend through thick and thin and for always commenting on practically every post.

4. Connie - http://www.connie-livingbeautifully.blogspot.com/ - I know Connie probably does not want this award as she is innundated with awards, but anyone that knows Connie knows that she always leaves the most sugar-coated comments. Smoochies to you my dear friend, Connie!!

5. Joanne - http://www.cottageinthemaking.blogspot.com/ - I love Joanne's blog as she finds the most interesting things to post about and always leaves kind, encouraging comments to so many of her readers - and she added my daughter to her favorite blogs to read which warms the cockles of my heart.

6. Whitney - http://whitney-livelovelaugh.blogspot.com/ - my dear Goddaughter who just went off to college and is trying real hard to get acclimated. Whitney has been like a true sister to my daughter and is another great commenter to many - especially all of those Skywatch Friday participants.

7. Rachel - http://www.rachelspictureperfect.blogspot.com/ - I saved my best for last - my dear daughter. Rachel has blossomed with this whole blogging thing and even though I discovered it first (imagine that!!), Rachel has far surpassed me in her blogging knowledge, visitors to her site and the wonderful comments she leaves to her blogging friends all over the world.

I hope none of you mind being nominated for these awards. The only rule is that, should you so desire, you should pass the Super Commenter award on to seven other super commenters. Thank you Kay for thinking of me!

Whew! It took me a long time to put this post together! Congrats to my recipients!! Now I'm off to "puppy patrol"!!

Why do my posts not publish as they preview??????? I have spaces and paragraphs, but where are they??????? This looks like a big blob!!!!! Ugh!!!!!

Skywatch Friday

Amazing views from my office window in South Florida.

Happy Skywatch Friday one and all. Visit www.skyley.blogspot.com to see beautiful skies from around the world. Until we meet again . . .

Thankful Thursday

It is my pleasure to extend a huge thank you to Rhondi from www.rhondisrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com for giving us the opportunity each week to express our thankfulness. Be sure to stop by Rhondi's blog to visit all of the other Thankful Thursday participants.



Today I am thankful for those of you that have stuck with me. I have had a rough week in taking care of a new little puppy, now four, almost five weeks old. Bella is adorable, is now running all over, eating on her own, teething and sleeping very sporadically. I am in puppy mode and my brain has been adjusting to handle the things I must handle and has not been in the creative sense of doing any posting at all since last Thankful Thursday.

I have been reading my favorite blogs and have been very inspired by all of the crafty things people have been doing.

It's been fun spending time seeing so many pretty things.




All of the mentions of Fall



Finding humor in camping trips



and finding some new blogs that have been such fun to read. It is very easy to sit at my computer and click away here and there, but I have not shared anything of myself. So, I do thank those of you that do visit me and hope you will not toss me by the wayside. I hope to be back in the swing of things this weekend. Until then . . . I thank you for the joy you bring to my life with your charming posts.