Happy Birthday Adam!

Today is my son's 19th birthday. WHERE did the time go?

I just seems like yesterday he was a tiny little thing, getting into all kinds of things.

Like this funny story here, that I shared in a previous post a while back.

Click on that and read the story of the curious, fun-loving 2-year-old and see if you can picture this face doing such a thing.

Happy Birthday Adam!

I love you so much and I couldn't be more proud of you.

(okay maybe a tad more if you picked up that bedroom a little more and finished your laundry)

Getting To Know You Sunday

This is the first post in the last week for me. Sorry to leave you hanging. There's been a lot of overtime lately to keep caught up after we were suddenly down a co-worker (who just decided not to come back after taking a few vacation days). But things are getting back to normal around here so I'm going to jump in again with Getting To Know You Sunday over @ Keely's place.

Here are this week's questions....


1. Thong or Granny Panties?


Ummm how about neither? Thong definitely not. I don't like the feeling. Granny Panties? Well... they are just the opposite and creep up over the waistband of my clothes so they are our. I like a happy medium, something like bikini briefs that cover enough to stay out of places I don't want them to go.


2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him?

Only if I know him really well. I couldn't even admit to a total stranger that my eyes went down that far. =)


3. Spanx or no Spanx?

Once again I had to Google this. I had no clue what Spanx was. I'm so out of the loop. But no, I don't do Spanx. =)



4. Do you sleep in your sheets?

As in between the fitted (bottom) and flat (top) sheet? Yeah, I do. I get cold easy. (I think we covered that in last week's GTKY Sunday post.) So, since I can't stand actually wearing very much on my body, I (we) use the top/flat sheet and a light cotton quilt/blanket.



5. What is your favorite Disney character?

There hasn't been much Disney in our house for quite a few years. So I'm sure there are some characters out there I've not even heard of. But my old favorites are the princesses (Cinderella, Snow White) and of course Pooh! I still have a set of Winnie The Pooh playing cards (that I only let be used ONCE) in their storage tin tucked away. I forgot about those. I guess it's time to clean out the closet in the spare bedroom huh? =)



6. Dream vacation spot?

I have always wanted to go stay in a cabin in the mountains of Colorado somewhere with nothing but the blue sky above and a view of a big lake out front. Actually I wouldn't mind living in a place like that.



7. What is your dream job?

Well... If I ever win the lottery (which I won't, since I don't play Ha!) I would love to open a combo family business. I want a restaurant/gift shop combo. If you've eaten at Cracker Barrel you get the idea. But I don't want a huge chain, just a 'home-cooked meal' place and through and adjoining door you come to a Primitive/Country decor store. I would also add a scrapbooking supplies corner and do some schedule classes. Hmmm I need to start playing the lottery... or find some investors! =)


8. Who is your hero and why?

My mother actually. She has taught me SO MUCH! Her love for God and family and her humbleness. She is kind to all, even the annoying people she doesn't like but would never let them see how she felt. 




It's your turn now. Go visit Keely and link up to play along too!

Getting To Know You Sunday

It's Sunday so that means some linking up with Keely @ Mannland5!

Here are this week's questions:

1. If you had to choose a country to live in besides USA (or the country you live in), which would it be?

I haven't lived in any other country so I'm  not sure. I know of placed I'd love to visit (Ireland, Scotland, Rome, etc) but I'd have to spend some time and really get to know the place before answering. 
2. Which would be worse, wearing flip flops in the snow or wearing gloves in the summer?

Flip Flops in the snow would be worse since I get cold SO EASY! I even have to use a heater under my desk in this hot summer heat because the hormonal women in the office have hot flashes and freeze me out with the AC. Bad huh? =)

3. Fried or Bake and why?

Well... fried tastes so good but is so bad. So of course I'd prefer it but I'm baking more and more (mostly baking) for health reasons.

4. If you were an entertainment reporter, which celeb would you love to interview and why?

I would probably interview someone from some of my reality shows. Like the one of the host judges on Food Network's Next Star or HGTV's Next Design Star. Not very exciting am I? But I'm not a big celebrity chaser. OH! I'd actually LOVE to interview Ty from Extreme Makeover Home Edition. LOVE his energy and humor! =)

5. What was your favorite book as a preteen/teenager?

I read all of the V.C. Andrews books there were (at that time) when I was in high school. A lot of mysterious twists and turns in every series. 

6. List your top 3 guilty pleasure television shows.

I love my Food Network and HGTV reality shows (see # 4 above) and also The Bachelor/Bachelorette.

7. What bumper sticker slogan best describes you/your attitude/your life?

I say this one because I've heard it recently and like it "The purpose of life is a life of purpose."

8. If you were to join a circus - what performer would you be?

Well... I can't do trapeze because I'm scared of heights. I can't be the target of knife throwing because, well frankly... I'm afraid of knives hurling at me ;-)  So I suppose I'd be the ringmaster or his "arm girl" for looks and stay safe that way. 

Your turn to link up and play along too!

A Little of This - A Little of That and TOO Much of Another!

Just a little randomness today of the last couple of days around here...

Remember the great veggies I came home from my parents' house with on Saturday? I cut up and cooked some of the summer squash. It turned out great, as always. Yes, I know that isn't the healthiest of choices, batter-fried squash - don't judge me... this only happens 2 or 3 times a year. =)

Yummy looking huh? Know what's funny? Hubby is picking up on my blogging thing (though he never reads it) and asked before he touched these, "Did you get your pictures?" HaHa!

I also made some great  homemade blueberry muffins with those yummy blueberries too. I wasn't able to get a photo to show you. They dove in too quick and they were gone in no time! A good sign huh?

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So today I went to the hospital early with my parents. Mom had to have another procedure for a stent. They were scheduled to do but ended up doing just one. She is staying overnight but is doing great and will be coming home tomorrow.

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The very pregnant, stray cat from last week's Post-It-Note Tuesday (pink notes) is no longer pregnant. Good news and sad. She hasn't blessed us with new babies to care for (good news) but we're pretty sure it was her first litter because she's so young and maybe premature, we woke up a few days ago to 2 not-completely formed, stillborn kittens... right on the front porch (sad news). I felt so sorry for her, she seemed lost? confused? But still very protective of what she had and was NOT happy when Abby darted out the door between our legs to check out things with us. I got some bloody & bruised knees protecting MY baby from the cat who was going after Abby while trying to protect her babies. It was quite a site. And you know... you really DO fall in slow motion, just like on the cartoons! LOL

We do have a BIGGER problem now though. We are now the neighborhood "Cat House"... Literally! I don't know what to do! But now every cat (males no doubt, typical!) are hanging around my house now and I'm so afraid that we'll be expecting babies again someday (way too soon) from this cute little mama. 

I have started calling her "little girl". I have to refer to her as something. She (and she alone!) has started to grow on me. She's so loving and adorable. But I still want to find her a home... any (good) home but mine! Because here are the new "friends" that have started hanging around... at least 2 at all times plus her... (names below made up by me as references only to my hubby when we look out the living room window)

1. "Fat Head" - the big, very well fed calico cat that looks like he's mixed with something wild, and has so many scars on his face and around his ears, he's obviously fought many times for his meal.

2. "Smokey" - the dark grey smooth, shiny coat cat who is obviously someones pet that sneaked out or maybe was let out for a little fresh sunshine... and smelled his way to the cute little thing above on our porch.

3. "Jersey" - the white-as-snow. with big black spots all over, who obviously enjoys Little Girl's company but is still skittish of us & runs with a step or two in his/her direction.

And tonight when I pulled in the driveway, coming home from the hospital & spending time with mom I began laughing from sheer madness at the sight of a NEW CAT!!...

4. "Yellow" - another sleek, shiny coat, not a speck of dirt on him cat that followed his nose from his clean indoor home somewhere in the neighborhood to Little Girl on my porch.

I don't have it in me to be mean, and can't stand the thought of Little Girl being hungry if we just cut off the food from our house completely. But I have to get them to stop hanging around here somehow. I called the local Animal Shelter and they wouldn't take her, saying they were "over capacity" now and were sorry.  The local pound would be a death sentence for her and that breaks my heart. I'm at the  point now of PAYING someone to take her in. Then I could bring myself to just "Shoo" off the boys hanging around. 

So tomorrow, after I get mom home from the hospital, I get to shoo them all off the front porch, hose it down and clean off any cat scents that are on it and try to think of a game plan. Any ideas?

Nature's Bounty!

At work we have a sign on the entrance door to our Home Health Care office that states "Absolutely NO Soliciting At Any Time". Does it work? Sometimes. Do we have to point it out to people who just don't care? Sometimes. But a local berry farm gal came by the office with some goodies and we were SO glad she didn't notice the sign (which isn't as big as it should be, in her defense). She didn't have near enough of these to go around even but I was one of the lucky ones that got to bring this home from work yesterday...

Mmm Mmm (And she will have blackberries ready soon too!)

A quart for $4 gave me enough blueberries for plenty of muffins, pancakes, or maybe even blueberry turnovers. I can't wait to use them! I'd like to know what YOUR favorite blueberry recipe is. Gimme your ideas! =)

After I got home with those beauties above, my dad called with an offer I just couldn't refuse!

My parents have a small garden in the back yard that produces enough for them through the garden season and also just a bit more to share. So today Abby and I took a 12 minute walk to mom and dad's (actually I pushed her in her stroller) and after a great visit with them, and my brother who stopped in just after I got there (I don't get to see you near enough Tony!), Abby and I came back with this...

I love Summer Squash! I'm not a big fan of cucumbers but my hubby loves them.

One more thing I'm going to ask dad to hold for me though... two big 'ole green tomatoes to make a batch of Fried Green Tomatoes! I don't have space myself to grown much, but I can grow a little. So my goal for at least next year is just a few small plants in the very back of the yard.

Do you grow any of your own veggies or fruits? Have any advice or resources to share for small space gardening?

I Won and Award & Top Ad Spot @ Allied Moms!

I won a top-of-the-blog, front-and-center SPOT at...

What is Allied Moms?

"We are a Place for Online Christian Moms to Mingle and Build Their Blogs."

As Christian women we want to support and encourage one another. Hebrews 3:13a says: "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,"

Our heart here at Allied Moms is to help you, the Christian blog mom, find a place to meet moms, Share your heart, AND promote your blog for FREE!

So join us, grab our button, link up your blog, comment on our getting to know you question of the day, and be entered to win one of 24 free weekly ad spots. Then go and visit other moms on the list, make new friends, and see what they are doing with their blogs.

Because.... in this big wide mom blogging world, it's good to have a few allies.


Click on the button above and get to know a whole host of Allied Moms!




I also won this Award from Stephanie @ A Day In The Life, Of A Grad Student's Wife. 

Thank you so much Steph! I love reading Stephanie's posts. She's funny, VERY creative (LOVE her signs in her Etsy Shop!). Please stop over and visit Stephanie and click on her sidebar link to her Etsy as well. I'm definitely gonna be dresssing up my new cubicle with her craftiness!

The "rules" of this award are:

1 - thank the person (Check!)

2 - Share 7 things about yourself

3 - Nominate 15 newly discovered blogs

4 - Let the award winners know!

7 Things About Me:

I love a variety of music... rock, country, contemporary christian, even some 'oldies'

I love to play World of Warcraft. This shocks a lot of people. Evidently I don't "look the type."

Some newer blog followers probably don't know I'm also a 40-something college student too.

I love my reality shows: Bachelor/ette, HGTV and Food Network's "new stars", yet I hate soaps. GIve me REAL drama! LOL

I am extremely close to my 19 year old son and he comes to me easily with girl problems. :)

I try to live the Golden Rule with people, whether I agree with their beliefs or not.

I am a neat freak about my desk/work area at the office. I clean up and straighten before I leave each day and have heard on occasion - I thought you didn't work here anymore. Ha!

And now for the next part, The Versatile Blog Award nominees.

(I'm SO bad at following the rules completely) There aren't 15 and one isn't a NEW follower but I really want her to have the award, so here's my list:

Simply Simonsons

Toddler Awesome

Because Nice Matters

Angel Believes

My Freshly Brewed Life

Learning As They Grow

Dance And Be Glad

How To Homemaker

Please visit them and say hi!

Gifts of Wisdom

I'm sharing another piece of God's Wisdom from my Treasure Box.

Today's Words of Wisdom are:

Have you ever wondered exactly what you were doing here? Ever felt unsure of your path or decisions? Or maybe you have prayed and believe you are making the right decisions, but with each step you are fearful.


I have always been close to my family and never wanted to move away from them. In fact, I said I never would. This is one of those "never say never" moments. When my husband and I married in January 2003, I was living in Kentucky and he was living in Oklahoma. That's quite a distance away. Though I knew at the time it was the right decision to move halfway across the country, I was fearful of doing it. I worried about getting my things moved such a great distance, worried about finding a job, and hated the thought of leaving my parents and siblings behind... not knowing when I'd get to be with them again. But God was with me and gave me peace. 

When you feel afraid of the road before you... of the future that feels uncertain... remember God's promise to go before you. 

What fearful or uncertain times have you faced, that you received peace from God about your decisions?

I'm linking up my post today to...

Post-It Note Tuesday

I haven't played alone with this in a while but it is time...

Click above to link up and play along!

Have a great Tuesday! =)

July 4th Parade Photos

Here are a couple of collages with photos from the Annual 4th of July Parade in my small corner of the world. I hope you've all had a fun and safe holiday weekend with family and friends. I have the day off of work today, so after going in for 2 or 3 hours with another co-worker to get caught up (with NO phone and NO people to interrupt) I'll be enjoying the afternoon and evening at home with my hubby and the fur-babies!

Getting To Know You Sunday

Time for another...

1. What do you look forward to the most on the 4th of July?

The small but highly traditional 4th of July parade in our small town (pics to be posted tomorrow when things slow down a little) and the fireworks over the Ohio River. 

2. Are you a hugger?

I am a hugger. Everyone needs a hug sometimes. And sometimes that's exactly what lifts you up from the lowest spot. I love it if I can do that for someone.

3. What is your favorite BBQ'd food?

Burgers, Chicken, Ribs, Steaks, Hot Dogs (have I left anything out?)
4. Do you like to watch parades?

(See #1). Yes. I love seeing the kids reactions... their faces as the floats go by, as well as the horseback riders and hillbilly cars (you'll see those tomorrow) and the people throwing candy to them.
5. Who has stinkier farts..boys or girls?

My SON! Our dog never does. that I've smelled anyway. My son has actually made me think I drove past a dead animal in the car before! Sorry son =)
6. Vampires or Werewolves?

Vampires because they are more sophisticated looking than werewolves, who (naturally) look like wild animals. 
7. Do you read your horoscope?

Uhhh, NO.
8. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

I'm not really an ice cream eater but if I did eat it (like I used to) it would be either chocolate chip cookie dough, or maple nut. 


Now it's your turn. Visit Keely @ MannLand5 and link up with your answers. Happy Sunday and 

Happy 4th of July!

I Found A Treasure!

And I want to share the gifts I found inside with you!

I was looking in a box yesterday morning before work and found this box that belonged to my Grandma Bell.

The words carved into the top say "God's Gifts". 

And inside this box are little "gifts", words of wisdom printed on small 1" X 3" cards. On the back of each card is a scripture reference for each piece of wisdom.

When I found the box, I placed it in my purse and headed out to work. As soon as I got there I opened the box and took out the card in front which read:

"Thank you, God, for people who help with no thought of recognition or reward. Help me to be one of those people."

Have you ever worked with someone who seems to always announce all the "above and beyond" things they have done? I have/do/and will work with people like this. It's just one of things you expect. Their efforts seem to be in the spotlight and make the rest of the team's work seem less significant. It can be frustrating. But I know that if my intentions are not for the attention and public recognition I would receive, then I know that, in time, my hard work will pay off and my rewards will be great.


Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9


When you are faced with someone who might seem to sabotage your efforts, whether at work, or even a friend or family member, to make their (so-called) good deeds shine... just remember that if you do what you do out of the goodness of your heart and not for the recognition it will bring you, then YOU will soon be outshining them.


Have you experienced something like this? Do you work with someone who strives to draw attention to themselves?

My Grandma, Virginia Bell. Thank you for sharing your box of wisdom, God's GIfts with me. I love and miss you!