Time off

Don't you love that feeling when you take several days off from work and you lose track of what day it is? Love it.

I've had a chance to spend some time with my oldest niece, AH. She is such a trip. I really enjoy her personality.




We painted pottery on Wednesday. She chose an ice cream trinket box, which she is pretending to eat here. I did an ice cream bowl. Naturally after painting all this ice cream we needed a visit to the ice cream parlor next door!




When we got back, I got this great shot of the two sisters together. This will be framed. :) There is just this bond between sisters, or there is with me and my sister. I hope it's the same with these two as they grow up.




I love this pic of Ellie Jean, my cousin. You haven't seen adorable until you see her giggle and cover her face. Too cute!

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Wandering Wednesdays.

Wander along with me through the back roads of my countryside, as I'm driving to and from work.

My foggy morning drive earlier this week.  I love looking at this hill ahead of me. I'm not sure why, but it just looks like fun to me.

Maybe I've already shared this one before? Who knows, but it's a nice sunrise on my way to work one morning. Same highway ... just a different stretch of road. I basically hop on a side road, then a main road and follow it all the way into work.

Thunderstorm is a'brewing, as you can see in the haziness here.  We've had a few storms come through this summer already - thankfully nothing that has knocked the grit off my shingles, requiring a new roof job. One summer a few years back I wondered why we bothered putting more shingles up until Autumn.

Believe it or not, more of the same highway.  My aunt's house is just ahead on the left (I'm pretty sure that's the stretch of road I'm looking at!)  I love puffy clouds in the sky. It makes me very happy.

Maybe I'll have something more exciting for you later this week.  I make no bets since I'm taking a break from work and enjoying 1) sleep 2) getting my house in order and 3) my wonderful nieces!  

Happy Hump Day!

Tuesdays Can Be Random, Right?

Discovered this shop yesterday and OH MY GRACIOUS, I fell in love. Will Sew For Chocolate - adorable quilts for children and adults. Sock Monkey, Marty, is not for sale, but the gorgeous quilt is!

I love how Marty poses with every quilt and there are different descriptions for each quilt and what Marty is doing - daydreaming of cotton candy, testing the softness, etc. Too cute. Love the imagination.

Whenever I'm thinking of Etsy shops, I have to promote my good friend, Paulene, and her shop "Leen Machine."  She is making her dream come true as newlyweds and to-be-wed ladies discover her shop online.  Her peg people are a hit and can be personalized to colors and names.

Don't misunderstand! Anyone can enjoy the colorful world of Leen Machine! :)  She has something for everyone.  Just wait until you see her holiday notes - too cute. And most everything can be personalized.

Paulene also has a way cool blog that lets you peek into her creative process. You can find her at http://www.paulenecruse.blogspot.com/.  It's part of her new website, check her out!

Totally unrelated to all this shopping... two pictures of my beautiful nieces! :)

Muffin Monday

Back to having Muffin as the center of attention on Mondays. Granted, it's late today, but my morning was spent snuggling that sweet new niece of mine.  To explain Muffin in this picture, this is what happens when the towel falls off the rack and into the floor - it is claimed by one large kitten.  *sigh* I couldn't fuss, it was my fault, after all.

With all the excitement, I didn't post pictures of my other niece, AH, and her dance recital. Let me tell you, she was adorable in some of these costumes! And her ballet was out of sight. She was so graceful. With her height, beautiful hair and long arms/legs, she was just so pretty up there on stage.

I loved this costume. It was to the song, "Cooties," which if you'll remember, has the "Circle, circle, dot dot dot, Now I've got my cooties shot!" LOL. But this was super cute with all the tassel things flapping around.

I didn't get many of the rest of her songs because I finally figured out how to VIDEO them.  I could watch the ballet one (seen above) over and over. I have to give her dance place credit for some cute outfits that cover the kids but work well with the music.

This is Tutti Fruiti (Looks like Tutti Fruiti, doesn't it!)  It was a tap dance routine. She was telling me how they messed up or something but I couldn't tell it.  I loved the double ponytails they are sporting this year. It just seemed to fit with every one of her dances.

I think she had two more?  Once or twice I would get lost in watching her and forget to take pictures, oops! I'm so proud of her. She's so smart, quick witted and just a joy. :)

I had to share this picture of Ellie Bellie wearing the dress I bought for her birthday from Zulily.  Donna sent me this and I thought she was just too adorable.

I caught up with them this weekend. Ellie cracked me up when she messed up and called me "Aunt Friend Beth."  My name in that household is "Friend Beth" because Ellie's mom is also a Beth. Years ago, Donna's grandmother named me Friend Beth and the other was Sister Beth.  It's stuck for the past, heck 15 years? So now I'm Aunt Friend Beth. :)  Love it.

Happy last week of June, my friends! Enjoy it, this summer is zipping right by us!

Blessed.

This beautiful, sweet, loving, adorable baby girl is HOME.

We know there have been prayers going up for Macy and the families and we thank you.  So many wonderful things came to be from the difficulties - Katie & Roger met the most wonderful doctors and nurses in the pediatric unit. Those folks were just a blessing to them and Macy.  One doctor in particular took this family under her wing and made things happen that will help them out immensely. 

The beginnings of this child's life were a bit rough. Yes, it could have been so much more difficult. And, it could have been much easier.  But I keep reminding myself, "All things happen for a reason."  Dad quoted one of my favorite Bible versus in the hospital the other day, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

I look forward to seeing this beautiful baby grow, to see what she will be called to do in this life.  Thank you to everyone person who paused for a prayer - your prayers were heard and answered! God is good and He is ALWAYS there, no matter the trials and troubles you are facing. :) 

Baby Macy

Macy Mae ended up back in the hospital...poor girl. Jaundice wasn't going away and she wasn't keeping food down.





We had good news today so hopefully tomorrow will be the magical day when Macy can head for home.

All prayers are appreciated!

posted from Bloggeroid

Macy Monday

I know, it's really Muffin Monday, but just for today, let me enjoy my new niece to start off my day! :) 

I adore her.  I'm praying her tests today turn out well. If you happen to read this, and are a praying person, won't you please say a prayer, too? Thanks.

Beautiful.

Tuesday was the election, which feels like a million years ago.

Wednesday, we began wrapping up the election, returning everything to its rightful place and completing paperwork.

Come home to visit with Katie, still on bed rest due to baby and fractured foot. Watch Steven Colbert, who is just hilarious. Katie hops up for a bathroom run when •Gush•. It's even funnier in the long version, but let's keep it short... Hospital, here we come!

It wasn't until 6:33 Thursday morning Macy decided to join us. Actually, if the doc would have been here quicker. But she wasn't. Regardless, Miss Macy came in at 6 lbs 14 oz and 20.5 inches. She is three weeks early.



There was a bit of a breathing problem that had us concerned. She seemed to overcome that issue, thank goodness.




She's still being treated for jaundice, poor girl. She has her blue spa treatment going on while she sleeps









And since it is Father's Day, the last pic is dedicated to my dad, who is the best in the world. All pics of Macy's dad is on my real camera (sorry Roger!), but he is good daddy, too!



Thanks to everyone who prayed for this child. Please continue praying! We are so thankful for this beautiful blessing! :)

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Election Night

Three tired election officials ready for bed. Night!

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Muffin Monday

Muffin and I have been two whooped puppies, or kitties, I suppose would be more accurate.  Either way, when she starts on this yawning trend, it puts me on a yawning trend, creating a yawn-a-thon between the two of us. 

Hope your week is more energetic than this one is starting out! :) 

Life is a Highway...

"There ain't no load that I can't hold The road's so rough this I know I'll be there when the light comes in Just tell 'em we're survivors..."

Dear Imaginary Friends,
Let's just say, when it rains, it pours. So not only does Katie scare the stuffing out of us, Dad takes a tumble this weekend. Yes, glad mom is retired to take care of the sickies. I'm sure that is just what she planned to do with her first week of retirement.

Thankfully, both are doing better which is such a blessing. Both could have been so much worse so we are sooooo thankful.

While I have you here, would you like to see one of my mom's friends?




This fellow visited while I was over at their house, checking on Pop.



He hopped over to the hydrangea and all I could think is I bet it's like a bubble bath, all soft and frothy-like. I'm not sure he/she appreciated me spying on their bath!

Ok, I'm going to go rest, because heaven only knows what is coming up! Goodness!

posted from Bloggeroid

Retirement Day!

Mom and one of her coworkers, Debbie

Mom's gift from the school,
a beautiful engraved bracelet

 "The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off."                                 --Abe Lemons

I think this guy may have a good point.  Guess we'll find out as Mom's last day at work was today.  The champagne is chilling, ready to celebrate with the family.  Picking up a cake and grilling out.  Her new job will be babysitter for Macy! :)  I'm not sure which job will be harder, school secretary or babysitter. What a blessing that she was able to retire just as Macy is being born! Perfect.

Mom's school picture, several years ago. 

My mom's speech was so good - just awesome. But that's for another post. It's time for me to leave and head home for a party! Ya'll have a great weekend, see you on Monday!

Beauty.

Earth laughs in Flowers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya"

See? I told you I would find pretty things to take a moment to notice! Hooray! I did it today! :)

The first photo - flowers beside my sister's house. These hydrangeas tickle her pink (or purple as it may be)  every time she walks out the door. Every visit she says to me - do you see my flowers? I love my flowers! At this point, I'm surprised Macy isn't being named Flower or Hydrangea!

These were taken in the evil evening sun, causing shadows like crazy.  Mom's yard this time.  She has pink at one end of the house and blue/purple at the other end.  This must be the year for hydrangeas because everyone's looks wonderful. Huge beautiful puff-balls.

Check out Kenzie with her mom's flowers.  Brande texted me this earlier today and it just fit perfectly into my flower theme today.  And Kenzie is just a cutie, so I had to share.  That sucker is bigger than Kenzie's head!! Look at it!

Yes, I screwed with these photos using Instagram. While I love this program, I find it very frustrating in uploading the pictures to here.  But it's all good.  I'm finding ways around it. Hee hee.

An update on Katie/Macy - things are calming down *whew* and hopefully she'll make it to the 37 week mark like the doctors want her to do.  I could have a niece here at any moment! :)

Laughable.

So my word for this year was, "BREATHE."

Fat chance.

I realized how incredibly horrible I've done at applying my word this year! It's been a roller coaster of a year. And it's almost half over! That makes me so incredibly sad!!!

So I think I need to take some time to smell the roses - or at least take a few pictures of them along the way.  *sigh* I'll see what I can do this weekend to give you something photo-worthy.

Until then, enjoy this photo of Ellie and Donna, where Aunt Donna is explaining the proper use for a softball bat to little miss Ellie. :)  Looking at this still makes me smile. Especially knowing that's Donna's socks pulled up as thigh-highs on Ellie, with her big toe poking out at the bottom. Hilarious!

Powerful Prayers.

Please understand, I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

"Our Little Blessing" quilt is Here

My sister, who has been blessed with pregnancy - something we didn't think would easily happen - she's been through all heck and back. It's just been ... how can I even describe the drama that followed every step of this path for her? Every doctor's appointment revealed another issue that "isn't normal but isn't unheard of."  At one point, I wanted to call random doctor #WHATEVER PICK A NUMBER and ask - a combination of these issues, has that ever been heard of? Just checking, thanks. 

It's tough. It's tough to stand on the sidelines and know there is nothing you can do to physically make things different. It hurts to see her hurt. 

The disregard from some around you, that hurts, too.  This dismissal attitude to your problems, your worries and your concerns or the ever-present experts that don't really care what is happening, they just want to impart their wealth of self-perceived knowledge about any and all subjects. Heaven help me, I'm just tired of dealing with it.  I can't image all the "friendly advice" (please note my QUOTES on THAT statement) Katie has received. I'm really not sure how she's put up with it all. 

SO BLESSED! 

However, one group of five people have been total PRAYER WARRIORS  PEEPS through the entire ordeal. I'm actually a bit saddened to see them disperse from the Prayer Peep team once Macy makes her appearance.  They haven't questioned my alarm, my concern, my fears.  They have just prayed. When I sent up a flare for help, they prayed. Without question and with love. There is no way I can express my gratitude for them. Absolute acceptance and love. It's amazing. 

Greater than this is the knowledge God has heard every prayer, seen every tear, touched every bowed head and blessed every person involved in this one precious birth.  He knows exactly what is going on and is in total control of the entire process.  Sometimes it's easy to be caught up in the drama and the momentary issues, but the reality is that God is always right there.  These Prayer Peeps and their unwavering faith, their total acceptance - they have shown me a Godly example here on earth. It's beautiful. 

That is the greatest blessing of all. Becoming closer to God. :)  And Macy is a great side benefit, too! 

Muffin Monday

Sleepy Muffin. This cat snores like nothing I've ever heard before. Poor sleepy kitten...




How many hours of sleep do cats need? I think Muffin is fulfilling her quota. Ha ha!

So this weekend was eventful. Too many events crammed in one weekend, ending with Katie visiting urgent care after spraining her ankle. Thankfully, she didn't land on her stomach and injury Macy. They did have to xray, which I was worried about with the baby, but I'm just praying everything is ok.

I sent out a quick message to the prayer peeps. It was such a good feeling to immediately hear back that they were praying. I must say, this ordeal has shown me the power of God and prayer.

Hopefully this week will be a good one from here on out. I'm wishing good things for all of you!

posted from Bloggeroid

Fun days...

Random pictures. Enjoy!

Donna's present

Our groovy birthday rings

Barricading the Palmetto bug into the bathroom so I could pretend it couldn't escape and maybe I could get some sleep

Saturday was beautiful!

Hi Paulene!

Possibly the best food on earth, chocolate chip pizza. Yum!

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