Become Your Dream.

 

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I like this. So action oriented with a definite plan of action. It says, "I'm not just plopped down in my window seat hoping that my elusive dreams will fall from the sky into my lap."

No, this is saying, "I'm pulling out my tools, developing my skills and talents and golly gee willikars, I'm going to blow up this helium balloon and TAKE FLIGHT!" 

See the difference? 

Anyway, That's what's I'm doing. I've pulled out my tools, experiences, skills and talents and I've gone for my dream.  Now, just because you go for it, doesn't mean that dream is meant for you.  And that's ok, too. I tend to believe if you are denied what you believe to be your dream, there must be another plan for you that is greater than what you imagined for yourself.  Doesn't that sound nice? I think so, too.

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And while it sounds nice and I like this concept:  She believed she could so she did!, it's not honest or realistic.

HOWEVER, I do believe more opportunities are lost because they weren't tried for or "seized" in the first place.  If you don't try, you are definitely not going to attain your dreams.

EVERY SINGLE TIME you try for your dreams, I promise you will gain something from the experience. *If you are a person who allows yourself to learn from experiences...*  If you are a blamer, you'll never learn anything.

So, I'm trying to become my dream. And maybe it will work out in the way I think I want it to, and maybe there is a bigger, brighter plan in the works for me that I have no clue is there! Which is exciting, too!

I'll let you know how it all works out - whether you want to know about it or not! :)

Muffin Monday. And Ellie! And FAMILY! Woo Hoo!

Muffin Monday is a bit blurry this morning... and a bit late. :)  Go figure, just like real life! ha ha. This is what happens when you try to take a picture of an unhappy squirming cat - you chop off half of her head and get half of your own in the pic! :) 

My weekend was wonderful and I just had to share a few pictures with you.  Saturday morning, instead of going to sleep after work Gary met me for breakfast. It was really nice to see him on an "off" day.  After spending the morning with him, I met Donna and Ellie for an adventure at The Shiele Museum in Gastonia, NC.

Ellie conquers the rock! Don't you love her mining hat? The lights MUST be turned on in order for her climb.
But isn't she the cutest little climber ever?  

Aunt Donna and Ellie. Every time you mention "Skunks" in front of Ellie, this is what she does.
Places her hand over her nose and says, "Stinky Skunk." It's HILARIOUS!

Wild Child playing in the tepee at the gift shop.

Here Ellie points out to us the glittery gemstones. It's funny because everything must have
an adjective associated with it. Friendly raccoons, stinky skunks, slimy snakes, etc etc.

Ellie and her snake, Sarah.  Everything is named Sarah these days.

She is just too cute. TOO CUTE! As Gary says, she's so cute she's dangerous. :)  I agree.


On to the second part of the weekend - my older brother turned FORTY!!! Holy cow, Batman, I have an old man for a brother now!  We got together with all of our family and his wife's parents and niece. It was really nice to have everyone together and enjoying some really great food from the grill. I gotta say, for an old man, my brother can really grill up some more tasty food. YUM YUM.

Clay with one of his cards. He gets just as big a kick out of cards as he does presents.

Angela and Zowie, which is her mom's dog. Although she has one almost identical!

Katie and Chloe Bella (Angela's dog!)

Chloe peeping through the back of the chair

Yes, I know, I have more pictures of the dog than I do of the people. :)  But the dogs are so cute! We really did have a great evening together as one big happy family.  Even though we live close together, I really don't get to see Clay and Angela often. Nice visit.


Ya'll have a most wonderful second week of July!! Can't believe the summer is zooming right by us so take time to enjoy the hot and humid weather before Jack Frost comes through and has us begging for warmth!

Muffin Mornings.

This morning, at about 5 something a.m., I turned on the lamp on my nightstand and discovered THIS lying in the floor beside the bed. As soon as I switched the light on, she immediately begins PURRING, like she's tickled pink to finally have me awake.

Not that she got up and moved, mind you.  No, that didn't happen until I ran water in the bath tub. She managed to haul herself up for the chance at fresh bath water. 

*shakes head* I don't understand her. But I'm happy to have her. :)

If I remember to link this up tomorrow, it will be part of my Weekend Cat Blogging!  :)  I so rarely blog on the weekends so I don't get a chance to link up. Hopefully tomorrow, I'll remember!

Just a bit of fog.

My ride into work the other morning was a tad bit foggy.  For some reason I don't associate fog with the summer months. Maybe I'm just off in my head about when we usually get fog, but I think it would new cooler weather?

Anyway, it made for an interesting drive into work, which it's always appreciated. And now, you can appreciate it, too!

Firecracker, Firecracker, boom Boom BOOM!

 

Gary and I enjoyed some BEAUTIFUL fireworks for the Fourth of July - I thought I'd share a few pictures with you! :)  Funny - I've had this camera for about three or four years, only to discover that night that the camera has a fireworks setting! Along with an aquarium setting, beach setting and a few others. You know, settings that would have been great to know about during our recent vacation. Oops! Oh well, I'll have to try them out next year.

I do love me some fireworks. I noticed that when I was taking pictures, I wasn't really seeing the fireworks, but trying to capture the perfect shot instead! So at one point, I just had to put the camera down and enjoy the show.  And it was nice to have another shutterbug sitting beside me, so we could be dorky photographers together. :)

Passing Down History.

Yesterday, as I was trying my hand at a batch of chili for the hot dogs, the feeling of family connections washed over me in waves.  I was using my Grandmother's cast iron frying pan, one that cooked up many a meal for my dad's family over the years. I thought of my grandmother, a tall lady like myself at almost 6 feet tall, standing at a stove making sausage gravy for the kids in the morning to smoother a batch of fresh made biscuits or frying up potatoes for her family in the evening to go along side some chicken.

How many meals had been made in this one frying pan - and how many more will be made at my hand?

It's so utilitarian - a black cast iron frying pan. Funny that this is what I should become attached to or think of in terms of family history.  Of things being passed down to me from my grandmother. 

I never got to meet her. She passed away well before I was ever born. But I felt a connection with her in an odd way, on the Fourth of July, as we prepared to come together as a family to celebrate the holiday. I'd like to think she's smiling down from Heaven as I continue the family cooking traditions in her old skillet.

PS - my chili only turned out so so - if you have a good recipe, please share!

Happy Independence Day

Muffin and I would like to thank each and every person who contributed to our freedom. Having lived only here in the US, I realize I cannot fully understand a life without these freedoms. But I do try to appreciate the blessings given to me!

Ya'll have a safe and happy holiday!