Five Question Friday

http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/

1. How close to your childhood dreams is your life now?

I always wanted to have a loving husband, a little boy and a little girl and work in an office. I have the best husband in the world. He loves to cook and clean and he always helps around the house. Thirty-three years ago, I gave birth to twins...a boy and a girl. I've worked in an office ever since I graduated high school and moved up the ranks, learning as I went until I was finally able to open my own business. So I would say I am definitely living my dreams.

(My twins as adults, Diana & Chris)

2. What is one must have item for the summer?

A new grill. We cook out all the time, even with snow on the ground. Our grill has finally worn out and the replacement parts will cost more than a new grill so we are in the market and just trying to figure out what we want.

3. Do you have your kids stay up on school stuff during summer vacation? (Or, if you don't have kiddos, did your parents make you keep up on school stuff during summer?)

When my kids were little, I never had them stay up on school stuff. I always felt like summers were for relaxation and fun since they both worked very hard during the year. They made very good grades and kept up their homework so I gave them a break over summer. That's how my parents were with us so I guess that's why I was the same way.

4. Do you can or freeze fresh produce?

Not really. I'm not much for canning. Although, every September when the Rome apples come in, we put up about 80 jars of homemade apple butter. Since we don't garden, any fresh produce we get we just eat.

5. Do you get ready for the day first thing in the morning?

I am an early riser and I work from home. So I usually get up, have breakfast and plan my day. Then I do my Facebook and blogs before I get dressed and ready for the day. I have to be careful or I would stay in my jammies all day.



Farewell old friend....

I sit here with mixed emotions. About a year ago I bought a Cadillac Deville. About one month later, I regretted my decision. I just was not happy with it. It was a very good car and ran so smooth. It was very clean and was a one owner. But for some reason I never did "bond" with "her". She has been a good car and has gotten me where I wanted to go. But still I never did "feel the love" for her. I have contemplated on more than one occassion the feasibility of just trading her back in for a different model, but I just kept driving her. She was very dependable and was always there for me when I needed her.

In our hail storm a couple of weeks ago, she took a severe beating. Major damages to the hood, roof and trunk as well as some minor pings on the doors and fender panels. She has some busted trim and a cracked windshield. Mr. Adjuster Man came to visit last week and took a gander at her damages. He passed his findings on to the Insurance Dude. Bottom line, they are totaling her and she'll go to that great salvage yard where all beaten and trodden vehicles go. I thought I would be so glad for a chance to get something new, but now that it is time to bid farewell, I find myself a tad emotional and realize that I must have been bonding with her all along. So farewell old friend and thanks for the miles and the memories.

Beyond Exhausted....

One of my favorite lines from The Cosby Show was when Cliff came home from a long delivery shift, he fell on the bed and said "I'm old, Clair. And Clair, you're old too." That's how I feel today. I am beyond exhausted. Just two more nights of VBS to go, IF I survive. I was able to have a clear calendar today so I'm going to play hookie and go to Walmart with hubby and let him buy me some KFC for lunch before heading back to the church tonight.

I did spend some time outside this morning and it has helped rejuvenate me. I had a fuzzy little friend relaxing with me.

The morning mist was hanging heavy on the river this morning. It was so peaceful. The birds were singing and chirping. I just sat and did nothing. Then I grabbed the camera and video taped my morning of solitude and thought I would share it with you.

I dedicate this peace and quiet video to my dear friend Missy who has shared our nightly adventures in VBS. (make sure you have your volume on to hear the beautiful birds)

 

It's okay to be different....

I have struggled for about a month with a situation that was causing me to rethink some of the things that make me, well, ME! I was criticized and made to feel inferior simply because I do things differently, feel things differently and react to things differently. It has taken me several weeks to realize....It's okay to be different. I am the best "me" that I know how to be.

Someone's ideas and thoughts do not have to match my ideas and thoughts. Someone's anger and bitterness does not have to become my anger and bitterness.

Someone's blue mood does not have to become my blue mood. I can still smile through the sunshine or through the rain.

I don't have to become a victim of gloom and doom simply because others do.

I prefer to be someone who stands tall and faces problems head on, not someone who droops with the "woe is me" syndrome.

 It's okay to get straight to the point and not circle around a situation until you worry it to death.

 There is nothing wrong in deciding to swim in another direction.

 
 We don't all have to look the same or act the same. Our thoughts do not have to mirror the thoughts of others.

 
 We can take pride in who we are and what God has made of us. We can stand strong and tall and say gladly that "I am me. And it's okay for me to be this way." When you get right down to it, God didn't make no junk and He didn't make any of us exactly alike. And it's okay.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School......

It's about spending time with your best bud!

 It's about making new friendships

 It's about running obstacle courses

 It's about crashing AFTER you run the obstacle course

 It's about pretty little girls and interested little boys

 It's about popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy

It's about learning about Jesus in worship and song

 It's about the wild and crazy teenagers

 It's about the adults forgetting they are adults

 It is about exhaustion

And it is about making memories.



The Purse Saga....

I made it to the new Donna Sharp Outlet first thing Saturday morning. We got there about 10 minutes after they opened. We walked in and were greeted a the door with someone to let us know about the grand opening specials and to introduce us to Donna Sharp.

I almost freaked out. I had no idea she would be there. I am such a HUGE fan of her products that it was as exciting for me as if I had met the Queen of England. She was so awesome. I told her how much I love her product and she personally walked around the purses with me helping me look at the different designs and patterns. We had a blast! She was so down to earth and I left feeling like I had a made a new friend.

You should check out the Donna Sharp Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/DonnaSharpInc

They had buy a purse and get 2 accessories for 1/2 off. Plus they had a wheel you could spin for additional savings. I spun the wheel and got the only $25.00 gift certificate on there. Needless to say I used it Saturday.

I got a new Elaina purse in her Pink Passion Pattern

 The matching wallet (which I adore!)

 And this neat cell phone wallet for those days when I am taking the kids to the zoo, the aquarium, miniature golfing, etc.

The cell phone wallet has an exterior cell phone holder and on the inside their is enough room for your camera, your keys, your cash, your ID and your credit cards.

Plus it comes with a removal strap that can be hooked to your belt loop and a removable shoulder strap so you can wear it on your shoulder or adjust it to fit around your neck. It's awesome.

 

And the best part of the day? I saved $52.20 all total! What an awesome day!

 

I'm going back this weekend and get me a purse to put up for fall/winter in the pattern of the cell phone wallet while they are still having their good sales.

 

The birthday party....

Why is it when you pick up a camera, aim and shoot, children think they have to make funny faces? Three of my beautiful grandchildren....Caleb, Shelby, Alexis. These are their new "cheese" faces. 

Garret is in his "Bet you can't make me smile" stage. He can be laughing and not even noticing I have a camera, but the minute I click he can put on a serious face without batting an eye. The minute I snap, he's back to his laughing.

Colby is still at that "Cheese? What's cheese?" stage where he could not care less about the camera. I've learned to just get what I can. He was so entranced with the party that I could not get his attention. Of course, you will notice I made sure I got one while he has on his "I love my Grandma" bib. 

I did get a good picture of the birthday boy, Caleb. He's 8 years old now. He's already counting the days until he turns 9 so he can ride in the front seat of a car. It's his big dream at the moment.

He finally got the Lego Semi Truck he's been wanting for three months!

My 12 year old grandson Garret (3rd boy from the right) had a great time hanging out with the Tweens & Teens

This is a little blurry, but these are my two beautiful princesses. They are watching a group of high school girls playing Guitar Hero. They were entranced.

 It was a wonderful party and topped off an awesome day. Stay tuned tomorrow for my adventure at the new Donna Sharp Outlet Saturday morning.