Happy New Year!

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Goals

This is the time of the year that I make new goals for myself. I have already increased my contribution to my 401K at work. I have two bills that I am focusing on right now and hope to have them paid off in 2 months. Besides the usual healthy eating, exercise and vacation goals that I set. My main focus is always on saving money. I want to increase my giving this year and my plans are to pay off the small stuff and use the increase to give to others. I have seen so many awesome blogs that have focused on giving and although I do give, I just want to bump it up a couple of notches. I have plans to give handmade gifts this next Christmas and will be working on that throughout the year. To stay focused, I have a special section in my planner that holds me accountable and keeps me on track.
How many of you are planning specific goals this year? I need ideas and would love to hear your plans!

Winter Wishes

Well, it is the day after Christmas! I am on the third load of dishes, second load of laundry and the trash is flowing over in the garage! I love Christmas, but am always happy when it is time for a new year. I love to set goals and I start with a fresh new dayplanner. My first goal this year will be to paint the living area and freshen it up a bit. The light fixture needs to be upgraded and I want new floor covering too. I also plan to sell my house, it has been sitting empty for over a year now and I really want to list it on the market. I want to make over the screened in back porch and the flower beds. I think it would be nice to have a great place to sit in the afternoon. So I am envisioning lovely flower beds, bird feeders, roses, rosemary bushes and a wonderful chime to listen to. I may get some wicker chairs for the porch and a smaller table to use. Right now we have a patio set on the back porch and it is too big for the space.
Have a lovely day and enjoy the weekend!

Happy Holiday

I hope everyone had a great day today. We had all of our children here for lunch and a few extra's as well. The food was wonderful and the kitchen is clean! I cooked the usual traditional Christmas dinner and everything turned out great. Many thanks to my oldest daughter Jennifer for her help this morning. She arrived early to help prepare the meal.

We had a little snow last night, the first we have had in many years. It certainly wasnt a white Christmas, but the flurries were nice to see for a change.

I am reflecting back on the year and the many changes that have taken place, most were good ones. We also have alot to be thankful for this year. Donnie and I are both in great health and we are working. Our children are doing well and we will be adding a new little member to our family in July! My daughter Kristy and her husband are expecting their first baby. I have to get busy making a quilt for the little one. This is the first grandbaby in many years so I am thrilled to say the least! Secretly, I am hoping for a little girl ( have two grandsons), but another grandson will be fine also.

I wish everyone a wonderful evening!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Hoping that all of you spend time with your families this holiday season.

That you enjoy the magic and wonder of the Christmas season

Remembering all of the wonderful times spent with family and friends

But most especially, remembering that Christmas is the season to remember our blessed Savior Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He has made for each one of us. My wish is that you accept this free gift that God sent to us and remember He has set us free! All things are possible with God.

I will be back after the holiday and hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Vintage Christmas

Back to work today, have a wonderful week!

Happy Birthday

We are celebrating my sweetie's birthday today. All of the kids are here and we have enjoyed the afternoon eating and visiting with them. He recieved all of his favorite gifts again this year. Most of the cake is gone and we are sitting around watching a Christmas movie. This is a picture of Donnie on the speedway in Disney world. He visited Disneyland when he was a little boy and couldnt ride on them because he wasnt tall enough! We made sure he had the chance to ride this time. He waited 57 years! Hope you have a fabulous week and spread the Christmas cheer!

Last Minute GIfts

If you are looking for great last minute gifts, here are a few suggestions. Gooseberry Patch has a wonderful assortment of cookbooks and you can now find them everywhere. I was in Cracker Barrel today and saw a huge assortment. Great for newlyweds or that cook on your list.

I discovered Jo Malone during a shopping trip to Dallas last summer. I have a hard time wearing fragrance and I am very particular about the brands I choose to wear. This wonderful perfume features natural frangrances that combine some of my favorite florals, fruits and herbs. I have a lavender and lime version now and it is divine. I found this at Saks Fifth Avenue, but it is also available online.

I love Dave Ramsey and purchased a copy to give myself. His no nonsense approach to saving money is a real eye opener and a must read for any young couple starting out.

I have been a fan of Mary Kay cosmetics since I was a teen. My mother used it and when we were old enough, she treated us to a facial and started us on it. I have tried other products in the past, but always come right back. I love the new slimline compact. Much smaller and easier to carry in your handbag.

Last but not least. EVERYONE, deserves a pair of comfy Runaway Rabbit slippers. They are available in adult and child sizes. I think they are great, and sooo soft to wear. Hope Santa is bringing me a new pair. Mine are wore out!

I am finished with my shopping this year and have vowed to never enter another mall again. We stopped off to purchase some items today and it was a madhouse. I will be an online shopper from now on!

Have a great day and enjoy your loved ones!

My Lists are Made

I made my lists early this morning. I am off to shop for Santa. Hoping to avoid the crowds by getting out and about early. Wishing everyone a great day and a peaceful weekend!

Busy as a Bee

I have so much to accomplish this weekend. I have grocery shopping to do, Christmas shopping. The tree has to be put up and decorated (I am very late this year).Presents to wrap, baking and my husbands birthday party is Sunday at noon. All of the kids will be here for lunch and then we will decorate the tree. I am tired just thinking about it. I am usually much more organized that this. I am blaming it on my job and the hours I am working, but I know it is just me. I have got to get it together this year. School and work have taken a toll.
I bought a new Bible today and am so excited to find some quiet time to read. I really didnt need another one, but I like to keep one in my car and also in my office.
Update: Kim will be having surgery December 29 to repair her broken ankle. I was hoping it would be before Christmas so she would have some time to recover during the holidays.
Have a great weekend!

Heartfelt Thanks

Thanks to all my friends in blog land for your prayers and good wishes. Kim is feeling better today, her pain is better controlled. She will be seen by the orthopedic surgeon in the morning. Hopefully she will have surgery this week and be on the mend by Christmas. Her spirits are high and she has had so many visitors today to cheer her up. Her birthday was just a few days ago and she turned 16 years old. She is such a special young lady! Thanks for all the prayers. God is truly in control.

Prayers Needed

Good morning dear friends, it has been a long night. My husband's only grandchild(red head princess) and son were in a car accident last night. They were leaving the school when another car pulled out and hit them on the passenger side where Kim was sitting. She has suffered a broken ankle and multiple cuts and bruises. We praise God that she is alive and not seriously hurt. Matt has bruises and cuts, but nothing broken.
We had just gone to bed when my daughter rushed in to tell us a friend had texted her with the news. By the time we grabbed the phone, Matt was calling to inform us which hospital they were headed to. My husband rushed to the hospital and stayed until she was released about 3am this morning.
Please pray for a speedy recovery and that somehow God will provide more transportation. The car was old and used but paid for. Matt is a single dad raising his daughter and he took great pains to make sure it continued to run well. I know God always had a greater plan for us. I am always amazed at his constant protection, in every situation.
Have a great day and please watch out for the other driver!!

Whew! What a Great Time

We had a wonderful time this week at the Magic Kingdom in Florida! Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the Christmas decorations. The Grand Floridian is the most elegant resort in the world. Every year they have a handmade life size gingerbread house. It takes months to bake and build this masterpiece. It smells so wonderfully spicy and the detail is just incredible.

Here are Mr and Mrs Santa Claus, visiting with the children in Epcot. I thought Mrs Claus looked just like Paula Deen.

Minnie and Mickey graced the windows in Canada. We had a short time to stay in Epcot and I do have some great shots to share with you in another post.

This is main street in the Magic Kingdom. Every window and building are decked out in festive Christmas trimmings. I love to visit during the holidays!

The magnificent Mickey hat in Hollywood Studios! We love to watch the light shows here! Fantasmic is a must see firework display. The crowds are moderate this time of year so we did not experience long waits to get in.

Here is a gingerbread gazebo in the hotel lobby.

Nemo was in Epcot. I couldnt resist taking a picture of the birds. Every few seconds they squawk MINE MINE MINE.

Taking a break inside Minnie's house

The castle is breathtaking!

I have two very tired princesses on my hands. They fell asleep the minute we arrived back at the hotel.

Castle Time!

Merry Christmas to everyone. It is almost that time of the year. I still havent put the tree up or decorated the house, but my focus today is on packing for Disney! I have all of my travel size toileties purchased and working on the clothes I intend to take. I may have to run out and buy a few things for me to wear. I want to be comfortable and warm. The weather promises to be cool and sunny with a chance of rain on Sunday. I still have to buy some ponchos from the Dollar Store, just in case of rain. I have to work until noon on Wednesday and then we are off to Dallas to spend the night. Our flight leaves at 6 am and we want to be well rested. Taking two teens along will be quite an adventure, but I am sure it will be magical! Hope everyone has a wonderful week. I will post again when we return.

So Much To Do

I woke up this morning with a sense of sheer panic! I have not attempted any Christmas decorating and I know it must be done soon. I have a company party to attend on Saturday and have not prepared everything for the event. We leave in 10 days for Disney world and I am not ready for my trip! This is so unlike me!!!! I usually have it all together and for some reason I just do not this year. I have finals at school the day we get back from Florida, so will have to take time to study for my exams. I havent even bought a single Christmas present! I feel like I am in a gerbils wheel spinning round and round. I must stop, take time to gather my lists and tackle an item at a time.

Baby Quilt

Several months ago I started a bowtie quilt for a young lady that I know. I finally finished it last night. It took longer than I anticipated, due to my schedule but am very happy with the way it turned out. I have one more I need to get started on and have been browsing patterns today to pick out just the right one! I think the next one will be a pinwheel pattern with pastels. Hopefully I will be able to make it before spring classes start. I am taking 12 hours this next semester and it will keep me busy with a full time job. I am very blessed to have a supportive husband! Have a great weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe holiday!

Little Known Facts

Here are a few facts about me that only my dearest closest friends should know!

I love to spend the afternoon watching girl movies.

I enjoy quilting, but I am not very good at it.

I am not a person who enjoys shopping

I do like to attend antique fairs and thrift shops

I love to eat a simple meal of fruit and cheese

I could sit in front of a roaring fire and enjoy the crackling flames for hours

I have 5 children, two are adopted

I have one younger sister who looks nothing like me.

My favorite historical person is Benjamin Franklin

I love to make lists and seldom remember to take them with me

Deep down inside, I am still about 6 years old, especially at Christmas time

I love Disney world, I could live there!

I have read all of the American Girl books that belong to my daughter.

I love Laura Ingalls Wilder

Integrity and honesty are the two traits I value most

I have always felt I belonged in another era

I dislike scary movies and would much rather read instead

I love to read biographies

Fall is my favorite time of the year

I really love classical music and opera

I wear an apron when I cook

I love pie more than cake

My most treasured item is a nativity set that belonged to my grandmother

I love to ride motorcycles with my husband

I love old sewing notions

I cant live without my Kitchenaid mixer

I sometimes wish I could still be a girl scout

I am a member of Sisters on the Fly

I am a magazine addict

Gone With the Wind is a movie I watch at least twice a year along with It's a Wonderful Life

And like George Bailey, I really do have a wonderful life and I love being me!