Just one of the things I'm thankful for this year~

Thank you for all the b-day wishes for Juli...

Enjoy this little one- it only takes a minute- and you won't be sorry you listened- He is adorable!

My Asher...(well, he's my nephew!)

13th B-day~

Precious, Darlin', Baby-girl...
I love you more than all the world...


The little child who taught me about love-

She's still my "baby"- but So grown up!


Happy Birthday Sweetheart- I love you more than mere words can express :) What a gift you are to me- and you always will be~

For years I rushed around being busy and I missed me.

~Friar Leo

"No matter what has just happened, you are free in this moment to act with positive purpose. Whether the past has worked in your favor or not, the future is yours to create as you wish.

Life is too important to waste it feeling sorry for yourself or beating yourself up. Get up and get on with life, and make it match your highest expectations. "

~Ralph Marston (motivational speaker)

"You are talented at many things"

-my fortune cookie after dinner tonight

It's been a tough day for me. One of those days when you can't put your finger on exactly what's wrong but your heart and mind are out of sorts. The truth is there are MANY things in my life which are good, and MANY things I wish were better. Things I CAN control, and things I CAN NOT control.

I very clearly remember the first time I ever read the Serenity Prayer~

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

It was on a book-mark, or a coffee mug at a truck stop/gas station we pulled into on our way to Indiana. I was probably 12 years old. My dad was taking us to visit our Grandmother and I was so excited about the quote (I've always loved good quotes) I rushed over to share it with him. His reply was, "That is stupid. I can't stand that prayer, it's so depressing."

So much for the father-daughter Hallmark moment, huh?

Anyway, his reaction confused me. I couldn't fathom how he found the quote depressing and not profound. At the time I wasn't aware of the drinking problems which plagued his family, nor was I aware this prayer is one often used by alcoholics...I just thought it was a great "life statement". It wouldn't be the first or the last time my father and I failed to see eye to eye on something.

To this day, as much as I love the quote, I never read it without recalling dad's reaction to it. His disapproval lingers over the memory like a faint shadow, and truth be told, his disapproval about some things in my life lingers over me in more ways than I'd like to admit. It is time to let this stuff go. It is time for me to look at me with my own 2 eyes, and not through the eyes of my parents, or family members, or people in the church...or anyone.

I need and want to be me, and further more, I want to LIKE that person.

The sad truth of today is I didn't like the person I saw in the mirror this morning. I can change that. The mistakes of my past, bad choices, desperate responses, ugly words, judgements, and assaults against me- those are things I can not change. Knowing the difference between the two IS wisdom. Acceptance of BOTH things is divine.

The sun has now set in my part of the world. The day is closing as I sit in my office upstairs with mug of Jasmine tea and my thoughts. Despite the poor reflection I saw this morning when I awoke, the world went out of it's way to speak life to me today, via a preacher, a speaker, and a cookie.

I didn't wake up with Serenity this morning...but she found me before the sun set, and I am grateful.

Peace to all of you~

I Thank you...

For Soldiers past, present, living, and those resting in peace...

Thank you for the way you have touched my life- in ways seen, and those unseen.



The Army Hymn

Oh, Lord of Hosts! Almighty King!
Behold the sacrifice we bring!
To every arm Thy strength impart,
Thy spirit shed through every heart.

Wake in our breasts the living fires,
The holy faith that warmed our sires;
Thy hand hath made our nation free!
To die for her is serving Thee.

Be Thou a pillar for to show
The midnight snare, the silent foe;
And when the battle thunders loud,
Still guide us in its moving cloud.

God of all Nations! Sovereign Lord!
In Thy dread Name we draw the sword,
We lift the starry flag on high,
That fills with light our stormy sky.

From treason's rent, from murder's stain,
Guard Thou its folds till peace shall reign,
Till fort and field, till shore and sea
Join our loud anthem: praise to Thee!

Election? What election? (kidding)

We each voted early. It would have been nice to have voted "often" but we resisted the temptation, unlike some we've read about...but I digress.

However, the Sun, Earth, and water could not be resisted.

It was as if the land said..."Don't despair- Look UP!"

So we did.

The stream said- "Be still- listen. Life is good"-

And it is.

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I should think about moving to the mountains : )

"Day of the Dead"- PARTY TIME!!! :)

The Altar~

Frida was definitely honored here- K9 did a beautiful job putting this together.

Is there anything K9 can't do? :)

A miniture cemetery where one could remember ones we've lost... people really enjoyed participating in this project.

Ferocious kitty Beautiful art

Christmas preview! (everyone needs one of these on their tree!)

Good friends in great costumes!

I like the effect of these faces- seeming to float above our head in the room :)

I know- you've already seen this one- but she's so cute!

Art by Diane- (the painting in the back ground is a piece K9 is working on- it will be fabulous and BIG)

Arty/pottery by Betty ( http://www.fishbonestudio.net/)

Art by Elyse

The Band! (They were SOOOOO good!!!)

Guess who? :D

Love you Dawg! :)

IF ONLY YOU WERE HERE!!!

The party in progress- at least what I can show you!!!

lol!

You have no idea how much I wissh you were here!!!!

ALL OF YOU!!!