I have to share something, I feel the old me left for a while, but pieces of me are returning. Does that even make sense? If you know me well, you will completely understand. If you do not, I will leave you guessing. :)

But I will enjoy these small pieces, and these small steps I am taking - they are a gift.

And I will post Christmas real soon.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Decade!

I wrote about this earlier, but it is bothering me.

Today, I was at a convenient store, and I saw a penny laying on the ground. I walked over it, usually I pick them up, but today I didn't. I don't know why. Now I feel guilty. Pennies add up.

I have always believed the small things, the small details do matter. Does this mean I am changing? Have I become so unappreciative of what has been given to me that I ignore the small piece of coin on the ground?

I hope not. I will do better.

Lessons Learned....

Steve and I went out of town for the weekend ...I will write more later on that.

I learned a lot on the drive home.

I have to be honest, we took a hit when I was laid off, I make less - and it has been hard.

I realized yesterday as we were driving home, how blessed we are. God protected us all the way - we were literally minutes behind 6 accidents yesterday. One involved a State Trooper - I just looked it up, and he is in stable condition. I am so grateful for the delays we experienced, the lines, the traffic, even buying a coke - because each delay protected us.

We were about 90 miles from home yesterday - we stopped to eat. I thought I was hungry. We ordered our food - and then I couldn't eat it. I just pushed it to the side, and as I did so, I looked up, three booths away was a homeless man. Oh, how God spoke to me yesterday. I was so ashamed of wasting my meal, ashamed of feeling sorry for myself - when we have so much to be thankful and appreciative for. We bought him a meal and gave him the snack food and water from our car. (I'm not bragging - it was the least we could do) I can't help but think about him, where did he sleep? What did he do with the bag and food wrappers he folded so neatly and stuck in his backpack? Was he warm? What demons does he fight in his head each day? Does he have family? Are the holidays we celebrate just regularly "days" of survival for him? Does he ever get to watch football after the Thanksgiving meal?

Lessons learned. Thank you God for your provision.

I made a lemon icebox pie last night. My little family loved it.

It was my first one - so easy to make.

I also made fudge with a different kind of chocolate.

But my laundry is still piled up. (Thankful for clothing I am!)

Since I last wrote...

My daughter has turned 17. Happy Birthday Tori - I love you and I am very proud of you.

Sam has decided he likes a girl - his main reason - she comes up his nose and he don't like girls taller than him.

Thanksgiving was nice. Busy. But nice.

House is decorated for Christmas - I plan to write about our "topless" Christmas tree here real soon. Very funny - though it didn't seem so at the time. Ha!

Just about through with Christmas shopping - I do have a bit left. I am ever so thankful for my "side" job of bookkeeping -because that is what paid for Christmas.

It is cold, wet and windy here in Tennessee. We are wimps. It is going to be down in the 20's tonight. UGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH.

Christmas Cards - I have got to get them done. I love Christmas Cards.

Work is always busy.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Well, I think it was a compliment. Sorta?

My mother never one to mince words or tell you what she things you look like, told me yesterday when I took a dinner plate to her - "Good Lord Becky you've lost weight, your butt (sorry but I refuse to edit her words - it is too funny) is not as big as it used to me, and your pants are sagging." (I have lost weight)

I think it was a compliment.

Maybe.

I don't really know.

Yes, the dog was ready for Halloween!

Sam as the Grim Reaper.


Showing off our pumpkin and scarecrows.

The finished pumpkin. (This was Steve's 2nd ever pumpkin to carve! The first? Was with us last year!)

Tori, Sam and Steve.

Your's truly.....and the kids. I've lost 21 pounds.

Sam loved cleaning out the "guts"

Tori helped under duress...really she did.

Just a cute picture.

Just call me Betty Crocker.....

I made a salad, spaghetti and homemake cookes today.

Thank you very much.

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?


Umm....no.

Sam is in 5th grade.

5th grade math is not easy.

So, to repeat the answer to the question?

No, I'm not smarter than a 5th grader.

Nerf Gun War...

Every day boys between the ages of 6 and 13 in our neighborhood -with Sam being a ring leader . They draw maps - have hiding spots - bunkers -they pack crackers and water for food in back packs just in case they are in a bunker longer than planned and whatever else they can think of -they are ready for a battle. It is so darn cute. (Though I am sure cute is not what they are going for - but I am a mom - what do I know?)

Weekend to Remember...

Nope, we didn't go on a trip or even out to eat. Outside of the usual weekend stuff - we stayed close to home.

I was off Saturday! I was so excited. I swapped out my days off because boss/coworkers are out of town.

Sam had a soccer game. They won! Sam scored a goal and as goalie stopped 4 goals. Whoo Hoo! I was so glad to be there and he was glad Steve and I were there. We then went to moms and did some repairs and such at her house. We made it back to our house - where I cleaned! I scrubbed baseboards - moved appliances, etc. I decorated for Fall/Halloween. Steve washed the car. Sam had a friend spend the night. We finished the night with Pizza.

Tori enjoyed homecoming Friday night and hung out with friends and worked Saturday. She introduced us to to her new boyfriend - he is a senior and has enlisted in the Marines. He will go to boot camp about 6 days after graduation. He doesn't look old enough to hold a razor - much less a gun. I worry about Tori being hurt - but it will be a life lesson for her and him.

Sunday was church - we had a good class. We came home and was lazy for most of the day.

I do appreciate my job - but I miss Saturdays with my family. I could tell they all enjoyed me being there too.

DECISIONS AND CHOICES

My daughter has been faced with a lot of decisions and choices of late. She has faced pressure from friends and classmates. For the most part, she has made the right choices - though I know she is hurting inside at the response from her friends.

I am here for you girlie!

Dear Marmie (Melody)....


I am thinking about you and want you to take care of yourself.

I am so thankful for my friends. I wish I had the words to make them understand how much I love and appreciate them.

It is Monday - my "off" day. I will lay down for a few extra minutes - the last person, Sam, is about to leave for the day. Chores are facing me - laundry, clean carpet - finish dusting, laundry, dishes, give the dog a bath, book keeping work, laundry. You get the picture. My "off "day is a work day thinly disguised as an off day.

My friend Diane, had surgery, thyroid surgery this past week - she had a few complications and is not feeling well at all. But she is home. I took her a scarecrow last night (you know a fall decoration for the yard - I thought it was funny - she laughed). She and her daughter are all that is good in a person - so hurry up and get well my friend!



Well, I am going to enjoy a few minutes of laziness before I begin my "off" day.

Working on Saturday....

Today is the first soccer game of the season and it is also the first game I have EVER missed. I have made it to every recital, cheer competition, scout meetings, and soccer games - and I have missed today's game.

I can't change things right now - I am ever so grateful for the job I have. But I sure wish I was on the sidelines cheering Sam and team on.


Progress Reports..............

Both are doing pretty good in school. Sam is struggling in math - but his teacher emailed me and said this is common for 5th graders - their math is in "steps" now and they have a hard time adjusting. I hope we can get over the hump. His end of year test scores from last year blew it out of the park! I am very proud.

Tori has a 100 in Chemistry. Wow!

Teaching Sunday School..............

Steve and I are teaching 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday School. We really do enjoy it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

I MISS YOU LOTS!

A few quick updates.....

How I spent my 40th birthday. In the hospital! I was having super bad chest pains. Turned out to be super bad acid reflux and very low low potassium. All the other tests came back okay. I was so scared and ever so depressed.

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Kids have adjusted to school. They seem to be doing okay. Progress reports will tell a lot.
Tori has been getting a lot of hours at work and Sam is playing soccer.

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I am having a hard time working on Saturdays - it is very depressing leaving my family here week after week. I don't know how to handle it or if I can hold out much longer doing it-yes I know I have to work - and I am grateful for the job - I have to work into a positive attitude every week. Then I feel guilty for not being positive. What a cycle!

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My friend, Diane, is facing surgery soon. Love ya girl!

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I am having moments of depression. Nothing I haven't faced before. But it is overwhelming at times.

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Steve and I will officially be "together" for two years this next week. We started dating on Sept 8 2007. He will also be 4 years from 50 this week (46). I tease him about it.

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I need to clean house! And I am off to do so right now.