I am so excited.... it's the eve of my new life!  Yes! My life begins again tomorrow (October 10)..... Now what changes do I want to make?  First I'd like to commit to praying more often.  I somehow feel that once or twice a day just isn't enough. My conversations with the Lord will be continuous and never ending (big expectations I know)  I want to be kinder, more considerate and more patient.  I want my skills as a teacher to improve, along with my skills as a photographer (also known as a professional camera owner).... I want to help others.  But most of all, I want my family and friends to know that I truly love them...ALL OF THEM! So... as I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep... If I should die, before I wake, I pray the Lord, my soul to take..... 
So if I am so fortunate to see the sun rise in the morning, I will celebrate another day on this earth with all of you, I will begin with a joyous heart and I will strive to make my 57th new beginning better than all of the others.

A Blessing

I remember being 17. I remember being happy, scared and just 17. I remember my sweet Aunt Betty walking quickly across the street to my mom's house with a stop watch in her hand... And going to the doctor to see if labor had really begun. And I remember everyone who came to the hospital to wait with us for the arrival. 10:17pm came and so did a beautiful baby girl names Holly SuzAnne.... And my world changed... No regrets just the reality of a tiny, beautiful soul, relying and trusting in me... And I was 17 and her life had just begun.... Happy Birthday sweet Holly... Your momma loves you more with each passing day....(and I'm not 17 anymore)

Change of Season

It's that time of year.... summer is nearly over and fall is just around the corner!  It's hot weather one day, and cool the next.... it's waiting for football season to start and being disappointed in the first loss of the season... and jubilant with the first win! It's crickets and grasshoppers invading your world....and waiting for the first frost.... And it's my favorite time of year, when the leaves start changing from green to red, gold and brown..... Lots to look forward to.... and many precious memories to reflect on.... And wondering how on earth I have lived 56 years and been so blessed with such a wonderful family. 

Wow!  Have you ever forgotten your password and could not get into your ..... whatever?  I do it a lot!  I keep thinking I will remember and then finally give up and go through the reset process.  So here I am again! Finally!   
Thoughts for today................. I just celebrated my 36th  4th of July with the Chief.   A lot has changed since that first one.... it was spent on the back of a Honda 750 motorcycle.  Lots of fun with lifelong friends... Our family has grown from 1daughter to 3 and now 2 son in laws and 5 grandbabies!  We have been blessed.  Our next addition to our family will be  another son in law.   And we are so happy to have Steven join our family!

Time for a change.....

I finally found this blog again.... Many things have changed since I last posted here.  I am hoping to do a much better job at keeping this blog alive.   One of the biggest changes has been that "The Chief" has retired, made a trip to Afghanistan and is now back home.  He is one class away from finishing his degree, so that is his priority. I have no idea what he wants to do in his "retired" years, but whatever it is... is fine with me!  I am a firm believer that you should do things you love to do whether it is professionally or just our daily lives.  


 I have decided to do 3 things, and I want to be really good at them.   1.  Cook like my momma.  Now I know that is impossible but the goal is to greatly improve!  You will notice later a section called "Cooking like my Momma".  I will share some of her personal recipes and talk about how things "used to be".  I hope you will enjoy it!  2.  Improve my photography skills.   I am enrolled in some workshops and have a great new editing program coming.  I am excited!  3.  Improve my riding skills and possibly compete in Senior Trail competition.  I have 2 horses, Sami (the Arabian) and Hallie (the Paint).  Both are starting training for these events.  Wish me luck!   I'll be busy the next few days getting ready for the 1st workshop which is this weekend, plus tomorrow is my first day back to work since my "I didn't make it to California"trip and my "gosh that hurts, I need my appendix out" surgery.   Have a blessed week!   Proverbs 31:30 (my favorite verse)

Our sweetheart

And the rest of 2011

It is absolutely amazing how fast 2011 is passing by.  We just finished our 1st 9 weeks of school...Fall break is here and Halloween is just around the corner.  I've had a lot on my mind lately, with lots of responsibilities keeping me busy.   But that is the way I like it.... busy busy busy!  I hope for you that the rest of 2011 is happy and healthy.  Please remember our men and women in the armed services as they go about their lives, providing us with our FREEDOM to live as we choose.                                          God Bless America.