Happy Heart Day!

Wow! Incredible how time flies... Hope you are all keeping warm. Maybe enjoying your favorite hot beverage or hot toddy while cheering on your country during these winter
Olympics.(Go Canada!)

It's been very heart warming to hear the stories coming from the Olympics. How friendships are forged and how no matter where each of our Olympians place, we as a nation are proud of each one.

This kind of makes me think of our families & friends, especially this close to Valentines Day. We are like our own little nations... with close friends who fill special niches in our lives, maybe some neighbors are a bit of a... Ummm... 'struggle' to form an alliances with (Ha!)

And each struggle and chat over a fence. Every call or video chat with family & friends near and far makes me realize how special each and every one of you are. (Ha! I'm a poet!)

In this day and age it's such a gift to be able to pick up a phone and hear a loved ones voice, or type a few words & let your teenagers know you love them with out embarrassing them in front of their friends. Ha! Another favorite of mine is Facetime with everyone. Living so far away doesn't feel so far for a few minutes when you have kids dancing & singing & telling you stories. It's almost like being right there in the room with them.

I have a pretty fantastic 'nation' and at the very core of it is a very awesome family. I know we put the 'fun'  in dysfunctional way more often than we should, but at the end of the day, I have wonderful husband who works hard to keep our 'nation's capital' with a roof and food. And I also have 4 great guys living here who are each my favorites! Heehee! Luv Ya guys!

Happy Heart Day Everyone! But especially to my family & friends... For without you all I would just be a crazy dog lady!

Merry Christmas!

All is wrapped, the stockings are filled, the fridge is finally stocked with the turkey and all the fixings.

My husband and I spent all Christmas eve running those last minute errands that should have only taken a few hours but as we are finally climbing into I realize those errands and chores took almost 8 hours! Every year I tell myself I will be much more organized... much more on top of the festivities, no more of this last minute hustle and bustle and running around. More like I was before I had kids! Or Fibro... Or R/A... "

My Christmas cards (with letter) were written and mailed by Dec. 1, decorations were up the first week and baking was done all month as needed for different school or church activities. Shopping was finished before the snow flew! (it was almost a dare between me & mother nature! Ha!) sigh... What happened to that me?



Now after the presents have been opened, all the food has been cooked and eaten and the kids have scattered around to their friends to compare loot, I now have a chance to take 'stock' of the past month. How well did we do even though there weren't cookies made(Yikes! Store bought!), or no cards mailed (sorry if you got an email or I call you personally this week instead!). Even the crazy Christmas eve shopping was fun. I enjoyed spending the time with my hubby with the challenges of those last minute ideas.

I am so grateful for everyone in my house. Over time our family has grown and we now have an 'adopted' son who has moved in with us(a friend of our middle son) and there are girlfriends and of course the furry family members. Every one in my house gets into the spirit of the season and helps out.




From decorating, cooking, cleaning and of course....


EATING! Yummmmm!

So, at the end of the end of this wonderful Christmas day, after all the hustle and bustle and running around. After realizing that I am definitely not the organized woman I was in years past I have come to the conclusion that I love my family very much, and I love my husband even more. He is a very remarkable guy! I am extremely glad to know that my family loves just being together and that the other stuff that I was stressing about just isn't that important. And I guess that means I have some super awesome boys under my roof.

My Boys, Alex, Matt, Will & Jeff

 

Merry Christmas to all my friends & family! Hope you are enjoying the season with all your heart's desires and may love & laughter fill your homes!

Hearts of Gold

Long time no post! Hope that 2013 has been good to you and your families so far. I have was looking at the calendar this morning and could hardly believe I had let 3 months go by without any posts. Well... this will be rectified today! Ha!

Part of the reason I haven't posted was that I have been at a loss for subject matter. My fibromyalgia has taken a toll on me and my family this winter and so there is only so much you can write about when you don't leave your bedroom.

This January I was able to visit out East to Ontario and see some of my cute nephews and one for my nieces. I had the rare opportunity to have some great sister time! (no hubbies! Just us girls and mom!) It's a very special thing to have such an understanding and supportive family.

One of my nephews figured out this visit that auntie is 'for real' sick. Not just tired... Not sick with a cold... But bigger than normal sick. He sat down with me one day while the two of us watched TV and he asked me it's like to be sick like me.

Wow.... how do you answer that? So, I paused, then said that most days I'm me just super tired. Then some days I'm me, super tired but also have hands that won't hold things really well like he can and sometimes they hurt, but not to worry because auntie has a good doctor that checks on her lots and let's me have medicine that helps take the pain away and I feel way better!

I could see the gears cranking in his brain as he processed this information. Then he snuggled up to me and said, "we can still do this though, right auntie?" Oh Yes! Wild horses won't stop me from snuggling with my nieces and nephews! "and auntie! I'm here... so if you need help, I can do it for you!" And for the rest of my trip that young man checked on me, opened bottles, grabbed things for me... but best of all... we snuggled Lots!

It's funny how my young nephews figured out in a short period of time that I had an issue but instead of shutting me out like so many people tend to do, these little guys all asked specific questions about my illness and then all 3 of them asked how could they help. It was amazing to me how genuine their hearts were. Even the 4 year old asked me if he sat with me if it helps (always!)

So thank you boys!! And my sweetie niece with all her dancing and singing.  I was spoiled rotten by mom (yeah moms!!!!) And it was so awesome to just be with my sisters. I am so blessed by the wonderful family that I have and I am going to finish this post with some action shots of some of the most special people in my world!! (And ya...I have some pretty smoking great brother in laws for letting my sisters come out and play while I was there visiting!! Thanks guys!!)

Happy Heart Day

Just a quick Happy Valentin'e Day to all my friends.

 I would be remiss to not at least drop a quick note a wish a little love and romance out to everyone! Some loving gazes, tender touches...maybe chocolate strawberries and champagne.

Sit under the stars, maybe a walk in the moon light, holding hands.

The world disappears for the few hours, just you and your significant other, 

enjoying this special day. 

Aww...who am I kidding?? Enjoy the guilt chocolate ladies, and the flowers if he remembers!! Heehee!!

Thanks Hallmark!

And guys, I actually do feel for you. Its a rough day!

And singles...don't take this day so seriously....buy the chocolate and send your self a card and sign it

"From Some One Who Love You Very Much!!"

Ok...Enough being silly! As you can tell I do not take Valentine's Day too seriously. But I am grateful I do have not 1 but 4 very special Valentine's in my life.

And I am taking this moment right now to wish them a very happy Valentine's Day!

I Love You All VERY Much!!