Thankful Thursday

 Thankful Thursday

  

                                                     "But I'm not stringing you along!"

2022 is coming fast and furiously!  I thought I better provide a little humor. 

                                                         T H A N K F U L N E SS 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday

HAPPY TUESDAY

 Happy Tuesday

KITTY WISDOM

A watched food bowl is never filled.

You miss 100% of the mice you don't chase.

Nap like no one is watching.

Anytime is "me time.

Don't smile because it's over, smile because you got to see the dog get into trouble.

Live, eat, sleep, repeat.

I am not sure we have to worry about this guy seeing the dog(s) get into trouble! He prefers snoozing in this cold winter weather.

This bunch doesn't look like they';ve bene into mischief but trust me, it is a cover for their naughty behavior somedays. 

Today Leo walked up to the large water bowl and was slurping away. The C A T had approached the bowl, but he knew he had to wait his turn. Leo took his sweet time and when he finally left, the C A T walked over to the other side of the bowl and drank from it! Talk about toddler behavior. Somedays  I feel like I am stuck in a comedy show.

Maxine is so silly sometimes. But she is also very funny with her antics.

BE HAPPY AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN! BE KIND AND DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN NOT REPAY YOU. SPREAD HAPPINESS, IT IS LIKE SUNSHINE AND WILL WARM YOUR HEART!

Aw...Mondays and Love is....

 

Aw...Mondays Here is a boy in a box! Sometime the box is fun just like the gift that came inside of it! This fellow is so sweet and he has a funny side and very serious side. I think he had tons of fun! 

A big brother in the box! We had tons of fun and so did the little ones. What a blessing they are. 

Love is...sends a great message everytime. I Love the black and white comic strip from days gone by but the colorful ones are precious too.

Prayers requested, our son Jeremy lost a good friend yesterday. John passed away unexpectedly. His phamily is mourning this devastating loss and asked for prayer and privacy at this time. John was a kind young man. He always had a kind word for us when he visited and he willbe greatly missed. His mom, dad, sister and other phamily members are in shock. 

To tell you how kind he was, when our youngest Nick went off to college in Ark City, Kansas. John's cousin was the girls soccer coach. He called his cousin and told him to make sure Nick felt welcome. He is going to be missed.

John was in Jeremy's 2016 wedding. Several of the guys changed their profile photo with a photo of John and themselves. Rest In Peace. You were greatly loved in this life.

Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. " 

This morning, I felt sad for some reason before Jeremy let us know about John's passing. I took to my Scriptures as I try to post one daily, I chose this one:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. " 2 Timothy 4:7

Rest easy John. 

Wordless Wednesday

 Wordless Wednesday Although I am in the CHRISTmas spirit and filled with words, I will try to be brief. I posted some of our tree ornaments on my  other blog . I will post a few here too. 

I bought this one for us a few years ago. 

 

Jack and Sally. They are always together. From the Nightmare Before Christmas.

 The Heat Miser and his brother Mr. Freeze, from the Year Without Santa Claus. Two of my favorites.

I love the holidays but we celebrate the true meaning of CHRISTmas and this kind of says it all. Sometime we want more. But I have learned through the years sometime less is better. I will always enjoy my collectibles but there isn't too much that I need beside love from my phamily, a roof over our heads, nourishment. All the commercialism turns me off.   I will take the baby born in a stable over everything the world offers, which is nothing compared to God's glory in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, verlasting Father, Prince of Peace

 

Feline Friday and Pink Saturday

 Feline Friday

  

It will be 10 years March 16, 2022 that this sweet boy left me. There is not a day, that I do not think of  him.

I would love to have a Pink Santa Chef like this google image of this fellow. Isn't he beautiful? Pink Saturday

This Santa is beautiful too. They are google images but I would keep them up all year round if they were mine.

I never tire of looking at this precious photo. I am so thankful I snapped it, back in April 2019. He was four months old and Grandfather Avery was telling Alastor Avery how much Jesus loves him. We could not imagine that he would be gone August 4, 2019. Grandfather says he was an Ambassador of Heaven and God sent him to us for a short while. It has given me some comfort now that his third birthday on earth would be December 18, 2019. I know how Jesus loved the little children, I read and re read that verse hundreds of times to get comfort. This small baby boy is enjoying his splendid heavenly home that he was sent to on that Summer day  August 4, 2019. 

"But Jesus said, "let the little children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

But when Jesus saw this , He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to me;  do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14

But Jesus called for them, saying,  Permit the children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kindgom of God  belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16

Happy Birthday in Heaven Alastor Avery,  Going to come join you one of these days. Whenever God send us all home to you. 

THANKFUL THURSDAY & FRIENDLY FILL IN'S

 Thankful Thursday

Thankful that Jeremy has Stella enjoying the holidays with her sequined reindeer ears.She is a noble girl who has lived a very good life for the past 13 years. She lost her very favorite canine gentleman Smokey 12/17/19. Where does time go. Missing that human like boy everyday. He was Stella's protector as she was a street dog Jeremy found wandering the streets. She is the mother for the other canines Luna and Duke. They are younger, but they are kinder to her.

A gentle boy with a kind heart and a love for Stella like no other. Missing you always my friend. You were a unique friend. 

THANKFUL

FRIENDLY FILL INS

1.______________________made me smile recently.

2. I am looking forward to seeing ____________________over the holidays.

3.  During the holiday season, my home _________________.

4. _______________is my favorite way to get in a festive mood.

Ellen and Lorianne co host these fun meme. Ellen thoguht up the first two phrases and Lorianne and the other two. Thank you ladies for your contributions each week.

MY ANSWERS:

1. My grandson's Pajama Day photos made me smile recently.

2. I am looking forward to seeing most all of our kids over the holidays.

3. During the holiday season, my home gets decorated ainside and out.

4. Reading the bible and listening to CHRISTmas music is my favorite way to get in a festive mood.

You can see the Pajama photo at my blog My Tata's Cottage

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Tuesday and Maxine

 

                                                                                     ELLA

Happy Tuesday

Oh Maxine, you should try sharing your chocolate with a guy! Ha Ha Ha

You know, you have to be nice and help out! ha ha ha 

Get out and enjoy your day! We have had high winds so I walk my yard and my long driveway. But early in the morning when the sun is rising. Otherwise, here comes the wind!

Aw...Mondays/ Love is.../ Birthday Wishes/ Humor/My BoJon Heritage/

 We've been on an extended break. It was good to get extra rest and just do what we absolutely had to do. It was hard letting Avery go back to work but I am grateful as he is that he is working and keeping busy. God has been good to us.

Aw....Mondays 

I was a nervous Nellie and was always frightened of the Jolly Ole Fellow but I tried to be brave and always took a photo with him. This was in the Crews Beggs department store in my hometown ages ago.

Harrison James had a big smile for Santa. But Shea Avery Marie was wanting to get away from this strange ole fellow. Blakersman said "High Five Santa"! His brother said, uh no thank you. I like watching for afar.

CHRISTmas is in the air at our house. We do a little day by day. It has been so cold in the early morning hours and the Spring like weather comes along later in the day. We had a sprinkling of snow. We need more. Since my felt Advent Calendar is missing in action this year, I found this wooden Doug & Melissa one. The ornaments are magnetic and I sure love it. If you don't know Doug & Melissa , their toys are educational and Melissa's story and struggles with mental health is a great read. More and more people in important places are speaking up and it needs to be heard.

Love is...says Happy Birthday to Roger and Noelle having fun in Las Vegas, Nevada this week. 

Happy Birthday to these two. Very proud of the phamily they have. The years they have spent together and when my mother told me Roger was a good guy, I had to trust her. Afterall, she never was wrong when it came to relationships. Enjoy your trip and time away from work.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday

*image from Pinterest

Feline Friday/ Thankful Thursday /Veteran's Day

Although we lost Rose in November 2019 on the 10th day of the month, she will hold a place forever in our hearts. I am so thankful for this strong willed, chicken lovin, left pawed feline. She was an example of why it is important to save these babies from an otherwise fateful life. I often wish she could have been a mother, as she had a nuturing quality many people lack. But she lived a good life with us and those pierced jade green eyes will forever live with me. Please visit Thankful Thursday and Feline Friday.

  I flew our USA flag yesterday. I remembered that yesterday was Veteran's Day as well as Rememberance Day in Canada. This is my mom's baby sister, my auntie Jo and on her wedding day. My Uncle Tom B served in the Army Air Corp WWII. I have been fighting with my edit button and finally , with much patience, found out that sometime you have to walk away and come back later to fix things right. So I think of and remember those who went before us and all those who served.  Uncle Tom was an engineer and he was a great man. He and Auntie Jo were Dallas Cowboy fans and they were simply wonderful people. I tip my hat to him and all that served. 

I have a long list but here are some of our loved ones who served:

Bruce (USN)the only child of my grandmother's cousin Frances who gave his life in WWII on a submarine.

James, the son of my mom's cousin Hedwig. He served in the USMC. He gave his all in Vietnam. He was barely out of his teens.

Virgil, my husband's uncle and youngest son of his grandparents. He served as a major in the UAF/

Edward "Munson:",  my uncle married to another one of my mom's sisters. He served in the US Army/

Frank P, my mom's brother-in-law who served in the US Army as well.

Dan W (USN) a phamily friend,and a favorite person who loves the constellation as much as I do.

Jason S. (US Army) Three tours of Afghanistan. One of the kindest young men I know.

Carolynn, my husbands cousin who served as a nurse during Desert Storm. U S Army

Duane, Carolynn's dad, who served in WWII in the U S Army

George "Bud" B. my husband's uncle who served in WWII US Army. He is 91 years young these days.

Grandpa Carl, my late father-in-law who served in the U S Navy and was near Pearl Harbor on that fateful day. 

He is in the second row walking off his ship (next to the 2 gents standing on the side)/ He taught our daughter Rebekah this song:

If the ocean were whiskey

And I were a duck

I would swim to the bottom

And drink it all up 

Hiccup Hiccup

Carl B, phamily friend who served in the U S Army Vietnam

Richard C , phamily friend who served in the U S Navy

Kathy O,  U S Navy

Marlene O , U S Navy

Michael O, U S Navy

Pat O, U S Army

Buckley P O'Gane, U S Army, and father to the above mentioned four siblings.

Bob H, my late former brother-in-law U S Army, Vietnam

Jesse H,  U S Army , Vietnam gave his young life in his 30's due to the effects of Agent Orange

Kenny W, U S Army lost his life in Vietnam

Gary R, my late brother-in-law U S Army Korea/ He also worked for many years for the government.

Joe B, U S Navy, he always said being an orphan and having the Catholic school nuns give him beatings for his ornery nature , made him a better man who served three tours in Vietnam, a tour in Desert Storm and a federal job with  the government.

Ray Sr., Ray Jr. and Frank who all served in the U S Navy and proud to say, are my cousin and his two wonderful sons.

Sam C. U S Navy my late cousin who loved serving his country. 

I am hopeful I have listed them all and all those I think of daily and remember in prayers who I have met in this life and heard their personal stories. I apologize for being late but I had these people and all who served on my heart all day yesterday. They remain in my prayers always.

Tuesday 4 November is Here

 Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo

  November is Here

  1. Besides Thanksgiving is there anything you like/dislike about November?

       I love the Fall and I feel like most of November shined gloriously with the colors of Fall. I do love

       Thanksgiving as it brings back so many beautiful memories of my own childhood and the grand

       celebrations my parents hosted for our extended phamily. I often wished it would never end. I am

        not a huge fan of the cold weather and snow but having been born and raised in Colorado I am  

        use to it.  I enjoy watching the snow from the inside of my home where it is warm and cozy.

        November is bittersweet for me . My mom passed away on the very day her own mother was born.

         They were two of the most amazing women I ever knew. I was grateful God chose me to be part

          of their phamily.

2. How is November weather where you live? Does it suit you?

     I think I stated this in my first question. Being a Colorado native I love having the four seasons 

     and although as an adult the winter months are no longer my favorite ones, I do love the snow and

      all the changes winter brings. I love CHRISTmas with the snow and all the fanfare. But I also

      love sunshine and cool but crisp days. Colorado weather can change in five minutes so I am

      never shocked when I spend two days with 70 plus temps and drop into the 30's in a blink

      of an eye! We can have snow and rain and sunshine all together with hail and thunder storms,

       in no particular order. The weather during the holidays is usually perfect to celebrate my

       favorite holiday of all, CHRISTmas.

3. When do you plan for Thanksgiving? Eat home or out? Menu?

     We've been planning already. I think everyone has uped their Thanksgiving game.

      Our grandson Andrew and his wife had invited us to their home for an evening dinner.

       But we had already made plans. It is such a blessing when loved ones think of you

        and include you in their plans. We are very grateful. We plan to slow cook a turkey this

        year. There are lots of side dishes we like to include, the famous green bean casserole,

         mac n cheese, mashed potatoes with homemade turkey gravy, a relish tray and all the

         holiday favorites. Rebekah will usually make a pumpkin pie or two from scratch and

          since Hannah shared her cheesecake recipe with me I tohught maybe I would make

          a special one for Thanksgiving. I use to make Dear Abby's Pecan Pie, the easiest and

          most delicious pie but no one likes it as much as I do so it is not worth all the effort.

           I may bake rolls from scratch if I can do a trial run first. My mom and aunt Aung were

           famous for all those homemade rolls.

4. When do you begin your  decor and plans  for CHRISTmas?

     I see people starting earlier this year and I get that. I would love to be able to decorate

      our whole house. We usually do it the day after Thanksgiving. If I put a small tabletop tree in our 

       bedroom I can wait for Avery to put up our large tree in the living room and Nick has a tall

       pencil tree he used in his office area last year. The best part is decorating them. We have 

       tons of decorations and CHRISTmas fare. I have a large collection of Nativity sets and I

        am going to put them in my collector cabinet. I use to have them in my china hutch cabinet on the 

         lower shelves. I think I will display them in my curio cabinet upstairs as I need to change that up

         as well. While most people are downsizing their lives, I find lots of wonderful memories in

          my Precious Moments collection, my teacups and saucers and teapots. I have Willow Creek

           figures too. They are filled with wonderful moments especially with my parents so there

            is no time to think of downsizing any of them.

             I have a salt and pepper collection and of course, I have the pilgrims for Thanks-

              giving. 

These are not s/p shakers but things I love to have since Thanksgiving and turkeys do not get

the love like other holidays.  I try to find items that fit the season. I do apologize that my photos are 

scattered everywhere and I am needing to get better organized. I borrowed some google images.

        

Wordless Wednesday

 Wordless Wednesday

HAPPY TUESDAY and MORE

 Happy Tuesday

I had my annual Derm appoitment. Everything went well and Mary Ann, my P.A. was as nice as ever. I am grateful everything looked great! Iwas happy!

Avery took me to my appointment and than we had lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory. It was packed. Which surprised us for a Tuesday afternoon.  I had their delicious lasagne and he had his favorite, the meat lovers special. They have the best sourdough bread and of course, to finish your meal, the Spumoni ice cream cup. We took a selfie outside the restaurant. We were happy!

When I woke up this morning I had the Don Williams song, "Lord I Hope This Day Is Good" running through my head. All in all the day has been very good to us even with the cold front moving in.Happy!

"Lord I hope this day is good,

I'm feeling empty and misunderstood .

I should be thankful Lord, I know I should.

But Lord I hope this day is good."

It is a really beautiful song and a young country singer Kaylee Hammock redid the song with the one and only Alan Jackson. I love and always will love, the old traditional country music. Don Williams was a favorite of my mom too so we liked listening to his music. Music always makes me happy.

Maxine is usual right about her snarky statements. The time change has never been a favorite. We did get to sleep in today so that helped. But we nearly forgot the trash man was coming. HaHa ...he was late too. The time change is not favorable to the household pets either!

Throughout history many protesters worked hard to change things that were important. Take the right to vote for woman. Although many of the wealthy women who were involved, like Mrs.  Alva Vanderbilt fought for the right to vote the first state to allow women to vote was Wyoming. New York, where Mrs. Vanderbilt lives, did not received the vote until years later. I always love history and finding fun facts.