My Poor, Neglected Blog!!!!

I haven't had a new post since January and it has been busy, crazy around here. We have been traveling for work and for play. Don has been working in California, I went to Winnipeg, Canada where it was painfully cold and then we thawed out a bit in sunny Florida for President's weekend.
Mom had her knee replacement surgery and she did fantastic. We are all glad that the surgery is behind her.
While in Florida taking advantage of our annual Walt Disney World passes, our little princess paid a visit to the Bibbidy, Bobbidy, Boutique. Here she is in her Rapunzel costume and fancy hairdo.
We took our daughter in law, Erin with us. Corwin is in Kuwait for a year so we tried to keep her company for a little while and get her to thaw out a bit.
Here we are in in the new 3D Toy Story attraction in Hollywood Studios. We had a blast and it was sunny and 80 degrees every day.
Been busy this week volunteering up at the school with another art project and I finally have time to finish poor Yvette's vintage smock. I have not had any crafting or creating time in for over a month.
Heading out in 2 weeks for Santa Monica, CA for more work and a trip to Denmark is in the works. It will be April and Easter before we know it.
Well, I m off to do some cleaning and catch up on my domestic goddess chores.

Just Doing a Little Catching Up!

I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to a large outdoor shopping mall while I was out working in California. It was absolutely beautiful. Here is a ferris wheel in the center of the plaza. You just can't beat the site of these tall palm trees.
I did get to go into Anthropologie. The displays were terrific. I made a request to take pictures, but the Manager said NO! Oh well. Maybe my next trip in I will sneak a few.
Everything was so pretty. The attention to detail in these stores was fantastic. Atlanta is our hot spot to shop around my neck of the woods and nothing compares to what was at this mall.
Here is what I hauled back to the hotel. My big splurge....
I warned Hubs that I was going after a pair of new shades. They rock!!
Here is the shirt I bought at Anthropologie. I love all the ruffles.
Of course I could not come home without anything for the mini chick. These were her goodies. The kids around here are going absolutely wild over the Sketchers Twinkle Toes.

The following week I flew home and we celebrated a Sweet 60th Birthday for Judy!!!!!
We got together as a family and all took Judy to dinner at Natalia's in Macon. We had our own private room. It was lovely and the food was fantastic!
Here is Shelby and I before we left for Judy's birthday celebration. She is growing up so fast. She is such a girl! We had to have our purse and our lipstick before we could leave the house.
When I got home, we colored some Easter eggs, packed Daddy up for California, celebrated Judy's birthday, had an egg hunt, opened treats from the Easter Bunny, got Daddy off to the airport, had egg salad with Mom for Easter dinner, and then packed up again for Spring Break.
We were here for three days:
It has been a very busy 3 weeks. And it doesn't stop there. I am getting ready to go back to California this week. I leave on Sunday. I am doing some last minute visiting with friends, completing a new art project with Lee which will soon be revealed and finding a little time to spend with Don this weekend. I will stay in touch. Until then, have a great rest of the week, y'all!

Working Shoe?

Does this really look like a "work" shoe to anyone? This pump is listed online at Nordstrom under their "Working Shoe" category. Even when I was say 30, I wouldn't have been able to wear this shoe all day, much less now at 43. Oh well, I will find something a bit more sensible. I can't believe I just said that, but truth be told my feet are bad from too many back flips off of cheerleading pyramids while barefooted. I know, young and stupid.
Those who know me may be asking why I would be looking for a comfortable work shoe when my feet have only really known my sequined and beaded flip flops for the last few years. That is because I am going back to work.
Despite the economic down turn the pharmaceutical industry continues to have problems and plenty of money to fix them. So off I go on a consulting job out in California. Actually, hubby and I are rotating every two weeks back and forth until June. I am excited but also nervous about leaving my little one. When I am gone she will be with her Daddy and she will have the best time. Don and I will swap roles and he will get to be house Dad while I am out working. It will be an adjustment for all of us but I think a really good change. I will continue to blog and share some of my experiences while I am away. So wish me luck.

Goodbye Metal Mouth!

It's been 1 year, 3 months, 5 days, 6 hours and too many minutes that I have been wearing these braces. I got the good news today that they are ready to come off and we even set the date MARCH 17th!!!!! Approximately one month to go! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Now it will be time for retainers and whitening gel.
I had to share my good news. My poor friends will be happy to hear this as well. They have been listening to me whine and bitch about my braces for over a year now. Thanks for putting up with me, girls!

Some Friends are Like Angels

Blogging continues to give back and women that you never met find their way into your lives and hearts.Julie from Prairie Thistle, has been an amazing friend this week. She reached out across the miles and gave me a long distance hug and some much needed advice. This is someone I admire on so many levels, that I am honored to know her. She is having a giveaway this week in honor of me and another person who saved me this week, Lee. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such wonderful women in my life.
Please head over and try to win this amazing piece of jewelry that Julie made. Thank her for me again for being a very giving and and thoughtful person. Julie, you made my day in every way!!! Hugs to you.

The Winds of Change

The winds of change have been more like hurricane gail forces these last few weeks. My surroundings look the same but nothing seems familiar. Some of this change is good, some of it painful. I am usually a proponent of change and thrive on the newness of things, but this time I am paralyzed. Tears fill my eyes constantly and I fight to keep them back.
My dearest of friends both near and far are with me constantly. Keeping you close in my mind and heart helps to keep me a little focused.
Everything will quiet soon and settle down and it will all be for the best. I pray on that being true. Strength comes from continuing to find out who you are and what you are made of. Happiness and contentment are waiting. I will be looking out for it.

Where are you in the "Creating" Process?

I saw this on a notebook in Barnes and Noble a few months ago and it really stuck with me. For those of us who enjoy creating with our hands and our minds, have we really spent any time creating the person we have always dreamed of becoming? It is a true statement. I have never been a "lost" person so finding myself never applied. But this creating idea is a good one. Food for thought.....