Goodbye 2018

I was surprised when The Today Show did a video highlight of all that happened in 2018. Surprised so much has happened in the last year, I stopped to reflect on my own year:

Job change. 

Brooke graduated.

Sold my home of 15 years. 

Settled and loving luxury apartment life, all-inclusive with a pool.

Job change.

Sofia's 1st birthday.

A years worth of 1st's for Sofia.

Mariah & Jeremy moved back into their home in our community.

Mariah losing her 2nd pregnancy, me having a grand baby in heaven.

Mariah pregnant again.

Brooke moved out. 

Me, an empty nester after 21 years of being a single momma. 

My mom having a heart attack.

Brooke planning her wedding for September 2019.

Me, debt to credit ratio = 0%.

My financial goals far surpassed.

Didn't use a credit card once in 2018.

Chopped all my hair off.

It's hard to sit down and remember all the blessings and storms each year brings with countless details not included, but 2018 was one of significant change.

This year is wrapping up beautifully. My place of employment was sold and as I found out this week I was kept on, my position under new management comes with many blessings and perks. It makes me reflect on how I got this job when I wasn't even looking and how God positioned me for blessings.

My life shifted in so many ways. Established and comfortable I look ahead and smile at 2019.

What New Years resolutions do I have and what goals do I want for 2019 for me, beyond my grand baby arriving in June and Brooke & Alex's wedding in September?

I want adventure.

A Bad Day

It is really, really far and few between that I have a genuine bad day.

I can categorize unpleasant days as a far too busy day (15 hour work days) and when I have events back to back for a couple weeks at a time, I categorize as hectic, but I push through with success. It's typically other peoples really bad behavior that drains me, especially when I cannot be candid and honest and have to stay professional.

Yesterday was a really bad day. No details are needed other than I have to deal with Langmores, none as bright as Ruth (Ozark).

The evening was nice with all my family coming over, the guys in the club house at the pool table, the reveal of Brooke's wedding dress to my mom and Mariah in my place.

Climbing into bed I was in search for a book that would lighten my mood when I opened my bedside nightstand drawer to a handful of envelopes.

On Christmas Day, Brooke pulled me aside and handed me a handful of envelopes for me to read at different times such as when I miss her, when I have a bad day, etc. I believe she worries about me being alone.

Honoring her request to hold off for these special days, I got comfy settled in bed and opened the envelope fitting my day.

My sweet and thoughtful Brooke ...

XO

Christmas Day 2018

When Christmas morning arrives, it's so hard to believe its here. Well-planned, preparations, celebrations, and the thrill when you wake up in the morning, it's Christmas day!

This was my first Christmas waking up alone now that Brooke moved out. Still, I was so excited that I haven't slept in two nights. Last night I started waking up at 11:00 p.m., 12:00 a.m, 2:00 a.m., 4:50 a.m., and at 48 years old I still cannot sleep through the night at Christmas.

Inviting my parents over for breakfast before everyone got together and friends over for brunch, I like hosting and I can see it becoming part of a new tradition.

Loading all the presents in my Jeep, Christmas music in the air driving to my mom & dads and I know I am blessed to have everyone together.

Delicious food, presents, music, laughter and conversations, a family that prays and gives thanks for why we are in celebration, Jesus birth. 

Mariah thrilled with Sofia's stocking and a photo of it hung on the fireplace in their home. 

My sweet Sofia in my arms all day. She sure loves her Grandmomma and I am so in love with her. 

It was a wonderful Christmas. 

The Magic of Christmas

I believe in the magic of Christmas. I believe when your heart is set on the true meaning, Jesus, there is peace and blessings you couldn't even imagine.

Well-planned preparation in advance removes the chaos and had the month of December was exactly how I wanted it, full of music, warm holiday movies, baking and chocolates, family and friends, and a full month wrapped in Christmas.

Sofia's stocking took far longer than I ever imagined. I turned down many plans to ensure her stocking would be ready for Christmas. Oh, but the blessings! Turning on Pandora to Christian Christmas music for hours a day while sipping new favorite teas in my quiet home away from the hustle-n-bustle. It was hours a day of music to Immanuel, God is with us. It was a lot of praying over this stocking for my granddaughter.

Spending the month climbing into bed every night with the book Women of Christmas, walked me through the journey of Jesus birth. Unlike a movie, a book provides a deeper connection as if you are there, watching.

Lost in the true meaning of Christmas, there are blessings.

It's Christmas Eve.

My mom and dad flew home last night and I am giving them time to sleep in from their late arrival. Today is family and I am so happy to see them. To have my daughters and their loves, my Sofia, my mom & dad, and my brothers family all together is the best. Wait until Great Grammy & Papa see our little Sofia! She is pure joy!

It's Christmas Eve and I already couldn't sleep last night! ha ha This whole month has been magical focusing on Jesus birth. I can't wait for the musical celebration of the Christmas Eve service tonight! I can't wait to have everyone together in hugs and kisses, laughter, loud conversations, delicious food and love.

The true meaning of Christmas is Jesus birth and one of my many blessings is my families strong faith on exactly what this holiday means.

Find a church this evening and enjoy a Christmas Eve service. Set the tone in celebration of the grand crescendo waking up tomorrow on Christmas day, Jesus birthday.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

8 Years Later ...

We've come to realize the weight of the anticipation of December 19th is much more wearing than the actual day when it gets here.

December 19 is the anniversary of Brooke's dads suicide. Thank God it is 8 years later.

We've learned to plan well and to fill the day with activity and yesterday was a fun mix of blessings from heaven. It is just a given, Brooke doesn't work on the 19th. No need to add stress to a day that already hurts. The morning with Alex and I got the evening with her.

We went north and finished her Christmas shopping that gave her a sense of accomplishment. I simply must add for a child and teen who has said "No" to every fun thought and plan I've had for her growing up, she's turned into a young lady who has decided to say "Yes" and willing to do and go where ever I want to go. I'm still adjusting to plays-along-well-agreeable-Brooke. ha ha Seriously.

Dressed in Christmas flair, I would like to say she received a couple compliments last night with how pretty and festive she was.

Off to Cold Stone Creamery for our holiday favorite Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream, the girls behind the counter over anticipated and when we asked for a Love It, she received a Gotta Have It.

There we were standing in line for ice cream when I asked her when Mary Poppins comes out? Asking Siri, we found out that the movie with Lin Manuel, Brooke's celebrity crush, actually came out that very day and it was playing at our theater in 45 minutes.

Timing is everything and our evening was unrushed, enjoyable and as we pulled into the theater, I told Brooke, "Look, we have VIP parking!" Yep, the very first space was open as if the timing of the movie, the accidental over-sized ice cream (at no extra charge), and front space parking was coordinated from heaven just for her.

Do I believe that? Absolutely! 

It was an enjoyable day of blessings sprinkled from heaven for her. 

When we were shopping and talking, Brooke mentioned she will be glad when Christmas is over, that she feels pressure to be the Christmas spirit in their new home for their 1st Christmas together. Christmas as she knows it will change slightly from the traditions she knows with me in full blown traditions, to creating her own traditions with Alex. I hear her plans rolling out just the way I do it. She's got this. 

Oh sweet girl, the magic of Christmas is already there. Traditions are memory makers that bring nostalgia to the heart. Come home Christmas morning so you have your new Christmas with Alex, your morning with Momma, and in full family celebration with everyone. 

My thoughts and appreciation turn to heaven for the special touches for this day. 

Random Compliments

I'm kidding! I thought it was a funny photo to go with this blog post. 

Tonight as we were getting in the car Brooke said, "See mom, every single time we go out together you always get random compliments!"  

She always says I am noticed when I walk in someplace, that others look at me and yes, I do get my share of compliments.

My first response is to feel bad, because I know it happens and I know she is sensitive to it. Then, giving it thought, confidence and a smile is a quality that attracts others. It just does. 

Brooke can be completely confident and if she isn't feeling it, she can feign confidence with grace. Her preferred response is to be polite and more timid with little interaction. I really believe smiling confidence opens others up and makes them comfortable and often commands attention.

Add to that, the older you get, the less you care what another person thinks. 

In 20 years she will be me, when she chooses to be.

It Smells Like ...?

Imagine my excitement when I see Aldi's carrying a new item, Butternut Squash Noodles. A healthy alternative, one I've never tried.

How on earth do you make these? Looking online for recipes I found one that is similar to how I like making zucchini and squash, with olive oil and garlic. This recipe called to add chicken stock to simmer.

Sounds delish, right?

I do well cooking and appreciate presentation with taste, this dish ... it smelled like butthole and stunk my whole house up! Not only was it not edible, I had to take the trash out and it took hours for my candle to not the stench out of the air.

Thank God I was only cooking for me! ha ha

Act Your Wage

I wish I would have learned this lesson when I was a very young adult. The years I spent paying off debt until near spring to ensure Christmas was a success. 

Christmas is a success. The very nature of Christmas is wrapped in a miracle.

This month has been calm in Christmas preparation, because everything has been done. It's now about taking the magic of the season in with family, friends, twinkling lights, romantic movies, and the journey of the celebration leading to the crescendo of Christmas Day.

To my younger self, I would have said, "Act your wage at Christmas, plan well months in advance and do not enter the New Year with debt." 

As I walked in my office there sat a Christmas card and gift bag. It was a handwritten card in thanks and appreciation from a girl on my staff for how I've worked around her work and school schedule with a homemade gift she made herself. It truly was from the heart and it struck me how much that meant.

I love handwritten notes. They are a lost art and one perhaps I very well may resurrect in 2019. 

With everything done (except Sofia's stocking), my schedule is open for Christmas experiences and adventures and that's exactly how I want to spend the rest of 2018.

Two weeks until Christmas.

To My Future Grands

To my future grand babies, I'm sorry your Christmas stockings are not going to be as elaborate as Sofia's.

I made both my daughters stockings when they were babies, they took me an average of 20 hours each. Picking the most beautiful and elaborate Christmas stocking last year for Sofia, has me this Christmas racing the calendar to get it done.

Let me say this, there are 40 steps to completing this stocking. Step 11 has 6 parts to it and I did 3 parts of said 6 and it took me 3 hours!! Oh good, only 29 more steps to go ... which has me firm in my decision all future homemade stockings will be simple. 

Next to Sofia and the holy bible, this stocking needs to be cherished and protected as an heirloom through the next several generations. 

A blanket across my lap, a cup of hot tea, and stitching my grand daughter a Christmas stocking is such a grandmother moment. I embrace this role in my life and laugh because it's such a gentle and loving role for this girl who's been buck wild far too many years. 

The dynamics of still being young, yet being a grandmother is a beautiful blend of  who you are from your youth more settled a couple generations later. Alive and still racing to the battle line, yet letting go what isn't important. Beautifully wild  to wearing a crowning glory. Running constantly to experience everything life has to offer, to finding a simpler life is far more satisfying. Striving to have, to having everything you want. My logic then, to a whole new perspective now. A free spirit, to seeing life from a different set of eyes. I see youth running buck wild, I smile and know, a chasing of the wind. Still so full of life and laughing at the days to come. 

Being a grandmother is far, far more amazing than I ever fathomed. I am a seasoned, well-honed, and better version of the young me. 

She's a Toddler

I'd heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well, it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

In the twinkle of Christmas lights, my littlest love and I danced, twirled and sang to Christmas music when Hallelujah bellowed out her speaker she loves to carry with her. 

I love the song. "Sofia, hallelujah means "Praise the Lord!" and I was having a hallelujah moment dancing and singing with my arms full of love. Thank you, God. 

It was Grandmomma to the rescue tonight when my daughter said Sofia didn't feel well today, she's teething and hurting. On my way to their home, a quick stop by McD's for soft & salty french fries, Minnie stickers, snuggles and kisses, I arrived in all my glory and I believe her evening got a lot better.

She's a toddler now, which is the cross between a snuggling baby and Miss Independent. Her momma needed a break and a shower, and I said, "Take your time." I missed Sofia desperately and was glad I can be there to help. 

Sofia loves to dance with me, too. Song after song after song, we danced and twirled and sang to Christmas music and my little one seemed to feel a little better. 

 

Well, maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Staging Her Home

I knocked on Brooke's door when she opened it with a "Welcome" and a graceful fling of her arm.

As I walked into her Christmas wonderland I caught all the special touches as she staged her home for my visit. Her home clean, candles strategically lit with a delicious scent in the air, the Christmas tree glowing in the corner, and upon my knock she pressed play as her flat screen streamed a Christmas song of her choice to fill the air.

She's always been good with special touches and I smile seeing her do this with her home.

Her Christmas tree sparkling in the corner of her living room decorated in rose gold. Holiday table decor set, her stockings hung on a shelf she put up and decorated with a snow blanket and ornaments.

Everything is so pretty and I'm happy for her as she creates her own nest.

Well done, baby girl. She said, "I learned from the best."

Christmas Cutout Cookies

It's been over a month since Brooke moved out. Her and Alex have such a cute apartment and as they are getting in their groove, I am settling wonderfully in life as an empty nester. 

I smile and laugh when I listen to Brooke share about her and Alex adapting to life together. She's funny and witty and I've always thought Brooke would be an excellent stand-up comedian, add her material of coexisting and this girl should be on stage with a mic. 

Tomorrow evening I am invited to their home to see their Christmas decor. Hugging them both as they stopped by this evening, to hear they are heading home to put lasagna in the oven, decorate for Christmas, and make Christmas cutout cookies makes me smile.  

They are cute together and perfect for one another. I love Alex, he's a good boy and he's a hard worker. My daughter deeply loves him and I love that for her. 

This Momma watches from afar to make sure they have what they need and to see they are adjusting well. My daughter is exactly where she needed to be and she is blooming. 

I Almost Ended Up In the Toilet

Today I get to see my Sofia. It's been a week since I've seen here and I desperately miss her.

I know she misses me, because when I was talking to her momma the other day on the phone, Sofia started crying. The moment she was handed the phone, she stopped and ran off with me. She misses me, too.

Sometimes it's hard to connect due to schedules, but a week a part is more than I can handle.

Nothing makes my heart burst into happiness like when I see my Sofia's little face pop up on my phone. When she sees its me calling, she quickly yanks the phone out of her momma's hand and runs through the house from room to room. Little Miss Independent loves to talk on the phone. Sometimes I prop the phone on the counter and continue doing whatever I am doing so she can spend time with me.

It's like riding a roller coaster being clutches of a toddlers hand, carried and shaken as she whisks me off. Oftentimes, I have to look away before she throws me into a vertigo attack dizzy watching her on my screen.

Yesterday, I almost ended up in the toilet.

Toilets are so much fun when your a toddler. The height is low and perfect, it flushes and there's water! It's a combination of lid lifting fun and a place to throw all things. Just not grandmomma.

My view was dangerously close when Mariah stopped me from being thrown in.

The bathroom is the first place we run when we realize Sofia has slipped out of sight. What does she have in her hands and when her binky had gone missing, it's the one place we hoped it wasn't and ... there it was.

I'm so excited to see her today! Mariah & I are having a mommy & daughter date day, then my girls are coming over for the unveiling of my new holiday decor. I have a fun chocolate surprise treat I can't wait to give her! Snuggles, hugs and kisses are about to be mine.

Christmas Table Decor

 

Christmas table decor is complete, the snowflake plates arrived in the mail yesterday.

The snowflake plates are the same collection of plates I already have and love. Imagine my surprise when I saw they did a holiday plate shaped as a snowflake.

There I am in Pier 1 seeing pieces of what I really liked throughout the store, when I began to clear off a table to create my own arrangement at the gasp and awe of the staff working there watching me.

Voila! 

I'm really into chargers and when I saw the wreath chargers and I knew I loved the snowflake plate, I wanted a contrasting charger to go in between. With my home in bone colors and black accent pieces, the black charger was perfect. I am also in love with my snow leopard faux fur.

There it is world wide web, my Arhaus high top dining room table with new Christmas table decor. 

Christmas In My Home

It is Christmas in my home and my home has an entirely new look and feel this Christmas.

A flocked tree, dark red velvet decor and snow leopard faux fur is the theme. It's striking and beautiful!

Finding fabulous deals on pieces I really liked, a few a bit pricey, it was all coming together, but it needed something. I'm pacing and unsettled trying to figure it out.

The feng shui was off and I needed something completely different, but what? What is missing? An idea, turned quick online search, then I found it. A snow leopard faux fur for my tree skirt and matching stockings to complement my snow leopard table runner.

The tree wrapped in the snow leopard faux fur blanket gives it a more elegant look than a traditional tree skirt, the soft stockings hanging and the flow of the bone color with my deep red velvet accent pieces is the PERFECT touch to my new theme.

I'm Getting Flocked This Christmas

It makes me laugh to say this, but I'm getting flocked this Christmas. 

In all things new, it is time, time to change my Christmas decor. I have spent weeks in and out of stores, looking online, holding photos up in my living room of the many different varieties of Christmas trees, all sizes and shapes to find the perfect fit. 

Good grief there is a lot to choose from and the pricing spans from minimum to shocking. 

It isn't about price, it's about the next perfect Christmas tree to grace my home each Christmas and after weeks of debate, I am going with a flocked tree.

Son-in-laws are the best! Especially when it comes to hauling a new Christmas tree up a couple flights of stairs. 

Going through all my holiday decor, much given to Brooke and Alex for their 1st Christmas in their own place, I am keeping very little from the last couple of decades. Decades of purchases that transformed our home into a warm and nestled Christmas cottage. It was perfect for that home and now those pieces are going into my daughters homes for the familiar and nostalgic. 

In Black Friday tradition, as the shoppers become crazy and chaotic, I will be home decorating with Christmas music filling the air, hot chocolate or perhaps a glass of wine, and welcoming this Christmas season, because this girl is done Christmas shopping! 

My Irrational Sick Day

Big, fat snowflakes are falling softly and the view from my sick chair is of a picturesque winter day outside and a perfect day to stay nestled with warm blankets inside.

Seldom to I get sick and I've always claimed to have the stomach of a crow; until this weekend. Add vertigo onto a stomach virus and I am a nauseous mess. I found taking a shower this morning to be an accomplishment.

Grateful it was fast and furious, I am worn out.

Its the week of Thanksgiving and I am thankful for many things in the midst of being sick.

I am thankful for my daughters, parents and friends who call often to check on me, willing to bring food and meds, even though I prefer to die alone when sick.

I am grateful for the delicious new teas I recently picked up at a holiday event, because tea, toast and apples have been my staple diet for the last 24 hours.

I am blessed to sit inside a warm & comfy home that in a comfy chair with a super plush soft blanket that provides a place to rest.

Ridiculously (rediculously), I am thankful for Netflix, I believe I watched an entire season yesterday of Hart of Dixie in between naps. For a couple hours, I contemplated if I was having a heart attack or not. My heart physically hurts me when I am stressed, hurting or sick. I wonder how on earth I will know the real thing when it really happens, because I am convinced that is how I will go.

My phone beside me in case of the need to call emergency, then the thoughts going through my mind:

1st - I haven't showered.
2nd - I will have to walk down two flights of stairs. How on earth would paramedics get me down?
3rd - Would they know where to find me here?
4th - Would I really know when to call in time before it's too late? I delivered Mariah naturally because the doctor said I should go to the hospital when I couldn't handle the pain anymore, obviously I have a high pain tolerance, thus her crowning at home in bed! I managed to keep her inside for a 25-minute car ride to the hospital (thanks to Lamaze breathing) and made it to the hospital delivering her naturally, by accident begging for meds.

So I decided to pray and list the many reasons God needed to stop my heart ache and decided I should turn on a good show to focus my attention on something else. That's when I realized while watching Hart of Dixie, my heart wasn't hurting. Being sick causes stress and I was stressed my date with my daughters was canceled. I don't claim to handle everything perfectly.

While getting sick was wildly inconvenient, as it canceled a date day with my daughters enjoying a tree festival in holiday tradition and an appointment I had scheduled this morning, those things can be rescheduled.

Today I was supposed to start decorating the country club, that isn't even going to happen when taking a shower wore me out. I am getting hungry, that's a good sign.

One more day of rest today and I should be back to good health tomorrow.

She Said Yes To the Dress

There I stood with Brooke in front of me in her wedding dress and veil and time stopped.

Believe me, it's a milestone moment in life when you see your daughter in her wedding dress. There is a clash in the universe where you see your little girl, yet a young woman. It's the moment most every girl dreams about her whole life and now in the beginning stage of that dream. It takes your breath away. 

I want to tell you what it looks like, but her dress will have to wait to be revealed on her wedding day. Know I am not being partial when I say it's stunning, it is a fairy tale dress and seeing Brooke look at me bashful, hopeful, with a do I look pretty look in her eyes, sometimes happiness and beauty can only be described in tears. Yes, you look stunning.

Brooke said yes to the dress and I made the purchase all-inclusive with her tiara and veil. 

The venue booked.

The best DJ in town booked.

The dress purchased.

The color theme, exquisite.

Invitations chosen.

Centerpieces chosen.

Brooke has selected a few cakes she is contemplating.

I already have in my mind the best complement of hors d'oeuvres and dinner selection for presentation and taste with a solid grasp on rental décor to transform the venue into the princess wedding she's always dreamed of. 

Wedding planning I do well. This evening I hosted a wedding and reception at one of our country clubs and it was more than the bride envisioned and hoped for. Sometimes brides know exactly what they want and sometimes they don't. When they don't, I fill in the gaps to create what they cannot envision. Hugs of thanks and appreciation are mine at the end of their special day. 

Tell me what your hoping for and I will make it happen. It's all fabulous experience for me for the weddings that matter most, my daughter's wedding. 

We weren't planning on dress shopping yet, it was serendipitous we stopped by the bridal shop the other day. Two steps in the shop I saw the dress, only one like it and it fit Brooke as if it was designed for her. I do believe in divine intervention and I cannot help but think how flawlessly this has come together, as if it was a gift. 

Today was our appointment with the seamstress and Brooke enjoyed the process. 

I am grateful and blessed she found a dress far more beautiful than she hoped. It's what every mom wants for their daughter. 

Wedding dresses are pretty, sometimes, not always. This dress, is unbelievable and I for one cannot wait to watch the expressions of everyone her wedding day as they see the Brooke as a bride walking down the aisle. 

Freezing Rain and a Fabulous Day!

Letting out a wild scream as I stepped onto the parking lot, I realized I stepped onto black ice, that's how my day started. It was a freezing rain turned fabulous day!

An ice covered Jeep, Christmas music filling the air, I was ecstatic!!

Perhaps I am excited for Christmas, but Sofia's pillow lounger for her playroom arrived yesterday (Thank you Amazon Prime) and I couldn't wait! I stopped by the store to pick up a Santa sack for presentation sake, when I walked past cute socks and an outfit at the store, a quick stop at McDonalds, and this Grandmomma arrived in Christmas glory!

This pillow lounger was an idea I had years ago I was going to make. Someone perfected the idea and  I stuffed this over 8' long pillow lounger with extra firm pillows (Walmart $5 each) and Sofia now has a fabulous floor lounger for her play room all-inclusive with a flat screen tv and all her toys.

Snuggles, kisses, hugs, lunch and a visit, I was off to meet up with Brooke shopping for wedding details. It was a spur of the moment idea to stop into a store, when stepping in I immediately saw it, an absolutely beautiful wedding dress! We looked at the selection of wedding dresses and grabbed a couple for her to try when we had our "Aha!" moment. 

When you gasp at the beauty and tears fill your eyes, you just know, "this is the one." It's perfect and stunning on Brooke. We found a veil that also took our breath away and I have a call out to the stores seamstress to schedule an appointment for any necessary alterations. 

We are pinning down the wedding date, the date is available at the venue we are looking at, and I already have checked the best DJ's in towns schedule for his availability. 

Her wedding invitations picked, everything is coming together beautifully.

As I was heading home, I passed a holiday event at a local plaza I had forgotten about with each store offering the hustle-n-bustle of holiday cheer with Christmas music, drinks & food and discounts. 

Me, I enjoyed a holiday fruity champagne beverage, wine, cheese, chocolates and treated myself to a variety of teas. 

Still freezing rain, I am happy to come home, curl up on my comfy chair with a warm blanket, select a new tea and marathon watch Hart of Dixie.

It was a wonderful day.

Shrimp & Grits

Oh my gosh, I am in heaven!! Shrimp & grits are a favorite combination I can enjoy now that I cook only for me. 

It's been a busy day and I'm glad I am in for the evening. I wake up early and do all my running around before I go into work. Due to time change with it being dark in the evenings, I don't want to be out and about. Theft increases during the holidays and being dark out just isn't safe anymore. So I shop in the mornings during the week when stores aren't as busy and it's light out. 

Not to sound braggadocios, but I am 85% done Christmas shopping. The small details of Christmas cards, gift bags, tissue paper, and stocking stuffers are complete. 

When Black Friday arrives I will be all, "Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!  My home decorated in new decor, Hallmark Christmas movies enjoyed nestled in my chair with a warm blanket and hot beverage, Christmas music playing all the time, the perfect excuse to bake, Christmas services, and I even have a Christmas book I've got last Christmas I've been waiting until this Christmas season to read. 

10 more days begins ...

Life As an Empty Nester

It's been a couple weeks now that I've had an empty nest. 

My home is cat hair free, everything is perfectly clean, highly organized and quiet. Exactly how I like it. 

Buying food is a slight adjustment scaling back on what just I am going to eat so I don't have to throw anything away. Now, cooking for me, well that is a whole new world. 

In the middle of a 12 hours work day event, I had a 3-hour window to come home to relax and refresh. Waking up to snow and the ambiance of snow dusting on my balcony I was thinking about a new pasta dish I wanted to try. This is a Pumpkin Chipotle pasta sauce with Italian sausage over a bed of angel hair pasta with fresh Parmesan on top. Absolutely delish! 

I enjoyed this delightful dish while watching my first Christmas movie of the season. 

Yes, I am busting at the seems ready to spring into full Christmas decor the moment Black Friday arrives!

The Flutter of Her Eyelashes

Some moments are so sweet, I want time to stop.

It was fun having everyone over to celebrate Brooke's 19th and Alex's 22nd birthday. Presents for Brooke & Alex, dangling decor for my sweet grand daughter.

Wonder ...

      Look ... 

            Touch ... 

                  Yank down if you want, it is for you!

Minutes before, everyone began to arrive and my Sofia gets very timid when she is sleepy. She saw my brother and jumped in my arms.

It was the sweet and chubby softness of her one year old body, her baby scent with little arms wrapped around me tight and her little face buried in my neck that I felt the fluttering of her eyelashes and her warm little breath on my neck.

Oh time, stop for just a moment longer.

Poor Jason gets his feelings hurt and he spends the evening taking baby steps to win her acceptance. It's like groundhogs day with these two, but Jason perseveres and by the end of the evening he gets a couple smiles and a giggle when she's feeling generous.

Mariah had her doctors appointment that morning and heard a strong heartbeat. Thank you, God.

New Look

ONLY because so many people asked me to post a pic, did I agree to take a dreaded selfie and post on Facebook. My Facebook page and my phone blew up! 

So here it is, my new look. 

It was embarrassing to take a selfie and post it. I don't seek attention and doing this very act, upon request, it gave me a brief inside peak in the mind of a person who do selfies willingly and constantly.

What on earth is wrong with them? 

Outside of the circle of those I love, I don't care what you think of me. 

Who glances at themselves in a mirror and thinks, I have to capture this moment so everyone can see how good I look? 

"I'm happy" 

"I'm so pretty (or handsome)"

No, your empty.  

Especially the in the car selfie. There is something wrong. I can see teens doing this or a vacation selfie to capture a destination, life provides opportunities where you want a photo captured, capture it. 

It's those who have a constant diet of posting selfies that have glaring issues. Certainly, they have to know other adults cringe.

This is my one and only selfie and my new look.

Happy 19th Birthday!

💖To my hysterically witty 😆, thoughtful 🤔, loving and kind 💗, compassionate, artistic, and 🎶 musically talented with incredible rhythm (thanks to your dad) daughter, I love you and I am so proud of you! Birthday💕Happy 19th birthday, 🎂 my last little birdie that flew well from the nest! xo 💖 🎉