Sunday Citar

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ” - Melodie Beattie

So thankful for these boys. For time spent with family. For laughs and love. For goofy grins and having fun. So thankful.

Sunday Citar

“None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Went on a trip to  the auto parts store with the husband. Filled with vintage treasures just ripe for photographs.  I actually enjoy the auto parts store...

“If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.”—Lucy Larcom

“Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment.” —Napoleon Bonaparte

Sunday Citar

“The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be one's appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship.” —Amelia Earhart

“There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.” -Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

“When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home” - Thornton Wilder

"There is no place like home..."

Home after a short (yet long enough) trip to Las Vegas. Had a blast with my sister and brother and parents but oh-so ready to be home. It's amazing how much I can appreciate the quiet and slowness of our little town after only a few days. Happy Day my friends!

Sunday Citar

“I doubt that we can ever successfully impose values or attitudes or behaviors on our children; certainly not by threat, guilt, or punishment. But I do believe they can be induced through relationships where parents and children are growing together. Such relationships are, I believe, build on trust, example, talk, and caring.” —Fred Rogers

"Adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years." - Author Unknown

“Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So... get on your way.”

- Dr. Seuss

The boy started driving. He's cautious and serious about the task, he's attending a driver's education class, he practices...He is my baby, my boy, my heart. As he embraces this milestone in his life his mama watches, sits next to him, offers words of encouragement (and a few words of panic) and prays. As he drives himself into this next chapter mom learns the true message of let go and let God. Here we go...

"Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest." Luke 12:25-26

Sunday Citar

“Playing safe is probably the most unsafe thing in the world. 

You cannot stand still. You must go forward.” 

- Robert Collier

***I was standing across the street waiting for Troy to drive down the street in Mabel when I looked over in my across-the-street neighbor's yard and saw this...I have never actually met this neighbor (after MANY years...) and I'm thinking that maybe it's time to introduce myself.

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” —Sophia Loren

“Love life and life will love you back. Love people and they will love you back.”—Arthur Rubinstein

Sunday Citar

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. ” —J.R.R. Tolkien

“Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier. ” —Albert Schweitzer

 “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in. ”—Alan Alda

Sunday Citar

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” —Jawaharlal Nehru

This is it the last day of January. I was telling a friend this week that January had been a topsy-turvy month and I wasn't quite sure where it went or what I have done with it. Looking forward to starting February well (almost a month of sick is enough) and with a renewed sense of order.

January is the beginning and indeed I did start somethings...
1. planning our anniversary day trip
2. planning a trip to Seattle to see a dear friend
3. running (again) and will hopefully run in a 5k soon
4. a birthday list (36 things to do before I'm 37 - really excited about this)
5......

On to February! Enjoy friends.

Sunday Citar

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” - Anais Nin

As I reflect on my life, my friends I realize how incredibly true this quote is. So, to all my friends out there...Thank you. Thank you for opening up my world.

Sunday Citar

Welcome Tik, the newest member of our furry family. Ten weeks old and full of life. June is Adopt-A-Cat Month and adopt a cat we did.

"A kitten is in the animal world what a rosebud is in the garden." ~Robert Southey

"Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia." ~Joseph Wood Krutch

"The reason cats climb is so that they can look down on almost every other animal - it's also the reason they hate birds." ~K.C. Buffington

"A kitten is chiefly remarkable for rushing about like mad at nothing whatever, and generally stopping before it gets there." ~Agnes Repplier

***Joining in on Tabitha's Sunday Citar again this week. Go visit and Happy Sunday!

Sunday Citar

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus

I was surprised when I realized I hadn't posted since Monday. Where does the time go? I suppose I have been focusing my time elsewhere. No excuses. I've been fairly obsessed, yes obsessed, with old photos - finding them, scanning them, sharing them. It started with my grandmother's death and now I've raided the albums of my aunt and mom for the *other* side of the family....I'm loving it. ***The picture above is of my maternal grandparents. I love it.

"Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you." - Annie Dillard

One of my favorite bloggers, Tabitha at Fresh Mommy, invited me (and the rest of her readers) to participate in Sunday Citar, which is something she does every week. Go visit her she has a super cute baby, takes wonderful photos and is just generally nice. Thanks for the invite Tabitha!

Happy Sunday Friends!