Migraine

No photo today... :(

And LENT begins...

Went to church tonite. 40 days to go.

Lent in 2009 will start on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
In Western Christianity Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days of lent because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter", a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death.

Dinner from the HUT

I was in no mood to cook and I'm not really in the mood to be doing anything. The weather is very cold, or it seems so to me anyway. I must be coming down with something because I am never cold! I about froze in church yesterday and wore a long sleeve sweater to work today. So I'm just feeling a little BLAH.
I just want to get a BIG cup of hot chocolate and snuggle in my bed with some extra pillows.

We ordered pizza from the hut. Photo of the day... yum! NOT really.

It was just yesterday a little while ago!

Well, now it looks like I'm posting on Sunday, but it's really Saturday, as far as this post is concerned. Between doing the taxes, bickering with the hubby and digi-scrappin', I lost track of time.

So, in keeping this short... 1 week ago from yesterday (Saturday) was Valentine's Day. My roses are still SO beautiful!!

Good night or good morning, whichever the case may be for you.

Thanks for the smile!

Why is it that teenagers will take a million photos of themselves and/or all their friends at arm's length but have their mom ask for one little smile and they get all unhappy??!!?? Well this photo is of my older daughter and she is much worse at the "photo" thing than my younger. So when I do get her smiling I just snap, snap, snap. This photo was taken yesterday after she had come in from work and we were having some chat time. It's not too often that she wants to talk, so when she does I make time, even if I'm dead asleep and she comes in to tell me something I want to listen.

She's working tonite and I always seem to miss her when she's working. I miss her more than if she's off with friends. Not sure why, but I do. I guess it's just tooo many mom things rattling around in the worry zone of my mind. She's a great kid and I'm very proud of her!!

Raindrops keep falling on my flowers

I'm happy to have the rain!!. It means my flowers will be ok! Sometimes, not too often, but sometimes, I get busy and forget that it hasn't rained in a while, and my outside plants neeeeeed water! I love my flowers and I enjoy digging in the dirt, working in my little piece of heaven (aka our backyard).

A fellow 365er, Ellay, posted that she is "the only person I know who LOVES rainy days" but she is NOT! I'm a rainy day lover too!! And her post today inspired me to go out, barefooted (as I hate shoes), on my wet deck, to take this photo!

I love the way the drops just sit there on the petals!!! :)

Well this photo happened by mistake but I'm going to take advantage of that mishap and make it work.

I'm pms'n and a bit melancholy, missing my dog, I have 3 people in my life that are ailing (I'm talking more serious stuff than your basic bug), my 16 year old is having a mini meltdown over all this stuff as well. It's tough trying to explain how life can go along just happy and fine for a long time and then it's not so good for a bit. I'm trying to help her understand how sometimes there is nothing you can do to make it better, but that it will get better. I want her to understand that your own personal attitude can make or break almost any situation. Although she's 16, what can I say that she'll believe?? I hope that she'll atleast believe the part about how much I love her and will do all that I can to help her. But I'll settle just for her believing how much I love her.

My photo today is pretty self explanatory -- it's my "voice" here in cyberspace. Hope it wasn't tooo whiney! ;)

Go! Go! Go!

It was Mallory's weekend... she turned 16 on Monday, Feb 9th. Well when your birthday falls on a week day you save the party until the weekend. Which for Mallory it happened to be Valentine's Day. She had 2 of her cousins, Cameron & Morgan (pictured above), her sister of course, and 2 friends come to hang out for the weekend. They had manicures, and went out to eat and to a movie and just 'cruising around'. As much as I could I took photos. By Sunday evening this was the response I got! "Go away and stop taking pictures of us PUH-LEEEZE!"

I found it quite comical!! And scrap worthy!
The LO was created using a mini-kit created by Chaos Lounge... you can find it at Enchanted Studio Scraps .

Eyes Wide Open

Here kitty, kitty!

Let's play photography studio...

I can't believe that I FINALLY got a photo of my cat with her eyes OPEN!

I am VERY excited!!! Thank heaven for digital, because I can't tell you the number of wasted pix I would have trashed trying to get a decent photo of this cat.

Her name is Sassy and she is just that! Can't you just look in to her OPEN eyes and see that??

Thanx SassyCat!! I love you, although our relationship will never compare to what I shared with Oliver. We can work on it...

He sent flowers!!!

This is a rare activity for my husband of almost 20 years... but he sent flowers to me at work!!

I got them yesterday -- the envy of many women! I have to say I was quite flattered, and happy to be envieD! Many, many occasions have I been the envieR. And sure, the money could have been better spent on a number of things, I'm very proud, and WOWed that he spent it on me!

He sent flowers!!!

Then this morning, he was up early to go work some OT -- probably to pay for the roses! LOL And he said, "I have to run to Wal Mart, to get the girls some flowers, I'll be right back." Well he came back with one bouquet and he carefully dividied it out in to four glasses -- 2 for our daughters and 2 more for 2 of our nieces that had come to spend the weekend. What a sweetie!!

Hope that everyone's day was filled with love, and maybe even some flowers!

Toe Time

My pedicure place.

I have started taking the camera in the car when I go out.

Of course my teenage daughter sees these kinds of things and says, "Mom! That's not safe!"

What she fails to realize is that I was @ a complete stop when each photo was taken! : D

Where did those 2 days go??

I don't know what I was thinking... just blowing 2 days off! I think I've been in a funk... I needed some fresh air.

Today I was able to get outside and ENJOY it!!

I planted a few flowers to perk up the deck and my spirits.

I know this isn't much of a post, but I'm ok with it! ; )

And I guess really it was only one day that I missed... so now I feel even more OK with it!! ; ) LOL

SWEET sixteen

Our baby... sweet sixteen!

WOW! The time has zipped past us. But the video we watched tonite reminds us of so many terrific memories. You're lucky to have such a talented daddy to make you such a wonderful treasure. And how could daddy make that video if your photo crazed mom hadn't taken pictures of almost every thing you've ever done, even when you protest. LOL :D You're a beauty Mallory, on the inside as well as the outside and you should be proud of who you are. Your daddy and I are, so very much!! I pray that you will keep God in your heart, family in your soul, and all that we've taught you in your mind. Have fun each day and make the most of what you have or don't have. We love you Mallory!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
May all your wishes come true!

A Nanny?

Did you ever have a Nanny? I don't mean nanny in the sense of the fancy live in babysitter, I mean Nanny, like MeeMaw, MawMaw, Grams, Granny, Gramma, GG, whatever term of endearment you may have used.

I loved my Nanny beyond measure! She was Lena Elizabeth Crank according to her drivers license, her taxes and probably her church's directory. To me she was my Great-grandma and she was really GREAT!!

My photo of the day is of Nanny. I came across it yesterday at my grandad's house. The photo was taken in 1984. She passed away in 1990.

She was the kind of grandma that every child should have at least one of. I used to love to go spend the night with her, go to church with her, go to K & W Cafeteria to eat with her. She had one of those old cars where the dash board was still metal and there was no shoulder strap, just a lap belt. But she made me sure I was buckled. Her washing machine had the 2 rollers that would squeeze the water out -- no spin cycle. She cooked from scratch, no recipe book required, most times there wasn't even need for a can opener -- and it was ALL incredible! Every night she taped a curl to each side of her head just in front of the each ear, and wore a scarf to protect her "style". Bedtime prayers were at the side of the bed on your knees and could take a while!

Oh the memories! : )

Let me introduce you to my Nanny...

White Christmas... tree?

Today I was up at 4:30. I needed to meet my parents and sister, Angie in Appomattox by 6:15 so that we could drive to Roanoke to visit with my grandad. He broke his hip last week, and he's been in the hospital. Last night however he had a heart attack, went in to cardiac arrest and ended up in Intensive Care. He's 83 and has lived beyond two wives.

While we were in Roanoke we went by to check on the house. My grandma passed a few years ago and there really isn't much other family in town to check on things. We had fun reminiscing, and then there are always those things that you're just not sure if they're funny or not! LOL

Like this...

A plastic white tree that has been up and in the living room for probably atleast 10 years or so. Please check out the arm of the couch I'm sitting on! Blue floral velvet! Hmmmmm.

A short story in photos

It was a relatively bad day at work. I don't know if it's a full moon or people are just stressing over the economy and lack of world peace. It was brutal!

I did end my work day at 3pm, of course it was 5 o'clock somewhere! ;) DD#2 had remained after school, which is where I work, to serve a 30 minute detention for chewing gum, so she was along for the ride home. However, being that she will be 16 on Monday and has her learner's permit, I said, "Hey, how about you drive?" and she agreed.

We had to run by Food Lion for some dinner items and this and that. Chips, soda, snack foods -- see the girls are having a sleepover as they do most weekends. Which is really fine with me, having them here with their friends means I'm aware of what's up! ;)

I hurried thru the store knowing that the sun was shining and daylight was ticking away. We were home and had groceries put away by 3:40. Work/school is less than 2 miles from our house and Food Lion is less than a mile. Lucky me!!

(I have to say that since we lost Oliver last week this afternoon is the first time that I felt some sort of peace and happiness. I think it might be that we brought him "home" yesterday. Whatever it is, it's nice.)

So I thought let me grab the camera and go sit on the back deck, hoping I might catch a good bird photo for my 365. My backyard, aka my little piece of heaven on earth, is usually speckled with a wide variety of birds. I sat down, took off my shoes and realized, ooops, I need to get those towels in off the line. When I came back to the house for the laundry basket I grabbed a COLD BEER (which was in the Food Lion purchase).

The cold grass was so refreshing on my bare feet. And the sun was peeking thru the trees almost blinding me at times. It made me smile. Then I took a wiff of those towels!!! I love sheets and towels dried on the line.

I brought those in and went back to sit, waiting patiently for the birds. It might be a good idea for me to fill the feeders!! I was waiting and waiting.

Before long I heard this "meow" -- it was Sassy, our indoor cat. She had realized I was home and thought she might be able to guilt me in to feeding her early! NOT!! ;) She's a fat cat.

As I looked over at her, I realized she would make a good photo for my 365. The indoor cat, being photographed on the inside from the outside.

And in the process I knocked my beer over, luckily it was almost empty so there wasn't really any thing spilled or wasted.

And again I thought "WOW, the photo opportunities are just endless. That is a new pair of shoes, so I was totally happy that they didn't get beer on them. (Shoes are one of my least favorite things in the world, but these were new and I did kinda like them -- I love flipflops or barefeet!! And I hate to waste beer.)

I was really enjoying this quiet time, with the crisp air and a cold beer, then what do you think happened??

Along came a birdie!!

The day didn't seem so brutal anymore!!

Back at home

Of course it's another post about my sweetest boy... OLIVER.
He's back at home. He's here with us, as much as he can be.
And while it brings more tears and some sadness, it also brings comfort.

My photo of the day ~ If you've ever lost a pet, I hope that someone shared Rainbow Bridge with you.

One week

I found this on the camera... it's the last photo taken of Oliver... one week ago.

I sit here questioning in my mind if we made the right choice, knowing in my heart that we did.

However, it still hurts so much -- having to make the choice. It hurts having made the decision.

I try each day to focus on the wonderful moments, the laughs, the joy, the peace and the comfort that Oliver gave me for so many days and years.

Oliver, you have traveled the rainbow bridge and there is no pain, no fear, and furry friends from your time here with us. Always in my heart, forever a part of my soul -- I love you my boy and I miss you!

Few Flakes

I woke up this morning to find a little of the white stuff making so many things sparkle. It wasn't much, maybe half an inch, but it was peaceful and pretty.

Of course it had to be my photo of the day.

I stepped out on the front porch to snap a few shots. This was of my "you are my sunshine" flag, it had seriously lost the fight! LOL

I love the snow smell, much like rain but different... cleaner and crisp.

The photo to follow is of me taking a photo out a back window. Using no flash I was able to see me and the snow -- kinda cool I thought.

Well the snow disappeared as quickly as it came. I don't have a window in my office at work so I missed its departure. I hope it comes again soon and brings with it LOTS!!!

$1 sweet tea

I love McD's $1 sweet tea. It's my photo of the day.



Ok, not the tea, but the McD's drive thru where I order my sweet tea.
I was on my way to a meeting today and I thought, "oh wow, I really need a sweet tea."
Need?? or want?? Today I needed it!! It's one dollar, and of course an additional 5 tiny pennies in tax.

I was on the way to a meeting to listen to a message being presented regarding the 52 million dollar deficit that our county's school district is facing. Yep, I may need to look for another job... won't really know anything until about mid-March, and that will be a "conditional" piece of information.

I only started with the school district in July 2007, so I'm fairly low on the totem pole when the chopping begins. It's madness -- the not knowing.

The meeting which in the end was not very informational took up more than 2 hours of my day.
I already had a headache from emails and constant conversations regarding the RIF (reduction in force) that had gone on ALL day long.

Now here I sit my sweet tea long gone, and a whiskey sour in my cup, head spinning, heart racing... ya know what, I need some theraputic digital scrapbooking to take my mind off this whole mess!

But here's to the McD's DOLLAR sweet tea!

Back on track

I've been unable to make my daily posts.

Oliver had a stroke and unfortunately had to be put to rest.

I've been in a state of loss and confusion, saddness and disbelief.

Today I'm going to try and get back on track.

Oliver my best boy, I know you will always be with me in my heart -- you're a true soulmate.

I treasure you.

Love, hugs and wet puppy kisses!!