Friday Letters

It's be a long time since I wrote any letters and I had some things on my mind today so thought letter writing was the way to go.

Dear Joanna and Chip (of the famed Fixer Upper) - I absolutely love to watch your show and love the interaction that you all have with one another.  Plus, your house makeovers are amazing!  The other HGTV shows of this type pale in comparison to yours.  You two are definitely a "dynamic duo."

Dear Adult Coloring Books - I am about to give you a whirl.  I see you everywhere I turn and I have always loved coloring.  The choices are endless and they look like works of art when finished.  It's probably the best and least expensive therapy going.  I have always told my children that when they have to put me in a nursing facility to be sure and pack a coloring book and crayons.  Little did I know that there would be such fantastic choices for them to pick from. ~I really hope that never happens or is a long time away~ BTW, the coloring book apps are quite amazing as well.

Dear Express Lane Clerk - please do not tell the customer with 25+ items to come on through your line when you are not busy.  It is beyond aggravating to run in to pick up 2-3 items and then end up having to wait just as long in the express lane as the regular lanes.

Dear Hummus - I can't believe you have been around for so long and I was only introduced to you a few months ago.  Your name is certainly not all that appealing but I am hooked on you for sure.  Give me some Fritos or Doritos and some Hummus and I'm a happy gal.  And, you are really quite healthy and very low in calorie. ~such a good thing~ I haven't made my own just yet, it's so easy to grab a container at the grocery and they have several flavors.

Dear Valentine's Day - I simply cannot believe that it will be 50 years ago this Valentine's Day that my Hubby escorted me to my first Sweetheart Banquet at our church.  I say escorted because that's what it was, we lived next door to the church and he walked me across the yard to the banquet and then back.  The rest is history............

Dear Ebates - you have made online shopping even more fun!  I'm not sure how you work but I think it's so neat that you pay me to shop and just about every place I shop is linked to you.
  

Dear Hallmark - why in the world have you decided to discontinue Cedar Cove???  I mean there is a whole lot of folks that have watched this series since it started and we want to see how it all comes out in the end.  Please reconsider!

Dear PBS - I have not been nearly as wrapped up in this last season of Dowton Abbey as I had hoped to be.  Other than the marriage of Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson, it has been rather dull.  But, I will continue watching to the end for sure and maybe it will rev up a notch or two these last weeks.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Missed you guys while I was off making memories in Oklahoma for a few days.  There will be more about that in another post.  But, for now, I'm off to ponder and answer the HP questions of the week.

1. Share a winter memory from your childhood. 

I lived in Virginia during my teenage years and as you know, Virginia has lots of hills and mountains.  At one point we lived in a little oyster village and our house was located at the top of a really fun hill.  I can remember one snowy day all of the local kids gathered with their sleds, boxes, garbage can lids or whatever they could find and spent many happy hours sliding up and down that hill.  I'm pretty sure we were slippin' and slidin'  until there was no snow left.

2. What was on your blog this time last year? (Besides the Hodgepodge of course!) If you weren't blogging, what in the world were you doing with all that free time?
We were anxiously awaiting the birth of our 3rd Grandchild, our little Andi Kate.  And, we were knee deep and rising in the building of this new house.  Both of those were big subjects over at CiCi's Corner this time last year.

3. Ellen Goodman is quoted as saying, 'We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential.' 

Do you see more flaws or more potential in your life at the start of a new year? Have you done anything specific this month to address either one? Does the new year truly begin for you on January 1, or is there some other month of the year that feels like a fresh start and new beginning?
I definitely see more potential because I see each new year as a clean slate of new beginnings and second chances.  Yes, I have done some intentional things this month and that is something I desire to do more of, intentional acts.  My word for the year is intentional.  Yes, the new year, for me, truly does begin on January 1st.

4. Who's an athlete you admire or respect and why?
Well, since the Super Bowl is upon us and Peyton Manning is a Louisiana boy, and he seems like such a super guy, I'll go with him.  And, he seems so humble and while I'm not really a big football fan, I'll be pulling for the Denver Broncos during the Super Bowl.

5. Do you like cream in your coffee? Whipped cream on your pumpkin pie? Cream cheese on a bagel? Sour cream on a baked potato? Cream of wheat for breakfast? Have you ever had a scone with clotted cream? Of all the creamy foods mentioned, which one sounds most appealing to you right this very minute?
Oh, yes, love cream in my coffee, but it has to be the powdered kind so it won't cool off my coffee. I'll take my pumpkin pie with whipped cream or without but probably prefer without. And, yes to cream cheese on my bagel.  No to sour cream on my baked potato, I prefer Ranch Dressing. I'd take a bowl of Cream of Wheat any morning but it's been a very long time since I've had it. Love scones but have never had one with clotted cream and I don't really like the sound of that. Well, since I'm battling a nasty cold and sore throat, a bowl of Cream of Wheat sounds really, really good right now.

6. Where were you last kept waiting for 'hours on end'? Or for what felt like hours on end? How well did you cope?
I took my Daddy to an eye specialist last fall and we waited 2 1/2 hours to see the Doctor.  My 86 year old Daddy was fit to be tied and I was about to blow a gasket.  I even went up to the receptionist and ask her if we had been forgotten.  She assured me we had not and I then said that they had obviously overbooked and she said that "they" required her to schedule appointments every 15 minutes but that some appointments take much longer than 15 minutes.  Duh, ya think????

7. Believe it or not, when next week's Hodgepodge rolls around it will be February. Huh?!? Bid adieu here to January in seven words or less.
It's been a great start to 2016!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 
I rarely ever mention politics on my blog but I must say that I have been a bit bothered the past couple of days by a couple of endorsements for Donald Trump.  The first was Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX.  Dr. Jeffress was in DesMoines this past week giving his endorsement to "the Donald."  Then, Jerry Falwell, Jr., President of Liberty University, a conservative Christian university, endorsed Trump also.  I'm  just a bit surprised that these two would endorse  a man that has shown no strong Christian or moral conviction and no real leadership skills. ~just a bunch of ranting and raving~  There are at least two in the running that not only show strong Christian and moral convictions but strong leadership skills. Okay, I'll hush but as I said, it has bothered me. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Our 3rd HP of the new year and I'm still in awe of how Joyce comes up with such thought provoking questions.  I'm off to see if I can give some thought provoking answers. ~big smile~

1.  Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?
Oh, I have "skated over the details" of all the booklets, instruction manuals and such that came our way with all the appliances, a/c and heat, water softening system and on and on.  I just hate to read instructions and would rather just try to figure it all out by myself.  I wasn't able to skate over all of them but some of them skating over the details was just enough.

2. What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age?
 Hummm......facing the reality that we are getting older and along with that comes some things that we would just as soon not have to deal with.  We have to be more careful, we have a few more aches and pains, our skin bruises for no reason at all, we don't bounce back quite as quickly and on the list goes.  We are realizing that aging is definitely not for sissies!

3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?
In general, jewelry is my very favorite accessory, not any particular piece, just jewelry. And, I wear necklace, earrings and bracelets 90% of the time.  I do not feel dressed without jewelry on.  Regardless of what I wear, super casual or otherwise, I still like to have on jewelry.  Most of my jewelry is fashion jewelry and there's just so much out there to choose from. Decisions, decisions! 

4. January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day. Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese? 

Oh, my goodness, I am such a lover of cheese! I guess lasagna would rate as one of my most favorite dishes with cheese. We had spaghetti for dinner on Monday evening and I had fresh grated Parmesan on top of mine. Delish!!!

5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes? 
Oh, that's easy since I just did that yesterday.  When I see a girl or woman wearing leggings like a pair of pants.  Have mercy, leggings need a tunic length top!  And, the bigger one is the longer that tunic needs to be. ~just sayin'~  

6. Your favorite book series?
The Mitford Series by Jan Karon - I got so wrapped up in this series that the characters became like family and I would even catch myself praying for them.  I mean, really!!!

7. Why did you choose your profession? 
From the time I was a little girl all I ever wanted to do was be a wife and mother and that wish was fulfilled for me.  But, if I had it to do over I would definitely have finished my education and probably worked outside the home at least part time.  But, I am thankful that I was "chief cook and bottle washer" of our household.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
All our bags are just about packed and we'll be heading out tomorrow morning for Oklahoma via Dallas.  Our little Clancy man will be baptized Sunday morning and we just cannot miss it, so we'll endure the 8+ hour drive. His parents thought it would be fun if our coming was a surprise, so we will be at their house when he gets in from school Friday and he will have no idea.  It's going to be a very special weekend for sure.  I'll have plenty to share upon our return.
 

Monday's Musings

 Last week started off in such a sweet way.  I was invited to have lunch at a very special lady's house.

This precious lady is affectionately known as "Ms. Virginia."  She is probably one of the dearest ladies I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  On January 4th, her precious husband of 70 years went to be with the Lord.  Mr. Dick and Virginia have been a part of our community forever and loved dearly by all. His memorial service was such a tribute to the man that he was and the wife that she was to him all of their married years.  It was truly a celebration!

We had the privilege of keeping 4 of the Granddaughters in our Guest Suite while they were here for the services.  They were just delightful and we were so glad that we could help them out in this way.

Last Monday Ms. Virginia had, what she called, a "thank you" luncheon for those that helped them out during this time.  When she asked me I was somewhat stunned.  I mean, she had just buried her husband, she is 89 years old, lost her sight to MD about 12 years ago, but she's going to have a luncheon.  This is the kind of lady she is and the kind of lady that I aspire to be.  

It was such fun and she made us all feel so special.  She used many of the flowers they had received to place around her house to add such a bright touch to a really sad time.  

Virginia's sweet sister, Sue (in the purple) spent last week with her helping get things lined out.  Ms. Virginia says that for now she will be staying there in their home and continuing to be used as the Lord sees fit.  Now, is that not inspiring!!  She will be 90 years old in June and one more amazing woman who just keeps on keeping on.

~~~~~

Our little Clancy man got the Antler Pride Award for Sincerity last Friday at his school's assembly.  I'm thinking that if his sincerity is already noticed that he's well on the road to success.  He was pretty excited about his Super Star Award!

~~~~~

It's hard to believe that this little "showboat" is about to be 1 year old!  It is rare for her not to be sporting a big smile and is already such a people person.  She is busy, busy little girl! And, if you look really close you can definitely see that red hair. ~big smile~

Have yourself a wonderful new week!

Lea's Daybook - Friday, January 15th

It's a daybook sort of Friday..............

For Today... it's still pretty early, but I don't see the gorgeous sunshine that comes up on pretty mornings here on the hill.  Looks like maybe a cloudy and rather warm day ahead. In fact, it's 56 degrees right now.  Did I mention that I'm ready for Spring? ~smile~

Outside my window... is the pond, it's very, very still this morning, not a ripple.  But, if I look long enough I'm sure I'll see a fish or two jump.

I am thinking...that our new home has felt like home so much quicker than I ever dreamed it would.  We had deep rooted memories in our old house and I was afraid that this new one might take a while to feel like home.  But, it hasn't.

I am thankful... first, for my salvation, for my family, the roof over my head, the clothes on my back and the food in my pantry.  That may sound trite, but I never, ever want to take all those things for granted and I'm pretty sure that I have, although it was unconsciously.

I am wearing...my walking clothes, spandex capris, a tee shirt and my Shape-Up tennis shoes.  I will definitely be changing out of this before I leave the house.

I am creating...hummm....I'm still working on a few little finishing touches here and there in our new house, guess that qualifies as being creative.

I am going...to Iowa the end of February to see my nephew star in Godspell.  He is a Sophmore at Northwestern College in Orange City and he will have the role of Jesus.  I would prefer to go to Iowa sometime besides the middle of winter but I didn't set the dates for the play, so sometimes you just have to do what you have to do and I am so excited about going. Is he not the most handsome young man!

I am wondering...how many folks are falling for the newest diet fads that are all the rage here at the beginning of the new year.  I see them all over the internet, social media and they have one for every day of the week.  I'm thinking that if we would all just use portion control, there would really be NO need for any other diet.  No one  wants to deprive themselves of the foods they love but they don't have to eat an abundance of any of it.  Sounds simple doesn't it?  But, it definitely takes discipline and self control.

I am reading...Modern Essentials, A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils.  As I've stated in previous posts, I have been using essential oils for almost 4 months and learning all that I can about them.  This book is like a Bible for essential oils and their use.  It has been so helpful and I refer to it daily.  Right now I'm diffusing Peppermint here in my office. 

I am hoping...that the Presidential election will put a person in office that can truly change the course of our nation and lead us forth to better days. And, take us back to being, "one nation under God."

I am learning...what all the various essential oils and blends do and which ones might benefit me. It is definitely a process. 

In my kitchen...things have been rather quite in my kitchen this week.  Guess I should be ashamed to admit that.  I did bake a Plantation Pound Cake to serve at our Bunco group last night.  It is sooo delicious and I love the coconut and pecans in it. And, I ordered myself an electric pressure cooker and it arrived on Wed.  I have heard so much about them and thought that I just might enjoy using one.  But, as with all things electronic, you have to read the instructions and learn how to use it.  I have scanned the instructions but need to really study them and then give it a try.  I also ordered a cookbook with all recipes using an electric pressure cooker.  So, will hopefully be giving it a whirl soon.

A favorite quote for today...

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

I love this quote and know a few folks that I think have mastered this concept.

A peek into one of my days...most of my days are very routine, or at least they start out very routine. I get up around 5:30, enjoy a time of devotion with a cup of coffee, then it's off to shower, makeup and get my walking clothes on.  After my walk on the treadmill I'm off to start my day, whatever that may be.

Post Script...if you are not familiar with Ebates, then you need to be, especially if you shop on the internet.  It's the absolute easiest way to make a few bucks.  Just click here and read all about it.

Until next time.........

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Okay, it's the Wednesday drill and I'm crossing my fingers that this post will not disappear  just as I hit publish.  That's exactly what happened last week and I was so frustrated that I did not try to redo it. 

1. Share one thing that really makes your day.
Just one??? There's so many.......but a big one is when I live to see it. ~big smile~


2. Lots of these kinds of lists out there, but one found here says the fifteen most colorful places on earth are:

Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy~Burano, Italy~Havana, Cuba~Rio de Janiero, Brazil~Chefchaouen, Morocco~Balat, Istanbul, Turkey~Menton, France~Jodhpur, India~La Baca, Buenos Aires, Argentina~Guanajuato, Mexico~Capetown, South Africa~Valparaiso, Chile~Wroclaw, Poland~San Francisco, California~and Pelourhino, Salvador, Brazil.  

Of those listed which would you most like to see up close and in person? Of all the places you've seen or traveled in your own life, what would you say was one of the most colorful?
I can't say that I'm interested in any of the above.  I've seen San Francisco up close and personal and love it but as to the rest, I'm just not too interested.
Hubby and I have traveled a good bit and been to a lot of great places but one of my most favorite would have to be Prince Edward Island.  It was a part of our Canadian Cruise 5 years ago this summer.

3."Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Jack Canfield  In general, would you agree or disagree with that statement? Why?
Yes, I do agree.  So many things that we desire to do take us out of our comfort zone and often will keep us from ever achieving our desire.  Anything outside the familiar can be fearful but it's often these things that can have the biggest impact in our lives. 

4. Imagine you're stranded on a desert island and dessert appears...what do you hope it is? Do you ever struggle to remember which spelling is desert and which is dessert?

This 4-Layer Delight immediately came to my mind.  I've had it with chocolate, lemon, butterscotch and blueberry.  Blueberry is my favorite but I won't refuse any of them.  It's so, so good!
I have difficulty with spelling some words but not desert or dessert.

5. What song almost always makes you cry?
Dancing in the Sky by Dani and Lizzy
I heard this song not long after my Mom died 7 years ago and fell in love with it at that time and cried my heart out as I listened to it and I still cry anytime I hear it.

6. January is National Soup Month.  Everything from soup to nuts, in the soup, thick as pea soup, souped up...which saying most recently applies to your life in some way? Explain.
I don't think any of these apply to my life recently but while we were building our new house "everything from soup to nuts" would have applied.  I was maintaining my normal busy routine, making daily decisions regarding selections for the new house and busily packing up the old house.  Yep! it was definitely "everything from soup to nuts."

7. Write a two word note to your younger self. What does it say?
Today matters


8. Insert your own random thought here

As I stated in a previous post, my word for the year is INTENTIONAL.  I have some of the best intentions of anyone but so often I never carry through.  I want to call this person or that person for a lunch date, I want to go and visit some of the dear older folks that have meant so much to me and on and on my list goes with many other intentional matters.  Well, last week I intentionally called someone that I had been wanting to have lunch with and we had such an enjoyable time.  And, I have a lunch date planned with another special person this week.  I'm already thinking about what intentional act I will do next week and I'm excited that I'm two for two right now.  Not to pat myself on the back at all but just to say that it's amazing what we can do when we are intentional.  Do you have a word for the year?

Monday's Musings

We are 11 days into the new year.  In a way it feels like it's been a lot longer, but I won't turn around twice and we'll all be preparing for Christmas 2016.  Our first week was a busy one but a good kind of busy and Hubby and I labored some together to try and get our front and back porches lined out or at least started.

We began on the back porch.

We bought some flowering winter plants to go in the empty pots that we had.  We bought them in hanging baskets, took the hangers off and then put the entire basket down in the dirt in the pot.  Gives it such a fuller look than you can get with individual plants.

Now, the ferns you see above are left overs from the summer but we are thinking they just may pull through.  If not, then we'll replace them this spring.

We got our furniture arranged and I'm going to order an outside rug to go under the glider swing.  We are hoping to give it the look of an outside room once we are finished.  It is currently a "work in progress."  

We then moved to the front porch.........

 You remember that the pretty pots I had gotten for the front porch, well, one of them was blown over and broken during a recent storm.  

Hubby and I went to get the replacement this past week and while at the shop, we decided that what we probably needed was even bigger pots.

 So, this is what we ended up with and we are very, very pleased with the look.  In fact,we think the bigger pots look nicer.  And, they are heavy, heavy and they are filled to the brim with sand.  So, we are crossing our fingers that they will stay in their upright position regardless of the wind. ~hope, hope~ I left the lights on them from Christmas because I like the lights and think they are a nice touch year around.

It always difficult to know exactly how to decorate after Christmas.  I use to decorate for Mardi Gras but it's over by mid-Febuary and then you still have a while until Spring.  So, this year I just went with neutral pillows and neutral colored bows on the topiaries so they will carry me until it's time to decorate for Spring.  And, these pillows are wired to the benches and pinned together.~yes, they are~  Where there is a will there is a way!! ~chuckle~ I'm happy to have my porch back with a welcoming look.
~~~~~~

This past week book #2 of our house construction process arrived.  I started the day we bought the land this house is sitting  on documenting every phase of the building process.  These books represent a whole lot of hours and I don't know that anyone will ever enjoy them outside of Tommy and I.  But, we enjoy looking back through them.  I had hoped I could get all the pictures in one book but Shutterfly has a page limit of about 75 pages and I needed double that amount, so I had to go with two.  Thankfully I got them when there was a 40% off sale going on.
~~~~~~

This happy little fella went to the Dr. last week for his 4 month checkup and the first of his shots. ~poor baby~  Here he is as happy as can be with a smile as big as life and then that all changed when he got his shots.  But, guess they are necessary evils. He weighed in at an even 13 pounds.  I'd say he is a thriving baby boy for sure!
~~~~~~

Friday Favorites

It's Friday and that means Friday Favorites.  I will hope that I will get this post published and that it will not just vanish into thin air like my Wednesday Hodgepodge entry did.  Talk about aggravating!  I had worked on the post for over an hour and then boom it was gone. I'm sure my finger must have hit something but I have no idea what.  Anyway, on to a few of my favorites........

Now, don't laugh at this picture of my delicious biscuits. ~grin~ I saw this recipe for The Best Ever Buttermilk Biscuit and just had to try it.  I made them one afternoon this week and, while they do not look all that great, they were delicious.  And, I learned a lot in the process. I made these biscuits too thin.  You can see in the upper left hand corner that I made two smaller biscuits and they are just about the right thickness.  So, next time I will use the bigger cutter but won't roll the dough quite as thin.  This recipe uses frozen butter that is grated and mixed with the flour before the buttermilk is added.  Something I've never seen or heard of before.  If you click on the above link it will take you to the recipe and there is also a video showing how to grate the butter.  They are simple, simple to make and quite delicious and next time mine will be pretty as well. ~practice makes perfect~ They could possibly be your favorite biscuits as well.

 Whoever knew they sold boiled eggs in vacuum sealed packages.  I certainly didn't until a few months ago.  I often want to make chicken salad or something that requires boiled eggs and then I have to wait until I get the eggs boiled.  Well, no more!  I accidently ran across these in the deli and couldn't believe it.  They are sold in  packages of 2 or packages of 6 and they are good for a long, long time.  I bought this package this week and as you can see, they are good until Feb. 16th.  I mean, how much better can it get.  You can have boiled eggs anytime you need them without having to wait to boil them. ~it's a win win~

I recently ordered this essential oil storage box to keep my oils in. It is a great way to keep them organized and handy.  I continue to learn more and more about the oils and use them daily.  And, I burn two diffusers during the day and one at night.  So far, most of my use has been in what is known as "the well being" oils.(there are several of them)  They are for maintaining a healthy balance emotionally, especially during busy times or times of stress. And, they promote good sleep and support the immune system.  I use these topically and in my diffusers.  I've used them long enough now to really feel like they are worth every effort I am putting into learning about their use.

One of my favorite days is Valentine's.  I love hearts, pink and red and it's just an overall happy day to me.  I always put a couple of touches of Valentine decor out after Christmas to remind me of the upcoming day.  

So, that's my favorites for this Friday.

Monday's Musings

Ahhhhh........the new year is here and now things can get back to a normal routine. ~whatever that is~  As I stated previously, the week between Christmas and New Year's is NOT a favorite of mine.  I am so off track, I never seem to know what day it is and I even found myself bored this past week.  I know, I know!
I think a part of the feeling of boredom was that for the last 18 months to 2 years there has hardly been any time to even come up for air.  We were up to our eyeballs with the building of our new house, then moving and settling in after 35 years of living in the same house.  I think this past week was the first week in a long, long time that something wasn't vying for my attention and I hardly knew how to handle it.  But, I heard the Lord saying to me more than once, "Be still and know."  Oh, what powerful words!  I'm not a person that comes by being still naturally.  I like and enjoy being busy or having something to do.  Now, I do not do well with being too busy and really guard against that.  But, I like having something to do.  
And, because I was unusually "still" last week it caused me to spend a lot of time reminiscing.  I thought a lot about my Mom that I still miss terribly, who died 7 years ago this past Dec. 1st.  I thought of our daughter and how I wish she was still just 3 hours up the road.   I wasn't particularly sad, but longing for both of them.  But, it's a new week and a new year and I am ready to meet them head on!

To add insult to injury last week, it was a week of things breaking.

We had an awful storm a week ago last night and the winds blew like crazy here on the hill.  And, the above picture is what I found on our front porch when I got up Monday morning.  Yep, one of my pretty pots was blown to pieces. ~beyond repair~ But, thankfully I was able to order another one  and Hubby is going to fill them completely with sand and we're hopeful they can withstand the strong winds, should they occur again.  They were only filled partially and obviously partially is not enough.
On Wednesday I was getting ready to close the dishwasher door to do a load of dishes and the door refused to close.  After close inspection I found that the gasket on one side was not in proper placement and prevented the door from closing.  Hubby took a look and realized it wasn't something he could fix, so I called a GE Service Provider.  They only come to our area on Wednesdays, so guess what?  I've been reaquainted with washing dishes by hand and will be until Wednesday when hopefully our dishwasher will be back in working order.
Then Thursday my desktop computer started acting very squirrely and then just completely stopped working.  I contacted my trusty computer guy and in short order he informed me that the hard drive had gone out and I would need to replace it.  Thankfully, the new hard drive will be delivered tomorrow ~thanks to Amazon Prime~ and my computer guy says he'll have me back in working order in no time.  
So, in the midst of my boredom last week I was kept busy by cleaning up the mess of the broken pot, and calling repairmen.

And, this little guy turned 4 months old on Thursday.

 I mean, does this not make you want to reach up there and pinch those precious fat rolls!  He may have come into the world a tiny, tiny little thing, but he's wasted no time in getting fluffy.  He goes to the Dr. on Thursday and we cannot wait to see what he weighs.

And, in closing, I have not made New Year resolutions in many years but I do spend time pondering needed changes in my life with each new year.  I have had words for the year in the past and in the past few weeks the word INTENTIONAL has kept coming to my mind.  I want to be more intentional this new year. I'm praying it will cause me to accomplishment a lot more in areas where I need improvement.