Counting My Blessings

Some days just don't go as planned! I can wake with the desire to do this or that, go here or there, but then reality hits and I am once again limited with my expectations or accomplishments.

Years ago, this would really get me down. Not anymore! Especially when those in my life can fill the voids or make me a part of something when these boundaries are raised.

As you know, my daughter went on vacation with my brother, actually the met up at Disneyland. I really wanted to go. I mean I would have done just about anything to be able to but there was just no way. It's one of those times where I had to make one of those great choices in life. There was a lot of reasoning within me to help sooth my disappointment that I would not be able to go. After all, had I gone with them I would have been to tired or in too much pain for what was coming just days after that trip. So I counted my blessing.

While they were on their exciting trip, they kept me a part by way of texting and pictures. It was like I was there. I counted my blessings.

Once they were home and their pictures were being uploaded, it was wonderful to see how much fun they had, but I felt a bit left out. Instead of allowing those feeling to overcome the joy of seeing their fun, I put together a collage for my brother and daughter.

After I finished it I sent it them and got this response....

SIL: DAMN YOU!

ME: Why?

SIL: Your brother wanted all these stupid pictures taken with the kids, we even made Bryan stand by them the next day when he was with us so he could put them together for you for a present.

Well I didn't find the pictures stupid at all. I told her he still can and that I would love his gift. After all I'm sure his gift will be much better. So again I counted my blessings. Though I wasn't with them, I was. I am so lucky to have all them in my life and I can't wait for his gift.

I also made my daughter a collage of their day on the beach...

Counting my blessings....

Monday's Child

We all remember the Nursery Rhyme, Monday's Child.

Monday's child is fair of face,

I was born on a Monday and feel I have always been fair, but if it means my face or skin is fair, well that doesn't apply.

Tuesday's child is full of grace,

My daughter was born on a Tuesday and she is definitely full of grace.

Wednesday's child is full of woe,

My hubby was born on a Wednesday. When he was born he was a blue baby. He had distress from the get go. He had to have a complete blood transfusion. Our 'Grand' Bug was also a Wednesday baby and he too had some complications during birth. As with his sister, our 'Grand' Buttons. Her entrance into the world had it's own excitement being early. Our other 'Grand' Giggles joins them also. Though her delivery was basically routine, she has had other things in her life that has caused distress.

Thursday's child has far to go,

My twins were born on a Thursday and since the learned how to get around, from scooting, to walking, to life, they will go far and sometimes far to go.

Friday's child is loving and giving,

Our 'Grand' Spitfire was born on a Friday and at 2 and half,

she is already very loving and giving.

Saturday's child must work for a living,

Our Monkey Man entered the world on a Saturday. I see him being just like his dad and will work hard, but not just for a living but because the men throughout this families history enjoys working hard to provide for their families.

But the child that's born on the Sabbath day,

Is bonny and wise, and good all day.

What day were you born on?

Does it fit you, your children or grandchildren?

Philippians 4:13

Over this last year, and even before it, our life was full of many trials and even some tribulations. Probably more then some would know or even understand. Each time we walked this walk, it was the walk with Jesus that made us strong, to conquer that which was trying to destroy us. In my readings this morning I found that once again, Jesus has again been walking with us. 

Todays reading brought back the strength that is within me and has always been there. Sometimes I just need to open my eyes to Glory He is doing in our life and give...

Thanks for Their Gifts



10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


This wasn't even from my regular daily reading Bible but inspired by this...

While scrolling through Facebook this morning, Mckmama had a link to . In a way I feel it was the Holy Spirit guiding me. It took me on a spiritual journey only He could. I think ALL my men (husband and son's) need this masculine bracelet to encourage them through this unpredictable journey we have been on. I have so much faith that everything will work out as God plans for it to.

Summer Time...

...And the living is easy!

With the heat we have had, with my health being a bit unstable, I can't really say it's been easy. It has been at least in a slower pace. And I really do like the relaxing evening swims with hubby which is definitely easy living.

I must say, having the house done has made it so much easier. Last year our life looked like this...

What a difference a year makes.

I love, love, love where things are now! In fact everything has improved from the house, to our kids, to the 'Grands'. Life just couldn't be better! A year ago I had no idea where or when things would get better and now that we are here, I can only praise God for all the work he has done.

Now for the hot days to cool down, but that is just around the corner.

I have so much to look forward to. My brother and his family will be coming for a visit soon. In fact this weekend him, his family and my daughter and her family are spending the weekend at Disneyland. I really wanted to go and would have if I had felt better. I love, love, love how they make me a part of their trip by sending me pictures. These are mobile uploads, but for now they will do. Check out the fun they are having.

Spent Friday at Huntington Beach

Buttons loving her new skirt grams made for her.

Bug and Buttons are in the second row.

Cousin Bry and Bug playing

Buttons received a special balloon.

Tower of Terror!

Front row: Bry, Buttons (who looks a bit scared but am told she actually loved it!) and Ash

Second Row: My Bro, Bug and daughter.

Third Row: Behind our daughter is her hubby.

I'm sure the Grands will be calling me tomorrow and telling me all about their trip.

One more week and they will be home from their visit with their dad.

It was so nice of him to allow her to have the kids for this weekend.

Blessing, Always Blessings!

A Grand Doggy Day!

Remember Nikki, our Policeson's American Bull doggy.

She loves to come visit and play with Bella.

She refuses to swim in the pool and in our heat needs to be cooled off.

The minute I hook up the sprinkler she knows it's for her.

It's been something I have done for her since she was a puppy.

Today I couldn't find the one I usually use so I hooked up on of those oscillating kinds.

You know the ones that go back and forth.

With the flat kind she will put her mouth over it or stand on top of it.

I guess she must have been trying to do that with this one and it wasn't working.

So she began digging, and digging at the ground until she made a huge mud puddle.

She definetly had a great time!

She wasn't happy she had to be hosed down afterwards so to go home.

I think she knew it meant it was time to go home.

Bella is now crashed out.

Thanks for the Grand Doggy Day Nikki!

The New Cupcake

According to Emeril and the GMA team, they predict Whoopie Pies are going to become the NEW CUPCAKE!

Up till a week or so ago I had never really heard of whoopie pies. My daughter sent me a few links about them  as we are planing a baby shower in a few weeks and we always look for new foods for our events. To me they were like skooter pies or marshmellow pies but so much better. There are so many different ways to make them. Now we have to decide which ones we will make for our event.

Boy am I behind the times sometimes! Imagine my surprise when this morning there was a segment on GMA about them. Actually the segment was on Summer Cookbooks. Check out his list here if you didn't or don't watch GMA.

Sometimes I get all tickley inside when an idea we have or had seems to get some unpredicted attention. It's like, hey we did that or we are doing that.

If you would like to see some of the events we have done, check our our blog, Two Kids and a Party!

It's A Dry Heat!

If I hear that one more time...

Yes, it is hot here...115 on Friday was far from a dry heat when there was minor humidity. By no means is it a DRY heat. It's a yucky, mucky, sticky, icky heat! And who comes up with the great little caps like, abundant sunshine, seasonably hot with sunshine. How can we have such heat without SUNSHINE?

How HOT is it where you live?

How Forecasters Decide Whether to Issue Excessive Heat Products

NOAA's heat alert procedures are based mainly on Heat Index Values. The Heat Index, sometimes referred to as the apparent temperature and given in degrees Fahrenheit, is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored with the actual air temperature.

To find the heat index, look at the Heat Index Chart. As an example, if the air temperature is 96°F (found on the top of the table) and the relative humidity is 65% (found on the left of the table), the heat index--how hot it feels--is 121°F. The National Weather Service will initiate alert procedures when the Heat Index is expected to exceed 105°- 110°F (depending on local climate) for at least 2 consecutive

Our Ribbon Skirt

I finally finished the ribbon skirt I wrote about here.

Following her tutorial my daughter and I began making the loops. We used 8 different ribbons of varing width and colors and had 5 of each one to make it around the hem of the skirt. We didn't take a picture of our trial strip. We measured our trial of the 8 strips, divided it by the circumferance of the skirt to know how many we would need.

We used a fabric fusing glue to hold them together.

Next I added the iron on fusible webbing to my hem tape. Silly me used one that was too small and I had to add a second one to compensate for it.

Before I began assembly I pinned each end of the the hem tape to my ironing board. To assure my loops were even I measured down the 1.25" and secured a dowel. I guess you could say I learn the trick of jiggs from my hubby during our remodel.

With all my loops in place

I added another strip of hem tape so to sandwich the loops.

While my row of loops cooled I worked on some of the embellishments on the pockets. I add two hearts to the back pockets and ric rak to the front pockets....

Once the strip was cool it was time to attach it to the skirt.

It is now ready to be sewn.

Before I began sewing I also added some gems to the rivets on the pockets. This was a bit challenging. First I bought a Bedazzler but there pieces would not fit over the rivets. It was suggested to try the Tulip brand but again, though it appeared this system would work our store didn't have any gems large enough nor the colors I wanted. My solution was to use gems for shoes and secure them with a super glue that can withstand water.

When I began sewing I was having a hard with the loops so I decided to press them flat. This worked great although there was now no volume to the loops. The other problem I had was with my sewing machine. Seems it came home broken. I don't know what or if my son did anything to cause this and it could have happened simply by something hitting it but my reverse button was stuck in reverse. Since it was way after business hours I discovered this I had to sew in reverse. I must say my stitching wasn't that bad, only a few places did it swerve.

I was not happy how flat my loops looked and had to figure out a way to puff them back out.

First I misted the loops to get them wet and with the knife sharpener and my iron on steam I managed to remove the crease in each loop. As I was doing this I did wonder if a curling iron would have worked.

All in all this project took me about 4 hours to make.

The next ones should be easier since I learned so many tricks with this one.

5 Q's Friday

I must say first off I feel a bit better today, YAHOO!

Last evening, my daughter and I worked on the ribbon skirt and I am so happy with how it is coming out. It is almost done. It did take a bit longer then plan, but still in a matter of 3 hours we got it assembled and today I will do the sewing part of it and adding some jewels to the rivets for some added bling. Once fully completed I will share the finished product.

Onto Mama M's Five Question Friday.

1. Do you collect anything?

Oh my, do I ever!

Old Dishes

Old Kitchen Gadgets

Hummel's

Dolls

Old Glass

And magnets from our travels

To name just a few. I wouldn't consider myself a hoarder though as each collection is well, ok maybe not well, but relatively organized. I even have a collection of t-shirts from all our travels while raising 3 kids. Goal to someday turn them into memory quilts for each of them.

2. Name 3 celebrities that you find good looking.

Even though he has been a bit of a jerk lately, ok a BIG jerk, Mel Gibson.

Another would Matthew Mcconaughey

Last but definitely not least... Harrison Ford

3.Do you have any scars? If so, what's the story behind it (them?)?

Lets just say I have many. I have one that is shaped like the letter Y that goes in front and behind my ear and down my chin. I have one, no make that two, scars similar to a c-section as they cut into that area a couple times. I have scars from biopsies on my thigh and both arms. All my scars are from having tumors removed.

4. What is a food that you like to eat, but others might think it's gross or weird?

That would be liverwurst. I don't get it much as no one else will eat it and it goes bad before I can finish it.

5. Have you ever seen a tornado in real life?

I didn't actually see one as we were instructed to stay inside and be prepared in case one hit the hotel we were staying in. It was 2004 and we were at the Indy 500. The friends with us decided to venture out in hunt for one though. Being grandparent, we chose to follow directions and stay put since we had a family at home. They on the other hand were bachelor's and loved doing risky things. 12 tornado's touch down that evening. As close as I ever want to get. The next morning we say all the destruction first hand and a few touched down within mere miles of our hotel, not to mention the one that touched down where we were parked at the races. We left the races early due to weather and my lack of ability to walk. I was still using crutches back then while going through therapy to learn how to walk without them.

Now it's your turn. Mama M would love for you to link up to her, so head on over, grab the question, answer them and link back to her.