An Award and a Walk....

This is my very FIRST award - I am so tickled!!!! Thank you, Brenda, you are such a sweet friend. Both of us are from Louisiana - we have a special kinship!!!!! Please go and visit her - she has a wonderful place!!!

These are the rules:

1.Put the logo on your blog.

2.Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3.Nominate at least seven other blogs.

4.Add links to those blogs on your blog.

5.Leave a message for your nominee on their blogs

These are my seven:

Karen @ Country Life

Susan @ A Place Called Home

Kitty @ Kitty's Kozy Korner

Kari @ Just Livin' Large

Debra K @ The Bunnies' Bungalow

Annie @ Me and The Boys

Sandi @ The Whistlestop Cafe Cooks

Yesterday about 7:45 I went out for a walk around my neighborhood - I have been doing that for a couple of weeks now - It's not just an ole' wives tale.....you really feel better when you get a little exercise!!!!!

Here I am leaving my house - and first thing I have to do is cross the street and I HATE it -there is a big curve just to the left of the street and about the time I get out there some kid comes barreling around...it is not a pretty site....a 50 year ole woman scurrying across the street...no...not at all!!

OK - made it across the street - it's a pretty little neighborhood - older homes - lotz of shade...

Boy, that looks like a really long way........huff....huff......
I found some new settings on my camera - I got the manual out and read it - when all else fails....so I was trying some of them out...this is a really pretty yard - I was going to take some closer ones....the gentleman who owns the house came around the corner and I was in the street taking pictures of his house....I was trying to explain that I thought his yard was pretty and I was taking pictures for my blog.....Uh??? - he points to his ear - so now I am yelling....PRETTY YARD....TAKING PICTURES...BLOG!!!! He wants to talk.........O well, nice man....

Remember, I am trying new settings on my camera - apparently not the right one.....

This setting said something about Sunsets....so I got a little sunset in it.....

very peaceful.......


back home -

I Believe......

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Good Friends!!!!

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of

one best friend, and then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to

open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend's best is needed when you're going through things with your children.

Another friend's best is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

TO MY GIRLS... I love you!

One friend will say let's pray together, another let's cry together,

another let's fight together, another let's walk away together.

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish,

another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion,

another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion,

on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you...

with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back or to hold you back from

making a complete fool of yourself .... those are your friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it's wrapped up in several....

one from 7th grade, one from high school, several from the college years,

a couple from old jobs, several from church, on some days your mother,

on others your sisters, and on some days

it's the one that you needed just for that day or week when you needed someone

with a fresh perspective, or the one who didn't know all your baggage, or the

one who would just listen without judging... those are good girlfriends/best friends.

I thank my girlfriends, those who honor intimacy, those who hold trust,

and those who hold me up when life is just too heavy!

The special bond we share is unique.

Thanks for the words we've shared.

The prayers we've sent up.

The laughs, the tears, the phone calls, the emails,

the shopping, the movies, the lunches, the dinners,

the talking, talking, talking and the listening, listening, listening....

So whether you've been there 20 minutes or 40 years,

I love you!

Aw, Come On It Will Be Fun.......

This is one of those QUIZ things...40 of them will end up in your email in the next 6 months, but I had fun doing this one....so I thought I would post it....if you would like to give it a whirl...consider yourself tagged!!!!

1. Do you like blue cheese? Love it, my favorite!!

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No - do you really think I would tell ya if I had!!!!!!

3. Do you own a gun? No, people say I shouldn't!!!!

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? not often, but when I do it is vanilla

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? not really, at this stage in life - they've seen, poked and prodded everything, what's to get nervous about!!

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Cannot eat them!! Got sick on them when I was a little girl - yes, at one time I was little!!!!

7. Favorite Christmas movie? The Christmas Story - I love it!! That is what my house was like growing up!!

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, Coffee, Coffee - but I have to have it all dressed up - with flavored cream and plenty of Splenda!!!

9. Can you do push ups? Push Ups!!! Love 'em - remember running down the ice cream truck just to get one!!!!

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? The smoky topaz ring that Judy Rader finally gave me because she got sick of cleaning my drool off of it!!

11. Favorite hobby? Reading, cooking, knitting, blogging, cross-stitching - I love them all!!! Oh, looking forward to days of retirement!!! Not too far away now!!!!

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No, what were talking about, oh yea, ADD, did you just see that bird fly by!!!!

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? Controlling, I wear my self out - just trying to be me!!!!!

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: what am I going to wear to this wedding this weekend; I've got to quit eating; what am I going to have for dinner?

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? thank you notes - Gummi Lifesavers (hey, it was my birthday) and gas - OMG - the gas!!!!

17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? coffee, water and tea

18. Current worry? Trying real hard not to do that......that God's job...not mine!!!!!

19. Current hate right now? Don't know that i have a current one - probably a lot of old ones - but no, nothing current!!

20. Favorite place to be? At home, really, I love to be at home, puttering around!!!!

22. Where would you like to go? Some quiet place on the water in a cabin just for some tranquility!!!

23. Name three people who will complete this? no one, everyone hates these things

24. Do you own slippers? Funny you should ask - I don't and have been trying to find some I like...that is the hard part!!!!

25. What shirt are you wearing? a Turquoise & black stretchy kinda one....

26. What year would you go back in time to? 1976 - the year I graduated HS - I would things differently from that time on....

27. Can you whistle? No, I just spit!!

28. Favorite color? This one!! kinda bricky red!!

29. Would you be a pirate? I really don't look good in an eye patch!! and that parrot poop on your shoulder has got to be a nuisance.

30. What songs do you sing in the shower? I usually just talk to myself!!!

31. Favorite girl's name? Landry

32. Favorite boy's name? Gearen

33. What's in your pocket right now? No pockets

34. Last thing that made you laugh? Paula called today and I couldn't get to the phone right away - she called back and said - answer me when I call you - I may need a kidney!!!! She's a mess!!!!

36. Worst injury you've ever had? My ear almost cut off - but it's hangin' in there!!!!

37. Do you love where you live? Yes, it was a gift from God!! Literally!!

38. How many TVs do you have in your house? I'm ashamed to say - 4 - waaaay tooooo many!!!

39. Who is your loudest friend? See Question #34

40. How many dogs do you have? 1 in doggie heaven!!

41. Does someone have a crush on you? Lord, if they do - would you someone please let me know!!!!!!!!

42. What is your favorite book(s)? A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Cold Sassy Tree, Three, anything by Beth Moore

43.What is your favorite candy? Sour Skittles - love them!!!!

44. Favorite Sports team? L S U....Geaux Tigers!!!!

45. Your favorite meal? I'm so sick of eating - I don't even know anymore!!!!

46. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping

47. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Is it really 6:45!!!!!! I'm late!!!!!

48. Do you have any odd habits? Another time, another day, another post altogether!!!!!

A Beautiful Day......

Well, it is a beautiful day here today - and I have the best view in the building - so I'm not complaining about being stuck in this building all day...I said I was NOT complaining....just so you know!!

One of the ladies I work with has a small retail shop and she gets BOXES up here at the office - you know the ones that come from the suppliers - we all gather around to see what goodies she has - I might as well have my check direct deposited into HER account instead of mine.

Look at this precious purse - it is Kelsi made over - so I got it for her - I would like to say that I will keep it for a special occassion to give it to her....not going to happen - if I buy anything for Christmas in October...you're getting it in October - I am just horrible about stuff like that!!

The handles have these huge wooden beads on them - so cute!

I know you probably won't be able to see this very well, but THIS is what was sitting outside my window yesterday - a hugh VULTURE. I don't know what that means for me if the vultures are circling!!!!!!!

He keeps pecking at the window - he sees himself!!!

I must say - close up these are about the ugliest things alive!!!
Last night we had our book club meeting at a great Chinese restaurant, Ming Garden. I'm not a big Chinese food person - but I can handle shrimp fried rice.

I forgot to take pictures - it will take me a while but I will get used to having the camera attached to the other end of my arm!!

Tonight is our first meeting of the Evangel Eagles Football Booster Club - my daughter goes to Evangel Christian Academy and has since she was 3 weeks old (daycare) - I was single and had to get back to work and they very graciously took her for me. These people are like my family and I love them all very much. Although I live in a fairly large city - being a part of a church and school that is connected - it has a small community feel to it. Anyway, I LOVE high school football and especially the Eagles. My oldest daughter also went to this school from daycare until the 11th grade and decided she needed to see the world a bit before heading off the college so she went across town and graduated from a public school!!!!! I will be the new secretary of the Booster Club and I am very excited. It will mean some work and lotz of fund raising and meetings, but it will be more fun than work.

Ok - I'm going to get some work done now.

Have a wonderful day.

Donna

I'M REALLY GOING TO DO THIS.....

I am going to keep up with this, I really am, just been busy and sooooo intimidated by all the gorgeous blogs on this place.

I went to some great yard sales this week-end and came away with some wonderful "treasures" - I will try to post them soon!!

Here is a picture of my "little cottage" - not much "cottage", huh!! It is a 40 year old ranch style home. It is my first home that is ALL mine - so I really do love it. It just needs some "TLC" and a little updating wouldn't hurt.

I have some nice pictures of the inside that I will post later this week.

I hope that Cindy doesn't mind - I don't think I have even commented on her blog - but this weekend I read her whole blog - from the very beginning and it is one of the best I have ever read. She has incredible pictures and a very talented lady!! My Romantic Home is the name of her blog and IT IS just that. Go by and take a look for yourself.

Talk to you all later......

Donna