Thia Karen~

Today

2012-02-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

Outside my Window…

It's pretty cold and overcast today...

I am thinking…
About Whitney Houston~ What a sad life hers had become and how far she had gotten away from her church and faith. Her ex husband performed last night , the very night of her death and I couldn't help but grieve for their daughter. As a parent I cant imagine not being with my daughter in a time of such sorrow and justifying putting on a concert. His absence really shows how screwed up peoples lives can become. I will always remember her singing the National Anthem and Jesus loves me. Her voice was angelic and I pray she is in heaven now and at peace

I am thankful for…
My church, my faith, my husband and friends who keep me in check. I am also thankful for updates from Kenny and Lindsay while they are on a missions trip to Cambodia! They have been gone a week and a half and I miss them so much! But I know God is using them mightily!

From the kitchen…
Just made Pioneer Woman's oatmeal bars { delicious click here for the recipe } and a quiche for dinner

I am wearing…
Still in my nicer church clothes but am changing fast into sweats to take the pup for a walk

I am reading…
Molokai, what a great story so far! My book club just finished " War Horse" and that was really good too

I am hoping…
For safe, fun travels for Chad! He leaves tonight for Costa Rica on his three week surf trip and my heart always worries. Just him, his backpack and his surf board. I would so appreciate your prayers for him

I am creating…
My thank you notes to my sweet friends and maybe a Valentine craft or two

I am hearing…
The sounds of the kids next door, my washing machine , and golf in the background on TV

Around the house…
I am washing sheets and working on my menu for Bunco at my house next week. I also am putting away our new "baby gifts" and boy that's fun!!

One of my favorite things…
My new "Clarsonic" I treated myself to this with my Nordstrom gift cards and I LOVE it! My skin feels so soft and clean

Well that's what is going on in my corner of the world today!
How about you? I would LOVE to hear!
Hope your day is filled with love and giggles!

Surprise!

2012-02-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

My sweet friends threw me a "YaYa" shower! I thought I was meeting a friend for lunch at Panera and walked into this fun surprise! Trish had gathered my dear friends for a day of celebration!
And baby Carter and I were the guests of honor
I cant remember ever being so caught off guard and completely surprised!
It was the BEST day!! { I only wish I had known so I could have dressed up a bit more. I am a wreck and even more so after crying my eyes out! But the best thing about friends is that they love you just as you are}
I am still beaming with joy after spending such a lovely afternoon with such lovely ladies!

So thoughtful and generous to our baby boy on the way!
He was spoiled rotten and now my house has so many.....
little,cozy,cute,yummy smelling, darling things

White cake with white frosting of course

I love you friends so much and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Your love and sweet friendship means the world to me and I am so thankful my grandson will hear the stories of such amazing women who loved him before he was born !

February Love

2012-02-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

I love February!!
It has always been one of my very favorite months. I will never forget my daddy driving up on Valentines day with a special treat just for me! He always remembered his favorite girl and I always beamed with love and pride knowing he thought of me and loved me so much
I always loved watching the boys spill out all their cards on the floor feeling so loved with their paper bags overflowing with sweet sentiments from school friends
Showing our love to others is always a blessing and you gotta love a month who celebrates it
But this February is going to be the MOST special one yet because it's the month we have been dreaming of
Our Grandson will be arriving !
Talk about LOVE!!
Funny how much love is overflowing for this little guy and we have not yet gazed upon his sweet face. I can already feel his sweet fingers in mine and I pray for him every single day !
I LOVE seeing Travis and Ashlyn getting ready for his arrival. They have taken their classes, created the sweetest nursery and prepared their hearts for this sweet little babe
God is so good and I thank Him so much for all the blessings he has given to our family.
So many things I love this February....
steve and my boys.ashlyn being the sweetest daughter I could dream of. great friends. the greeks.my sweet pup brody who is such a constant loyal companion. memories of amazing parents who loved us so perfectly.my sweet brothers and their amazing wives.music.good books that take me away.conversation hearts.diet orange crush.my home. random texts that say i love you.fireplaces and blankets.greek yogurt.laughing
And to you my readers, Thank you for loving my blog enough to stop by
Wishing you love over flowing this February!!

A dreamy overnight stay!

2012-01-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Steve and I had a wonderful get away before I started back to work. I only work three days a week but it still sometimes makes it hard to get away so off we went for a night in PARADISE
I know what you are thinking...
Karen always over exaggerates
And yes, sometimes I do,
But not this time!
This is where we stayed!!
Pelican Hill

It was ahhhmazing !
We had a fire place in our room, our own patio and a beautiful tub that I took a long ~~swim~~ soak in.
In the morning we went to a fun breakfast place called Rose Cafe and hiked along the beach at Crystal Cove

The property has the most amazing olive trees and outside our door was a darling lemon tree! Of course we asked for a late check out to soak up every minute of this beautiful resort

It truly was a once in a lifetime treat
And it was given to us by our generous, thoughtful kids Travis and Ashlyn! They could have used the getaway themselves because the baby is due in just a month, but they wanted us to enjoy it. They know we love hotels and they had stayed there for a work event and wanted us to have the experience too !
Who does that for their parents??
Our kids do....
What a wonderful treat ! We felt like royalty pulling in with the Bentleys and Porches. And we will always remember laying in bed with the fire on, wearing luxurious robes, eating frozen yogurt and feeling like a Prince and Princess!
We thank you guys from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Random moments that all lead to joy!

2012-01-19T14:24:00.000-08:00

We have had so much going on in our little family this year, but I am determined to focus on all the wonderful blessings and joy around us. I still believe that gratitude changes everything!

God shows me His love and faithfulness more in times of rain than I can ever see in the sunshine

So I am welcoming this storm knowing at the end there will be a huge rainbow and we will be changed for the better!

A few joys that were mine this week....

Ashlyn had another baby shower put on by her sweet partner at Carter and Cook and her dear friend Lacey! You can only imagine how beautiful it all was when you have a event planner involved. I am hoping for better pictures soon but I did capture a couple with my camera. It was a "Woodland" theme just like the babies nursery will be. Ashlyn is beautiful inside and out and so are her family and friends....

Soooo sweet!

I also had the BEST day at the Animal Park! I feel like I have been off work for so long and didn't have enough "play" days! So off I went to the San Diego Safari Park
It was majestic..

There is something so amazing about seeing animals in the wild and I sat for almost an hour just watching the Gorillas with their new baby . The were wrestling and cuddling and it brought so much joy to my heart. I also rode the safari tram and the guide said something that struck my heart so strongly! She said " if you look you will see the baby rhino surrounded by the others. It is their nature to all gather around someone who is weak, sick, or young and protect it until it is strong again "

We have much to learn as people don't we?

I hope I remember to surround people when they need care and love them until they are strong again
It was a fabulous way to spend the day !

I ended the day with a little visit with Ashlyn and saw the progress on the darling nursery she is putting together. Then off to Hodad's with Chad. Diners, Drive in and Dives did a segment on this place and they were spot on when they said it is the
BEST BURGER EVER!

It happens to be in Ocean Beach and we love to meet there. After dinner we stopped in a drug store to get Chad cold medicine and I turned around and he was gone? So I asked where he went and he said " to help that man in the wheelchair get his cough drops"

I tell you this boy does not miss a beat when it comes to helping someone out!

It literally is his first instinct. I tried to tell Steve about how sweet he is but I just cried.
I have the best time when I am with my family and always come home feeling thankful beyond measure!

Lastly my favorite quote this week is from Max Lucado

"Focus less on the tangled threads and more on the hand of the weaver"

I LOVE that! And even though our life sometimes feels like a tangled mess, He will make it beautiful in time
Wishing you love, joy and giggles!

Are you a "Pinner"

2012-01-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Because I sure am....

I have fallen in love with Pinterest!

It is a virtual bulletin board where you can keep all your ideas in one easy to find spot.

I have boards with my wish list, yummy things to cook, favorite books, and of course my Ya Ya board
I have had more fun trying peoples favorite recipes {three which I tried this week} and collecting quotes and decorating ideas. When you click on the image it takes you to the link with the recipe or shopping info. What a fun way to shop for gifts and see the things the people in your life love !!
If you haven't jumped on board I would encourage you to do so
And be sure to let me know when you do! We can be friends and share our good ideas.

You can find my page here.
Wishing you a happy day filled with moments of thankfulness and joy!
Happy Pinning!

B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.

2012-01-08T08:11:00.000-08:00

A wonderful time in life captured by an amazing photographer!
I know I'm bias but I think they are the sweetest parents to be and these photos seem to capture the peace and joy they have as they enter this new chapter of their lives

I am such a proud YaYa ! And am counting down the days until I can meet this little guy

Joy~

2011-12-29T21:58:00.000-08:00

BEFORE~

AFTER~

I have loved every minute of having the kids here this week. Travis and Ashlyn left yesterday and Chad today
The house is clean and quiet and I miss the chaos and noise of my family so much!
It was such a joyous time!
And to think that next year we will have a 10 month old baby with us!!

We can hardly wait and think she is just the cutest little momma ever!

This Christmas I was also reminded what a blessing it is to have the kind of family that doesn't allow someone to go through a tough time without getting right in the trenches with them. We will help carry the burden of one another as if it is our very own cross to bear. It's a personal story that I wont share, but it was such a sweet reminder what it is to be a part of a family that lifts each other up in prayer and cries right along side the one that is hurting!
We are so blessed and even in the midst of a storm this week, God showed His amazing faithfulness and grace
And that is the BEST gift of all.....

The comment that melted my heart....

2011-12-19T23:02:00.000-08:00

On my previous post I asked what one gift you loved most from Santa...

And this was my brother Dave's response.....

"BEST present Santa brought me was my little sister"

That's my Dave!

He loves me so much and it changes my life

And makes me cry...

What did Santa bring you?

2011-12-16T09:03:00.000-08:00

A few years back I asked some friends what special gift they remembered most from Santa
I LOVED hearing about everyone's gifts. It brought back the simple sweet days of pure joy waking up on Christmas morning knowing something fabulous awaited you. I still love creating that feeling for my own kids even though they are grown

So I decided to ask again this year...What did Santa bring you?
Here are some responses,but I would love to add more. So email or comment me and I will add your memory to the list.
You can read the original post by clicking here.

Jeanette~

One year, I was probably 7 or 8 I got a TV dog! It was a big stuffed dog that you could lay your head on and watch TV! Mair and I both got one, I think one was pink and one was blue. I LOVED it! I think with it came my love of TV!! Cant believe I said that out loud! I also one year, might have even been the same year, got a pair of gold la-may ankle boots. They had a little ruffle at the ankle and a zipper!!!! I wore those ragged!!
LOVED THEM.I thought I was soo beautiful and stylish!

Vickie~

I did love my Chatty Cathy and Kissy Baby but my favorite gift was my “shoe boots” That is what we called them. They were black boots that were fur lined and when you got those that meant that you no longer had to wear the red plastic boots. For “shoe boots” you took off your shoes to wear them and got a shoe bag to carry your shoes to school in. I was sick that Christmas and wore they all day, even to bed. Maybe you have to be from Indiana to get it

Jackie~

Barbie was my favorite. She was a blond bubble cut-2nd generation. I also got her Corvette car & her Canape bed. I played with her & pulled her in the car up & down the street for several years. Each night she was put to sleep in her beautiful bed! I still have her in the original box which is displayed in our curio coffee table in the living room. She is wearing her "Stewardess uniform - American Airlines". The bed fell apart but, I still have the Car!!

Anne~

Oh easy....it was my baby Thumbelina doll. You pull the string away from her back and let it go and she would squirm and stretch like a little newborn baby. I sold her at a garage sale after a few years and have never been more sorry. I have actually gone on line trying to find her

Jayne~

I would have to say my favorite gift of when I was little was my Barbie Kitchen set. It was just awesome! I had tons of Barbie's and all of her accessories, kitchen, fashion show, football stadium, cars, trucks, etc. We played for days with everything set up in my neighbors shed in her backyard that was empty except for all our Barbie stuff. Years ago my sister sold all my Barbie "stuff" to an antique dealer and I bought an Emerald & Diamond ring with the money. So every time I wear it I think of my days of playing with Barbie for hours on end.

Kaysie~

Easy.....my '67 mustang I got when I was 15. It was an amazing morning...keys were wrapped in my stocking and the car was outside with a big red bow :)

Paula~

Mine was my chatty Cathy. I was 4 years old. I wanted her soooooo bad. Apparently I loved to take all of my dolls with me in the bath tub, and even though my Mom said Chatty Cathy COULD NOT go in the tub, I took her anyway. She only talked to me for that one Christmas day. But I was soooo happy to get her!!

Anita~

I loved my Chatty Cathy too! When she started wearing out, she would say, "Brush my haayy."

Donna~
When I was in the 7th grade, I got my 10 speed Schwinn - in the color of root beer brown - It was a total surprise and I was sooo happy!!!

Hoping you are enjoying every minute of this Christmas Season!
And remember....

You better be good for goodness sake!

Brown Paper Packages tied up with string....

2011-12-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

These are a few of my favorite things.....
I love reading and writing "favorite things" posts and sharing some of the things that have brought me joy, and hearing about the things you love too!

Here are just a few of the things I am loving...

My new Nook! For a girl who resisted giving in to the idea of a reader I have fallen hard for this little thing! I pack it in my purse, and have read so much more because it is so easy and convenient . I can trade books with my book buddies and decide on a book to read and literally a minute later start on it-LOVE-LOVE-LOVE it!

Scentsy Candles
These give all the amazing scent of candles without the burn or worry. You simply turn it on and the whole house is filled with the best scent. I am fond of the pomegranate but they have lots of amazing scents! I buy the refills on eBay and get a great price. I have the unit that you plug into the wall and use it all the time!

Also at this time of year I love Bath and Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel lotion! I usually buy about 5 bottles to get me through the year. I love the smell and the guys on night crew always call me "cupcake" I told them its my natural scent and that all chubby girls smell like cake. But I really do get lots of compliments and love the scent!

Gel manicures!
I am hooked, my manis last about three weeks and the polish stays so nice and shiny. There is a place by me where they are only $22 which isn't much more than a regular manicure. I feel so much better when my nails are groomed. When I do my own, I love this color by Essie, called Marshmallow! So clean and fresh...

Trader Joes Candy Cane green tea!!
This stuff is ahhhmazing! I heard they run out quick so I bought 6 boxes and probably will go grab more today. Even Steve loves it. We have been having tea every night and it's perfect. Not too minty but oh so yummy. Trust me and try some, You will love it !

So please share some of your favorite things too!
Leave me a comment so I can see what treasures you have found and what little things make your heart happy
Wishing you lots of holiday joy!
Call me for lunch, shopping or caroling!
I have plenty of Christmas spirit to share

Welcome Christmas!

2011-11-30T09:18:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving!
I decided since I wasn't feeling 100% we would have an Italian feast. I made two white lasagnas {which my boys love!} and my sweet sis in law Lindsay made a wonderful salad and pasta with meatballs. I also made a big batch of my lentil soup which is always so hearty and good. We had desserts galore and lots of spirited, fun conversation which is what I love most! It was my aunt Mary's 84th birthday so we celebrated her too. She is still so young and such a kind hearted person. We were so busy having fun, I forgot to take many pictures....

We also attended a beautiful wedding on Saturday for one of my book club friends daughter. It was such a memorable and sweet wedding and Steve and I felt so honored to be a part of their day!

The book babes! Oh how I love these ladies!

And now we are so excited about Christmas!!

We even needed a new little stocking! Next year he will have his very only monogrammed one like ours! Wonder what name will be on it?

Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful Christmas season !
It really is the most wonderful time of the year~

Remaining Thankful~

2011-11-20T18:41:00.000-08:00

This has become my mind set in spite of having days when I feel pretty defeated
This surgery has not been easy on me and I still find myself wishing I fought it harder. My actual hysterectomy I'm recovering from perfectly, but about two weeks ago I woke up and literally could not move my arms. I felt as though over night I became a 90 year old lady with arthritis. So I began googling what the heck could be causing this joint pain which is even making my knees and hips ache. Long story short....it is a imbalance of hormones. So my Dr suggested we try a lower patch and I felt about 25% better with the lower dose. So today I took the patch completely off! Yes I am playing Dr, but I feel desperate to be better and would much rather deal with hot flashes and other junk and be able to dry my hair and walk normally. If anyone knows anything about this condition I would LOVE to hear your advice
And I would LOVE your prayers!
But in spite of all the the bad we have had lots of good !!

The kids came home last weekend for a wedding for our very dear friends son! We have known Allen since the boys were little and it was such a blessing to be at their wedding with such a wonderful family. The bride and groom were gorgeous!!

My moms group ...love these women

The three of us with married kids

Poppa loves his girl !

Then on Sunday the boys played golf and I took Ashlyn to get her nails done because she was having her first
BABY SHOWER!!
It was so much fun seeing all her precious girlfriends and watching baby Carter receive such lovely and heartfelt gifts! It was a wonderful day and she is just glowing ! {pics coming soon}

I know you all must be sick of hearing about my hubby! But truly the man is angel. He is a tireless nurse who NEVER complains that I had another day of getting nothing done! He makes me rest, does everything I could ask or think of, and makes me laugh all the time! Kidney stones,getting hit by a dog, and now this...
But he still smiles and thinks I am a great wife? Words will never be able to convey what his love and support have meant to me ! When we said for better or worse this man meant it and lives it out every single day!
I am giving thanks for every little blessing this past week
lunch with a friend
a sweet dr who listens
christmas gifts purchased and ready to be wrapped
phone calls from Sara
my cleaning lady martha who spiffed up my house this week and it looks fabulous!
knowing my family is coming for thanksgiving and that whatever we serve is going to be eaten over tables filled with love and conversation
my brother dave checking on me and praying for me over the phone {precious}
having compassion for people in ways before not possible, because i now know what its like to have pain everyday
christmas music
bubble baths
plain greek yogurt with honey and walnuts for breakfast
calls from the boys for no reason
giggling with chloe, for some reason we crack ourselves up

This Thanksgiving week I hope you find lots of things to be thankful for!
And this remains the song of my heart today
" I lift up my eyes to the heavens ...Because I know where my help comes from"

Memory Lane~

2011-11-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

While I've been recuperating we ordered a dumpster and Steve has been cleaning out the garage. I have been sitting in a chair,soaking up the sun and keeping him company. We have come across so many old memories and precious keepsakes. I even found my ultrasound that I had when pregnant with Travis. I cant wait to show Ashlyn! And I found this darling pic of Steve and the boys. I remember this day so well , we were camping with friends and had a absolute BLAST!

Steve still has this same smile whenever the boys are around. He has always been such a GREAT dad!

And I can hardly wait to see him as a Papou

Words will never be able to express my thanks

2011-11-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

To the real band-aids of my life...My friends and family!!
I have the BEST Dr! She prayed with Steve and I before surgery that God would guide her hands and give her wisdom. It was so precious and comforting . So I knew I had the best care available and that God had me firmly in His mighty grip!
But what I didn't know was that He was going to surround me with angels in the form of my friends and family.
What a comfort to wake up to the sweet smile of my hubby. And later in the day I needed my eye drops so bad but couldn't reach my bag and in walked my sweet sis in law Lindsay! She went to my house, walked Brody and spent so much time with me at the hospital being such a quiet comfort.
I had visitors, calls, texts, emails and they all meant the world to me!
My first day home my dear friend Casey brought over a Mexican feast that Steve and Chad ate for days! It was so nice not to think about dinner. And just when that ran out here came two more dinners! Anne made us Chicken and Dumplings and brought over a big basket of pumpkin goodies and Kim made us the BEST white lasagna ! Caren brought over my orange jello that she makes for me whenever I am sick or sad and it was so good! Jodie dropped off a beautiful plant before I even came home so right when I walked in I saw it! Debbie sent amazing flowers, Donna made us cookies and gave us a yummy pumpkin candle. And Vicky gave me the cutest pumpkin socks to keep my toes warm and a pumpkin candle to keep my house warm. Trish stopped by with flowers and vacuumed for me before she left. Katie brought over a bag of pumpkin goodies from William Sonoma {the brittle is to die for} and let me talk her ear off since I had been cooped up too long : )
And these are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Seriously every single call, text , and email meant the world to me !!
Your love and concern was the best gift of all!
I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to have such amazing friends and family in my life!
Its been just over two weeks, the bandages and staples are out and I feel stronger every day!
But more than anything I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because I hit the jackpot with my peeps!

I checked into crazy town!

2011-10-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

This should have been the sign down the street from my hospital.
I literally felt like I checked into " One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest " I will never understand when you feel your absolute worst you are required to share a room with a complete stranger? I could not get out of there fast enough and to be honest even lied about having a "movement" so they wouldn't keep me ! I am usually very compassionate and empathy is certainly one of my strong suits. But when you are in pain all bets are off!
Here are the highlights of my roommate!
She was at least 55 but spoke baby talk
She had 6 kids and the youngest was 15
She told me she was nocturnal and loved to stay up all night {how do you do this with kids?}
She was also hard of hearing? {more on that fib later}
She watched Pretty Woman volume 30 three times on her portable player and laughed every time??
She literally buzzed the nurse every 45 minutes for something
She wanted "pink" jello not orange, not lime, but PINK
Here I was schlepping my IV by myself because I didn't want to bother the nurses who work their butts off
She watched Dora in the morning {also at volume 30}
She used the bathroom and not once came over to the sink to wash her hands?
And at least three times she was standing at the end of my bed in the middle of the night waking me up to tell me she was having a panic attack. Trish and Jamie came by and were laughing because she has always teased me that I have "talk to me" written across my head. They can confirm I am NOT exaggerating
By 4am I started crying! I asked the nurse PLEASE cant you make her turn the TV off?
No they cant
She also lied about having insurance and she told me her son makes millions running a medical marijuana dispensary in San Diego
That is where the hard of hearing came in! When they came to ask her about her insurance after a 8 day stay, suddenly she could only read lips?
Dave wanted me to tape her with my cell phone so you could get an idea what loony looks like but I couldn't...
What happened to quiet hospitals and patients having to go to bed? If there is ever a "next" time I am going to pony up the extra thousands for my own room!
In this case it would have been a bargain !

Tomorrow~

2011-10-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my surgery
Although I know I'm going to feel much better soon
I also know its going to be a while until I do
And that makes me sad
I feel as far as pain goes, I have had my share & I'm not looking forward to any more
But I am loaded up with books, movies to watch, and my sweet, precious Chad called me last week to say he was going to come home for a week to keep me company! That boy is so tender and thoughtful to his momma!
I am blessed...
They said it would be a three day hospital stay but I am hoping for two. I want to get the heck out of there and get home to my cozy house
But as always I am going to end my post on a high note! I think my uterus will weigh at least 10 pounds and the tumor another 20 so I am thinkin my tummy will be flat and skinny : )
At least I hope so, since I told everyone at work I was going in for a tummy tuck and a new rack?
I have the funniest story of my Vietnamese nail girl so if we chat remind me to tell you ! It wouldn't translate to writing but it was hilarious! And it would only happen to me
See, there is always something to smile about & so much to be grateful for...
I think when I'm asleep I will be dreaming of that beautiful baby boy who will soon be here to snuggle with and all the many blessings of my life. Which includes You !
I would covet your prayers for me and will post soon to let you know how I am doing
Wishing you love and giggles!!
YaYa Karen~

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The sparklers were BLUE !!

2011-10-09T10:34:00.001-07:00

It's going to be a bouncing baby BOY!

The sweetest video from the kids!

2011-10-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

Be forewarned...

I am an emotional wreck...

And I don't cry pretty....

But how precious of our sweet kids to capture the biggest surprise on tape and then make a movie for us to always have !

This baby will ALWAYS know how thrilled we all were that it was coming to join our family !

SURPRISE! We're having a baby. from ashlyn carter on Vimeo.

We love Fall

2011-10-07T16:35:00.001-07:00

October I love you so much already !
Cool nights, beautiful days with white puffy clouds. I decorated the house for Fall and already feel the excitement of the holidays begin to build . I adore the "ber" months !!

We have been walking in the meadow and it's breathtaking !!

Happy Fall Ya'll

Girls have a lead, 20 to 18!

2011-10-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

When we found out we had a grand baby on the way I began asking my family what they thought?
Boy or Girl
And I have been keeping the poll results in my phone ever since.Now friends and co- workers have joined in the fun. I have decided to give a fun prize to the person who guesses the most accurately

And there is still time!

If you want to vote in the "Carter Baby" contest leave me a comment or email and I will add your name to the list. Even if you live far away I promise to pack up your prize and mail it to you!
So come join the fun!

The poll results so far....

Boys

Sandy Feb 19 7-13
Travis Feb 23 8-5
Lindsay Mar 7 7-1
Ken Mar 1 7-3
Chad Feb 1 7-7
Mary Feb 25 6-0
Kim Mar 6 7-3
Jodi Feb 17 8-14
Caren Feb 29 7-11
Paul Feb 19 6-8
Jared Mar 3 7-5
Koby Feb 22 6-8
Emily Feb 25 8-8
Kimberly Mar 3 8-0
Nancy Little Feb 24 7-11
Grandma Sarah Feb 24 8-13
Alicia Feb 20 7-3
Amy M Feb 21 7-2
Grandpa D Feb 29 8-2
Chris H Feb 22 10-2
Maria Mar 5 8-2

Girls

Poppa Mar 3 8-6
Dave Feb 19 6-7
Kory Feb 23 7-4
YaYa Feb 26 7-2
Ash Feb 25 8-2
Chloe Mar 2 7-7
Sara Feb 14 7-14
Vickie Mar 8 7-14
Tracy Feb 24 6-8
Trish Feb 24 7-12
Kat Feb 27 7-6
Ashley Feb 15 5-4
Lia Feb 27 6-5
Whitney Feb 20 6-13
Tina Feb 13 7-1
Abby Feb 17 8-0
Jocelyn Mar 5 7-7
Kathy Feb 25 7-9
Krissy Mar 2 6-12
Joe Feb 25 7-3

Can you tell we are just a wee bit excited about this baby!!

Boy or Girl?

2011-09-24T09:04:00.001-07:00

Two weeks from today we will know the answer! The kids are having a reveal party and we will all find out together. I'm so excited I can hardly stand the suspense ! My sweet daughter in law is really beginning to "pop" and you can finally tell she is expecting.Here is the latest pic of her darling little tummy.......

I cant wait to see its little lips and toes, and snuggle with that sweet babe ! It seems lately it's all I ever think about. God is good and we are daily thanking Him for this new gift .
There is simply nothing sweeter than a new baby straight from the lap of God...

It's going to be a wonderful February!!!

Counting my blessings...

2011-09-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

Today is such a special day and it has been the sweetest week. So many lovely surprises and a new serendipity almost every day.
Today is my 49th birthday and my 29th wedding anniversary. I woke up to this sweet message on my Facebook, and I couldn't help but smile because he really does LOVE ME!

"29 years ago I woke up nervous & excited about how my future was going to be and after all these years I truly see how blessed I've been to share most of my life with you!! My best friend, love of my life, and the best Mom ever! I love you, Happy Birthday too!!!!"

I am so blessed to "love and be loved" for so long with this kind hearted hubby of mine. We cant believe it's been that long?? But we look forward to another 29 years!

Some other fun blessings this week .....

*Saturday we were able to spend the day with our boys! Fixing up Chads room, playing with the pups, and then dinner at Phil's for yummy BBQ. We couldn't remember when it was just us 4 Carters and we sure missed Ashlyn who was in Montana creating wedding day magic for a lucky bride with "Carter and Cook"

*I got my first piece of mail { a fun birthday card from my dear friend Vickie} addressed to
YaYa !!

It was so fun and I am really beginning to love my new title! The day I told my dear friend Anne about the kids expecting, she literally arrived at my house 10 minutes later with this cute sign. She has had it for years and has been waiting until she could give it to me!

Sooo cute and it's on my mantel so every time I see it I smile {and dream}

*My sweet friend Ashley made me the cutest gold box! She has read my blog and knows how many times I find those sweet dimes from my Momma in heaven. So she made me this darling box which says
" Fill this up with dimes that gleam, for every one is a kiss from me"

And she put two little dimes inside to start my collection. Of course I cried when I saw it ! What a thoughtful, sweet gift and I just love her for thinking of me in such a tender way. I never shared with my blog buddies when I found my last dime. We were in the airport coming home from Alaska and I watched the video surprise Ashlyn made for her family telling them the news of the baby coming. Of course I teared up so I reached into my purse to get a tissue and there was a dime INSIDE the tissues! Not a penny, not a nickel, a dime!!

I was so glad the kids were right there with me to witness it. So now as I get those sweet dimes I have a special place to keep them!
Thank you Ashley!!
I love it and I love you~

*This was also the week of Travis award luncheon, so Carter and I attended and beamed through the whole thing with pride! We are so excited for him and who he has become. It was such a special honor and blessing.

Wow, we have cute kids!

So even though the years are going way too fast, I am thankful for each and everyday I spend with those I love! If God never blessed me with another thing, I have more joy than I could ever dream of and certainly more than I ever deserve!

So as I count my blessings, I count each of you as well !
You all have added so much love and joy to my life!
And all these blessings of mine, they out number the sands of the sea.....

Ziplining!

2011-09-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have to say it was one of the highlights of the trip and probably one of my "top ten" life moments.

Once you step off the first time and conquer the fear it becomes such a feeling of freedom and pure fun! And of course being all together made it even more exciting. We missed Ashlyn so much but treated her to a massage and facial on the ship! We had to keep that precious grand baby of ours tucked safely away!

We knew the zip line was going to be amazing and it did not disappoint. I can hardly wait to go back! We did 11 zips and one was so far that we couldn't even see the landing when we left the post. It was daunting just standing on the posts 100 feet up in the air. My sweet sis Sandy held onto that tree so tight we teased her she was going to have bark marks on her face.

Beautiful Waterfalls!

Happy Happy Dad

Our ride up the mountain in the "I mog"

And silly Dave always keeps us laughing.....

Our Big Fat Greek Alaska Cruise~

2011-09-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

It was a BLAST!!
Simply the best time we have ever had! It will be hard to describe the beauty and fun that was our life for those 8 days. But I am sure going to try!

Most everyone who has seen the photos has commented that we were always smiling!
And I have to agree....

We love to be together and have fun!

Next up.....

The ahhhhmazing excursions!

Alaska!

2011-08-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Alaska was amazing!

The glaciers spectacular....

The family dinners every night with so much laughter our stomachs ached....

I have over 200 photos and so many stories to share....

But I simply can't concentrate because of this!!!

They surprised us the first night at dinner, and we are over the moon excited!

My sweet kids held the secret so they could surprise us with all my family there

We are blessed and I love this new baby so much already!

Have you ever seen a more beautiful grandbaby !!

Bragging Rights

2011-08-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

I wish I didn't have such great kids, so I wouldn't have to brag so darn much !

But I do....

So I gotta ...

So indulge me once again if you would...

San Diego is a huge city
There are millions of people and lots of successful businessmen

And guess who was awarded the business award for the
"Top 40 under 40"

Our very own Travis Paul Carter !!

Travis was picked for this amazing award and the magazine will be coming out next month. He assured me he would get me a copy of the magazine, but I told him never mind that....

I will be driving down and snatching every copy in a 40 mile radius

I cant help it , I am just so proud of him!

Not only did he earn this great award, but he is only 27 for goodness sake!
This child of mine who has such a passion for square footage, people, and real estate has taken his interest and made a career doing what he LOVES!
And I love that he finds so much joy in his daily life! And I am so thankful that he is surrounded by the love and support of men who have mentored him along and who celebrate his growth and achievements

What a blessing !

Of course I could not wait until the magazine comes out to share the news when I saw that his Alma Mater wrote an article about him. Click here to read it.
We love you Trav and pray you always stay humble and sweet

I know you will !

Its who you are

The sweetest surprise

2011-08-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

I arrived home to this adorable box from my childhood friend Jeanette! She filled it with my favorite candy {that she would tease me endlessly about liking when we were kids} Candy necklaces, nickel wafers, all that chalky candy that no one likes? Well they are my favorites!

I gave up sugar 6 weeks ago but have put my box away for a "binge day" and I am going to enjoy every sugary bite. I am going to put on those big red wax lips and "smoke" a candy cigarette while thinking of how very lucky I am to have a friend like her. She also included a framed picture of us girls, and one of me with her darling son Blake!

Now that's what I call a fun serendipity!

The note said "As sweet as all this candy is,you are so much sweeter to have been by my side during my fathers services"

Jeanette it was my honor~
Loving you just comes naturally!
It always has....

Such a wonderful summer day!

2011-08-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we all met at our favorite spot for a family bonfire! My nephew Koby is going away to college in Oregon and we wanted to give him a fun send off....

Hunter, Koby and Proud Mom Kat

I kept thinking how lucky our kids are to be surrounded by so much love and encouragement. Who could ever fail with all these arms of support around you.....

It was the first time the older Greeks joined us and it made it even more special ! We're sure going to miss seeing him as often as we do, but we are so proud of him and excited for his new opportunity.Koby has a heart of gold and I know God has big things planned for him !
All day I missed Dave,Sandy and the Tennessee Krikac's and just hate that any of us are ever separated by distance. Chloe said it perfectly,
"We love to travel in packs and are happiest when we are all together!
Koby always remember your "pack" loves you so much and is cheering for you with all our hearts!

And we even practiced "The Carlton"

26 Sleeps

2011-07-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

We are so close to our Alaska adventure and my heart is overwhelmed with excitement!
In less than a month I will be with my family for 8 straight days and that alone makes me the happiest girl ever!
We have so many amazing adventures planned that were researched with every spare moment I had.
Clearly I have forgotten that I am a chubby, middle aged mom because we are signed up for some daring crazy fun!

We will be zip-lining in Skagway on the newest and largest zip line! We will be going over glacier fed waterfalls doing 11 zip lines plus 4 suspension bridges ! My palms are sweating just typing that out.

We will also be doing a private whale watching tour in Juneau and kayaking in Ketichikan

So we have the excursions planned, the reservations made for flights & hotels.
But we were still missing one BIG thing
The official cruise dance.....
So an email went out to the family to learn this dance and be ready to "bring down the house" with this little number.

I even made it my ringtone so every time I hear it I do a little jig.
You might think we're kidding? but No!
When Chad emailed me last week he even signed it
Love Carlton....

I love my family and we are going to leave this ship with some amazing memories!

Chico Sticks....

2011-07-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

This week I attended a funeral for the father of one of my childhood friends. Jeanette and I grew up together on the same street our whole lives and we share so many memories of our childhood and school. She was my maid of honor 29 years ago and has been one of my dearest friends as long as I can remember. Sadly her sweet dad Frank passed away.It was such a bitter sweet day because he had been ill and you feel the relief of knowing they are no longer struggling along with the sadness of not being able to see them again on this side of life.He was married to Jeanette's mom for 62 years! We recalled them dancing in the living room and her jumping up to greet him at the door when he got home from work. Our other childhood friend Renee came so the three of us girls were together again.
And that always means laughs ..............
Lots of them !!
There was so much joy in remembering funny stories, and we took lots of trips down memory lane. Jeanette's sister lovingly placed a king size Hershey bar in the casket with her Dad. She remembered on Saturday nights he would go to Thriftys and get one and they would each get a few squares. So I jokingly told Renee to bury me with a Chico Stick when I pass away. It was my favorite candy growing up and they used to tease me like crazy about that.
So when she came to the chapel guess what she brought me ?

It is hard to convey in words what it is like to be in the presence of such sweet, old friends. No matter how many years go by you automatically pick up right where you left off. No awkwardness or fear of not knowing what to say. You just feel at HOME ! And I always walk away missing them already. I'm sad it was a funeral that brought us together again but was so thankful to be able to be with Jeanette and her family at a time she needed support and "laughter through tears" because we sure had plenty!

How would any of us cope with loss without the strong arms of love and support from family and good friends?
I feel so incredibly blessed to have both !
I am looking forward to another 30 years of friendship with these amazing girls, creating more memories and having lots more giggles

I've grown accustomed to his face....

2011-07-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

{ photo courtesy of Ashlyn }
We have been babysitting our "Grandpuppy" Bentley for the past 10 days while the kids were on vacation in Hawaii. At first I was a little apprehensive about having another dog to feed, brush, and take care of. But my concerns sure didn't last long and now I find myself feeling so sad that he is leaving tomorrow! I miss him already!
He and Brody have been having the BEST time...
They wrestle and snuggle and keep each other such good company.
And we have fallen in love with this little rascal !!

So Bents anytime you want to come visit YaYa the doggy door is always open!

Counting my blessings...

2011-07-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

*family coming for a 4th of July sleep over

*knowing "Travlyn" are having a blast in Kauai with Ashlyns family

*my hemoglobin went up !!

*beautiful summer sunrises on my way to work

*macaroni & cheese bite appetizer with the book babes
{seriously you will moan when you eat one, so we each had to have two }

*a sweet late night call from Sara because she couldn't sleep

*the sweetest thank you card from Miss Kendall.It is so precious that I simply can not ever throw it away! How can a young lady at 18 be soooo sweet and thoughtful ? it restores my faith !

*happy sunflowers from Ashlyn in the cutest vase with a bow

*two phone calls from my brother Paul , I don't get to talk to him that often, but I love that he loves me!

*My good book, with a icy lemonade, and my feet up in the back yard, cozy in my jammies

What about you...What little blessings are you thankful for this week? Please share!
I would love to share your joy!

Private ???

2011-06-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

Well the time has come when I am contemplating going private with my blog. My spam comments are out of control and I realized people from literally everywhere are reading my posts. I am such an open book and I feel a bit creeped out that people from Turkey, Cambodia, Qatar {didn't even know that was a country} Poland and all over the world can know so much about my life and family. It's such a fine line because I have met some wonderful people who came upon my blog from a friend , or maybe they just stumbled upon it and stayed.
Which I LOVE!!
Even blog "friends"are precious to my heart

I myself love to blog jump and would be sad if some of my regular spots went private? So I am thinking it over and trying to get the right advice so I make a good decision.If you would like to be given access please leave a comment with your email address and I will be sure to add it to the list. I so appreciate my readers and everyone who thinks a stop by "crazy land" to check on Karen is worth a visit.

Love you all and wish you a week filled with love and giggles!

*

2011-06-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

The older you get, the sillier you get....
Great quote and I sure find it to be true!

I love nothing more than being silly , and when you throw in a few good friends it's sooooo much better!
We had such a nice night with our friends the "Richardsons" Their son Zack {who grew up with Travis} got married a couple weeks ago and some of us were unable to make the trip to what I have heard was one heck of an amazing wedding! EVERYONE had the best time and had such gracious things to say about the gorgeous bride and groom.

So they invited us over to dinner, to see the photos and keep the celebration going. ....
We had so much fun!

Our great hosts....

I have always envied the kind of friendships that last through the years. I dreamed that one day I would have those kind of people in my life.The kind of friends who accept you just as you are and are able to see you through eyes filled with love and grace. And guess what ?
I have the friends I always dreamed of! With these lovely girls, my bunco family,the book babes and my precious sisters in law.....
My life is full of amazing women and I can simply be "me" in their good company

I loved and admired the friendships in this movie! They got through the tough parts of life because they had each other. I sure know the feeling !
It is only with the love and support of family and friends that I can even get through a day!
And to each of you I say...
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart"
And lets not ever stop being silly!

God is so sweet!

2011-06-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

Today would have been my sweet momma's 80th birthday!
I woke up thinking about her so much and of course the tears began to flow....
I still miss her so so much......every single day!
This morning I was trying hard to put on a brave face and just focus on all the wonderful,happy memories we have of my precious Mom~
So after drying my tears, I made a phone call to my Dr's office and you will never believe the music that was playing while I was on hold ?

From her all time favorite movie
" The Sound of Music"
Seriously what are the chances?
I don't believe in coincidences , I believe in miracles and this one felt like a
BIG HUG from my Mom!

The very song that she would sing to us every single night as we fell asleep!

God is sweet.....
And I am thankful that He lovingly blessed me this morning with a song and a smile !

Hunter~

2011-06-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

My oldest brother Paul and his wife Kat have four gorgeous boys! They look much more Greek than any of our kids and they are just adorable.And Hunter was the baby....
He was the last child born of my siblings and my last niece or nephew.
And now he is graduating from high school !!

How can this be?
He was always the sweetest boy. He loved his Ya Ya so very much, loves his Greek family, and always gives the best hugs to his Auntie Karen. As a baby he had the cutest smile ever,and as you can see some things never change
Watch for him to be famous one day soon because he is an amazing dancer! We are so excited to watch him perform next Saturday and I hope he will be able to hear us cheering for him with all our hearts
We love you so much Hunter and are so proud of you!

Chad~

2011-05-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

There is something about this picture that captures Chads joy! It was taken while he was in Costa Rica at a hostile with people from all over the world. And he's as comfortable as he would be at home.
My brother Dave had a quote on his peechee folder more than 30 years ago that I memorized, and it came back to me when I saw this picture...

The smile on your face is like the light in the window that tells people you're at home

When you are with Chad , you are at home!
He loves new people, new experiences, and has such an amazing way about him that makes you immediately feel like you have met a great new friend. No awkward silences or lulls in conversation and he is genuinely interested in everyone he comes across.
What a gift to have that trait....Exactly like my mom and dad!!

I love you Chad and just wanted you to know how great I think you are!!
And I am trusting that rum belonged to someone else at the table : )

Claudia~

2011-05-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

Remember my old cute names ? Sophia...La Queenda...
Well move over there's a new girl in town
Steve has named me "Claudia"
Not after a beautiful lady named Claudia, or because of an endearing memory of a favorite teacher or neighbor. I am Claudia because I am a Claud !

And I have to say the name is fitting! I dropped a griddle on my toe and broke it I am sure. It was purple and blue for a week and still sore if I touch it. I tripped last week at work....TWICE!
I walked straight into a pole at the shopping center and slipped on my very own pajamas. I have always been a bit of a clutz but this is a whole new ~~low~~ level. I have heard that menopause does weird things to people and I am beginning to think its the case for me. Which I find encouraging because that means there's an end in sight! I have to just land pretty and wear a bike helmet while shopping at the mall for the next 8 years then I"m home free.

In other good news {from the carter convalescent home} I had three of my four tests completed. I lost at least 5 pounds with the fun prep which makes me one big step closer to being a personal trainer. They are biopsying one questionable thing in my stomach? and we should know more in a week. But I am secretly hoping it is a parasite so I can get that last 40 pounds off soon.

These are my new dishes ~ I think they're so me!

Shhh dont tell Steve but I think I know what one of my birthday gifts is going to be....
A Life Alert!

Wishing you love and giggles! And remember when life knocks us down, try to land pretty and get right back up!

A Mothers Love~

2011-05-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed at the depth of love within a mothers heart. I was lucky enough to experience that kind of love from my own precious mom. The unconditional, completely accepting, just because, for always kind of love!
And I overflow with that kind of love for my own kids! Nothing makes me happier than being with them and cheering for them in everything they do! I had the most lovely Mothers Day celebrating with my family. Complete with fabulous gifts and cards that had to be read later because the second I opened them the tears started to flow. Heartfelt words from the sweetest boys ever and a daughter in law that I love as my own.
BLESSED is what I am ! And not a day goes by that I don't thank God for all He has given to me....

Travis is going to be GREAT Daddy!

Dinner in Little Italy after a great beach day! Ken, Lindsay and Chloe came too which made it even more special!!

If I had known these kids were going to be this terrific I would have had 5 more!

Easter Joy~

2011-04-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

We had the most beautiful Easter with my family! And what made it even more special was that it was NOT at my house. I usually host all the holidays but my sweet brother Ken and sis Lindsay wanted to host this one and it was perfect!
It was so nice to just go somewhere and not have all the preparation. It was a perfect day although we missed Chad who had to work and my brother Paul and his four boys. But we still had 17 which allowed plenty of time to chat and enjoy each other. Lindsay's sister Karen came and she wowed us all with homemade Greek food ! And Auntie Carla came too which was such a fun treat! Steve ADORES auntie Carla! { we all do }
Thank you "Kensay" for such a perfect day!
Karen

Pete, Angelo and Mary

Aunties Carla and Mary

Our fab chef for the day Kenny

Lindsay's nephew Jason

Oh how I LoVe this daughter of mine

Travis amazing the crowd with magic tricks. I gotta say he was blowin our minds!

But one of my favorite moments was when Uncle Pete was just dying to cut the pretty cake Ashlyn made for dessert! He could hardly stand it!! So of course I had to tease him that this wasn't the first time he was over anxious {remember the funny story of how he put a finger in the wedding cake? }

So sweet Ashlyn let him cut it and I love this pic of them !

I love our crazy family, playing left right center, all talking at the same time, holding hands to say grace, making everyone feel so comfortable and welcome,always saying we had too much food but always making too much again and again.
Another terrific day with those I love the most! More sweet memories to last a lifetime.....

Dont you miss funny Karen?

2011-04-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

ME TOO!!

The Karen who wrote about pajama jeans, sap removal, bucket lists and silly days

The Karen who shared so much good stuff that Chad reprimanded her?

ME TOO !!

Cause this whiny Karen with so much yucky stuff going on is getting me down!

I feel like I went in for a oil change and once they looked under the hood they found out I'm a wreck! I ended up having my surgery a week earlier {sorry Nancy for not updating you} and my anesthesiologist asked me if I was tired? Well yes I sure have been but I thought it was from all the pain I have been in...
Well no honey you are a few quarts low? My blood count was very low and my iron even lower. So he suggested I take those labs to my regular Dr and find out what the heck is going on. So this week while recuperating and passing pebbles, I had more labs done, found out yes I am very low , and they want to rule out that I am not bleeding somewhere. So I will now not only get looked at under my hood but under my trunk too! The specialist said they will do a colonoscopy, and a endoscopy to check my stomach and other organs? I feel way too young and happy to have so much wrong with me. He also started me right away on iron and new thyroid meds to help balance things out.

This ole jalopy is a mess! No wonder my sense of humor is failing too

But hang with me peeps, I promise I will be back with silly posts soon!
I did have plenty of really sweet moments this week and I am convinced Love from family and friends is the BEST medicine ever! The kids all called to check on their old momma, I had sweet friends and neighbors pop over with cards, flowers, white cake ,homemade lemon rolls, and comforting jello from my friend Caren ! { she knows it reminds me of my mom and so she brings it every time I am under the weather~ Sooo sweet } The Krikac's came out yesterday and hung out {sooo fun} One day I met the book babes for lunch at a new Greek restaurant in town,I went to Bunco even though it took all I had, but I knew those girls would be good medicine too !
I am blessed ! I have love! And a sweet hubby who rubs my feet and smiles at his ole jalopy in her funky pajamas {he thought my new ones from Kohl's were from the Sears Catalog circa 1940 ? Doesn't he know seer-sucker capri jammies never go out of style? But his love,support and humor is like a constant IV drip of healing!
One of my favorite quotes is from Steel Magnolias~
" Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion"
That has been my week, trying to laugh when all I want to do is cry....
But I am clinging to the scriptures that say
" And it came to pass"
Because I've had moments this week when I thought it came to stay....
But I wont let it, I am blowing away the dark clouds with all my breath!

Memory Lane~

2011-04-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Sara!

She is *29*today! I can hardly believe it. I still remember her so well as this little baby girl. She is a daily joy in my life ! Even though we are separated by too many miles, we talk on the phone almost everyday and I feel so connected to my precious niece. She loves to call her auntie to talk about her day, her movies, her lunch {she's Greek & we love to dish about food } what her friends are doing, or her sweet dog Lexi.
Her voice messages are saved on my phone and if I am ever having a down day I will listen to one and smile.
My life is sooooo much sweeter because of my Silly Sara !

Next year is her 30th Birthday Princess Bash in California!
I can hardly wait......

Where do I find cute invitations to my pity party?

2011-04-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

I really try to be upbeat but lately I have been having a bit of a pity party. The thing is I am weary of being in pain! I would say that a good amount of days I have horrible kidney pain. And it makes me so crabby and fatigued. By the time I get home from work all I want to do is sit on a heating pad and try to find relief. I pass stones like crazy and am currently building a nice rock garden in my yard. The biggest bummer is that they CAN NOT figure out why? I take 6 pills a day that are supposed to ward them off, but no luck. I drink about a gallon of water everyday, no dark sodas, limit spinach, all the things they say you should do and yet they keep forming.
I took in my baggie of rocks for the Dr to see and found out the reason my pain is still so bad is because there is a BIG one in my right kidney. And it is too darn big to pass....
So on April 18th I will have yet another surgery.
I cried so hard in Dr Mc Dreamy's office that he promised he would not put in a stent. So it should be pretty easy this time. I made it clear I simply can not go through that stent pain again. So today I am praying it stays still until the 18th and somehow, someway, it will be my last go around.
Like I said before this money would be better spent on a tummy tuck and a new rack

This is the prescription I wrote myself....
Sure to make me feel much better
So today I will treat myself to cute new jammies, I'm going to get pedicure the day before, of course go into surgery with full make up, and yes Casey I will dust on a bit of glitter.{ Gotta keep the humor to keep myself from cryin }

So say a little prayer if you would that it all goes well!

Wishing you a happy weekend!
Filled with love and giggles

And hopefully no pain!

Another bucket list dream is in the works!

2011-03-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

We did it! We booked an Alaska cruise !! We have been dreaming about it for a while now and decided to go for it! We planned it with the hopes that all the Greeks would join in. We thought it would be a perfect chance to spend time with family while building memories that will last a lifetime! I tend to over think EVERYTHING and I am so thankful to my sister in law Sandy who while I was talking to her { for the umpteenth time } about different options said
" I'm booking the one you said you liked" and she did!
She then text me her booking number five minutes later.
I am so thankful that she gave me that much needed push to decide already!
Our three kids are going, Dave,Sandy,Ken,Lindsay and Chloe. Now we are just waiting on the rest of the invitees to jump on board !
Either way it is going to be the BEST trip and we can hardly wait.

I am loving...

2011-03-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

I love to share the things I love !
So here's a few little things....

First~ My Keurig Coffee Maker!! I realize I am probably a few years behind this trend but now I know why everyone LOVES these! I look forward to my morning coffee so much with this magical machine! It is quick, clean, and oh so delicious!! Our favorite is the French Vanilla! Costco has the BEST deal on the machine itself. They are $139.00 and you get 60 k-cups with a good variety of flavors. If you are on the fence about these, jump in! {&the hot cocoa is to die for}

I also LOVE Arnold Palmer light tea!!! Oh my goodness there is nothing more refreshing than this delicious drink! I have been having one at work almost every day and it is so yummy! 1/2 Iced Tea and 1/2 Lemonade~ Of course I prefer mine with lots of ice and a straw!

I really love McDonalds oatmeal! I never eat at McDonalds but their oatmeal ahhmazing !! It has lots of fresh crispy apples and fruit. It is so filling and warm on these cold mornings. Try one.....you will love it too

And lastly I love this picture!! Our kids are home from their second honeymoon in Costa Rica and they had a BLAST! Ashlyn took so many great shots,but this one is my favorite! They look so happy,sweet and in love. Which makes this momma feel so happy too.

I hope your week is filled with things you LOVE! Leave some LOVE by adding a comment and share with me one of your favorite things!
I would LOVE to hear from you !

Dimes

2011-03-03T17:40:00.000-08:00

A dime...just ten cents and hardly worth picking up, but to our family a dime has always meant more. I feel vulnerable sharing this story for fear that is seems strange,but it happens too often to ignore. When my mom was alive she would always find dimes and she said it was a kiss from Jesus. She would find them in the most unexpected places and she found them often. She would pick them up and say " I love you too" {with that sweet smile of hers and the cutest voice} Well, when she passed away guess who now finds them all the time?

Me and my family too !

Travis was a senior in college and was about to give a huge speech to the entire student body. He approached the podium and as he laid down his notes he found a dime! He said he felt like it was Ya Ya telling him everything was going to be fine. Today as I was sweeping the garage I was feeling kinda sad because there are more changes at work and a few people I absolutely LOVE are leaving. As I was about to scoop up the dust in the pan I saw a shimmering dime in the mix.
About a month ago Dave sent me a text that said " hey sista within the past day I have found 3 dimes! not nickels not pennies but dimes just laying on the ground"
I love that to us it feels like a hug from our mom. I find them in the dryer,under my car seat,in my luggage and I always look toward the heavens and say
" I love you too mom "

Joy

2011-02-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

He just looks like he is having so much fun!! This adventurous child of mine who travels more than anyone I know!
Sitting in fresh powder in Lake Tahoe

And his smile says it all~ Life is sweet.....

Where do you blog?

2011-02-20T20:34:00.000-08:00

My friend Nancy shared on her blog the spot where she sits to write her blog. Then asked if we would do the same. So I took out my camera and took a shot of my messy room!

I did have to move the coffee cups away and looking at the pic I should have moved more! I didn't realize how much "stuff" I have . Peter Walsh would NOT be happy!
But it is my JOY room. I have photos of all my family, my cute little calendar of Greece {thanks Ashley} My moms white letter holder, a Brighton heart filled with earrings, and on the right wall is a collection of notes my kids have given me with more photos !
Steve put nice molding in the room, and around the windows, and painted it a restful color, But after looking again I need a nice big picture over the desk {and a new carpet saver}
Well this was fun....so why not join in! Take a picture of where you blog and let me know in my comment section!
Love, hugs and wishes for a fun week!
Chad is off to Tahoe to ski and the kids leave for Costa Rica tomorrow for a fun vacation!

I LOVED our weekend!

2011-02-16T17:44:00.000-08:00

I had the MOST lovely weekend,
With those I love the MOST !!
It worked out that I was off Friday, Saturday & Sunday and it was perfect timing! I got the boys and Steve tickets to Brian Regan {our favorite comic ever} for Christmas and the show was last Saturday in San Diego! I didn't want to ask for the day off because I am already so spoiled with great shifts and days. So when I saw that I was off I was thrilled!! The Carter men decided to golf early in the day, then have dinner before seeing the show. I was hoping to be able to meet up with them for just some of the fun! But since I was off I drove down with Steve Saturday morning and dropped him at the golf course and off I went to spend the day with my favorite girl.....
My daughter in law Ashlyn Marie~
We went to lunch, got manicures and pedicures, sat out by our hotel pool with magazines and cocktails and then met the boys for dinner at a great new spot "Jimmy's Famous" We had the BEST darn burgers and chatted all about the day and their golf game. Then off they went to the show and us girls curled up under blankets and watched a movie in their cozy house.
I went back to the hotel and was just falling asleep when they all came in laughing and rehashing the show! They had a BLAST! Steve said the next morning his stomach was sore from laughing. Is there anything better??? I think not!!

The next morning Ashlyn invited us over for a yummy breakfast of homemade biscuits with jam and fruit. Travis checked the tide and since it was low we headed out for a long walk down the cliffs with the pups. It was the most beautiful day !! I wish I had taken my camera but I was able to grab a couple pics with my phone. There is something about this one of Steve and the boys that I just love!

Probably because I know that there will never be happier moments for him than those he spends with the kids.

And I know just how he feels!

I feel so blessed that our kids like spending time with us, and that we enjoy each others company. I have always dreamed of one day having a daughter to love and do girlie stuff with, but even in my wildest dreams I never imagined it would make me this happy!

We are blessed!

Sandy Called...

2011-02-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

No lie this was our conversation....

Me- Hello
Sandy- Did Frank Gifford die?
Me- No I don't think so, Kathy Lee has been on with Hoda in the mornings. I doubt she would be if her husband died
Sandy- No, I heard he died, can you check it on the computer
Me- {after googleing quickly} He's alive
Sandy- Ok thanks, talk to you later
*Dial tone*

Just another "normal" day in the life of best friends

Sunday Six...

2011-01-30T12:54:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I did my Sunday Six.It used to be one of my favorite blogs to write as I sit and reflect on all the blessings of the week! Its a good practice for all of us to stop and remember how truly blessed we are!

1- My precious niece Chloe was in a bad car accident and we are soooo grateful that she is ok. She was t-boned by a car who cut her off and it could have been so much worse. She is sore and shook up but will be fine! Ken and Lindsay had a retreat this weekend so I went and spent the day with her yesterday. We laughed, watched tv, went out for yummy salads at our favorite " Cafe Rio" It was so fun to hang out with my kindred spirit who just "gets" me.
I love you Chloe!!

2- Last Sunday was such a beautiful day so we packed up the pup and went to dog beach. We had so much fun watching him play. Ashlyn's sister saw on my facebook that we were there so she came over, and then both the boys came down and brought Bentley too. We had so much fun! Later we met up with Ash and all seven of us went out for dinner. Such a fun, serendipitous day and we drove home smiling! {while Brody slept completely exhausted from all the fun}

3- We are so proud of Ashlyn and her business Carter & Cook! This week she gave notice at her job to focus full time on her wedding business. She needed to because she is one busy girl! They are so incredibly talented and have weddings booked all year! It was a dream of hers to do this and such a blessing to see her dream turn into a full time career!
She is at a big event today with some of the best of the industry, and feared she wasn't hip enough to pull it all off? I reminded her she was born hip, and we are cheering "hip hip hooray" for them all the way!!

4-I am so thankful for my job! I love and appreciate that I can work just three days a week, and be home to run the " Carter Empire" I love being a homemaker and wife and love that my boss accommodates me so sweetly. I work great hours and am quite happy to be there with so many fun people! It's a huge blessing

5- American Idol~ I love this show! I adore seeing the people who fight fear and try out and all the sweet stories behind the scenes. It gives me faith in humanity and I realize how similar we all really are. When they make it to Hollywood and come out to cheering families it brings tears to my eyes every single time! I have two early favorites, of course Chris Medina who sings to his fiance who was injured in a accident and also the White House intern who has a voice like butter! And I have to say I don't miss Simon at all. I think the new judges are doing great!

6- My sweet husband! I know I could count him almost every week. He is my BESTEST friend. He sends me sweet text messages telling me to have a good day, he takes care of every single thing, he loves his family with his whole heart and loves nothing more than being with us! He rubs lotion on my feet at night, works harder than any man I know, and is so easy to please. I got this email a couple weeks ago on the anniversary of when we met. How he still remembers amazes me,It made my whole day...
Sweetie
Exactly 29 years ago to the day Tuesday 12/28/81, we went to the movies and I met the love of my life, two great kids,& one dog later I can truly say I love you more today then ever!!
Love Steve

Trust me Steve saying yes to that movie was the best decision I have ever made!

I wish you all a wonderful week filled with love and giggles! And I hope that you all have someone who loves you just the way you are! I count that kind of love as one of the best gifts of all!

So many lovely days!

2011-01-24T14:17:00.000-08:00

My life has been filled with so many happy happy days! As I shared before my family was here for over a week and we had a BLAST!! Lots of time spent with great family and friends. And of course I cried like a baby the second they drove away! I told Sara I wouldn't, but you know how much I love them !! I am so blessed to have the family that I do! Because this video is just so darn fun I have to share! Dave doing his thing to Just Dance 2 !! Our new favorite Wii game and hopefully the way this "Proud Mary" will burn some serious calories! It is my new favorite exercise !

After the holiday craziness and having lots of company.....
I spent a whole day doing nothing but what I wanted to do....
And I have to say it was GLORIOUS!!
I took Brody to the park, we shared a bagel at the Coffee Bean, I shopped, read, got a pedicure,sat out in the sunshine, and puttered all by myself! I didn't take my "to do list"
I just had fun!! I even stopped by Sees for two little pieces of chocolate!
I fought feeling guilty about wasting time but soon decided that I need more of those kind of days!
It was so good for my soul!

And now I am working on getting this house clean. Amazing how grungy things get so quickly when you are not staying on top of it ! I still keep hoping my maid will show up but I have been waiting for over twenty years and still no one?? So I better get crackin...
Thanks for stopping by, and leave a comment telling me what you are up to!
I would love to hear....
Wishing you days filled with love and giggles and time to do "nothing"

Loving every minute

2011-01-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

Laughing so hard my stomach hurts, playing cards and roaring fires, wine tastings and great meals out. Long walks with my family and sweet pup, family visits,chatting in jammies with coffee in the mornings.
And we still have them here for another week!

I cant help it~ I am just soooo proud!

2011-01-05T15:19:00.000-08:00

Once again meet the people of GEAR! My fabulous brother, my precious sis in law and their kids! ALL 28 of them....

If you donate to charities I would ask that you consider GEAR!
I cant think of anyone more deserving!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

I'm back! And it made me so happy to know my silly blog was missed! So first a big thank you to my friends who stop by to see what we're up to in my corner of the world. It was a beautiful Christmas season ! I said it was the BEST Christmas EVER and Steve reminded me that I say that every year. How lucky are we that we have so many great holiday memories!
I have lots of photos and fun to share so I promise to get some posts going.
Today is "One One One One" I am going to stay in jammies, take down my tree, make spaghetti, blog, and enjoy a much needed day off from everything! This party pooper was in bed last night at 10 from absolute exhaustion. So today is a good day to regroup.

2011....So much to look forward to!
A trip to Seattle for a wedding
A long visit with the Tennessee Krikacs this next week
Lots of time with friends and family because that is always the joy of my heart
I believe I will be one BIG step closer to being a YaYa !
A trip with my hubby to Alaska
Lots of long walks with my best furry friend Brody!
New books to read and recipes to try

My desire is to a better wife,a better friend, to serve God with a joyful heart and to love people with the kind of love that soothes their hearts....
So here's to us!

A new year and new dreams

Merry Christmas~

2010-11-28T18:18:00.000-08:00

I have been one busy elf....
The tree has been up for a week and there are lots of wrapped gifts underneath it!
This was taken with my phone so it isn't very clear but it gives an idea of how things are shaping up at the Carter Casa ~

I am going to take a little Christmas computer break and enjoy all the things that are filling my heart and mind
Christmas Cocoa Friends Cheer Jesus Elfs Santa Gatherings Jingle Bells Fireplaces Stockings Shopping Baking Wrapping Carols Lights Trees family Reindeer ho ho ho Slippers Memories Christmas Movies

Take some extra time to enjoy all the special moments of this most beautiful Season !
I promise I wont be gone long.....

Sh*t my best friend says...

2010-11-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

I really try not to cuss but I have to in this title, and here's why! There is an author who has written a book called

"Sh*t my dad says"

He started off with a blog, has a twitter account and from that he has written a book. It's pretty funny stuff sometimes! Just funny quotes that his father shares with him in everyday life. And now its a TV show starring William Shatner. Well I have always wanted to be an author, I want lots of twitter peeps and mostly I really want a TV show! So I am thinkin of calling mine " Sh*t Your Best Friend Says" and I can steal the thunder right out from underneath this guy! {along with the cash and notoriety of course}

You may remember my post called "Random Portuguese tidbits" {click here to re visit }

Well this is just the beginning. Sandy cracks me up every single time we talk ! Last night she was explaining how busy she is and how messy her house has become. She said her bathroom is not just dirty, it's "gas station" dirty. Something about that word picture just cracked me up! She said the mold is as thick as her toenails. Then last week she left a message on my machine saying " I just want you to know how happy I was to get your message and hear all about your ho hum boring life. It made me miss you even more"

What? I have a ho-hum boring life? I have been trying like crazy to find a program that records your messages just so I could share them with you for a laugh! She went on to say her hair was gray, her face was hairy and she ate two Marie Callendar chicken pot pies and was still hungry. She also made me promise to bury her in her Spanks and we pinky promised each other that if anything happens to either of us we will be the only ones to clean out the panty drawer so no one knows how long we held onto some that were long overdue for the trash!

The funny thing is she is the CLEANEST housekeeper I have ever met! And you will be hard pressed to find even one extra hanger in her closet or one weed in her flower beds . She does it perfect or not at all. So I know when she says things are a mess, to you and I it is not even close.

It is simply the BEST to have a friend like we have in each other.

We never get bored and there is nothing that we think is weird to talk about.I never had a sister but I can imagine this relationship is pretty darn close.

So I am going to start jotting these musings down, and get myself a agent. Who knows what's next??

A book? Hollywood?

Or maybe we better be a little less honest and make some better stuff up.

Let it snow...

2010-11-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

I added snow to my blog because I am ready for Christmas!! Once these come out at Starbucks its like my heart kicks into full Christmas mode!

I went to Michaels today to buy wrapping paper and was told they don't have it out yet. What the heck? Its November 7th and I am ready to put up my tree. I wish that I could take it slower but it's that childlike part of me that simply cant help it. I have been doing lots of shopping,I picked out the "Reindeer" names for my kids, & bought my holiday note book to write down all my ideas. I am working on a new Christmas banner for my blog and had peppermint creamer in my coffee today while listening to Holiday music!
{yes I have alienated my best friend with all this talk. She told me today she bought the three pack dog toys at Costco and that is the extent of her shopping} Guess I wont be inviting her over for the wrapping party quite yet.

But I do have some cute Halloween pics to share...
Sara as a Bunny in a Hat ! Soooo cute

Dave as hmmmm ? I'm not sure its legal

And Chad was adorable as Tom Cruise from Risky Business {front left}

So while I am getting ready for our "Big Fat Greek Thanksgiving" I am really in my heart well on my way to Christmas!
How about you? What do you love about this time of year? Please share~
I wish you all a beautiful week full of love and giggles!
And a bit of holiday cheer thrown in too !!

Given the choice, I will always choose fun!

2010-10-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

This was such a social week and I have decided I am way too old to go out three nights in one week. Never mind that most nights I was home by 9, this old girl is wiped out. Tuesday we had our book club and celebrated Casey's birthday at a new restaurant called Raviolis. It was marvelous and so fun to celebrate with her! Our next book is "The Zookeepers Wife" I will be sure to share how it is!

Wednesday we had our moms dinner at Panera and that was fun too! A great evening chatting with the girls, and getting caught up. Two of our boys got engaged and it's so fun to hear the wedding and engagement details. We have known each other since kindergarten and I adore that we're still friends all these years later!
I truly believe we will still be meeting and sharing grandma stories one day

Friday night was our Redhawk work dinner and that was a blast! There was eleven of us girls and our old boss Kirk.He seems perfectly happy to sit with us and chat the night away and we love that he comes! We are all scattered now, but for one night time stands still and we are together. And I love it !

Saturday Kenny and Lindsay came out to spend the afternoon and we were all tired. We were laying on the couches like the grandparents from Willy Wonka ! We cracked up calling each other Grandpa George and Grandma Georgina!

So since I had been up since 4am I suggested we all take a little nap before dinner. That's the BeSt part about family, It's quite OK to suggest a nap smack in the middle of a visit.So we all slept for an hour then got up and went to a fabulous Jewish Deli for dinner. Good grief what has happened to our Saturday nights?? We were the Seinfelds & Costanzas and had a fabulous time. We are so thankful for such great, comfortable friends! {yep we used a coupon,the girls rode in the back seat with the boys up front, we brought home doggy bags but I promise no one ordered the Borscht }

Then today Chad surprised us by coming home to spend Halloween with us old folks. We watched football, handed out candy and played cards. Now we are cozy on the couch with the fire roaring watching scary movies!

Sometimes its a boring life....
But its a good life and I am most grateful!

Bragging Rights....

2010-10-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

~ Behind this great man is a sweet wife cheering him on~

The title " Bragging Rights" has been used a lot which means we have much to be thankful for! Indulge me one more time while I brag about Travis Paul~ We are sooo very proud of him for so many reasons. The person and husband that he is, his love for the Lord and commitment to follow Him, and his incredible sense of humor and love for laughter. But his biggest attribute I believe is his incredible drive for excellence.
He was simply born with it!

He has always wanted to learn and pushed himself in sports and academics. And now he is pouring that drive into his work with such passion that he surprises us constantly with his achievements. When he applied at Irving Hughes they were not even hiring. But he walked right in and told them he wanted to work for them. He had studied all about the company and knew that they were the number one company in San Diego.They told him he would be a liability because he didn't know enough about the business to represent them. But he sold them on his idea of learning from the best and after a two hour interview left with the job. They had NEVER hired someone off the street before! I will never forget him calling us after, telling us the story of them firing questions at him about how he would handle certain situations and he never backed down. He held his own with such confidence and at 23 began working in his dream job learning from the very best! {because he was 23 they did have to endure fart sprays in the boardroom, cornhole games in the hall, dart gun shootings and all kinds of pranks and jokes.{ he is successful ,but I never said he was boring }

They have been so good to him! They treat him like a son, and have wanted him to work his way up little by little so he would not become spoiled.

They always have had his best interest at heart.

Two days ago one of the owners handed him new business cards that said Travis Carter "Vice President" Of course we are thrilled about the earning potential that comes along with it but mostly we are thrilled that after a few short years he has proved himself worthy of the risk they took hiring him. He has made the company thousands of dollars, knows San Diego like the back of his hand and has become a huge asset!
Travis we never had any doubt you would !

If you want to visit the company website click here.

With a very thankful heart, Karen

aka June Cleaver

Memory Lane~

2010-10-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Uncle Pete sent this to me today out of the blue and I love it! My mom, us kids and our uncle Angelo ~ We look like we had never seen so much money before and you can almost feel the excitement of what we would buy with our HUGE windfall. Such a simple time ~ I love our dorky little tree with the huge bulbs, the Christmas pajamas, the boys darling hair cuts, but mostly I love my moms smile ! I can hardly wait to see it again in heaven

Hey did I get jipped? Mine looks like a blank piece of paper? I'm going to call Angelo now and get to the bottom of this .........Someone owes me ten bucks!

Fill in the blanks~

2010-10-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

{one}
When I get a day to myself, I like to...
Putzy! ,clean, cook, a long walk with Brody and lunch with a friend is always a fun treat too!
Of course I always vacuum cause I feel so much better with clean floors? I have so many weird quirks and that for sure is one of them! Gotta start the day with clean floors?

{two}
High School was...
Three years too long but it did give me some of my bestest friends! After my brothers all left I was ready to leave too.So I gradated early as a junior and started real life.

{three}
A little dream I have is...
To travel... a lot. I'd like to see America! I also dream of taking a cruise with ALL the family. The Greeks , all my brothers and their families, We could just take over that darn ship and have seven days of pure fun and laughs!

{four}
A big dream I have is...
To be retired with Steve. I think we would have so much fun! We have talked about getting a RV and just taking off. Who knows if the reality of that is as fun as the dream but it sure would
be fun to try. I can see us packing up and driving up the coast. Of course we would bring our pup and bikes. Just typing this gets my heart racing with excitement over the idea of it. This working thing is getting kinda old.

{five}
If I could drive any car it would be...
I'm not really a car person. But I have been lusting after the new Toyota Venza! I have been to the car lot three times to drool and dream. I also love the Nissan Murado. But my practical side always kicks in and I love being "car payment free" more than the smell of that nice leather.
But soon we are going to make it happen!

{six}
A time that I felt truly beautiful was...
I felt beautiful being pregnant. I was so proud of that baby bump and LOVED all the attention you get! And I loved to hear Steve talking to the boys while they were in my tummy.
And I know it's a mega cheesy answer, but I feel most beautiful when I'm around Mr Carter.He really does see me as cute?? We can joke about how old and pudgy we are and feel so comfortable in each others presence.
I think that's when I'm happiest and Happy is always beautiful.

{seven}
Tomorrow I will...
Be at my old store for a couple days for work! Its always such fun to be with my buddies and the laughter is always good for my heart.

So play along and fill in your own blanks! Its always fun to have a format when life gets busy and you feel like you don't have much to blog about!

I wish you all a great week, filled with love and giggles!!

More birthday fun & more of my village~

2010-10-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

I refer to the friends and family in my life as my 'Village' because I have always said it takes a village to raise good kids and to have a balanced life. People who know you well, share the struggles you have with marriage, kids etc and are always there to listen and give good advice. Well my book club girls have become such good friends and another vital part of my life. I look so forward to seeing them every month, and we often meet for breakfast and coffee in between. Last month we all met up at Seau's for happy hour and they celebrated my birthday. It was so fun! Complete with sweet gifts, and little mini cupcakes home made by Nancy. I love you all so much and am so happy Nancy came through my line at work one day and asked "Since you love to read you should try our book club sometime" I remember being so nervous about meeting up with people I didn't really know, but excited about a new opportunity. Feels like a lifetime ago now! You have pushed me to read more and have nourished my love of books .
But mostly you have become such wonderful, fun friends!

I think you can tell we are a very intellectual group?

Here's to more books,more time to laugh,and many more birthdays to celebrate!

Memories of my Mom

2010-10-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

When Sara calls lately she has really been wanting to share memories she has of her YaYa. My mom of course loved Sara with all her heart. Even more because Sara was the first grandchild and my mom spent so much time with her. They had a precious relationship and Sara LOVED her YaYa .

One of the blessings of autistic kids is that they remember everything! And we love to hear the stories of my mom that we have forgotten but Sara remembers . Last week this letter came in the mail for me and Steve

She wanted me to post on my blog what a good grandma she was, and how she took such good care of her. She also wants all the grandkids to share their favorite stories too! So I am going to be sharing stories from each of them over the year.She was such a precious YaYa and I agree we need to keep her memory and funny stories alive in all our hearts.
Thank you Sara for asking auntie to do this!

I also got a text this week from Dave that read.....
Gods gift to me today. GEAR foundation right? GERA....I never saw that till today!

Dave named his foundation for the kids the "GEAR" foundation and it is the exact letters of our moms name,Gera~ Such a sweet serendipity! We love you Momala and thank God for continuing to show your love to each of us in such sweet unexpected ways.

Too much fun!

2010-09-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

It has been such a fun week away from work! And of course the time goes much too quickly.
Tuesday night I hosted the Bunco girls for dinner so I shopped and cleaned on Monday, then cooked on Tuesday. I made a new recipe for lasagna, my famous lentil soup, bread and salad and lots of munchies and desserts. It was so fun having my "homies" here! We were a few girls short because some were sick or away but it ended up being so cozy and fun just us seven! We never played any games, but we curled up under blankets and watched Dancing with the Stars and laughed about EVERYTHING! I don't know why we found every little thing so funny but we did! And we giggled until late in the night. I was so sad when they all had to leave.
I love my "village" and they are the sisters of my heart.

Then Wednesday morning we headed out for our little four day get away to the Hoover Dam. {we don't like to say Vegas cause it sounds so trashy, so that's what we nicknamed it } We had three free nights at the Palazzo and it was wonderful! Steve bought me a facial at the ahhhmazing spa there and it was *bliss* Lindsay got one too so we totally felt pampered and relaxed.Still cant quite get the "hang" of most of the ladies walking around naked but we wore our suits, tried to keep our eyes averted, and had a blast! I wanted to use my noodle in the jacuzzi but thought better of it and behaved like a grown up. I used all the special showers, the aromatherapy saunas, the steam rooms, and felt like a queen! We took our books into the quiet room and lounged on big comfy chairs sipping iced tea for hours .
I think I have a new addiction..... SPAS!
We also walked to " Serendipity" and crossed off one of the items on my bucket list.
To eat a frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity! And I didn't even have to go to New York to do it! My sweet Steve just goes along with it all, but he did ask "isn't it kinda like a ten dollar milkshake? No silly~ It is so much more!

My sweet sis and niece also delivered these to our hotel ~~sweet~~ suite !

Along with darling birthday plates and napkins. They are so darn thoughtful and I love how my birthday dragged on for over a week! Yes those are "Sprinkles" cupcakes and they were so yummy! Thank you guys!
We had such a nice get away...we slept late, took great long walks, relaxed and had so much fun! And now today we are home sweet home

Another sweet surprise was this.....

It bloomed on my birthday! I woke up and saw this one perfect rose on my moms memory bush.
Thank you Mom .....I love you too!

I barely remember this girl

2010-09-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

When I look at the photos of my wedding 28 years ago today I can barely remember who that young girl was. I was so young and naive but so in love with the Lord and my husband to be.
If I could talk to her today there would be so much I would want to tell her. So many truths that I have learned over the 28 years of being a wife and having a family .

~ I would tell her to not be self conscience! Wow what I would give for that darling body now. But I was so nervous about being with Steve.I remember buying four bathing suits for my honeymoon and worrying if any of them would be cute on me. If I looked like that now I would probably wear those bathing suits all day! I would give her confidence and tell her to be darling

~ I would tell her not to worry! I remember often having a sense of worry if the kids would be all right and if we were good enough parents.I am so glad that someone told me that you cant spoil kids with too much love. So when they cried I never hesitated to jump up in the middle of the night and cuddle them. Those cuddle days go way too fast! But of course this young girl didn't know that!

~ But mostly I would tell her to LOVE her husband with all her heart always!
When you are young your friends, family and kids sometimes have a way of taking over your time and heart. But I would make her realize that in the end it will be him that is still standing by her side. After the kids are gone , and her parents have passed away it will be him that greets her every morning and comforts her in the night when she is sick. It will be him who is the constant source of unconditional love and a daily joy in her life. He deserves her love and devotion above everyone else!

But I guess you cant really tell someone those things. They wouldn't understand ! Those things need to be lived to be learned. So today Steve I thank you for giving me time to grow up and always loving me even when I didn't love you back the way I should have. Its been fun these last few years making up for lost time. Just hanging out with you,traveling and being BEST friends. Having less distractions and plenty of time to put you first! I am so thankful that the vows we spoke are still being lived out in our lives today .

In good times and in bad...in sickness and in health...for richer and for poorer.
We still promise
God is so faithful and I am so blessed that you are too!

I feel like shouting "We did it" The kids are grown and are practically perfect! We are still laughing every day and having tons of fun! And we will be the BEST grandparents ever!!! It's all such joy!
I love you with all my heart! Happy Anniversary

Bed Bath and Beyond~

2010-09-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

I'm thinkin they need to change their name to Bed,Bath and What? I hate to shop but I'm a sucker for any kind of home store! My absolute favorite being Homegoods. But I also love a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond ! It is so fun to walk in with my 20% off coupon and look around for what I ~~don't~~ need. I love the canisters to organize my pantry, all fun new kitchen gadgets, I have a obsession for bowls, and don't even get me started on the linens!
I love them
But I have noticed that the " Beyond" is becoming more and more weird? In this weeks ad they have these?

Now I will be the first to admit I've been tempted to get out the ole duct tape and give myself a nice lift for a certain outfit. Sometimes a girls underwire can use a bit more reinforcement.But can you really see yourself "taping up" on a daily basis? Well if the answer is yes they are on sale! $ 9.99 for ten lifts. A buck a lift isn't too bad and with that coupon you get another two dollars off. Heck maybe I will look into it! With menopause hitting me full force I can probably freeze them first and keep myself cool at the same time?

Then there was these...

You just slip these onto your existing button and you can have another inch! So instead of buying pants that fit you can wear the tight ones and add a button. And they come in all colors! Never mind the huge gaping flap by the top of the zipper . No thanks, I think I will keep cutting out the waistbands of my size 8 pants and use the maternity spandex. Then I can still say in all honesty that I wear a size 8 ! But I hope to God no one ever sees whats going on under my shirt.

My other favorite is the Booty Pop!

I can hardly wait to get my hands on these. But the thing is once you wear them do you need to wear them everyday? Do you save the big butt for special occasions? Or do you wear it out to the post office and library? We all have skinny / fat days but do we all have big butt days too? I can just hear the neighbors " Karen looks good today , nope never mind that butt is back, wow that girl can sure fluctuate a few pounds in one day" Maybe I will wait on that one!

So wish me luck...I am off with my coupon and who knows what I will come back with.
A potato peeler? eyebrow plucker? Or maybe some new junk in my trunk..... Literally

I am happy about....

2010-09-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

*The coolness of the mornings and the chill in the air at night! I LOVE Fall and can feel it inching closer and closer every day!

*All the fun birthdays and anniversaries this month! So many fun celebrations and reasons to be thankful.
Our precious Lindsay turned 50! We love her sooo much and had such fun being together to celebrate her birthday! She is always doing so much for everyone so its nice to have a chance to spoil her for a change.

*We had the best day at dog beach with Brody and the family last weekend. Travis brought Bentley and they played for hours ! I could sit down there all day watching the pups run in and out of the water having so much fun! Steve was so happy just spending the day with his kids! We all went out to dinner to celebrate Pops birthday and it was perfect! At the beach we ran into the cutest lifeguard ever ! He even drove me to the "good bathrooms" in his rescue truck. So cute and I was such a proud momma !

*I am planning a anniversary get away with the hubby! Just knowing I have a weeks vacation on the books makes me sooo happy! We will go away for a few days and the rest will be spent putzing around the house and enjoying being home! It will be our 28th anniversary! Wow time goes so fast! But lucky me to share my life with my bestest friend !

*This weekend is the other " Mr and Mr's Carter" 2nd anniversary! We are still so incredibly grateful that the Lord brought Ashlyn into our lives! And we have loved watching these two precious people become one! They are so darn cute to be around and their love is such a joy to see! We love you kids with our whole hearts and wish you the Happiest Anniversary!

*Lastly on a totally random note, another thing I Love is....These

I have always been a fan of the regular magic erasers and the bathroom ones are MAGIC! They clean so good ! I just love finding new things to adore! Thank you Linds for telling me about these. Get some you wont be disappointed!

I wish you all a great day, filled with love and joy!
Maybe we wont find 14,000 things to be happy about. But we can certainly always find a few! And for that, I give Thanks

Memory Lane~

2010-09-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through old photos to do a "Memory Lane" post and came across these pictures. I started laughing remembering this day! The kids were living in Point Loma in a house everyone just called "Piedmont" There was 6 boys including Travis and Chad.They all surfed and the bathroom had a 1/2 inch of sand in the showers. Travis was finishing up college and he and Chad were back sharing a room. It was such a cool old house in a neighborhood with lots of older homes and original owners. So most of them were seniors and surprisingly loved having the boys on the block. One neighbor told Chad she loved hearing the fun, and sounds of life coming from the house. Chad would go over and take out her barrels on trash day and the boys always had homemade treats around the house that the ladies would send over. So the kids decided to host a BBQ for them and invited us to come too. They put flyers on everyone's doors telling them for come on by for a block party. I was a bit puzzled " You invited all the neighbors? " Yep...and most were coming. So Steve and I went and helped put out the food and straighten up a bit. The boys had gone shopping and bought all the stuff and before long they all came! Pushing their walkers, carrying dishes to share. Chads 90 year old friend called and asked if he could come get her brownies for her and help her across the street. He went running over! It was simply precious to watch. I felt so proud of the boys to reach out to their neighbors and most of them stayed for the whole afternoon. They sat on couches on the back porch? {ran out of lawn chairs so they just lifted the couch outside} watched the kids play ping pong, sat around and chatted. It was a really fun day and they all said "thanks for the great time" when they went home ! Made me realize that it doesn't matter if everything is perfect for a party. They just bought some burgers, put the open chip bags on the counter and had people over. And I am sure it will be a memory they will have for a very long time.
I know I will.......

A better mood & better things to share!

2010-08-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

Despite my grumbling in the last post it was a great week filled with joys! The kids all came home Friday night and we were off to see our favorite comedian ~ Brian Regan. If you ever have a chance to see him live GO! We laughed for two straight hours ! Then we laughed some more in the parking lot just rehashing how darn funny he is. I 'almost' peed my pants and had to make a run for the bathroom in fear that I was going to have an accident.He is that funny! Then we had a nice sleepover and breakfast together the next day. Chad had to go to work, and Travlyn were off to visit her family.

Steve and I went to a "surprise" birthday party for Dennis.
WE LOVE DENNIS and have been friends with him long before he married my best friend. He has the BEST Irish family who are so much fun.Dennis loves peanut butter and games more than anything so we played games and feasted on peanut butter sandwiches,peanut butter cookies, Abba Zabbas and tons of yummy appetizers. It was a Blast! Happy 50th Dennis!

Lastly Chad was nominated for a incredible award at work and they all attended a dinner in their honor. He was picked as one of five out of over 300 guards. He didn't win but what an honor to be nominated. We are so proud of that boy ! And always humble Chad said that the person who won really deserved it and he was so happy for them. He has the strongest work ethic and is such a joy to be around. Here's a cute photo of him goofing around one day at work. Always the prankster but when needed, he spends his days on jet skis and paddle boards rescuing people who need help. { I sure hope you read this quick cause I am going to get a call telling me I am bragging and that I need to take it down } I cant help myself!
I am such a proud momma!

Well I sure wish you all a great week, filled with love and joy! And more reasons to smile !
Love and giggles....Karen~

2010-08-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

You know by now I try hard to be up beat and happy!
I try to blog about all the really good things in our life and live with a grateful heart.
BUT everyone has bad days
And this is how I felt on Thursday afternoon.....
Like sitting all alone on a beach with this sign stuck in the sand
'LEAVE ME ALONE'
We have a new promotion at work and they want us to wear "chefs hats" to promote our cookware?
Really???
I have done the Hawaiian days, the country western days, the football jerseys and happy heart week. But a hat? So of course you get the comments all day
Nice hat...whats with the hat.....why are you you guys wearing hats.....
And by the end of the day you want to scream!
I felt like I was working at Hot Dog on a Stick for goodness sakes.
But I smiled and kept an upbeat heart
UNTIL
Some ~~man~~ scumbag was walking past me and I said " Thank you, have a good day" and he screamed across the front end.
"You get paid 10 bucks an hour to say Thank you"
My front end girl looked at me like what the heck?
So I walked right by him and said
"I get 20 bucks an hour and next time I will completely ignore you" {and I said it with the total disdain he deserved}
Yes, not polite....yes it might have started a fight...yes my boss wouldn't love it....
But a person can only take so much. I told Steve I don't ever think I can ever get used to a stranger yelling at me! And he sweetly said "don't ever allow it"
So it felt good to dish some back. But I put my big girl panties on, stuck that stupid hat back on my head, and let it slide. But you can bet if I ever wait on him again I will squish his bread, maybe break a few eggs and certainly never, ever say 'Thank You'
Thankfully soon after my sweet customer Ruth who comes in everyday stopped by and brought a smile to my face. She always gives me a big hug and a smile.....

How cute is she? And so interesting too. She was a military nurse in the war and was married for over 60 years! Sooo precious and she reminds me that most people are good.

The week had LOTS of fun too! So as soon as I recover from my sour mood I will share the good stuff!
I wish you all lots of good stuff too!

Here's Holly!

2010-08-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

When Karen asked me to do a "guest blog," my fingers froze immediately! What in the world do I have to blog about that anyone would be interested in? How could I possibly step into the shoes of my favorite blogger for even an iota? As I was pondering, an all too familiar "craving" came over me. It was that 3:00 urge for a splurge! (of sugar that is)
And then I knew
I knew it was time to confess the sins and secrets of this "sugar mama!"

I'm not sure exactly when our friendship began. All I know, is that my friend Sugar has been a lifer. The kind of friend that will always pick you up. Sugar is there when you need her (yes, she's a her) and even when you don't. She hangs around though, just in case, and it's usually in the vicinity of my thighs.

Before I was married, I played many a trick on my then boyfriend, Mike. I always made sure I was the one to serve the dessert. Privately in the kitchen of course. He was never the wiser when his dessert was missing the gooey, cream cheese topping, the cinnamon streusel, or a few bites from the middle. Had I no shame? When we would go to Swenson's Ice Cream Parlor, he always said "hold the whip creme." Well, you know I had them hold it long enough just to put it on mine instead. Why wasn't I trying to impress this boy? I still play the same tricks on him. I'll have to tell him! Maybe next time.

I could go on and on with my tricks and deceptions. I'll just divulge a few: Did you know you can eat half of a 9 x 13 pan of rice krispie treats, and no one will ever know? Just put the remainder into a smaller pan and gently pat. Everyone will be amazed at your will power when you "pass" on dessert that night.

I don't do this anymore, really I don't, but I use to go through the Christmas stockings before anyone else was up! Only my mom knew that I had wiped clean the cherry life savers out of all the socks. I'm still so ashamed!

This one's pathetic. I use to call the local donut hut on Saturday mornings to have them "hold" any remaining maple bars. I'm pretty sure I pulled up like I was holdin' up the joint...bag over my head and all. (I don't do this anymore, only once or twice.)

And my sweet friend Laura, who was half the size of me, used to run into the store and buy me Reese's on our lunch hour. I convinced her that it would look better if the skinnier one went in to clear the shelf.

I'm sure the Bunco girls could attest, they've witnessed me throwing back a few! Hot tamales and whatever else is in the candy dishes. And the ole' "could I take some leftovers home for the kids?" Not true.

Whew! All of these confessions have got me missin' that ole' girl...it must be time for a visit!

May everything in life be sweet and delicious!

*Karen' s thoughts~

I told you she was witty,

I told you she should blog,

& I told you she was my kindred spirit!

My family will die laughing at this because they KNOW my love affair with candy! Holly you are so darn fun and as someone who has witnessed you plow through a candy dish with shrapnel flying I know these stories are as true as true! The funny thing is she not only "chews" the normal candy but the hard candy too! There once was a bowl of lemon heads and let me just say Holly won that round ! Last week at our crab boil she ate FOUR ice cream drumsticks! She kept looking around the table asking if anyone wanted another but her eyes were pleading " please say no " All 12 of us could share a memory of Holly and a candy bowl!

Holly ~ I LOVE that you shared a piece of your life with us and can hardly wait until you send me another story to post! I hope you all leave a comment so she knows how much we loved her stopping by.....

A Crab Boil Bunco

2010-08-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

We had a good ole Crab Boil!
I should have had this item on my bucket list but I didn't know how important it is for everyone to experience one....But now I do!
And it's something I think you all should do too! I am so excited to recreate one for my own family.Tuesday Paula hosted Bunco at her house,but she is in the middle of a kitchen remodel so she decided to keep it simple with no plates or silverware and eat outside on picnic tables. So she covered the table with a new tablecloth, made a big pot of grub and we ate outside with our hands. And it was soooo fun! She served this amazing meal with a loaf of hot french bread that we chunked off and shared. Yep, you just grabbed a tator or piece of corn and if you wanted to roll it into the butter...roll away. I couldn't decide if I felt like a pirate or like I was living in this house in New England enjoying the daily catch...

We had the nicest night sitting outside chatting and laughing as we always do with this amazing group of friends ! To finish the night with 'hands only' eating we each had a Drumstick for dessert! Perfect....

*Some exciting news! Be looking soon for a guest post from our bunco babe *Holly* She is one of the funniest girls I have EVER met!

She is a regular visitor to my blog and I have tried forever to get her to have one of her own. I know I would read it EVERY single day! But she has agreed to do a guest post on mine really soon. Trust me you will love her as much as we all do!
How about you? Anybody else want to treat us to a guest post? I think it would be so fun to have you all share at least one fun story! A great way to break into blogging without the pressure of having your very own.
Just let me know when you are ready for your debut !

Wishing you Love and Giggles~

Blessings....

2010-08-13T15:06:00.000-07:00

Its been a Joyful week with some really special blessings !
Starting with this precious girl having a very successful foot surgery!

She was so brave and is already up & around with a little help from mom and dad.They were anticipating a much more difficult recovery with Sara having to be in a wheelchair because she really couldn't manage crutches. BUT, she is doing GREAT! She can limp along and get where she needs to go around her house. We have talked every day and she is her usual silly Sara!
We are so thankful for her amazing doctor! Dave said the Dr prayed with her before she went under. Hows that for Gods perfect timing!Thank you Lord for our precious pumpkin and that her foot will be sooo much better now!

Steve called me last week from work saying Travis had invited him to a Padre game and he was going to go.I was so excited for him because Travs company seats are ahhhhmazing! {Steve is above the ! and Travis is above the U }

And we all know Steve LOVES nothing more than time with his boys! It was so cute to watch them on TV and I even took a shot with my camera. Steve said it was one of the best five hours of his life! Just hangin out with his boys, eating great FREE food and drinks and cheering for the home team. He also got to see Chad and buy him and his friends a round of ~~beers~~ soda because they were sitting in Steve's company seats at the same game! How lucky am I to have married a man who's biggest joys are... US

I also had a super fun day with the Greeks! Our cousins Bill and Cecile are here from the Netherlands and Thia Teresa invited us up for lunch. It was so great to see them and spend the afternoon with my family.
Thankfully we went to Souplantation because it is more 'self serve' Lets face it no one can work the waitress quite like the Greeks. Even my own sweet mom would run them ragged. Like Dave says you just want to give them 20 bucks up front and tell them it will be the hardest hour of their life. But they are so darn sweet and funny that you overlook the crazy. But we did lasso the waitress long enough to take a "picture" of us.....{this is so classic us it kills me}

Since I was in Orange County I made a day of it hanging out with Kenny Lindsay and Chloe. I love that I have a niece who makes me "heart" signs at red lights and who loves her crazy auntie!

We went to a nice dinner just us girls and then to reflexology for a great massage. I got home at ten and was still smiling. I can hardly wait until Ashlyn is home with a munchkin and she can join us on those days! Those darn jobs some people have are stealing away some of my fun!

So for all the blessings I say " Thank you"
And to a family who loves so unconditionally I say...
I love you more!

Congragulations!

2010-08-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was a joyous occasion as Kaitlin and Anthony got married! They are so hip and darling and perfect for each other!

Kaitlin is such a special part of our family. She and Trav have gone to school together since kindergarten. Long before I knew her I would see her cute little face with the pretty hair at school activities and thought she was just so darn adorable! When we moved to our new house she lived just two doors down and we got to know and love the whole family. In high school they became really good friends. During her senior year her folks sold their house faster than expected and she moved in with us to finish up the school year. It was so fun to have her here and we only grew to love her more ! She always sends me Mothers Day cards and lovingly calls me " Mom 2" and I love that she loves our family ! No one was more excited for Travis and Ashlyns wedding than Kaitlin! She is always so supportive and kind hearted.

Well last week she married the love of her life! A man who will NEVER be boring to share a life with! Anthony is a hoot! He is a one man party and has a love for life that is unparalleled.Plus he has the cutest British accent and says words like, brilliant,lovely and mum ! But mostly he adores his new wife!
Their wedding was precious and sweet just like them.

We love you both so much and wish you a lifetime of love and joy!
Remember to ALWAYS dance!

Is the wacky in our genes?

2010-08-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

I often wonder " Am I pre-destined to be this wacky? I love my family more than anything but in all honesty I could fill up my whole blog with our daily life bloopers! Not to mention our weird little habits. I can try to fight it, but its is clearly in my genes and something I unknowingly passed onto my kids.And since I committed to sharing it all if I was going to blog, here's a few recent stories that should make you feel so much better about your own life

Uncle Pete called to ask if I would send him some pics of Kory and Sara while they were here on vacation. He heard I got some great pictures but couldn't see them because he doesn't have a "My Face"

That same week while driving with my aunt Mary she was admiring my new phone and asked if it was a "Blueberry?? "

Just today I talked Steve into getting a pedicure with me! I love groomed feet and convinced him how relaxing it is. So he agreed and on our way { being dead serious} he says "I'm so glad I am wearing my red shirt because the Chinese love red?

Even our Silly Sara gets in the mix. I always end our conversations with " Who loves you Sara?" and she says "You do auntie"
So today I said " who loves you more than anything, up to Jesus and back again?
And she replied.......... " Everyone"
{Can I have just a bit of that confidence}

I also caught myself this week asking a new acquaintance at least fifty questions.And when I realized how badly I was drilling them I simply said "I'm so sorry, I'm Greek" I mean really?? Who does that? I once made fun of my mom and her sisters for coming out of restaurants knowing the waitress's whole life story and cholesterol level and now I am the same dang way!

Also my family also has a serious issue with napkins.
Really its a problem....
And I thought it was just me,Steve and Dave but I took Trav to grab a bite and I looked down at this plate and had to grab my camera! We can use up to fifty napkins at a single meal and think nothing of it. {notice the stack to the left just waiting . I only ate a couple of his fries and still used a few of my own}
Who does this ?
We do

This was Daves pile at Panera and he hadn't even finished!

I also found out we all share a love for " Wipe Out" But we only really LOVE the first 15 minutes while the people get trashed. There is nothing funnier than seeing people fall, trip, and embarrass themselves! Its not right and I apologize but this one had me in tears watching!

So there's a glimpse into the everyday musings of the crazies...
But the good thing is we can all relate to each other !

How about you ?? What makes you wacky ???

Please share...I would love another good laugh

Today~

2010-07-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

Outside my Window…It is overcast with June gloom and I couldn't be happier about it! I watered, did laundry, made the beds and scrubbed the bathroom and it is only 9am . I come alive when it's cool!

I am thinking…I love having Mondays off! Mondays have such a different feel to them. A new beginning and a chance to get ready for another week.

I am thankful for…So so so so much!
God is so good to this family and I am often overwhelmed with thankfulness!
To name a few...
*Travis called the other day just to say Hi and I love that. A quick update on life and a "I love you" mom just fills my heart!
*A great visit with my family Sunday afternoon
*A fun date night with Steve Thursday. We saw a funny, silly movie and laughed like teenagers then went to Red Robin for a burger and fries.
*Ya know how moms worry unnecessarily ? Well sometimes I worry since Chad doesn't have a girlfriend that he might get kinda lonely and is working too hard.Then I see these pics on face book and know he is just fine : )
{ look at that sweet smile of his and I tell ya that boys heart is pure gold }

From the kitchen…I am going to bbq salmon from Costco and make some fresh green beans and rice. I haven't been cooking much and miss it! So since I am off today I am going to be domestic and make a nice dinner and set the table pretty.

I am wearing…my standard summer fare...capri pants and a top.

I am reading…trying to finish up my book for book club Tuesday night! I am determined to carve out some time to read today!

I am hoping…for strength and comfort for a pastors family whose daughter is battling cancer. Her name is Daisy and they would covet your prayers for her. Also we attended a wedding this weekend and I find myself hoping so much for a long. fun filled life for the bride and groom! They were simply precious and there is something so awe inspiring seeing two amazing people join together in a marriage! Their whole life is waiting for them and I can feel their excitement and joy! Rory and Amy I will be praying for you both and can hardly wait to see what God has in store for you.

I am creating…a really soft place in our guest room. I got new linens and pillows and it looks so inviting in there. Just need a few new little pieces and it will be done!

I am hearing…the washing machine on load number 2 and my Pandora mix of Chris Tomlin

Around the house…The bathroom is almost done just a few little paint touch ups and the shower door needs to be installed! I am going to buy some fresh flowers today at the market because its been too long and I miss them! I have a candle burning and the smell of vanilla is fabulous!

One of my favorite things…This Pledge Multi Surface cleaner is so nice! I got the lavender scented one and use it on everything! Yesterday Kenny and Lindsay called and decided to buzz out so I wanted to freshen up the house a bit. This stuff is amazing! You can use it on glass, wood, I even used it on my faucets! And the smell is yummy and fresh!

Well that's what is going on in my corner of the world today! How about you? I would LOVE to hear!
Hope your day is filled with love and giggles!

Lunch with an old neighbor~

2010-07-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today was so special to me!
My dear old friend and neighbor Dori was in California and Paula decided we all needed to meet for lunch! I am so thankful that I was off and could join in the fun! Dori was one of the very first friends I met when I moved to T Town and she lived around the corner from me. We each had two kids around the same age and we quickly became good friends. She is also the person responsible for me joining my precious Bunco group because she once asked me to sub! {which is now 20 years ago}
Her family moved away to Colorado and we try our best to keep in touch. Today proved what I have always known....
When you have a true friendship with someone you pick up right where you left off. Its never awkward or forced and there is sure to be lots of giggles and fun!
I love you Dori and am thrilled I got to see you!
And being with Kim and Paula is always a special treat!

Its the little things....

2010-07-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

little joys....
little reasons to smile and give thanks...
So today I stop to say thanks for the little things....

*I am so thankful for people who are honest. Kory and Sara lost their video camera at Disneyland and I was sick about it. He had so much great footage of their trip and I was praying someone honest would find it. ...and they did! I wish people would grasp the joy of being honest and doing the right thing! Thank you whoever you are and God bless your kind heart!!

*Old Home Movies!! As I mentioned before we have been taking all our old movies to Costco to be put on DVD and I love watching them! Seeing my Mom and Dad, the kids when they were the most delicious babies, and my darling husband who has always been the best daddy brings tears to my eyes. We both look so young and busy with the kids and I can hardly believe all that we have been through together raising our family. Looking back is bitter sweet and more than once I cried like a baby....But it sure is nice to have those moments captured forever!

*It is so great to have Brody home! He stayed at Chads for a couple weeks and had a BLAST! Chad LOVES him and took such good care of him. But I picked him up yesterday and it will be a long while before I let him go again. I missed that sweet pup so much!
He is all clean and laying at my feet as I type. And to hear his sweet breathing while I slept was perfect!

*I am back at my new store this week and I LOVE it! Who would have thought after all the crying and anxiety about going there that it would feel so much like home just a few short months later! It is such a happy place to work and there are so many fun people who I get to share my day with.

*I drove to pick up Brody Sunday morning and spent a few hours with the boys. Ash was away at a wedding and the guys had a good ole slumber party! Chad and Travis are such good friends and it warmed my heart to hear about the night they had together eating pizza, playing games and hanging out. I watched them eating their donuts, drinking coffee and laughing and reminded my heart to take a picture.

*My dear friend Casey had surgery and she is recovering well! And it looks like all her tests are going to show good results! I was so worried about her and am grateful she is on the road to recovery!

How about you? what little joys filled your week this week? Share them with me in my comments ! I would love to hear....

Summer Lovin...

2010-07-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Kory and Sara arrived and decided to do their trip in true "California" style....

Kory rented a blue convertible to drive Princess Sara around in. He even got her a blue scarf to match! So she looked like Audrey Hepburn with the wind blowin in her hair.
I loved that one of their first stops was to the CoCo's my mom would always take the kids! Each one of her grandkids has such sweet memories of being there with YaYa! She would let them order whatever they wanted but made sure to "blot" their fries before they ate them. So cute...

Another thing Sara really wanted to do is have a bonfire at the beach! So last Sunday we all met up at Old Mans and spent a great day together! The weather was perfect and she smiled all day long!

It was such a special day, filled with Pauls good BBQ'ing, lots of surf and sun and of course yummy smores!

We had so much fun with Kory and Sara and will have many more stories to share!
Making memories is the BEST and for Sara there is nothing better than memories with her family!

My cousin Mark surfing tandem with Noah.....so cute!

Summer~

2010-07-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

I'm on summer vacation!
No I am not off work, or at a fabulous beach house.
But in my mind I am on vacation.I want my days to continue to be as they are ...
Filled with fun friends, my darling hubby who makes me smile every single day, seeing my kids every chance I get, watermelon and lemonade,sandals, good books and BBQ's .
I remember the joys of summer when school was out and the summer months were wide open for adventure.
I miss those days
So I'm trying to capture that feeling in my heart....
I hope you do the same! Ride your bike...rent some good movies...ditch responsibility every chance you get and have some fun!

I'm sure gonna

I'm just a sucker for a good pill~

2010-07-01T22:41:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be starting a new medication tomorrow that I want to go to bed so I can wake up and take it!

I have not been feeling like myself lately and "fatigue" is something I have never battled before. I kept thinking it must be menopause and tried to get at least 7 hours of sleep at night. Between the lack of energy and the weight I was getting downright discouraged. I have been trying like crazy to eat better and only 1/2 of anything I order and yet it didn't matter. So I decided to get my blood work done and see whats wrong??
My Dr asked right off if I had been tired and if my hair was coming out?
Yes and Yes
Turns out my thyroid no longer was balanced and he said it was no wonder I felt like crap! {sorry mom I know you hated that word but it really describes how I have been feeling } So I start my new medicine in the morning and I can hardly wait to see if I feel like my normal self again. He seems to think I am going to be thrilled!
Lets hope so....He also said my metabolism will be working right and the weight should come off much easier!
YIPEE!!! I'm thinkin if all goes well I should l be thin by Monday?

2010-06-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

For so many things!

We had another great night with the kids celebrating Travis's birthday! We always drive away smiling and so full of joy! We are so proud of our three kids ! They are great company with such sweet,giving hearts. I can hardly believe they are mine.

I also loved seeing the excitement on Steve's face about golfing with the boys on Saturday. They had planned it as his Fathers Day gift and he looked forward to it all week! When they got out of the car I asked Chad how it was and he replied "epic"
Nothing could be a better gift for this poppa than time with his kids. And guess who won again ?? Then it was off to Sammy's for dinner to celebrate.

This week I will be going back to my old store for a few weeks and I am sooo excited! I feel like I have been gone forever and can hardly wait to hug some precious customers and see my friends! Thank you Trish for asking me to fill in.
Rest up girls cause we are gonna have some fun!

I hope you all have a great week filled with love,joy, and giggles!
Read a book...catch coffee with a friend...pick flowers from your yard...write someone a note...call a old friend...Take time to thank God for all the blessings we have!
I will never be rich or famous and I certainly have so many flaws that could drag me down,but my days are quietly filled with so many little blessings that have added up to a life filled with joy and great memories!

I saved the BEST for last!

2010-06-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

My time in Nashville was amazing! The music, the stars, but the real stars of Nashville are the kids at my brothers store and my very own family! Words can not express the joy I feel being in their presence. I have always been close to my family and being separated by so many miles has been miserable. But when we are together it feels perfect! I laugh constantly with Dave and I am clearly not the only one. He was Captain Jack at vacation bible school and he got a thank you note from one of the kids that asked what we all wonder??

Another highlight was riding to Sara's camp to pick her up. It was such a beautiful drive and wow what a gorgeous place. She was there for a week and she was so excited that I came to get her!

She won " Best camper of the week" And I am not surprised. Our Silly Sara is always a delight to be around. Her smile lights up a room for sure.....

The other highlight was just hanging out with the people at
" Our Thrift Store" The store looks so good! They have fixed it up even more and it looks like a little boutique. And the best part is that every penny goes back into hiring more kids and providing a place for them to work and have a family with each other. They are a blast to be around!

Soooooo proud of my bro and sis. Hearts of gold and endless patience with the kids.

We had to do our famous Krikac "funny face pose"

I also really loved my time with my sweet sis in law Sandy! She is such a sister to me and I adore her ! And more importantly she puts up with our shenanigans and loves us! She is an inspiration to me in so many ways and probably doesn't even know it.

I only got to see my nephew Kory one night for dinner because he was spending the week as a counselor with the youth group from their church! He is perfect for the job because he is such an amazing young man. Works full time as a nurse and then spends his time off doing ministry. Yep he is a chip off their gold heart !

I miss you all already! And promise to be back soon!

Just for fun.....

"Trip of a lifetime" part 2

2010-06-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

The AWARDS!!
Wow what a night!
We were in the "mosh pit" right by where the stars walk down to get their awards! So we were able to shake hands or high five Carrie, Keith, and many others. I know I'm such a groupie but wow what a thrill! I was on sensory overload because I wanted to watch the award show but was completely distracted by everything going on right near me. Here is a taste of how close we were and some of my favorite shots! After the show we all went out to a fun Irish Pub with the other folks who were with us on the tour and chatted about how much fun we all had! The whole trip was a BLAST and I feel like we were able to pack in so many of the sights and sounds of Nashville
They will be memories that I will always cherish.

Yes that's me screaming like a 12 year old at a Donny Osmond concert!

" The trip of a lifetime" part 1

2010-06-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

Trip of a lifetime!
That's what the package that Katie bid on was called and it turned out to be a true description! It truly was something I will long remember. I arrived in Nashville on Sunday and then picked the girls up when they arrived Monday afternoon. Then it was off for a nice dinner with my family at Carabbas. Then back to the Krikac's house {which is darling by the way, very homey and southern}
We all got cozy in jammies and talked. Since Sara was at camp they camped out at her house with its Tinkerbell lamps and fairy wings . It is the cutest little house and you feel like you are at Disney. The next morning we were off for a coffee at the local Starbucks where the stars often hang out. {darn...none that day} Then I took the girls to the Thrift Store to meet the kids and see the GREAT things going on there. You can hardly walk in the building without feeling the love and joy and it reduced me to tears more than once. The kids are precious! The first time I saw Beth she yelled out
" I love you Karen" and I melted. Dave showed the girls all around and gave them un-circulated photos of Marilyn Monroe with my uncle Nick! They loved it....

Then we were off to Puckett's for lunch which is true southern food. Pulled pork, corn cake and squash casserole. It was all amazing! We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and enjoying old town Franklin. Then it was off to the hotel to meet our host " J.D. Hass" They were taking us that night to the famous Bluebird Cafe and that turned out to be AMAZING! The singer/ songwriters were so talented and in such a small venue it was amazing to listen to the music and feel the emotion! Plus just knowing thow many greats were discovered in that same cafe. The history was something you could feel. What a fun night! So much fun already and sooo much more to come!

Come Back Ya'll

2010-06-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

I am still in Tennessee having the time of my life! But stop back by at the beginning of next week for some incredible photos and stories galore! Being with Dave, Sandy, Kory and Sara plus my friends from Temecula has been amazing!! And the CMT awards were nothing short of a dream come true! But every minute that I am here is better spent with these precious folks having fun and making memories! The blog can wait

So forgive me for not posting for so long! Ya'll come back soon.....

Cause I have lots of great pics of these handsome men on my camera! Ahhhhhmazing

Sunday Six...

2010-05-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

This has been a good week, with so much as always to be thankful for.
So here are the top six that come to mind.

1- Strawberries! I adore berries and we have the best stand near our house that sells strawberries that are so sweet you think they're candy. I often eat a couple on the way home before I even wash them because they are just that irresistible. A favorite fruit dip if you want to serve something extra special is mixing a 8 oz cream cheese with one jar of marshmallow creme. It is soooo yummy! But I love them just right of the cute green boxes.

2- We met up with our three kids Friday night for dinner to celebrate Ashlyns birthday. They just returned home from a 10 day trip to Hawaii and they looked great and rested. We went to "Phils BBQ" which has been on our list of places to go for long. But the line is always at least two hours long! We found out that if you sign up online you get a free "front of the line pass" on your birthday so last night we went right in and felt like such a big deal! We had pulled pork sandwiches,onion rings and ribs.It was delish and most importantly the birthday girl loved it! And we LOVE her!

3-Our bathroom remodel is almost done! Steve worked so hard on it as he does everything for our house. He put in crown molding and we painted the walls a pretty mocha color.The guys almost finished the tile today but will be back Tuesday. So our little bed and breakfast will be open for company soon. So come on over for a sleepover! Fresh flowers, coffee, magazines and crisp sheets are always included!

4-Another fun day with Thia Mary. We have so much fun together and she is the next best thing to having my mom with me. We went out to lunch and had a foot massage. We ran a couple errands and just enjoyed the day. She still cracks me up. She told me one day she couldn't come because she had to shop for "brassieres" Now seriously who still calls them that? She is hysterical and doesn't even know it.

5-One week from today I will be landing in NASHVILLE! And I can hardly wait to see my family and wrap my arms around that silly Sara. And of course the other "little" fun thing called the CMT awards!! This gal is sooooooo excited

6-I am thankful that I start to get anxiety about being away from Steve for that long. Crazy after all these years that I still enjoy his company so much and feel sad that we will be apart for 8 days. Everything to me is just more fun with Carter ! And that is a BLESSING!

Well I wish you all a happy week filled with love,joy and giggles! And time to stop and say "Thank You" for all the blessings! Life is never perfect but if we train our eyes we will find the daisy's growing through the weeds.

And just because I think they are the cutest....Dont they look like a magazine cover

A love of books!

2010-05-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

I seem to go through stages how I spend my leisure time.But reading is the stage I love the most! I am always so happy and content when my face is absorbed in a great story and I can escape for a while. I just finished "Sara's Key" and it was such a moving story. The kind of book where you just want to steal every spare minute to read some more. Ashlyn is quite the reader too and she is going to borrow "The Glass Castle" which was another absolute favorite of mine.She just finished " The Help" and loved it too. When I loan a book out I always ask if the borrower would write a small review in the back cover before they return it. I love to read what everyone else thought of the book.My copy of The Glass Castle is filled with great reviews and observations.
So how about you? Have you read anything really great lately?
I would love to hear all about it!

I am sure going to miss her!

2010-05-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

I am so sad that her show was canceled! I watched the last show on TV when she said her goodbyes and cried. I went to the 2nd to the last show which was the Mothers Day special and she was so incredibly generous to all us moms. We left with so many wonderful gifts! Jewelry, luggage, darling aprons, and many more sweet things. But the highlight for me was seeing her mom Alice sitting up there with Bonnie. What a precious lady she is.The set was fantastic and the staff was so friendly and welcoming. I was trying to remember all the fun people we have seen on our trips to her show. I just LOVED going to the Culver Studios and spending the day with her.I will miss the hot dogs and root beer, her funny opening dialogues and great interviews! The fabulous live band and vintage photos on the walls. Luckily my friends and family became big fans too so it was such a fun way to spend the day together. She has the most down to earth personality and my three o'clock hour will never be the same.
I adore you Bonnie Hunt and Thank you for the memories!
If you remember when we first started going they were not as strict about searching for cameras etc, and we got into a little mischief. You can read that post here.
Here's the the roll call of fun people I got to see { from what I can remember }
Dick Van Dyke
Bob Barker
Mario Lopez
Kathy Bates
Hank Azaria
Kate Gosselin
Common
Mary McCormack
Amy Brenneman
James Denton
Josh Kelley
Melinda Hill(comedian)
Madison Pettis
Boyz to Men
Mary Louise Parker
Sinbad
Mira Sorvino
Phill Koegen
And of course Alice Hunt and Don Lake

It's the little things...

2010-05-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

*Taking Brody to the "laundered mutt" for a bath, then stopping off to share a frozen yogurt on the way home. We sat together outside in the sun content as can be...
We both ate our bowls clean ! He had vanilla and I had watermelon sorbet

*Being at a wedding with my sweet hubby, holding hands during the vows and always saying them again to ourselves under our breath.

*Sara calling me at least 10 times to say how excited she is to see her auntie in June!
I love my silly Sara~

*Knowing this Sunday is the 'Survivor' and 'Apprentice' finales. I plan on being cozy in jammies watching TV for hours.

*Mothers day cards from Kaitlin and Abby, my darling girls who make me feel like such a special second mom. Oh how I love them.....

*Chad's facebook status read...
"made my day when I snuck on the roof and dropped a bucket of water on Alec while he was peacefully gardening"
I can imagine Chad being so giddy running down the hall ! He is such a prankster and I cant help but question "Why does that make me so proud? "

*Met a new sweet customer friend named Ruth. She was married for 65 years and her husband passed two years ago. We chatted for quite a bit, & when she left I gave her a hug and she hugged me back so tight and said " Thank you" It literally brought tears to my eyes.

Yep its the little things that add up to so much love and joy! What little things made your life extra sweet this week?
I would LOVE to know.....

A Happy Mothers Day...

2010-05-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

I often feel like the luckiest mom ever~ After yesterday I'm convinced I truly am ! It was a busy weekend with a wedding Saturday night and a post wedding brunch Sunday morning that I had offered to cook for,and I was battling one of the worst colds I have EVER had. So Saturday night I called Travlyn and suggested we celebrate another weekend instead because I just couldn't see myself getting up,dropping off the dishes, meeting them in Carlsbad for church and then lunch after. I was wiped out and in a Sudafed Slump! They said they understood and we would all meet up soon. But no sooner than we got it all squared away, I looked at Steve and said "It's sure going to be sad not seeing the kids on Mothers day" But I felt so crummy I really had no choice.So I got up Sunday morning and started getting ready to drop off the food and I heard Brody barking.I looked out the front door and screamed with delight...........

"Its our kids...our kids are here!!

What an amazing surprise!! Ashlyn had packed up her waffle iron and all the ingredients and they had come to make us breakfast and celebrate with me! They brought berries and whipped cream, bacon, fresh flowers, wonderful gifts and homemade cake lolly pops!

It was a perfect day hanging out with my precious son & daughter in law! {Chad was hard at work but I am meeting him for lunch this week} Ashlyn and I did a little shopping and the boys started a shelf project, but mostly we laid low,rested and chatted. The puppies played outside for hours and had a ball! I am still basking in the joy of such a great surprise! Mothers Day is still tough for me because I miss my Mom so much.But thanks to my precious family for always creating new memories and filling my heart to overflowing! Ya Ya's joy was with us too in the beautiful, blooming rose bush planted in her memory! It never fails to bloom on Mothers Day and this year it was extra happy and full ! Like me

Yee Haw!

2010-05-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

Now this post is the stuff that dreams are made of! So sit yourself down with a glass of sweet tea and listen cuzz I'm gonna tell you a fabulous story! Last week my friend Katie called and asked if I was planning on going to Nashville to see Dave and the family this summer? Which of course I'm always dreaming of going to see them! Well, she went on to tell me she had won tickets to Nashville including a driver for three days, and lots of festivities prior to and INCLUDING the Country Music Awards!
And she wanted to know if I wanted to join her and her daughter Bridget on the trip! {Insert screaming,crying and almost throwing up from the excitement of it all here} So I called Steve right away and asked if he would care if I went? Of course Mr. darling said YES without a seconds hesitation.Then I asked if I could get the week off work and that came back a YES too. So I called Dave and said "hey ya'll gonna be home in June? and he said YES!
So I called Katie and said " YES YES YES "

So I will be flying to Nashville for a week. I will be spending a few days of amazing fun with Katie and Bridget and then spending another four days with Dave, Sandy and my precious niece and nephew! Now you probably already know that I can be a bit of a "spazz fan" so can you only imagine me at the CMT awards! It is going to be a dream come true ! Plus I am so excited for the girls to come visit the Thrift store with me and meet all the kids and see the amazing ministry my family has there. Katie said "she won the trip" but I know better. She probably made a huge donation at a charity auction because we all know that's the kind of people she and Dan are! Always so generous! And how amazing that she invited ME to take part in this trip of a lifetime! I feel like I won " Queen for a day"

So I am going shopping for some new duds...maybe some denim and diamonds, A Dolly wig, a Minnie Pearl hat, and a zoom lens cause if I see " Keith" I am going in the for shot! And God help us if I see my Vince!

Thia Karen~

Today

Surprise!

February Love

A dreamy overnight stay!

Random moments that all lead to joy!

Are you a "Pinner"

B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.

Joy~

The comment that melted my heart....

What did Santa bring you?

Brown Paper Packages tied up with string....

Welcome Christmas!

Remaining Thankful~

Memory Lane~

Words will never be able to express my thanks

I checked into crazy town!

Tomorrow~

The sparklers were BLUE !!

The sweetest video from the kids!

We love Fall

Girls have a lead, 20 to 18!

Boy or Girl?

Counting my blessings...

"29 years ago I woke up nervous & excited about how my future was going to be and after all these years I truly see how blessed I've been to share most of my life with you!! My best friend, love of my life, and the best Mom ever! I love you, Happy Birthday too!!!!"

Ziplining!

Our Big Fat Greek Alaska Cruise~

Alaska!

Bragging Rights

The sweetest surprise

Such a wonderful summer day!

26 Sleeps

Chico Sticks....

I've grown accustomed to his face....

Counting my blessings...

Private ???

*

God is so sweet!

Hunter~

Chad~

Claudia~

A Mothers Love~

Easter Joy~

Dont you miss funny Karen?

Memory Lane~

Where do I find cute invitations to my pity party?

Another bucket list dream is in the works!

I am loving...

Dimes

Joy

Where do you blog?

I LOVED our weekend!

Sandy Called...

Sunday Six...

So many lovely days!

**Loving every minute**

I cant help it~ I am just soooo proud!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas~

Sh*t my best friend says...

Let it snow...

Given the choice, I will always choose fun!

Bragging Rights....

Memory Lane~

Fill in the blanks~

More birthday fun & more of my village~

Memories of my Mom

Too much fun!

I barely remember this girl

Bed Bath and Beyond~

I am happy about....

Memory Lane~

A better mood & better things to share!

Here's Holly!

A Crab Boil Bunco

Blessings....

Congragulations!

Is the wacky in our genes?

Today~

Lunch with an old neighbor~

Loving every minute