Dont you miss funny Karen?

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~

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?

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!

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...

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

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

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?

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!

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...

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...

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!

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**

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!

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!

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