Sunday Six...things that made me smile

I didn't realize until I posted,This is my 100th post!! Wow it seems like yesterday that I was contemplating starting a blog.I am so grateful for this outlet to keep in touch, to say thanks,to rant,and to document our life. I hope to keep blogging for years to come ...
1- What a fun Thanksgiving we had!! Everyone ate a lot, laughed a lot, and we all were so thankful to spend the day together. Pictures soon to follow...

2- Tomorrow is December 1st!! I loved when the boys were small and they could start opening the doors on their advent calendar. The official countdown to Christmas! The excitement would build with each new day and they loved having the little treat inside. I want to savor the joy every day until Christmas as the days count down. My beautiful tree is up, and the house is full of pretty lights and Christmas fun...It truly is the "most wonderful time of the year"

3- Kenny Lindsay and Chloe stayed the Thanksgiving weekend. We just LOVE our sleepovers! We went to the movies,took walks,ate out, and we walked around old town and enjoyed seeing the kids with Santa, the carolers with their old time costumes, and the horse drawn buggy rides. It really felt like Christmas! It was such a fun weekend and we could never tire of them being here.

4-I found some old 8mm films from when we were kids. So I took them to Costco and can hardly wait until they come back. I am hooked on Costco's service of putting old movies onto DVD. On Thanksgiving we watched one from Kenny's wedding 25 years ago,it was so fun to see the Greeks dancing and having fun! This next one will be a real surprise since I have no idea what's on it. But the anticipation is so exciting! Hopefully it will have some footage of my Dad and his laugh. I want to post a clip so you all can see "Big Paul" and his big smile!

5-Speaking of Costco you have to try their Nonni's gingerbread biscotti! Casey told me about it and it is wonderful! What a fun treat to share with a cup of cocoa or coffee. It is only here for Christmas so try some soon!! Yummylicious (thats Casey's word but I love it)

6- Tuesday nine of us went to see the Bonnie Hunt Show! It was super fun once again to be there together and we had a great time. We got to see Bob Barker. He is such a sweet man and he really is such a hero to animals.He talked about his efforts rescuing elephants and how much they need to have freedom for a quality life.He is such a kind man. Mario Lopez was there too and I have to say he is quite easy on the eyes! During the commercial Bonnie reminded the audience,you never want to date a man who is prettier than you. So funny...but true.

Warm Thanksgiving Blessings To You!

Everything is almost ready,but I wanted to wish you all a Thanksgiving filled with family and friends,great food and fond memories! I am most thankful that my house will be full and my heart will be too. I just loved this poem when I read it, and thought today was a great day to share it.....
Love and friendship to each of you Karen~

I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

I haven't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going's tough,
But I've got loved ones around me, and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for His blessings and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong; my faith wore somewhat thin.
But, all at once the black clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again.
So, God, help me not to gripe about the tough rows I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.
by John Paul Moore

Sunday Six...things that made me smile

With it being Thanksgiving week it's extra special to say Thank You for all the blessings in our life.Why wait until Thanksgiving to be grateful! It's so much better to live with a thankful heart all year around...
1- My sweet neighbor Jan knocked on my door to say there was something in my front yard? So out we went and guess what was there?? MY CASTLE!! I am telling you the girls at work are crazy! After all this princess/queen stuff they have kicked it into full gear. Not only was there a princess castle but it had a 8x10 picture of me with my tiara pasted on the front door! Trish and Midge you guys are killing me with laughter these days. So since my Christmas tree isn't up yet I have now placed my castle in the living room with all the gifts around it. I kinda like it..Wonder if lights would add a magical touch? (kinda scary but we may find out)

2-We had our moms dinner Thursday and it was so fun! Had lots of giggles and girl talk. There was only 5 this month because everyone is so busy but it was kinda nice cause we were able to really chat. And the restaurant was so great Steve and I met up there Friday for date night. Yummy chips & salsa and great margaritas.

3- Tuesday was bunco and Karen Farmer made the most amazing dinner.And all 12 of us were there!!! It seems like most months we are missing at least one. We had a beautiful sit down dinner at her nice big table. She even had a "Thanksgiving tree" It was her artificial tree but it was all decorated for fall! What a fun idea(not that I would ever steal it because the thought of decorating a tree twice is overwhelming to us non Martha types) But her house was really special and I am sure her family will love it on Thanksgiving day! I love you girls and am super thankful for each of your friendships!

4- We watched the movie "The Bishops Wife" And it was so sweet! It starred Cary Grant and Loretta Young. What a sweet Christmas movie and I am happy to have it added it to our collection! I think I was born in the wrong era for sure. I would have LOVED to wear her hats.

5- Uncle Pete is making his homemade Greek bread for Thanksgiving! It is simply amazing!! He doesn't do it very often anymore because it is so involved, but we all love it so much! Such a distinct flavor and there is nothing better than a piece toasted the next day!!!

6- So crazy ..I mentioned once before about the rose bush that my dear friend Krissy gave me when my mom passed away. And it blooms at the strangest times. I know people can be weird with toast that looks like Mother Mary etc. But this beautiful plant is so amazing. It bloomed on the day of the Wedding, Mothers day, and now this week after being all cut back before winter it has huge flowers on it for Thanksgiving. (4 of them, one for each of us kids)I miss my sweet Mom the most at holidays because nothing made her happier than being here with all her family. So crazy as it may seem I know my Mom is saying 'I love you all and she is blowing us kisses from heaven

Look at the joy on her face! She Adored Holidays!

Christmas Cheer

Because nothing says Christmas like the Jib Jab elves...
I just never get tired of them. Make one of your own and smile!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

What's in a name?

OK, I need to preface this post before I write another thing!!! I mean no disrespect, and there is not a single unkind thought toward anyone who has a funny name (funny being simply a matter of opinion) The super cool Jolie-Pitts just named their kids Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline for goodness sake. But my family and I have a standing joke and we call each other with funny names we hear. My Besties hubby and I have always done it too. And because we both work at the market we have had some ringers!! He once called me after taking a birthday cake order and we almost peed our pants. The name was " Shithead" pronounced "Shitheed" We have a growing list,Roshanda-Jermajesty-LaQuisha-Fallopia-Mercedes, Chandelier, and even Prada (yes, I met a girl named Prada, and it was one of the worst days of my life.) So of course this morning I couldn't resist sending Chloe and Dennis this picture that I took at my Wal Mart! I was just minding my own bizness picking up my Christmas movie (The Bishops Wife) when upon the wall I see
"Tynickia" 
And I couldn't help myself. Out came the camera phone!
I am sure she is a very valuable part of the team,and good for her for this lovely award...

But my goodness how did her parents ever think up this name?
And why?
It sure makes my Karen/Sophia/ names way too ordinary! I am switching full time to "LaQueenda"

PS I just found out this morning Ashley and Pete named their new boy Bronx Mowgli!
Wasn't Mowgli the kid from jungle Book?

Memory Lane~Christmas!

I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens
I thought for the few weeks leading up to Christmas I would reminisce about Christmas joys! I have a whole album of Christmas Photos that I put out every year and I love to pour over them. So many happy,fun,magical moments.And I love being able to add even more memories and photos each year! When the kids were small they were awful about shaking their gifts and trying to guess what was inside.So we started using Reindeer names for their presents.You would not discover who was Blitzen,Comet or Cupid until Christmas morning.Over the years we have used them all and mixed them up each year.I just asked Steve if there are any girly reindeer names because this year we need one for Ashlyn!!Even though they are much older,that is going to be a lasting Carter tradition.All of Steve's gifts from me are for "Mr Claus" from "Mrs Claus" I have saved so many precious to-from tags over the years.The ones that say 'To the best Dad ever from your son' 'To the greatest Mom love Chad Carter' (loved when they would add their last name)'To the love of my life from Santa Steve' But before a single gift is opened we always sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.It is only because of Gods Grace and goodness that we are able to give at all. What are some of your favorite memories? I would LOVE to hear about yours too.

Sunday Six...Things that made me smile...

With a heart full of gratitude I want to stop and say Thank you for all the blessings in my life this week!
They are too numerous to count but here are six...

1- A weekend get away with my hubby!! Always so fun...Steve's company hosted a Christmas Party Saturday night.They got all the employees a beautiful room at the Marriott. Right on the water in San Diego,and it was a gorgeous sunny weekend.It was fun to see everyone who is such a big part of his daily life.I even won a terrific raffle prize!!

2- I was sick a couple days this week, but after hearing how much worse the flu hit my sweet friends I am so thankful mine was over quickly. Nothing worse than losing a few days being stuck inside.Feel better everyone!!

3- Stopped by today to celebrate with friends Karen and Mark! He has been battling cancer and they held a remission party! It was great to see them both and Mark looks happy and strong.Karen is such a sweetie and she sure has been there every step of the way.I love you both and wish you a year filled with more joy and great news.

4- I wrapped Christmas gifts!! There is not much that makes me happier than getting fun gifts for my family and friends. I just couldn't resist wrapping any longer. For any of you who say it is too early, Karen had her house all decorated and one of my blog buddies has their outside lights up! So I say let the season begin!!

5- It is going to be a fun busy week! I have Bunco Tuesday and Moms dinner Thursday, I am going to shop for Thanksgiving dinner, have my brows done, go with my brother Paul to the Dr, help Chad move some stuff home, and start painting my bedroom furniture shabby chic white! Want to be all ready for Thanksgiving before next week so we can all go to Bonnie Tuesday! (VIP tickets of course)

6- I am thankful that we are thankful!! It is so true that life is sweet when you are grateful for the little things. I know that my Mom modeled that for us. She appreciated every little thing. I didn't always appreciate her enthusiasm at the time,but now as I look at things the way she did, I smile. I will never forget the time she slammed on the brakes to notice the fall foliage! My friends still remind me of how funny it was when I showed them what she did. But you know each time I drive by that street near my house I think of her, and find myself slowing down to appreciate the beautiful colors too.

Superstar!!!

This blog post is for the girls at work who just crack me up! Somewhere I started this "thing" with Super Star.It made me laugh on SNL and over the years it has kinda become my trademark. Can't tell you how many pictures I have of me with my family and friends doing Super Star. At work if someone says you are going a great job today,it is always replied with the "Pose" and "Super Star"(ok,sometimes it's in response to a simple hello or good morning)So you get the picture here...So one day I asked Steve a very honest question "honey who first named me super star? and he replied "I think you did" What??? No way??? Did I??? I also am known as "Queenie" or "Princess" at work and they all swear that I gave myself those names too? It's on the office door at work, the file cabinet, and Trish writes it on my coffee cup every morning so we know which one is mine.They even doctored a photo and made a poster of it to hang on the wall. (sure I made copies to give away but that was merely a compliment to your craftiness) But with all the teasing ,I don't want them to think I am serious. Now girls I am fully aware that the only person who ever really thought I was a Princess was my daddy(maybe at times my brothers and husband,perhaps a few close friends) And Queenie?? I didn't ask to be queen but the tiara fits? Last week Midge made me a couple of fun CD mixes which I love! She thought it would be funny to wrap them up with a gift card photo holder. She put a picture of herself in there, but they thought I would want to buy them for my gifts with a photo of me inside(perhaps with my crown) First of all they are much too small. I would need them to be 8x10's to hold my glossies from Glamour shots! I guess for a girl who knows full well I don't have a thing going on...it is fun to pretend I do.I am glad to have such silly friends at the palace and I want to thank them for being so fun to work with.This Christmas I am going to stitch them all darling pillows with my picture on them. I was thinking they should say...
"Don't hate me cause you aint me "

This blog stuff is serious bizness

OK, now that I have been blogging and surfing others blogs I have found out there are a LOT of blog pet peeves!! Who knew?? Someone wrote a few peeves down and the two at the bottom of my page had the most amens! Quite a few people complain that words are misspelled, others complain that there are too many run on sentences (I am guilty on both counts) But honestly folks I write like I talk, quickly and with both hands flying in the air. I'm Greek and that's the way we roll. Growing up with four kids you had to talk loud and fast.Even now before holidays I always warn my guests if you want to speak, don't wait for a break in the conversation because there will not be one!! Just jump in....There is always a minimum of four different conversations going on at all times and you have to listen to each one so you wont miss anything.So I am quite sure my blog will be all over the place, and those bad conversation habits will follow in my writing. My grammar will be 3rd grade at best.But this is supposed to be fun,not homework! So if you keep reading,I will keep writing.The first complaint I conformed to, I removed word verification from my blog because I found it annoying also. But whats your take on the music? That complaint surprised me. Whats your vote? I will oblige. After all I want my friends and family to sit long & read much....Here are the complaints as written.

1-Listen up, if you have Word Verification, TAKE.IT.OFF.NOW. It takes the fun out of leaving a comment when you have to type "xyxoodoasmnh" 10 times because the "m" is actually two "n's" and the "w" looks like two "v's."

2-Music on blogs. I used to have music on my blog, but then I realized I was turning the volume off when I was on my own blog. Music I liked. Music I picked. Then I realized that you may not like my music, and I may not like your music. So please turn the music off

Sunday Six...Things that made me smile...

This week I talked Steve into teaming with me on "our" Sunday Six~ We truly have so much to be thankful for and It was fun to hear his too! (he dictated and I typed verbatim, promise I didn't add the sweet stuff about me in. He is such a pumpkin )

Steve~

1-I am mostly thankful for you and the boys being in my life. I am still happy to come home at the end of a day to see you. And I am thankful for you taking such good care of me

2-The ability to work and still have a good job. In our economy, I never want to take it for granted

3- Conquering Spider four deck !!

Let me explain, Steve loves "spider" and the boys and I have teased him forever on how much he can play that darn game. Well this week he tried the highest level? Four decks? He has now won three games and feels like a super star(I said he was a pumpkin but I left out that he is apparently a nerd)

Karen~

1- I put my down comforter on my bed and I sleep so good! I love to be really cold, but cozy and tucked in.

2- The memory of being "tucked in" When we were little we used to always have my mom tuck us in. She would sing songs from Sound of Music or at Christmas the "Little Drummer Boy" She would scratch our backs during the whole song. You could hear all of us kids yelling "mom tuck me in next" I loved being able to tuck in my boys at night also.That was the hardest part for me when the boys went away to college was going by their empty room at night not being able to tuck them in.But I sure cherish every night I was able to. To this day if I go to bed before Steve I will ask him to come up and tuck me in. He always sweetly obliges!

3- Kenny and Lindsay are off to their 25th wedding anniversary cruise! They are going to Australia and it will be their very first cruise. I am so excited for them I can hardly stand it! We called ahead and ordered a little gift and love note delivered to their suite! But I don't think I have EVER gone two weeks without talking to my brother in my whole lifetime. It will be so weird but I am glad they left the phones at home. Bon Voyage kids! We love and miss you already!

Giving Thanks

It has been almost two months since the wedding and I am still so darn happy that our life includes a sweet daughter in law! I was thinking back on when I started praying for her. If I remember right it was when Travis was in first grade and Chad was only 4.

I joined a group called "Moms In Touch" We would meet every week for a hour and pray for our kids.We prayed for honesty, integrity,obedience,kindness and wisdom in raising them. One of the ladies began to pray for her child's future spouse. And something about that comment just stuck in my heart. What a great idea!! I knew my mom would often pray for my husband long before Steve came into my life. So every week when we met,we added that to our prayers. I began to pray for the boys future wives. That God would prepare her, bless her where ever she was,whoever she was,watch over and protect her,bless her family,and keep her in His mighty grip.I am thankful to this day for Sally, Anne, Lori, Nancy, Marsha, and all the moms who prayed along with me for years. I know that God answered our prayers by sending Ashlyn.She could not be any more perfect for my son or our family. We are so thankful and blessed! And to learn that her parents and grandparents were doing the same for Travis years before they met him. I asked Ash to send me a photo of her in first grade so I could see the little girl my heart began to love even then... How precious is she!! God is so good and we love you and your family so much! I can hardly wait to meet Chad's wife too ,I know shes out there .....

Memory Lane~

I just needed this memory today~peace, contentment and joy

Our Vote is our Voice

I cant seem to write about anything simple or fun when so much is hanging in the balance for our country tonight. And in spite of what the media is saying it is NOT over yet. They have been wrong before! I am confident to hope that who I vote for - and who you vote for - will not keep us from being friends.

I appreciate our differences. They make me, me. And you, you.

That being said I am hoping that we all vote our conscience.For me my faith plays a HUGE part of my decision. How ironic that just today, a sweet friend at work shared a photo of her miscarried baby at not even three months old. The photo clearly showed her baby's eyes, arms, and spine. I can't ever vote for a candidate who allows late term abortions claiming it is not a baby. Also because of my faith I believe that traditional "marriage" is a marriage between one man and one woman. So I will be voting yes on Prop 8. I hope that we all examine our hearts and vote for what we believe even if it's not popular. I also believe that no matter who wins, no matter who is sworn in, no matter who addresses our nation for the next four years...that God is still God. He is indeed the same. Yesterday. Today. And Forever.

Sunday Six...Things that made me smile...

Another Sunday to thank God for the blessings in my life this week..There is so much peace in being content!
1-Had a fun dinner with all "three" kids Saturday night.It was great to see Chads photos and hear all about his trip.The new Carters got their wedding pictures back and looking through them brought back the wonderful memories of the greatest day!Once again Steve and I smiled the whole way home. We love spending time with our kids!

2-I joined facebook at the urging of some friends and family. And I am so excited to have found a old friend from grade school.Grace and I spent so much time together as young girls and I have so many memories of her family. It will be so fun to hear what they are all up to! The Internet really can be a blessing.

3- Five Christmas presents bought!And if I had my way they would be wrapped and stacked in the living room. But I am not prepared for the weird looks from quests, so I will leave them in bags in the office for now. But soon!!!

4- Chloe rented a cute apartment in Tennessee for her internship. I am so happy that she feels settled and has a darling place just waiting for her. And the timing was perfect! God is good

5- I love having an extra hour this morning! I have a busy day ahead but here I sit doing my Sunday Six, drinking coffee and enjoying an extra 60 minutes.

6- Yet another yummy pumpkin recipe! Ashlyn made the most amazing pumpkin Whoopi- Pies! Click here for recipe..I am going to stop off on the way home and get the ingredients(just one more case of canned pumpkin) and make some for work.I know that I'm pumpkin addicted but admitting a problem is the most important step right? I think this week my Starbucks name will be "Libby" instead of Sophia~