It's the little things...

*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...

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!

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!

Lordy Lordy I dont want to be forty!

My blogging is sadly lacking and I think I need some exciting things to blog about it. Perhaps if I had grandchildren to share cute little stories about { Trav? Ashlyn? } or maybe a fun upcoming wedding to look forward to { Chad?? }   But life is just status quo and oh so boring. But I can share some some little tidbits that have me  seriously thinking about an upcoming move....


To a assisted living home for me and the big  guy! 

Sure you may be saying "Oh Karen its not that bad"
Oh but it is...

My knee has healed to almost 100 %. But because I walked so crooked for 4 months my right foot has horrible plantar fasciitis. So I am still limping ,but now on the other side. Which if I was being followed for insurance fraud I would certainly be in jail. Some mornings I get out of bed and feel like a crippled person for the first few steps. I did buy some really good shoes from Nordstrom and they seem to help. If they don't do the trick its off to the orthotics store with the other seniors. Sass shoes here I come!
Then all of a sudden I need  readers!   Yep, went to text and could not see the print? So I bought a cute pair at Wal Mart thinking I would use them a 'little' to help out. BUT....at work I need to see the tags. So it was off and on with the readers all day long! Nothing screams "old" like a lady with a limp and reading  glasses! And no, they didn't dangle from a chain around my neck! But it sure would have been easier than  slipping them into my cleavage because more than once they slipped from there down into my shirt because even the cleavage aint what it used to be. So that found me fishing around by my waist to retrieve the glasses and I could swear my bra was down there too? So I did what most would do under these dire circumstances. I got "mono vision"  contact lenses. One for close, one for distance. Its been three days and I cant see either well. I am hoping & praying that my eyes get used to it but so far...not so much. Last night I was 10 inches from the TV to see some curtains on House Hunters that I liked,only to find out they were not curtains at all. Pray for me sisters! Maybe I am overly sensitive because of the menopause {which is a whole other story} but this growing old is  kickin my drooping butt today.

My favorite thing about today~

Was coming home from work after stopping off for a much needed manicure. I put on my cozy jammies and lit a big fire in my den. It will probably be the last one of the season and I sure enjoyed the crackle and warmth. I LOVE the rain! What about you? What was your favorite part of today?

Family Favorites

Sometimes while I am writing my blog I think about when I am gone and my kids visit my site to revisit what our life was like. I am so thankful that technology has come so far and we are so much more advanced at documenting life and memories. But there is such a classic charm at seeing old movies too! My Uncle Pete sent me these old movies of him with my mom and their sisters ! It also shows my sweet YaYa~ I love seeing the joy and excitement on everyone's faces and my mom was so darn cute and tiny in her little green dress. Apparently she arrived in California first then the rest of the Greeks came from Ohio soon after. One of those posts which would be boring to anyone other than family but I am posting it so it will always be here for my own family....California 1953

Brownies! I know they are "dangerous" but I have some dimples on my bum that need to be filled in?

I know most people have a brownie recipe that they swear by or even a boxed brand  that they love to use. Well toss aside your old family recipes and print this one because you know when it comes to food , I would never steer you wrong! These brownies are the yummiest, moistest ,easiest to make brownies ever! And its with stuff you probably already have at home. I stumbled upon the recipe one day online and I finally got around to baking a batch. They are going to be the only ones I ever make!  
They are AMAZING!!  

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cups cocoa
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
dash cinnamon {I omitted this } 
Mix together and bake in greased pan at 350 for 30-35 min. 
Enjoy.....

So proud of our hometown boy!

Spring is here! Although today it is rainy and pretty cold. It's still spring and I love it! Everything is in bloom and baseball season has started!

Speaking of BASEBALL! ...

Our precious friends "The Craigs" have a son named Allen. He has grown up with Travis and his mom Kim is in our moms dinner group. The whole family is just precious! Their daughter Kendall is an absolute doll with the sweetest personality ever! She restores your faith in teenagers and is the kind of young lady every mom prays for her boys to someday marry !  Allen has been playing baseball since he was a young boy and has worked at it tirelessly with his whole heart. All the ups and downs that go with professional sports, but he kept at it .  And it has paid off!!! He just got picked up by the St Louis Cardinals! When  Steve and I watched him on opening day we almost burst with pride! We are so happy for their amazing family and have overnight become Huge Cardinals fans!  We cant even begin to imagine how they must feel because we are beside ourselves with joy !  Watch for #8 and expect to see big things from him this season!  And Allen, I hope you can hear us all cheering for you with all our hearts.....
Click here to see the story on his big debut!

Easter!

We had the BEST Easter celebration and every year I am more thankful for this big crazy family of mine! To be with people who have loved you since you were born feeds your soul in a way that nothing else can.  I looked around during the earthquake and thought to myself at least most everyone I love is here and we are together!   It was a magnificent day!  My cousin Mark came with his family so it was extra special because we once again  had some little ones. We BBQ'd  and just enjoyed each others company.

Our last guests left close to eleven and I had to work a 6-3 on Monday. I was wiped out so for the first time in quite a while I left most everything to be cleaned when I got home from work. So after a long day I walked in the door dreading the mess that these darling people can create when we are together...

But instead.....
I came home to a spotless house, every dish done, the tables and chairs all packed up and put away, the dishwasher ran and unloaded and loaded again, the house was vacuumed and the yard perfect! All because of this darling boy!

He said I looked tired and had worked so hard to make the day nice for everyone so he wanted to help. He had spent the night,so he did all the cleaning before he went home.I'm tellin ya I could get a huge dowry for this kid cause he is going to be quite the husband!  
He is so good to his momma! 
It was such a fun day and we created memories to last a lifetime. 

Davey~

I love having brothers!!
Three big brothers who are each so precious in their own amazing, unique ways.  David and I have always had a special kinship and it has grown more precious as the years go by. We talk all the time, even if it's just for a minute to say hi. And he sends me the sweetest little thoughts and smiles. Today it was a picture saying " The Dogwoods are blooming" 

A few weeks back it was of a rainbow that he saw and thought that I would love too!And this one he sent of the trees changing colors....


But my favorite has to be the picture of the  lunch he pulled together with the leftovers in the fridge! My mom was famous for those!! When Dave spoke at her funeral, he shared how he was really going to miss the four course meals my mom could pull together from the trunk of her car!  And he was right. She could take a bunch of random stuff and make a fun picnic out of it. Bro, I say it all the time and I think its true for you too.....
We have become our Mother

David, You make me smile and I LOVE how you are always thinking of your sister.Even though we are separated by way too many miles I love being a part of your everyday life. You bring me more joy than you will ever know.....

*

For the first time in quite a while, I have blogger block ! Life feels kinda boring  lately and  there just isn't much to report. So  I will share a few things and try my darndest to make them seem exciting
But...
We all know better...

My book club met  Wednesday night which was a perfect way to end my first day back at work.We met at a new authentic "New York Style" deli here in town and the food was terrific. Even before the lemonade and 1/2 sandwich hit my tummy I was well on my way to feeling better from the giggles and great conversation. I totally understand why Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine  met everyday to re-hash the day because you feel so much better after a little time with good friends. But just to make sure we left feeling extra terrific we split an eclair 5 ways! Ahhhhmazing !

And Oh yes the book!
We all LOVED "The Help" and everyone gave it 5 stars ! Such a easy read with really likable characters.Great story!
{ my dear friend Casey who loves to spill the beans will probably reveal this in a comment so I better beat her to the punch. The lemonade may have been a 'cocktail lemonade' spiked with a tad of alcohol. But my knee was pretty swollen, and it was my first day back. So it was purely medicinal }

Thia Mary called me Monday morning and said she was bored so she came up from the desert for lunch! We had the BEST time. She ran a couple errands with me and then we went out for fish. We ended up sitting there for two hours and had the BEST time. She is hilarious and I sometimes forget she is 82. Although she did have a few numbers taped to the outside of her phone and when I asked why, she said she ran out of speed dials and she liked to keep the numbers handy? So I asked if she knew she had a phone book in her phone?
"well no, I thought I could just keep those ten in there "
So I put in all the numbers for our family and she was thrilled!  Then I told her she had to re- record her greeting because you hear her say at the end " Peter wheres the pound ? I am supposed to push the pound key"  She had never listened to it so we called her number and I thought she was going to pee her pants when she heard herself!   So we got her all fixed up and who knows next time she may learn to text!
{I think we all forget that the world is changing so fast and seniors  don't always know how to keep up. I felt kinda sad when she said the boy at Verizon got frustrated with her so she didn't want to ask too many questions}

I also had a super fun bunco at Jackie's and all us girls were there! Sometimes one or more of us is missing so it was extra special because everyone came! It's always such a special time with such precious family  friends! And of course Jackie did a great job hosting! She made the BEST Paula Deen Coleslaw that we all loved! So I am going to make it for Easter! Super fresh and oh so delish

I wish you all a great week filled with love and giggles.
And time to reflect on the profound meaning of Easter!
"The stones been moved away and His body isn't there"    

Thats Happy ~

Something about this picture makes me smile every time I see it ~ 

And my wish for you,is that part of your day is spent in the company of a good friend! 

And lots and lots of giggles! 

Bragging Rights...

The closest thing to my heart is my family and nothing makes me happier than seeing them being  blessed!
I am so proud and happy to share such great news!
So indulge me a bit and share our joy!

First go over to Carter and Cook {click on colored text for link} and peek at what my darling, talented, and oh so creative daughter in law has been doing.  Ashlyn amazes me with everything  she does at both of her jobs, all the while taking such good care of her home and adorable hubby. I often wonder how she finds the time to be so creative, but it comes naturally for her. And it  sure shows in all the weddings she has pulled off beautifully ! They  were recently featured in their first bridal magazine and we are so proud of her!  Their business is booming and getting such great press.  Good job girls !
We are cheering for you with all our hearts.......

Our other amazing news is about my brother Dave,sis Sandy and the gang at "Our Thrift Store"  They were featured on the local Nashville news station about their work with the thrift store and the special needs kids they provide jobs for! They are  so humble and would never want to draw attention to themselves, but they LOVE getting the word out about the store because that means more jobs for more kids! They were recently blessed with a HUGE donation from Wyndham Hotels! Poor Dave has been exhausted the last few times I spoke to him because of all the extra work loading and unloading the trucks. But he never complains and you can hear the pure joy in his voice as he talks about the blessing it is for the kids! Promise me if you are ever in Franklin,Tenn you will go by and see what Gods doing! You will leave forever changed !
{and seriously have you ever seen a cleaner, more organized thrift store? They are so devoted and  work so hard!  }

God is good and I am  giddy as I see such blessings poured upon such deserving people! 

I won I won!

A while back while "Googleing"  "how to change your blog layout"  I stumbled upon a really fun new blog! She has the BEST tutorial on how to add photos and change your layout. So after my successful blog makeover using all her tips, I bookmarked her site and have been going back ever since. It is such a uplifting and fun blog and I learn something every time I visit. She had a little give away last week and I won! I was so excited to hear the news. She has a darling Etsy shop with banners and homemade lovelies. She gave away two of her cute key chains and I won one! You know how much I LOVE mail  so I am super excited to get this one. If you have time visit her blog {click on the colored word} and say hello!  It's kinda fun to have a new blog friend...
Thank you Christy for visiting my blog and for the darling gift!   In the words of my Momma "What a fun serendipity" !

Today...

Outside my Window…it is crisp and clear! Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days EVER! So I am hoping for more of the same today! 

I am thinking…This is my last week off before returning to work! Crunch time to finish up some projects! I have three bags going to the Good Will today and hope to gather even more!

I am thankful for…SO much ! Chads safe return, Travis had a BLAST with his work guys at a four day ski getaway and came home safely!  My honey Steve, my sweet pup laying at my feet, my geraniums blooming like crazy, and always thankful for
Gods amazing grace~  

From the kitchen…Not much going to happen in there today.I did clean out the pantry, fridge and freezer and loaded Chad up with lots of food when he left yesterday! So I am going to grocery shop and maybe make chicken stir fry for dinner. We are hooked on the stir fry packages of veggies! So easy and so good! 

I am wearing…Still in jammies but am showered and ready to go.

I am reading…" The Help" and loving it! I heard it is going to become a movie so now I am trying to figure out who should play the leading roles.

I am hoping…I can stand on my feet for 8 hours without my knee swelling up! I have started walking everyday and it's slowly getting easier. I am amazed how long it has taken me to heal from such a freak accident.

I am creating…Cute online invites for Easter Sunday! I know the Greeks are all coming but like to send a little invite. Pingg  has some really cute ones and they are free! 

I am hearing…my new clock in the laundry room. I found it at Homegoods and love it! It runs on one little battery but has the sweetest little tick tock sound.

Around the house…I bought the cutest jar for my laundry room and filled it with powder soap. I have an antique scoop so I laid it near it. I got some cute new hooks at Ikea and Steve hung them this weekend. One in the laundry and one in the kitchen for my aprons. I love to putzy and add new touches to my house.Adds a fresh touch without spending a lot of money.

One of my favorite things…MiMi's Cafe for breakfast! I went last week with the book babes for Nancy's birthday and then again Friday with Chad. I love starting my day with good coffee and conversation! It's so homey in there with fresh flowers and checkered tablecloths. If you ever want to meet for breakfast call me!

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!