Hunter~

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~

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~

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~

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~

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?

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