Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

I decided I need to start blogging again. Mainly because I think it is a great thing to get my thoughts out of my head! Especially since I have so much happening in my life right now! There are many things that have changed in my life and still more changes to come! I take things as they come and try to always have a positive attitude because I know God protects me and will be faithful to me always! I really have no complaints...life is good right now and it's only going to get better!

One great change that just took place is that I have just signed my very own mortgage yesterday, which makes me the proud owner of home on my very own!!! I have never had a mortgage on my own before and I truly feel accomplished that I was able to do it! I know that seems silly for a woman who has been on this earth 45 years to be so excited about something such as this, but it is a big step for me!

I've been doing a little spring cleaning lately...actually a lot...and have had the chance to enjoy some of our beautiful weather outdoors! I am looking forward to having my shed's cleaned out. It is a long, tedious, dirty project though...that's why I just took this break to write a blog post :) However, I will say that when doing spring cleaning, it pays to check all the nooks and crannies...you might get lucky like I did and find some money!

I took the dog for a grooming yesterday, since the weather is getting warmer and she was able to enjoy time playing with other dogs at the doggie daycare/groomer! I think she looks great now that the shaggy hair is gone! This photo shows that either she had quite a long day playing or it is just a lot of work to hatch an egg ball...lol!

I'll leave you with a picture of some pretty Yellow Jasmine and Wisteria...they smell wonderful today!

Happy Spring! Until next time, be blessed,

Amanda :)

Today is very special day...in more ways than one!

Today is special in many ways. First of all it started with writing this blog…I haven’t even had a glass of water yet! Secondly, I am anticipating a baby shower this evening for a very special cousin, her husband and their very special baby boy expected to bless us with his presence in November! I am on pins and needles to see their reaction when they receive the gift I have for them!

Thirdly, it was three years ago today that I was awoken by a phone call at almost 3 a.m. From that Moment on my world was forever changed. The hospital called to say there had been a change in my mother’s status. As I rushed to get there, I already knew what I was going to find out when I arrived. Just as I suspected, she had passed away. So now my world no longer includes my mother in the bodily form, however, she is always in my heart!

Sometimes I can picture her face so clearly, I feel like I could reach out and touch her. There are times when I need some of her advice and I can hear her voice speaking to me. Then there are times when I thought I heard the sound of her laugh, and realize it was actually me laughing!

There are so many wonderful memories that she has given me that I cherish and hold onto I thought I would share a few here;

• The heavenly scent of her homemade cinnamon rolls
• Baking together for Christmas or Thanksgiving
• Stringing popcorn and cranberry garland for the Christmas tree; making clove covered oranges
• Christmas Eve candlelight service
• Watching old movies; crying at the tearjerkers
• Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals…singing to every tune!
• Singing at the top of our lungs, like nobody was listening and not caring if they were :)
• Getting lost driving one of Mom’s so called “shortcuts”
• Just being silly and trying new and crazy things, like the time she used pipe cleaners to curl my hair...and yes, it came out looking like a wild afro!
• Watching her sew clothing for me, and later having her teach me to sew
• Hearing stories from her childhood; being she was the daughter of a butcher they were always interesting!
• Sharing a love for the taste of lemony things
• Watching old I Love Lucy episodes
• Beach walks at sunrise; finding shells
• Laughing until we had tears streaming down our faces
• Observing her patriotism and following her example
• Learning from her about religion and what a mighty, loving God we serve
• Watching her serve in the church and be part of the women’s ministry
• Seeing her do so many good and generous things for others
• Witnessing her volunteerism
• Seeing her finally realize that my husband really is a fabulous man after all, and watching
  their relationship bloom!

Just writing out these memories, makes me thing of “My Favorite Things”, as so very well put in the song (Thank you Oscar Hammerstein II for the wonderfully uplifting song!)…

“When the dog bites, When the bee stings,

When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad!”

Something else my Mom passed along to me was her love for sunflowers! I was so fortunately blessed to have my husband take me to the Biltmore Estate for my birthday weekend. As soon as we checked into our hotel room, I opened the curtains to see the view and I saw a beautiful patch of glorious sunflowers! I am sure that was God’s way of reminding me of my mother’s presence! So here are some pictures of those gorgeous sunflowers in memory and honor of a wonderful lady! I love you Mom, I’ll see you on the other side of heaven someday, until then keep singing with the angels!

Until next time, be blessed and cherish your mother,

Amanda ;)

July, 2011…One HOT Month!!!!

Still Looking Good at 50!

The Birthday Men!

I can honestly say I am extremely grateful for air conditioning! This has been an extremely, fast paced, hot month! Let’s see…first of all aside from celebrating the birth of our wonderful country (despite our challenges as of late) on the 4^th of July, we celebrated my husband’s entrance into a new decade! Yep, his 50^th birthday! Now some people see that as old, but as I always say, we don’t have a clue what old is; Methuselah was old! Old is a state of mind and I can tell you my honey is young at heart…he definitely is NOT old! He got some great gifts, cards and heartfelt letters from several people that meant so much to him (ya’ll rock!)!  So we went to the Lake Wateree to one of our favorite spots to celebrate with friends. We had a great time laughing, eating, splashing in the lake, playing games and just hanging out with great friends. One of our friends came up from Florida, and we even had a few friends and family come up just for the afternoon Saturday to celebrate with cake and gifts for my hubby! Our friend that came up from Florida had celebrated a birthday the week before so I had bought each of them their very own inch thick ribeye to celebrate…yummo!

Our Fearless Pontoon Captain!

One of our friends has a boat and is always kind enough to let everyone enjoy a ride or two out on the lake. He wasn’t able to make it up until later in the afternoon Saturday, so a few of us had a hankering to go out earlier and we rented a pontoon boat for about 2 hours and had a blast! It didn’t quite start out that way though. First of all we had a little rough time getting it in reverse to get going. No fault of our Captain, but somehow we had gotten far enough away from the dock, but not able to turn the boat and go forward in the direction we needed to go. Now mind you it is, oh I don’t know…probably about 100+ degrees at noon, and there are about 8 or 9 of us (and 2 dogs) just sitting in the bright sun, not moving…it wasn’t too funny. Thank goodness one of the fellas that works there came over and helped us get going, apparently the button on the shifter was sticking! So we zoomed off towards the middle of the lake and stopped to jump in and swim…the water was wonderful! We were sorry to head back to the dock and even sorrier when we had the same trouble again with the boat getting going! Slowly we were drifting towards the shore, which got closer and closer very quickly! Finally, it worked and off we went! The next day we went out on our friends boat and had a good time speeding all over the lake, without incident! It was a very relaxing and fun retreat and we all look forward to the next get together! Thanks friends for such a great weekend!

Chillaxin!

A Bestie!

So here we are about to close the month and this weekend is my birthday! My darling husband has some wonderful plans, which I will disclose after the fact…so look for that blog next week sometime!

Here’s to July! 

Blessings, Until next time,

Amanda :)