Happy Thanksgiving!

Freedom from Want, by Norman Rockwell.

The Saturday Evening Post, March 6, 1943

Story illustration/ Oil on canvas

Every year for Thanksgiving I try to come up with a few things I am thankful for. Many of these words are recycled from year to year.... and I'm thankful that it remains year after year!

I am happy that I have such wonderful friends and family. I have a lot of new friends that have come into my life in the past year and I want to take this moment to tell them all how lucky I am to know them and how blessed I am to have their friendship. Last year, 2007 was the worst ... but from it came truth for dear loved ones, the kind of truth that sets you free and God has continued to heal them this year and He is faithful to continue for however long it takes because it has ETERNAL purpose. I am SO incredibly grateful that many of you have been such a great support network for me, for everything - advice, hugs, love, just listening.

I am thankful to have had horrible job experiences through the years. Without it, I wouldn't have learned how to deal with negative, disfunctional people and their situations, as well as gaining knowledge and on-the-job experience. And my job isn't for whimps either! I am confident now in my abilities than I was when I first started my career many years ago. I have faith that I can do what I was trained to do. It is confirmed each time I'm given special projects because it's given knowing it will be done right when I'm finished.

Thank you Lord, for every night I lie down in a comfortable and safe home. There is always plenty to eat in my house despite my worries. In my country I enjoy great freedom. Though I have many grievances with our leaders and institutions, I truly appreciate the honor and opportunity it is to be an American. I am blessed with good health in mind and body, while many people have a serious illness which keeps them from enjoying a full and happy life. For my children. My greatest blessing is my wonderful children. They truly are the gift from you that “light up my life.” For my wonderful husband, who continues to love, support and give of himself.

Thank you Lord, for Your Son, Jesus. No one ever loved me like Jesus. He loved me so much that he was willing to die, that I might have everlasting life. Thank you, Jesus. Dear Lord, Thank you for all of your rich blessings. Help us to share what you have given us with those who are less fortunate than we are. Amen

Here's wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tag, I'm it!

I have been tagged by That British Woman!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Hmmm, can't remember.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yep

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Salami

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yep

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Silly question, of course I would be...

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Nope

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS. Yes, I believe I still do

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Now that I have children, nope

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Lucky Charms... childhood memories

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically, no, emotionally absolutely! Step-parenting isn't for wimps!

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? I love everything! I do my part to keep the dairy farmers of America employed

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their character

15. RED OR PINK? PINK

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Obvious answer for a woman... My weight

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Hmmm, no immediate answer comes to mind

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yes, it's fun to participate

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Wore black today

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Peanut M&M's

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My Man scooping ice cream and my children laughing

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Cha Cha

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Dinner ready in the crockpot when I walk through the door

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My Man

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes, Gill is a fun blog friend

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Ballroom Dancing

27. HAIR COLOR? Brown/Grey, until I dye it then it should only be brown!!

28. EYE COLOR? Blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Italian

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy ending

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? White Christmas

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Blue

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Tie between Creme Brulee and Cherry Cordial Blizzards at Dairy Queen

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Whoever feels like it

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND. Elvis

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Northanger Abbey... again

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Plain navy blue

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Dancing with the Stars

42. FAVORITE SOUND. Laughter

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? The Island of Barbados

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can draw and write calligraphy but I'm a bit rusty.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? The Good Ol' USA

If you're reading this, you're invited to be tagged! Have fun and I look forward to reading your posts! Have a grea day!

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Butterfly Award

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I received The Butterfly Award this week from Sparky! What a gal and what an award! Isnt't is a beauty! People are so creative, I'd like to learn how to make one of those! Make it all Cha-Cha of course! ha ha

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Wow, thank you SO much Sparky! I love awards! Love to get them and give them and I've got a pile to give away... after the holiday when I'll have more computer time.

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Unfortunately, Sparky has a sore back at the moment so if you could lift her up in prayer, I'm sure she'd appreciate it. I encourage you to click on over to visit Sparkly and see the coolest blog you'll ever know!

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New Host for 2009!

~Masterpiece Classic~

On Sunday nights, PBS (check your local public broadcasting station) has Masterpiece Classic, renamed from the old Masterpiece Theatre. Usually these are short adaptions of longer movies but they are still just as enjoyable! Except for the recent Persuasion movie (Jane Austen) because it completely changed the ending due to time constraints. I'm looking forward to getting the VCR tapes ready!

Emmy Award-winning actress Laura Linney will be the new host of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on PBS, making her first appearance on January 4, 2009 when the series premieres with a new adaptation of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles", followed by "Wuthering Heights" (January 18 and 25).

In February, MASTERPIECE CLASSIC launches "The Incomplete Charles Dickens" with a bold new adaptation of "Oliver Twist.

March will bring a repeat of the acclaimed "David Copperfield" and the highly anticipated March 29 premiere of the five-part miniseries "Little Dorrit".

On May 3, it will continue the series of "The Incomplete Charles Dickens".

Ah, it's going to be a good year!

Enjoy!

Good morning!

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In the mornings, I like to vary the ways I wake up my children. It's usually with music or smothering them with kisses. Today this is what I did... hence the music you hear on the blog... blasted REALLY loud!

As you can see it worked for the girl... by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, she was rockin'!

Now here is the boy under that mass of sheets and blankets.

He wasn't rockin' it... hmmm... I foresee this as a picture of the future teen years.

It's Friday! Have a great and rockin' day from the Cha Cha!

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Bride and Groom's first dance

Watch it all the way to the end... Boy this Groom can move it, move it! Lucky Girl! If anyone does this at thier wedding, will you please invite me? ha ha

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Lemonade Award!

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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I got this "refreshing" award from Soulbrush today and she is as sweet as this lemonade stand! Seriously, she'd give you a cavity! I encourage you to click on over, introduce yourself and meet a new friend whose is so full of talent, we have barely tapped into her yet!

Have a great day!
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The Grape Escape

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It is my pleasure to welcome you to Security Headquarters for The Grape Escape!

I am assistanting Stevie Wren today with Security. Remember, if you chose to travel with the Grape Escape tour group you must complete the official Roman Holiday security questionnaire. Please submit requests for security clearance to Madame Ladyslipper in time for the vetting process to be completed. Be aware, security personnel will be checking carefully for any chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear abnormalities. Please be ready to give a full account for any of the above activities. Travel visas will be issued upon approval.

Here I am at Central Control

Our newest agent who will be attached at my hip...

Smoking is allowed here, can I offer you a light... now smile when you inhale...

Ah, I see that our guests are just arriving into port...



Let me zoom in for a closer look...



Just as I suspected, Museswings has lost her key... again... so she says. Not a problem, we are prepared here at Central Control.

Double Agent Sparky is trying out our new tube of Lipstick! The color is... The Kiss of Death!

(Enhanced Photo)

(Enhanced even more...)

It appears we have a security breach on the Mojo Deck, all passengers must report to Central Control for security screenings...


Place your thumb directly on the pad...

Our GPS device will begin tracking you now...

Ooooooooooooh, now don't be trying to distract Security with the old Box of Donuts' trick.

(Don't anyone touch the sprinkled ones!)

There may be 50 ways to leave your lover but there is only 1 way to leave this blog...

Bibi
Blicky Kitty
Mary Lou
Mim
Pat
Petra Michelle
Soulbrush
Trish

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Wrap me up!

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Look at this!

Christmas themed cupcake wrappers!

Sooooooo cute!!

... and pretty swirling designs...

... and pink princess designs...

... and white fence designs...

... and many more here at Shop Bakers Nook

However.... they are nearly $1.00 A PIECE! That's right, $11.99 for a dozen wrappers. Oh well, I just had to share them with you all anyway!

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Prima Donna? No... it's Premio Dardos!

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When I first read this I thought it said, Prima Donna! ha ha ha It's actually called Premio Dardos. The GENEROUS and LOVELY lady who gave it to me is blog pal, My Thoughts Exactly. Thank You so much Sparky!! This gal is so much fun! I encourage you to visit a new friend!

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This award is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing...that's the general idea.The rules of this award are as follows: show the image of the award on your blog, link back to the blog that gave the award, and nominate 15 other blogs that you consider deserving the same.

AGH! I can easily do 8 names but to do all 15 I'll need a few days to gather them all together. Whew!

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Thanks again Sparky! I love awards ~ they are fun to receive and... to give!

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Superior Scribbler Award

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My dear sister Melody, was kind enough to bestow this award on me. I tell you this gal started her blog a month ago and has more awards than ever! ha ha Congratulations sis and thanks for passing them on to me! Thank you!

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I get to choose five people to pass this lovely award too.

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Here are the rules:

1. Post the award on your blog.

2. Link me for giving it to you.

3. Link the originating post here

4. Pass the award on to five more deserving people.

5. Post these rules for your recipients.

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My five lucky recipients are:
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1. Muse-Swings 2. Bygone Beauty 3. My Thoughts Exactly 4. The Birdbath Chronicles 5. That British Woman

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Congratulations and enjoy!! :)

More Birthday Fun

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The birthday fun continued late into the night...

How could the day possibly get any better? Coming home to dinner cooked by my Man! Including a homemade Chocolate Cake too!

Two tired and sleepy girls~

One wide awake boy!

Guess whose awake now! Yahoo! A gift certificate to get a manicure and pedicure!

This is HUGE people! After 20+ years, I stopped getting my nails done in February due to cutting back in "extras"~ So this is a big treat!

 

Time for cake! This was a moist, dark chocolate cake! Delicious!

Look who's no longer awake! ha ha

Don't worry son, I'm ready to fall asleep too after this fun day of memories!

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40th Birthday!

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HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Starting the day with breakfast in bed! Thanks to my kids!

More birthday fun... enter my favorite restaurant!
Nah, it's really my best friend Erin's house to have brunch!

DING - DONG - the birthday girl is here!

Look at this beautiful table! See that picture of me at the table setting? A few years ago as a gag gift I gave them all a picture of me in a Jeweled Crown Tiara that I borrowed for Halloween. Now it's coming back to haunt me! Look at how BLONDE my hair is! Whoa!

But wait, now there is a new Tiara to wear!

This is Suzanne and I... self portrait of course!

Here I spied a birthday gift I HAD to touch! It was a jar filled with 40 written cards filled with wonderful and loving words that my friends think about me! I see tears of joy coming!

Oh my stars, my favorite breakfast! Eggs Benedict!

Blueberry Muffins!

Cranberry Jello Relish!

My birthday cake was called a Chocolate Zinger Cake with Chocolate frosting!

The secret Zinger ingredient was... a teaspoon of black pepper!

Now it's time for gifts~

Next it was time to do something with the kids! We have a brand new McDonald's near our house that is like the Taj Mahal of McDonalds - it's beautiful, if you could ever say a McDonalds was and I must admit, it's niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!

Yep, that's a flat screen TV with cable television streaming through.

The children's play area has faux leather furniture for the parents to relax in while sipping Espresso! Yep, it's got a Mc Cafe in it too.

Computers for the kids and check out this tubed play ground!
Even I had to play the Air Hockey game - still as fun as I remember it!

After that, we went shopping and loaded up with toys and goodies to bring home for the kids to complete their Operation Christmas Child Shoe boxes sponsored by Samaritan's Purse.

 

More fun still to come, so stay tuned!

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