Life is. . . ?

Please take the time to visit
my 50 toy give away and
my mothers etsy shop.

Life is what you make it. And I want to make mine...........


Hummm, Rich? So I can pay the bills?


Pretty so I have a nice house to look at?


Organized so I can find anything at anytime?


Loved so I am always safe in my DH's arms?


Hummmmm? You know I really don't know what I want in my life right now.


Oh no, is this the mid-life crisis? CG is away from home, I have tons of free time, DH always working----oh and let's not start on the hot flashes and confusion.

Who Am I?

I read a blog the other day that was saying how our surroundings detailed who we were. Well I can't disagree with that.
But
It got me to thinking more about what is around me.
And more important why.
I know I surround myself with those things that I love the most.

I am sure that is true of the majority of people.

So here is who I am but what is around me.

One I am home all the time.
I do not work elsewhere and go out rarely.

So the best thing of each day is this!

My DH coming home from work.
He works two jobs and most of the time 7 days a week.
I get very little time with him.
So the time he is home is precious to me.
He always kisses me good bye and hello.
Never fails to tell me he loves me every time we talk.
Weather it be on the phone or just from running an errand and back.

Next is my greatest joy in my life.

CG is the soul of my soul!
She is what has been my focus for 21 years and will continue for the rest of my life.
I could not ask for a better daughter.
CG is always there for me.
Loving me, laughing me (and at) me and sharing in the good and bad.
She has been my reason for living and my goal for growing.
I adore her and will always be her #1 fan.

Then I have some amazing friends across the street.

The ever active boy who reminds me of Alfred E. Newman of Mad Magazine.
He is about as mischievous.

The cutie pie of the bunch.
She is a fellow bibliophile. (look it up)
And her effervescence lights up a room.

And of course,

NESSA
My good friend, partner in crime and fellow blogger!
I simply adore this woman.

Their home that I see every day from my front porch and windows.
I love all the rock work around it.

And my home sweet home!

This is our lil country abode.
It is almost 100 years old and may be broken down to most.
But I love the large front porch, 9 foot ceilings and the "at home" feeling it has.

This is where we hang out and have coffee, wine and chat about this and that.

Now for the inside.
I wish I could say it was as fancy as my favorite Tea Set.
It was a Christmas gift that I treasure.
It has the grace that I have always felt inside that I believe has never shown on the outside.

On my dresser has some of the couple figures that me and DH collect.
And my favorite book of Cinderella?
My DH is my Prince Charming.
And we collect these couple figures to celebrate that a couple we are now and always.

Here is my view from kitchen window.

I adore seeing the horsey swing that my granddaughter and CG's sissy loves to play on.
And my lil knick knacks that only I could explain why they mean anything.

Coffee Central is my favorite part of my kitchen.
I adore, love and worship my coffee.
Sweet and light with all kinds of flavors.

I also love natural sunlight in my home.

And the beautiful plants my Mom grows ever so well.
I do not have the green thumb.
She tends to them and enjoys seeing them thrive and bloom.
Can you believe these are looking so good in January?

Okay, I collect stuff.
Mostly oldish? (is that a word)
This is my dining room wall.

Knick Knacks all around.
Old bottles, cookie jars and just a general "country at grandma's" feel.

And most of all.
You see this in my home.
Everywhere (if you noticed)

Photos!
Of my family, friends and loved ones.
Old and new.
Young and young at heart.
I surround myself with pictures of those that I adore.
Who adore me.
And who came before.

So who am I?

A family oriented woman.
A wife and mother.
A friend.
A heart that sings inside and is quiet on the outside?
A down to earth person.

What is your opinion?

Home at Last

Oh my, I feel like a different person. I have been so keyed up for the last 6 weeks that I forgot that I am a generally happy person. I still have the crick in my neck from all the stress but it may begin to go away now. My darling husband is back here! I feel lost without him now. It is wild to think that a strong woman can become such that the loss of a partner can make her weak. I don't like being weak. I like it when I am sure of myself. Know what I am doing and where I am going. And I understand that these down times are challenges that I am overcoming. Bit by bit. But that is how it is for all of us. Shoot by our forties we are no longer doing hurdles and long jumps. More of a skip here and there at best. Also we know that there are traps we can fall into if we do not examine the path closely. Use to be able to get out of them easier but now our climbing has slowed down and we tend to be more careful. Nothing wrong with that. But I still mark milestones with drastic measures. Don't know if I will ever learn not to do that. This last 6 weeks has taught me how much my husband does mean to me. It is not enough (for some reason) to just have a wedding ring on to note I am his. Or his last name attached to mine. I wanted something more. Something daring. That would be just for him to see. Hummmm. Wonder why I at 40 I am looking for such drastic measures. Is it my own mid life crisis telling me I am not young anymore. Wanting to feel like a 20 year old who is just looking at life? I know I may regret it, but I really don't feel that way at this time. Have to say (sad to have to though) that this is my last husband. I do not like knowing that I have failed in marriage before. I understand the first one. We knew we would not last. Miss him so, he was a great friend. Too bad he could not hold on to his life and see what we all saw in him. But when I married my daughter's dad, well that was suppose to be it. 15 years is not like we did not try. But we were both so sad together. And now my happiness could not be more appreciated. Still I had to do something this time to get my life jump started again. So why a tattoo? Pretty permanent I would say. And a name on it. They always say do not put a name on. Guess I really do feel that this is it in the hubby department. Well one day I will be older and laugh at my wicked ways. Funny I don't think this will be on the top of the list. But I am sure it will always put a smile on my lips when I think of it and him. Not a bad way to affirm I am alive and happy once again.