Days {2} {3} {4} of 60 to 60 And Keys to Life

Hello Sweet Friends

Tonight I will start with day 4 of my 60 to 60

My day didn't start out as planned or 'normal'

I couldn't find my work keys

Yikes!!

I think I live with my work keys more than my car/home keys

I never know when I might receive a call or text

And need to head into the office

It's just part of the job

However, I panicked when I couldn't find them this morning

I was to open the office at 7:30 and nobody else (with keys)

Would be there until 8:30

Long story short, 

I called a fellow employee and stopped by her house

On my way into the office, 

picked up her keys and opened the office

As I walked into my office, I opened one of my desk drawers

As I also set my purse and phone down on my desk

My phone opened to a visual of a post entitled:

What are your keys to Life?

And, my keys were lying in my desk drawer

  

Yep, there they were, in my desk drawer

My keys to life!!

At least a good portion of my life!! :) 

Here is my take and why I started this past 3 days

Of my 60 to 60 with this:

I realized that most of the past 3 days have been about 

Life, everyday, regular day life

No special events or treats

No projects being finished or worked on

Just every day life :)

Here we go!!

Day {2} of my 60 to 60 

Didn't take me out of the house until 3:00 pm

I think I over did on day {1}

My body was achy and I was over tired

Didn't fall asleep until 4AM and didn't get up until noon

However, I was so happy to have dinner with son #2

Some of you were able to guess

We had a super dinner at Texas Roadhouse

Madi just LOVES steak...

We had a little shopping trip to the Wallyworld

I usually go get Madi snacks and stuff after our Sunday dinner

Came home and placed my 'bulk' trash

Out to the curb

Then in for the night

Day {3} took me to the office

For a regular day in front of my computer

I was so very sad to hear the news of one of our 

Long time Arizona Senators passing away over the weekend

I was so grateful to see our local post office flag at half mass

No matter your political bent

We should all be thankful to anyone who gave so much of his life

To and for our country!

I pray for his family and friend over the next 

several days and weeks

As they will need to hold their chins up

And be stoic as they go through the process of 

Allowing our country to mourn this great loss

Regular life found me paying bills

Mailing packages that needed to be mailed

And praying over a special package

That will arrive at my granddaughters home tomorrow

This is the first grandchild birthday I will have missed

In the 14 years I have been a Nana

I'm so sad to miss K~Bels birthday 

But pray her blessings and favor in her new life

Yep,

There are those keys in my desk drawer

Just were I left them :( 

Another important key in my life

Of balance and community

Voting!!

I went to the polls today and put in my 2 cents 

Again, I don't care what your political bent is

To me, it is an honor and joy to have cast my vote

 In Every election since I turned 18

Because I worked in the front office today

(which is always a bit stressful for me)

I had to sneak into my office to grab a little 'protein'

During the day ~ LOL 

To end this day {4}

I found 'Happy' mail in my box

Oh, yeah, it's a small package of garnets

And some beautiful oceany blue pieces of ???

To help decorate my LR, when it is complete

So, there you go, Days {2}, {3}, and {4}

In the books

Lots of 'keys' to life and understanding balance

Have a great rest of your week

I will be taking mom to a couple of important doctor 

Appointments over the next two days

Hope to fill you all in of Friday

Blessings

Hello from MIA and I need your input

Hello Sweet Friends

I know I have been MIA for so many months that I'm not sure anyone is still out there.

It has been a grueling and HARD year for me.

I have not taken care of myself and put all of my energy into taking care of others and other things.

My youngest son has moved into a group home, 

that was on February 3rd of this year.

I see him every weekend, take him to dinner and do a bit of shopping for his 'wants'.

He still struggles with not being here, 

but he is in the best place for now.

My oldest son moved to Texas on February 10th of this year.

After commuting for several months, 

his wife and daughters have now joined him.

I purchased a home for them in Mineral Wells, TX.

I made a quick trip out there in July to sign papers and 

help get them settled.

Oh my how I MISS THOSE GIRLS

As I began coming to terms with being an empty nester (alone)

After 33 years of care giving for my special need son

And 10 years of care giving for my late husband

It seems my mom will need extra care and time

I have been taking her to doctor appointments almost every week

We have 2 next week and 2 the following week

There is a possibility that she may come live with me

Sometime in the future (more near than we might like)

But that is a last resort, it depends on what all the test results are

I believe my caretaking days are not over

With all that said and SO SO SO much left out

I am asking for input

In 61 days I will turn 60

As I approached 50 (a decade ago)

My life was so very different and I embraced the change

Planned many fun events and enjoyed life

Today, life is not so fun

I'm extremely tired, worn down and battle depression

To the point I have had serious thoughts that I won't share

My goal is to begin to embrace 60 with Joy

And Hopefulness instead of hopelessness

I want to celebrate the next 60 days in special ways

Here is where YOU come in

I need ideas

Ideas of what small things I can do each day to Love myself

I'm talking things that don't cost a lot of money

And don't take up tons of time (that I don't have)

Here are a few of my own ideas:

A pedicure (I haven't had one in more than a year)

A Vacation DAY for myself and NOT a doctor appointment

(I haven't had one of those in over a year either)

Go see a movie (can't remember that last time I did that)

Finish a Project or two or thirty!!!

Read a magazine - WHAT???

You can see, I have not treated myself with any love, 

respect of gentleness

For more than a year, 

In fact it is probably more than a decade.

I try very hard to put others needs before myself and 

I believe that is good (in general)

But I am 'nearly' at my highest weight ever

Am battling anemia 'again'

Battle depression and would rather pull the covers up over my head

And stay in bed all day, than to get up an leave the house

I am in excruciating pain everyday

I take way too much Excedrin and suffer from insomnia

I MUST make some changes and I want this to be a start

60 Days to 60

What should I do??

Happy 81st MOM

Hello Friends

I haven't blogged in such a long time

I almost forgot how to download, edit and upload photos

Hopefully, in the weeks ahead

I will blog more and fill you in

On where I've been and life in general

Today

I want to SAY

Happy 81st Birthday to my Mom

In the past 10+ years

This sweet lady

Has endured a

Whipple surgery

Broken Hip

Mini Stroke

Valley Fever

And something that has eaten a good bit

Of her skull away

Yet, we celebrate 81 years

With Great JOY

She has

4 Children

11 Grandchildren

12 Great Grandchildren

We had a delightful Celebration at my home on Sunday

I'm sharing just a few of my favorite photos

Cousins and Braces

Cousins and 2nd Cousins

Laughter and Silliness

Which pretty much describes our lives

Why would this be a favorite photo?

It is a reminder of:

Family, food, fellowship

Joy, blessings and Happiness

And Celebration of a life well lived

Remember that messes

Are a Symbols of LIFE

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Jesus' Birthday

The Son of God became a man to
enable men to become the sons of God.

-C.S.Lewis

Where there is faith, there is love;
Where there is love, there is peace;
Where there is peace, there is God;
And where there is God; there is no need.

-Leo Tolstoy

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
but all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.

-John Greenleaf Whittier

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:

You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths,

lying in a manger.”And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:11-14

Merry Christmas Friends
May God's presence be with you

JOY

Hello Sweet Friends

I have been MIA because my internet was hacked by Century Link

Or something like that

I thought I was having trouble with my lap top

All the while,

My internet company had put a block on my internet???

Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out Why

AND, have my bill credited for the 3 weeks I had no internet

So, I'm back

What have I been doing?

Honestly,

Enjoying the Season

Doing a small amount of decorating

Trying to find JOY in each day

Even while I was sick for an entire week

Living by Faith

While going through the tough season

Keeping my eyes and heart focused on God

Rather than loss

Finding respite in my bedroom

After long and stress~filled days

And remembering

There are Blessings of JOY

To be found in God's Word

And in every situation you face

Rejoice in the Lord

and be Glad!

Ps. 32:11

Blessings for the days Ahead!!

Fall Tea Cup Exchange

Hello Sweet Friends

Welcome to
The Fall Tea Cup / Mug Exchange Reveal
Hosted by the Dear Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose

This is the second time I have participated
And, Oh I had so much fun putting my package together

It was fun to decide on a theme / color
And find little goodies to send off to my exchange recipient

This cute tea cup caught my eye
It was quickly purchased and the yellow theme started

A tea cup, journal, handkerchief, doily, two cards,
Spoon, candy and tea
Were packaged and sent off to Debbie in Texas
I haven't heard from her, but I sure hope she enjoyed her package

A week after I sent my package
I received this lovely package from Shirley in Virginia
Little scented soaps and a kitchen towel

A book, plaque, card and hot cocoa
(I don't drink coffee or tea - I know - I'm odd *wink*)

And this absolutely delightful tea cup
Can you see that the handle is butterfly wings
And the darling bee...

I'm so thankful to Shirley for blessing me with such
A Wonderful variety of items

And to Stephanie
Thank you again for hosting a fun and blessed exchange

Until next time
Blessings

Rainy Day

Good Sunday Afternoon

Sweet Friends

Being awoken this morning with the sound of rain

Was a welcomed surprise

Here in the desert southwest

We get afternoon thunder storms

However, we rarely have full days of steady rain

Yet, today that is what we have had

During, what I thought would be a break in the clouds

My kiddo and I ran to the big box store

Let's just say that

A deluge of rain met us walking out and I got soaked

It was almost Fun

It slowed again which allowed me to get to the grocery store

And is raining now as I type

I did enjoy heading outside for a few shots in the garden

The Mexican Petunias I planted last week are LOVING the rain

One of my pink Vinca soaking it in

And the white Vinca settling nicely around some fall décor

My little scarecrows along the front walk are drenched

But they are enjoying playing in the rain ... just like kids

Since it has been a rainy day

I decided to do a bit of card making

This mess is probably why I don't do it more often

A friend gifted me with some 'new to me' stamps

Reorganizing and finding space is a fun job on a rainy day

My prayer for you is that:

You have been blessed with Joy and Rest this day

And that the week ahead is Beautiful!

Joining:
Let's Add Sprinkles

Willing Fall to Get Here...

Hello Sweet Friends

I pray you have enjoyed your first weekend of Fall

The weather has been a bit cooler here

Hallelujah!!

The summer heat starts so early here in Phoenix

With 100 degree temps starting in late April/early May

Lasting well into September and October some years

I don't wish my life away

For we are all aware how quickly time passes

Yet, this year the Heat of Summer

Has really taken it's toll on me

SO,

I am willing Fall to get here

And fortunately the weather has cooled a bit

At least it has been under 100 this past weekend

And is forecast to stay in the 90's throughout the week ahead

With that I added a small amount of fall décor

To the house this weekend

Because I am putting the red away for awhile

And adding some blue

Finding some natural toned items with touches of blue

Has been fun 

The wooden pumpkin sign

Fit perfectly with my regular décor

A tablecloth with my crooked wooden bread bowl

Filled with white and natural pumpkins

Is a simple table centerpiece

The only new item is this cute Mary Engelbreit

Autumn book I recently found at an antique store

Most of the weekend was spend with this crew

My oldest son's birth sister came to town to see him

We love her as if we have always known her

She fits into our silly family so perfectly

And...best of all

Her name is Cindy

Love All my Kiddos!!!

Happy Fall Y'All

Sharing At
The Essence of Home
Have A Daily Cup