WOW, I've been too busy to even blog! I left this past Thursday to go to the CWC convention in Greensboro.  To say it was awesome would be an understatement!  There were probably 500 women there of all ages, and races.  The hotel was beautiful, the food was out of this world, the speakers were wonderful and the concert by Lynda Randal was fabulous! The Holy Spirit was at work in North Carolina! I don't know of ANYTHING that could have possibly made it any better. I am so thankful that I was able to attend. The trip down there and back was great. I was really needing a road trip and Debby and I even managed to get a little shopping time in!  What more could a girl ask for?

I've been working trying to get help for the homeless community in Huntington.  I have solicited help from my church and also friends and people at work.  I really am in hopes that it's starting to get off the ground.  I have been helping serve breakfast on Saturday mornings and this has allowed me to make friends with some of the homeless.  I found that even though they have places they can eat on Thursdays and Saturdays,   they often go hungry on other days.  They are also literally living behind the floodwall and with the cooler weather it's getting more difficult for them to stay warm.  I've been distributing lists of things they need and I have several people who are interested in helping.  I have had such a burden for these people for a while but I never knew how to help them.  I really feel like this is a ministry where I can show God's love and help people who are less fortunate than I am.  So far, it has been a very humbling experience for me.  I have a tendency to be very judgmental.  I think God is trying to show me that my job is not to judge these people but to love and help them.  I really want to go where I'm needed and work where God wants me and where I can do the most good. I feel like I have wasted much of my life up until this point and it's time for me to try to give back to others and try to make a positive impact on people around me.  It's sad that it has taken me 51 years to realize that.

Special time with Friends and Family

Wow, I've already had a GREAT weekend, and it's still only Friday.  I worked out early today and my friend Lisa and I along with both our Mommas headed out to Flatwoods to shop.  I got some really nice pieces at the Fiesta outlet, found a pair of shoes I liked and some new "unmentionables"...  It was a beautiful drive and the time together was priceless. I have been itching for a road trip and I think this should tide me over until I head out to Greensboro on Thursday!  Tomorrow I'm looking forward to getting up early and serving breakfast at the riverfront.  It may be raining...but WHO CARES!  A little water never hurt anyone!  I'm not quite sure what else I will get into.  I'd like to go down to the OLD house and pick up a few things, I have a meeting with the Pastor in the morning and then church on Sunday.  Next week will be a short week so I'm sure it will go by quickly.  I'm getting excited about the meeting in North Carolina. It will be nice to see old friends and hopefully make some new ones too!  I've been up since around 4:30 this morning so I guess I need to pry myself away from the computer and get some rest.  I wish a BLESSED weekend to all who read this.....  :)

I've got my traveling shoes on!

I've had a really nice week so far.  Work has been pretty busy, but I've gotten two registries ready for submission.  Submitted one earlier in the week, and I'll be submitting the other on Monday when I get back in the office.  The weather here has been warm/hot again, but it's supposed to change over the weekend.  I've spend a lot of time this week re-connecting with old friends which is always fun!  I'm planning a trip to Greensboro the end of the month, going on a bus trip to Dresden in November and heading to Hawaii for a couple weeks in December.  I think I'm gonna have a great rest of the year!  I absolutely LOVE to travel...just NOT by myself.  I wish I had someone to go to Hawaii with me, but there aren't too many people you can expect to drop everything for 2 weeks to take a trip with you right before Christmas.  I'm not afraid to fly by myself, I've been to Seattle for a week and stayed by myself, but it's a LOT nicer traveling when you have someone to talk to.  I'm sure I will manage to keep myself occupied though.  I'd walk through FIRE to get to my daughter, son in law, and grand baby!  I went to sleep early last night and tonight I'm up late.  I just thought since it had been so long since I had updated, I'd better let everyone know I'm still alive and kicking.  Hopefully I'll have more to offer later in the week...until then....Love to all...  :)

Getting a GRIP

Once again I think I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the long dark tunnel.  This has been a good week so far.  I've received counsel from some dear friends and talked at length to some of my oldest and dearest friends.  It sure helps when you have someone to help you get things back into perspective sometimes.

The weather continues to be BEAUTIFUL...I always thought I liked Spring best, but I think I may be changing to a Fall person.

I've been rather domestic this week.  I made a Mickey Mouse blanket for Tristan and started on a doily.  I haven't crocheted much for the past few years, and I'm looking forward to getting back into it.  I think it will make a good cold weather project for me to do.

I had an early morning visit from one of my upstairs neighbors....It's pretty bad when Grammy is up working and the young whippersnappers upstairs are just getting home from the night before!  It kindda makes me glad that I have my family raised!  "

I really don't have much to report as you can see from my "flight of ideas".... but several people had expressed concern after my last post so I thought I should let everyone know that I'm doing well and once again attempting to get a GRIP on life.  I know it doesn't sound like it sometimes, but I REALLY am happy.  I wouldn't go back to the way things were for any amount of money in the world.  I guess I just let my mind wonder and become apprehensive.  I admit I've never a person who easily embraces change.  I think, all things considering, I'm doing quite well with everything new that's on my plate right now. Sometimes I think I have unreal expectations for myself.  After all, I have to admit that I'm just human and "things" are going to get to me from time to time.  I am trying to learn to give myself permission to be "human" with human feelings and emotions.  I have always felt like I have to be the one who is head-strong and INDEPENDENT and not ever let anything get to me.  Maybe there's a softer side of me deep down in there somewhere that's trying to show it's face!  I guess I may have to start allowing it to peek out from time to time as long as it doesn't decide to set up permanent residence.  I'm sure I'll be back to my old hard-hearted self all too soon.

ALONE and FORGOTTEN

Not such a great day...not necessarily bad, but not good either.  I guess you could say I've had myself one heck of a pity party today.  I feel alone and forgotten.  I've cried off and on all day.  I really don't know why, except I just feel like crying.  The weather is beautiful, the sermon this morning was awesome, and I feel like crying....go figure.  I don't really know what I need to do to get myself out of this funk, and I'm sure it will pass....but when you're going through it, it certainly isn't much fun.  I guess I just thought I had everything figured out, then figured out I had been wrong all along.  Oh well, this too shall pass.  Praying for insight and strength......

long time no post

WOW I can't believe I haven't updated in a week.  I guess by that you can tell how exciting my life has been (not).  This was just pretty much a typical week of work and home.  Friday after work I went out with friends.  We ate at Applebee's and partook in a little retail therapy.  I got some new crochet patterns to start on some doilies (man...don't I sound like a REAL granny?) and I got Mickey Mouse material to make a blanket for Mr. Tristan.  I was going to make curious George, but then I saw Mickey, and Miranda said he was falling in love with Mickey, so I decided to do that instead.  I got some awesome sales at Penney's.  I ended up spending a little over $9 and managed to save $108.  Now, THAT's the kind of shopping I LIKE!  I got a really neat candelabra that was supposed to be $80 for $4.97.  I couldn't believe it!  It will be great to use around the holidays.  It's really heavy and holds 6 pillar candles.  I LOVE IT!  I got one for my mom last year to put in her fireplace, but I think this one is even nicer than the one I got her.  I don't have a fireplace in my apartment, but I think it will look nice on my bar or antique trunk.  I can't wait to fire it up.  I LOVE to burn candles.  I feel like that's my treat to myself.  If you want to see me in heaven, just point me in the direction of a Yankee Candle store!

This morning I got up early and went to Pullman Square and helped with the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk.  I ran into so many old friends.  It was nice catching up with people.  There was a great turn out, and the last I heard, they raised more than $14,000 with the event.  It was very touching and sobering.  Really makes you think.

Tomorrow will start out with church and then who knows what the rest of the day will bring. I 'm not sure what I'll get into, but I'm sure it will be good....because IT'S ALL GOOD!

Another BEAUTIFUL day here in the Mountain State.  I LOVE this time of year.  If I could find someplace that had weather like this year round, this girl would be relocating!  We had a wonderful church service this morning...followed by good food and fellowship with friends at The Olive Garden.  After lunch I came home and took my obligatory Sunday afternoon nap.  Well rested, I went to visit with my Mom and Dad for a little while, then Mom and I went out shopping for a little while. I only bought a votive holder, but I LOVE IT.  It holds 5 candles and looks GREAT on my bar!  I love to burn candles...I feel like that's my little treat to myself.  Weird huh?

I almost forgot to go tan today.  I happened to think about it, and since they are going to be closed tomorrow I thought I'd better go....so across the street I ran.  I'm really surprised that I have been able to get as much tan as I have.  I've never used the tanning bed before, and I really enjoy it.  It 's very relaxing.  I'm not sure it makes me look any better, but as long as it makes me feel better about myself I guess that's all that matters.

I'm SO EXCITED, I have a couple friends who volunteered to help me move my last two pieces of furniture from the other house tomorrow.  I can't wait to get it moved so I can finish decorating my apartment.  I'm just so ready to be done!  I'm having some people over next week so I'm happy I'm going to have everything in place before then!

What's the perfect way to finish up the day?? A Jimmy Buffet concert on TV.  The only thing better would be if I could be there in person.  I've been to one of his concerts, and I'd love to go again.  If you like Jimmy and have never been to a concert, you need to go if you ever get the chance.  It's WILD!

I'm not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow since I don't have to work. I'm sure I'll come up with something.  Maybe since I'm getting the furniture moved early in the day I will be able to get some more stuff done around the apartment.  It's so close to being finished.  I can't wait to get the finishing touches done!

What a BEAUTIFUL day!

I had a wonderful day today!  I got up early this morning and went to the riverfront to help serve at the street ministry breakfast. I had such a GREAT time!  I got to talk to some really interesting people.  I love talking to  people and it's amazing who God will put in your path when you allow Him to guide you.  I am SO glad I decided to start helping with the weekly breakfasts.  I'm going to miss being there next weekend, because I am volunteering with the suicide prevention walk.  It will be Saturday morning also...but I'm sure I will meet some great people there too.

After helping with the breakfast, I came home and took a little nap then just messed around the apartment for a while. I ran the sweeper and picked up a little then decided to make some spaghetti.  It was pretty good if I say so myself!  I'm looking forward to cooler weather. I love to fix soup, chili and stuff like that when the weather is cool.  I'm trying to find an excuse to have people over for dinner or a little get-together....my apartment is small, but I'm in the mood to do a little entertaining.

After dinner I went on a little Walmart run.  It was such a BEAUTIFUL evening, I just wanted to keep on driving.  I didn't have anywhere in particular I wanted to go, but it felt so good outside I just wanted to GO!  If it's this pretty again tomorrow, I think I'm going to have to go for a drive even if I can't find anyone to go with me.

I talked to MyRanda for a while on the phone tonight and sent her some pics of the new outfits I bought for Tristan.  I sent him a  small package over a week ago and it still hasn't arrived. I  wish I knew what the hold-up was.  It should have been there 3 or 4 days ago.  Maybe they put it on a slow boat!

Tomorrow after church I'm meeting some friends for lunch.  We are planning on going to Olive Garden. It's always a good day when you get to spend it with people you love.....

Sleeping Beauty...

OH MY GOODNESS...where do I start??  Wednesday I worked at the office.  I came home and tried to take a nap but since my restless leg syndrome was not cooperating, I decided just to give up.  I went with my Mom to take one of the Puggies to the vet.  She has allergy problems.  We didn't get out of the vet until after 6 so it was too late to go to church.  I just came home and had dinner and stared at the TV for a while.  For reasons I'm not able to disclose, I didn't sleep much that night. I woke up Thursday morning and started to work around 4:30.  I finished up around 1:30 and made my way across the street to tan.  After I came home, I decided to take a nap and see if I could play catch up from Wednesday night.....well, I had NO problem falling asleep, but the problem is, I didn't wake up until 7:30. I probably wouldn't have woke up then, but I hadn't eaten since breakfast and I was having weird dreams about food! I was sure I wouldn't be able to sleep last night but the surprise was on ME.  I fell asleep around 10 and didn't wake up till 4 this morning!  I decided to get up and get my day started and ended up finishing up at 10:30 this morning.  Not a bad way to start a three day weekend!  Debby C. came over and we made our way out in seek of a little nourishment and retail therapy.  We had lunch at Ruby Tuesday's and shopped around the mall.  Let's see...the first stop was the Clinique counter, then Yankee Candle, the Hallmark Store, Penney's (for some man-cubby clothes) and then finished up with Starbucks.  Have I mentioned how much I love my Friday Girl's Days?  Come on Huntington girls...Deb and I have a standing Friday afternoon date for Girl's Day Out....  You need to come out and join us!  I don't know of any illness a little lunch and retail therapy can't cure!!

I haven't decided yet what all I'm going to get into this weekend.  If anyone has any good ideas...let me know!  I'm open for suggestions.  I'd love to head out of town for a couple days, but I can't find anyone willing to run away with me.  Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something interesting to get in to.

Tomorrow I'm planning on going to the riverfront to help with with the street ministry breakfast.  I really enjoyed it last week.  I'm going to try to make it one of my "Saturday" things to do.   I'm looking forward to the cooler weather that's being predicted.  I think I want to get myself a nice gas grill for the patio.  I guess I probably need to hurry up and get one before they're all gone for the season!!

Well, today was .... for the lack of a better work....boring.  I worked at home today and finished up around 1:30.  After work I ran a couple errands and went to Walmart.  After the delicious dinner I had last night, I resorted to Taco Bell tonight.  I certainly don't want my stomach to get used to decent food and start expecting it every day!

I attempted to take a nap but my restless leg syndrome wouldn't cooperate so I just gave up.  I ended up making one of my triple chocolate cakes.  I wish I knew how many of those I have made in my lifetime.  I started making them when I was in either elementary or Jr. High School and I'm still at it.  I went ahead and got enough supplies to make two while I was at the store today.  That way I will be prepared the next time I get the craving.

I think for the want of something better to do, I'll try to go to bed early tonight.  There doesn't seem to be anything on TV I want to watch.  I think I'm going to start myself some sort of craft project to work on in the evenings.  I just have to come up with something I want to make.  Does anyone have any ideas?  I'm thinking of sewing or crocheting something but I haven't decided for sure yet so I'm open for suggestions.

I'm sorry I am SO BORING today, but most of the time my life is almost as exciting as watching paint dry.... One think about it....  IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER!!

Monday Monday....

Today was pretty UN-eventful.  I got up this morning after a night filled with really WeIrD dreams.  I worked in the office today...nothing much unusual happened...just the typical "catch-up" after being out of the office since Wednesday.

I met with my investment broker today....that's always more fun than a barrel of monkeys!  He seems to think that I should be fine when time comes to retire.  He's going to prepare a portfolio for me to try to convince ME of the same.  I guess time will tell.  Who really knows these days with the way the market is jumping around all over the place.  I've got funds spread around all over the place so hopefully if one thing goes down the tubes, the other will make enough to make up for it!

I had a delicious dinner tonite....steak, baked potato, steamed carrots with snow peas, and fresh tomatoes.  Yum Yum.... sometimes I even manage to surprise myself.

I had a REALLY nice conversation with a cute blonde this evening.  He's a REAL "hunk" with the most beautiful blue eyes.  I'm not sure, but I feel like this is one long distance relationship that is going to last.  He's a little on the short side and his speech is a little difficult to understand sometimes, but I have hopes that it will improve soon....  I certainly do hope so, he comes from a REALLY nice family.

This is a picture of my "mystery man".  His name is Tristan, and he's my 16 month old grandson who lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.  I never really pictured myself being attracted to a man this much younger than myself, but hey....you only go around once...right??  

Seriously, he's the absolute love of my life ! 

 I love to video chat with him.  

He's such a hoot!

Tomorrow I will be working from home, which means more than likely I won't be out of my PJ's until my shift is over.  I know, it's a hard job, but somebody has to do it.  I'd better get myself out of my apartment after work tomorrow, or I won't have anything to blog about!  

Ready to start another week....

Wow, how do the weekends pass so quickly?  I can't believe it's time to start a new week!  I wonder what adventures await!

Today was very relaxing.  I got up this morning and picked up Miss Diane for Church.  We had a beautiful worship service and wonderful message.  Tracey lead worship and always does a WONDERFUL job.  Tracey has a way of allowing the Holy Spirit to work through her, she truly LEADS us all in WORSHIP!  After services, we went out to lunch with the Ray's and Pastor Ken and his family.  We are becoming quite the after-church lunch bunch.  We went to Rio Grande....you KNOW how much I dreaded going there...NOT.  That's one of my favorite places to eat.  Whenever we would go out to eat for my birthday or a special occasion, I always chose Rio Grande.  I guess you could say I was a "cheap date" LOL!

After church I came home and relaxed around my apartment.  I ended up taking a late nap and almost overslept for church.  I jumped out of bed just in time to throw on my clothes and run by to pick up my Momma.  Evening service was wonderful too.  I don't know why more people don't come out in the evenings.  It seems strange that you can have 175 people there on Sunday morning and you're lucky if you have 30 there on Sunday evenings.  I guess you're able to make time to do things that are important to you....maybe some feel that evening services aren't important.  It's not for me to judge...but when I miss, I always feel guilty for not going.  I guess if it bothers me to stay home, then I SHOULD GO TO CHURCH!!

I waited to have dinner until I got home from church.  I fixed myself a wonderful spinach salad with grilled chicken, cheese, french fried onion rings, croûtons, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and poppy seed dressing.  It was absolutely delicious if I do say so myself.  I can make a mean salad!!

I'm back in the office tomorrow.  I only go in two days a week.  I actually enjoy going in instead of working from home all the time. I think if I worked everyday from home I would probably get depressed.  I like seeing everyone and catching up on what's happening with them.  It's nice to jump out of bed and work in my PJ's, but it's good FOR me to have to make myself "presentable" and get out in the real world every now and then too.

Well, since my alarm will be screaming at me at 4:30 in the morning, I guess I should shut down the computer and think about getting myself some beauty sleep.....not that it will make me look any better (I don't even think hibernation could help me!)

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend, and has a blessed week!

Nice Saturday.....

Wow, what a nice day!  I got up early (at least for a Saturday) this morning and went to my church to help get the food ready for the Angel Food Ministry distribution.  I don't think they really needed me, but I was there to help anyway.  After that I went to the riverfront to help serve breakfast to the homeless. When I got there, there was already a long line of people waiting on breakfast to start. I saw absolutely NO one I knew.  You know me, I just walked up to someone  and introduced myself and asked how I could help.  I ended up serving coffee.  I was really surprised there were so many people there to eat.  I'd estimate we served between 100 and 150 people.  It was a very humbling experience.  I think this is something I would like to get involved with...they serve every Saturday morning, year round.  If nothing happens I'm gonna show up again next weekend. If anyone wants to join me, just give me a call.

After I came home I took a nap.  Wow, I don't know when I've ever rested so well in my life.  When I woke up, it took me a minute or two to even decide where I was!  I didn't feel guilty about taking a nap because I felt that I had already done something productive early in the day.

Not much excitement this evening....just fixed dinner, went to tan, and reconnected with some "old" friends on the phone.  I really LOVE my apartment.  When I'm away from home, I just want to hurry and get back, and when I'm here, I never want to leave!  I really have a difficult time making myself get out and do things because I'm happiest when I'm at home.  I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing though, is it?

Look Out Weekend....HERE I COME !!

I realize it's only Friday, but I feel like I'm already well into the swing of the weekend.  I spent the entire afternoon today with a dear friend.  We participated in a little "retail therapy", had a nice lunch at Applebee's and finished up with Starbucks and people watching.  The weather today was PERFECT!!  It feels like Fall is just around the corner....and I'm ready!

I finally got my valances up in the living room.  I knew what I wanted, but they were on back order.  I can't wait to get my apartment finished.  I still need  a couple strong men to help me move a couple things from the other house.  Heck, at this point, I'm willing to take three or four weaklings if they would help me!  I just want to get everything finished.  I'm tired of living in limbo.  My decorating is almost finished...actually I've done all I can do until I get the other two pieces moved. Oh well, one day maybe a night in shining armor will ride in to the rescue and I'll get the final touches done.

Tomorrow morning I'm planning on joining a group at the riverfront to help feed breakfast to the homeless.  My best friend and I have often talked about how we wanted to do something to help feed the homeless who lived there, but under the present circumstances, I don't think that's going to come to pass, so I'm going to go do it on my own.  It's something I feel like I'm being called to do.  I feel like I am SO self-centered.  I need to do more to help other people and not always concentrate on myself.  I'm trying to force myself OUT of my comfort zone.  I guess there's no time like the present, since  in my practically EVERYTHING in my life has changed in the past few months, I may as well see if I can't just go ahead and push myself over the edge LOL.  In a couple weeks I will be volunteering at the OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK for suicide prevention.  Who knows what I'll end up involved with in the future.  I am just praying that God will use me where I'm needed.  My goal for the year was to be happy....and I'm happier than I've been in a very long time.  I think maybe the secret to happiness lies with doing what you can to help others rather than looking around to see what you can do for yourself.

I hope you and yours have a GREAT weekend!!

Well....Here goes NOTHING!

Well, my daughter has convinced me I need to start blogging....I'm embarrassed for anyone to know how BORING my life actually is!  As you can see in my profile, I'm recently divorced after nearly 30 years of marriage (actually 11 days short of our 30th anniversary)...but WHO'S COUNTING!!  I'm living by myself for the first time in my life....and surprisingly I LOVE it!!  I'm in a 12 unit apartment and I'm one of the oldest tenants.  These kids have a way of keeping me YOUNG...but I must admit, I feel like the housemother sometimes :).  There's never a dull moment, sometimes I think I've entered my second childhood.

I work in performance improvement at a local hospital and am fortunate enough to be able to work at home three days a week.  I must admit, I never planned on being able to have a job where I worked at home when I went to school to become a nurse!

I'm enjoying re-connecting with "old" friends.  I have recently gotten back in contact with people I haven't seen or talked to since the 70's.  It's funny how you can often pick up right where you left off.  I just don't understand how they all got so OLD when I still feel like a teenager...

I'm getting involved in a lot of activities I've wanted to do but never seemed to find the time...stepping out of my comfort zone I guess you'd say. I've often heard "if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got".....well I'm ready for something NEW...  I'm not sure what it's gonna be yet, but I'm ready for the challenge!!