Versatile Blogger Award. I am so thrilled!

I just received the Versatile Blogger award from Carol @ Facing 50 With Humour, and I want to thank her for this wonderful surprise.

Versatile blogger!

In order to receive it I am to fulfil certain criteria:


Share 5 things about myself
Pass the award to 5 bloggers recently discovered
Notify the blogger recipients
Link to the blogger who gave the award


OK, here goes...5 things about myself.


1.  I do not know how to swim! Yep, me, the one that grew up in Phoenix..the Valley of the Sun. I can    float, lay on a raft, used to water ski..but can not swim a lick!


2.  I am a procrastinator and actually work better under pressure. When I was making junior bridesmaids                                      dresses for my Grand Daughters, I planned out to the last minute how long it would take and I did not   give myself  any extra time. 


3.  I started college when most of my children were in High School and graduated when the youngest was a Sophomore.


4.  I went to Grade School, and High School, with Wonder Woman!


5.  I love going to New York and riding the subway, running in Central Park and walking all over the city!


Now I would like to pass this award to:   

Butterfly Flutter

Jewel's front Porch

The House on the Corner

Life on Orchard Road

A Real (Upstate) NY Housewife

Thirty Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for my sense of humor!

I had composed quite a lengthy post about a date night with Hubby. In this very creative (LOL) post,  I had included pictures, witty tales about our night, quotes from my Hubby, The Eternal Ocean of Wisdom, and   then right when I was ready to post...woooosshhhhh it was gone.  Lost somewhere in Cyber Space!!!!!!  Gone...No...Where....To..Be.....Found!!!

What a hoot..all that work and all i can do is sit here and laugh!!

Thirty days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for having the day off because I did not get anything done over the weekend and I need to clean the house, decorate, clip the kitty's nails, pay bills, do my homework for bible class and the list goes on and on!!

I wanted to go on a long run today but at this time the temp is 24 degrees and the wind is blowing so hard that I can hear the flapping of the flag inside the Condo

When the flag is straight,  it is too windy to run.

Have a great day,
Shawn

Meet Me On Monday hosted by Java

This is one of my favorite hops hosted by Java @ Never Growing Old, I have included her instructions.


Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?"  I know them...but yet I don't know them!  I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other! 

Every Sunday I will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!

"Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better....one Monday at a time!!!"....as quoted by the Chacogirl!! I will make this SIMPLE and FUN!!!

I will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them better!!  Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog!


















Questions: 

1.  What is your favorite way to eat chicken?
2.  Have you decorated for Christmas yet?
3.  What is your favorite article of clothing?
4.  Do you pay your bills online or write checks the old way?
5.  Do you make Christmas cookies?

My Answers:
1.  My favorite way to eat chicken is FRIED because it reminds me of my childhood. My mother made fried chicken every Sunday for dinner, but because  Hubby worked in a chicken processing plant when he was 18, we seldom have chicken and rarely fried!

Oh so Yummy!

2.  We have not decorated the Christmas tree because we have been having issues with lights. At the end of the season last year, several stands of lights were not working. Earlier this week I  posted about Hubby patiently replacing the bulbs on almost the entire tree. Friday night when he brought the tree to our Condo the lights were bright and it looked so festive. We were going to decorate after Church today but......

On Saturday most of the lights had gone out again. When we got home from Church, Hubby again replaced the bulbs....and two hours later it looks like this.

Poor tree  : ((

I think we will forgo decorating this tree and just decorate the Condo. Next weekend we will decorate our home up North which is where we will spend part of the Christmas Holiday!

3.  One of my favorite articles of clothing is a long, black coat that I wear every New Years Eve. I wish I could take a picture but the coat is up in Loveland at our other home but I will try to describe it.  I bought this coat at a dance convention and it is made of a material that looks like velvet, has furred cuffs and collar, and has only one button which is at the neckline. This coat is fantastic, it can be rolled in a ball, put in a suitcase and never wrinkles. Also, the best part, just throw it in the washer and dryer and it looks brand new after 8 years!  I get so many compliments on it and the cost was just $50.

4.  I pay my bills on line..and when I have to write a check..I seldom have a stamp to send it!!

What did we do before computers?

5.  Next Sunday will be our Annual Cookie Day. We have been doing this since my oldest Granddaughter was a baby and she will soon be 14.   My daughters, daughter-in-law, myself and all the grand kiddos will meet early in the morning and make mounds of cookies. We have a great day baking, laughing, talking, making a huge mess and having the times of our lives. For us, this is the start of our Holiday!

My Girls... minus two that are out of town!

The day is a Love fest.

Some of the Cousins.

There are twelve of us and the kids are finally at an age where they enjoy baking and last year they stuck with it for a couple hours before they got bored and went out to play. You can see the one little guy already at the TV!


This year the kids have decided to split into boys vs. girls for a cookie bake off!  I just hope Nana does not have to pick the winner because when I pick, everyone is a Winner!


I hope everyone has a great week,
Shawn

Thirty Days of Thanks

November28, 2010

Today I am Thankful for the quiet of the morning. You see Cecil, the cat, woke me up at 6:10 wanting his breakfast. I decided to get out of bed and let Hubby sleep in. When I went into the kitchen it was completely dark but, within a few minutes,the sun started it's glorious entrance in the East. The sky started turning a crimson color just below the trees outside the patio window. As I watched, the crimson,orange and yellow color began to take over the dark sky. Now, the sky is a vivid blue, not a cloud to be seen, the house remains quiet except for the occasional sound of the heater igniting.

I have always enjoyed getting up early to be alone in the quiet. Even though my children are adults, and I am an empty nester, I enjoy this time to reflect, read, have a cup of coffee and feel the presence of God.

I hope you have a blessed day,
Shawn

Thirty days of Thanks

Nov. 27th 2010

Today I am thankful that all my children seem to be in a good physical and emotional place! With six adult children, at any given time, it seems like someone is having a rough time. Today, I would like to report that all is well with everyone.

Wendy is happy in Arizona spending wonderful holiday time with her family!

Erin is training for her marathon an hoping to qualify for Boston, her kids are great, they will be getting their new puppy in two weeks and she is planning a kitchen redo.

Shawn is easy going and never gets too upset abut anything!  Shawn, and his family, are a perfect fit and now they added Aspen, a new four legged friend.

Tiffany is busy at work, loves her Hubby and kids, and knows how to have a good time.  She is able to vent if she has any issues which is a good trait!

Aaron, and the love of his life, is just enjoying life.  I think his middle name is ADVENTURER!

Amber has a smile on her face which we have not seen in a few months. I think by loving herself she has found love! J is also a very happy young woman.

So for now, this Mom can say ...AMEN!

Weekend Hops/Thirty Days of Thanks

I can not believe it is the end of November where did this month go!

Today I am thankful for: Not having to work an entire shift today!

Although I had to work today, and BTW I start work at 6am, a co-worker decided to split the shift with me. Yippee!!!!

So, the day I was dreading, turned out to be one of the better days at work. There were four surgical patients scheduled and the first one did not show up.



There are quite a few fun blog hops during the weekend and the first out of the gate is:

Thirty days of Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all, may your day be blessed!  

Today I am thankful that I will be spending the day with my family! There will be four of my children  that will not be here so I will post a little about them.




The Collins Family

My son, Aaron, and beautiful daughter (in-law) Kelly are in California. I hope they have a wonderful day and they will be missed mucho!  LOVE YOU!

Aaron..you cutie!

Aaron

What a beautiful couple!

Amber

Amber will be spending the day with friends this year. I spoke with her this morning and it feels so good to hear the laughter in her voice. She is one special woman and she learned how to be strong at a very young age! LOVE YOU!

My little Dolly, so many years ago!

In the hospital..Chemo Day.

Amber with her daughter, Jaycie, I will miss you both today!

The Skousen's 

To Wendy, and all of your family, I miss you and hope you have a great day! We have a lot to be Thankful for this year!

LOVE YOU!!!

I felt wrapped in LOVE!

I am one lucky woman to have my Birth Daughter in my life!

To the Davis family..you know how I feel about you...Love, Love, Love you and miss you Tons!

Kevin, Shawn and Kent!  My brother's were sooooo cute!

Debbie and Kevin

Shawn, the first born, and his bride!

Wish I had a picture of Autumn and her family but these flowers she made do remind me of her!

Jenna

Sarah

The little ones..

To all of the Becker Family...Wish we were all spending Thanksgiving together..maybe sometime..  : )))

Some of these people are not in the picture (no pun) anymore but this was a happy time!
Love you all!

To all my friends , may your day be blessed with love and contentment!

Thirty days of Thanks

November 24, 2010

Today I am Thankful for memories of days gone by!

Christmas..Years ago!

I have so many wonderful memories raising these six kiddo's and I can not believe how fast the years flew by.  
The picture above was taken during our years on the farm in Missouri and let me tell you, these kids kept me running. Now they are adults with children of their own facing the same challenges as I did. Their children are in sports and dancing, as they were, and now they are the chauffeurs. They are doing an amazing job raising their children into responsible, loving individuals.



I am so thankful that I am Mom to these wonderful adults. 

Thirty days of Thanks

Today is November 23, 2010

I believe I have already posted about how thankful I am that I live close to most of my Grand kiddo's and today was a prime example.  This morning at H's elementary school there was a Grandparents breakfast and a book fair.  It was so nice being able to go in late to work and spend time with D (Ev was sick and had to stay home) and her other Grandparents1  So, today I am thankful for  living close to these precious children and for being their NANA!

Big D

Little E

Thirty days of Thanks

November 22, 2010

I am sitting at the computer while my Hubby is installing a new garbage disposal. Now, some would wonder why I am thankful for that but to me the answer is simple...he can fix almost anything which saves us a ton of $$$$$.

Bill can do any kind of car work from general maintenance to restoring old vehicles. When someone ran into my car and tore out the drivers front side, Bill did all the body work then took it to a shop for painting. When we got the car back it looked brand new. Unfortunately,  I had already bought a new vehicle because I felt that one was jinxed.I had been hit several times, while parked, and was just waiting for the Big One while I was in it!


So, for today, I am thankful for my Hubby, who keeps both houses in Tip Top condition!

I am sure he did not want his picture taken..Oh Well!!!!

Meet Me On Monday hosted by Java

Questions: 

1.  How many pillows do you sleep with?
2.  Where will you eat on Thanksgiving?
3.  Would you rather go to a party or host a party?
4.  How many purses (for the guys..wallets) do you own?
5.  What is your favorite kind of seafood?

My Answers:
1. Both Hubby and I sleep on two pillows, but in all these years I still have not found a  type that we have been completely happy with!

2.  We will be at my Son's in-laws for Thanksgiving and this will be the first time in many years that most of us will be together and at the last count 22 are expected. We are so excited!!  I will be making a Corn Casserole  that Ann, his mother-in-law, has asked me to make for the last few Thanksgiving dinners.

3.  I would rather host a party.  I am a homebody and like to have friends over.  I used to host a Christmas dinner for friends who celebrate with adult children on Christmas Eve, or do not have family in Colorado. For the last two years we have rotated homes and it has become a friend Tradition!

Party time!

4.  I own 10 purses, none of which are designer name brands! I only have them because I need to carry all my junk in. My granddaughter, Emma, cleans my purse every time she comes over because I can not seem to throw away my receipts and outdated coupons!

I like this one!

5.  I like all kinds of seafood from raw oysters to talapia!  I like it grilled, baked, fried...I am not picky when it comes to seafood. On the whole, we eat more Salmon than any other kind of seafood. One of my favorite seafood restaurants is  Papadeaux's,  love the raw oysters!

Yummy!

Thirty days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for the day. This is Sunday..the day of REST!  Keep the Sabbath Holy as our Father ordained!
Today is the day that we renew our selves with reflection at church, confession of sins and forgiveness! What is more wonderful than knowing that through our Savior, Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we will have everlasting life,
The sermon was about putting Jesus; First, and Foremost, because only through him will we find salvation. I feel, at this time of the year, the focus has to be on the reason we celebrate Christmas. Not for the commercialism but for the birth of our Savior, then and only then, will we find true happiness and contentment.

Thirty days of Thanks

November 19 and 20th



I missed posting yesterday so this will be a two day catch up!

Today I am thankful for My new Garmin 405 that Hubby bought me for my Birthday!

Here she is..just finished charging!

Love the green color..now I have to figure out how to use it!

Well, guess I better get the book out because I can not figure out how to set the time and date!!

This new toy should be a lot of fun and now I can run anywhere and know the mileage from the GPS.
Yippee!!  This is definitely worth two days of Thanks!!!!

Thirty Days of Thanks

November 18th

Today was the first day, of the new session, of a bible study offered at Church. The name of the program is LifeLight and the session is Bible Feasts.



We started out in the small Chapel for hymn's then divided into our study groups. Many of the women in my group had been meeting together for years and they welcomed me , and another newbie, into their circle with open arms. Our lesson was thought provoking, uplifting and ended with a wrap up lecture by Pastor back in the chapel.

I am so Thankful that I was able to join this group of lovely women to study the word of God.

Thirty Days of Thanks

November 17th

As I sit here, at the computer, getting ready to post what I am thankful for, I am also waiting for the furnace company. You see, I woke up this morning to a very cold Condo..no heat makes for a crabby Shawn! To top it off, last night my garbage disposal quit..No Warning..one minute it was working the next..NOTHING!

Today I am thankful for the fact that even if the heat is out..I have a home. I have a nice soft bed with fluffy comforters. I have blankets to keep me warm while I curl up on the couch. I have my two kitties to keep my feet warm at night.  I have a home..I am not homeless sleeping outside, not knowing where my next meal will come from.

Thirty days of Thanks

November 16, 2010

Today I am thankful for the Health of my Granddaughter, Summer, and her baby which is due in late May or early June!  Last night I saw the pictures of the Ultrasound and I have grabbed them from her Mom's blog and will add it to this!
You see, Wendy, my birth daughter, located me in May. With my daughter, came a whole new family and Summer is the oldest of five!

Our Reunion! My daughter, Amber in the back and white stripe, me and the Skousen family!

Summer and Autumn..Two Amazing Women!

The little Bambino on the right!

The little cutie !

I must admit that when I first heard Summer was expecting, I got a twinge in my stomach!  I am going to be a Great Nana...at first I wanted to Shout...No, I can't be a Great Nana...I am too Y O U N G!!!!

That lasted a very short minute..then I thought HOW COOL IS THAT!!! A new life will be coming into this world, a new little being to love and we will start a new chapter in this book of Family!