The Queen of Scrapbooking

Photo: Sweet Encounters ...just turned 40. Now, does she LOOK 40? Heck no. She certainly does not look old enough to be the Mom of all those gorgeous boys or the grandmom of those 2 precious little guys. Jolene is the home maker supreme, the reigning Queen of Scrapbooking (and every Queen needs a castle right?) and a blessing to all of us. Happy Birthday dear heart...and Happy Anniversary a few days late! I am slow but, like that old turtle, I get to it in the end! We love ya!

For The George Family

I am just feeling so heartbroken for our friend, Jolene.

Most of you that read this little self indulgence

of mine also know Jolene. She is a bit of a

legend around the blog world! Superwoman

par Excellence and then some.

I feel so helpless and wish there was

something I could do for her...so, may

I ask all of you to do something for her?

Her handsome son Chad left today for training and will be

off to Afghanistan shortly. I am asking that everyone who

reads this to keep a good thought for all the George Family,

say a prayer for Chad's safe return and to keep Jolene in your hearts. As a fellow Mom, I can only imagine how she feels tonight.

Jolene? You are loved by so many and we are all here to help ease your pain, offer a shoulder, make you laugh and just care

about you. Never forget that...

Please also keep Chad's beautiful fiance', Sandy,

in your thoughts, prayers and hearts as well...she

is just blessed to be a part of such a warm and

welcoming family as the George family and they

are blessed to have her. God Bless you all.

I Love Blogging!

You all are the very best! How can anyone feel down when there are such dear and special people out there! Thank you from the bottom of my heart...I am sending each of you a big hug. I feel a lot better tonight. I may go back to the base for a treatment tomorrow but am breathing easier now. I hate to hear that so many of you share this affliction, or are close to those who do. Not fun but hey. Things could be worse huh? I mean, I DO have this nasty hangnail I could tell you about but I am putting on a brave face and trying to muster on. Um... And the 20 something is being very dear to me today. Ah, guilt. It's not just for breakfast anymore! I don't think he fully realized how awful I felt and when he did, well, let's just say he has been a HUGE help today. Now, how could I be sad when Jolene's son Chad is HOME! That handsome young man is back in his family's arms after basic training. Now, I am sure you will all agree with me when I say, (1) He wears that uniform well and (2) He is a hero in our books. Heck, he is a hero in any book. Well, I don't think he is mentioned in the latest and last installment of the Lemony Snicket series but surely in everything else. As you all now know, I spent a few years as a military wife. I have a great love for those young people who choose to serve. Thank you Chad! Have a wonderful visit Jolene! All of us will be thinking about all of you. I took Grace to the dentist this afternoon and it was a "See Ma! No cavities!" day! Yippee! We stopped by the base exchange and gathered up a few more gifts for those at school who give so much help and love to our girl. We found some nice gift sets from Crabtree and Evelyn that can be easily broken up and re arranged in bags with the candies and goodies we have waiting. Grace just loves to give them all something. We have been blessed to be a part of a wonderful school...just one of the many things I am grateful for today. We all had dinner at Mom's condo. I am so happy that she is now back in Ohio near us. Being able to stop by like that is something I am not taking for granted at all. She had lots and lots of cabbage for Grace. This kid loves cabbage. The rest of us are lucky we get any! Seriously. And she downed a hefty amount of broccoli too. And ham. And potatoes. And dinner rolls. And ice cream for dessert. Dan ate like that for years before he slowed up. Me thinks she may be going through another growth spurt! She is so excited about Christmas. She was singing "Silent Night" all evening. I do believe that I heard her humming it to Henry as they drifted off to sleep. Even Dan has his shopping all done! His Dad will never believe it! I laid there last night and thought about all the things I have to be grateful for. Even when things get tough, there is always something twinkling off in the distance. We have been blessed with good friends and neighbors and family close by. After years and years of moving and missing family/friend's sweet occasions, I will never take being with them for granted. After 28 1/2 years of marriage, my heart still skips a beat when I see Bill. I guess that seems silly to say but hey. I am still IN love. He is my heart. I love my kids. Both came to us from foreign lands, Dan from Korea at age 7, Grace from China at age 6. They are (even when they vex me, gripe me, drive me batty) my life and soul. Both are so brave. Can you imagine being told, "Okay, now, you are being sent thousands of miles away to live in a foreign country. You will not know the language or understand the culture. You will live with people who do not look like you. You have never met said people. You may not even like said people. You will not get a say in any of this." I can not fathom how I would take it as an adult. But as a young child? We have a nice roof over our heads & safe water to drink. We can drop by the grocery store 24 hours a day to choose whatever we need to fill empty tummies. With the flip of a switch we have lights when it is dark and heat when it is cold. Our pets live better than so many children in this world. I always feel a pang when I think about that. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my fur babies and would do anything for them. It is just hard to think about the conditions under which so many humans live. We can jump in our car and run an errand, see a movie, go out to eat. We have good medical and dental care at our disposal. All of these are things never to be taken for granted. I, for one, need to remind myself of that from time to time. And, I have so many blog friends...such wonderful people. Inspiring, talented, loving, funny. I am so grateful for you all. Far more than even I would have thought a few short months ago. I look forward to *visiting* with you via your blogs each day. I love your comments and observations. Thank you! Okay, now. It is Tuesday, very early am and I have a 6am wake up. I need to try and sleep. Henry is now up and has decided to pay a call on me. Lucy has vanished in a jealous huff. Kip is ambivilant. His snoring continues...and mine will soon begin.