It's My Birthday!

[Hi friends, this is Stephanie surprising Mom on her birthday...]

count them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

and they are your biggest fans

first grand-son, first grand-daughter

noah carter grayson abigail ivy jack

two - four - six

"Guess what?"

"Chickenbutt."

We gave Jack a stick to chew on. True story.

This is your (circle of) life


You

are

so

loved
needed
beautiful
appreciated
generous
special
crazy

Happy Birthday, Mom!


Thanks to Beth for the birthday banner. Isn't it great?

If you're stopping by today to say happy birthday, please also let Mimi know what your favorite Elvis song is, or your favorite thing to order at Olive Garden, or the craziest thing you've ever done (that you'll admit!)

Gung-ho! Carrots are growing!

Feb. 27, 2010 I lost a special friend & founder of the company I work for. Mahlon LOVED life and embraced it every day with more vigor than I have ever seen in a 92 year old person. He came in every morning and yelled out "Gung-Ho"! and raised his arm like he was marching in a parade with a baton in hand. I was the first person to see him every morning. Even if he were to leave the office during the day and come back in, he would repeat Gung-Ho every time.
Since I was his assistant I would open up all of his mail and pass on the important mail to him. He was semi-retired but still wanted to work.
After he passed away, I still had the job of opening up his mail. First of all, when Mahlon was alive, he gave to every charity & organization and subscribed to many magazines.
I would send back most of his mail after opening it letting them know of the circumstances and to stop sending. One day, I opened up a letter with a packet of Carrot seeds inside. I think it was from the charity, Feed the Children. I couldn't see discarding that packet of seeds. I decided to plant those carrot seeds in the one large pot on my front porch that needed something inside. I carefully planted and watered them in Mahlon's honor. In a few weeks, I noticed the small green sprouts popping thru the dirt. I was so excited. It made me feel like Mahlon was smiling down, happy that I did something with those seeds. Every day I check on them and say "Gung-Ho". This morning as I was leaving for work, they were huge, so I had to take a picture of them. I hope to be able to pull them out soon and have an orange carrot. This little packet of seeds has brought me so much joy. I feel like Mahlon lives on and that is just what he would want us to do. Embrace life and nature. He planted many seeds in his lifetime. He taught me so much and I sure do miss my friend, but this pot of carrots puts a smile on my face. Have a Gung-Ho day!

Full Friday with Five

My Friday Started out with Jack being dropped off at my house at 7:30 am. His mommy and Abby were going on a trip for the day and daddy was working. Jack is a delight to watch. You just give him snacks and food all day and he's a happy little guy. Of course, I try to never overfeed him...NOT.....We decided to go check out one of my favorite stores "Once Upon a Child" since they were having a big sale. Abby loves to wear pretty dresses to church, so I like to see what they get in from time to time. And Jack is growing like a weed and needed some bigger clothes too. So, after we did a little shopping, we went over to visit Aunt Steph and cousins, Noah, Carter, Gray and Ivy. Jack played a while and then got a little cranky with the teething thing, so we loaded up and headed back to Mimi's. He took a little nap and when he woke up I decided to make him lunch, and that is when my heart skipped a beat.............
Jack was standing in the entryway looking out the front screen door. I turned to go into the kitchen and when I turned back around after hearing the door close, Jack was NOT standing there anymore. I ran to the door and opened it and there was little Jack, face down on my porch. He had fallen out the door. I could not believe what I saw. I scooped him up and tried to see if there were blood or bumps and of course he was crying and scared. There was not a scratch or bump on him. All I could say was "Thank you God for putting a pillow under him to land on"....It's the scariest feeling in the world. Never assume that a door can't open when leaned on. I felt like a bad Mimi, but just thankful that he wasn't hurt.
He stayed until around 3:30......Then around 5:00.....Noah, Carter, Gray and Ivy came over while Steph and Jeff went to dinner and a movie.......We ate pizza and of course I made Carter's favorite mashed potatoes and gravy.....


I could not get Ivy to smile for the camera....She loves to play with the magnets on my frig. The lady with the pumpkin on her head is actually named mimi. It was a magnet set that Steph gave me that she found at a specialty store.

The boys are use to playing with legos, micro machines or G.I.Joes at my house, but their uncle Nate took all of his old toys home to put up for his son when he is old enough to play with them one day. They were lost with not knowing what to play with. So, I got out the play dough and they were thrilled. Gray said "mommy throws away the play dough so Ivy can't get it" They each created a Birthday Cake for me, with real candles. And we even lit them and made wishes.

Carter created a cake using star and tree cookie cutters....For someone to say just minutes earlier that he was bored, looks mighty happy here. I'm glad I remembered I had play dough in the cabinet. He said what he would really like to play with is a big Jeep to ride in with a big battery....hint...hint...

Noah created his cake using the cookie cutters as the decoration....I think I lit his candles 5 times for him to keep making the same wish....He said he wanted to make sure it came true. Mike yelled out from the other room "is something burning?" I said "No, I'm just entertaining the kids"..LOL...

Thanks Play dough...you saved the night!!

Another Fun Filled Full Friday off with my favorite people...

Celebrating 500 posts

On May 2, 2007 my blog was born. 500 posts later, I am still enjoying my little journal. I would really like to step it up this next year and post more often. I have enjoyed this journey so much and have met so many great people along the way. I can honestly say I have never gotten any negative comments. I feel the love from all my fellow bloggers. Thank you for not giving up on me and continuing to tune in......Happy 500 posts!!!!

random thoughts

***I feel like I'm in a rut...motivation is hanging on by a thread...
***I am faithfully going to Curves but my eating is NOT under control...
***I love sea salt & vinegar kettle cooked chips...
***I love Diana's chocolate covered frozen 1/2 bananas...
***I love Butterball Thanksgiving Turkey from the deli...
***I gave up products containing aspartame...
***I am in search of a new large purse...
***I am looking forward to our County Fair this month, which happens to be on my Birthday...
***I can already taste the fried vegetables dipped in ranch dressing...
***I am very content with my job and working 4 days a week until the economy picks up...
***I need to give up reality t.v., especially when it filters into my dreams...
***I hope the bachelorette Ali picks Chris L. He's my favorite now that Ty is gone.
***I am behind on my blog reading and have several books I need to finish...
***I've been in a funk since coming back from my sister vacation...
***I am in search of a used white provincial night stand and headboard for a Queen bed...
***I tried growing a tomato plant in a topsy turvey planter, it met it's maker, it's a stick now...
***I planted carrot seeds I got in the mail in a large pot and they are growing...
***I am in need of a massage...
***I love my new razor for my legs, no cuts and smooth as silk...
***I still can't believe I have 6 grand kids...
***I'm glad all 6 grand kids have Birthdays in different months...
***I am looking forward to my sister coming for a visit this fall...
***I am searching for a new Blog look...
***I will try to never wear false fingernails again...
***I don't like getting pedicure's but I love the results...
***I wish Dove still made the facial cucumber melon wipes...
***I wish I could grant my husband a much needed vacation...
***I wish I could grant my husband a brand new truck...
***I would like to start having family dinners at my house, like we did when I was young...
***I am so thankful that my daughter and son have such great spouses and in-laws...
***I am also thankful that I can still talk to my parents on the phone or in person
when most of my friends parents are deceased.
***I have lots of random thoughts going thru my 53 year old head. Right now,
I am thankful for whoever is interested in reading this. Please leave a comment
or any suggestions, but be
nice.

Happy 8th Birthday Carter Bear

I searched for just the right picture to show Carter's personality. This best describes him. Carter Wilson Precourt is the comedian and entertainer of the family. He demands the stage a lot to sing us his songs he learns in school. What a joy he is and I am so proud of my 2nd Grandson. We will celebrate this evening and he is one excited little man. He LOVES his birthday. Happy Birthday Carter Bear....You bring so much happiness! Love you so much...Mimi

I'm Back!

I flew back home July 4th and had the time of my life with my sister. I can't believe the week went by so fast. Despite the rainy weather, we still had enough sun peeking through the clouds to give us both a good tan.

We took advantage of shopping one rainy day and found these bathing suit cover-ups. The ocean was beautiful and very little tar balls were seen towards the end of the week. We loved walking the beach and finding treasures.

This is the view from our room. It was breathtaking. We got the 2 pools and ocean view. What more could you ask for? My sister laughed at me when I would put bread out on our balcony railing to feed the birds.
We were at a social event enjoying the last evening.

Relaxing after the social event. I'm not a wine lover, so I would give Diane mine. She did sleep good that night.
Our last morning, I took one last swim in the ocean. The water felt like bath water. It was the best time and I miss my sister. I will share more pictures in days to come. I miss Florida!