A Brand New Start.....

That seemed like a good title for this time of year even though
I don't partake in the whole New Years resolution thing.
With the start of  2012 coming to call at the end of this week
I find myself thinking about everything that happened in 2011.
So many marvelous things came to be this year, the birth of
a first child for my 38 year old Cousin and another on the way for
a different Cousin.
My dear friend who I babysat for years gave birth to
her first child and I feel blessed to have lived long enough
to see her and her Sister have children of their own.
A visit with Hubby's family and a Father's first time
hunting with his Son's.
Male bonding in bathroom repairs and some fantastic fishing that
fine meals came from.
BBQ's and big belly shakes were had and I smile thinking of them now.
These and many other things that took place is what I will try
and keep my mind wrapped around when thinking back on the last 365 days.
Sadness and suffering was also had but I'm not going to make to
many mentions of that because it will just dampen my decent mood.
If it could make a difference I would surely share with you some of the things
that hurt the most this past year but the loved ones we lost and the heart hurts
we've shared won't be healed by my typing skills here so silent I shall stay!

I will tell you about some of my favorite things that happened.
Our annual May 2-4 BBQ was one, My Aunt's, Uncles, Cousins
and even a close friend was there in all her pregnant plumpness!
My surgery turning out swell and my Mother-In- Law dropping everything
to offer help still has me feeling gratitude towards her.
Seeing my Husband and Son's gain another year of age is one of the best things
I can reflect on in any year.
Countless wishes laid and granted under first stars I saw of the night and
to many magical moon moments to mention.
I may not be able to list every time I smiled this year but many are in mind
at the moment.
Most recently, a visit with a few ladies I love and a brief chit chat with one
that couldn't join us.
Did I mention that today is the birthday of one of my best friends?
This is the 19th one I've been able to be part of and it fills me with the finest
memories we've made together.
Here's to many more girlfriend, I love ya largely lady!! (raises coffee mug)

So as 2011 comes to an end I'm looking forward to enjoying
many new firsts in the coming new year.
Maybe I will even attempt getting my drivers license...hardy har har!, that probably
won't happen but it's always there to think about.
I'll leave these lines with the song that inspired this entry, a friend brought
it to mind this morning and more than one listen I've had of it while typing.
Thanks for reading what's on my mind and may this day be a good one
for you all!

I'll Be Seeing You.....

Earlier this week I was watching one of my favorite movies
and the song I'll Be Seeing You is played throughout it.
If you are younger than thirty then you may have never heard this
song before but trust me folks, it's a good one!
For days I have had it in mind and awoke everyday signing
it's sweetness.
It always brings my Father to mind and as we wind down this
year I'm thinking of all the people I hope to spend time with
in 2012.

Today I will be spending some with my Mother and Step-Father, my
Sister and her children along with my Hubby Bub and our own kids of course.
I feel blessed and bursting with excitement over seeing the little ones
faces light up later this evening.
Also I am hoping to attend midnight mass with some of my family members
which always fills me with my Fathers spirit.
We always went to midnight mass with Daddy and it's something I look
forward to every year.
We have a light dusting of snow over everything and this is the only
time of the year I can be found praying for flakes to fall from the sky.

It's true, I've been blessed biggley  in this past year, had surgery in
June and that went well.
I recently celebrated another birthday and I'm a lucky lady indeed to
have healthy loved ones in our house.
Though the years are flying by and gaining speed with each passing one
I feel the need now more than ever to try and slow it all down to a snails
pace so for to soak in all the sweetness of each moment we share.
Though I know this isn't possible I will continue to try.
I pray that my memories are always intact and that I can share stories of
loved ones in the past with future generations.

Well I really must be going because a big day is ahead here and
I want to be ready for it.
Let me take this moment to wish you all a very merry Christmas
and a happy, healthy New Year, may you never be tripped up by
troubles for long and may the love you give be returned to you in
the kindness and consideration of others.
As always, thank you for reading what's on my mind.
"I'm looking at the moon but I'll be seeing you"

When You Wish Upon A Star.....

I know you have all heard that song before but I'm making mention of
it here because of something silly I did earlier this week.
On Saturday my Hubby Bub and youngest Son came along for a visit
to my Aunt and Uncles house.
We did a little Christmas shopping while we were there and as always I
enjoyed cleaning her house.
On Sunday we ventured to a near by super mall and I received an early
Christmas gift from my Husband.
I have been a life long nail gnawer and have been wanting pretty
lady hands for years so I went and got myself some and boy are they beautiful.
Feels so different typing my thoughts down with these things on but man
is it marvelous!
Now it wouldn't be fair for me to get and not have Hubby be on the receiving
end so I bought him some boots that he has been wanting,

Recently a friend commented about someone they know being a dough head
and all I could think of was how big of one I can often be.
On our way home from our visit with my Aunt and Uncle we were enjoying
a nice ride in mild traffic.
It was dark and quite clear outside as my eyes scanned the sky for stars.
There was no moon out but I could see a star off to the far right of the sky.
Well I thought it was a star so I did as I always do and made a wish.
A few minutes later I realized that it was moving slowly and wasn't a star
at all but rather a plane....that my friends is a dough head!
I didn't mention it then to My Husband or Son as I felt far to embarrassed
that I could make such a starry screw up but I'm comfortable enough now
in my stupidity to type about it here.

Tomorrow night my Sister and her children will be coming in to town and though
I am bummed that her Hubby won't be able to join them because of his
work schedule it will be wonderful to see her and the kids again.
We will gather at our Mother's house Christmas Eve to enjoy what I know will be
a marvelous meal then it'll be present time and the chaos I so love.
Jesus's big day will be spent at three places this year, starting here at home
with our Son's opening their gifts before my Hubby goes to work.
Then it's off to the nursing home to see Meme for a few hours.
This I look forward to quite a bit because everyone makes an effort to be there and
I want to cherish every minute we have with each other and our ole Meme
because I fear we will no longer flock together once she flies the coop.
Our big meal will be had at my Cousins house and that's always a good
time, the food is fabulous and when my family gets together, big belly shakes
are shared by all.

Well I must get to the day at hand now so I'll leave you with a picture
of my new hands and one of my favorite Christmas Carols.
Thanks for reading what's on my mind and may the remainder of this
day be good to you!

Heart's Content......

Heart's Content is a town in Newfoundland that I would love to visit
someday but that's not why I named this entry that way.
It's how I'm feeling at the moment, I think Fridays have that effect
on all of us.

Sitting and thinking from the nest this morning brings to mind this past
week and how much happiness was had by me in it.
From when my Hubby Bub started singing Red Sippy Cup instead of
Red Solo Cup, to my youngest Son smiling at me from the stage of his
Christmas presentation, to seeing my eldest Son's peacock proud
91 percent on a science test, this week has been a wonderful one.
I'll not make mention of some madness that also took place because
I give far to much time on mistakes made and don't feel the need
to make light of them now.

Lately mornings have become sacred to me and this one has been marvelous.
I didn't need to separate my two Sirs or solve any big problem, had a
giggle with my awesome Aunt and the nest is nice and warm.
The only drag in sight is knowing I'll have to leave it soon.
Oh well, on with the day at hand, can't stay under the sheets forever.
Oh ya, I'm also getting a ride to where I need to be today and that means
I can skip the city bus, YAY!
You see, I don't do well with stop and go anything and my tummy always
feels like it's being tossed about when I'm on a bus.

I'm also looking forward to an out of town family member coming
for a nice long visit. I hear that he'll be here until Christmas and I can't
wait to see his excitable self.
Forget the fat guy in the red suit, I'll take a visit from Cousin Beefcake
over Santa, any day.
It's getting close now, soon we will hopefully all be with the ones we love
and I'm anxious to see all the branches in my family tree.

Well I must leave these lines and get into the day now.
Here's a song  from my favorite Canadian band that just so happens
to be from Newfoundland, it's a beautiful song and I hope to see em
play it the next time they come to town.
Thanks for reading and I hope you hold happiness and well health today!

Creche You.....

I bet you're thinking what an odd title that is for this entry, eh?
Well, I'm starting a movement.
From now on when I see anyone sneeze during the holiday season
that's what I'm gonna say, not bless you but Creche You!
Complete silliness, I know.

You might be wondering why my mood seems so sweetly today.
There are a few reasons for it, the first being that we finally put up
our tree last night!
The boys were so excited and I'm glad we did it even if it is the latest
we've ever set it up.

I was dragging my heels this year in a big way, just wanted to by pass Christmas.
Every time Jesus's big day came to mind, heart hurts and eye leaks started.
My Father and Uncle Jimmy were two of my favorite parts of celebrating
and with them both gone now it seems that sadness is all that remains.
I know that there are many other people I love spending time with during
the holidays but I'm so gonna miss how my Uncle always complained about
everyone else getting more gifts than him and how he hated ham!
Makes me laugh thinking of his humor, good times indeed.
I guess I'll just have to cherish the loved ones I have left even more now.

Another reason I'm on the smiley side of life today is because
it's my Cousin's 30th birthday.
I remember him at two wrestling with his favorite stuffed bear, man that
thing took a beating.
It makes me so happy to see the younger ones in my family gaining years right
behind me and that he's now married with a child does my blood pumper proudly.
When we were kids it was the same arguments for for all of us.
Wanting to grow up, stay up late, make our own rules etc....
Now that most of us have families of our own we all understand each
others lives and how it all changes with children, that comforts me.

There is also one more thing that has me happy in this day.
After Christmas I am planning on going for lunch with three ladies I love.
I know it will be a terrific time and I can't wait for the belly shakes to begin.
Rarely do I get to see any of them and it has me excited and anxious.

At the moment I am filled with the spirit of sweet Jesus and I'll do
my best to hang onto it.
If I should let go of it may someone please place it back in my heart.
I'll leave these lines today with a couple of pictures and a song.
Note the drywall patch above the tree...hahaha.
Jenny the snow globe shot was taken just for you!
The song is just one of my favorites.
As always, thanks for reading what's on my mind.

Here But Not All There......

That's how I'm feeling today.
Actually I'm sad, angry and mixed up in my mind grounds.
Usually I enjoy the time I have to myself and the kids behave when
my Hubby Bub is gone hunting but this year has been all kinds of
back asswards with everything around here.

I know this will pass and I gather that I'm just wasting time until it does.
Typing my thoughts here has seemed to help me get a handle on what's
been bothering me so I'm gonna do my best to decipher the dung that's
dragging me down.
From the time I was a little girl it's been hard for me to get up and move
on in a positive way when I feel weighed down with worries.
Often it's made worse by my constant need to clobber myself over mistakes
made instead of correcting them.
There are times when I think I find comfort in crucifying myself.
Craziness, I know, yet I still struggle with it.
Today I am making dinner for some good friends of mine and we will watch a movie
later on, the boys are gone to my Moms and if they behave they will be spending
the night there..

Yesterday I intended to lay an entry here but my mood was far to foul for that.
I'm glad I waited until today to type out some thoughts, I'm not back to good
just yet but soon I will be.
Music plays as I type and thoughts of others who are suffering help to
keep me grounded.
So before I go bash happy with the bad in me, I will say thanks to the big guy
for giving me the gift of another day and do my best to not fumble it up.
On an unrelated note here is what just came on my play list and I'm laughing
at it though still singing along.
Seems like a century has passed since the 80's!
Thanks for reading folks, even though I haven't said much it has me feeling better.

The Nest.....

The nest is what my Father and Uncles always called a bed.
It's where I'm typing from now and I have no plans to leave it anytime soon.
My Hubby Bub is hunting and I am enjoying having "the nest" to myself for a
few more days.
The trip to our Aunt and Uncles went well with the exception of a few fall outs.
Most of the commotion came from my youngest Son and we all took turns trying
to tame his temper.
I love many things about both my Sons and am always amazed at just how different
they are, I feel the same way when I think of my Sis and I....night and day we've always been.
She has always had the more calm collected coolness while I was combative
and never able to hold my tongue to well, something I still struggle with.
I won't bore you with all the little details of our trip but I will type about a few fun things.
Friday night we went out for dinner at the Olive Garden and it was
awesome as it always is.
Saturday we enjoyed decorating the tree and making tacos, tacos
and tree trimming, what could be more festive?
Sunday was a scramble, we lounged around then my Aunt and I came back to
Canada, she went to see her Mom (Meme) while I had to empty pails in the attic
from the days of rain we had.
We returned to bodies laying about watching a movie and all seemed
well until bedtime.
This is where my Sis and Brother-In-Law shine!
You see, when I go through the night time routine with my Lads
no nonsense is tolerated and if they start acting up I get down right angry and ugly.
With them however, all the kids are given a chance to speak and complain about
why the others are keeping them up, it took some effort but in the end they got
the children to chime down and settle into slumber.
I admire them both for so many things but I'm in awe to watch them work their
magic with the wee ones.

Monday we all came home and joined other family members for the Christmas party
at the nursing home where Meme lives now.
It was excellent like most every other year and I was happy to be spending time
with those I love.
Once I was home and had the kids tucked in for the night, down to the nest
I came and thanked the Big Guy for blessing me with marvelous memories made this past weekend.
Here are a couple pictures from our trip.
Thanks for reading!

Christmas Chaos.....

Christmas Chaos, not the kind in the department stores but the kind that follows
when families flock together for festivities.
I will be partaking in the commotion of my loved ones later today and I can't wait
for the complete chaos that comes from us all being together.

It's not quite as wild now that we are older but my youngest Son always gives
us a run for our memories, full of fire he is but that's what makes him so special.
First we'll have dinner together and then the fun will begin!
I'm so glad that we have been able to do this for the last several years and hope
the big guy lets us continue on with this tradition for many more.
Before my Father died 6 years ago he would join us in the Christmas decorating at
his Sisters house, we all miss him but keep him alive through memories we made
with him there and everywhere else.
There are folks that have shown me the value of family gatherings and the great gift
we get from spending time together but no one set it to example quite like my
dearly departed Daddy.
I can't think of anyone I have ever met that enjoyed being with his loved ones
more than he did.
I'm dedicating these lines to him along with all the elders in my family that
made sure we knew the joys of sharing in each others company, I thank them all.

We will be busy for the next few days and I know that there will be no time to
type another entry here so I'll offer one up next week when I'm able to.
Until then, know that I'll be camera happy and looking forward to posting a
picture or two in the near future.
I hope that happiness and well health are yours in this day and that if you have
an opportunity for optimism, dive in head first!
Thanks for reading whats on my mind today.