Friday Fragments

We had a great Christmas. Both girls and the fiance' arrived at our house around 9:00am Christmas morning. We did gifts and then had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Later we went to the in-laws and had Christmas lunch. Very, very good! Then presents and then just relaxed and visited. Kerri and Charlie had to leave to go to his family and then later Kelli and Tracy and I went home and relaxed some more. It was a very good day.

Kelli left Sunday to go back to Florida. I miss her, but it really is pretty nice to just be me and hubby again at home. It's very quiet. :)

New Years Eve - hubby and I stayed home. I tried to stay awake but ended up falling asleep in the recliner. However, I did wake up a little before midnight and watched the ball drop. Man, am I boring or what!?! Oh well, it works for me. haha

Hubby got a new computer on Monday. So it's really quiet now because he's busy setting it up and playing around. haha I spent a lot of time watching TV and taking down the tree by myself yesterday. Hubby came in and helped with the ornaments on top and then the actual boxing up and packing away of the tree itself.

I re-activated the items in my Etsy shop and added a lot more to it over the past couple of days. Check it out if you're interested. There's a link in my sidebar to the right.

That's about all the fragments I have for now. Hope you have a great weekend.

Reflections -Backwards and Forward

Today, I am so thankful for a brand new day and a brand new year. It's a chance for a fresh start, a new beginning. I don't do New Year's Resolutions any more. I've done that so many times in the past and most of them are forgotten by the end of January. Instead I just want to reflect on 2014 and look forward to 2015 a bit.  

2014 was a rather tough year for my family. My parents are aging and not doing so well. They are still at home but needing more and more help all the time. I believe sometime in 2015 they may have to move into a place for medical assistance. Only God knows for sure. I didn't realize until the past 7-8 months or so, how hard it is to watch them changing and losing the ability to take care of themselves. 

My oldest sibling passed away in November of 2014 after over a year of battling cancer. Larry was such a really cool guy and he has left a hole in our family. I know Larry is free from all pain and sorrow and I'm thrilled for him. But we still miss him here. I've been able to just kind of ignore the loss, but I know sooner or later I will have to deal with his loss. I imagine 2015 will be the time for that. 

2014 changed our family dynamics forever but I know that God has been with us every step of the way. And even more importantly, I know God will be with me every step of 2015 too. He will help us make decisions for my parent's care and He will help us deal with Larry's loss. He will give us wisdom and peace if we just stay close to Him. 

So maybe that is my 2015 resolution. Stick close to God. Sounds pretty reasonable to me. Who knew I'd end up with a New Years Resolution at the end of this post?  Sure wasn't my plan at the beginning. But it's one I surely intend to keep way beyond the end of January. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to the last Hodgepodge of 2014.  Click the button above, if you'd like to join in.  It really is a lot of fun!


1. Share a favorite moment from your Christmas holiday celebration.
Spending time with our family at the in-law's.  So much fun.

2. What would you say has been the biggest news event during your life so far?
As far as news coverage goes, I'd say 9-11 is one of the biggest news events.  As for news events in my life, it would be my marriage and the adoption of our girls.

3. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2015 is Marsala. What say you-like or no like? Would I find this color anywhere in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade to either?
I do like that color (although I've never heard it called that before).  I do have some of it in my wardrobe and Lord willing we're buying some new furniture for our livingroom this year and it's possible that color could be involved.

4. Would you rather meet your ancestors or your great grandchildren? Explain why.
I'd like to meet my ancestors because I'd like to see where we came from and how we got to where we are.  But that being said, I'd like to meet my great grandchildren because I'd like to see where they're going and how they got there.

5. Share one life lesson learned in 2014?
Remove my expectations off of others.  No one should have to live up to my expectations except me.  I'm learning to let others be themselves, not what I want them to be.  Notice I say learning.  I've not gotten there all the way yet, but I am remembering quicker and letting go easier.

6. What was your best or favorite purchase made in 2014?
Our van and my new iPad and iPhone.

7. What is one thing you're looking forward to in the new year?
Better health in my family, my daughter's wedding, and a trip to Gatlinburg in February for our 26th wedding anniversary.  I know you said one, Joyce, but I can't just pick one.  Sorry.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Happy New Year to everyone of you!!!!!

Today's Fun - My Thoughts on the Movie Added

Kelli and I are at the theater early this morning. 

We are here to see "Into the Woods."  

Hope it will be good!  Let you know later. 

Have a great day everyone. 

I thought the movie was pretty good although it's a little darker than I really prefer. Overall I'd give it a B. I thought Meryl Streep was awesome as usual. And the music was good. That being said I would have preferred a different ending. I don't want to say how I wish it would have ended differently because I don't wish to ruin it for anyone else. 

Puppies. And Presents And Frozen, Oh My!

Carolyn and Carina came to visit last night. I haven't seen them since October. I can't believe how much Carina has grown up since then. She is talking so much more. She is 2 and 1/2 and is so adorable!  She totally loves our puppy and they play and play. Lucy was so worn out when she left, she didn't hardly move a muscle all night. I dare say Carina was probably the same.  lol

Lucy warn out in bed.

Carina is all about Minnie Mouse this year.  So of course nana and poppy had to feed that love. I mean who do you think got her her very first Minnie Mouse. We have successful trained another Disney lover!  We got her Minnie Mouse PJ's and Minnie Mouse panties (she's starting to potty train some). She also got little Minnie Mouse earrings and a Minnie Mouse doll that talks and she can change her clothes. I think that was the big success! She was having so much fun playing with her. 

Carina is very good at opening presents!

Still working at it.

Mommy putting her new earrings in.  Pizza all over her face.

Minnie Mouse

I think she loves her new Minnie Mouse

Later we decided to watch Frozen and Carina was completely enthralled, especially during the music parts. Actually, I'm not sure who liked it most. Kelli and Carolyn (both age 23) sang every word to every song. It was hysterical!  At one point Carolyn and Carina were dancing and spinning all around. As I said, I'm not sure who loved it best. All I can say is hubby and I were given a great show!

Watching Frozen

She'd get up and play, but when the music was on, she couldn't take her eyes off the screen.

See what I mean!

I think she was one happy little girl last night and I know this was one happy nana!