Nice Matters Award....I'm going to have to buy some more shelves for all these awards...

My sweet and very nice blog friend,Kat, nominated me for the Nice Matters Award; It's easy to be nice when you're surrounded by the nicest people. You have been so generous with me...from always checking in, to offering help in any way...or just stopping by for a chat and encouraging me...you're the epitomy of Nice Matters Bloggers...seriously...and I am so glad to get to know you!
Kat stated that "This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award." I'm going to do my best...cos they are all nice to me...I'm afraid this award could have been awarded to some of my favs already...that goes to show that they are all very NICE ...I am hoping that I award someone who has not received this award, yet!!.....So here goes my tag of Nice Matters Bloggers....1))Kari @ Granny Skywalker 2) Anita at Cottage Affairs and of course 3)Deb @Homespun Livng 4) Lallee at Lallees Cottage 5) Allison at The Cozy Home 6) Kim of course At Daisy Cottage and last but certaintly not least to a lady who is not only talented beyond words...but she's real sweet and a down right funny gal...she always takes time to make me feel special...7) Tina...At Cherry Hill Cottage..There are many, many more out here that deserve this award so hopefully those of you I have tagged...will pass this award on to a very deserving blogger in your life....have fun with this...
Enjoy the award...you all deserve it... Blessings to all of you from the bottom of my heart!!

My deer in headlights moment...I've been tagged!!

Ok...blogworld...sweet Deb at Lavender Chick has tagged me...yea! she wants me to come up with 8 facts about myself...I have often seen previous tags on other bloggers sites...always thinking to myself...please, oh Lord!...please!! Oh! Please!...what would I do if I were tagged...it's kind of one of those things...you actually DO want to be tagged...b/c that means people want to know about you and DARN IT they may even like you...and then again, when you are tagged..well YIKES it scares the beegeebee's out of you...it's a deer in the headlights moment...what ARE you going to say...can you say it all in just 8 facts...OR is 8 facts way too many...I tell ya... it just scared me out of my wits when I saw it!!...don't know what the problem is...cos Lordy only knows I don't have trouble talking/writing...but I think it's the fact I am about to reveal something about myself...things that most people who know me...ALREADY know...but to reveal myself to the unknown...well, it's kind of scary to me...I guess I could make some things up...but for some reason...that just doesn't seem like the right thing to do...I think "blog world" is starting to bring out the adventurer in me...hmmmm...hope Deb isn't sorry she "tagged" me!!

So the deal is...I have to post the rules...

So..
1. post rules before my facts ...check
2.Start with 8 random facts/habits...I'm getting there!
3. People who are tagged need to write their own posts about their own 8 facts and post these rules....HUH????
4. At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and let them know they've been tagged...This may be hard...cos most of my favorites are veterans...I'll give it a try though...seriously...

Facts About Me...I've been tagged...just like that deer in the headlights...

1. I am blessed that I was able to be a stay at home mom the entire time my children were home. I know this is a huge blessing...and I thank God so much for it...we did give up a few wants here and there. we always, always had what we needed... basically for me...being a mom was just pure bliss! ( I did do a few odd and end part-time jobs...but was always home when they were...hmmm...they probably wished I would have worked full-time!)

2. I'm not crazy about flying...never really have been...my kids and hubbin...champs at flying...me not so much...NOW mind you for some reason "first class" seems to diminish these fears...but only after the flight attendant has come by and filled my wine glass!!

3. I am a romantic...always...always...always love a "happy ending"...I've been accused by a few of living in La-La land...and I just have to reply...that's were I am happiest...gotta live somewhere...it might as well be there!!

4. I love to tour homes...new, old, remodeled...fixers...whatever...if there is an open house...wherever I am...whether I'm home or traveling....I WANT to see that house!! Nosey...maybe...but I just like to get a glimpse of how others live and most importantly DECORATE!! I think that's why I'm loving this "blog" thing so much!

5. Both of my parents have passed away...and they left us all way too early...my mother had a stroke at the age of 52 (just 2 years older than I am today) and she died in 1991 of a massive stroke of the brain stem... when she was 57...I was 34....I still miss her, sometimes more than I ever thought I could....My sweet daddy ( I was always a daddy's girl) died when he was 65 in 1998...he was the energy of our family...Mr. personality...Mr. Always Happy!..he died suddenly in his sleep of a heart attack!!...I was 41...I know people loose their parents at earlier ages...I just felt this was way too young for both of them...honestly they would only be 73 and 74 today...if they were still living...and that is SO young to me! I find comfort knowing they are once again together...and will welcome me home one day! Sadly, we lost our brother this past September...he was 52...I was 49...my sister...was 41...and she is the only immediate family I have left...and I cherish her...we try to encourage each other to stay healthy...we know the "gene pool" we're swimming in isn't all that safe...if you know what I mean...but we keep things in check!!

6. I LOVE Dean Martin...mainly thanks to my daddy! I love how Dino sings...how he looks, how he laughs so easily...how funny he was in his movies...how handsome he was...I love everything about him...he also reminded me a bit of my dad...they had the same dark wavy/curly hair...gorgeous white toothed smile...and a twinkle in their eyes...I used to watch the Dean Martin show with my family...dad and I would always dance to his songs...one of my favorites..."Everybody Loves Somebody...Sometime"...I also dance w/my son to a Dean Martin song as the Mother/Son dance at his wedding...he's a Dino fan, too!!

7. I've been married for 30 years...to the most wonderful man...I call him my "rock" ...he keeps me sane, grounded, entertained, safe and mostly full of love for him...he loves me...in spite of me...I've always said that he loves me the way I am...and has never tried to change me...I so appreciate that in HIM...I think he's shown me more about love, life, laughter and my relationship w/God than any other person in the world!!

8. I am crazy in love with my kids...I know...big surprise...and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE who they have both chosen to spend their lives with...they married wonderful people...and I feel blessed to have them all in my life...they are great, funny, smart, beautiful, talented, inspirational...any more adjectives...feel free to interject those..."here"

Thanks for allowing me to ramble...so now I have to tag a few...I may not be able to come up w/8...and I can't guarantee they will play ...but

Tag...you're it...

Paige at...Paiges Petals
Jackie at...The Wonderful World of Jackie
Emily at ...abitofEmily
Tina at...Cherry Hill Cottage (I'm sure this is the 1,000th time she's been tagged)
Lallee at...Lallees Cottage
Tracey at.... Real Estate Girl

That's all I can come up with...and I hope I haven't caught any of you in the "headlights"!!

Cue the song Alex....

I wish I knew how to download music...one of these days...my pretty...one of these days...

So what's with the "Jeopardy" picture...well, just imagine the "j" music is playing in the background...you know the tune...dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum...da dum da da dat da dat da dum....WELL...OK I'm not musical! However, I did want to inform all of those who have posted and sent prayers up for my daughter and son-in-law regarding the purchase of a home in Colorado...they made an offer, it was presented at noon today..."of course" they offered a tad less...it's been on the market for 2 months....so they received a "counter offer" late this afternoon....Two things came to mind when my daughter called...after holding my breath...I kind of figured the people would counter their offer...and with it being so soon...I knew my kids were still in the ballgame...so I think the kiddos are going to counter the counter...and I pray that both parties come to a very agreeable solution and price. It is so mind-numbing sometimes all this grown up stuff...but I am so proud of how they are handling this whole process... I know they want this house...but they also know it has to be a reasonable amount and that it won't stress their finances...the two parties are not far apart on the numbers...so I believe it will all work out...So if you don't mind maybe just a few more prayers to go up for them tonight...I also am praying for the sellers for we want this to be a a "good" thing for all involved...

Another wonderful thing...my daughter asked the other night..."mom, if we get this house...can you come and help me with some of the decorating and remodel?"....Did she even have to ask...I live for this...it will be too fun to be able to experience this with her...she has great taste...a tad different than what I have around here...however, I LOVE it...so it will be so fun...I can't wait to see what ideas she has...some wallpaper border is going to have to come down...so that may entail us doing some texturing on the walls...that will be fun!!...the house was built in 84...and I think it could have the same border up from then...so this will be so much fun!! A new clean home for them to start year 2 of their marriage...well, its into year two...but you know what I mean!!

Back to the music...dum...dum...dum...dum

Home Is Where the Heart Is...and the mortgage begins...

This is a picture of a portion of our "home"...it is where we have lived with both of our children for over 16 years and now without them as they have gone on to their own wedded bliss...we have the best of both worlds...we sit on over 2 acres...but we are close to all things that are needed in our daily lives...i.e. "Target...Hobby Lobby...Albertson's...you know the important things!! My sweet hubbin took this picture a while back so we could send it and the rest to the architects who are working on a major remodel for this sweet place we've grown to love over the past 16+ years...

Now the reason for this post isn't about this house (even though I will update you when we get started on all this craziness)...but it is about a new beginning...today is a big day in my daughter and son-in-laws lives...they are in the process of buying a home in their sweet city in Colorado...well...today is THE DAY they will make an offer on a house I think will be perfect for them...of course they are nervous (don't you remember those days) and they are so excited! The offer will begin at 4:00 CST...so I ask if you all could please say a little prayer for this darling couple...that God will place them in the home that is meant for them...that their lives will be blessed and that they rejoice in what God blesses them with daily! I know that they will end up where they are suppose to be...they have done all the preliminary work...so if the sellers "accept" their offer...then all should go well....it is kind of surreal seeing my first child buy a home with her husband...I am elated for them...and a bit verkelmpt...remembering when this same wonderful thing became reality for my husband and I almost 30 years ago...our first home (in which we lived in when we brought our daughter and son into the world)...my how I wish I had a picture of that home to show you...somewhere in my collections of pictures I am sure I do...but I'm too lazy today...and I was excited to get something posted for the kids! Wishing them mucho love, luck and laughter!!!

Schmoozer Award

This precious little picture was downloaded as a freebie from "The Feathered Nest"...she graciously included it on her sight the other day for anyone to use...and of course I couldn't wait!!

THE POWER OF SCHMOOZE
My sweet new friend "Kat" thought I deserved the schmoozer award. Coming from her that means a lot to me! She is always "there" for anyone who needs her! She is the geniune article...as my dad used to say...I never knew schmoozing was such a great thing...but if Kat says I'm great at schmoozing...and I know she's been given the same award...well them I am quite honored to be a "top" schmoozer in her book!


This is what she has to say about schmoozing....and all the while I thought it had an entirely different meaning...I think by this definition...Schmoozing is a Good Thing...
"Schmoozing as defined by Dictionary.com is the ability to converse casually...And I think with blogging it's about making friends, being a friend, commenting and answering comments and having a welcoming blog."

Thanks Kat...two awards in less than 2 weeks...Man I feel honored...I told you I have never won any type of award...unless you count the "talks to much" checks I received on my report cards in Elementary...and now TWO....I'm speechless...well...never REALLY speechless...but you know...what I mean!!! Thanks :)

Everybody Loves a Parade...Right???

While we were in Colorado visiting the kids....Their sweet little town "Golden" was having their annual Buffalo Bill Wild Wild West Days...it is a much attended event that takes place every July. It started on Friday and finished up on Sunday evening...all the while blocking the downtown area off from traffic. I love a small town that can actually do something like that...and it seems the whole town and many surrounding towns take part in the festivities. On Saturday the festivities really got kicked off with a parade...we walked downtown (it was a gorgeous day) and found a spot to sit and watch! When I was younger I used to ride my horse in various parades...so you can imagine my excitement when I saw these guys coming around the corner....BUT...when I was a kid I think I remember that the horses usually came at the end of the parade AND for good reasons as you will see...I was a bit disappointed because when I saw them I assumed the parade was about to be over...but NO! to my surprise and I think a few others ...it was just the beginning...





I was so excited when I saw these ladies coming around the corner...I had just seen something about quilt cozies for cars...it may have been on someones blog I have lurked on...sadly I don't remember where...but I remember slugging my sweet hubbin on the arm and telling him..."hey there are the quilt cozies I saw the other day!!"...he of course did NOT have a clue as to what I was talking about...but the slugging did get his attention!!! These poor gals had the unfortunate luck of having to follow the horses...and all the glory that comes with that...it was so funny and sad...to watch the two ladies w/the banner trying to keep their banner straight...all the while trying to dodge the land mines....THAT could not have been a fun thing...I can just hear them now in the next club meeting..."Who the heck arranged for us to follow the horses???...next year...we have to make sure we are up front!!" I loved the quilt cozies though...kind of a cute thing!!





Sadly for the previous parade participants the sweeper didn't come out till a bit after the horses left a few disturbing messess...the poor gals in the quilt cars and the ones walking had to tip toe around the horse "voids"...my daughter and I were a bit perplexed as to why they would send in a street sweeper to clean up the "poo" instead of a street "scooper"...seemed to us the best that could be accomplished was some major smearage and possibly a horse poo slung in our direction...not a very tempting thought...we were actually trying to figure out an escape plan just in case some ot the "stuff" was flung in our direction...yep...somebody didn't plan well...cos after the parade...right down the middle of main street was one gigantic 3 foot wide stripe...and it wasn't the good kind of stripe...made me want to stay on the sidewalks for sure...but all in all the parade was sweet!!


And last but not least...what's a parade without the cute firemen...the crazy motorcylist AND the funny car men! I especially liked the older gentleman on the motorcycle...I tell you he was one "hip" dude...all the guys had on some type of pirate earring and all the fashionable pirate garb..he of course was one of the oldest pirates and by far the most entertaining!
!

Day Trippin'

This is a picture I took outside my SIL's office when we were visiting him and our daughter in Colorado....his office sits atop the second floor of one of the oldest buildings in Golden....it has been totally and lovingly renovated...leaving all the old charm and character of years past. Downstairs is a corner grill...that cooks a pretty mean lunch or dinner. This is actually the building next door on the ground floor that connects to the office and Corner Grill. I'm not sure what the business is...b/c I just took pictures while going up the outdoor stairway to SIL's business balcony. I remembered thinking how awesome it would be to be able to look out over this cute little shop everyday while working...I would probably sit on the balcony most days...and not get a lot of work done. Somehow I don't think the men in my SIL's office have the same affection for "cuteness & flowers" as I do...while my SIL was showing my hubby around the office ( I had already seen it on a previous trip) I snuck back outside and snapped these pictures...I just knew my new friends in Blogland would appreciate this for all the beauty and splendor it beholds...I'm afraid my daughter was a little surprised at my attention to picture taking...you see...I'm not the photographer in our home...she is a professional photographer and artist...so most of her growing up years...she was the one snapping pictures, I don't think I ever worried about taking pictures from the time she was about 10 or so...but b/c I have learned to love the beauty and splendor of all my new friends talents ...I wanted to be sure and capture something beautiful for all your eyes to see. You guys have inspired me to step out of my comfort zone...and totally immerse myself in the moment...taking pictures I have discovered makes me take the time to enjoy every moment and every little thing...there is beauty in all things...and NOW I'm starting to realize it more than ever...now I know why my daugther loves photography...I'm just going to have to wait with patience while I learn how to work through this technical medium....You guys may have created a MONSTER!! Enjoy...more pictures to come...