A to Z Blog Challenge - E

Letter E

Easter

Well, of course with Easter right around the corner... Easter is on my mind! If you saw in my previous post, I pulled my little bunnies down from the attic and I am working on finding them a temporary home until they go back up in the attic for another year! Of course, bunnies are not the real reason for Easter. The real meaning of Easter is to celebrate the fact that 2,000 years ago Christ, our Lord & Savior, was crucified (put to death by being nailed to a cross). He was then laid to rest in a tomb, but after three days he rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. He died to save all people of the world, from their sins. I think that it's wonderful that Easter arrives in the Spring, because both are about "new life".

England

I love Geneology and tracing my family heritage. I recently traced my Father's surname to England. I traced it all the way back to the year 1225! I used what little information that I knew about my family and by way of http://www.ancestry.com/, found out even more! Through blogging, I have a new and dear friend (and fellow blogger!) that lives near the same area of England that my ancestors were from! I would love for you to check out her blog at Southhamsdarling. She would love it if you stopped by! My dream is to someday (hopefully soon!) be able to visit this part of England and walk where my ancestors walked, and maybe even meet up with my "blogging buddy" over there, as well!

Egypt

Do you have a favorite word?? Would you believe that one of my favorites is.. Egypt?? Hahaa. I'm sure you are curious to know why in the world would I pick this as my favorite word! No. It is not a word that I "say" often. It is just such a fun word to write in cursive!!! -- Go ahead! Try it out!! -- I love the way that the letters flow as you write the word! I know. Not many of us even write in cursive anymore. My cursive is kind of a blend between cursive and print! Are teachers still teaching cursive in school?? I don't even know. Makes me wonder!

Ears

Yes. You are probably wondering why I would pick this word of all words that start with E. I am not sure why either, but "pierced ears" came to my mind. When I was a young teenage girl, I wanted so badly to get my ears pierced like all of my friends. But, my daddy would always say... "No. If God wanted you to have holes in your ears, then he would have put them there in the first place!" I'm pretty sure that he used a stern voice when he said this because I think I asked him begged quite frequently! He wouldn't budge on it, tho! I hope you don't think badly of me when I tell you this... but, after he died (I was 18)... I went and got them pierced!

Exercise

Ahhhh..... the thing that most of us dread in this world! Why can't we all just have perfect bodies and be able to eat whatever it is that we wanted and not gain a single pound or inch??? It sure seems like there ARE people in this world that are lucky enough to be able to do this, but I am (unfortunately) not one of them! Exercise and I have a long history. When I was a teenager, I guess I had a high metabolism because I ate JUNK and was a STICK! But... adulthood came along and... BAM! Goodbye high metabolism! Hello unwanted, overweight, pounds! UGH! For the past 26 years, my weight and I have battled! Unfortunately, I rarely win any of the battles! Right now... I am doing "ok" with exercise. I am trying, but the pounds are not going anywhere! They seem to like where they are and they aren't moving out!

Inspiring Blog Award!!

Oh my! I was NOT expecting to recieve this wonderful (and beautiful!) award!! To think that someone thought my crazy, random writing is inspiring is such a sweet compliment! A big THANK YOU to Deirdra over at A Storybook World!! You simply must check out her blog!! It is not only beautiful, but educational and well written. She is a professional writer & illustrator and her work is AMAZING!

Here is the award that she gave to me ----

Isn't it beautiful!!! 

Thank you again, Deirdra!

A to Z Blog Challenge - D

Letter D

David

Well, of course he is my #1 pick for the letter D! **Smile** Here's a brief rundown of how we met. David and I met on Thanksgiving of 1981. I was just two weeks shy of being 17, and he was 18. I was a Senior in high school, and he was in his first year of college. I was living in Stone Mountain, GA at the time. David was attending college in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Lucky him!) His mom & dad had recently divorced and his dad had moved to Stone Mountain and was my neighbor in the apartments that I lived in. My dad and David's dad were friends. They shared a love for cars. David came up from Florida to spend Thanksgiving with his dad. His dad introduced us and the rest is history!! We have been together for what will be 26 years on April 19th! It was love at first sight for both of us and I quickly knew that we would be together forever!

Daddy

The second most important man in my life was my Daddy. He was a young 53 when he died of a heart attack. He was very sick, tho. He had a heart disease and he had diabetes. He grew up in Columbus, GA and played high school football. I have been told that a professional football team approached him about playing for their team, but he chose to go into the Navy, instead. He served two years on an aircraft carrier during the Korean War. Luckily, he never saw any battle. I miss him so very much, as I have told you all before. My biggest regret is not spending enough time with him before he passed. I was a selfish teenager and my "social life" was more important at that time than spending time with my parents. I was hardly ever home. I love you, Daddy!

Disney

My first memory of Walt Disney World is of visiting the "Sneak Peak" before the park even opened! We saw a model of what Magic Kingdom would look like and got to see a film about it. Of course, there was a gift shop, too! I have a picture of myself with a stuffed animal of the cat O'Malley from Disney's movie...The Aristocrats. Of course, we visited Walt Disney World after it opened, too. I have memories of riding Dumbo with my cousin and him not letting me make Dumbo go up and down! I also remember riding Space Mountain with my Daddy. He sat behind me and I sat in between his legs. (I don't think it is that way anymore.) I remember him trying to hold on to me, his glasses in his pocket and the side of the rocket ship that we were riding in! It was great fun! ~ When my girls were ages 6 & 10, David and I took them to WDW for their first time! It was SO AWESOME!! The first day, we were standing in line at the monorails, waiting to ride to Magic Kingdom, when a man in a suit and tie came over to us and asked us if we would like to OPEN THE PARK!!!!! We of course said... YES! So, they pulled us out of line and we go to stand in front of everyone else that was waiting to go in and release a banner that announced the opening of the park! Then, we got to ride in the front of the monorail, where Miranda got to beep the horn! We also got an official certificate saying that we "opened the park". It was way cool!! My girls had a blast and so did David & I. It is a vacation that none of us will ever forget!

Dreams

Dreams fascinate me. I dream often and my dreams seem SO REAL! Most of the time, they are good dreams. I don't have "bad" dreams very often. I don't always remember them, but often... I do. I love to try and figure out the meaning behind my dreams the next day. Sometimes I can figure them out and sometimes, I can't. They just amaze me, tho!

Dogs

I am a dog-lover. I especially like BIG DOGS! Big dogs, like my Golden's or even big dogs like Mastiff's! I grew up having a little dog, tho. She was a Toy Fox Terrier. She was wonderful! Her name was Penny. Later, as an adult, I got bit by a small poodle... so, I guess that is why I prefer big dogs. I got bit by a cat once, too!

The Bunnies

Easter is approaching and I am beginning to think about my Easter Tablescape.

One of my objectives during my Spring Break Week... which is this week.... was to get up in my attic and do some organizing and to also find my Easter decorations! I did find my Easter box, and I did do some organizing... but, there is still a LOT left to do! But... that is going to have to wait until another day. I'm pooped!

I thought I would give you a "sneak peak" at my collection of Easter goodies! Of course... these are of the "Bunny" kind. **Smile**

Here are "some" of the pieces in my collection as they made their way out of the box.

Still more in the box, waiting to come out!

My poor Easter Tree is looking a little sad.

I put the tiny ornaments on my tree and it looks a lot better! The rest of my little bunny & egg friends are just waiting to be placed! (I just put everything on my table, for now.) I need to look for some fun pastel colored plates and maybe a pretty table cloth! Hmm.... sounds like a trip to Hobby Lobby & Target might be in my future!

A to Z Blog Challenge - C

** I forgot to mention that this challenge does not include Sundays! Oops!

Letter C

Church

Church is a BIG part of my life! It has been since my kids were little. I wish that I could say that it has been for all of my life, but I wouldn't be telling the truth. I found the Lord when I was about 26 years old and followed His call to start going to church. I went as a child, but not very much. I went as a teenager with a friend, to her church, but I was not there for the right reasons. (Only for the boys! *Grin*) I was baptized as a baby in a United Methodist Church and this has always been my choice of church denominations. David grew up in the UMC church, as well. Throughout my adult life, I have been actively involved in church in all kinds of ways --- Children's Ministries, Women's Ministries, Small Group Ministries, Stephen Ministry and College Ministry. I love the Lord and believe that God sent His Son to die on a cross for ME! I try my very best to put God first in everything that I do and to walk closely by His side every day.

Camping

My family and I have been "campers" for about 12 years, now. We started out camping in tents, but quickly moved up in the camping world to a "Pop-up" style camper. We found friends at church that also liked to camp and quickly formed a bond with these friends that still exists today! We camp as often as we can. We have been as far north as the north Georgia mountains, to as far south as Walt Disney World. Two of our very favorite campgrounds (besides Disney!) are one that is very close to our home, called F.D. Roosevelt State Park... and one that is on the coast of the Florida Panhandle, near Destin, Florida.

Columbus

Like I told you in a previous post, I was born in Columbus, Georgia. When I was only 3 years old, my Daddy was transferred to Atlanta where I grew up and eventually met David (who grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Ya... I'll have to explain that one at another time!). Thirteen years ago, David took a transfer with his company and we moved back to my home town of Columbus! Right now, I live just outside of Columbus in a very small town. When I was little, my parents and I would make frequent trips down here to visit my grandparents & other family. Columbus was, and still is, a very important part of my life. I live just down the road from my Great-Grandparents home and from the small church that I was baptised in. This is very special to me. I love living right where my family history is!

Chester

Oh my! What can I say about Chester?? He is my 1 year old Golden Retriever puppy. (I also have a 8 1/2 year old Golden, too.) We were going to wait until THIS summer before we got another dog, but Miranda... and her VERY persuasive self.... talked us into getting a puppy last May, instead! I love puppies, but I quickly realized that I do NOT have the patience that I used to have and as much as I love Chester... he has tried my patience MANY times!! He is our 3rd Golden that we have owned, and we have NEVER had one do the things that he has done! --- He took FOREVER to house-train. He has dug SO many holes in my yard. Last summer, he ate almost all of my newly planted plants. And he has LOTS of energy! He's a cutie, but my oh my.... he makes me crazy sometimes!

Computer

I have to admit. I spend a great deal of time on my computer. Probably, too much! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being a "blogger" and reading other blogs. I used to have an addiction to Facebook, but I have tamed that addiction down a bit, and I am not on it nearly as much as I used to be. But, I do have to say that I am thankful that Facebook was created. I have reconnected with SO many people from my past and it has been so much fun!! The kids of today don't know that fun feeling of "reconnecting" with someone from their past. Facebook has always been a part of "their" life. They don't know any different. I feel lost when I have no internet access! This usually only happens when we travel or go camping. I feel like I am disconnected from the world and it bothers me!! Yes. I know. I have issues! LOL!

A to Z Blog Challenge -- A & B

I saw this fun Blog Challenge on my friend Becca's Blog. I have done an A to Z Blog Challenge before, but this one is a little bit different. For this one... you have to name 5 things that start with the letter of the day and then write about them. If you care to play along... you can join in by clicking the link button on my side bar.

I am a day behind, so this posting will contain both letter A & B.

Letter A

Ashley

Ashley is my first-born daughter. She has a birthday this month and will be 24!! I am having a hard time accepting the fact that I have a child that is THIS OLD!! Of course..... I am not getting any older, myself! **Smile** It seems like yesterday that I was 24 years old!! Ashley was two years old when I was her age! WOW!

Anniversary

David and I will be celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary this month!! WOW! The years have flown by so very fast! We are planning on taking a weekend trip somewhere to celebrate. We haven't decided on just "where", yet.

Atlanta

This is the city that I grew up in -- Atlanta, Georgia. I was born in Columbus, Georgia... but when I was three years old, my Daddy was transferred to Atlanta by the finance company that he worked for at the time. I grew up on the east side of Atlanta in the county of Dekalb. It's funny.... David took a transfer 12 years ago with the company that he works for and now, I am right back to where I started from!! I love where I live now, but there are many things that I miss about Atlanta.

April

The month of April is a very special month to me. It is the month that I was married, bought my first house and my second, had my first child, and it is when nature comes back to life in all of it's beautiful Spring colors!!

All My Children

This was my mother's favorite soap opera. She never missed an episode! As I grew up, I became a fan of the show as well, and watched it as often as I could. Over the past few years, I have finally moved on and no longer watch it. My mother no longer watches it either. Since her stroke, she has a hard time focusing on TV shows and movies. I heard, just the other day, that All My Children's ratings were down and that the show may be canceled. This makes me sad, but I understand.

Letter B

Bananas

I have no idea why I am writing about banana's!! This is the one food on this planet that I do NOT like!! I can't stand the smell or the taste of them! Blech! Many people have tried to get me to "like" them, but I refuse! Yes... I KNOW that they are healthy and good for you! But... NO! I do NOT like them and will NOT eat them! You can't make me!

Books

I love books!! I would rather read a book about something than read about it online. Back before Christmas, I seriously thought about asking David to get me one of those electronic book "thingy's", like the Kindle or the Nook. But, I have thought about it since then, and have decided that I like actual books a whole lot better! Just yesterday, I purchased my very first copy of Tom Sawyer! I was at a little flea market near my house that I hadn't been to in a while and found a booth FULL of old books! I could have stayed there forever looking at all of them! (In fact... I may go back and look some more!) This is where I found the Tom Sawyer book. I can't find a "year" on it, but from looking online, I believe it is from the 1950's or 60's. If you take me to a book store, you will have a hard time getting me out!!

Bags

I have a "thing" for bags, too! I love them! I use them for everything. In stores, I am drawn to them. I certainly don't need any more, but if I see a cute one... you can almost bet that I will buy it!

Butterflies

My mother loves butterflies. I always think of her when I see one. She recently told me that she would love to have butterflies released at her funeral. I had never thought of this or heard of it, but isn't it a beautiful thought! I have no idea how I will carry out her wish, but it is something that I need to research.

Birds

Now that it is Spring, the birds are returning to my bird feeder! YAY! Yesterday, I saw a bright red cardinal and a chickadee! Birds are also something that my mother loves. All that I know about birds, I learned from her.

If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away

My favorite type of music is COUNTRY. I have many favorite artists and groups that I enjoy listening to. There are only a few reasons why I might change the channel and listen to something else. One of those reasons might be when a new artist comes on the radio. I will listen for a moment and see if I like their song or not... and if I don't, then the channel gets changed!

Yesterday, as I was driving home from THE LIBRARY .... (see yesterday's post)... I heard a song that I had never heard before by an artist that I was not familiar with. I liked his voice and as I listened to the song... I LOVED the lyrics, even more!!

The artist's name was Justin Moore and the title of the song was If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away.

Unfortunately, I do not know how to put video's or music onto my blog... but, here are the lyrics to the song.

Every day I drive to work across Flint River bridge
A hundred yards from the spot where me and grandpa fished
There's a piece of his old fruit stand on the side of Sawmill Road
He'd be there peelin' peaches if it was twenty years ago
And what I wouldn't give
To ride around in that old truck with him

If heaven wasn't so far away
I'd pack up the kids and go for the day
Introduce them to their grandpa
Watch 'em laugh at the way he talks
I'd find my long lost cousin John
The one we left back in Vietnam
Show him a picture of his daughter now
She's a doctor and he'd be proud
Then tell him we'd be back in a couple of days
In the rear view mirror we'd all watch 'em wave
Yeah, and losing them wouldn't be so hard to take
If heaven wasn't so far away

I'd hug all three of those girls we lost from the class of '99
And I'd find my bird dog Bo and take him huntin' one more time
I'd ask Hank why he took those pills back in '53
And Janis to sing the second verse of "Me and Bobby McGee"
Sit on a cloud and visit for a while
It'd do me good just to see them smile

If heaven wasn't so far away
I'd pack up the kids and go for the day
Introduce them to their grandpa
Watch 'em laugh at the way he talks
I'd find my long lost cousin John
The one we left back in Vietnam
Show him a picture of his daughter now
She's a doctor and he'd be proud
Then tell him we'd be back in a couple of days
In the rear view mirror we'd all watch 'em wave
Yeah, and losing them wouldn't be so hard to take
If heaven wasn't so far
If heaven wasn't so far
If heaven wasn't so far away
So far away
So far away

When I heard the line... "I'd pick up the kids and go for the day...introduce them to their grandpa"... I LOST IT!! Tears filled my eyes and all I could think about is how I wish my girls could know my Daddy... their Grandpa. Yes.... I wish Heaven weren't so far away.

Sadly, my Daddy died of a sudden heart attack when I was only 18 years old. I miss him so VERY much! It took me a long time to understand "why" God took him --- It was the only way that God could "heal" him.

That is the prayer that I pray for my mom, now. I pray for God to "heal" her. When she is "well", again... then, she will be happy. Right now, she is not.
I didn't mean for this post to be such a "downer", but I really wanted to share this song with you. I know that many of us wish that we could visit Heaven. Wouldn't that be a wonderful way to spend the day! **Smile**