Changes...they are a comin'! (maybe)

I'm playing around with WordPress and seeing if I am at all capable of figuring out how to use it. I like some of the features it offers and I'm hoping it isn't completely over my head. Only time will tell. Hoping to find time this weekend to work on it some more (I'm already set up...just trying to see if I can actually use it!) and maybe, just maybe I'll have a link for you to check out on Monday. I hope to incorporate both of my blogs into one WordPress location to make things a whole lot simpler. We'll see how it goes!

Those of you who are currently using WordPress, feel free to drop me an email or comment on here about what you like most, what took you the longest to figure out, even what you don't like...just anything that would be helpful! I'd really appreciate it. : )

Wish me luck! ; )

Thankful Thursday

It is Thankful Thursday once again. It is cold, there is snow on the ground and more snow coming tonight, I'm having trouble deciding what's for dinner, and I have a slight headache. But you know what? I still have so much for which to be thankful!

Some days I just have to remind myself more often than others. ; )

Here is today's list:

I am thankful that we have a safe, warm and cozy home.

I am thankful that my two younger kids are healthy and have not yet been attacked by all the bugs that are going around their schools.

I am thankful that my two older kids are feeling better after battling a couple of those bugs that managed to find them. I just hope Brie's cough goes away soon. :( Tough for a pregnant lady to just suffer it out, but she's very limited as to what meds she can take.

I am thankful for all of YOU, my bloggy friends. : ) I so enjoy visiting your blogs, reading your posts and looking at your pics. : )

Thank you all for all the entertainment when I'm snowbound! : )

Just the Facts

It is Wednesday.

This is the scene outside my window:

This is the scene inside my window:

And all is well in my little corner of the world.

I miss...

...sunshine. We've seen so little of it these past few weeks. I don't mind cold weather and I even adore snow, but a little peek of sunshine from time to time is nice, too.

...my kids when they aren't here. Yes, after too much togetherness due to so many snow days they start to get on each others nerves. They bicker and argue from time to time. But there are always those priceless moments when I realize it's terribly quiet and that's when I find them together, playing a game or having a civil conversation. I have so many snapshots of those moments in my mind because those are the times that mean the most. Someday they'll realize that, too.

...being able to concentrate long enough to actually read a book. I'm struggling with that lately. If you know me at all you know how much I LOVE to read. Right now I'm in the midst of a painfully long dry spell. HELP.

...my Daddy. Always do. Some days it's just a lot more than others.

...something I can't quite put my finger on, but there's a little empty space that needs filled. I'm searching for something to occupy it. A hobby? Just the right book? (That would kill two birds with one stone, huh?) Some little something. I'll figure it out.

...warm feet. My feet haven't been warm since August. Seriously.

And now that all of that is out of my system, I'm gonna get on with my day. Sometimes you just need to unload, ya know? ; )

Miscellany Monday

Yes, it's Monday again. The kiddies are off to school, the Hubster is off to work and I am about to get busy here at home. But first, here's a heapin' helpin' of miscellany to start your day. : )

You can link up here:

*Drew (my oldest) called me and said "What does kidNAPED mean?" (Yes, he was being a smarty pants. He knew what I meant here.) I told him that every time I typed it in with two p's, I get the squiggly red line underneath telling me it's spelled wrong. So I looked it up and as it turns out, BOTH spellings are acceptable. So, in case you were wondering, you can spell it either way.

And they wonder why our kids have such trouble with the English language.

*Two days after being kidnaped/kidnapped and my feet are still feeling pretty. ; )

*We hit Sam's over the weekend to restock the freezer with meat. Today I'll be making a large pot of spaghetti sauce to divide and freeze. YUMMY! : )

*There will be a new recipe posted in Kelli's Kitchen today. (If there is time. If not, tomorrow.) Brie snapped pics yesterday while I made a chicken pot pie, WV style. : ) No pastry crust involved. This one is super simple and made with biscuits! Another YUMMY! : )

*And a cool little bit of trivia for today:

It is 1921. A young boy walks into a candy store and has a few pennies to spend. The little guy doesn't often get to have such treats and he has a great deal of trouble deciding between a candy bar and ice cream. The store owner, Christian Kent Nelson, watched the lad as he struggled to make his choice and suddenly had a terrific idea: What if I could find a way to make chocolate stick to ice cream? Nelson paired up with a local chocolatier, a man named Stover (yes, a Mr. Russel Stover) who began to mass produce and market the frosty confections. And on this day in 1922, Mr. Nelson was awarded the patent for the much loved Eskimo Pie. : )

Now how's that for ingenuity? : )

I was KIDNAPED!

Here I was, minding my own business this morning, getting ready to run into town to get the oil changed in my car, when in walked my daughter Brie. She said "Come on, you're going with me. Let's go!" I gave her one of these:

Except I am a little more feminine than this guy.
I think.

It appeared that everyone else was in on the big secret because they were all basically pushing me out the door, but no one was spillin' the beans. I had no idea what was happening. So I ended up giving in, grabbing my coat and getting in the car. Perri hopped in, too, since she was in on this big secret. I threatened to ground her if she didn't tell me where we were going.

She was unbreakable. Totally.

Next thing I know, I'm sitting in the most heavenly massage chair with a *diet Dr. Pepper in hand and my feet soaking in a nice hot foot bath. Then a really nice Asian man was massaging my calves and feet and giving me a fabulous pedicure.

My first ever pedicure.

Yes, I was a pedicure virgin before today. And now I have to say I totally understand why some women seem to be addicted to them. ; )

And here is the end result:

I don't often allow people to see my feet.
This might just change that old habit. : )

I feel like a new woman! : ) It's amazing what a little pampering can do for the soul.

Brie is always doing sweet things like this for me. I have the best kids (and son-in-law!) in the whole world! They're always doing things to bring a little sunshine to my day. : )

How did I get so lucky? : )

*Yes, I gave up diet Dr. Pepper several weeks ago, but not totally. I was drinking at least one and sometimes 2 20 oz. bottles a day. It was TOO much. Now I have one only occasionally. It's a treat! : )

We've Been Adopted....AGAIN!

I don't want another cat.

I don't need another cat.

Looks like I have another cat.

I think I've posted about Bob, the cat who adopted us 5 or 6 years ago. She just kind of showed up, hung around, got fed and decided we were her family. She's been a really good cat. She's an excellent mouser (we live in a cow pasture and where there are fields, there are field mice; we've never had one in the house and I think Bob is partly to thank for this) and she is great with the kids.

So, after growing up with a mom who despises cats and thinking I must hate them, too...well, here I am. A cat owner. Or owned by a cat. Whatever. It's all the same.

Now along comes this:



And the kids are begging and pleading to keep it.

She is really pretty. I mean, look at those eyes!
Well, that eye. It was tough to get a pic of her. She doesn't hold still much, even when you're petting her. But I can assure you the other eye is just as lovely as the one you see here. ; )

But she must belong to someone nearby and I'm searching for her owner. I'm sure they are missing her and want her to come home.

Then I'll have to deal with this:

(So his hair's not combed and he didn't put in his contacts. It's a snow day!)

The frowny face is because I'm searching for the owner.

*sigh*

I Highly Recommend It!

We all know that I am not a beauty or skincare guru and I have no sponsorship on this blog that forces me to give rave reviews for certain products. I'd never do that anyway...give rave reviews under force. If I can't be honest about a product, I just won't say anything at all. But today I do have something nice to say about a lotion I've been using for the past week. When I find something that works, I like to share the good news!

First of all, I have very dry skin. Very, very dry skin. And believe me when I tell you that I've tried just about every lotion and cream out there. Some of them feel great when I put them on but have no lasting power. Others I can tell from the get-go are going to do positively nothing. It gets really old dropping big bucks on products that end up in the garbage can.

So here is one I can recommend with a clear conscience:

This is good stuff.

Here is how I know.

I push up my sleeves a lot. I mean really, a lot. Don't guess I had ever realized just how often until I started using this lotion.

Typically I just push them up and start washing dishes or unloading the washing machine or doing whatever the task at hand may be. And I obviously think nothing of it. But that first day I used this lotion I started paying attention to this habit because it became much more noticeable to me. You see, my sleeves didn't just slide right on up my arms like they usually do. When your skin is dry, it provides no resistance. That day it seemed that it took just a little more effort to get those sleeves up where I wanted them. Why? Because my arms were softer and felt....well, moisturized! There was a little 'drag' because my sweater wasn't just moving across dry, lifeless skin. I couldn't believe what I was feeling!

Then Realistic Me paid a visit and whispered in my ear: "It's only because you just put it on a little while ago! Give it a few more minutes. You'll never know it was there."

But a few minutes, even a few hours, later...I could still feel how much softer my skin was. Like I said, good stuff. A little over $6 a bottle at WalMart and worth every penny.

So there is my PSA for today. Hope it helps those of you who suffer with dry skin the way I do. I've never been quite so excited about pushing up my sleeves! ; )

A Sweet Little Moment

I was going through some of the photos on my computer, attempting to create some folders and get things a bit more organized. But you know how it is when you're going through pics...you just keep getting sidetracked, reminiscing about the day and the place it was taken, what was said, the way everyone was laughing, etc.

Or am I the only one who does that?

No? I didn't think so. ; )

Anyway, I kept coming across photos that captured the sweetest little moments. Little snapshots of time that will never be repeated. Things I want to never forget and always cherish.

And this one in particular really tugged at my heartstrings this morning so I thought I'd share it with you. I guess it gets to me because both of these little guys are just growing up so quickly. The differences in them just since this pic was snapped last spring are phenomenal!

And a real tearjerker if you happen to be Mom to one of them and Grammy to the other.

I look at this and think it must be called 'Little Buddies'. : ) We were at the baseball fields and they were entertaining themselves by watching a practice.

How sweet is that little hand on the back of Uncle Tucker's shirt collar? :) He just needed to steady himself as he sat down next to his buddy.

Progress is Being Made!

I am making progress with this whole organization thing. I'm also discovering which things around the house are not my friends. For instance, this:

Looks innocent enough, doesn't it? But this three drawer nightstand is on my side of the bed. NOT a good idea. It's just too stinkin' convenient. Yes sir, that is one multifunctional piece of furniture, I tell ya. You can not only clutter it up on top, but also in all three drawers and by leaning piles of books and magazines against its sides! Doesn't get much better than that, does it? But as you can see, it is nice and neat now. I emptied, sorted and organized, trashing lots of things and finding new homes for others. Where on earth some of that stuff came from I may never know!

Then yesterday morning, while putting away clean laundry, I grew irritated with the appearance of my dresser drawers. (And no, you're not getting a picture of those!)

So I said to myself "Self, how on earth do they get so messy?"


And then I answered "Well, first of all there is way too much stuff in there! And I don't use HALF of it!"

And then I began to toss.

HOW LIBERATING!!! : )

Now they are very organized and contain only the things I actually wear! : ) What a novel idea, huh? ; )

So onward and upward, my friends! The more progress I make here at the house, the more my mood lifts. This decluttering and organizing is good for the soul! : )

Now if only I'd find some relief for these aching legs that still feel like limp noodles after yesterday's workout...

There's a reason it's called 'SHRED'

I had originally thought that instead of being called 'SHRED', Jillian Michaels' workout routine should be called 'SHED'. After all, you'll be shedding pounds and shedding fat, right?

But it turns out she named it just exactly right.

It will SHRED your muscles into throbbing, burning, limp-as-noodle masses that won't even support your weight.

It will SHRED your dignity when you find yourself panting so hard that you fear hyperventilation.

It will SHRED your self-esteem when you realize you're only about 1/3 of the way through the workout.

The LEVEL ONE workout.

Yeah. It's that tough.

And I'm that out of shape.

But I figure if I add a little more time to each workout, I'll eventually get there. I'm just not a very patient person and I'm always thinking I can do more than I actually am capable of doing.

Still, just in case my lifeless body should be found in a completely unnatural position, clad in ill-fitting workout clothes and with (pitifully light, teeny-tiny) hand weights lying close by...

Well, be a pal.

See to it that Jillian is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

That woman is WICKED!

Something to Ponder

I was searching for quotes to put in my 'Quote of the Day' area...you know, that one over there. ---->
I don't change it nearly often enough. It says 'Quote of the Day' not 'Quote of the Month' or 'Quote of the Quarter'. And though I adore quotes and sifting through them for just the right one, I'm not good at remembering. Or I'm just busy. Take your pick.

Anyway, I wanted to change my background from the New Year theme. I know it is still a relatively new year, but in the grand scheme of things...well, we're more than a couple of weeks into it. Time to move on. ; )

So I chose a background in the Valentine section. One that's not too Valentine-y because I'm not too Valentine-y either, if you know what I mean. It's Valentine-y enough to suit me and I figured as long as I was dressing things up, I may as well post a new quote, too. Something love related.

Just keeping with the theme of things, ya know.

I visited Quote Garden, one of my favorite sites, and I came across this one:

To find someone who will love you for no reason,
and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness.
~Robert Brault~

Now does that get you thinkin' or what?

I believe we're all guilty of getting so caught up in day to day living that we forget what used to be, back in the days of young romance.

We forget that rush of excitement we felt at the thought of seeing the one we love.

We forget the simple thrill of holding hands.

We lose sight of the things that were once so electrifying to us because now...

Now we take the relationship for granted .

We know they're going to be there; that they're not going anywhere.

And we just stop.

No more sweet surprises just to see them smile.

No kind gestures, just because.

No more reasons.

And that is sad.

After all, to whom should we be kinder than the person with whom we share our lives?

Why is it that familiarity really does seem to breed contempt?

Okay, so perhaps contempt is a bit too strong a word, but you get my drift.

We are often kinder to mere acquaintances than we are to our own spouse.

There is something quite wrong with that picture.

Fridge worthy, this quote.

Yes, it certainly is.

This one is going on the fridge. In bold type AND italics.

Maybe we could all stand to be a little more Valentine-y.

The Way My Mind Works {or} Just How Confusing Can I Be?

I'm gonna give you an idea of how my mind operates.

Brace yourselves.

I stopped at the school today to give my son some pain meds for his achy little mouth. :(
(He got his palate expander two days ago. Yep, it's party time for the Tucker Man.)

Anyway, I was standing in the office talking to the secretary, the principal and a couple of teachers when one of them asked if I was going to a hot dog fundraiser that was being held today. I told her yes, I was on my way there to drop off a cake I had baked for the dessert table. She asked if she could place a large order for all the teachers and she needed details, so I told her I didn't have the answers but I knew who did.
"*Jane Doe is in charge and I happen to have her cell phone number. Let me give it to you", I said, trying to be helpful.
But when I looked in my contacts on my phone, Jane's name was nowhere to be found.
How could that be? I had never actually met her but had spoken with her on the phone
just a couple of days ago.

Hmmmmm....

"Well," I went on, "I don't know her from Adam, but....WAIT!
That's IT! Her number is in my texts!"

And as I grabbed for my cell phone again, I saw lots of this:

on the faces around me.

Yes, I suppose my thought process could be a bit...
well, shall we say alarming?
for those who aren't around me all that much.

Better explain, I thought.

"Well, I said 'I don't know her from Adam' and that made me remember that Adam texted me her number! Well, not exactly Adam. It was actually *John, but he has a brother named Adam. And that's what made me remember that Jane's number is in my texts and not my contacts."

Then I laughed.

After all, what else could I really do?
Everyone else joined in, too. I mean, hey.
What else could they really do?

Oh well. At least I'm entertaining.

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
And those who just don't want everyone else to know they're acquainted with me. ; )

Technical Difficulties

I'm gonna try this one more time and then I'm outta here! I'm having some issues with Blogger today and it doesn't seem to want to allow me to create a decent post. It gets to a certain point and then the letters get blurry and huge and they overlap one another...very, very odd.

Anyway, I'll be back soon enough I suppose. I just hate not being able to post when I want to post. I'm spoiled like that, ya know?

It doesn't appear to be a computer issue because everywhere else I go online is fine. So I'm thinking there is something going on with Blogger itself. Anyone else having problems?

No?

So it's just me?

Well.

I feel so special. ; )

My Newest Cooking Utensil

Have you ever used one of these to prepare dinner?

I did just this week.
( I actually do this pretty often.)

It enables me to clear a path to this:
And honest to goodness, we had one of the best dinners EVER on Monday night!

I marinated some super thin-cut eye of round steaks in one of these:
Have you ever tried it? Just rip off the tear-strip at the top and open the Ziploc.
Drop in the beef/chicken/pork or whatever you want to marinate.
Zip it closed and stick it in the fridge.
Easy-peasy.

And man oh man, the FLAVOR! This is good stuff.

Anyway, I also sliced onions and bell peppers. After marinating them in some Italian salad dressing for an hour or so, I threw them in my grill wok.
I baked some potatoes and Brie cut up a tossed salad.
We also steamed some broccoli and squeezed a little lemon juice over it.
(That's my favorite way to eat broccoli! Simple, fresh and yummy.)

OH! The fresh pineapple! Can't forget about that!
Brie sliced it into spears and I threw them on the grill
for a few minutes, just long enough to get those lovely grill marks.

YUM.

Two steaming hot loaves of Italian bread and a tub of butter completed the feast.

WOW.

There is nothing quite like grilled food to give you a little taste of summer!

Even when you need one of these

to get to the grill.

* I don't want to forget my 'attitude of gratitude'.
It is Thankful Thursday, after all. *

Things I'm thankful for today:
~Snow days with my kids.~
~A cozy fire when it's frigid outside.~
~A summery meal when we've had enough of wintery soups.~
~Safe travels when we had to go out today.~
~My kids giggling together.~
~Flannel sheets.~

NEW RECIPE IN MY KITCHEN! : ) CLICK HERE TO TAKE A PEEK!

Just how sentimental can one person be?

I confess to being very, very sentimental. Pretty much over-the-top sentimental, in fact. Just ask The Hubster. He gets a big kick out of some of the things to which I become attached. I'm a big saver of meaningful (to me) things, ya know.

*Our first ever grocery store receipt as a married couple.
* The little box in which my engagement ring was purchased.
* Teeth. (Yes, I have an agreement with the Tooth Fairy. She has returned to me all of the teeth my children have lost throughout the years. )
*The pregnancy tests I took that came back positive. Which was pretty much all of them.
(Yes, I kept those. Don't roll your eyes!) ; )

Yes, there are lots of things tucked into my cedar chest, assorted totes and containers, and various drawers around the house. You just never know what you might come across while searching for a working flashlight or a pen that actually writes. (However, you are not likely to find either of those things around here.)

Anyway, back to my tale. While cleaning out the pantry, I found this:

If you could feel this sandwich bag, you'd know right away how old it is. It is much heavier than the ones we have today. It's also just a little...yellowed? And it isn't even Ziploc! *GASP* Just a fold-over, showing its age.

The little box of cloves has lived in that yellowed sandwich baggie for somewhere in excess of 25 years.

Maybe closer to 30.

Or more.

And I simply can't bring myself to throw this away. No way... no how...not happening.

You see, this little box of cloves came from my Mama Jones' kitchen. When I was very young I wanted to make a clove-studded orange and there was not a clove to be had at our house. Mama told me to get the ones from her kitchen cabinet and she had two partial boxes. (Guess I got some of my shopping skills from her, since I'm always buying duplicates, too.)

So this is what's left of those cloves. They are very special cloves because they were my Mama's cloves. They have survived four moves and many, many pantry cleanings.

But Kelli, you're PURGING.
You're ORGANIZING.
You're CLEANING UP YOUR ACT.

These cloves must GO, you say?

Well, they did.

Right back to where they belong.

The Pantry...or what's left of it

You know, it hadn't been all that long since I had cleaned up the pantry. Just before the holidays is what I'm thinking; before I started stocking up for Thanksgiving and Christmas cooking/baking.

Regardless, it got B.A.D. Really. Here's the proof:

Aside from that, it became obvious to me that I did not check expiration dates as I was cleaning it out the last time. Or the time before that. VERY obvious. Can you read the dates on the bottoms of these spice cans?

I saw 2000, 2001, 2007, etc.
Sad. Very, very sad.

In my defense, I have been using the spices way up there on top of that wall rack. (This is an AFTER shot of the rack, by the way. I forgot to take a BEFORE.)

Those spices in the plastic tubs? I get them from Amish Country and they are so fresh and flavorful. So it sort of stands to reason that I neglected to check the dates on those cans.

At least that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Then there are the boxes of Jello and pudding mix. Well now, we just won't talk about how many of those I trashed.

Anyway, here are the after shots:

Hanging that roasting pan there really does free up cabinet space.
Those are pie drip pans hanging beneath it.

Better? I think so. And there is nothing outdated on the shelves so I don't have to worry quite so much about making my entire family seriously and excruciatingly ill.

That's always a plus.

Now...on to the next project! My closet perhaps?

If you don't see me in the next 24 hours, please send a rescue squad.

BTW: The bread dough/cinnamon roll recipe is up now! Just visit my kitchen! : )

Plans Sure Do Change

I mentioned in Friday's post that I was going to make dinner rolls because I had time and they just sounded good. By the time I got to the kitchen my cravings were going an entirely different direction and I ended up making these:

This cinnamon roll recipe will appear in Kelli's Kitchen soon. Promise.
They were super yummy!

I also said I'd be making Scotcharoos to take to the Pinewood Derby bake sale,
but I ended up making some of these:
(Forgot to snap a photo of my peanut butter cookies, so I found this through Google Images.)

So I said meat loaf for dinner, huh?
Well, I also had made and frozen some meatballs, and I happened to have some tortellini on hand, so that's what we ended up with on our plates.

Ever get the feeling that I have a difficult time making decisions?
So for dinner today....I'll just report in after the fact.
Whatever it ends up being, I'm sure it won't be whatever I choose this morning!

As for the rest of the day, it will mostly involve some work around the house,
a little laundry, and maybe reorganizing the pantry.
It is in desperate need of some work and I don't see anyone else
jumping up and down, volunteering to do it for me.

Wait a minute.
You.
Yes, YOU! Right there.
Did I just see your hand go up?
No?
Are you sure?
There's a nice, warm, gooey cinnamon roll in it for you!

This and That Friday... Cold and Snowy Edition

It's cold and snowy today and since I have no real reason to leave the house until time to pick up the kids from school, I think I'm gonna spend a little time in the kitchen. I'm thinking that hot rolls sound really good today, how 'bout you?

(These are actually some pepperoni rolls I made a few weeks ago, but you get the idea.)

Today would be a really good soup day but I'm afraid the family won't go for yet another dinner eaten from a bowl. You see, every day this week has been a good soup day as far as I'm concerned. We had potato soup one night and chicken noodle soup last night. I think I'd better come up with a different idea. I do have a meat loaf in the freezer...

And right now I must go make some of these for a Boy Scout bake sale tomorrow at the Pinewood Derby.

Tucker's first derby! He's excited! : )

Hope all of you have a terrific weekend! Mine will be busy, between the derby tomorrow and an alumni association meeting on Sunday afternoon, but I'll try to check in here when I can.

Thursday...with an attitude of gratitude : )

Time for another 'Thankful Thursday' here at Countin' My Blessings. Taking the time to actually practice the title of this blog makes such a difference in my life, so I plan to continue these Thursday posts of gratitude. If any of you care to join me, feel free! Just think how much positivity we could generate out here in Blogland! : ) If I had any idea how to create a button and do the Mr. Linky thingamajig, I'd do it. But that will take some time to figure out and today I just don't have that kind of time. (Yes, I'm a slow learner with this stuff, but I do get it eventually!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Most folks probably first noticed his wild hair, long and standing out around his head like an unruly mop. I saw that, too. But what stood out for me was his smile. This big, beaming and so very sincere smile. It seemed obvious that he had very little reason to be wearing that smile, too. Standing at an intersection, holding a sign. An unkempt personal appearance. He was obviously homeless and panhandling.

Then that vehicle stopped and the man behind the wheel asked him to say something.

What. A. Voice.

WOW!

An even bigger WOW? That smile. : ) It reached well beyond the boundaries of his lips, all the way to his eyes. And the words that spilled from him after that were beautiful to hear, too. Such kindness! No air of falsity or 'I'm just doing this to make myself look/sound good.' I was blown away by him and my heart was melted during that short video clip. I learned that his name is Ted and he's been homeless for more than a decade. And like all homeless people, Ted has a story. Please, if you haven't already seen it (and chances are good that you have, since it went viral shortly after being posted) click here. There are a couple of different videos about him on this site. The Today show interview is particularly terrific! : )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The dictionary defines goodness as being 'the best part of anything'. Ted may be homeless, may have caught a few bad breaks along the way, may have brought many of his troubles on himself. (Don't we all?) But he never stopped looking for the goodness. Now it has paid off for him. He found a new way of thinking and just kept on looking for that one little chance to make it better. I sure think he's found it. : ) And I also think it's great that he recognizes the possibilities before him and is willing to do what it takes to pull himself up by his bootstraps and MAKE LIFE BETTER.

I know that today Ted is grateful. Probably more than most of us can even imagine. But I also know that Ted has made me feel an awful lot of gratitude today as well.

I am grateful for Ted's story. Grateful that it has been put out there for everyone to see and that maybe, just maybe it will be an inspiration to someone who is really needing some encouragement today.

I am grateful for the goodness that I see in Ted and I hope he never lets that little light of his dim.

I am grateful for the goodness of Doral ChenowithIII, the videographer who took the time to talk to and film Ted. God bless you, sir. : )

And I am grateful for the feeling that this has given me and most of the people I know who have seen Ted's story and been affected by it:

A feeling of overwhelming HOPE.

*Hope because everyone makes mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance.
*Hope because life happens, sometimes before we realize it, but it is possible to regain control.
*Hope because there are people out there who are willing and able to extend a helping hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My wish for you today is HOPE.
Lots of it.
Because without it, what do we really have?
: )

THE Boot

Meet Candie's Verona.

Isn't she lovely?

If life were fair, she would be in my closet. Along with her mate, of course.

But alas, by the time I discovered this perfect example of absolutely delectable footwear
there were absolutely NONE in my size.

And I mean NONE.

Like, nowhere in the country or on the internet or ANYWHERE.

Do you have any idea how long it has been since I had a pair of cute boots?

Oh, I have snow boots.
The sturdy, sensible kind of footwear that has Thinsulate for warmth
and Gortex to keep the tootsies dry.
And I really appreciate my good, solid, sensible boots.
Really I do!

But WOW. Couldn't I just be stylin' in these cuties?

The last cute boots I owned were bought for homecoming.
As in junior high school homecoming.

We're talking 1980, folks.

And they were lovely with my plaid wool skirt and velvet blazer.

But THESE.

THIS is THE boot.
Perfection.

And apparently half the nation thought so, too, because not only are they sold out at my local Kohl's, but I've even had friends be so kind as to check the Kohl's where they live, too.
Michigan, Florida, New York...all OVER the place.

Nada. Zip. Zero.

No Verona, size 9 1/2.

My firm foundation is very sad, right along with the rest of me.

If only I had never seen that pretty little 6 1/2 sitting there on the shelf when we went shopping.

Like I could even get my big TOE in a 6 1/2.

(Last time I wore that size was about 5th grade.)

I could, perhaps, wear the box in which it was stored.
But somehow that's just not the same.

So I'm just gonna keep this picture and dream about what might have been.

Perhaps I'll print it off and hang it next to my shoe rack.

Or on the bottom of my mirror. That way when I'm dressed and ready to go,
I can stand before that mirror and see myself wearing those cute little boots.

Yeah! THAT'S the ticket! ; )

So much going on...

...and so little about which to write.

Seriously.

I mean, I don't want to numb your brain with the trivial things that are my life right now.

• Yes, I could tell you all about the decluttering I'm doing throughout the house.
  
• Or I could tell you that Tucker might just be getting contacts today. (Cross your fingers for that one, please.)
• I could share the fact that not only are we doing the eye doc thing today, but he sees the orthodontist tomorrow to start that long process.
• And I could tell you about being so excited to make steak fajitas for dinner yesterday but then very disappointed that the entire dinner tasted...well, funny. Not funny 'haha' but funny as in off. Absolutely nothing tastes right to me since being sick last week. Ick.

See what I'm saying? Right now I'm just livin' life and there's really nothing very exciting or blog-worthy about it. Guess I need a little excitement, but it almost frightens me to even type that. Who knows WHAT might happen!

Guess I'll just go on with my day and see if maybe just maybe I stumble across some great blog fodder. I promise to be on the lookout! ; )