How Thankful I am!

I have so very much to be thankful for. Its too bad Thanksgiving isn't celebrated every day, in that we tend to pause just one day to give thanks. We should give thanks everyday!

I am thankful for having a most understanding, loving and compassionate husband. When I met him 9 years ago I had no way of knowing that we would marry and he would help bring up my two younger children. He has always been there for all my children, a shoulder to lean on, helping the two younger ones go to college, helping them establish their lives. He does these things daily and is helping with the care of his 97 year old grandmother. I couldn't have asked for a better person to share my life with.

I am thankful for all three of my children. Each one is so unique and special in their own way. They have grown into hard-working and responsible adults. I am so very lucky in that they all live close by. They all look out for one another and would do anything for each other.

I am so very fortunate in having a nice, warm home to live in. I am fortunate in that my sister Margaret is nearby and that I have two wonderful nieces to take shopping!! I am so thankful for my dear mother. She has always given so unselfishly of herself to any and all. She has had major health issues and personal issues in the past and never, ever has complained but kept on going on. She has been such a wonderful person to look up to and model one's life after.

I am so thankful for all the wonderful friends I have. I am so lucky to live in a small town where people look out for each other. I am lucky to live in America where opportunities abound for all and where we can come and go as we please, worship freely and can express oneself as we chose.

I am truly thankful for all of you, my blogger friends, who have opened up my world! I have learned so much from each one of you, explored new places, traveled the world and laughed with you and shared in your triumphs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bode arrives with a flourish!

Bode is a four month old goldendoodle. He is staying with us for a week while his parents are on vacation. Ashton and I picked him up Friday night. He brought along his crate, a pup tent, lots of toys and treats. He settled in quickly as he has been here before. HOWEVER, there is a certain dog who owns the house and his nose appears to be bent over the new arrival.

Bode tries very hard to get Buddy to come play. So far he has had no luck!

My nieces and their mom came to visit on Sunday. Buddy was happy to sit in Robyn's lap, finally someone who wasn't constantly ooing and ahhing over that little puppy.

Bode is at my heels everywhere I go, he even volunteered to help out with the laundy!

Miss Tiz scooped up Bode as soon as she arrived yesterday.

Ah, how I wished I could just plop down just about anywhere and take a nap!

P.S. I haven't checked the blogs I follow for over a week or so....I will be back around to visit all of my blogging buddies in the next few days.

The Stylish Blogger Award!

The Stylish Blogger Award

Wow! What a pleasant surprise I received when I found out that I had a "Stylish blogger Award"! Thank you very much Melissa! I must tell you seven different things about myself and then choose 15 other Stylish blogs to receive recognition.

First, about myself:

1. I am most definitely a summer person.
2. Seriously, I am addicted to Lindt milk chocolate.
3. I worry about my mom alot, but probably shouldn't as she is one fiercely independent woman!
4. I hate the "empty nest"!
5. I love wearing scarves now that Ashton has shown me how to wear one.
6. I love to wear my husband's old, horrid, torn up sweatshirt around the house even though he keeps telling me I should buy myself a new one.
7. I paint my nails the brightest, happiest colors I can find.

Since I cannot choose "just" 15 blogs to pass the award along to I will pass it along to all of you, as you all are stylish!

Bode in the Leaves | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Check this link out: My grandpuppy Bode!

Bode in the Leaves The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

A nice fall walk

Fall has arrived here indeed. Frost has blanketed the lawn twice and the brook had a thin layer of ice on it one morning. Buddy and I headed out for a walk on Penny Lake Preserve, where we are "safe" from hunters. Hunting season is here and we stay away from the preserves as they are not posted against hunting.

Love these red berries.

A few hardy apples are still hanging from the tree.

There is still brightness against the fall scenery....

A leafy trail to walk along....

A bridge spans the brook and marsh. A nice place to sit on the benches built on the bridge and just enjoy the view.

The trail goes past lots of ledges....and the green ferns are still as pretty as they were in the spring and summer.

A dandelion brightened our walk!

I love winter berries....they were a cheery red against the fall day....it might have been a cloudy day but Mother Nature always shows us her pretty colors in some way. We just have to look!

Pirates and Crayons...oh my!

On October 23rd we attended the Portland Pirates Breast Cancer Awareness Night. As a proud mom I must mention that my son Benjamin who works for the Portland Pirates organization, designed the special jersey the Pirates wore that night! I especially loved the socks the team wore....and the Pirates won the game!

My sister and her family attended the game as well and the above photo is of my niece Elizabeth who LOVES the Pirates...she wore her Pirates jersey and got her face painted before the game.

Ashton and Eric...all decked out in pink as support for Breast Cancer Awareness Night at the Pirates.

Ever since I received the diagnosis of fibro a few months ago I set a personal goal to compete in as well as complete a 5K for Hardy Girls Healthy Women. This wonderful organization has an annual 5K Freaky Fun Run and Walk as a fundraiser. So Team Crayola was born and Ashton, Robyn and Elizabeth became part of my team. We spent most of last Friday evening working on our costumes...crayolas. Sweats were the basic costume ...Ashton did the printing of "words" and Robyn and I alternated the ironing on part. It was a long process but we had fun working together.

The finished outfits.

Team Crayola left bright and early for Waterville where the run/walk was held. We stopped at a wonderful restaurant. This is "a single pancake" and I do believe Ashton's eyes were bigger than her stomach!

Benjamin drove to Waterville to support Allison who works for Hardy Girls Healthy Women and Team Crayola. Ashton finally met Bode! Elizabeth and Robyn were delighted to meet sweet Bode as well and he certainly had lots of snuggles. He was the cutest mascot ever!

Here is"Team Crayola"! Left to right are Elizabeth holding Bode, Ashton, me and Robyn. Robyn and Elizabeth won the kids contest for Best Costume. It was a great day to walk, I made it all 3 plus miles and we raised $125 for the cause. I plan on participating next year...hmm...what kind of costume should I wear?