catchup time...again...

this time of year keeps me running in circles and it's only gonna get worse...

it's beautiful here all the fruit trees and flowers are starting to bloom, the sun is shining...I love it! I've been so happy about our beautiful spring weather then when I decide it's time to work outside last weekend it cools off and rains all stinking weekend; hopefully the yard gets some attention this weekend...I inherited my grandparents house when my Granny passed away last January and my Granny loved flowers, I think there are about 100 flower beds in this yard that I have to weed...maybe 100 is exaggerating but for real there are 7 flower beds plus all the bushes & trees she had planted all around the 2 acreas, and with the remodeling we did on the house last year they haven't had any attention since the spring before...I have lots of pruning and weeding to do...

so I want to spend some time working in my yard but what does everybody else want me to do...let's see...hubby had surgery to repair a torn tendon on the 5th, surgery went well he's in a cast now but that limits him some, he's hard headed and still thinks he can do whatever he wants (that's what tore the tendon in the first place)...Chelsey is playing soccer 6 days a week...Relay for Life is just around the corner so we have to start fundraising and go to meetings...2 of my nephews are on the high school baseball team and they (and Chelsey & Jenna) think I have to be at every game...next month Jenna starts softball and guess who couldn't say "NO" when asked to coach; yeap me!...hubby sold his old shop and the guy is moving it on the 28th and I have been storing stuff in it since we moved so now I have to have all my stuff out by the 27th...I JUST WANT TO WORK IN MY YARD!

I did win Preppy 101's 200th post give away...YEAH ME! I never win anything but that was the 2nd blog give away that I've won...maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket...

anyways, I hope you all are enjoying your March!

Happy 200 Preppy 101

Preppy 101 over @ http://southernandpreppy.blogspot.com/ is having a 200 posts give away

go check it out http://southernandpreppy.blogspot.com/2009/03/happy-200-posts-to-me-time-for-giveaway.html

proud soccer mom!

a few post ago I was telling you how proud I was of Chelsey for making the middle school soccer team as a 6th grader...well now I'm telling you how proud I am of Chelsey for not only making the soccer team as a 6th grader but for being a starter for the middle school soccer team as a 6th grader. Chelsey started and played the entire game, I was so proud! It just goes to show you that no matter what stands against you if you give it your all you will succeed...they had their first two games last week and won them both...WAY TO GO EAGLES & CHELSEY!

here's a picture from the 1st game

3/11 Outdoor Wednesday

It's Wednesday so time to take a trip outside...get over to Susan's at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ and check out all the other outdoor post...thank you Susan for organizing this for us

since I'm so ready for summer and a nice trip to the beach I'm going to share some pictures from the weekend getaway that the hubby and I took to Amelia Island in June 2008

the view from our room

we took a river cruise and the dolphins were jumping all around us but my camera was too slow to get the picture of the dolphin but this is still beautiful

this is another view from our river cruise

this was walking to the beach; there's a hawk sitting on the rail



the beach! what more can I say?



hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

sorry if this "Pink Saturday" post is cheesey but my hubby had surgery on Thursday and I've been taking care of him

Be sure to check out all the other pinks at Beverly's http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/ ...thanks Beverly!

I got this email saying I've been pinked so here goes...

Hello, Pretty Lady!

You've been hit. You've been considered one of the 10 prettiest ladies with a kind, warm and loving heart. Once you have been hit, you have to hit 10 pretty ladies with kind, warm and loving hearts. If you get hit again you know you're really pretty and kind.

SEND THIS TO PRETTY LADIES, TO BRIGHTEN THEIR DAY, INCLUDING THE ONE WHO SENT IT TO YOU! REMIND LADIES TO BE INFORMED, AWARE AND BE CHECKED FOR THEIR HEALTH'S SAKE. TELL THEM THAT NO ONE WANTS TO LOSE THEM - AFTER ALL, THEY ARE PRETTY LADIES WITH KIND, WARM LOVING HEARTS...

In honor of anyone you know that has been struck by breast cancer

50th post give away winners

I had a give away for my 5oth post...some of my favorite things; chocolates, candles, lotions and notepad for the fridge...my nephew Brandon was suppose to draw but then my girls got mad so we have 3 winners... here's all the names in the basket

Brandon drawing his name (his eyes are closed)...

Lisa at http://typicaldaytoday.blogspot.com/ can thank Brandon

Jenna drawing her name (her eyes are closed too)...

my real life friend Tracy who got me into blogging at http://barbourbunch.blogspot.com/ can thank Jenna

Chelsey drawing her name (and yes her eyes are closed too)...

another real life friend Sherrie at http://childresshousehold.blogspot.com/ can thank Chelsey

CONGRATS TO ALL 3 WINNERS!

and THANKS for playing

Outdoor Wednesday

I love being outside!

I live on a farm, back in 1940 my Grandaddy bought 100 acres of land so that all his family could live together...today most of us do live on that 100 acres...60 of the acres still have cows on it which is on 2 sides of my 2 acres...I have cows beside and behind me, the cows are hiding in these pictures


this picture was taken February 28, 2009 of the birds playing in the water puddles in my yard

this picture was taken the next day, March 1, 2009 from about the same spot on my porch of the beautiful snow covering the barn, trees and pasture

this is from my front porch of the snow falling on the magnolia tree

I think snow is beautiful but I'm glad we don't get it that often

for more beautiful "Outdoor Wednesday" posts go see Susan at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

I'm a huge supporter of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life...here's a link to a post I did last month about why
http://thegatormom.blogspot.com/2009/01/have-you-ever-felt-helpless.html


I'm also a Tastefully Simple Independent Consultant and all proceeds I make from now until our Relay on April 24/25 I'm donating to the American Cancer Society...so if you need some Tastefully Simple goodies check out my website http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/krussell place an order and support the American Cancer Society all at the same time


if you would like to just make a donation and be entered in a drawing which will take place on April 27th you can make an online donation on my Relay page at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09SA?px=3343132&pg=personal&fr_id=12844 each $5 donated is 1 entry in the drawing for a Bath & Body Works gift basket

Concentrate

To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.

When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence...
The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

well, it snowed

well it snowed yesterday, it snowed a pretty good bit for this area...stuck for a little while but it's all gone now...the girls loved it, well Chelsey did Jenna thought it was too cold (I agree with Jenna)...all the schools around here closed for today, well all of them except 3 and yes my girls go to one of the three that didn't close so they were not very happy about that when they went to bed last night and I'm sure they are not going to be happy when I wake them up in a few minutes

my nephew Taylor, Chelsey & Jenna

more pictures to come

happy monday!

it's snowing!

this is very rare down here in Middle Georgia

crazy weather

can you believe we have been having beautiful spring like weather in the high 60s and low 70s for the past couple of weeks, my daffodils are blooming and today we are suppose to get SNOW!? and back down to freezing temps at night...next weekend we are suppose to be back in the 70s...crazy I tell you, just crazy!

I live in Middle Georiga, it does NOT snow here very often...so this will make all the children very happy (my youngest daughter should be thilled, she asked for snow for Christmas)...if there is enough snow for pictures I'll be sure to share them with you later in the week

happy Sunday!

Happy Pink Saturday

it's time for another "Pink Saturday"...be sure to go by and check out Beverly at http://www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ to see more of the pink stuff

last week (my 1st "Pink Saturday") I told you that I really wasn't a pink person, well after looking for something pink all week I now know without a doubt I am not a pink person...I have nothing in this house that belongs to me that is pink

first we have this clown that my Granny won somewhere and gave to Chelsey...it kinda looks like a scarecrow but he's cute I guess...he has brick for a body so he sits up straight

second we have a beautiful porcelain doll my Granny gave Jenna...she has a pretty, long, pink dress on with white ruffles and lace...she's pretty old but I'm not sure how old

or third we could just use Chelsey's pink room...I NEVER thought Chelsey would want a pink room but the older she gets the more pink she becomes...I guess she's now figuring out it doesn't have to be girly

both the clown and doll picture was taken on Chelsey's pink polka dot bed


be sure to check out my 50th post give away http://thegatormom.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-50th-postgive-away.html

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!

some of my favorite things

I blog about my Granny alot but she was an important part of my life and I have lots of specials memories I want to share...today I'm going to share some my favorite things of her's that I got when she passed away

I've always loved these plates, I guess I'm a fruity person...these plates where given to my Granny & Grandaddy for Christmas 1964 from my Grandaddy's brother and sister in law...to be that old they are still in pretty good condition...I have them hanging in my dinning room

also hanging in my dinning room is this painting of more fruit...not sure where it came from or how old it is but I've always liked it



this mirrow is haning in my kitchen (as you can see in the reflection)...I had never seen this before until we were remodeling (if you're new here and don't know, I got my Granny's house) and tore out one of the closets and it was stuck in the very back...I think it's pretty awesome


this painting is hanging in our bedroom...it's the "Mill Stream" by Robert Wood


Chelsey and Jenna both wanted this mirror with the "Lord's Prayer" on it so to avoid an argument it is hanging in the office

these are a few of my favorites that belonged to my Granny

hope you have a great weekend!

where did they come from!

the girls are gone to Florida for the weekend to see their Granny (my mother-in-law) so I decided this morning that I would clean their rooms...I go in Jenna's room and it really is a disaster area but I clean, make her bed, sweep, dust, etc...she has these 5 BIG stuffed animals (they are tv pillows) under her bed and I look on the top bunch...OMG! where did all these things come from? her top bunch is packed from head to toe with stuffed animals...I'm glad nobody has to sleep up there

five simple rules to be happy

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."
"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!"

five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

what are you giving up for Lent?

Why do some Christians give up things for Lent?
answered by: Rev. Jonathon Jenson

Lent is a season of preparation for Christ's passion on the cross and for the resurrection celebrated at Easter. The early Christians observed this season of 40 days plus Sundays with a time of penitence and fasting. The 40 days are a reminder of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness in preparation for his public ministry.
Lent is the most introspective of the church seasons, and in modern times the foci are on self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting and self-denial; and meditation on the Holy Scriptures. All of these devotional practices, including giving up something, are to help us prepare for Easter.
The practice of fasting or self-denial often receives the most attention. To better prepare, we abstain from something: Alcohol, meat or chocolate are simple pleasures that many people often give up as a Lenten discipline. Giving up peas for me would be no sacrifice; I hate peas. The sacrifice should be something that produces a noticeable absence.
The theological basis for this is simple: Every time we want what we have given up, we are reminded of what Christ gave up for us. Christ gave his life. While our sacrifice pales in comparison, it serves as a frequent reminder of God's overwhelming and complete love for each of us in our season of preparation for the resurrection.



so what are you giving up?

I love my Coke...the drink not the drug...so this Lent I'm giving up my Coke and all soft drinks

GOOD LUCK!

just a reminder

since this wasn't getting much attention I'm reposting...


WOW, I never thought I would get here!!! I know, it's only 50 but I started this blogging thing just because my good friend Tracy over at http://barbourbunch.blogspot.com/ wanted me to...like I don't have enough distractions keeping me from what I really need to be doing? anyway it has taken me since September to get to here but I have to say since December I've been doing pretty good with posting on a some what regular basis

in honor of my 50th post I'm having another give away...some of my favorite things...chocolates, lotions, candles and who knows what else I'll throw in there

here's how to enter:
1...posting a comment gets you 1 entry
2...following me gets you another 2 entries (if you already follow that's 2 for you too)
3...blogging about my give away (and let me know) gets you another 3 entries
4...if a new follower lets me know they are here because of you I'll give you another 1 entry

if you do all the above you have 7 chances to win...good luck!

my nephew Brady drew for my first give away which got me in trouble with his big brother Brandon so Brandon will draw for this one on March 2nd after school

Monday fun...

I saw this over at http://zentmrs.blogspot.com/, and it looked like fun. Copy this and bold the ones you have done!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland or world!!
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis...it was a dare, those things scare me
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check...16 years old should never have a check book
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (quail, deer, and fish)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee


several of those are on my list of "to do before I die"

how many...

how many Georgia bloggers are out there? I borrowed this "Georgia Blogger Award" from Susan over at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ so if you are from the great state of Georgia go ahead and add it to your page...let me know which state you are from

happy Sunday...hope you all have a great week!