Feeling Down and Out

Am feeling incredibly low today. This picture perfectly illustrates the depths of despair I often find myself in these days. It's debilitating at times. Am so exhausted of trying to be strong. I know I have people who care about me and love me, but it doesn't alleviate the sadness.

Independence Day 2017

Here are a few pics of my precious grandchildren (and daughter in last pic). Grandbabies really do light up a mama's life. Missing a recent pic of my sweet grandson, Christian. Will post one later.

Below are the buds on a 'butterfly bush' at my mom's house. It really does attract a lot of butterflies.

This is my mom and youngest granddaughter. Mom got a hat for her great granddaughter because the sun was shining so bright. But she kept pulling it off. :)

A very Happy 4th of July! We got back from seeing a fireworks display about an hour ago, so now it's July 5th, but nonetheless, Happy Fourth. I made a big pot of chicken and rice soup and a blackberry cobbler for tomorrow.

This is what I'll be doing until I fall asleep. I have an ongoing case of chronic insomnia, and the only upside to it is that I've been devouring books. It's a great escape for me.

Just Checking Back In

Jigsaw Puzzles make me happy. Here are a couple I've completed. Since I've last posted...2 years ago...I have a grandbaby living with me. She's now almost 10 months old and I haven't had the time or energy to work a puzzle. Still have stacks of puzzles to do, but they'll have to wait.

This is my sweet new granddaughter, Anaya. She's grandbaby #5. I have #6 due in February 2018. I'm truly blessed.

I just finished reading "Camino Beach" by Amanda Callendrier. It was such a fun read - very comical. Am now starting "The Necklace" by Claire McMillan.

Quotes for the day:

Be back soon...I hope.

Our First Snowstorm in 2015

The freshly-fallen snow is so lovely...and then comes the activities of daily living that messes and dirties it up. Oh well. It was quite beautiful when it was falling. We got not quite 10 inches.  It's going to be very cold over the next few days (cold for us anyway).

A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder.

Susan Orlean

I am currently reading the following books.

The first book shown is an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) of the story of the Lusitania, a maritime tragedy that occurred a few years after the sinking of the Titanic. It killed more than 1,000 people, but is a lot less known than the story of the Titanic - I imagine it's because of the fact that the Titanic was on it's maiden voyage and the sinking took a few hours, romanticizing the aftermath of the iceberg strike. Admittedly, the stories that came from the Titanic survivors have mesmerized me, especially the part of the band playing even while the ship is sinking. But the Lusitania has an equally interesting list of persons on board the luxury ocean liner on the tragic night it was torpedoed by a German u-boat. I'm about 1/2 way through and am immensely enjoying reading about this little piece of maritime history.

The second book shown is a contemporary 'love story' of sorts. A man working in a company's IT Department has been given the task of reading flagged emails and sending warnings to employees when emails are inappropriate for whatever reason. However, he doesn't warn Beth and Jennifer - he just simply reads their detailed emails and ends up falling in love with Beth. Interesting concept for a love story....

My niece, Autumn, had a turned one this month and had a Minnie Mouse - themed birthday party. The cake was really cute and she got lots of stuff.

I am excited that I will be a grandmother for the 4th time come October of this year. My son and his wife are expecting their fourth child in the fall. There shall be showers of blessings....Praying that all goes well with this pregnancy. Love my kids and grandkids so much!

Happy Valentine's Day 2015

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just remember...

1 Corinthians 13 King James Version (KJV)

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Journaling

I've been journaling off and on for many years. In the last few years, journaling has become somewhat of a necessity for me as I've been suffering from depression and a journal and a pen are godsends. I need outlets and this is one of them. It's not just writing though. I often compile drawings from my grandkids, cards, photographs, pictures from magazines, etc.

I keep all of my journaling supplies together in a carry-around tote with lots of pockets so I can journal anywhere.

This is my current journal and, yes, I'm still a little 'girly'. Since I insert lots of pics, cutouts etc, I have to use a band to hold it together. I'm now using a Smash Book band.

These kinds of pages make the journal interesting. I'm obviously unable to show my actual journaling pages as they're very personal and full of raw emotion.

I would love to be able to incorporate some of my own artwork into the journal, but I was not blessed with that talent. *sigh* It's okay though - my granddaughter provided me with a lovely piece of art (as shown above) and I'm sure I'll have many more of those over the years!

I do have some extra blank journals waiting for me once this one is complete.

I must run. My daughter will be off the bus in a few moments and wants me to go to the gym with her. I need to get back into shape!

Until next time...

Random Q & A

How tall are you? 5'3

What is your favorite song? This is too hard. I have a lot of songs I love. A few are I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe, East Is From The West by Casting Crowns, Who Am I by Casting Crowns, Water Grave by The Imperials/Russ Taff, I Hope You Dance by Leanne Womack, Coward of the County by Kenny Rogers, The Rose by Bette Midler and so many more I love....

What's your favorite way to spend free time when you're alone? Reading, Jigsaw Puzzles and Latch Hook

What's  your favorite junk food? Rocky Road Ice Cream!

Do you have any pets? Yes, we have a border collie named Holly.

What is your favorite fiction and nonfiction book? Nonfiction is easy - the Bible. For fiction books, I've read so many, but my favorite (is actually a series) is the Lunar Chronicles; so far, there is Cinder, Scarlet and Cress. Upcoming in the series are Fairest and Winter (can't wait).

If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be? Hmmm.....I guess iced tea.

What is your favorite Disney movie? It's a tie between Frozen and The Fox and the Hound.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Probably Alaska

Do you cut out coupons and never use them? Yes, I'm afraid I'm guilty of that...

Do you chew your pens and pencils? No

What size is your bed? King

Do you still watch cartoons? I do occasionally. I have a teen daughter and she still watches them, so I watch them with her sometimes - Spongebob Squarepants, Scooby Doo.

What do you dip your chicken nuggets in? If I do, it's barbeque sauce, but I usually eat them without any sauce. I can't stand ketchup.

What is your favorite food? Tacos

What movies could you watch over and over and still love? On Golden Pond (such a sweet love story), Grumpy Old Men (Matthau and Lemmon are hilarious together),  Titanic, most Disney moves...

Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket? No, but "knock on wood" now...

Ever ran out of gas? Yes

Favorite kind of sandwich? Roast Beef, provalone cheese and tomato

How many languages can you speak? Only English

Are you afraid of heights? I do get pretty queazy when I look down, so I guess I am.

Favorite type of fruit pie? Lemon Meringue

Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? I like all 3, but it's usually Wal-Mart.

Cheetos or Fritos? Cheetos

Hot Tea or Cold Tea? Definitely cold

Black or green olives? Olives are really gross IMO.

What is your favorite color? Green

Well, this was just a fun and quick post. It's the weekend and I have a lot of housework to attend to. Have washed dishes and a load of clothes. Getting ready to wash another load. Will go to the gym later and take my daughter to work. Then will get some reading in. Looking forward to an increase in temps later this week, Lord willing.