Some deeper thoughts & some beautiful colors

Okay...I know it's been almost forever since I posted anything, except maybe a letter in a mailbox. Contrary to rumors that I have run off to a foreign land, I am still here and slowly making my way back to the land of the sane {?} people. It's been a weird year, and I just went through 5 solid weeks of difficult "it happened then" days...but today the sun is shining, I'm here to enjoy it and I know I'm getting stronger every day. My faith has been tested with all the sad news of the past week and my heart aches for all those who have lost so much. We had the 5th anniversary of our Groundhog Day Tornado, and I can still remember the fear that came with that 5 years ago. My thoughts and prayers are there with all those touched by these terrible storms. I've been reading a lot of your blogs...some happy...some sad..and all have been a part of my healing...to be able to "reach out" to others, even when I did not feel like putting myself "out there". So, I hope I'm back to stay for awhile. I'm playing with my camera again and when I saw the great colors in my yard today {once the sun finally arrived} I just knew I had to share them. These are just 3 of my Azaleas that are blooming as we speak. The really deep magenta{?} ones were planted by Joe 8 or 9 years ago...and have never looked this beautiful. I'd like to think he can still see them...they certainly are bright enough! Hope you like 'em....and since they are not in any sequence I won't have to fight with blogger to get them in the right order :o}...Happy Sunday! *e*

Happy Tuesday Morning

Good Morning! I've blogged with several very special women this morning, and some of them are feelin' pretty bad. So, I'd like to send prayers & get well wishes to Deena, @ Pretty in Pink, and Margo, who of course, we all know and love as Robolady. And to anyone else in my rather limited blogging sphere who isn't feeling great today...feel better soon!! Winter won't last forever, the sun WILL come out and we can all warm up and loose the SADD faces. That's one of the reasons I live in Fl...where we literally melt 7 months out of 12...I must have my sunshine!! *elaine*

Hello... 2009!!!

So, last year I kept saying 2008...it's gonna be great! This year, I am trying very hard not to do any obvious rhymes for 2009...2008 started out great & ended up being a pretty terrible, horrible no-good year for so many people & their families. My heart goes out to the folks who have lost jobs & homes & hope...also my prayers & my belief that things can & will get better. I ended off my old year by beginning my third attempt to quit smoking, in as many years. I'm not a stupid individual by any means, and I know how bad it is, but I also know how hard it is to stop. So, any of you who may read this, and have any good advice for making it stick this time, post it here! It's been 4 days of semi cold- turkey, and I'm feelin' okay....but then again the sky hasn't fallen yet, this week, which seems to happen quite often in my sometimes dysFUNctional family!! I'm saying semi cold-turkey because I'm only using the patch during work hours. I work in a very small, very busy sorority/fraternity shop, and my boss really frowns on my dragging customers into the back room or using my sometimes sarcastic, non-nicotined sense of humor on customers that may piss me off!!! I can't imagine why, but I guess I'll have to follow her rules... I've worked for the same great lady for 17 years, so I really don't want to piss her off!!! And she just happens to be one of those people you love to hate...she quit 10 years ago...no patch, no gum...no bitchin' & has never looked back! I am in awe!!! Okay...enough of the smokin' stuff. I'm ending this post with some favorite Christmas stuff that got put away today, and for some reason, I felt like I would really miss them until next year...so here are a couple of my faves...until next week, or the sky falls...Happy New Year!!! Bring on 2009....I think I'm ready!!! *elaine* PS The Father Christmas was made by moi...12 years ago. I made them for 5 or 6 years and sold all but this guy. He was still sitting in the shop on Christmas eve, and I brought him home...so glad I did as that was the last year of production! The tiny little nativity was found, for .25, @ a yard sale the day before Christmas...who has a yard sale the DAY before Christmas!!??? Even worse, who GOES to a yard sale on their way home from work on Christmas eve??!!! I do..I do, apparently! The nativity is the size if a deck of cards, made in Japan, and the tiny figures are so sweetly painted...I just love it! I had to re-moss the roof, and also added the star...the extent of my "crafting" for December 08...told ya it's been a rough year!! :o}