* CHRISTMAS IS 1 WEEK AWAY?! *

 I decided it was time to stop by my blog and see what I'd written lately. 

Obviously it was over a month ago and I still had my autumn leaves background. 

So today I just chose a snowy picture that blogger had in its files.

I'm still busy with my part-time job and the renovations Ron and I are doing. 

Actually, I'm not doing any of the hard work, but I'm more of the interior designer! 

I choose paint colors, etc. 💜

 

This year has been so strange, and yet it went by really fast for me, I haven't done any Christmas shopping, and for the first time in years, I'm allowing myself to NOT mail Christmas cards. The past few years I've gotten all stressed out, trying to send them to ALL the people I used to send and also receive one from them. Well, I think we all know what happened. Emails, Facebook, and all the other electronic places where we can be almost with each other in person. 

Hope all of you are alive and well and staying safe. 

Merry Christmas and Happy 2021 (and may it be better, by far, than 2020!)

~~~~~~

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime." – Laura Ingalls Wilder

* THE STOOGES?? *

 Have you ever seen such craziness?

  I am staying completely off of Facebook for about a week (or more) because no matter how this election turns out, I know there will be so much anger and hatred being posted, and I don't want to read any of it. Lots of people say, "Just keep scrolling. You don't have to read anything that you don't want to see." Sometimes that's easier said than done. 

I'm really disappointed in my country. I hope and pray that whoever "wins" will be the best president for us and that all the rioting stops!   

** WHERE HAVE I BEEN? **

 I can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted anything. Did I mention I'm working more days at my job? I always worked just 2 days per week, Tuesdays & Fridays. The past 6 weeks or so, I've been working 3 or 4 days per week. I like the extra money, and I love my job and all the people...but the drive back and forth is a bit tiring. 

I'm not complaining, just explaining! LOL So, between my free time, and my "tired" time, I haven't even thought about blogging (posting my own or reading any of yours!)  Nor I have thought about replying to emails, etc. My apologies! 

I sincerely hope all of you are safe and healthy. Let's hope and pray that 2021 will be a fabulous year!

Bye for now.

* It's Monday! *

Hey everyone! I've been busy with different activities and just haven't been able to finish a blog post. I started writing one for "I Wonder" and couldn't get to the end of it. I think that was this past Thursday. Then I remembered my "Nostalgic Sunday" posts and thought that would be fun to do yesterday. Well, as you can see, it's Monday evening...

Some of my recent "activities" 

1) I've been doing a lot around the house. Ron and I are slowly getting our remodeling done. I don't remember if I mentioned about our purchase of a double-wide mobile home, in a senior community (55+ years old). We bought it 2 years ago and began taking it apart and putting in new. We moved in about a year ago and the work continues. We got it at a really good price and knew we could fix it up to make it our own. I told Ron that if I hadn't watched that TV show, "Flip or Flop", I would never have believed we could make it beautiful! Maybe I can post some "before and after" photos later as we keep working on it.

2) I'm also very happy to announce I've been writing!! I'm working on my sequel in the fact that I've found a bunch of notes and have been trying to get them in some kind of order. I'm also working on a story for a Chicken Soup book, and plan to write something for another one that's not due for quite a while. 

3) This evening I cut up carrots, potatoes and onions and put them all in the refrigerator in storage bags. Tomorrow morning before I leave for work at 6:00 am, I'll dump them all into my crockpot which is ready to be plugged in...and of course, I have a round roast to put in with the veggies. Mmm, that sounds so yummy to me. It's the kind of food I crave in the cooler/colder weather. How about you? 

"A few days ago, I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." -- Eric Sloane

* A Leap of Faith, Again *

 I went through some of  my older blog posts yesterday, searching for just the right information to share...once again.  When I came upon this one, I decided to post it again. (It was an "I Wonder" post on March 9, 2012.) It was very meaningful to me then, as were all the wonderful comments I received, and it's very meaningful to me now as well, for very different and new reasons. 

Lately I've been thinking and wondering about Leaps of Faith. Don't you just love that phrase? Such thoughts and images come to my mind. But there is a group of images that is unsurpassed...

 

(all images courtesy Google)

I'll never forget the first time I watched Indiana Jones in The Lost Crusade take that "Leap of Faith." I held my breath, and then when I saw the "bridge" he walked across, my stomach got weak and I almost passed out because of my fear of heights! And no matter how many times I watch that scene, it effects me the same way -- -- emotionally and physically. My heart palpitates, I don't breath, my stomach does flips, and then BOOM...Indy accomplished the impossible. He believed. He HAD TO believe...and I cheer, usually out loud!

Anyone trying to achieve something of importance in their life has opportunities to take that "leap of faith," but how many of us actually do it?? Looking back, I know I've made a few of them, but they were more like "small steps of faith." (Every step in the right direction counts, though, right?) 

I'm working on the sequel to my memoir now, and will most likely need a few "leaps" along the way! 😀

 “Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” -Margaret Shepherd

* SAD NEWS ABOUT CHARLIE *

Ron and I had to say goodbye to our beloved Charlie Thursday evening. We knew it was coming sometime soon, but he went downhill quickly...He hadn't eaten in almost 2 days, but drank water pretty much like normal, went outside always for potty, and was getting up and down the steps okay. But Thursday he began to really look confused and wasn't walking good and the last time he drank any water, he immediately threw it up...just the water.

(He had blood tests about 3 weeks ago and had very serious problems that no one was aware of. He had liver problems, thyroid problems, diabetes and a heart murmur! And he never seemed sick or uncomfortable before then.)

We had an appointment for this morning, so we could see our usual vet, but we didn't want Charlie to have to wait that long, so the clinic fit us in and they were all so kind, just like always.

I told Ron I can't go through this again and don't want another fur baby, and I truly believe it this time.

This was Charlie on his 12th birthday, this past February. 

I love this picture! This was earlier this year. Ron was walking with Charlie, and all of a sudden this stray cat decided he not only wanted to follow them home, he wanted to walk right next to Charlie and look at him as his new best friend! (Have you ever seen something like that?!) I think it's so adorable. Our next door neighbor already had a couple of cats, and she happily adopted this little guy, who she named Lucky!

Below are just a few of my favorite Charlie photos. 

~~~~~

And 2 beautiful quotes. 

* SHARING OLD POSTS *

While trying to decide what to write about in my "new" blog posts, and not being able to come up with much of anything, I had the most scathingly brilliant idea!  (Yes, Cathy C Hall! https://c-c-hall.com/ )

I'm going to re-post some from the past, at least for now or until I feel as if I can write something decent again. When I look back and read some posts from my early blogging years, 2009-2013, I feel as if I'm reading someone else's writing. I truly mean it! I think to myself, Wow, that is some beautiful writing, and then I remember that I'm the one who wrote it! 

Oh, and you know what else was wonderful to read? All the comments, and some from people who aren't blogging anymore, which made me sad. Their blog either is totally gone, or they haven't posted in years. It makes me want to go back through emails and see if I have one for many of them, and see if we can catch up with each other that way. 

And, maybe I'll have contests again where I give away a book, or bookmark, or fancy pens, etc.

Thanks to all who stop by to make sure I'm still alive and bouncing off the walls! 😄

~~~~~~

And I'll end with a couple of favorites from Maxine:

"Ever feel like you've had too much coffee? Me neither." 

"Fashion magazines are society's way of saying 'If you don't feel inadequate already, read one of these!'

* STILL NOT MUCH TO SAY, BUT ALL OKAY *

 Not much to say...just checking in. All is well in the Povich household, and I hope the same goes for all of you!

I do, though, have photos of beautiful flowers I purchased recently at a local grocery store, and at such inexpensive prices! 

These roses are really pink but they look kind of peach in some of the pictures. 

There were 1 dozen, long stemmed pink roses in a plastic container for only FIVE DOLLARS!

I asked the cashier why these were so cheap, and

she said because they were getting old and about to wilt...

But, here are some of them as of yesterday. 

       And I originally bought them on July 29! 

     I'd say I got a great deal, wouldn't you?

       I added a few lilies of some kind in this vase.

Since I had so many beautiful flowers,

I kept some at home and took some to work. 

        I think it's time for another stop at the grocery store! 🌹

“The world is a rose, smell it, and pass it to your friends.”

– Persian Proverb

* IT'S JULY 10TH ? *

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family. I think of all of you every day and hope all is well in your lives, as well. 

The only one who's doing a bit "poorly" is Charlie. He has some issues with his liver AND thyroid, but he's on some meds, so hoping he will be all better soon! (If these don't do the trick, he'll need an ultrasound, which costs a lot of $$$) 

Oh, our son, Mark, who moved to New Orleans last year for a teaching job, drove up and surprised the heck out of us on Father's Day!! I've never had such an awesome surprise. He stayed with friends and was here for 2 weeks, so we got to see him quite a bit. Next, he's on to Rochester, NY for a new teaching position. Nothing like going from hot and humid, to cold and snowy! But he LOVES snow, so he should love it there! 😃

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family.

* STILL HANGING IN THERE, ON MY LONG AND WINDING ROAD *

I'm still alive and well...but don't feel much like blogging.

I think of all my blog friends ALL THE TIME!

I hope everyone is healthy and safe.

Large hosta in front yard.
White pole is lamp post. 

One of my peonies! (and no ants!) 

                  ♪ ♪ Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer... ♪ ♪