Can you believe it...Thanksgiving is almost here, [in just a few short hours?]  Cooking at home or going to family or friends?  Well we had planned to go to my mothers...for the first time in years [something that I was really looking forward to], but they were calling for snow all week long, AND after talking to her on Monday evening...and learning that everyone [on my side] was either just getting over "something" or coming down with something [flu bug, cold, or tummy virus.]  So...given all those things...we decided to play it safe and stay home. The upside...hubby loves having all those leftovers. {So...I'll be slaving over the hot stove/oven like a zillion other peeps.}  We'll eat a bit too much and be ready...[more than ready] for a nap afterwards.  LOL

Traditional dinner or other?  I always do the traditional dinner and this year is no exception. On the menu...Turkey, gravy, cornbread stuffing, baked beans, sweet potatos [washed, cubed in shallow baking pan, sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon], baked baby carrots [with chopped green peppers, basil, hot pepper flakes, and other herbs/spices], creamed [mashed] potatos, rolls, pumpkin pie with whipped topping...{and anything else I throw together in the AM.}  For Christmas I bake a ham, change up the sides a bit and add a few more deserts. 

While I do enjoy the holidays...I'm also very happy when they are over.  {Besides the added work...it's just too cold for me, this time of year.} LOL

Whatever you have planned to celebrate Thanksgiving day...I hope its filled with lot's of good food, family and friends around you and Blessings galore!  "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Hugs & Blessings...Terri

I had an early dental appt. this morning, [which didn't take as long as we thought it would.] So,  afterwards we stopped by the Courthouse and I offically changed m voting status.  [I've always been registered as a Dem., but given the way the party treated Hillary Clinton this year...I decided to change to independent. {My own personal preference.}

We then drove up to visit with my mother too.  This was the first look she got of my nose being pierced.  Her comment...well...the diamond isn't big enough..you'll need to get a larger one.  [Amazing!]  I have to wear this tiny one during the 6 week healing process, then I can start looking for a larger one, [14K white gold [flat]...[approx.2 MM diamond size, 18g size [screw type.]  Wondering if a 2.5 MM diamond size - would be better than the 2MM?]  I  definately don't want it to be huge, but I don't want to have to provide a magnifying glass to see it with either.  LOL

Huge thanks goes out to Tina [at DoodleLines http://doodlelines.com for the 3 beautiful lineart collections she sent via email today.  She is so very talented. I'm such a fan of her work, [if not her biggest fan then definately at the tip top of the "fan list" forsure!] TY Tina

It's snowing...ugh...yep...that yuckie white fluff is falling already and it's sooooo cold. Exactly how many days until spring?? LOL

...to be continued...zzzzland is calling.

Yep I did it! Hubby took me yesterday afternoon and I took the plunge!! I got my nose pierced, [a tiny diamond is now on the side of my nose!]  I had talked to a lady [about an hour before...that had went through it a couple years ago.]  She suggested...that if I was really serious about doing it...not to think about it...just go do it.  [One of my major flaws is to over-think everything.]  And...I've never been the spur of the moment type person. [Truthfully the majority of the time...I usually end up backing out.]

Did it hurt? Ouchieeeeeee...you better believe it did.  OMG...it was very painful.  Hubby held my hand, [and kept talking to me through the worst of it, to keep me still and calm]...I also prayed!  Hubby did watch, but me...well....I closed my eyes as tight as possible. Afterwards it did bleed [quite a bit] but the actual pain stopped within 10-15 minutes.  Hubby said, after seeing it done first hand...he was shocked how huge the needle was and that I was able to go through with it.  

This morning it is just a little sore, but Lord willing it will heal without problems. After years years of thinking about it...[I'm so glad that I did it!]  Would I go through that again? [Hmmmm...maybe for a $1,000.00!]  LOL

Updated [Nov.17th, 2008]:: My sister Jane was totally supportive!  AND...to my surprise...when I told my 76 year old mother [via phone] on Saturday about what I had done...she did "NOT" flip  out.  [Pretty amazing!]  Her words were; "well, it's not for me...but if that's what you want, and considering I have my ears pierced, who am I to say anything? " [Praise the LORD!]  Now...my 30 year old daugher...might not be as understanding.  [And perhaps my 86 year old  mother-in-law, along with some of the other family members on both sides...might not either.]  I guess time will tell eh?

Well, I'm off to do a few things before heading back to zzzzzland.  It's early, raining, cold and it's suppose to get even colder...[with some snow mixed in today and tomorrow.]  A good day...if you're a duck!  LOL

Have a wonderful weekend.  

I'm up...much too early...again.  [Actually I've been up since 1 AM.]  After hubby's doctor appointment yesterday morning, which was freezing...they honestly had the air conditioning on...with it being 25 degrees outside!   Bundled up in winter garb and my pink blanket....after 35 minutes of sitting there...and not being able to feel my finger tips...I went up to the window and ask if they would please turn the AC off.  [All the patients were complaining...and hurting even worse because of the cold.]  Unreal.

Afterwards we stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things. [By the way...stuffed green peppers will be on the menu today.]  Then we stopped by the house, to put those things away, feed Madison and then out the door we went again.  It had warmed up by then and with rain [and some snow mix] expected over the next three days [and only in the 30's with snow expected on Sunday]...we figured we had better try to get over to see hubby's mother. After visiting with her a couple hours, and we made it back home...we were both totally exhausted.  I fell asleep around 4:30 and napped until 8 PM.  [Got up for a few hours and then back to bed at 10:30.]  So I did get approx. 6 hours of [broken] zzzz's...but for me that's normal.  :sigh:

While making hubby's follow up appt., I noticed the receptionist had a small diamond in her nose.  [I have wanted to do that for 7 or 8 years, and even called a place years ago to ask how they did it etc., before I chickened out.]  Now...I'm thinking about it again...[and while hubby isn't jumping for joy about it...he said he would be ok with it, if I decide to actually do it.]  Our daughter...might be another story.   BUT...considering my age...[now at 40 something]...I'm thinking...if I'm ever going to do it...it's pretty much...now or never.  On the other side...with my bleeding disorder [also affecting my immune system]...I have to worry about bleeding, healing properly and infection.   So, I may wait to discuss it with my doctor in Jan.  [Although...several years ago, one of my nieces talked about having it done, then opted for a belly ring instead.]  Hmmm...I may just give her a call.  [That way...my mother, {her grandmother}....can freak-out one time....instead of twice.]  LOL

...to be continued...

Oh my...what in the world happened to fall?  {With these kind of brrrrrr temp's...it sure makes it difficult to understand...the global warming data eh?}  Ok...I know it's "NOT" official...but it sure feels like winter to me.  {Hmmmm...since old man winter has moved in at least a month early...does this mean we'll get "back to spring" a month ahead of schedule?]  If so...hey...I can deal!

Hubby has an early morning doctor's appointment [really early]...in the big city...and I had planned to stay home since the temp's. are only going to be around 25, but that was before I remembered that 39 years ago [today]...while just a teenager, he was in a horrible car accident [his brother was driving and they were hit head on, at a pretty high rate of speed.]  It was touch and go for awhile, his body was beaten and broken and it took him many months to recover.  For awhile, they didn't know if he would make it....thankfully the good LORD had other plans for him and his life. 

Madison is doing well.  She is blind in the one eye, but otherwise she is back to her usual sweet self and I thank and praise the good LORD for hearing and for answering our prayers for her. 

The oldest son of our next door neighbor told us recently that he has enlisted in the army.  He will leave for basic training after graduation in May.  He is such a good kid...young, bright and forever with a smile on his face.  While we are very proud of him, we can't help but to be sad too.  Most likely he will be sent to the front lines....joining the thousands of other brave young men and women serving [and protecting] our country...abroad.  I pray that these wars will soon be over: that they can all come home again...that our nation will never forget the hero's that gave everything for this country...and that we can feel safe again.  {Since 9/11...the world as we knew it....changed forever.}

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner.  While I love the holidays...I also dread them each year.  Mainly because our precious daughter lives so far away...and it's been years since we were able to spend them with her.  Lord willing...hopefully...one day we will live closer to her, and we won't have to miss out, [on everyday memories or the holidays.]

Well I'll close for now...grab some java...and try to get moving.  Have a wonderful day!

Hugs & Blessings...T

Well let's see...since my last post...I'm so happy [and so very thankful] to be able to share with everyone, that Madison is feeling and doing so much better. 

Ok...some of you may not agree with what I'm about to say next...but it's from my heart and it's the truth...so here goes.  After my last post...things took an even worse turn for Maddie.  Hubby and I {after a ton of tears and not wanting to let her go...but loving her enough not to see her suffer any longer...had decided that if she wasn't any better in the next day or two, we would have to make "that" dreaded call to the vet.}  So, while holding her and seeing the pain in her body and in her eyes...[which seemed to plead with me]...throught tears...I began to pray...asking God to please heal her, to take the pain and infection from her body and to allow her to stay with us.  I then told him how special she is to us and how I honestly did not want to lose her.  AND, how the "Bible" tells us that if "we ask and believe...we shall receive."  [As long as what we are asking...is within the teachings of the word.]

The asking part is always easy isn't it? However...the believing part...well...being human and wanting to "fix" the problem right away...it's very difficult at times to let go...and to let God.  From my own personal experience...when facing hardships...you do reach a point where you know that you just can't handle it, fix it, or carry the weight of it around any longer.  I know that from the very beginning {of every situation in life} I should give it to the Lord...and leave it with HIM, but...I do tend to give it to HIM and then take it back.

I know it's been awhile...

With MSN closing Groups in Feb., 2009, I am trying to find the time [and brain cells and energy] to sort out all the PSP tutorials that I've had on MSN for the past 5 or 6 years...and get them moved before MSN turns out the lights.  [Not an easy task.]

My little Madison [our furbaby] is so very ill.  I have cried a river the past couple of weeks and yesterday I honestly thought it was her last. Hubby bought Madison for me when our daughter flew the nest and she has been the baby for the past 11 years.  We both love her to pieces! Honestly...I don't know how to give her up.  Please pray for us...for Madison...that her final days will be painfree and that we will be able to let her go...when the time comes. 

It took me approx. three weeks to finish up several Christmas prop collections for the shoppe, [I've just not had the heart to add them yet.]  Maybe soon.

That's all for now...I'll post again soon, hopefully in a better frame of mind.

Hugs & Blessings to All.

Ugh...for some reason my entries are colleting a ton of "?" marks [where they aren't suppose to be!]  I contacted Bravenet yesterday...so, hopefully they will have an easy fix. Until then...please look over all the extra "?" marks...honestly, it's not my doing! :sigh: UPDATE Oct. 25th: Bravenet fixed the problem! [Yeah!]

I think I'm coming down with something...again.  It started day before yesterday and then after a trip to the grocery store yesterday AM [it was freezing as usual...even with a wool winter coat and gloves on.]  Afterwards between the sore throat and sinus [hope it's just my allergies kicking in]...and the body stiffness and ouchies...I just can't do this again until spring/summer...it's pure torture!]  That was my first trip out in 13 days...but when it's cold, I have to stay in and try to stay warm. Feels like I live in a bubble every fall, winter and early spring.  [The forecast is saying...rain mixed with snow Sat. night into Sunday and SNOW on Tuesday...the day time high's will be in the 40's, with night time temps dipping in the 20's.  Lord help us! [I hope and pray that one day [soon] we'll be able to leave this icebox and move to an area [that stays warm year round.]

Gotta scoot...it's either back to bed for me this morning [where I really need to be] or an attempt at doing the usual Friday cleaning, washing etc. [A part-time maid would be so nice.]  Yep...Alice...Wonderland is right around the corner eh? LOL

Have a great weekend.

With the election right around the corner [finally...it's been going on for too long]...I still struggle alot with...which of these two men will best serve the American people? Which one will try to lead us out of this mess that our economy is in? Which one will address [finally] the health care crisis [especially the lack of health insurance for 47 million citizens??] And...still believes in the constitution...not leaving GOD at the door...only bringing HIM into the picture when it's suits their cause [at the moment.] How easy it is to say...I'll pray for you, or God Bless America...but...which of these men [and their VP picks]...actually live it, believe it, walk it, and talk it??? I honestly don't know.

This is the first time in years, that this close to the election I am so confused [undecided.] I have serious doubts about both...to the point that I'm not sure if I will even vote at all. Our nation is in crisis. It took years for us to get to this point...and I know that change will be a slow and painful process.

I have heard so many people express their concerns about both...while others say; "well anything would be an improvement for us...considering the past 8 years." But will it? I'm not convinced that way of thinking is enough to throw your support behind someone that seems to anger so easily and is constantly slinging mud. The closer it gets to the big day, the worse the ad's seem to get.

There are serious doubts about the lack of experience of Obama...yet on the other hand...what kind of change can someone that has already been in Washington for almost 3 decades, actually bring to our nation?

Can someone that has 6 or 7 homes...or their VP spends $150,000.00 for clothing etc. just since Sept. really understand the plight of the average person? We still believe in the American dream but what chance do we have of acheiving it...with the way things stand now? The government is spending billions of dollars each month for the war...throws billions of bucks to bail out [big money] Wall Street...yet they DO NOT care about the lack of health care for our own people!?

Is health care a responsibilty or a right? McCain said during one of the debates that; health care is a responsibilty...Obama says; it's a right. {On that issue, I have to agree with Obama...especially being among the 47 million Americans without health insurance - for the past 14 years.}

My brother has a favorite saying..."You spend time with what you care about...even if it's a gold fish!"  And...he's 100% right!!  When looking at your life...what do you spend the majority of your time with?  Real life doesn't ask for your attention...in my world...it demands it.  The things that  matter the most to me...like faith, family, health...and the economy...are always on my mind.

NOTE:: This is my journal...with my own personal thoughts and feelings posted...on topics from A to Z.  {I live in the U.S....so, if you don't agree or like what I have to say...feel free to click that little red X at the top right hand corner to close this page.}  It is "NOT" my intention to upset anyone...so...if you have any negative thoughts or comments...please keep them to yourself. {Thank You!}

I have been so blessed with the love of creating. Over the years I have spent time doing ceramics, cross-stitching, quilting, and always tried to add unique touches when decorating our home.  As time went by and health issues kicked in limiting my ability to do many of those things...I really missed that part of my life.  Then...hubby bought me my first PC for my 40th birthday.  Shortly after...I discovered this wonderful site on MSN filled with so many talented people using Paint Shop Pro©...all willing to teach and share. Within a short time...I was totally hooked on this new form of creating.  I began making sig. tags [so many I lost count]...and I wrote quite a few PSP sig. tag tutorials...that are still online [at least for the next four months.]  Then...after a year and a half of that, I decided to move in a different direction...making pixels for profit. 

I have seen so many changes happen within the pixel community as a whole in the past 4 years...many "postive"...others - "not so much."   When I first started, there were some sites offering tags and tubes, but nothing like the amount that we have now.  Over time so many talented ladies have grown discouraged by the many different things that have happened...that they have given up and left the web altogether.

As I said at the beginning [of this post]...real life seems to pull me in so many different directions...so there isn't much extra time these days to create as often as I use to, or would like to...so when I do...I want it to be fun...something that I enjoy...without the worry of drama...or stress...just pixeling.

When you get hundreds of creative peeps together...all doing basically about the same thing [ex: tags, tubes,  websets etc.]...feelings are bound to get hurt from time to time...but...in the end...[in my humble opinion]...it's "JUST" pixels..."NOT" brain surgery...[it's "NOT" a matter of "life or death."]  

Pixel wars...for whatever reason...cause huge rifts...hurting the community as a whole.  I really wish we all could go back to the good "old days"...where support, kindness and our love of creating linked us all together...like family.

Like many others...I do wonder [alot]...if the need is there any longer?? Will pixeling become a thing of the past?  I guess...time will tell....