tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46504649768406706542024-02-22T02:49:32.453-08:00Small Town GirlSometimes a tough ending is the perfect way to have a beautiful beginning... Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-5043359974466810882012-09-24T00:32:00.001-07:002017-06-12T19:39:26.851-07:00Finding Me I really thought I was going to live the rest of my life the way it was planned. I never really saw it coming. Oh, I knew it was there. I could feel it. I could sense it. But I thought I could control it. I thought I could put on my rose-colored glasses and see the best in the situation and that, somehow, doing that would make it ok. I never really thought it would end or at least end like this.<br />
I got bored writing this blog that I had dabbled with for a few years. I felt like I had nothing left to say, nothing left to contribute. Taking pictures of my home in various decorating stages wasn't me. I enjoyed looking at everyone else's but that wasn't what I wanted from <i>this</i> blog yet didn't know what it was I did want. Sharing recipes was fine <i>sometimes</i> but it wasn't what I really wanted from this. It was sort of a metaphor for my life. I knew what I had wasn't what I wanted but I was content to live with how things were because I didn't have the courage to change them myself. And it wasn't unbearable. I mean, by many accounts, it was quite blessed. Two healthy, amazing daughters, a beautiful home and family nearby and I got to be a homemaker. We live in the small town I grew up in. He worked hard for a living and was a good provider. But something major was missing.<br />
I gave away <i>me</i> in this process of becoming 'us'. He wanted me to. I assumed his identity as I faded into the background. He was no more at fault of me allowing this than I was. There were many other, more personal issues that led to where I find myself today but what I choose to share with you is this new journey I am on of self-discovery. He has been gone one month. I begged him to stay. Cried for him to stay. Begged God to <i>make </i>him stay. But he was set on leaving.<br />
And now. Now I must know why. What was my part in all of this? Who am I exactly? Who am I as an adult? As a mom in charge of her home? I identify (like a lot of women probably do) with characters in movies and music. When he first left I couldn't get the Sandra Bullock movie Hope Floats out of my head. No, he didn't cheat on me. But I was once a small town beauty queen who was once audacious and "something". I now live in the small town I was all of those things in. I am starting over in the same town that knew and loved me and my popular husband. I do wonder how, on God's green earth, am I supposed to make something of myself <i>here. </i>But, praise God, my Mama doesn't stuff road kill! And I'm just waiting for my Harry Connick Jr.<br />
I've been changing silly things around our home that were "him". I got a new ATM card because the last one I had had military stuff all over it (he retired after 20 years in the USMC). I removed the plaque that he had put up on a corner of the outside of the house. I've got new license plates coming to replace my current purple heart plates on my car. My garage walls have never looked so bare as I removed all of his military and movie posters. Some parts of the inside of the house are bare as I removed all of the military stuff for him to take. I have nothing to put in its' place. No girly, woman-stuff posters to put up in the garage, no "I'm a Christian and a Mom" license plate to put on my car. I wouldn't even know what stuff says "me".<br />
Just like in the movie Runaway Bride I don't know what I like, who <i>I </i>am. How <i>I </i>like my eggs. What are <i>my </i>dreams, aspirations and desires? No clue. But I'm going to find out. I'm on a self-discovery voyage. I will find out as I walk upright with the Lord. I loved being married, being part of a partnership. I will want that again. But before I do I need to find me and not give her away again in pursuit of the <i>us</i>. Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-82579389733048563732011-11-23T05:13:00.000-08:002011-11-23T05:34:11.069-08:00My Cup Runneth Over...<div> </div><div> My cup runneth over and many blessings we share</div><div> the love of a family and many friends who do care.</div><div> The food on this table, the love in this home</div><div> bring back many hearts from wherever they roam.</div><div> The soldiers, Marines and others overseas </div><div> working hard on this day protecting our peace.</div><div> A nation founded on God and knowledge of His provision</div><div> and knowing this foundation never needs revision.</div><div> Freedom to worship the God in whom we do love</div><div> Giving us this country straight from above.</div><div> So let's stop to remember all that we have </div><div> and honor those who have paved the path.</div><div> Never forget why we gather today together</div><div> to be grateful to God not on just one day but forever. </div><div> Mindi White</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Blessings to you and yours for a wonderful Thanksgiving!</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-19416652335492988842011-11-17T07:45:00.000-08:002011-11-17T07:49:25.739-08:00Tickle TickleA sick three year old has been attached to me this week. A sick three year old with very curly hair. When she sits on my lap while I'm on the computer her hair is sticking straight up and it tickles my nose. Just thought you should know. Hope your week is going better! MindiSmall Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-51394845100516643032011-11-11T08:58:00.000-08:002011-11-11T09:11:13.474-08:00Thank You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9kdLsLfUpbHEQRO_6EBUEE1pPUKmSWxeTmcJoensH3XKwzD9H0H03TJnVG9D_tLhu9yJ3zoJ9xFC7KUtGDkKxkjE-bTA_pjwHMHd1RRQ1cBgImY06GprVqciy1dqd8OwQrzwBQpAPFA/s1600/IMG_0530_038.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9kdLsLfUpbHEQRO_6EBUEE1pPUKmSWxeTmcJoensH3XKwzD9H0H03TJnVG9D_tLhu9yJ3zoJ9xFC7KUtGDkKxkjE-bTA_pjwHMHd1RRQ1cBgImY06GprVqciy1dqd8OwQrzwBQpAPFA/s400/IMG_0530_038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673785315252904274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D17ysV6qphL0MOVTSE3UunVHq1cQkzmeECMiUH7nRiymAC3EyHisbvBmURg5HlHkMG8xyh8jfQbiFaEQOobkw1a7no78yIxdwaHji9i3sFIgNq4CYRPiJs3Ttyg2MtvxDn0tKVcaMk0/s1600/IMG_0528_036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D17ysV6qphL0MOVTSE3UunVHq1cQkzmeECMiUH7nRiymAC3EyHisbvBmURg5HlHkMG8xyh8jfQbiFaEQOobkw1a7no78yIxdwaHji9i3sFIgNq4CYRPiJs3Ttyg2MtvxDn0tKVcaMk0/s400/IMG_0528_036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673785100170565490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7su4zB_mIWifz-YU4NCHqk7EZ8U_en-zlGppR8NZ5Rri1gSm8E5nl-rHacG_y4YUYtvreGg3Tn6kPXd2yE0wPYqzHPnuo0DODvxXoTx182XBleWhjwvXKJyzE4qGK3Lqy57PY85W6PM/s1600/IMG_0489_020.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7su4zB_mIWifz-YU4NCHqk7EZ8U_en-zlGppR8NZ5Rri1gSm8E5nl-rHacG_y4YUYtvreGg3Tn6kPXd2yE0wPYqzHPnuo0DODvxXoTx182XBleWhjwvXKJyzE4qGK3Lqy57PY85W6PM/s400/IMG_0489_020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673783958194367970" /></a>Thank you to all of you hard -working and retired veterans who bravely protected and are protecting our country in peacetimes and wartimes. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These two photos are a few Marines taking a test my husband was giving them.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>To <i>all</i> Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard members we thank you for your service and protection. And to your families, a big thank you for the sacrifices you have made and are making. Happy Veteran's Day</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-22635964635067123942011-11-10T08:01:00.000-08:002011-11-10T10:55:39.502-08:00New BlessingsSometimes on this blog I feel like telling you about our recent family activities, a funny anecdote or story or the latest thing I've done with the house. But I always feel like telling you about the latest and greatest things I've found online. Whether it be <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> or a blog I just found or a magazine I just discovered I feel it is one of my "jobs" to share with you the things the Lord has shared with me. "What?" you may ask. "How is God sharing things with her"? Well I'm glad you asked, let me tell you. <div>As a believer in Jesus Christ and acceptor of His death on the cross as payment for my sins, I follow Him in every aspect of my life. I don't always do a good job of 'following'. But I do believe that He speaks to me through many venues. He may do this by bringing someone into my life, having someone share a thought, word or hug at just the right time, allowing a difficulty to help me further turn to Him in times of need, and by daily leading me to things of Him. I am happy to report that He has done that for me this morning. Allow me to elaborate...</div><div>Yesterday my mom and Grandma and I had to visit my cousin in the hospital on life support suffering with pneumonia. She is only thirty-one. We had a difficult evening of visiting, crying and trying to comfort her distraught family. I came home devastated and upset, heading to bed. I did not sleep well, thinking of her and tossing and turning and remembering how she looked in the bed, struggling to remain coherent. I woke this morning with my eyes puffy, breakfast to be made, lunches to be made, children to be dressed and readied for their school days. I had a moment between schools to sit here and pray and then check some emails for my cousin's latest progress. I clicked on one of the familiar blogs I follow to try and get my mind on something else and found a few new reasons for joy. Please check out<a href="http://Time-Warp-Wife.blogspot.com/"> Time Warp Wife</a> and <a href="http://praiseandcoffee.com/">Praise and Coffee</a> online magazine. They are both uplifting, joy filled sites that have given me hope and joy for this new day. Blessings for<i> your</i> new day, Mindi</div><div> "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." <i> in red, NIV</i></div><div> </div><div> </div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-70767216908840518812011-11-08T07:09:00.000-08:002011-11-08T07:18:45.087-08:00Stone Gable GiveawayHi everyone! Go check out Yvonne at <a href="http://stonegable.blogspot.com/">Stone Gable</a> today! She is hosting an amazing giveaway by French Basketeer. A gorgeous orange basket (could be used for anything, even like a purse!) is filled with wonderful goodies and Yvonne added one of her own velvet pumpkins to the giveaway... "swoon". Just click on the above link for Stone Gable and Yvonne will tell you the rest! Blessings for a great day!Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-49265144214950935432011-11-07T09:01:00.000-08:002011-11-07T11:17:45.789-08:00Be Patient... Christmas WILL Get Here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRpJO71tx8S724N9cuZtgjnUbs00A70xfEckdk382YtBgYNgltoHYdMiAM1dxQauIGBeiToqemA0TOZ5JSwm1kPMP8k9vYuOSy3dT1ku35xBYIVlgSBWTJcuPGk6iHCkYK4xj1kvBxns/s1600/IMG_0493_016.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRpJO71tx8S724N9cuZtgjnUbs00A70xfEckdk382YtBgYNgltoHYdMiAM1dxQauIGBeiToqemA0TOZ5JSwm1kPMP8k9vYuOSy3dT1ku35xBYIVlgSBWTJcuPGk6iHCkYK4xj1kvBxns/s400/IMG_0493_016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672309637112042002" /></a><br />Are you ready for Christmas? I know, I know, 2 weeks before Thanksgiving and I'm asking you that? Some of my blogging friends are in full Christmas swing already! Liz over at <a href="http://savvyseasons.com/">Savvy Seasons</a><div>has a tree up and <i>decorated</i> already! Click on the link ( above) to check out her cute whimsical tree and beautiful home! She's like me... she loves the seasons! </div><div>Bug and I had on HGTV a few nights before Halloween and saw our first Christmas commercial of the year! <i>Before </i>Halloween? It seems that each year we are forced into Christmas earlier and earlier! Now, I love Christmastime as much as the next girl but things for me <i>must be kept in their proper season!</i> I can't even shop for Christmas before Thanksgiving! The down side is that if I did my shopping say, all year long I would be done by the time the holidays rolled around and I could enjoy them. But see, for me part of 'enjoying the holidays' is the shopping during the season with the stores decorated and Christmas music playing and carrying a <i>red </i>Starbucks cup! </div><div>I love Thanksgiving. It's probably one of my favorite holidays. All about food, no gifts to worry about, a great parade and family. I feel like I'm doing Thanksgiving a disservice if I jump to Christmas before enjoying all Thanksgiving has to offer. Like pumpkin <i>anything, </i>still decorating with oranges and browns instead of reds and greens, changing leaves, and the remnants of fall weather before the bitter Christmas is known for. </div><div>Now, once Thanksgiving is over, the <i>instant</i> it's over, I'm all about Christmas!!! In fact I can't wait to start! Thanksgiving night we have a tradition of watching A Christmas Story and Elf and then the next day (yes, <i>black Friday</i>) we go Christmas shopping. Oh, by the way, when I say 'we' I mean my mom, my grandma and myself. NOT my dad or Hubby. Hubby would hang himself in the accessories department of Target if he had to go with us. I always drive and I put in my Christmas CDs and off we go! </div><div>The day after shopping can find me decorating for Christmas and begging Hubby to put up the tree and Christmas lights on the outside. He sets up the tree and the girls get to work hanging ornaments (as high as they can reach) while I de-fall the house and then begin the rest of the decorating. I have had my fall decorations up since the middle of September. I feel like my Christmas decorations get jipped since they're only up for 1.2 months! But I <i>will </i>be waiting, enjoying Thanksgiving and looking forward to the day after! </div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-56300946163034832722011-10-27T07:28:00.000-07:002011-10-27T08:15:30.726-07:00Disneyland in the Fall!<div> Disneyland in the fall is so much fun! We love to head over to Big Thunder Ranch to have some harvest celebrating! They have a barbeque filled with country vittles, a pumpkin patch and carving lessons, a petting zoo (even their well-loved animals are dressed for the occasion!) and a Scaredy-Crow Shack decorated for the season! Don't 'cha know I love vintage Halloween decorations! Of course, after petting the animals there's a washin' up station! The kiddos (big ones too!) can sit and make a craft and color a picture. Woody and Jessie roam the area welcoming everyone! After eating barbeque you can decorate sugar cookies in the shape of pumpkins, bats and cats! Everyone gets exhausted from all the fun! But before you know it we're rearin' to go again, ride some rides and go to Main Street USA to look in all those great windows! Have a fun and happy weekend! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zMefzveWS0wK1dVbKKflcXYmuamrQ9UNEcKyhTv6AjYYmzeH-2K6235-V_L8CV1xPEPhUhq_15hQpg0SRzoDKWNLvGkCrtzRn3m4ndtZEonow8Hco3QyRpIasheNyy0fdbEQn_x0NdM/s1600/IMG_0611_119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zMefzveWS0wK1dVbKKflcXYmuamrQ9UNEcKyhTv6AjYYmzeH-2K6235-V_L8CV1xPEPhUhq_15hQpg0SRzoDKWNLvGkCrtzRn3m4ndtZEonow8Hco3QyRpIasheNyy0fdbEQn_x0NdM/s400/IMG_0611_119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668184924304037154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7RPDk-u9NB0LXjsOEN68R1yvGcooqLlQul0qok7XfIXmnfh31BmoW6J3qmXGOMe45BBME0-ZOxmxX5mcCsr6spEupGqlniNGFqjVt7Q_OXE2FRzqGGaDpl7qEz7_GieUPw36joslHow/s1600/IMG_0608_116.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf3mn4CTlHAN_EGrKr8-5nSiRKu0b69CQf09da2ZVdDHhV8ZILrgVmkfhEwCoGTb9Av2ebMoAdYotsuDuMkl79IGEjN8xFPGzYMCCWrZnXUmhF4eEjBb7mCHOQg3RAZbmFRTbnECpxyQ/s400/IMG_0534_042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668179676326604754" /></div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-4442061892511790522011-10-25T06:52:00.000-07:002011-10-25T07:23:45.995-07:00Fake FamilyI just got done reading a fabulous blog entry titled Fake Family by Jen Hatmaker. It was beyond fabulous and I highly recommend you go right now (ok, after you read <i>me</i>) and enjoy it too. I'm not going to tell you anything about it but am going to share my own fake family who lives inside my head...<div> Fake family eats every meal together at the kitchen table and Sunday meals after church at the dining room table</div><div> Real family (the real Hubby, Mom, and two kids) eat sometimes at the kitchen table but sometimes in front of the TV using the coffee table as the dining table and Sunday after church? Oh, Mom flat out refuses to cook then so we are forced to eat out. And I don't even remember the last time we ate in the dining room.</div><div> Fake family's two girls are impeccably dressed for the occasion whether it be for school, church or play and there is nary a hair out of place.</div><div> Real family's two girls are dressed. Period. If Bethany has clothes on with underwear underneath it is a successful day. As for the hair. Oh. My. Heavens. Bethany has naturally curly (like, in ringlets) hair with a mind of it's own. She also hates (by hates, I mean screams bloody murder) me doing her hair. Some days I just leave it. Hey, the teeth are brushed.</div><div> Fake family's house is decorated like a model home and Mom <i>does things </i>to it <i>all day.</i> Like, cleaning and stuff.</div><div> Real family's home is a hodgepodge of dishes, laundry and homework papers, Disney characters, Play-Doh, and dog toys, mail, magazines (see the model home referenced above) and i-pods. Please excuse the mess. The children are making <i>memories.</i> </div><div> Fake family's time together is spent in museums, parks and educational pursuits.</div><div> Real family's time together is spent running errands to keep our heads above water, eating out in the backyard and calling it the park and hoping the kids buy it, an occasional bike ride around the neighborhood, on the porch drinking wine with the neighbors, sitting the kids in front of cartoons so Mom and Dad can have a conversation and going to a movie and being thrilled when the three-year-old falls asleep so then we can too. Yes, we now <i>pay </i>for sleep.</div><div> Fake family likes how things look. Real family likes how things feel.</div><div>Not sure if you know any fake families? I do. They're all over facebook. This is me, real mom, signing off and asking you to, you know, keep it real. </div><div><div> </div></div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-24670438177691056942011-10-18T06:43:00.000-07:002011-10-18T07:22:03.774-07:00What's in a Name?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHvZ3WnNOrtAoYcB1NZuELhvwAxNW1YCC1-4pvoPJ6H2tnP5asGMz3DxDaDYgM1hRAE74ltQM16l-VLYNt9kkugVap90M4r7qvJ0xJUDvX130kcMbN6KJcXCYkxtsmh85HkY2VZhQElg/s1600/IMG_0623_131.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHvZ3WnNOrtAoYcB1NZuELhvwAxNW1YCC1-4pvoPJ6H2tnP5asGMz3DxDaDYgM1hRAE74ltQM16l-VLYNt9kkugVap90M4r7qvJ0xJUDvX130kcMbN6KJcXCYkxtsmh85HkY2VZhQElg/s400/IMG_0623_131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664836243125567874" /></a><br /> I've been trying out (in my head anyways) a few new names for this blog of mine and have finally settled on Small Town Girl. I live in a small town (no more than ten thousand folks live here) and have since I was nine years old. I've moved around a lot but have always known that <i>this </i>was home. <div> I love a small town. I love the sense of peace I get from living here. I go to my local market (yep, it's called the Market because it's not a grocery store although they have everything I've ever needed in a pinch!) and run into people I know all the time. Getting the mail at our post office requires more than a quick stop because you <i>must </i>make time to visit everyone you see. And going to eat at one of our six restaurants? Yep, it's a lesson in visiting and catching up with all the neighbors! But I wouldn't have it any other way. </div><div> The other night we heard a siren from either a firetruck or an ambulance. We don't get those a lot around here. We all hold our breath, say a quick prayer and hope everyone will be o.k. because the chances are very high that we will know the person who is having the emergency. While we pray for the well-being of our neighbors I also have to confess that we've been praying for a few businesses to cease being in business! We recently got a Smoke Shop here (that's what small town people say when a new anything opens up... "we're getting a such and such...") and we don't have the economy to support it nor do we need a Smoke Shop here. We live in California with strict anti-smoking laws so I'm assuming (o.k., and praying) this shop will close soon.</div><div> We also have an unreasonable number of bars in our town. I just counted four. <i>Four. </i>Our main street drives right by one of them and every time we pass Hubby and I make a count of the cars in the parking lot. Last Saturday night at about 8:30pm we drove by and saw no cars in their lot. We were thrilled. Now, mind you, we don't want any bad financial distress to fall on any of our neighbors but we just don't want the bars to make it! Living out about a half-an-hour from the nearest medium-sized city we have a dangerous two-lane highway to travel back and forth on. One (or four) less bars is a safety plus!</div><div> Some of the great things we do have here is 1) the best pizza place (best tasting pizza and friendliest atmosphere) 2) small town parades and festivals 3) we are family oriented 4) we have award-winning schools 5) while we may have four bars we also have five churches! 6) we have a very low crime rate and violent crime here is almost non-existent. </div><div> So, yes, I am Small Town Girl. I do love big cities, but just to visit. No, I'm not really a 'girl' but it sounded better than 'woman'! I am blessed beyond measure to live here... welcome. </div><div> <i>photo: </i>"Trick-r-Treating is safe and fun here too!"</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-12426576789474462622011-10-04T20:10:00.000-07:002011-10-04T20:42:04.921-07:00Give Me Some Accountability!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQdUtszgSSn4FNF2KJmDS1kdIK6eqsmT4GoXDw1-hOOPwfolcUt5DLUxhj58ycWwbVs_d-zewyK8LnyDKlpiFYsHPROYPdkPwQ2uDON2D1XPOuEhAj5aCOxBb9cC7c2BB8ZIXHEjWxFs/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQdUtszgSSn4FNF2KJmDS1kdIK6eqsmT4GoXDw1-hOOPwfolcUt5DLUxhj58ycWwbVs_d-zewyK8LnyDKlpiFYsHPROYPdkPwQ2uDON2D1XPOuEhAj5aCOxBb9cC7c2BB8ZIXHEjWxFs/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659847791543435938" /></a><br />Time for some confessions. 'Cause I need me some accountability. I must figure out how to blog <i>properly.</i> I know you're wondering what that means so I'll tell you. I need to learn how to make my blog look like all the awesome ones I follow (see left side). I need to learn how to post pictures from my camera! I need to be able to pull things up from all over the internet and post them here. I do projects around my home I'd love to show you, I find and collect great ideas from the blog world that I want to share with you! I <i>need to know how!</i> So, during Hubby's next set of days off it is my mission to 'pick his brain' (he's very good on the computer!) and have him show me HOW! If you don't start seeing some of these changes put into place BUG ME!!! "Mindi, what's up, girl? Where are the pics of that great idea you have about framing a pumpkin, that recipe you tried and loved and the ideas for decorating your loft? Get with it, girl!" That's all you need to tell me, but do tell me!!! Give me a week before the accountability begins... <div> TIME FOR THIS BLOG TO TAKE OFF!!!!</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-32514268107087111302011-09-30T12:12:00.000-07:002011-09-30T12:45:10.782-07:00I'm Baaack!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmOurxKGPI_DlFGhAYgTbjhnreIkHmwEod-nndZYJdJLF-YxydBLSgSM6uKmePVHDjEl-oM-Hp5kYwd5xa7mkTDkEXWTWPZGFUqMze3RjE2H0y9yV2VdMZEwwIc9mDjt97Hd0qSpcV90/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmOurxKGPI_DlFGhAYgTbjhnreIkHmwEod-nndZYJdJLF-YxydBLSgSM6uKmePVHDjEl-oM-Hp5kYwd5xa7mkTDkEXWTWPZGFUqMze3RjE2H0y9yV2VdMZEwwIc9mDjt97Hd0qSpcV90/s400/IMG_0347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658238344555839234" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fKxK573-E1ZnhMlZcN1JONnW6WufgTzfHCwmNtIIK4gJVRqloOeHeL-ejgWDgRZDQFCNbKyJmauZxQUs93WQLU0_P7hRLMrHIhlcIbnoJCq7osqWfNl0yTWfwsGYmT3tWB9xJIRVTic/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fKxK573-E1ZnhMlZcN1JONnW6WufgTzfHCwmNtIIK4gJVRqloOeHeL-ejgWDgRZDQFCNbKyJmauZxQUs93WQLU0_P7hRLMrHIhlcIbnoJCq7osqWfNl0yTWfwsGYmT3tWB9xJIRVTic/s400/IMG_0331.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658238115466391698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1E0ZUdGiWhigvaghu6hwFbMunY3EQfXZPEFz6VQg_vy7jy0bPgxwhIPE4LUrtKTNfr41Sngw8LmMDMcXUjgnXy4WY13BfMj1v4oxe2L0jnbv0vNxNIEboO5VOfQrbeMAIZ_f2ARns84/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1E0ZUdGiWhigvaghu6hwFbMunY3EQfXZPEFz6VQg_vy7jy0bPgxwhIPE4LUrtKTNfr41Sngw8LmMDMcXUjgnXy4WY13BfMj1v4oxe2L0jnbv0vNxNIEboO5VOfQrbeMAIZ_f2ARns84/s400/IMG_0320.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658237747954789506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdOTBAPdtAEDM4nFxnqSOkjROc24g5wavZICpqAK3frrRd1kSROeH_ZAJOXnp-6o-gBuEcXZGnfIfGsFZdU0JLpQDMq6vdkJVfpZNiNs1gUNL8OS-mW8usURJRWuLaEAfZ7dcr2lPHNA/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdOTBAPdtAEDM4nFxnqSOkjROc24g5wavZICpqAK3frrRd1kSROeH_ZAJOXnp-6o-gBuEcXZGnfIfGsFZdU0JLpQDMq6vdkJVfpZNiNs1gUNL8OS-mW8usURJRWuLaEAfZ7dcr2lPHNA/s400/IMG_0298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658237527115644498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOiVKYxbcqi5FATCnvh4jbw_VAtoqCL8sKo5nxs39YLrYZhyuXJp2LP9nvu7g4fUDX8I1U8F7O_mSm8NJlKXqJ0VUNmrkBrTu3lsyqw0ekastwRftHF_Uw5GmLa4zmm24jMH7hEHEIoY/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOiVKYxbcqi5FATCnvh4jbw_VAtoqCL8sKo5nxs39YLrYZhyuXJp2LP9nvu7g4fUDX8I1U8F7O_mSm8NJlKXqJ0VUNmrkBrTu3lsyqw0ekastwRftHF_Uw5GmLa4zmm24jMH7hEHEIoY/s400/IMG_0268.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658237210982126866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGayghFvN5iiH1w85SzY6k_PbnusakS0PDO57tFRrqzUGIpKUQs6Lf4hZNyp0igM9TxmyvRWrDaz6HbrcfYMYqo6UA7rKDghJJ6eXTRyPmhQs-Uzq-ktZbl-N5tcfeHQfBApgzKUXlmI/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGayghFvN5iiH1w85SzY6k_PbnusakS0PDO57tFRrqzUGIpKUQs6Lf4hZNyp0igM9TxmyvRWrDaz6HbrcfYMYqo6UA7rKDghJJ6eXTRyPmhQs-Uzq-ktZbl-N5tcfeHQfBApgzKUXlmI/s400/IMG_0240.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658236874707053394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbdN4s_tMR1ePAnbu0JslZubrQOctqBneaCoKOpLUwxZq9eSlr2g28VTfhM0pcgpbSWJUvP6Oy3cTurxC1yb7ynAKfZ5msUe84nI2IUvloHCgRgIS9Yw-qC4-r3FhPgCtdnle87iBgb8/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbdN4s_tMR1ePAnbu0JslZubrQOctqBneaCoKOpLUwxZq9eSlr2g28VTfhM0pcgpbSWJUvP6Oy3cTurxC1yb7ynAKfZ5msUe84nI2IUvloHCgRgIS9Yw-qC4-r3FhPgCtdnle87iBgb8/s400/IMG_0232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658236604803714658" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfbVaMmzSYtnqy8NDqG_tfixysXAPXFHmm3JhKSpO7ugN7Q6rYO1fddaOp6GodY_gfWW_0Vikf_Hz15Dic5JCc7X7gr4OwX1Ll65sOff04HhE7mfzbHF8LJinEUhlDcnc3f6qihBR3LI/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfbVaMmzSYtnqy8NDqG_tfixysXAPXFHmm3JhKSpO7ugN7Q6rYO1fddaOp6GodY_gfWW_0Vikf_Hz15Dic5JCc7X7gr4OwX1Ll65sOff04HhE7mfzbHF8LJinEUhlDcnc3f6qihBR3LI/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658236210130456322" /></a><br />After an eternity away from you I have decided to come back. I have been so busy with so much going on (see 'new adventure') that something had to give. Sadly, it was you. But if you'll forgive me I am back and back with a new name, a new layout and design and more 'new' coming!<div> Oh, and I have new habits and addictions to share with you! Normally I wouldn't share such things but in this case I <i>must!</i> </div><div> I am a newly found addicted fan of Pinterest! I love going on and 'pinning' all manner of things from glories of changing seasons to ideas for the house to recipes and the like. Anything and everything is available for you to 'pin' onto your boards and categorize and comment on. Once the girls are in bed I have to <i>force</i> myself to go to bed after an hour on Pinterest! Go to Pinterest.com to get a sampling and an invite to join. Once you request an invite it takes just a few days for you to be able to begin pinning away! </div><div> We had a great summer and hope yours was as well! Our vacation this year was a road trip to the east coast to see family and have adventures along the way. We had a blast, the girls were good given the hours they spent in the car and we made many many family memories. And....</div><div> I HAVE PICTURES!!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Left to right from top to bottom:</div><div><br /></div><div>Hubby rowing a row boat in Central Park, NYC</div><div>Mom (me!) and my girls Central Park, NYC</div><div>Buglette inside a giant bubble Central Park, NYC</div><div>The girls with Grandpa catching a fish, Pennsylvania</div><div>The girls at Steel Stacks Bethlehem, PA </div><div>Daddy trying to make driving a little more interesting with a pillow pet on his head</div><div>The girls on the carousel at Silver Dollar City Branson, MO </div><div>Daddy and the girls crossing over the Colorado River just outside of CA</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Have a blessed weekend and we'll talk soon! </div><div> Mindi</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-91850391408920282232011-09-26T07:48:00.000-07:002011-09-26T07:48:41.923-07:00My Place to Yours: DE-STRESSING with Simple Pleasures ...<div><a href="http://myplacetoyours.blogspot.com/2011/09/de-stressing-with-simple-pleasures.html">My Place to Yours: DE-STRESSING with Simple Pleasures ...</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Beautiful photos, Susan! I like to de-stress by putting on some spa-like music, lighting a candle and having either a glass of wine or a cup of tea! Works for me! Have a blessed day!</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-41819129074343350372011-01-24T09:26:00.000-08:002011-01-24T10:06:20.876-08:00Ch ch ch changes...Hi. I know, it's been forever since we've talked. Like, before Christmas. Hopefully we're the kind of friends who can go awhile without talking and then pick up right where we left off. So much has happened I don't quite know where to begin. Let's just go in chronological order...<div>We were in escrow for a new home in our area a few weeks before Christmas. Escrow fell through due to our loan not going through. Have you ever looked and looked for a new house, finally found one, put the bid in, they accepted the bid, you got pre-qualified and opened escrow, thought and planned and dreamt about what to do with said house, began to pack just a little and then your loan fell through? Never happened to you? Well it did to me and it stunk. Then Christmas came and we had a great one, quiet here at our house on Christmas morning then quiet at my mom and dad's for dinner. The night before Savannah and I were in the program at church. I played Mary (or as the director told me, "an older Mary, she's looking back on Jesus' birth". Yes, that was a bit of a blow to my 37 year old ego) and Savannah read the story from the bible. Bethany couldn't get out of her two-year-old mind that her Mommy was Mary, the manger at the front of the church didn't have a baby in it and that her sister was up on stage instead of sitting with her. She literally talked for <i>weeks </i>about that night. </div><div>We were blessed in the gift giving/getting part of Christmas. I asked for new luggage and a new camera but told <i>everyone</i> instead of breaking up the requests and ended up with 2 new cameras and 2 new full sets of luggage. Oops! The girls made out like bandits also. We went to play in the snow about an hour away, saw a movie (Bethany's first and she did great!) and had a date night. </div><div>On New Year's day I finally sat down at the computer, after getting the previous house out of my mind and ok, out of my heart too, to look at more houses for sale in our area. I stumbled to the listing for the previous house and to my utter surprise saw that they lowered the price of the house by 50 grand! We spent that day gathering any and all money we could, put in a new offer and found out later that week that the house was ours! We had the quickest escrow known to man, about a week and 2 days, and now we are working with our fabulous general contractor to finish the inside. Whew. I'm excited, stressed and exhausted all at the same time.</div><div>The house is a new construction foreclosure so we are saving great money every month going from this mortgage to that one. God is good. The new house is a Mediterranean style 2-story and I've been running around trying to get all the inside <i>stuff </i>picked out. Appliances, backsplashes, sinks, faucets, doors, and lights are a few of the items I've had to make decisions for lately. </div><div>Which brings me to the other change that will be taking place. This is a really good, exciting one, though, and involves YOU too! My blog will be changing! I follow many decorating/home blogs in bloggerland and I'm changing my blog to be a bit more like those. I will have plenty of pictures of the new house befores and afters, decorating and yet still have stories and quips and pictures of my family. The <i>new </i>blog will have it all! It won't just be about our family life and my life as wife and mommy but will encompass much more. </div><div>Through all of these changes will you stay with me? You may not hear from you for a bit until it's all up and running, the new house and the new blog. But I am here. Going crazy. Excited, stressed and exhausted, crazy. </div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-58481081885462511052010-12-06T09:11:00.000-08:002010-12-06T09:44:01.261-08:00Dangerous InstinctsThis cannot continue. There simply must be an end <i>somewhere. </i>Please. Someone make it stop. <div>There are babies, babies, everywhere. There were four babies in church alone, yesterday. No, they weren't <i>alone. </i>But if they had been that would be just fine with Hubby and I. We would scoop them up and hold them to our chests, and breathe in that new baby smell. This is beginning to become a problem. </div><div>To top it off, over the Thanksgiving holiday we 'babysat' a friend's bunny. You would think that my two girls would be the ones oohing and ahhing all over said bunny but, no. The one carrying Mr. Bunny all over the house like a newborn, rubbing his ears till he fell asleep, and doing the oohing and ahhing was <i>Hubby.</i> Houston, we have a problem. </div><div>Then, back to church, there we are in our towards-the-back row trying to concentrate on praise and worship when we've got four little precious faces on their Mommy's shoulders either sleeping or looking around. It is becoming more than I can bear. It <i>is </i>more than I can bear. I cannot <i>bear</i> anymore children. I mean, I could but I don't think I really want to. I <i>beared</i> (is that a word?) 10 hours of labor with Savannah only to be whisked off for an emergency c-section. I beared many sleepless nights (still am sometimes) with baby Bethany who, for some reason, thought sleep would kill her. I am bearing through this same child's terrible twos. I have enough to bear.</div><div>But just seeing those babies and, I guess for Hubby, the baby bunny, brings out the maternal and paternal instincts. Some of us have them stronger than others. I don't think my mother still has hers or maybe they're just for her granddaughters. Mine are still there. Hubby has strong paternal instincts. Especially as the daddy to two daughters. It's so attractive, too. To see my big, strong cop and marine get all sweet over babies and a bunny is just so, uh, <i>attractive</i>. You get my drift. He can afford to do that, though. He isn't the one who has to go through pregnancy and then labor and then nursing and not sleeping. Although he was very helpful, at the end of the day there was only so much the guy could do. </div><div>So, unless God has other plans, we will not be having any more babies. I've decided, just now talking to you all, remembering not just the good but the bad and the ugly too. And yes, I think my mother would kill us if I became pregnant again. She'd eventually be thrilled but at first, uh, not so much. Pray for her.<br /><div><br /></div></div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-425295726404145102010-11-23T08:42:00.000-08:002010-11-23T09:01:21.246-08:00Girls DayThe girls and I will be heading to a Children's Museum today. Both of them are home with me all week and while I have lots to do 'round here I <i>must stop</i> and enjoy the joy of them today. We will have a 1.5 hour drive during which we will listen to some fun kid's music in the car, stop for a treat (maybe they'll let me get them a cookie at <i>Starbucks </i>instead of McDonald's!<i>) </i>we'll head to the museum and spend as much time as they want touching and playing with all of the exhibits. This museum has a big 'grocery store' the kids can shop in and ring up groceries in all day. I have no idea why this sounds like fun to my girls but they are looking forward to dressing up in the museum's dress-up section and hittin' the store. Oh wait, I sometimes I get dressed up and hit shops, maybe it's a genetic thing. <div>For lunch I am planning, wait for it, Chuck E. Cheese's. I told you it was a day for <i>them.</i> I know I am nuts. But see, I have a few shops I need to hit on the way home and I figure I can kinda' sneak them in if the girls are completely tuckered out, sugared up and on the low of that high. We live in an area just far enough away from everything that when I am <i>somewhere</i> I must make the trip count and figure out what else I need/want to do while I'm 'there'. Don't worry, I never want to <i>stay there</i> for too long (the noise and the traffic about do in this small-town girl) but I enjoy for a few hours. </div><div>Tomorrow is Christmas decorating, yep, with the girls home. I'll let you know how <i>that </i>goes! </div><div>Plus, I've asked for a new camera for Christmas so I will be posting pics soon, soon, soon! Hang in there with me...</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-65823806192982594282010-11-08T11:06:00.000-08:002010-11-08T11:30:01.593-08:00SickI'm sick today, and yesterday for that matter. I would say I'm "home sick" but I'm always home so that doesn't qualify. I had to drive to San Diego on Saturday for a leadership conference for church and on the way home I had a sneaking suspicion I was coming down with something. After stopping at Starbucks for the second time that day (and at 5:30pm I might add) I made it home. <div>Yesterday I was much worse. Fever, body aches, cold symptoms, check. Cranky husband who had to put in 'daddy duty' two days in a row, check. Now, I'm sitting on my couch, laptop in hand, hot tea on coffee table staring outside to the backyard. It's cold and windy out after raining this morning. I'm being a super great mom right now... Bethany is watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in my bed after eating the 'bana' she just asked for (banana) and drinking her milk. I may just let her stay there as long as she wants. </div><div>Obviously, I'm still not feeling well. Oh, and I just noticed a ginger snap in the pot of my silk tree in the living room. I noticed it and walked on by. We had ginger snaps in this house about a week and half ago. Seriously, who <i>are </i>these people I'm living with? Here's hoping no cold/flu buggie finds you this season. And may all your store bought cookies stay out of tree pots. </div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-49085418979167747182010-11-04T10:33:00.000-07:002010-11-04T10:56:41.943-07:00It's Looking at Me, part deuxWe had a great time trick-or-treating with the girls. Savannah's best friend "since I was a baby" Kylee came too. We all piled into two golf carts and headed off in search of fun and candy. We drove, cold and uncomfortable with kids on every lap into the night. Some streets were busy busy. Some were spookily quiet and empty. We did them all. Bethany didn't want to say her much rehearsed line, "Trick or treat!" "Thank you, bye" in perfect two-year-old lingo, "she's so cute, I'll even give her parents, who taught this adorable child, some delicious chocolate" but she was there nonetheless to collect her share of the spoils. We saw pumpkins, spiders, webs, skeletons, witches and candy candy candy. <div>There were a few Haunted Houses. The older girls most certainly wanted to go in. Bethany and her Mama, not so much. But for candy, she obliged. Her Mama that is. On our second to last street, Hubby decided to stop at another scary house. "Go on up, I'll wait here with Bethany. Honey, take the girls up." The big girls were in front of me. From behind the big tree in the front yard stepped Michael Myers, calmly. I <i>know</i> it wasn't the <i>real</i> Mike Myers, right? But he had on a dark blue jumpsuit, boots and that awful white mask with the brown hair. He just stared. At <i>me. </i>I decided we needed to hurry. You know, it being a school night and all. "Hurry up girls."</div><div>Mike Myers just kept staring, yes, at <i>me.</i> "Girls, grab your candy, now." The girls, laughing at the other decorations and getting their candy and not even noticing the serial killer now stalking their mom. "Girls, move your rears, <i>now</i>". By now the candy giver was starting to gawk, the girls were finally paying attention and Hubby was cracking up watching all of this from the golf cart. And Mike Myers? Oh, he just stayed where he was but would slowly turn to keep staring at me, like eye-contact staring. Ghosts? Witches? Chain saws? No. Just a madman not moving but just staring at <i>me</i>. That'll do it.</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-16271353697504161692010-10-27T19:58:00.000-07:002010-10-27T20:14:46.082-07:00I'm Being ObedientI must blog. I must do it often. Pioneer Woman says so. I'm supposed to blog even if I can't think of anything to tell you. She gave several suggestions. One was to tell you how I feel when I walk into my laundry room. <i>Really? </i>Oh. Ok. Well, I feel a bubble of nausea rise from my stomach. I feel like I may have the <i>vapors</i>. I may faint right there. I will hit my head on the door of the dryer which is still open and go to glory on my tile floor. Or at least dream. I may dream of the days when there were no washers and dryers. There were prairies and horse drawn wagons and farms. Because life was so much simpler there was no need for 17 t-shirts, 11 pairs of jeans, 22 pairs of socks and 14 'church' shirts to wash, dry and maybe even iron. And that's just Hubby's wardrobe. Mine and the girls' are worse, much worse. I mean, in those days a lady might have a work dress and apron, a casual dress and a church dress along with a few under garments. All to be washed in the ring washer (is that their name?) and dried on the line. Yes, more work than what we do now but they were only washing say, eight outfits at a time! Their hour of work then drying time sure beats my full day of laundry. I'll take that any day over mine facing me tomorrow. So, I blogged, and now you know how I feel when I walk into my laundry room. Aren't you glad I told you? You can live the rest of your life now with such important information.Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-6044618702276898702010-10-22T09:15:00.000-07:002010-10-22T09:32:37.345-07:00Great Blogs I Just LoveHi everyone! I just added a new feature to my blog, all the way down the bottom of the blog is a list of other blogs that I just can't get enough of. Of course, Confessions of a Pioneer Woman is on the list. She is so much fun and so talented, from her writing to her photos to her great sense of humor and wit! You know I love me some witty women!! <div>Also on my list is Sugar Pie Farmhouse. Aunt Ruthie is just as talented but in the decorating arts and her paragraphs about the Lord are so inspirational. I've made several of her pies and she always makes me feel good about homemaking being my Higher Calling.</div><div>I just 'found' Purple Chocolat Home while I was looking for fall decorating, I just love to see what everyone else does. It's a beautiful site with more great photos and talent. This author loves chocolate and purple and went to Paris and fell in love with the city of lights (hence the nod to the French word for chocolate!) </div><div>Between Naps on the Porch is a blog I have followed for awhile. Susan has a gorgeous screened in porch and uses her table there for all her tablescaping and all her posts on that as well as entertaining. She is wildly popular as well. </div><div>I want to remind all of you to click on what all of <i>these </i>ladies read as well and you will discover more great blogs too. It's how I found all the blogs I enjoy reading, when I can of course! There are so many great ideas to decorating to crafting to home ideas, the list is endless.</div><div>We have been getting ready for Halloween. Savannah took 3rd place in a recent costume contest dressed as an Indian Princess homemade costume I made her. Way to go, Bug!! Bethany is going as a puppy dog. I will be posting plenty of photos very soon. I know photos make a blog as you will see when you check out all the ones I listed below!</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-32478295978434363212010-10-14T17:21:00.000-07:002010-10-14T17:36:10.942-07:00Zucchini Bread, YUM!I needed to clean out the freezer today, we just have a bunch of hodge-podge stuff in there, 1/2 bag of mini corn dogs, 1/2 bag of meatballs, frozen veggies, frozen strawberries, etc... So tonight we are having a 'clean the freezer dinner', just a mixture of all the items that need to be eaten. A few days ago my next door neighbor brought over zucchini from her garden along with yellow squash. I was so grateful because I had to leave my garden, in the prime of it's production I might add, to move here! So, instead of just weird dinner tonight from the freezer we'll be having zucchini bread with it!<div><br /></div><div> The Best Zucchini Bread</div><div>3 cups of all purpose flour 3 eggs</div><div>1 tsp. salt 1 cup vegetable oil</div><div>1 tsp. baking soda 2 and 1/4 cups white sugar</div><div>1 tsp. baking powder 3 tsp. vanilla extract</div><div>3 tsps. cinnamon 2 cups grated zucchini</div><div><br /></div><div>Preheat oven to 325. Sift dry ingredients together except sugar. Beat oil, eggs, vanilla and sugar together in large bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet and stir well. Stir in zucchini. Bake 2 loaves for 40-60 minutes until cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes until your family enters kitchen and devours the entire loaf in one sitting, if you can get them to wait that long.</div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-72899390542873606492010-10-13T20:27:00.000-07:002010-10-13T20:56:38.028-07:00What I MissI miss cleaning my house and it staying clean for a week, or <i>longer...</i><div>I miss getting in my car and there not being books, wrappers, toys and trash in it...</div><div>I miss my waistline. It's still there <i>somewhere...</i> On that note, I miss that <i>things </i>are no longer where they used to be, you know, <i>higher</i><i>...</i></div><div>I miss my camera... my Buglette threw a fit and <i>threw </i>the camera. Bye bye camera.</div><div>I miss my first job, working with all of my friends, making a few bucks for <i>fun money</i>...</div><div>I miss money being 'just for fun'...</div><div>I miss my high school girlfriends; we are all too busy with our lives to see each other regularly...</div><div>I miss that if I saw all my high school girlfriends it wouldn't be the same...</div><div>I miss kissing Hubby after a high school football or soccer game when he was all sweaty and he wasn't <i>Hubby...</i></div><div>I miss staring at my engagement ring and getting <i>goosebumps</i>...</div><div>I miss my little brother... he's no longer little and lives far, far away...</div><div>I miss the smell of my baby's head...</div><div>I miss feeling the butterflies of life in my abdomen...</div><div>I miss the cute little <i>two-door</i> car I had for so long...</div><div>I miss the movie theater...</div><div>I miss trying to decide what to do on Friday and Saturday nights...</div><div>I miss my dear friend after she left the state...</div><div>I miss laughing with said friend till someone had to run to the restroom...</div><div>I miss carbohydrates, sugar and eating <i>without</i> counting points...</div><div>I miss quiet dinners when Hubby and I could actually <i>talk</i> to each other...</div><div>But I'm grateful that life is exactly where it is <i>right now...</i></div><div><br /></div><div> Thanks for listening.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-51578568250761278542010-10-10T20:39:00.001-07:002010-10-10T21:14:15.331-07:00Thirteen in EighteenWell. Yes. I am here. I think. No, no, I'm here. Yes. <i>Here.</i> I am right back where I started from. Literally, the same town I grew up in is now where we live, again. It's all very very good. I am happy to be <i>home</i>. We got to move right back into our same house, too. I have been forcing myself to come up with different places for things, you know, switch it up a bit. It's been going well. I knew we were moving back just one week before we actually pulled the three (yes, you read that right, 3, tres, <i>three)</i> moving trucks out of the driveway. But more on that later. <div>All of the moving had me recalling all of the moves we have made in our eighteen years of marriage. We counted thirteen total such events. <i>Thirteen.</i> </div><div>First, the week of our wedding I moved from my parent's home and my baby pink bedroom of many many years into my first home, ever. There wasn't much to move, a navy blue couch, a kitchen table and chairs, a few end tables, a bedroom set and various boxes and wedding gifts. It all went into a small little one bedroom house just outside Hubby's first duty station in the middle of the desert. We didn't live there (not even one night!) until we returned from our honeymoon. </div><div>The next most memorable move (there were 2 more in between the first and this one) was down to the beach town we would spend the next three years in. We lived on base. We loved it. I spent the first summer freezing in sweats and wondering where the heck the sun went. Then we adjusted, and fell in love with it. It's still a bit of a home away from home for us. </div><div>Another memorable move was to our first home we ever owned. We felt like we were royalty! We watched it be built. We wrote in drywall things like 'baby's room' and put our hands into wet cement. We lived there for three years but that will always be <i>our</i> house. </div><div>After leaving that house (yes, with baby in tow now) we were back in an apartment at the same small beach town as before, waiting for orders for Hubby to head off to war. As he prepared for war, we headed back to the town we are in now. We bought a house again, this time on a lake and once again felt like royalty. He returned from Iraq and sold that home on the water and bought the home we are in now. After three years here, we rented it out and moved to the last house we were in. Two years later, we are back and whew, I'm exhausted. </div><div>So, two months ago, we packed by just throwing things into boxes, loaded up a four bedroom plus loft home and, with help from my family and a few of our friends drove three large moving trucks of stuff and four vehicles following back to where we started from. Before moving this time I made Hubby promise that this was the last move. He agreed. You all are my witnesses. </div><div><br /></div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-88278482237607389402010-08-25T19:37:00.000-07:002010-08-25T19:58:46.273-07:00Patience is a VirtueHey there. Are you there? Hello? Oh, hi. I guess you're there, it's <em>me</em> who's been MIA! Our family has undergone major change since August 3rd. We found out on July 26th that we needed to move because Hubby was getting active duty status with the Marine Corps. I had a week's notice about this move! The good thing is that Hubby will be stationed at a base near our hometown! And he's not going off to war this time! We got to move back to the small town I was raised in! We are here and in our 'old' house. We had a renter in it and he left just as we needed it! God is amazing! We are still getting settled; I hate moving and we calculated 13 moves in the 18 years we've been married. All I can say is, "whew", I'm exhausted. I am still unpacking many boxes and many to go. Patience needed. The funny thing is the real reason why I haven't been able to talk to you all. We live in an area considered 'rural' and thus we can't get internet service just yet. I am so frustrated but I must be patient. I head on over to mom and dad's to check email and this is first time I've blogged since the move. Patience needed. I have great pictures I have promised to post. Patience. Many adventures to fill you in on and all the craziness that is my family will be blogged soon. Patience. Stay with me. Have patience. I'm getting a lesson in that too.<br /> 'But the fruit of Spirit is love, joy, peace, <em>patience, </em>kindness, goodness, faithfulness,<br /> gentleness and self-control' Galatians 6:22Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4650464976840670654.post-42495559262965979772010-07-16T08:49:00.000-07:002010-07-16T09:08:26.884-07:00I Promise to Take PicturesThe babies are <i>still </i>asleep! It's summer, so I let them stay up late and they tear around this house doing Lord-knows-what whooping for joy that their mama has no control over them. It's quiet in my house right now; the kind of quiet that makes me want to sit and enjoy my cup of coffee, writin' to all of you. But I <i>can't.</i> I'm supposed to be getting ready to head south today. We are heading to San Diego for one night and 2 days. Hubby has to do some Marine Corps reserve thing down there and the girls and I are tagging along for a change of scenery. We'll go to the beach to run from waves, build sandcastles and get sand in unmentionable places. We are looking forward to it. We (the girls and I) are also going to the opening of a new shop in Escondido called Urban Barn. I am super-duper excited about this because I will be meeting Aunt Ruthie of Sugarpie Farmhouse, her famous blog! I am bringing my camera, I will be stalking her like some crazed fan. Oh wait, I am some crazed fan. My mom and I love love love her blog. She is a native Californian who moved to Branson, MO and now channels the farm wives that lived in that area a few decades ago. She blogs about the Lord too and decorates so cute and takes beautiful pictures. I will be trying to stand near her hoping by osmosis I can make <i>my </i>blog half as wonderful as hers! <div>I will takes photos. I will post them. I promise. Stay cool. Not figuratively, but literally. It's hot hot hot here. </div>Small Town Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03655274422927391875noreply@blogger.com1