And one for my awsome Mom

Memory

Have you every had a song come on the radio and it instantly reminds you of a particular person or time in your life?  I have several songs that this happens to me with, but as I rarely listen to the radio (opting more often than not to listen to books on CD while driving) I'm sure I don't catch them as often as I could.
Well one of these songs played on the radio during my short shuttle ride from my car to my work this morning.  As the tune started I was filled with the happy memories of my dad blasting this song on the CD player to wake us all up on Sunday mornings.  He would seriously turn the speakers up as loud as they would go.  This is one of my fathers very favorite songs and therefore always makes me think of him.
To hear it this morning put a smile on my face and as the tune continued to run through my mind all day it would continuously remind me of how much I love my Dad.
This is for you Dad.  I hope it puts a smile on your face as well.

Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues:

Happy Wednesday!!!

Day of Rest

I came out of the kitchen from cooking dinner tonight and this is what I found in the living room. 

Happy Sunday!!

Dinner with a friend

Tonight I had the chance to catch up with a good friend.  Sharon and I met while working together as HUC's four years ago at the hospital.  For three and a half years of that time we would spend 12 hours a week together and became fast and amazing friends.  We do not even notice the 30+ year age difference.  But six months ago Sharon had to quit working in order to relieve some of the stress in her life.  As hard as it was to watch her leave and miss our scheduled work/chats, I was happy that she was able to make the changes that she needed to make for her life.  Unfortunately a few months after she stopped working with me she had a bad fall that required a large surgery and quite a difficult recovery.
During this time we have made it a point to get together once or twice a month as time allows and continue our deep friendship.
Tonight was one of those times.  We got together and went out to dinner at Mimi's, a wonderful French restaurant.  For over two hours we talked and laughed while we ate.  No matter how long it has been since our last get together we are always able to chat freely and the time just gets away from us. 
I am so grateful for Sharon's friendship in my life.  She has been a teacher, a role model, an example of overcoming challenges, a cheerleader, and the big sister I never had.
I have been blessed with a few wonderful friends in my life that time/distance/and age are not a factor.  I love each one of them and the love and encouragement that they add to my life. 

Happy Friday!!!

I know, I know, I have been gone too long.

I know that I have not added a new post in the last few weeks.  Lets just say it has been a very busy couple of weeks.  All is going well for us, and no, it is not a new baby that is kept us so busy.  It is just life the last little while. 
Just a few highlights from the time we missed.

• Jasper and his puppy cousin Harley have gotten together a few times.  We tried introducing Roxy into the mix but that did not go well.  We will try again another time.
• I dyed my hair, dark this time.  I am now a dark brunette. I might have it lightened a bit.  Maybe just some highlights.
• I have started this awesome health challenge called the Power Foods Lifestyle Challenge.  It is all about eating healthy, exercising(something I really need to work on) and positive self body image.  It is an 8 week challenge and I am currently in week 3.  It has been great.  I am cooking and baking more than I every have and actually enjoying it a bit.  As for my workouts it is a work in progress.  When I'm working I take several opportunities throughout the day to do a couple flights of stairs and when I'm at home I have a few other things I do.  I even won a free 1 hour Skype consultation with the trainer who runs the challenge!  That will happen tomorrow.  I recommend this for everyone.  You should check it out @Body-Buddies.com.
• I have been working extra shifts every week to help cover while a co-worker is out from having both her knees replaced.  (This is a big part of my absence.  I've tried to blog in the down time at work and it doesn't let me.)
• We had our yearly adoption home-study with our wonderful case worker Aimee, and were able to renew our status for another year.  (can you believe its been a year of waiting already?  Its ok were patient, or at least trying to be)
• Work on the 'field of dreams' nursery continues,  we are just about to the point of just needing to put the furniture in and find out who the little person who will live in it will be.
• I finished reading a wonderful book called "When I Found You" by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
• I am actively working on the plans for Girls Camp in June.  I love girls camp!
• My amazingly talented brother helped me with my cub scouts by cutting out wood so that we can make tool-boxes tomorrow.  This should be fun, three 9-year-olds with hammers at my house.  I hope we all survive.

And that is just a bit of what has been happening in our currently crazy life.  Hopefully it will not be another couple of weeks before I get to write again.

Happy Monday, You Rock

I love surprise visits

Today both my brother and sister surprised me by stopping at my work.  I guess that they both were lucky enough to have the day off and spent it together running errands.  As we have grown older and our lives have moved us further apart it is nice that we get to see each other when we do.  I have a great brother and sister.  I love them very much.  Thanks for stopping by and even buying me a hot chocolate.  I love you Sam and Caleb.

Christmas Scarves

Like last year, over the last few months I have been busy knitting Christmas scarves to give away as gifts.  Now that they have all been given I can share them here with you.

This year I made what is called a cowl.  It is a short scarf that only circles the neck and fastens with buttons or a ribbon.  I ended up making 8 cowls in all.  (I only needed seven but as I was making them I decided that I wanted one for myself as well)

7 of the 8 cowls I made.  By the time I completed them all
and took a picture on of them was already in the mail.

Me modeling what the cowls look like.

I also made my father a scarf but I was working on it so hard that I only finished it Christmas morning right before we headed down to their house and in the rush I forgot to take a picture. 
I really enjoy knitting and it is even more fun to give the things I have made to others. 

You can see the scarves that I made last year here.

Happy New Years!!!