a view to give thanks for...

my family...for whom I give thanks :)

back to normal...

Well, as you can see...I've been home since the 6th and have only gotten 1 blog in..laughing.. so, guess I'm back to normal!

The 11 days I've been home have been long and frustrating up until pretty much, today. My back was just not willing to co-operate in the "getting better" department and I have to admit, my chiropractor was right... darn, guess I don't know it all...lol. He told me .. "do your stretches, do light exercise, take it easy" and after listening to him, today was my best day yet. The timing of this, was as usual, not good...I could do very little housework, much less sitting at the computer AND, now I'm 11 days behind in Christmas stuff!!

Now my list gets written, I pull out the gifts already purchased, to be wrapped anddddddddd I write the dreaded Christmas LETTER! lol Two of them actually .. or maybe this year...none...hmmm, we'll see. Anyone have some spare time? :-)

This week brings Thanksgiving..a day of family, friends, way toooooooo much food and our annual tradition of watching White Christmas together (and singing too...lol). I realize this could be the last year but I will hold on to it for as long as I can. :-)

It is also a time to give thanks for everything..the good, the bad, the lessons learned, the blessings received.. for each and every one of you that have been and are my family, by blood or choice, my friends (near and far), my fabulous boss, for a renewing of old friendships ...and the list goes on.

So, you might see me again this week and you might not..lol. Expect the unexpected! ;-)

Stay safe and well... travel safe .. enjoy...and don't forget to give thanks for whatever your blessings are.

hugz

:-)

as promised...

As promised...here are some pictures from my trip..more to follow..hope you enjoy!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

hugz O:-)

loved the sun coming thru monument.. so peaceful

hidden monument in honor of the men and women of DC that died in WW1

on walk along reflection pond between monuments

one of my favorites, Jefferson monument in background

Potomac River (I think)

now picture seeing the treetops all these colors.. was incredible

in sister's backyard on day 1

sunset on arrival at BWI

24 hours...

I'm thinking this will be my last blog until I get home. Tomorrow will be spent re-packing, seeing the chiropractor .. yes, I managed to wait until almost the end of my trip to throw out my back, and I wasn't, as usual, doing anything exciting... grrrrrrrrrr.... and spending a bit more time with my family before heading up to Maryland to spend the night for my EARLY morning flight on Tuesday.

We enjoyed out turnaround trip to Virginia Beach. It's approximately a 3 1/2 hour trip, 4 with 3 kids under 10, with beautiful scenery all around, especially at this time of year. However........ this is NOT the time to be at the beach..laughing... unless you bundle up good and go just for the sheer pleasure of it. The temps were darn skippy COLD. Well, at least it was yesterday (approx. 48) to almost 58 today...much warmer...hehe. I can only imagine how fabulous it must be during the warmer season. Actually, I'm planning to find out one of these days..anyone want to join me?

The leaves are falling everywhere now. I think I got here at the beginning of the end of the color and am thankful for having the opportunity to have been able to be here with my family at my favorite time of year.. BONUS! :-)

Well, hope this finds you all well and I look forward to catching up with everyone soon. Stay safe and well until then...

hugz O:-)

brrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

Fall has definitely arrived in the east and I, as you all know, like to dress like I'm in the west..haha. Was 76 on Wednesday afternoon and I'm not sure it got above 50 today..laughing...was 38 when we drove the girls to schoool!

Had a great time in D.C. yesterday afternoon. Temps were in the low to mid 60's ..perfect walking weather, and that we did! I look forward to being able to share the pictures with you soon! Ritz Camera has a new program where I can have them upload my digital pics to their site and you will be able to view them! If you're interested, please let me know and I will e-mail you the url once I have it.

Tonight we went to a sushi restaurant up near D.C. for my niece's 16th birthday (on Monday) with her dad and his family, and her mom (my sis) and her family. From my vantage point, all went well and she was happy to have family surround her on this special occasion. Bringing extended families together is not always easy butttt IS so beneficial to those that are the one in the middle. I will post pics ...eventually. :-)

Tomorrow's trip to Virginia Beach remains up in the air at the moment as my youngest niece, all of 5 years old, has not felt well the last couple of days and we may just need to stay close to home. If not this trip, hopefully next.

So, all for now. E-mail me, leave me message... catch me up on YOUR life!

hugz O:-)

24 hours ...

..in a different time zone and my body and mind are all askew! :-)

I arrived in Maryland late yesterday afternoon on my way to surprise my sister yet again. This time however, the surprise was on me as she found out yesterday, shortly before I got here. Oh well, there's always next time...hehe.

Was fabulous to see my sister, bro-in-law and darlin nieces who were waiting for their Aunt Doofy (don't ask..lol) to arrive, before they were banished to their beds...haha. After the youngn's, 9/6/5, went to bed..we went off to find my older niece (16 this weekend) and was so cool to see the surprise and joy on her face at seeing her aunt. I managed to stay up until 10:30 at which point I just couldn't last any longer. Today was spent doing "stuff" and of course, a trip to WALMART! I do know how to live! lol Tomorrow sis and I head into D.C. to do some sightseeing and picture taking. Friday I will accompany my sister on an appointment (she's a birth assistant) and the Saturday we are heading down to Virginia Beach for a night. Somewhere all that I am taking them to see the new Santa Clause movie. Before I know it, it will be time to head back to Maryland to fly out at OH GEEZ too early on Tuesday morning!

The flight was wonderful..the few bumps we hit we no worse than an unexpected pothole in the road and were gone just as quickly. Twenty minutes before landing I could start to see the colors of fall and I got became more excited minute by minute..I could barely take my eyes away from the scene unfolding below me. The treetops were becoming richer and more vibrant until as we reached our turning point over the Chesapeake Bay, it became a blanket of oranges, yellows and reds. I am awed and humbled time and time again as I see the masterpieces only God can create. Hopefully I will have to photo's to share that will do the colors any justice.

Well, that's more than I've typed in eons...lol..so until I find my way back to here...stay and well!

hugz O:-)