Friends

Another great Awwwwww Clip

If you like animals you will love this short clip. Hope it will make your day like it did mine. Go here to see it.

A Dream Come True (not really)

This may seem out of character for my "Simple Life" blog but I didn't see a rule book so indulge me a while. Surely you have all had dreams or even day dreamed about your life being totally different from the way it is currently. That is where we are today.





I get this knock on the door and this gentleman with a briefcase is standing there and informs me that Bill Gates has randomly chosen me to receive a one time, tax paid sum of $200 million. This is a lot to take in so after the initial shock wears off Linda & I try to get a handle on what to do next. Paying bills would be a good start. Then helping our my girls and Linda's folks. A two week cruise to wherever would be appropriate.








Something I have always wanted is a collection of paintings by my favorite artist, Bob Ross. I have enjoyed him for so many years and would love to surrounded by his paintings.


















My Ford has given me some really great service but I have always wanted to own a Cadillac with the 32 valve Northstar engine. Might as well be one of my first acquisitions with all the bells & whistles.

Might have the cart before the horse for this part but we'll get it figured out. We would need a log cabin in the mountains of North Carolina and to make sure we

are never without power I will have to get a whole house generator system. This will have it's own power supply and kick on instantly when power fails so we can stay toasty warm and comfortable.

The house needs to be modest but comfortable. There is only so much room two people and a little dog need and I really do desire to keep life as simple as possible. The flooring will have radiant floor heating built in so your feet never get cold and a fireplace for atmosphere on cozy nights.

For the times when we just want to get the heck out of Dodge so to speak we will need to have a private jet on notice to get us to warm climates like the Bahamas or Hawaii. It will be great to leave an airport without all the worrisome hassels you have to face on public transportation.

One place we can make use of the jet would be to get us our own private island get away. There we would be able to relax in total comfort with all our needs met. There would also be plenty of room to have family members with us when possible.

Now to address some desires that stem from childhood. Growing up I had a pair of goats, Lilly & Billy. I had a lot of fun with them and can still remember them running through the woods to get to me where my dad had them fenced in. I plan to be getting a flock of them to enjoy and will have them secured in a fenced in area safe from dogs or other creatures that would harm them.

What you see below is one my favorite treats that I have always wanted and will make sure I have that base covered. I am talking about a scupernong grape vine. In the south we know the scupernong as the best grape for both wine and eating and I plan to have them available to enjoy during the time they are in season.

During my 20's I really wanted to have a subteranian home, in other words a home under ground. There is something really unique about an underground home. The temperature stays constant and you don't have to worry about storms that would otherwise destroy above ground dwellings.

Now the really fun part starts because with the Jet to get around I would want to take time to visit my blog family individually and if they were in need I could help them out. This could take a while since the family has grown to include the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Scotland, France, Finland, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. The climates are so varied that I could visit warmer and enjoyable areas all during the year.

OK folks, back to the real world in chilly NC. I guess most of the day dreaming about stuff like this came from watching "Millionaire" on TV in my younger days. I, like a lot of people really know that coming into a large sum of money can actually be a curse instead of a blessing as many winners of the lottery can testify. Right now I am happy with what I have and where I am more so than I have ever been. Of course I would love to be able to help others and see friends that I have only been able to communicate with on line. I can't help financially but I can be a friend and offer words of comfort and compassion when needed and encouragement when spirits are low. That my friends is a good place to be.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my blog family specifically. I never would have thought back in June that I would be feeling the way I do today about life and Odie. Ordinarily I am a basket case this time of the year but through the helpful words of so many new friends I have met all around this wonderful world I am seeing this season through different eyes.

I have learned that it really doesn't matter what everyone else is doing, thinking or whatever concerning the Christmas season. All I have to be concerned with is what Odie is thinking and let this time of year be a blessing and it is happening. I have reached out to others and in doing so my life is better for it.

But the best part of all is that I intend to make this a life style change and keep doing it all year long so the gift will keep giving. Why stop a good thing?

Thanks to all of you who have helped Odie be a better person and I look so forward to 2011 sharing your adventures along the way. MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving everyone from my family to yours. My blog family is growing by the day and I am thrilled to be able to know you all and share in your experiences.

Today the world is filled with many emotions. Some are happy and some are sad as in the loss of lives in New Zealand. Lets rejoice in Thanksgiving for all the Lord has blessed us with but at the same time offer up prayers for the precious families that have lost loved ones this week. It's so easy to forget them while enjoying the food and family of the season.

I am so thankful today for my God, my family, my friends all over this wonderful world. May God bless you all today.

Thankful Thursday

This is of course the month of thanks with Thanksgiving just around the corner and a time to think of the importance of family.

I sit here this morning realizing that there are so many people out there in the world today that literally have no one. No one to share their joys, faith, fears or love with. Not even God.

So today I am truly thankful for my God who has always been faithful to me. There is a song sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir called "He' been faithful" and it talks about a God who even when we are down and cannot pray, He is faithful. He is always waiting with open arms ready to welcome us back into His loving presence.

I don't know how to put the song in the middle of this post but I guarantee if you go to youtube and key in He's been faithful and look you will find it and be blessed by it.

Right now God I thank you that you saved me, I thank you for the family you have blessed me with, for the extended family in my blog world. I pray that today you will be so very close to everyone in my family touching their lives with your awesome love and grace. Amen

Good Thoughts

I was thinking on the way in to work this morning how great it felt outside with the cool air bringing with it the promise of fall. Some trees have already started to change colors and that brings on a new form of beauty. God's creations always amaze me.

Also on the way down the interstate this morning I had a wonderful view of my favorite constellation "Orion" from my drivers side window. It was shining so brightly in the dark morning hours reminding me that I don't usually see it that bright except during the colder months of the year maybe giving another indication that the transition from hot to better is not too far away.

We can always find something negative to dwell on but there are so many positives that I prefer to think on them today. Of course one that always comes to mind is Rocky. His unconditional love and the calming effect he has while laying in my lap chewing on a piece of rawhide is so precious. I wonder how we ever got along without him in our lives.

I am so thankful for my blogging friends that add quality to my days. Some are being blessed by new additions to their family and sharing adorable pictures, some having birthdays that we can join in the celebration, some having awesome vacations sharing pictures that make you want to go there and some that are hurting due to loosing a loved one. Being able to share in the joys and sorrows is rewarding and even after only blogging for about 90 days I don't want to think of being without my new friends. If you are reading this, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your world.