Happy Thanksgiving!

To all those in the United States

celebrating today, Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

May you have the luxury of spending time with your family, friends and loved ones this holiday weekend!

 

Safe travels to you all!

 

Until Next Time,

 

Peace, Love and Gratitude!

 

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focusing on Life: Week 47 - Centerpiece

It's week 47 for the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly photo challenge hosted by Sally over at The Studio Sublime and our prompt this week was:

 

 

 

 

Centerpiece

 

"This week focus on what is the centerpiece, the central, most important feature in your day, week, life!  It makes you comfortable, brings you joy, brings you peace of mind, or is simply a place of comfort."

 

For me, this one was easy! Well, I thought it was going to be anyway.

 

These two. Yep - they're my "Centerpiece". My hub. My Rock. My World. My Everything!

 

My Goofy Boys!!

 

 

Only they're not much into having their photo snapped. I told them I didn't want to 'cheat' this week and use a photo of them that I already had and so they had better stand there and let me take their picture!

 

So they agreed. But only for a second.

And only for 1 photo they said.

 

Well, I think it was about 5 seconds, then they bolted so I couldn't get a second shot! Stinkers!

 

I played around with some editing and overlays, etc. I used one called 'Logan' on Pixlr. How appropriate, eh?!

 

And here's the rest of my "Centerpiece".  This was taken at our family reunion this summer up near my sis's cabin. With the exception of just a few who weren't able to make it, it's my sister and our two brothers and their families. These wonderful people are also my 'Centerpiece' and part of my 'Everything'!

 

 

 

 

I'm going to be spending Thanksgiving with some of these folks. Wishing I could spend it with all of them, but grateful for those of us that will be together! 

 

I'm wishing all of you here in the U.S. a wonderful Thanksgiving Day this Thursday and a fun, yet relaxing, holiday weekend.

 

May you have the luxury of spending time with your family, friends and those you are close to and may you be healthy, happy and 'full' of love and light!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Finding Center!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Happy Thanksgiving

 

 

Wishing all my family and friends in the U.S.

a very warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace and Love!

Cheers,

~Shel~

All Gave Some. Some Gave All.

This is the case with Sgt. Wade Wilson, U.S.M.C.

We feel cheated when we loose people we care about. 

We're sad and we hurt.

The loss leaves a hole in our hearts and in our world.

Even though my family and I have only known Wade for a few years, it seems he left a big impression.

Marine Ball

I think he'd be pleasantly surprised to find out how many lives he's actually touched.

Andy and Wade at the Cabin - 2009

We met Wade through my niece, Misha, and her husband, Andy.

Misha and Andy

Andy and Wade were stationed together at Camp Pendleton.

~Halloween ~
Leland (Wade), Beth (Misha) and Dog (Andy)

According to one of his friends, "Wade was very Patriotic".

April 2011

I think that might be an understatement.

Here's the pumpkin he carved for Halloween one year.

He had a infectious smile and bright, blue eyes that could light up a room.

Wade with my great-niece, Layla

He could be very quiet at times and it took me sitting in the emergency room with him in Springerville, AZ during Thanksgiving weekend one year to get to know him (You'll have to ask Misha and Andy why we were in the ER that night!).

Thanksgiving 2009

The conversation went something like this:

"So, how you like the Marines, Wilson?"

"I like it, Ma'am."  (Ma'am?!!)

"How about California vs. Texas?  Are you enjoying California?"

"Yes, Ma'am.  I really like it up here in the mountains (AZ) though. It's nice."

"So, you're from the same town in Texas as Fisher, huh Wilson?" 

"Yes, Ma'am.  That's funny how he's Misha's family friend and you guys all know him.  I'm pretty sure I know right where his property is back home, too."

"Dude, you gotta stop with the Ma'am stuff!  I'll tell you what. I'll stop calling you Wilson and you stop calling me Ma'am,...okay Wade?!"

"Okay, Ma'am" (with a very big grin!)

My son really liked Wade and looked up to him; just as he does all the young Marines he's met through Andy and Misha.

Cody, Andy, Logan and Wade

It's going to be hard to let Logan join the Marines when he graduates here in a few years like he plans to. 

But, what's a mother to do?  Be proud.

Wade, Derek, Tom and Andy

The Marine's lost a good soldier last week when they lost Wilson.

 

The world lost a wonderful young man.

Only a Few Days Left,...

Wow - This year seemed to fly by, didn't it? 

from DarkerAngels via Pinterest

It's hard to believe that 2011 is almost over and 2012 is just around the corner! 

From Boston.com via Pinterest

Do you make New Year's Resolutions or not?  

I used to, but now I just stick with our "Bucket List" that Mike and I started writing out in 1997, the year our son was born.

Each year, somewhere close to New Year's, we cross off our bucket list all the things we've experienced and/or accomplished and replace those things with new ones.

Our Bucket Lists are more fun for us than New Year's Resolutions.

  

As a family we feel blessed and thankful that 2011 was a good year for us (and hopefully the remaining days will continue on this trend!).

Here's a few things I'm thankful for:

A happy, healthy family

A roof over my head and food on the table

A business that supports us

A hobby that allows me to be creative

Friends and family that I adore and love to hang out with!

My Subaru (***Love***)

Hot Showers and indoor plumbing ;)

My Health

Arizona (yes, even when it's 112 degrees, I still love where I live!)

My Tempurpedic bed and pillow

Here's a few things I'm looking forward to in 2012:

Continued good health for myself and my family

Continued success in our business

Camping in the desert w/my hubby and son again

Tuscany trip with the girls

Summer Vacation

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

What about you? What did 2011 Bless you with? 

What are you looking forward to in 2012?

Do you make New Year's Resolutions or do you have a "Bucket List"?

Whatever your traditions are, I hope you are able to enjoy them to the fullest these last few days of the year and that 2012 is one of your best, most productive, prosperous and happy years of all!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Here's to a Wonderful 2012!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Me and My Boys - Christmas Day 2011

"Getting Smashed"

With tons of things on the “to-do” list today and tomorrow, from a conference call, an afternoon appointment, shuttling the son to/from school and sports practice, to “Academics Night” at the high school and then also getting my “boobs smashed” (yep ladies – this is important – don’t forget your annual mammograms!!) there’s no time to create jewelry before I leave for my sis’s cabin for the “Girls Retreat” this weekend.

Most of you are stuck back there on the “Boobs Smashed” thing, aren’t you? 

Well, as most of my friends and family know I usually do a shout-out each year for this – it’s my annual “Takin’ the Girls Out and Getting’ ‘em Smashed” campaign. Bringing a whole new (and positive) meaning to the term - “Getting Smashed”.

I’ve been doing this ‘campaign’ as I call it since before I had a blog and all I could do was email all my girl friends and family members and tell them how important this is and not to forget to do it! 

I mean no disrespect what so ever to anyone when using the words “getting smashed” and don’t use it to promote drinking and driving. I’m actually trying to bring a whole other meaning to the phrase – a positive one - in hopes that it will take over the other meaning and in the process put some light and levity into the situation.  Most people aren’t as open to talking about personal issues and things of this nature – and that’s okay, I am.

So, here’s my annual plea.  Take your ‘girls’ out this year and go ‘get ‘em smashed’ for the sake and safety of yourself and all those who love you. 

As I’ve said before, make it a fun day with your girl friends. (You’ll have to plan this in advance because as you know making appointments for these types of things doesn’t happen instantly).  Get a group of girlies together and all of you head over to the Mammo-Place and “get smashed” and then afterwards go out for a nice lunch or dinner and celebrate being the loving, caring, creative, positive and strong women you are!

Please, even if you go by yourself and just remind your girl friends and family members online or via text, twitter or whatever – take careof yourself - and let’s help raise awareness for this. I believe awareness can save lives!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and let’s “Save the Ta-Tas”!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Happy Mother's Day

On the night before Mother's Day I wanted to send a shout out to all the Mama's out there who do so much for their families and yes, their friends, too!

I enjoy being a mom and feel I'm blessed with an amazing child. To me, being a mom is one of the best things in the world!!

A month before my 4th birthday, I lost my Mom to cancer. I don't remember my Mom,...not really. I remember all the wonderful stories my brothers, sister and my Aunts have told me through the years about her and believe I missed out big time on knowing an amazing woman. (That's me over there sitting on my Mama's lap with my brother's and sister)

I can't complain though because I have a step-mom, who, although we didnt' really see eye to eye when I was growing up, was the mom I was dealt and believe she did a pretty good job of teaching me the things I needed to learn and I have her to thank for many things.

I also have some 'stand in' moms,....

There's my sister, Marsha, my sister-in-laws, Cheryl and Jeanie, my friend, Gwen, and my Aunt Ruby, Aunt Doris and Aunt Peg. And then there were my friends mom's, who I called Mom just like they did.

Sadly, some of these women have passed as well, but I still think of them and remember them with gratitude tomorrow,...Mother's Day.

So, for all the Mom's who have, or had, children of their own and for all the "Moms" who've been there when you needed a shoulder, when you needed a good talking too, or when you just needed a Mom's point of view - Thank You!

Happy Mother's Day!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Great Mama's!!

Cheers,

~Shel~