Currently: November 2022

November is going to be an excellent month!  Can't you just feel it?  This is always my favorite month of the year, but it's going to be extra special this year.

Working On: Getting my Etsy shop ready for the busy holiday season.  I'm taking a short break for the first few weeks this month before things get hectic.  I need to get everything ready for the Black Friday/ Cyber Monday sale.

Celebrating:  November is always a big one for celebrations.  Today is my birthday. The Big 5-3!  Of course there's Thanksgiving.  And the Man of the House and I have plans for celebrating our wedding anniversary this month.  Thirty years deserves a big celebration - don't you think? 

Wanting/Needing: You know what?  I can't think of a single thing!  Unless it's a few extra hours in the day to take care of everything I need to be doing this month. 

Eating: It's officially soup season!  Which means I'm cranking up the slow cooker and enjoying all the soups, stews, chilis and gumbo.  It makes my heart - and my tummy - happy!

Loving:  I think it's pretty obvious by now that I am loving just about everything about November

Goals for November:

• Set up Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale for Etsy shop
• Post Bath and Body items from Etsy to FB shop
• Decorate for Christmas

What are your plans for November? Share in the comments!

Twenty-eight years & Forever to go

Twenty-eight years ago today two kids stood in a church and promised to spend their lives together. 

It's been 28 years of laughter and heartache. Quiet days and grand adventures. Some tough times and so many more wonderful times.  

We've raised two amazing kids and been blessed with a remarkable grandson. 

The best part of all is imagining what is still waiting for us in the years to come. 

Twenty Four

Twenty four years ago today I became the Mrs to this Mr...

It's been twenty four years of ups and downs.  Laughter and tears. New jobs and layoffs.  Kids and grandkids born and family members lost.  Family vacations. Anniversary trips.  Business trips.  House remodels.  New cars and ones that left us stranded on the side of the road.

Most importantly it's been twenty four years of love.

And I am excited to see what the next twenty four years and beyond holds in store for us!

Good-bye, November

Just about a month ago I was looking forward to my birthday, anticipating celebrating another anniversary with the Man of the House, and Thanksgiving was still weeks and weeks away.

Now, here we are at the last day of the month.  Time. Does. Fly.

November was a good month.  Full of blessings and things to be grateful for as I pursued my November Gratitude Challenge.

My birthday celebration lasted a full weekend, with dinners and lunches and a trip to the River Arts District in Asheville for a couple of lovely locally produced pottery pieces.

Not to mention all the moist, rich red velvet cake I enjoyed!  My family made me feel very loved and special.

The Man and I got away for a couple of nights mid-month when he had a softball tournament out of town.  I've already shared on that HERE, so I won't make you shift through all the details again.  (If you missed it before, please take a moment to read and enjoy that post!)

The weekend before Thanksgiving, I had the joy of celebrating 23 years of marriage to the Man of the House.  Speaking of time flying!  23 years goes by much quicker than I could have ever imagined! What's the old saying?  Time flies when you're having fun?  Yep!

We treated ourselves to annual passes to the Biltmore Estate where we spent the day enjoying the estate all decked out for Christmas, a wine tasting and had a delicious dinner at Deer Park.

We spent the night at the lovely Grande Bohemian hotel in Biltmore Village.  (To everyone who made our anniversary weekend special - a HUGE thank you!!)

Thanksgiving was the usual hustle and bustle with a house full of family.  Along with all the good (and some not so good) times that is expected to involve.  The Man of the House smoked the turkey - which was completely wonderful!

We're still eating leftovers around here.  And so far no one is complaining.  Although I am sad that all the pumpkin pie is gone.

And that was November.  Which brings go us to...

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

A Spirit of Gratitude - November 21

Today the Man of the House and I celebrate 22 years of marriage.  This week's "A Spirit of Gratitude" post was inspired by him and our marriage ...

photo - publicdomainpictures.net

I Am Thankful for 22 Years Filled With

Love
Laughter
Friendship
Acceptance
Support
Encouragement

Arguments
Romance
 Bad puns (and a few good ones)
Parenting together
Shared joys
Shared losses
Vacations in Charleston

Sunburns
Family holidays
Birthdays 

Blizzards

Hurricanes
Reenactments
Naval Reserve weekends
A trip to New Orleans
 New jobs
Lost jobs
New houses
Facial hair and not
A Disney World trip
Home brewing
Finding the perfect Christmas tree
Vacations at the Outer Banks
Long drives to Ohio and Florida
Becoming grandparents
Trips to Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge
Home Makeovers
Hiking Trips 

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 

~ 1 Corinthians 13 13

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups
 Missional Women: Faith Filled Friday
Christian Mommy Blogger: Fellowship Fridays
Essential Thing Devotions: Essential Fridays
Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading
Womanhood With Purpose: Heart-filled Friday

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving 2013: Day 21

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

The Man of the House

Celebrating 21 years of marriage

Being more in love than ever

Still making each other laugh

Kisses that make me weak in the knees

Having 2 great kids

and 1 adorable grandson

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: Day 21 (Anniversary Edition)

 I AM THANKFUL FOR:

116.  20 Years of Marriage

117.  Love

118.  Passion

119.  Family

120.  The years ahead

Miss Me?

Miss me?  Even notice I was gone?  Ha!  That's what I thought!  It's OK.  That's exactly how I intended it!

The Man of the House and I headed over the mountain to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge for a three day weekend of anniversary fun.  Grown ups only.  Did all sorts of touristy stuff.  Took dozens and dozens of pictures.

That's right... Three days worth of blog fodder.

Stay tuned!!  Exciting trip posts to come!

Lucky In Love

I consider myself very fortunate to have married the man of my dreams 19 years ago.  I'll never understand exactly how I got so lucky, but I know The Man of the House is one of the great blessings in my life.

He is a kind, generous, loving man. He is a good provider for our family. He is strong. He is funny. He is smart. He is gentle. He is supportive.  He is patient.  He constantly amazes me with the things he can repair, replace, or make.  He taught me to love football.  And on top of all that - he's one handsome hottie of a man!


Honestly, I don't know why he has put up with me for 19 years. I know I haven't always been a good wife.  But for what ever reason - he still loves me. And I love him all the more for that.

He is the love of my life - and I am incredibly thankful to have him in my life!!