Ok, it's been awhile since I've blogged, so just needed to say, "All is well".  It's been a week since Rick and I moved  to "CAMP".  We're learning how to get along (or NOT get along) without easy internet access, no tv, no garbage pick up (got to learn to compost) and just in general, learn a different way of every day living.  Not necessarily BAD, just DIFFERENT.  Change can bring turmoil confusion and even sadness or change can bring GROWTH.  I'm thinking that GROWTH would be much more fun then turmoil - so ---- I'm giving it a hearty TRY.

So, here's a peek at the view out our window --- the Allegheny River...Not too bad - not what we're used to but there's many reasons to be grateful and lots of room to "GROW".

My Sweet Family

So many reasons to smile and not cry.....our family gathering for the last time at our home to quietly "hear" all the 23 years of memories bouncing thru the house. To laugh at sweet innocent notes written so long ago laced with big red hearts, Dear Santa letters, and stories of church camp adventures. So many reasons to come home and share together and plan together as a family. So many reasons to be grateful for our "neighbors/friends/families who have shared their lives and cared for us .....so many reasons to say "see you again" and never say good-bye.
Chad, Selena, Missy and Jason and Rick....my special reasons . So grateful that we could all be together here just one more time !!!

FAMILY IS FOREVER

Garage sales, packing, sorting and sorting some more. Big changes for our family as we move from our home of 23 years ! The garage sale taught me that our house has had a lot of Stuff that has just been admired and collected ...the packing has made me realize what "stuff" means something to me and my family, and the sorting, well that's what's taken the longest and has probably been the toughest. Sorting photos that is. Photos that invite me to linger and remember when I should be packing...I LOVE the pictures that have captured moments that we've celebrated with family and friends. I sold some things at the garage sale, I've packed a few boxes already...but the photos keep tugging and I can't put the lid on the boxes just yet, as I keep wanting to just linger awhile longer...and remember all the sweet times....here in our house/home of 23 years.

My FIRST Best Friend

I learned all about best friends from my FIRST best friend, big brother Rick. He taught me to play fair, listen with your heart and hug like you mean it! He lives far away from me now but he continues to listen with his heart whenever I need his advise. We've both have had some curves in the road of life, but we encourage each other and love each other unconditionally like only a best friend can. In this picture, his smile and his hug tell me that he will be home from his first day of kindergarten soon, and that I'll be ok while he's gone. Here's a hug right back atcha Rick, I mean it !!!

Garage sale...

Garage sale is a time to sort out what you need, what you want and what is meaningful...and I'm talking about "stuff" here, but it also is an opportunity to sort all the same criteria about your life. So many people say that garage sales are so much work...(yes), but they're also SO much fun ! Maybe that's because I had great friends helping and whenever, wherever we are together:it equals FUN ! So things got sorted, sold and some money made...Stuff that I don't need anymore is gone, but more memories that I'll hold onto forever were made. Thanks dear friends for your help with the "stuff" and for being there for me!!

One day at a time

Today, I have so many reasons to feel blessed !! I have friends who have gathered around me to celebrate the joys, to help me find the brightness when it's been the darkest, friends who have willingly shared all they know and love .... and have done so without a second thought, without asking anything in return and often, have done things for me that I didn't even know that I needed. FRIENDS....Thanks for your blessings!