Happy Monday

Good Monday morning to you. I really need to get cracking today and start packing! I leave at 5:00a.m. Wednesday morning for Kansas City. I have so much to do, but I will try not to stress. Grocery shopping, laundry, pack, make arrangements for Stella, etc...My niece Megan is getting married to her long time beau, Cory. I'm so excited for her, and can't wait to see all my family! I will get pictures to share with you.

This is Megan, (on left) a few years ago down at the shore, and my sister Susie. She (Susie) told me as soon as I land, I will be glued to her hip as her personal assistant. I told her I will help as much as I can. Hopefully, most of it is in place since the wedding is on Saturday!
Have a wonderful week if I don't see you before I leave. I am NOT bringing my computer with me this time.

XOXO

Hoppy Easter

Just passing through to wish all my friends and family a very Happy Easter!!

Stella sends her love too.
Have a wonderful weekend and stop on over to the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop to meet some new furry friends!

XOXO

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day and Friday too!
I hope everyone has a glorious weekend.

XOXO

Happy Birthday

I want to wish my sweet little Stella a very Happy 6th Birthday today.

I also want to wish her brother Teddy a Happy Birthday too. They have been a joy to have around and I couldn't imagine my life without them in it.

I hope everyone is having a great week, and ready for a nice holiday. The weather is starting to cooperate around here, and I only wish it would stay this way. I have been busy the last few weeks. Oh hell--who am I kidding? I have been busy the last 20 years! Spring break started today for me and I'm loving it so far, feeling relaxed for the moment.
Any big plans for you this week? I'm heading to Kansas City next Wednesday for my niece's wedding and I can't wait!
Have a great day!!

XOXO

Jack

"J" is for Jack....as in Jacked Up! I totally messed up this A-Z Challenge by posting K before J. Silly me. I have been so busy lately, and this silly game I'm playing isn't going the way I had planned. I hate to be a quitter, so I will try and continue. I won't be committing a sin if it doesn't work out, will I?

Anyway, Happy Hump Day! I hope you all are having a nice week. Rainy and gloomy here.

XOXO

Kitchen

The "K" word of the day is Kitchen! I totally skipped the "I" on Sunday--too busy. I apologize in advance for all of the pictures, but I wanted to show you all of the long awaited progress. There is still a lot to finish up, knobs and handles, some trim work, etc...And the rest of the house just got painted, so it is all in disarray. Remember the kitchen above? I sure do.

I got my dream double oven. My husband made me think it just couldn't happen, but on Christmas he surprised me by giving me the drawings. I already used them twice this weekend, and I love them! Clams casino in the bottom while a chicken was roasting in the top oven.

Also love the new stove top! High heat burners, griddle, and grill.

Lots and lots of storage, something I had none of in the old kitchen. I'm in Heaven.

Beautiful tile floor.

Now the frig is a funny story. We got this on e-bay and it is a BIG beautiful Thermador. Wasn't cheap either. It took 4 big guys to get it in. This is my nephew helping my husband.

Isn't it beautiful? NOT! It arrived without any panels or handles! It is suppose to be all stainless steel. Evidently, we can either get stainless or wood to match the cabinets. It came with neither. So this is waiting to be resolved with the seller. In the mean time, it does get really cold and has a great freezer.

Love my new counter tops. Can't really tell by these pictures, but the colors are really pretty.

A shot from our new entrance. Where I am standing, there is a huge window and table behind me. I'll show you that later.

Another shot, you can look into the living room now.

Freshly painted dining room and living room.

Looking into the kitchen from the dining room. So there you have it----A preview of my new kitchen. I really love it a lot and can't wait until everything is finished and all put back together! I hope you all had a nice weekend and are ready for a new week! XOXO

I'm....

"I'm" too busy today to make a quality post today, so that is my I word for the day. (Just being honest). Trying to move everything back into the new kitchen and clean. Will not be done this weekend, but I'm getting a good running start! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back soon.

XOXO

Help Me Ronda

"H" is for Help! Help me get through this kitchen renovation! I got down here today (Thursday) and there is soooo much to be done! It will look so nice when you see it. I hope I get the chance to show you the progress tomorrow. What you see here is what it was, kitchen door to the left, refrigerator and wall to the right. That is it. In the mean time--Happy Friday!!

XOXO

"G" is for Giraffe

Don't ask me why, but I have always loved Giraffes. I just think they are a beautiful animal. Every time I went to the Zoo growing up, the first animal I wanted to see was the Giraffe.

They are so unique, and pretty I think.

And seem loving and caring too.

Sometimes even a little goofy and oh so cute!

They really make me smile.

I hope everyone is having a nice week. I'm heading down to Maryland after work today, so I hope I don't break this ABC Challenge, which is becoming a challenge itself! I thought how easy it would be, and it is. It's just the daily posting every morning can get tough when you have to go to work. I think from now on, I might be posting the night before during this silly game!

Have a great day!!

XOXO

"F" is for Family

Family

I think about those I do not see,
Sensing that they too think of me.

So many miles I have strayed,
When I could have simply stayed.

Merely to expand the bond,
To make new memories far beyond.

Life's choices find us miles apart,
Ever close with the beat of my heart.

To relive in my minds eye,
Keeps them close and always near by.

Memories gathered from the start,
Forever alive within my heart.

My message is so simple and small.
Those three words most important of all,
I LOVE YOU!

*This is for my family members across the USA.

XOXO

Eco-Friendly

The "E" word of the day is Eco-friendly. I try to do my best, in baby steps. I save plastic caps, water bottle, orange juice, etc...for a young cancer patient in Maryland. For every 1000, he gets one dose of chemo. I have started wrapping my food in wax paper before putting it in plastic baggies

because of all the crap in plastic. (I know, I sound crazy). I save all glass jars to store soup or sauces in. I try not to use non-stick skillets as much anymore. I'm lovin' those cast iron pots now! I TRY to buy Organic, whenever I can. (Luckily, my daughter has a boyfriend who is an Organic farmer)! I wish I owned 100,000 acres to make it my own. I just want this earth to live forever and ever!

Wouldn't you love to get a Eco-Easter basket?

How a bout' an Eco-house? Yes--that is what I want.

With a Eco-kitchen.

Then I could make Eco-cocktails for all of my friends, you included, ....

with Eco-snacks

in our Ec0-chairs.

Pretty cool visual, isn't it?

Not reality....although I do try!

XOXO

Dogs

Hello and Happy Monday! My "D" word for the day is Dogs. As you all know, my love for dogs is over the moon and beyond. I was raised with Boxers most of my life. My last Boxer, Baily, left us about 6 years ago. Didn't get another because my daughter was allergic to pet dander. I was ready at that point for a little break from dogs.

Boxers are my all time favorite breed.

They are loyal, loving, protective, and best of all they are very good with children. Just big ol' marshmallows they are! Beautiful too.

Then one day my husband brings this little thing home. No dander and non-allergenic. Was never my favorite breed and it took me awhile to warm up to her. That was 5 years ago and I'm now putty in her paws.

When I look at her now, I am ashamed that for the first week or so that I didn't want her. Now I can't get enough of her! She is so damn sweet and well behaved! She is also the ultimate snuggler.

Stella also really loves hanging out with everyone. Hates to be alone.

Very social this little girl is.
If you didn't know already, you know now, my never ending love for dogs!

XOXO

Cooking

"C" is for cooking. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved to cook. For me it is therapeutic. I love looking at different food items or recipes and and thinking of what I can come up with.

I also love all tools and gadgets for the kitchen. There is something for everything out there, and I want them all!

Right now, my new kitchen is underway in Maryland and I can't wait. I might just have to move down there this summer. Hopefully it will be done by May.

I'm also getting all new appliances. The one I am most excited about is my double wall oven. It will come in handy when baking cookies, entertaining, and most of all, Thanksgiving!

This will NOT be happening in my new ovens!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

XOXO

Beatles

My "B" word today is The Beatles. I have loved them my entire life.

I bet everyone in this universe has one small memory associated with a Beatles song.

I know I have many.

I have too many to mention, but one of my favorite songs is Here,There and Everywhere.
What is yours?

I normally don't post on the weekends, but I started this challenge. What was I thinking?
Have a great weekend!!

XOXO