Today has had a lot of mixed emotions for me. Jan 3rd 2015 was a day that will always live in my memory as the day that God showed up and protected my family.    (I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but there is really no way to shorten it.  This is a hard one to put get written down, as I relived it as I wrote it)

My best friend of almost 20 years,  Diane, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in May of the year prior.  When she was diagnosed , I immediately made a trip to her house.   My husband stayed for a day or so, and then traveled home by himself.   He knew that I needed to be there with her while she went through her first treatments.   I stayed for several weeks and then came home.   Yet, I hadn’t been home long when I felt that I needed to go back.   That was basically how I spent the rest of 2014.   I would be home for a couple weeks and then head back to Cincinnati to be with Diane and her family.   Honestly, I was at her home more than I was at my own that year.  I have to say here how AMAZING my own family was during this time!!   My husband stayed home and took care of the house, our daughter and son, and most days our 2 grandchildren.  He never once complained or asked me to stay home.  He is truly the one that God created just for me!!  I am so blessed to be able to say I am his wife!! read more

So I have been challenged to write about why I have a blog.   When I first accepted this challenge , I thought well that is easy.  I do it to keep my own sanity.  To give you a brief explanation of what I mean , my blog is my way of getting my daily trials and tribulations down on Grandparents raising Grandchildren in addition to other ramblings in my life.   I also do some product reviews for different brands.. The other subject that I cover in my blog is dealing with Chronic Pain.      read more

Many years ago, a friend of mine told me that she had to get her laundry done that day, when I called her on New Year’s Eve morning and asked what she was up to that day.  She went on to tell me that if her laundry wasn’t all done by New Year’s Day, that she was sure to never be able to catch up all year.  The funny part about that, is that the comment stuck with me, and so yes every year after that, I make sure that all the laundry in the house is done on New Year’s Eve.  (with a family as large as mine, why chance it?) read more

I have a small confession….I am a Bath and Body addict!!   Many years ago, while I was staying with my little sister on a visit, I used some of her Bath and Body shower gel, and I was instantly in love with their products.  On that same visit, we went to a sale that they were having and I bought so much that I had to purchase another bag to take on the flight home.  That was the beginning of my addiction.

Now, I have to admit, I have no desire to have any kind of intervention or rehab for my addiction.  All I need to know is when the next Semi Annual Sale will be and I can go get my Bath and Body fix!!   The good news…..that sale is happening NOW!!  Twice a year, they have a sale with 75% off the seasons scents, and that is when I go and stock up!!  They also have a ton at 50% off and some great buys on their hand soaps!!      I purchase not only for myself, but for my kids for birthdays, Christmas etc.    The Semi Annual Sale happens in the Summer time and then again, right after Christmas.  I always save enough of my Christmas fund, to go shopping afterwards!!   read more