up on the house tops . . . .

You never know what you are going to find going out the back way . . . 

Today I choose JOY!

Challenges are what makes life interesting ~

Overcoming them is what makes it meaningful.

I have been away from here for too long.

It hasn't been by choice . . . life keeps getting in the way.
But along with life getting in the way . . . . life is also giving me plenty to enjoy and celebrate.
I refuse to let life's challenges get the better of me.  I look at these beautiful children and know for sure that life is precious and wonderful . . . and meant to be lived with joy and passion.
Life doesn't always make that easy . . . but attitude makes that possible.
Today I choose JOY!

christmas tree farm

The light in a child's eyes is all it takes

to make Christmas a magical time of year.

We took Charlotte to pick out a Christmas tree on Saturday.  It was a beautiful day . . . a day of train rides, suspension bridges, rusty tractors, stone castles, flowers, and Santa Claus.  We found a beautiful tree . . . (which I didn't even get a picture of.)  

My fake tree is boxed up this year . . . after the great day we had I may never use it again.  

"If one dream should fall and break

into a thousand pieces, never be

afraid to pick one of those pieces

 up and begin again."

~ Flavia Weedn

 It's a Girl!

 I have been celebrating . . . every day!
. . . celebrating the change of seasons, a special 8 year old's birthday, the right to vote, and a new granddaughter due in March.
I have also been quiet . . . or rather taking time to be quiet - to focus on what I am grateful for.
LIFE IS GOOD!

sometimes princesses are orange . . .

 Jennifer and Lily were camping this weekend . . . a good way to escape the heat!

Lily was excited to show me this picture of her peace pancakes!

PEACE ~ LOVE ~ LILY!

. . . and then there is this clown.  She makes me smile and laugh

whenever I am with her.  

 Charlotte's orange princess . . . because "Sometimes princesses are orange grandma."

. . . and sometime they eat peace pancakes.

. . . and sometimes they dress up like clowns.

having fun . . .

"When you start recognizing that you're having fun,

life can be delightful.  ~ Jane Birkin

A few more pictures before I turn in . . . a fun day which included a visit to the Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Beach.  Of course I had to bring some paper cranes along on our trip - although I have them all mixed up as far as placing them in numerical order.
I will have to get that all straightened out.  

still here . . .

I am still crazy busy, but somehow found time to get caught up with my index cards . . .   

TV, playground, venn diagram (those flowers may represent that a little bit), bouquet (with a skeleton of course), wallpaper, landscape and orange.  The little orange zombie flower card actually looks better in person (much brighter).  

So I was caught up yesterday . . . now have to get a couple of cards done again.  I will be so glad to be off work for the summer . . . just a few more days.  Then I can enjoy the rest of the icad challenge and get busy with some other things.  Between work and knowing I will be off work soon - my mind is going all the time.  I wake up at night with ideas and thought of things I need to do, want to do . . . I am ready for Summer vacation!  I am ready to relax, have fun, create, spend time with my mom, take a road trip or two . . .