52 Blessings

Yes, today is Sunday and I'M WORN OUT!
It was a very tiring week for me. I work 2 days a week...but this last week I worked 4! That's 4 12-hour shifts I'm talking about. Yep, like I said, I'm worn out.

Yet thankful!

I'm thankful for my job. I LOVE my co-workers and more often than not, I love our patients.

I choose to work. I'm lucky in that I am not forced to work out of necessity. I'm thankful for having that choice.

I'm thankful that I work in a profession that will always offer opportunity. Heaven forbid something should happen to my hubby, I would be able to survive financially and would never be unemployed.

I'm thankful that it only takes me 5-10 minutes to get to work.

I'm thankful that not only does my family allow me to be away from home a few days a week but they are proud of me for doing it. I feel I have the best of both worlds.

Lord, I thank you today for my family, for my job, and especially for giving me choices. I pray that I am making wise ones.

100 Things About Me

1. I am the oldest of 3 girls
2. I have very blue eyes
3. We moved alot when I was growing up and I hated it
4. Because of having moved around so much as a child, I made sure my kids didn't
5. I didn't date until after high school. I was too shy
6. I'm not so shy anymore
7. I've been married for over half my life...to the same man
8. I was married for 5 years before I had kids
9. I had 2...a boy and a girl, in that order
10. I've seen Steel Magnolias, Terms of Endearment, and Step-Mom numerous times and still cry every time I see them
11. I was born and raised in California
12. I'm ready to move and live in another state
13. I would love to live on a lake or river
14. I can get along with just about anyone
15. I graduated from high school 6 months early
16. I am still best friends with D. We met in art class when we were in the 9th grade
17. I always wanted to be a teacher...but became a nurse
18. Fall is my favorite time of year
19. I chew gum alot
20. I don't like being late to anything, and rarely am
21. I love the color pink
22. But I have alot of blue in my house
23. I love home decorating...and making my surroundings b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l
24. I love Halloween
25. I enjoy going to the library
26. I never go barefoot, ever
27. I used to care about what people think of me. Of course I still want people to like me but now it doesn't bother or upset me if they don't
28. I'm generally in a good mood and optimistic
29. I rarely eat meat
30. I would like to tour Europe with my family someday
31. I'm a rule follower...with a little bit of OCD mixed in too
32. I'm a decent photographer
33. I grew up with lots of cousins and have great memories of growing up with them
34. I have loving, supportive parents who live in Colorado
35. My mom does make-up beautifully but never taught me anything about it
36. Consequently, I don't wear much make-up nor do I know how to apply it correctly
37. I have naturally curly hair...I've always hated it
38. I had a wonderful relationship with my mother-in-law while she was alive. We never had so much as one argument in the 20 years that I knew her
39. I know being involved with church at an early age kept me on the straight and narrow as a teen and beyond
40. I can balance my checkbook to the penny
41. I'm pretty much a "go with the flow" kinda gal
42. I love 80's music
43. I get car sick easily
44. I am a christian and believe in the power of prayer
45. I enjoy taking my dog for walks and exploring my neighborhood
46. I don't watch TV and don't even follow a soap opera
47. I love watermelon
48. I like order, along with peace and quiet
49. I got my first pedicure a few years back, now I get them regularly
50. I do not like to fly...but want to go and see and do...so I tolerate it
51. I love Girl Scout cookies. Thin Mints and Samoas are my favorites
52. Chaos makes me nervous
53. I went to Hawaii for the first time when I was 19 years old, with D. (see #16)
54. I've gone back at least 15 or more times since then
55. I LOVE a good salad and pretty much survive on them
56. I like wearing skirts
57. I loved Italy and plan on going back someday
58. I've been lucky and never had to watch my weight, until now
59. I used to be a die-hard sunbather
60. I now have the freckles and sunspots to prove it
61. My Mom pierced my ears when I was about 13 and it hurt like heck
62. I'm not a very good cook and don't even particularly enjoy it. I wish I did
63. I love to bake. I grew up making chocolate chip cookies and brownies
64. I love the dough more than the finished product
65. I took 2 years of Spanish in high school and didn't learn a thing, but got A's
66. I love Target and go at least once a week
67. I like sweets and drink way to much Pepsi.
68. I'm 5'2"
69. I love giving gifts
70. I enjoy gardening and working in the yard
71. I want to be a runner...and would love to run a half marathon someday. I say half because I know my limitations
72. I love shopping
73. I'm a firm believer in sending handwritten thank you notes when someone has done something nice for you
74. I had the biggest crush on Elvis when I was a little girl
75. I love to decorate my home for all of the holidays
76. I have the best intentions but don't always follow through with them
77. My sister D. and I have always been best friends
78. I get compliments on my gift wrapping abilities
79. I love Mexican and Chinese food
80. I don't consider myself very creative or crafty although others do
81. I love paper products and office supplies of all kinds
82. I don't mind ironing or doing the dishes. I find them relaxing
83. I've always had a desk and kept it completely organized
84. I loved the play/musical Evita. Ava Peron intrigues me
85. I opened my IRA over 20 years ago...thanks to my father-in-law's urging
86. I go to the Dentist regularly
87. I never really cared for animals much until I got my little Jake. Now I'm a passionate dog owner
88. I don't like to camp but I love to go RVing
89. I hate paying the bills
90. The older I get, the more family and friends mean to me
91. I'm a saver($) and think about the future
92. I'm an excellent speller
93. I've always been a night-owl
94. I love people but I don't like talking on the phone...home phone or cell
95. I view myself as mathematically challenged
96. I like to read and never miss a book sale at my local library
97. I can't read a thing now without my glasses
98. I love to sing along to music but know I can't sing worth a darn
99. I'm a praying parent and have been praying for my kids future spouses since they were in grade school
100.I intend on taking piano lessons someday

Happy 4th of July

Have a safe, fun-filled day!

100th Post and A Giveaway

Tomorrow's the day I've been waiting for...the day I will reach my 100th post. It's a major milestone and I'm really really excited. I'm excited to share my "100 Things About Me" post with you too. Writing that post was much harder than I thought it would be...but it's me. The good, the bad, and the ugly!

I remember the night I started my blog. I was very nervous about putting myself "out there" for the whole world to see yet excited about the prospect at the same time. I've come along way since that first night in February. I'm more confident about blogging, I enjoy writing more, and I look forward to sharing my life with you on a regular basis.

And...I've made incredible friends. Even though I haven't met any of you in person, I feel like I know some of you so well and I truly look forward to the day, God willing, when we will meet face to face.

In celebration of this milestone, I'd like to host a GIVEAWAY...a 100th Post Giveaway! The only requirement in order to be considered for this giveaway is to leave a comment on this post...that's all. If you don't have a blog, leave me your e-mail address where you can be reached in case you're the winner. For those of you in Canada, please feel free to join in as well.

My daughter (little sis) reads my blog daily, yet NEVER LEAVES A COMMENT! But since she does read it, I figure I'll let her draw the winning name on Monday. You can leave a comment up until midnight Sunday night and then little sis will draw a name Monday morning.

Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Cupcakes...that's the theme of this giveaway. My family loves them and I love making them for my family. After all those years of being "room mom" at my kids schools, I'm an expert cupcake maker by now. Here's a sneak peak at some cupcake goodies I thought you might enjoy receiving...














Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday

(Post #3 for the day...can you tell I'm trying to reach that 100th post. Only 2 more to go!)


















(do you think they look like their momma?)

I'm Honored...and Grateful

(Post #2 for the day)


Two of my sweet friends gifted me with this award yesterday. Isn't it unique and pretty!?! I first received an e-mail from Sidney telling me to stop by her site...saying that she had a little something for me. Later that night I was catching up on new posts and was shocked to see that my friend Kathi had done the same. Girls, thank you so much! As the title of this post states, I'm both honored and grateful to receive it...and honored and grateful to be able to call both of you friends!

These are the rules for accepting this award:

1. Pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.

4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. Show these rules.

And since I'm a rule follower, here goes:

Bren: I just love Bren to death! She is funny, down to earth, and genuine. She is ALWAYS one of the first ones to leave a comment and ALWAYS comments...and you all know how much we bloggers love our comments. So Bren, thank you and please know that I appreciate every single comment that you leave. I look forward to them! Bren has also mentioned that she would love to help out in anyway if our college daughter needs it while at college in AZ...and she means it. Bren would be there in a minute if little sis needed anything...and that is comforting to this mom in CA.

Donna Lyn: First of all, Donna Lyn loves dogs and ALWAYS asks me to give my Jake a kiss for her...Donna Lyn, I give him a kiss every time! One reason I enjoy visiting Donna Lyn is for the beauty she creates. She makes her home, both inside and out, comfortable and beautiful looking. She also has 3 sons that she adores. There's just something about a mother/son relationship...and we're both blessed to be experiencing it.

Michelle: I met Michelle early on and felt an instant connection with her because her kids are older like mine (3 of hers have graduated high school and the youngest is just starting high school). She loves being a wife and mom and it shows. When I think of Michelle I think of an outgoing, happy person. I think we'd become fast friends if we were neighbors.

Jill: I've never seen Jill talk about awards and such on her blog so I'm not sure how she feels about them...but I certainly think of her when it comes to creativity, displaying interesting material, and giving generously to the blogging community. Jill's blog was also one of the first ones I came across many months ago and now it's a blog I check daily. Jill is extremely humerus, down to earth, and the originator of the term "good mail." She loves to give and receive mail as much as I do, if that's possible.

Natasha: This sweet friend is full of energy and I love it! She is a hard-working young mother who is providing beautifully for her children. She is accomplished, she is driven, yet her family comes first. Natasha goes to great lengths to inspire, teach, and build up her children's self-esteem...and I'm touched by that. She is thoughtful and giving...and I'm so glad that we've become friends. (Natasha's blog is private so I won't be posting a link to her blog...but I still wanted to pass this little beauty on to her too)

There you have it. Please go check out these amazing women...you won't regret it for a minute!

Get Well Soon!

My step-dad had extensive shoulder surgery today (Tuesday). The doctor told him that recovery would be painful and that there is no guarantee that the surgery will have done him any good. Only time will tell.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.