No offense my friends, but y’all are slackers, seriously!

Where are all the bloggers? Commenters? Participators?

Bah! On all of you!

Well, I’ve decided to post early today because I keep coming in around 11:00pm, so exhausted, I barely have it in me to type. I also almost keep forgetting to blog daily! Is NaBloPoMo over yet?

Anyway…a few errands to run today and then New Moon tonight!

I really have not much else to say.

I know, this is getting boring.

My offer still stands…Ask me anything*

With that, I am off to shower and head out for the aforementioned errand running. See y’all tomorrow!

*This is a limited time offer. Certain restrictions apply.

L

O

N

G

Day!

Lots of giving and receiving, a little bit of pillaging and tons of seeing really cool people.

Finally got my Christmas stuff here!

And, another ceiling fan up!

Also, One Act plays tonight starring our niece! Like last year, each class (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) put on a One Act Play for our enjoyment. This year, I’m proud to say the Sophomores (our nieces class) won the award for best play. Well deserved, I assure you!!

Finally home and oh so exhausted.

Sleeping in tomorrow!!

Somewhat productive day.

Ran some errands I’d been meaning to run.

Did some grocery shopping.

Picked up two Christmas presents!!

Got the house a bit more organized.

All while still managing to sleep in this morning AND hang out with friends of awe this evening!

Win!

Since I am at a loss for words today, I think I shall take part in the Thanksgiving Meme that Auntie shared last week or so.

1.What are FIVE things you’re thankful for this year.
I think I could list a million things on this one!!

1. Life! Being in a car accident this year was traumatic and terrifying. It was as near death as I’ve ever personally been. I am so thankful to be alive and well, though I still suffer some from my injuries. I don’t think my knee will ever be the same, but that’s okay because it is a constant reminder that God protected our lives in what could have been a much worse accident.
2. Support. Although I am so thankful for life, it has not been all that easy living it lately. I am so grateful to those who have understood and supported me through some devastating and emotional times.
3. Family. The loss of my mom still weighs heavily on me. I am forever grateful for the bonds of family that have and are continuing to help carry me through this great loss. I love you all and I’m so thankful to have you in my life.
4. Uncle Frank! The health scare we had with him this year was one of the scariest things ever. Uncle Frank is such a vital and strong part of our family and I am so thankful for his continued healing and recovery! I love you Uncle Meemo!
5. Provision. God has definitely provided for us this year. It has been beyond scary to not have the security of a job, financial stability and the promise of a roof over your head.

2.What are THREE things you’re thankful for this month.

1. A roof over our heads! I am so thankful that God provided this new home for us.
2. Friendship. I am blessed to have such great friends. I am thankful for each and every one of them and the special blessing each brings to my life. I love you all!!
3. New beginnings. I feel like life has tossed me in so many different directions lately. I am thankful for refreshing and renewing. New places, fresh starts, renewed friendships, healing and growth.

3.What’s your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

Absolutely, being with my family. I cherish them. Thanksgiving and all the holidays have been hard lately, but I am grateful to have the family that I have!  Also, the FOOD!! I am gonna kinda miss the traditional homemade dinner this year, but as long as we are all together, I think it will be wonderful! And, we are making pies…
4.What’s your least favorite about Thanksgiving?

Missing my mom and the other dear family members that we have lost the last few years. Also, the stress of all the cooking! (normally)

5. Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions you’d like to share?

Not really. Things have changed so much that I’m just happy if we are all together.

**************************************************************************

And, because we are getting to that time in NaBloPoMo when I start to run out of things to say…

It’s time to play: Ask Me ANYTHING!

That’s right folks, it’s your once a year opportunity to ask me anything you’ve been dying to know!  Don’t be shy, just go ahead and throw those questions right there in the comment section. I’ll answer anything as truthfully as I can! Have fun & keep it clean (Sam)!

So, with the move and being sick…I totally forgot to do this giveaway last week! My apologies!

I have ONE copy of this book to give away. Please comment below to be entered and I will draw a winner on Sunday!

White Picket Fences
by Susan Meissner
**********
Amanda Janvier’s idyllic home seems the perfect place for her niece Tally to stay while her vagabond brother is in Europe, but the white picket fence life Amanda wants to provide is a mere illusion. Amanda’s husband Neil refuses to admit their teenage son Chase, is haunted by the horrific fire he survived when he was four, and their marriage is crumbling while each looks the other way.

Tally and Chase bond as they interview two Holocaust survivors for a sociology project, and become startlingly aware that the whole family is grappling with hidden secrets, with the echoes of the past, and with the realization that ignoring tragic situations won’t make them go away.

Readers of emotional dramas that are willing to explore the lies that families tell each other for protection and comfort will love White Picket Fences. The novel is ideal for those who appreciate exploring questions like: what type of honesty do children need from their parents, or how can one move beyond a past that isn’t acknowledged or understood? Is there hope and forgiveness for the tragedies of our past and a way to abundant grace?

About the author….
Susan Meissner cannot remember a time when she wasn’t driven to put her thoughts down on paper. Her novel The Shape of Mercy was a Publishers Weekly pick for best religious fiction of 2008 and a Christian Book Award finalist. Susan and her husband live in Southern California , where he is a pastor and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves. They are the parents of four grown children.

You can also purchase a copy HERE.

59 minutes left in the day and here I am!

I’m not sure what to write tonight because I have waaaaaaaayyyyyy too many thoughts rolling around in my head, most of which I have no desire to share on this blog;-)

So, I will keep it short and sweet tonight.

We finally found some curtains & pillows that I am happy with for my window seat, now I just need to pick out material so that my dear mother-in-law can make me a comfy seat. I so love that window seat!

Other than that, I only have to say that:

Life is Good & Friendship is Sweet!

Well, we are more than halfway through NaBloPoMo. Where has the time gone? I feel like I’ve just been sliding in here at the last minute just shoving something out in order to stay in the game. I’m happy that I’ve been able to keep up with this, despite being so sick and the move. It’s truly amazing since I’ve barely been functional most days and so much of this month has been a blur.

Today I finally started to feel somewhat more normal and settled. I also started to realize just how close we are coming to the holidays. I even started thinking about Christmas shopping! It was nice to start thinking about normal things again.

Spent some time working in the office today, trying to get that room organized. There is still much to do, but I feel better prepared to tackle things now.

I even made a pot of beef stew today. It’s not my Auntie’s (she makes the best!) but it was good and Kevin was happy.

I suppose I need to start thinking about Thanksgiving and what pies I am going to make this year. Did I tell y’all we are doing something totally different this year? We (the whole fam) are going out to eat for Thanksgiving. I’m glad about this just because life has been so hectic and crazy I don’t think I could concentrate properly on all it takes to prepare for a Thanksgiving feast. So, this year we will all relax and let someone else do the cooking. But, pies we shall make!

My cold is getting better, slowly but surely. I still have much congestion, but I’m so much more functional and I’m sleeping better at night.

Well, I’m off to watch House. (Yay for cable!!! I’ve missed you so!!)

Here is a  treat to end this post with:

I’m so happy that I got to go to church today! I missed the last two Sundays because I was sick and that was terrible! I’ve never missed two weeks in a row before. So good to be back;-)

I’m still sick, but on the mend. I sound terrible and I am still pretty congested, but I’m improving every day, so that’s a happy! I feel like I’ve been sick forever and it’s totally been interfering with life.

I fell asleep during the Steelers/Bengals game this afternoon. Does that mean I can pretend the game did not take place?

Went to Walmart today. Going to experiment with decorating  my window seat.

The promise of more pics still stands! Perhaps tomorrow?

Got cable/internet/phone today!

Did not get windows yet.

Ate salad bar at the place for smiles;-)

Saw A Christmas Carol at the theatre tonight. Very well done. Somewhat dark, and also at times hilarious. An excellent take on a wonderful classic.

Successful Walmart trip. Saw friends of awe!

Eating pie and playing Yahtzee with the Auntie & Uncle of many names!!

See you tomorrow!

Dude, seriously, I’m so behind on life.

We are like halfway through November almost and I keep thinking it’s still October!

Last night I had to ask Kevin when Thanksgiving is.

I’m so off my game right now.

I feel like I haven’t seen anyone or done anything in a million years.

Although, you must admit, I did manage to throw you all a nice photo yesterday, right? That’s something!

Today, I’m going to continue to try to get the new house in order. This means more stuff to organize, put away, decorate. Also, I think I need to do laundry again!

Tomorrow the *windows will finally be installed! I am so happy about this. They’ve been sitting in the corner by the front door all week and I’ll be so happy to get them in so that I can finally get all my windows properly blinded & curtained.

Also, tomorrow the cable guy is coming!!! It’s been a quiet week here without phone/cable/internet. (Thank God for the free random Wi-Fi that’s floating around our neighborhood) I can live just fine without tv, but it makes me feel disconnected from the outside world. Especially now that we live further out.

I think that’s about all for today. Much to do! Also, for those wondering…I’m still coughing and congested, but getting better every day!

*Note: This does not mean we’ve been living in a window-less house;-) We have windows, we are just getting new ones!