Hello All

Wow it's been forever since I last posted. I don't get to read and post like I used to but I try to stop in when I can. Since my last post I have been back to the river and I finished my scrapbook for 2007. I was determined to finish and let me tell you lack of sleep this past weekend has gotten the best of me BUT I finished. Now to catch up and do 2008 and 2009.

I can't believe it's been 6 months since we had to move into my Mom's. Can I say I am thankful and grateful but it's been a long 6 months. I keep hoping and praying that we can still move before the holidays not sure I can pull it off but we are still praying. Still no word on Ray's SS. All they say when he calls or goes in person is it is still pending.

I have been on my job now almost 5 months and I never thought I would make it. I still don't like my job but I am just thankful to have one. I am hoping when my six months comes around I can post out into another department. Which will mean no phones hopefully and more money!

Several have asked about Eleni. She is doing as well as to be expected for a 16 year old. She has her days where she knows there is a light at the end of the tunnel. She has managed to keep her grades up and goes to school everyday. It's very hard for her she misses her room and her things. I am blessed to have such great understanding girls.

I am looking forward to seeing upcoming Christmas pictures of every one's home.

Donna

Great Weekend

Seems like forever since I have posted. I felt like my blog was becoming too sad and decided to not post unless I have something happy to share. This past weekend I went back to my friends Teresa's house on the river. The weather was perfect and the view from her picture window is to die for! We did some serious scrap booking this weekend. I completed 29 pages and have almost finished 2007. LOL! I'm still behind a year and some but that's ok I'm getting there. We ate home made soup and scraped away. It's so nice just getting away and leaving the stress behind even if it's just for a weekend.

This is what you see when you look out Teresa's picture window.  

This is the ping pong table we scrap book on. It's covered with scrap book stuff from top to bottom. This is Teresa and Robin taking a break.  We had a great weekend and will be going back again next month. Maybe then I can finish 07! :)

Well, here is an update on things. We are still at my Mom's which has been way too long for us and her! Still no word on Ray's SS. We are trying to hang in there and pray everyday things get better and we can move. Thanks too all of you who have stuck by me and to those who have started following my blog. I try to stop and read your blogs and comment when I can. I have been blessed with so many great blog buddies!

Donna

Happy Fall to All

Wish I had some pictures to share but I didn't take a camera with me this past weekend.  My dear friend Teresa emailed me about a week ago and invited me to her river house this past weekend. Teresa was having her Mom and the Red Hat Ladies down for a mini retreat and she invited her sister Gwen and I to come and help out. When I got there Friday they had already eaten but I did make it in time to help clean up. Then afterwards we sat outside by the fire.  There were 8 Red Hat Ladies and then Teresa and I there for the night. The weather was gorgeous! We slept with doors and windows opened as the breeze off the river knocked us all out. Most of the ladies were up very early to watch the sun rise over the river. I chose to skip this part. :) They had a quick bite of breakfast and they were off to Smithfield for lunch. The Red Hat Ladies were so sweet and such a delight to meet. It was an honor to have met each and everyone of them.

Saturday after the ladies left Teresa and I sat around and just relaxed awhile. It was so nice and once again the weather was to die for! You could just smell Fall in the air. Then later in the day we finally pulled out the scrapbook stuff. We didn't get a lot done because we were just enjoying the peaceful relaxing environment. It's definitely a great place to just get away if even for a day! We are supposed to get together again in 2 weeks. I have my finger and toes crossed I love it there and ALWAYS enjoy the company of Teresa and Gwen! There is nothing better than spending time with good friends!

My weekend was so relaxing. I think it was something I not only wanted to do but needed to do! I have been very stressed and tensed lately by the time Saturday came around I felt like my old self again. Teresa will never know how much that invitation meant to me!

Just a little update which really isn't one. Still no word on Ray's disability. I told him even if he doesn't get it I still would rather he not work. I know we need the money but I also know a full time job takes a lot out of him and I'd like to keep him around for awhile. I'm still hanging in there with my job. I don't like it but it's a job and sometimes you just have to do things you don't like to do. I have put the word out there that I am looking and have friends looking out for me. I'm just going to stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. I am so hoping we have our own place before the holidays. I guess that about sums it up for now. I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful Fall weather.

Donna

Hello Everyone

Seems as if I post less and less. I still try to read every ones posts and comment when I can. I can't believe the summer is gone and fall is fast approaching. I can only hope the new season will bring great things to me and my family. I am looking forward to the day I can post on here I am moving. I miss decorating and even cleaning. 

Eleni is doing better since school started. She still misses her own space and most of all her music. She has definitely been a great trooper through all of this and has made me proud. Jessica is also with us and been great as well. She is working more hours and helping us as well. I have been blessed with 2 wonderful beautiful girls!

You know I love all the pictures everyone posts but I am also loving the recipes. Thanks so much ladies sometimes I get tired of the same old same old. My goal is to learn how to make home made spaghetti sauce and stuffed cabbage. Please share any recipes you may have. Once again thanks to all who stop by your comments go further than you could ever imagine.

Donna

Hello Again...

I haven't posted in awhile mostly because I don't have any good news or bad news to share. It's been 4 months and we are still at my Mom's. When we moved in we thought it was going to be for just a few weeks. I had no idea those weeks would now be months. I tell myself everyday we are blessed to have a roof over our heads, food in our belly's and most of all Ray's medicine. We are lucky to have what we have when so many have nothing. I know I am appreciating the simple things in life that I once took for granted. 

Eleni has been a real trooper through all of this until the other day. She finally had her breakdown and the tears flowed. She said she just missed having her own room and her stuff. I held back the tears and looked over at Ray and could see he was also holding his back. I think that's the hardest part about all of this is seeing her so sad. I tell her what I tell myself everyday in time we will have our own place again.

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Thanks to all of you who stop by and read my blog. You will never know how much your comments and even personal emails mean. Some days those kind words go further than you think. :) I hope you all had another blessed weekend.

Donna

 

The Many Colors of Eleni

A lot of you out there have daughters do they feel the need to change there hair all of the time? Eleni asked me at the beginning of the summer could she get high lights. I told her when I had the extra money. She looks really good with them. She spent the night with a friend and called home and asked could the friends Mom put in the high lights. I thought about it and said sure. Well, they were not high lights it was straight color. Needless to say Eleni and her friend actually did one anothers hair. Eleni put a blond on her brown hair and ended up with a strawberry blond colored hair. It was so not her. When enough time passed she asked could she color it back brown. I was more than happy to help her. Unfortunately the light brown really took to her hair and made it a dark brown. I actually think I like it better dark. This is the many faces or colors should I put it of Eleni.

Eleni and her natural color hair.

Eleni with her strawberry blond hair.

Eleni after we dyed her hair. So which color do you like it?

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I didn't have a lot to write about this week. Life is the same basically. We are trying to learn to take things one day at a time. I still have my job which I'm not crazy about but I am very lucky to have one. So many people are losing so much due to the economy. They say things are getting better but I have yet to really see it. I think it's going to take this Country a long time to recover from all of this. If you didn't see Tammy's post Friday over at Country Girl at Home  then you should check it out. Even if you don't agree with her you have to give her credit for standing by her beliefs! Tammy is a real person and she doesn't change for anyone. Thank God we live in a Country where we can be and believe what we want.

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I hope everyone had a great weekend. It's been really hot here in Virginia. 

Donna

What a Wonderful Surprise

 My job ca be stressful especially with everything else going on. Last week I was having an awful day at work and 5 o'clock could not get here fast enough. I just wanted to come home and go to bed. I came home and on my bed was a package. Linda from Behind My Red Door sent me a wonderful surprise. My eyes filled with tears and heart filled with joy. I soon forgot how bad my day had been and I was smiling from ear to ear. Thanks so much Linda you are the best! They look even better in person.

Sorry for such a short post but I don't have a lot to write about this week.

Donna