WW: Lost TWO..... but now we have a new ONE!!!

 

Since I have been so bad about blogging this past year (or two...oops!!), there are many things that I haven't chronicled on here; so I'm trying to go back and "catch up" per se.  What better DAY to start, than on "WORDFUL WEDNESDAY"..  where I do feel so guilty about using too many words!!!

Anyway, over this past year, we lost BOTH of our canine babies...  :-(  We lost Eddie in June 2011 to a brain tumor (he was 13) and Daisy in December 2011 to cancer all over her body (she was 18); and  I was with each of them as they took their final breaths and made their way to the "Rainbow Bridge".

We were devestated....  BOTH of them gone within 6 months of each other...  all that we have is their ashes and a ton of pictures!!

After they were both gone I thought I could NEVER have another dog again.  I could NEVER love another dog again and could NEVER handle the heartbreak of losing another dog again.  Well, as time went on....  months and months went by and I started to feel the tugging at my heart.  The kids wanted another dog and I finally felt ready to open my heart to another pup!!!

So, we are now..................

We decided that this time we would adopt a dog that really needed a good home.  We looked for a little bit, but once we "met" Winnie we knew she was the one!!!

She is a 3-year old Black & Tan Coonhound....  unfortunately she came from a BAD situation so she is very timid and skittish!! 

The kids just adore her and we are so happy to have a new "canine companion"!!!

Give Me Your Best Shot - PSF... Ice Skating in Florida (in shorts)

Since we don't get too much cold and definitely no snow here in Florida, the kids don't get a chance to do those fun super cold/snow activities (sledding, ice skating, snow ball fights etc...).
Luckily, the local university sets up a really cool event for the whole family to do alot of that; and this year I took all of the kids to try ice skating and (faux) ice sledding.


Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

It was rainy and chilly that day, but it didn't stop Ethan and Joseph from wearing shorts.... ;-)

.

They were so excited to get their skates on and get on that ice.....

.

Ethan and Joseph picked it up right away....

And both got moving pretty fast....

.

But CJ and Angie were a little wobbly....

.

They had a GREAT time.... repeatedly telling me it was "the best day ever".... and that makes me feel good!!!

It's Almost That Time of Year.............

.... when the boys go to their Dad's house for the month....

Every July, they spend the whole month with him. And while the first few days (maybe the first week) are nice and quiet, after that I am serioulsy BORED and missing them terribly!!!

Don't get me wrong, Angie is lots of fun and she does keep me busy.... but still, the house is just too quiet.... :-(

So, I'm going to have a great weekend with the kids and enjoy every minute of it..... and try to get lots of crazy going on, so that I will be ready for the quiet!! (does that even make since)

Two Thumbs

My Uncle Will is one of the most positive people I know (besides you, of course, DAD); one who I can always rely on to give a good pep talk. I remember as a little girl, going to visit him in Chicago, he would listen to Zig Ziglar in the car.... and have me listen to the cassettes as I was going to sleep!!

I wish I could've held on to all that I heard, but I do take pride in that I try to be as positive as I can for the most part (even when Joseph is punished in is his room....laying on his bed kicking and SCREAMING as loud as he can)!!

A couple of weeks ago, on his last night in town, we had the special treat of having him spend the night with us!! While here, he taught us a little "diddy" (that the kids made their own) for when we are feeling down.

Since I can't sing it to you (and you are thankful for that, trust me!!), try to imagine your own tune for it:

"Two thumbs, two thumbs, two thumbs.... you cross them like this...."

".... and look at what happens------ THIS"

Try it.... you can't stop the smile!!!!


Here's to a happy and positive day for you all!!!

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas......

Oh how I love this time of year...... I know it is extra busy and it doesn't always bring out the best in people (which I've never understood); but I just love the spirit of the season!!!

We have the lights up on the house, the house decorated, tree up and decorated, most of the presents bought and wrapped and my Christmas cards out..... awwww..... just 2 or 3 gifts and I am D-O-N-E....well, done shopping!! I do have to do my baking.... but I will do that next week... and honestly that is one of my favorite holiday traditions-- reminds me of my mom!!! ;-)

My grandmother comes next week and we are having our big Christmas Eve dinner (which is a tradition in Joe's family) here this year.... so we have lots of planning left to do.... but you know what... I don't care.... It's beginning to look alot like Christmas------ BRING IT ON!!!

WW- 3 and 4 Generations

First off, I wanted to share with you, CJ's blog...... he has been watching and reading as I blog for a while now; and is so excited to be writing his own!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE head over and say hello and welcome..... and maybe you could even "follow" him, as he checks that every day!!!

Now, onto my Wordful Wednesday..... I have always been very family oriented. I love to spend as much time as I can with as much family as I can. Since my mom died, my dad and I have become much closer. My dad's dad is also still alive and we are all very close with him (Papou - greek for grandfather) too.
This past Sunday, we had a pool party at my Dad's house with lots of family..... and we got our "generations" pictures taken!!!

3 Generations (my dad, me and Papou)

and

4 Generations (me, my dad, my uncle, my Papou and the kids)

For more Wordful Wednesday's, head over to Angie's Seven Clown Circus...... oh and remember to please go say hello to CJ!!