Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Not that I am worthy of bestowing words of wisdom, but for what it is worth, I was thinking about all sadness and heartache happening in our world the other day. I felt helpless and guilty for going about my day while others were suffering so. And suddenly, I realized that I could do something after all. I could care for myself and my family. I could make our lives comfortable and calm. Only then, without anxiety and discouragement, could we find it within ourselves to help those who need it. Perhaps the best way? Through prayer. And understanding. Empathy. And prayer.

Have a cozy day, my friends.

Billie Jo

 

Monday Morning Coffee~Labor Day Edition

Good Monday morning, my friends! And Happy Labor Day! I hope today finds you enjoying this last long weekend of summer. Mocha and I enjoyed a few sips of coffee on the front porch before coming back in because it is a tiny bit chilly out there! Yay! Our weekend thus far has been a mix of productiveness and relaxation. 

Thank you for your kind and supportive comments on my previous post. Madison and I had a wonderful visit with my mom Saturday evening. We took her a dish of butter pecan ice cream and enjoyed talking and laughing with her and spending time with the most amazing woman I will ever know.

When we arrived, we saw the turkeys right outside her window. She said they come and visit her at the same time every day! Other happenings included Steve and Flynn enjoying some lake time while I worked on her lesson plans and received messages from all my older children sharing their days with me.

Jetskis on a busy lake for Flynn~

Decorating her home for her first fall as a married woman for Peyton~

Attending a wedding with his girlfriend for Rhett~

And relaxing with her hubby, puppy, and some cheese and crackers after a busy day at her bridal boutique for Madison~

Have a cozy day, my friends.

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Weekly Wrap Up

Hello, my friends! Happy Friday! This past week felt like fall here in Pennsylvania. We had cooler morning and evening temperatures, which translated to park visits in place of lake swimming, along with that indescribable feeling of fall in the air. You know what I mean, right?? Mornings looked like this outside my window...

 

...and I enjoyed it immensely. Our favorite meal of the week was easy and delicious! I boiled some penne pasta, drained it, and added some Bertolli Vodka Sauce, then grated some parmesan cheese to top it off. I found some leftover hamburger buns, so I made some garlic bread with them. Soooo good. A little-known fact about me? I can cook any type of pasta perfectly. It's my hidden talent. Ask my kids. 

Finally, this. Everyone has something dear to her heart, and this is mine. My dear, sweet, funny father passed from complications due to this, and now my amazing, beautiful mother is held within its grasp. According to The Alzheimer's Association,  Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms.  

It is awful, heartwrenching, and confusing because, as a caregiver once told me, you lose your loved one twice, first to the disease and then to death. Watching your parent, the person who brought you into the world, taught you, loved you, and supported you, retreat mentally into a place you cannot go is unbelievably hard. Learning as much as you can about this disease is crucial when your loved one is suffering. Education is vital. Most importantly? Love. 

Have a nice weekend to end the summer season, my friends!

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

September Is Here!

 September 1st is here!

I look forward to this day like others look forward to Memorial Day being the first day of the summer season. My season is here. It is finally acceptable for me to publically embrace my love of all things fall without worrying what people think. Not that I care, but you know!

Today I can pull out all my autumn and Halloween Tshirts, drink pumpkin spice everything from Halloween mugs, snuggle underneath cozy throws covered in leaves of red, gold, and orange, light candles after dinner filling the house with scents of pumpkin and spice, watch my entire collection of Halloween movies, and listen to my autumn playlist on full blast.

That makes me happy.

What makes you happy today, my friends?

Billie Jo