Positive Day in the Bloggosphere

Today I am participating in Positive Day, the brainchild of Diva Daughter at Dust Bunny Hostage.

This is a day when I am going to list all the wonderful things that are positive in my life.

1. I woke up this morning.

2. I woke up beside the man that I love (well I was awake for a few seconds when he kissed me goodbye (before going to work), and told me that he loved me.

3. I have 10 glorious children, 14 fabulous grand children, 3 delightful sons-in-law, 2 darling daughters-in-law, a loving father and mother, and
friends who ARE family!

4. I have a roof over my head (that's covering a lovely home), and plenty to eat (maybe too much to eat:-(, and clothes on my back.

5. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, and that Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice - making it possible for me to return to my Father in Heaven.

6. I have a mind that still works (most of the time) and I am able to learn new and interesting things each and every day.

7. I have two dogs that give me more love, than any
one person can hold.

8. I live in a free country where I can speak my mind, and vote my conscience.

9. I have running water (hot and cold), A/C, a microwave, and a side by side that has ice and water in the door. I have many other modern conveniences that make my day to day living physically easier and much more pleasant. I have Cable TV, and shelves filled with books. And a camera that captures moments in time that I want to remember. I have a computer that places the world at my fingertips.

10.I have doctors who have been able to properly diagnose my medical conditions,
and have prescribed medication that give me some relief of my pain,
treat my conditions and enable me to sleep.

11. I am able to sleep!

12. I Did I mention that I have people I love, and who love me back?

13. I have all of you, my friends and co-horts, in the wonderful land of blogdom.

So now it's your turn. What are the positives in your life?

This is my second post for today.
Scroll down for my first post!

My Child Gave Me Brain Damage

A few readers
(in response to yesterdays post)
have asked me to explain what caused my memory loss.
So if you're one of those who asked ...here's the story:

When my youngest daughter was about a week old,
I had a massive postpartum hemorrhage,
which caused a severe lack of oxygen - resulting in the memory loss.
Sometimes it's quite frustrating,
but it's a small concession, considering the alternative.

I am alive today because of the two fantastic
Polk County EMT's
(and the ambulance driver)
who responded to the 911 call...
The wonderful doctors and nurses at Lakeland Regional Medical Center...
Numerous blood transfusions
(and the selfless blood donors who made those transfusions possible) ...
My ob/gyn, who got "patched" into the ambulance
and gave the paramedics my medical history,
and then drove to the hospital
(which was not the one that he was affiliated with)
and stayed with me for hours
- throughout my emergency D & C -
and then my emergency abdominal hysterectomy.
And of course, my husbands prayers.

I was not expected to live, and at best...to be a veggie.
But instead of being a corpse or a veggie,
I'm just a FRUITCAKE!

"There, but by the grace of God, go I."
I am truly thankful.

End of story.

48 Things About Me

The Tater Tot posted this over at her place,
so I decided to play along.

48 things about me...

1. What time did you get up this morning? About 6:55.

2. How do you like your steak? Medium Well.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? It's been so long since I saw a movie at the theater, that I have no idea what I saw. But I watched Mall Cop at home a couple of weeks ago. And I plan to watch the Jane Austen Book Club on Thursday.

4. What is your favorite tv show? The Closer, Corner Gas, CSI(Vegas), Waiting for God, Last of the Summer Wine, As Time Goes By.

5. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Where my husband and children are. It would be wonderful if we could all be back in Florida. I do love Thornton and Fort Collins, Colorado - Cheyene, Wyoming - Huntsville, Alabama All the places that my children are.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Leftover Chinese.

7. What is your favorite food? OMGosh - just one favorite? I can't choose just one. Steak 'N Shake burgers and the Chili Mac, Frito Pie at Sonic, Steak Marsala at Carrabas, Avacado Gelato at Whole Foods...and I could go on and on.

8. What foods do you dislike? Liver. Celantro. Anything that's very spicy.

9. Favorite place to eat? Carrabas - love it!

10. Favorite dressing? Ken's Raspberry Walnut Vinegarette.

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Chevy Equinox.

12. What are your favorite clothes? A couple of old pairs of capris, and cotton shirts.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Oz, to see my Katie Tatie, Belgium to see Jientje. Ireland, Scotland, and England.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Depends on what's in it.

15. Where would you want to retire? See #5

16. Favorite time of day? Whenever my husband is home.

17. Where were you born? Tampa, Florida, USA

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? NONE

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? Don't know.

20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Don't know.

21. Who are you most curious about their responses back to this? Anyone who wants to share.

22. Bird watcher? Rarely see any where I'm living.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Neither, I think I'm an afternoon person.

24. Do you have any pets? 2 Dogs. George is a Pug, and Gracie is a Carolina Dog.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? My book blog is growing very rapidly, and I'm going to be having giveaways several times a week.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? Probably a veterinarian.

27. What is your best childhood memory? I don't have any. My memory got wiped out due to a "medical trauma" 19 years ago.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog - but I like kitties too. And birds, and Pot Belly Pigs, and turtles, and fish, and mice - NO SNAKES!

29. Are you married? Yep for almost 37 years.

30. Do you always wear your seatbelt? YES

31. Have you been in a car accident? Yes, neither were my fault.

32. Any pet peeves? Several. Indifference would come to mind. Lateness. Rudeness.

33. Favorite pizza toppings? Mushroom and Green Bell Pepper

34. Favorite flower? Sunflowers. Red Roses, Fuji Mums.

35. Favorite ice cream? Pistachio.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Steak'N Shake!!!

37. How many times did you fail your driver's license test? ZERO

38. From whom did you get your last email? My husband.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Hobby Lobby, Hallmark, Bath and Body Works.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Does drinking straight from the OJ carton count?

41. Like your job? Domestic Goddess , Wife and Mother? - oh my yes.

42. Do you like broccoli? Yep - with a little lemon juice and some sesame seeds.

43. What was your favorite vacation? To Florida to see family and friends.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? My husband.

45. What are you listening to right now? My husband, brushing his teeth ( with PBS - some military show - on tv.)

46. What is your favorite color? Green.

47. How many tatoos do you have? NONE!

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? None- anybody can tag along.

Be STill My Heart

THE
Ladybird World Mother
Came to my place...
Left a comment...
AND
Became a follower!
People - this is big.
I love this woman.
Go there now.
Read her posts.
Tell her that I sent you.
Oh, and don't forget to curtsy!
Geesh, seriously, I almost wet my pants,
When I saw her photo in my "followers box".
"
"
Excuse me, I'm so verklempt.
Talk amongst yourselves.
I'll give you a topic...
"Facebook is neither a face or a book."...Discuss.
"
"
"
"
"
"

Okay, I've got myself under control now.
Go over to Ladybirds.
You'll love her.
She's like buttah!

We All Have Lakefront Property Now!

This is what my mailbox looked like yesterday after it rained.

This is what my street looked like.

Guess what it's doing now?

Yep MORE RAIN!

I'm thinking of investing in a kayak so that my husband can get home tonight. LOL

In Memory of Erma

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
hile watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Water ya Doing?

Thanks to Robin at Around the Island for hosting Summer Stock Sunday!

On Tuesday - the last full day that the kids were with me...we headed over to a friends house to swim. Everyone had so much fun. We were only going to go over for a couple of hours, but ended up staying for 5 hours. The kids only took a break for about 20 minutes to have sandwiches and orange juice. The favorite game of the day, was toss the football! If you look carefully you can see the ball heading right towards Corey's hands. Hunter is waiting for his turn.

I got this sweet shot of Ethan and Eve. They really do get along very well. He is such a good big brother...always looking out for his little sister!

It's Goggle Man!

Woohoo!

The boys all had a blast posing with their knees in Corey's shoes, and then falling into the pool.

Corey - the mini man.

Catching the ball before hitting the water.

He's not gonna let go.

Bryson, Eve and Rodeo the Wonder Dog. As long as the kids are in the pool, he's watching out!

Fumble.

Jumping off the diving board.

Hey look - Bryson can walk on water.

Good catch Hunter!

Ethan caught this one.

I hope that you all enjoyed seeing these photo's. I'll be counting the months, weeks, and days...till my "summer grand kids" are back!