Like Mother Like Daughter

I had to smile today! I was looking at some old pictures from our cruise, when I came upon this photo....

And here comes the LAUGH.... My toe and Christy's toe bend in the same way! Like Mother like Daughter!

Angel Meets Santa

Angel and I went on a quest and found SANTA!

omg, she is so excited! Although she has everything she needs and wants, she just had to see the Jolly old elf!

An Afternoon with Friends!

An afternoon with friends is always nice, however this one was extra special.
We were all invited over to Steve's to help him decorate his tree!
What a nice time.... lots and lots of laughs and a bit of holiday spirit...
OMG, can we do this again tomorrow??
Thanks to all the hubbies behind the camera for taking the pictures!

THREAD!

Everything seemed so HARD today! At work my computer just would not co-operate. I had to reboot more then a couple times! I could not get voicemail, my customers were unavailable, even the dogs seemed extra needy! Then I went to the bank (inside a grocery store) this evening and it was PACKED, like they were giving food away. I had to park as far away as I think I ever have. Then it all makes sense, the teller...tells me its a FULL MOON!

ahhhh.... I realize, its not me...its the poser of the universe! I get home and I meet the UPS man and he brings my LONG AWAITED THREAD!!! I am so excited about this! You see I am creating gifts, and I was in need of more thread!

So although I am still experiencing lots of technical issues...(and YES I had to reboot yet again to upload my images and post my blog.)

However...I have thread and I can slowly make (sew) my way towards Christmas!

The First Snow!

Angel's first experience with SNOW!

Hopefully there will be MUCH MORE to enjoy this winter!

The snowy nose makes me smile!

Slowing Down to Visit Friends

With Thanksgiving just days away, everyone is rushing around. Shopping, traveling, cooking, cleaning and so much more. However today I was blessed with a moment in time to slow down and forget the hustle bustle of the days ahead, to spend time with some work friends! It was great to see some friends that have moved to other places and I have missed for a while, as well as friends I work with day to day. We had lots of laughs, and stories to tell. Some catching up and some networking too. It was great that someone took the annotative to put the event together! I cant wait to do it again!

Sweet, Quiet, Joy!

My joy came tonight with my husband in in a quiet gentle way. We relaced in the hot tub after sunset, and talked about the up coming holidays, the house, and the family. It we nice to relax and enjoy eachother's company. Sometimes the quiet stillness brings the sweetest joy!

My "Other" Dream Comes True

Wish us luck and SPEED! Our other house which has stood empty for nearly a year is FINALLY on the market! PRICED TO SELL! Of course this is not the best time to be selling, there are tons to choose from out there, however, we priced it low!
When you say your prayers, think of us (PLEASE!) and ask for a speedy turn over!

A Big Day Out!

I took today off to do some Christmas shopping with my pal Donna....

We hit several stores and had a nice time, and then stopped for lunch. While we sat chatting eating our burgers, Donna began to giggle. The it turned into uncontrollable laughter. With tears streaming out of her eyes she managed to tell me what she 'found" so funny. There was a man sitting nearby wearing Khakis, and the zipper was wide open. I said to her kiddingly, is there a soldier sitting on a couple duffel bags? And she again broke into laughter and cried out, MORE LIKE A BIG OLD GRIZZLY BEAR! I just could not believe this... so I got up to toss some stuff in the garbage and take a little look see for myself. Well, sure enough, she was right, the gentleman not only forgot to zip up.... but forget to put on underwear this morning. We laughed all the way out the door and to the car. It was a big day out for everyone!

For the Love of Tagging

I had a busy day today. Rushing around getting all my work errands done... well, almost (more to be done tomorrow) but it was a hectic day for sure. When I finally stopped, switched CDs in the PC from looking at working images to looking at some old tags I created, and had so much fun making! As I looked them over I could feel the joy filling within me, as I so loved making them. These are images that will never be seen by most, but I have fun making them and sharing them, and now that I am BACK into doing my newsletter (Byrne's Bytes) I imagine I will be making more soon!

Here are a couple samples of some of my favorite "blanks"

Twenty Three and Still in Love

It all began one our first date.... when I felt so comfortable that I jumped into a wading pool full of green water and captured a frog.... I knew then I must have found my prince!

Married 23 years today Jim and I are still in love.... meant to be together! Soul Mates!

I know how fortunate I am to have found the soul that competes mine to spend this lifetime with!

We have been through our ups and downs as everyone must go through... and it has made our relationship stronger. My joy is knowing that today I celebrate 23 years of marriage to a wonderful man, thankful I have found that love, a love that makes my heart leap!

I can only wish that everyone gets to love someone as much as I love my prince!

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE???

LOOK FOR MY POLL!
Look on the left to answer my poll....
I will try to put a new one in monthly.....
Join in the fun and answer!!!!

Dog Days

We went to PUPPY SCHOOL! yes we are trying a new group to see if we can have som consistancy (last place kept canceling classes)
Angel and I went and had a nice evening oout together. She met a new friend named Edna that is a 5 month old rescue. Saved by her new Mom Rose from a kill shelter in the south. Edna is a sweet little shepard mix, and as it turns out, she lives right around the corner from us!
Angel and Edna want to have some play dates, and Rose and I decided walkign together would be a great way to socialize the dogs! Rose lives on a very busy road, so if Edna learns her way over to our house and ever gets "lost" she will probably find herself on a safe road, and in a safe place..... Hope it never happens but comforting to know she will learn the lay of the land!

Playing with Dolls

I don't often get my dolls out but when I do I must admit I have fun!

I have been pondering what style cut I want and if I am ready to change back into a brunette before the holidays. I have been (like so many) enjoying the Victoria Beckham cut (you know POSH SPICE) I resist the fad until its over, and then I GOTTA HAVE IT!

So I looked at it one more time.... pulled out the scissors and my doll.... and had FUN playing with scissors. Most of the time I hate to cut.... but I must admit it is FUN to create....

Next I will go into photoshop and look at styles and colors on ME!

Motorcycle Mama!

This Harley girl is CRAZY! She takes chances like no one else!

GO CRAZY BIKER CHICK!

Bringing a smile and Joy into my life on our shopping trip!

Team Work Pays Off!

Aren't my men cuties??? Here is the Father/Son coaching Team bringing their football players to the championship! Oh its true the father portion of this sport usually (always) gets the WORST players in the league, but together they coached these boys into fine football players!
I am so proud of them.... and my son, very handsome! Makes my heart leap with joy! (Are you surprised where I found my JOY today?)

Trick or Treat!

My first trick-or-treater arrived this morning!

"Jenna Princess Warrior" stopped by before running off to the cancer center to pass out some treats!

(Shhh don't tell anyone, but I was still in my Jammies)

I think Jenna should wear this "outfit" everyday! It suits her to a Tee!!!

Jenna Princess Warrior is my HERO!!!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!!

Happy Halloween

Halloween is so much fun!

Enjoy this little video while we are out trick or treating!

Simple Pleasures

Enjoying coffee with a friend always brings joy. A surprise visitor came over, just as my pot of fresh blue mountain beans finished brewing! We sat and had a nice visit, shared stories and a couple smiles. While the coffee was just ok, the visit was wonderful!

I Found My Joy!

I DID IT! I FOUND MY JOY!

Today was a rather melancholy day for me.... I wanted it to be brighter, but it just wasn't in the cards. I thought to myself " WHERE IS MY JOY? How will I possibly blog about it???"

Then without warning it hit me!

I came in after playing with the dogs, making dinner for my family, and then chilling in the hot tub with Jim... and my screen saver was on. It is a slide show of random pictures...

puppy, family, EXTENDED FAMILY.... hair shows, work events.....Cruising friends and fun

it was like my life flashing before my eyes............

And then like a ton of bricks I felt myself smiling... and THERE! There was my JOY!

It was everything, my family, friends, plants and bugs in the yard! It was my life! And you better believe, YOU were a big part of it!

Errands Bring Delight!

I was fortunate enough today to have to run an errand during the day that took me miles from home. While I took the main highway up to Orange, I decided to take the "scenic" Merit Parkway home!

Oh My What a GREAT idea that was!

The foliage was gorgeous and it really made me feel good to see such beauty all around!

I did happen to see some deer. The colors was glorious.....

being surrounded by all that majesty and beauty makes the world just melt away!

Would have been a perfect day to hike through some of that land!

Indian Summer Sunday

What a beautiful day today was! While normally a day like today it is hard to pick only one thing that brings me joy, today is the exception! I hung out with my dear friend Jean Marie today! I have not seen her in a while so it was great to just hang out and catch up! Jean Marie has the most infectious laugh! She is so great to be around! She listens to me and lifts my spirits (I just hope I do the same for her!)

We had so much fun! I think the highlight might have been her laugh as we fed the seagulls at Vet's Park!

Our Fun Day!

I had such a nice day today! Its hard to begin to say what part brought me the most joy! I had lunch and a "day out" with Kim! We went to a nice spanish restaurant, and then did a little grocery shopping (it's always better with a friend)
Then when I got back, Christy and I went to Petco taking Angel along to get her a halloween costume.... She doesnt mind wearing it at all (yet) and I am planning on wearing out for our daily walks begining tomorrow!
Here is a little vide of Angel showing Louie her costume....
More Pictures to follow soon!

The Joys of Childhood

Ahhh this song brings me back...
Back to Josh watching.... The Elephant Show...Sharon Lois and Bram....
Singing the wonderful.... Little Bunny Foo Foo!

Wednesday Brings Smiles

Swimming is so much fun!
She can always manage to bring a smile to my face, or actually help me laugh out loud!

Now before the game began, the patio wa DRY...

no rain.... just puppy play!

A Walk in the Park

A nice trip to the dog parks is sure to make you smile!

Louie and Angel had a grand time! Louie met a guy who wanted to be his "Special Friend" while Angel finally found a cat sized dog to have some rough play with. Everyone came home extremely pooped out..... However while the dogs nap, I still have my usual chores to finish.

It was great fun and exersize... cant wait until next time!

Can You Feel the Joyful Burn?

Its true.... I still do have some muscles left inside this roly poly belly!
With the help of Laura, and my other friends... and alot of work on my part, I will be able to see them soon!
While working out take an affort on my part I give thanks to Laura who sacrifices so much of her time to help me get back into the swing of things!
Joy happens when friends help eachother through the rough spots!

Happiness is Help with cookin!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY!

What I great day I had celebrating YOUR Birthday! I enjoyed our girls' day out! You guys make me laugh so much! Lunch was great, who knows maybe the waiter will be my son in law some day. (Stranger things have happened) And painting after... PRICELESS! I cant wait to get the SUPER 7 together to show them their likenesses! Oh yes you better believe there will be a picture of that will be on the blog soon! LADIES, THANKS FOR MAKING MY DAY! and Kim, HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!

Speed Bump!

O its true! Some days are harder to get through then others!!! I think it's probably just a time we go through, to help us grow. I had a pretty bad day the other day, and it was so easy to sit around and feel sorry for myself (man that can make a day longer!) but then something happened to make me stop and say, "Don't take life so seriously!" So what happened to stop and make me laugh? My friend dropped his phone down my toilet! It was way too late to catch it! He was freaking when he had to tell me what happened.... My husband (Jim) and I just busted out laughing. Tough times, sure, they will come and go, but they are just little bumps in the road to see what our charactor true is, not what we say it is.

Thanks for bringing us joy Al!!!!

Sometimes its hard to find

Yep thats right. Today is one of those days. It's been a tough one all the way around, but I know its just for a moment, and it will be over. Still, its a beautiful day, the sun came out (althought its cold) and its blustery... I do enjoy windy days, wind is so powerful! I have managed to smile, even laugh, on this day that wasnt so joyful. Since it hasn't been a day I can easily bubble with joy, I would love to share with you a joy I had not time to tell you about before! I entered a photo conntest and my picture was pipcked to be in a book! It is so very exciting! I doubt I will ever be a "famous" photographer, but it was so cook to get the letter asking permission to use my photo! I felt just like Steve Martin in the JERK when he found his name in print (in the phone book) FAMOUS!

School Daze, School Daze!

I started school today! And there I found my joy.... it was very unexpected (for me). The first assignment was to write and post an autobiography. So looked them all over, and what a diverse group I will be attending with! And there was my joy! A young man, who has had many tough times in his life. Yet this young man of 19 seemed to be working hard to a good future, and although he had some tough times in the inner city, he always seemed to keep thing positive and focus on his future. He made me smile. Just reading it I felt proud of him. I guess I had wished I had started looking for my joy when I was a kid. Of all the people I could have spoke to today, this young man was the one that brought me joy, touched my heart and made me smile. Cant really explain why I feel so moved by him.... He might never become famous, or a super star, but somehow I know there is a special place in the universe for him. Funny...strangers can bring joy into our lives, if we let them. Try giving a stranger the time of day some time... might make you both smile.

Bad Hair Day?

Jan 4 - Every expect to find Joy in the supermarket? I did! (but I might be wicked) I had to smile as I walked around the store looking at everyone's... HAIR! I could not help myself. The comb over, the lady with the BAD perm and mulit-colored red highlights... I was so sure she thought it looked good I just had to laugh to myself..... Yep, sure made me feel better about the way MY HAIR LOOKED (gag)

Jan 3 - Happy Birthday Linda!

My Cuzzie.....My Joy. Though my Cousin is not here physically today, I know she will always be with me! Linda was by far the most giving person I have known. And while I miss her terribly I treasure all the time I had with her! Thanks for taking me to the movies when I was a kid, teaching me to sew, and showing me my worth! I reflect back on what we had and remind myself to exprience such great joy, I will also feel the loss more deeply! Dont be sad because its over, be happy because it happened!

Wednesday's Joy

Jan 2 - Today was an ordinary day. Nothing much to report I was thinking. Just work, and my group meeting. I work alone, and normally see no one during the day (hmmm Joy?) So as I reflected back on my day I asked myself.... Where was my joy? And then it hit my like a ton of bricks!!! It was my group! I met with a GROUP of people who truely care about ME! I thought of these wonderful people, many friends and felt so very fortunate to have them. They not only care about me, but I care about them! They bring me JOY! I can only hope, that I return the JOY to them! Love you guys!

Jan 2 2008

So, I came across a booklet that I had started a couple years ago. I had simply written down 1 thing that brought me joy that day. I guess it was a time in my life, when I was encouraging someone else to LOOK for something that brought them joy that day, and I decided to take a spoonful of my own medicine. Funny thing about doing this is, as you do it each day, it becomes easier to FIND that joy...no matter how bad things can be, there is always something that can bring you joy, no matter how small. And if it ever comes a time that you simply cant find joy... you could always flip the pages backward, read what brought you joy the days or years before.... and find joy all over again! That said I have decided to Look for my joy every day! I hope you can find your joy too!