What a Wonderful World

Aahh...Life sure is great. What prompts this new outlook on life? I just love the months of Nov. and Dec. Besides summer vacation, they are my favorite months of the year. I love fall, I love holidays, I love my 3 favorite teams. Now I know the Colts and Buckeyes have been in full swing for a couple of months now, but today my Lady Wildcats joined them, making my joy complete. The only mar on this joy is that for some reason tonights opening game was not covered on the radio. I was all ready. I had the radio in the living room beside my favorite chair and nothing but mood music met me. I have already e-mailed the station and the announcer who usually attends the games to broadcast to find out how this oversight occured.
Below is a picture of this year's team. I have big expectations for this team. I believe they are the "ONE" making this year that all 3 of my teams will end their seasons as champions.














Here you have my man Troy Smith with the classiest coach around Jim Tressel. What a team they make. The Buckeyes have made me super proud this season. That big Michigan battle is just 3 games away....GO BUCKS!!!







Then there's my other favorite duo, Peyton and Tony. What a class act they both are. Sunday afternoons aren't complete without my Colts.






So, you must be asking, "Is she crazy?" Is this all that's making her happy? No, it's not the only thing. Like I said, I love these next 2 months. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas. The traditions with family that I have during these two holidays are some of my favorite moments of the year. I am eager to enjoy them again this year. I can't wait to decorate for Christmas. My house looks so cool at Christmas time. I'm actually decorating next weekend. It's my only free weekend before Thanksgiving and I don't want to wait till the week after. That's just not long enough to enjoy!

As we enter into this busy season, I hope everyone takes a moment to really savor and enjoy it. It doesn't get much better!

Odd and Ends

Well, here it is a fine blustery Sat. morning and I thought I might take the time to blog. Sadly, I don't really have much to say. I have been sick for almost 2 weeks which is starting to get really old. Have I been to a Dr.? Of course not, you silly nilly. I don't do doctors. Much to the frustration of all my friends and family who care about me. I do think I am slowly returning to normal. Thursday and Friday were FAll Break so that came at a great time. I've gotten alot of rest which is my way of saying I've been EXTREMELY lazy! Actually it rained solid both days, so I couldn't have been productive if I'd wanted to. Now today, the rain is gone and the sun is shining, but the wind is blowing 40 mph so I'm not sure how productive raking leaves would be on a day like today. Maybe the wind will just blow all the leaves away and I won't have to rake. Wishful thinking... Went to see Flicka last night. It was a very sweet, wholesome movie. I cried and laughed. I enjoyed my man Tim McGraw although I don't think he'll be nominated for an oscar anytime soon. Let's see, what else is new...Well, my car seems to be running well. That's good news. I've sat here this morning paying bills and going over my budget. Doesn't look like I'm going to be rich anytime soon, but that's okay. My mind is always trying to think of some get quick rich scheme. I have some people trying to talk me into being a Mary Kay consultant. It's tempting. The profit on sales is quite phenominal, but my Creative Memories fiasco has me a little gun shy. Well, I need to wrap this up. I'm sitting here watching the leaves swirl around outside. I think some are blowing away, but some are just relocating in my yard.

Hodge Podge

Hi everybody! I know it's been awhile. I must admit I am struggling with the blog. I'm not motivated to post, read or comment. I hope it's just a phase because I miss my more consistent contact with all of you. I have sensed that this seems to be a trend with many. Many of my faithful reads havn't posted in weeks even months. Maybe it's just the time of year. Well, I titled this blog Hodge Podge because that's what it's going to be. There is no specific topic, just many random thoughts.

First, I would like to say that we were blessed with Miss Anon at ladies night this week. This was her first appearance. I had to take this picture because my little dog Sandy has a special honing beacon that lets her know who doesn't really like her. She then makes it her mission to lick them into submission. Miss Anon doesn't really care for dogs, but she finally allowed Sandy to lay on her lap. This was definitly picture worthy. As you can see her identity is still secure.



Staying with the ladies night theme, we are moving this Thursday to Lynn's house at 6:30 for a Mary Kay party. If you show up here, it will be dark, but Sandy will be here to keep you company. Those of you reading may want to call any that you know don't actually read the blog (I'm thinking mainly Jill).

Moving on...My little gem of a car is feeling like more of a lemon at the moment. In the last week I have put over $600.00 into my little car. I'm trying not to be negative, but I'd love to have a word with Dave Ramsey right about now. It would go something like, "New Cars Rule!" My dad is encouraging me that in the end I will still come out ahead and hopefully this will be all I'll have to do for quite some time, but I'm not feeling very optimistic tonight. Pessimistic maybe.

I'm not feeling well. My stomach is revolting and has been for 3 days. Today it is worse, but I think it's due to stress over the car. I think I might have a bug of some sort. Anyway, not so fun.

Had a SUPER time with my little sis this weekend. It was too short, but I enjoyed it immensely. I miss her.

School is still REALLY good! I'm having a great year and I'm so thankful.

The diet is horrible. I feel very much like a failure right now. Don't know how to fix it. Although with all my trips to the bathroom today, I will probably be down a few pounds in the morning. ;)

I am EXTREMELY excited for basketball to start. I know it's going to be a great season! Go KATS!!

Well, I think that's all for now. I'm feeling a little shivery so I'm gonna go burrow down in a blanket and watch some TV. Maybe relaxing will help.

Have a good week All!

Grate Reunion~ Take 2!

This past weekend a weird phenominon happened. We had a second Grate Reunion. This was a small intimate gathering that spun out of control. My great Aunt Ova (Uncle Bill and Cousin Colleen) were unable to attend the original reunion. They live in northern Michigan which makes for a long hike. This past weekend, they were making a trip to Marion to visit with my great Aunt Eva (Ova's sister). So, they invited little brother George (Violet and a few of their children) to come up as well. Mom offered to host a dinner Sat. for all (approximately 16-20 people). By the time the actual weekend arrived the number had climbed to 42!! Now this is almost as many as the original reunion! I was able to spend time with family this weekend that I hadn't seen in 20 years or more. A few that I don't think I had ever met. It was such a neat day. We all gathered at Mom and Dad's at 1:00 for a huge buffet style dinner with people eating everywhere you looked. The best part for me was after dinner when we all gathered in the living room and had our own version of the Gaither Homecoming. My family is very musical with many musicians and even more vocalist. Cousin Bev played keyboard, Aunt Violet played Steel Guitar, Cousin Mike played the harmonica and Aunt Eva played guitar. They rest of us joined our voices in a beautiful harmony singing old time favorited such as "I'll Fly Away, Amazing Grace, Precious Lord, Take my Hand, The Blood Will Never Lose It's Power, Have a Little Talk with Jesus, and He's Still Working on Me!" I fought tears more than once as I looked around the room at people I love so much and realized how blessed I am to come from this family. This was an event that in all reality might never happen again, and I am so glad I decided to ditch the IWU Homecoming so I could be a part of it. Sadly, the blogger system is giving me fits and I am having trouble getting the rest of my pictures to upload. The pictures below are mainly of the eating and visiting. I have pictures of the singspiration that will have to come later.



Cousins Jenny and Bonnie and Aunt Donna



Cousins Colleen, Georgene and Bev
Jenny's husband, Aunt Violet and Uncle Bill



Aunt Eva, Aunt Ova, and Grandma Grate catch up after dinner.
Elijah's proud of his game day t-shirt!



Cousin Sean is a senior and a talented Soccer player. He's being recruited by many Big 10 schools. I'm hoping he doesn't go with Michigan or Michigan State. Yuck! Austin and Ashley belong to Cousin Bev. Ashley is a Sophomore at Marshal Universtiy in Huntington, West Virginia. She was an extra in the upcoming Matthew McConaughey movie about a sports team from Marshal that was killed in a plane crash. Ashley actually saw Matthew in person!!! She said he was at their football game the other night but she had decided to stay home. Her friend got up close pictures of him! I was in awe!!! I told her that he was actually dating a good friend of mine, Missy. I don't think she believed me though. :)


And of course, no family weekend is complete without a picture with my Sis!

Just a note: Ladies night is back on for Thursday at 7:00! :)

My Weekend Continued...

I had to do two posts because it wouldn't allow me to upload all these photos. Saturday we were a Buckeye family in preperation for the big game! Sue didn't participate, but we didn't hold it against her.

Sue plays games with Emmy and Zeke. Check out the crossed legs. She cracks me up. I wonder how old she'll be before she realizes she shouldn't run around naked. :)
I had to take this pictures because Piper the dog is too cute watching the kids play a game of Chutes and Ladders. He is one cute puppy. Sue and I both would have taken him home in a heartbeat.
Zeke and Sue
Emmy, Aunt Kelley, Piper and Elijah are ready for the game. Love the red Ohio State hair, Elijah!
Aunt Kelley with her little man, Zeke.
Holly with Emmy and Elijah. This was supposed to be an Ohio State is Number 1 picture, but Emmy looks confused by Elijah's new hair do.

I had a great weekend. Thanks for having me Holly. The kids were wonderful and I came home feeling very full...of love that is. Love you all lots!

My Heart is Full...

My heart is full tonight and this little guy is responsible. He had a little help from his siblings, but Aunt Kelley hadn't seen Zeke since May and she was having some serious withdrawl. I was so worried that he wouldn't warm up to me since it had been so long, but it didn't take him any time at all. He dished out the lovin' and made this aunt very happy. Eastown was having it's annual street fair this weekend so we went over to check it out. Jason's church had a booth. It was pretty cool. I think the weather scared some people away, but it was still neat. For lunch we went to Yesterdog's. It's a cool hot dog place. These pictures were taken there.
Sue and Elijah waiting for their dogs.
Emmy and Aunt Kelley are the Buckeye girls!
Jason and Zeke are so cute together. I love this picture!