PICK YOUR FAVORITE VALENTINE'S DAY RESULTS!

First of all-

Thank you all so much for playing along.

Let's get to it!

#1- WINE & ROSES

Sandi-wants some alone time at the table to drink juice out of her wine glass-hmmm..Maybe she could come really early--or really late. Jane-loves the setting but will need a hoist to get up from her seat...any volunteers?, Nancy-doesn't want a boost up-wants me to raise the table!, Linda/LifeJournal-deserting MA to sit here, Lorrie-had to play paper/scissors/rock to make her choice, Missy the wino-here for the wine-can't wait to see her paintings after the wine intake, Laurie-bringing her homemade wine-FatCat.HappyDog (yep-that's the name of her wine You will notice she is sitting right next to the designated wino), Karen, Connie, & Pam S.

#2-HEART OF ROSES

A smaller sweet group of ladies-

Amy/ToodyGoo-wants to bring her Cockapoo, Sadie, as a little girlfriend for Scruffy-sadly, Scruffy wouldn't know what to do with a girlfriend if he had one---thank the vet for that!  Marilyn/MountainTop-Really like Table#4 but thought it looked like it was set for a Queen and wasn't sure if she knew which utensils to use at any given time.  So-here she is-safe at #2!  Also here- LisaK, Ellen and Kelly.

#3-TULIPS TO LOVE

Penny, MadSnapper-wants to steal the quilt and asked for hand sanitizer-guess I won't tell her she will be using a port-a-potty for the sanitizing! Ginny, PattyMcDonald-Wants a cushion for the bench...I will get right on whipping one up, Melanie, TerriD-says she is TAKING the quilt with her-I am tacking it to the table so she will need pliers and I will catch her before she frees it, Lynne, Vee, Carla, and my dear Gert.

#4-PINK AND WHITE ALL OVER

Ron-the Cocktail King-thinks it is the classic table, bj missed the fact that Ron was here,  Rose, Doris, DonnaC, Lynda

#5-TULIPS AND POLKA DOTS

Debra/SheWhoSeeks, Denise, Theresa, Julie, Judy/NorthOra, Kim/NutBrown, Kris, Jack & Sherry-our travelers enjoying the Sweet Warm South, Jan/LowCarb, Sandie/Chatty, Jeanie, Pat, bj, & Connie-thinks all Valentine's Day tables should be for two-but guess she will put up with the rest of you.

#6- VALENTINE'S DAY? CHECK!

Diane, Dawn, MA, bobbie-pink makes her barf so please DO NOT WEAR PINK at this table or risk getting puked on, Jettie-who MIGHT behave herself for once, Jan, Jane, Nonie, BillieJo-NOT romantic-but don't tell her hubby-guess she has been fooling him for years. AND Buttercup

AND KATHY-Sorry I forgot you- you can sit at the head of the table.

AND MEVELY!  Wow- Not a good day here.  lol

AND HAPPY ONE! Missed her, too.

Not a great day at table#6!

#7-PINK & GOLD

Linda/Life&Linda-set a very similar table last year, Pam K, Sue/PearTreeFarm-bringing a sweetie-hope her hubby knows, Leena, Bless, Michele, Ann-afraid she will slop on the table. It's okay Ann-I have a LOT of grandchildren so I am used to messes!

SO-there you have it-

Another Pick Your Favorite results.

I apologize for anyone I missed.

I go back and forth from FB responses to comments on the blog, to emails so I sometimes miss someone.

If I missed you-PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

I wanted to get this done before 

VALENTINE'S DAY 

but I will still be away for a while.

We are in a new place of life after losing my brother-in-law, Steve.  So, bear with me for a bit.

Love you all and 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

See you soon!

RIP STEVE KOSMOSKI- YOUR EARTHLY TRIAL IS OVER

 This afternoon

my dear brother-in-law,

Steve Kosmoski

passed peacefully 

from this world to the next.

He is beyond all pain and sorrow

and, if you are a believer like me,

I believe he has entered a grand new world

called Heaven.

Steve is the oldest son in the middle,

John is the middle son, on the left,

Paul is the 'baby' on the right.

They are all 18 months apart.

That picture was taken just after John

was declared cancer free after his

third bout with cancer.

They also have an older sister

that lives in New York.

John and Steve were going out to see her

last Fall but never got to make the trip.

Please keep his wife, Carol,

in your prayers as she walks

the new path she finds herself on.

Widowhood is not easy.

She is going to miss her constant companion

and the love of her life.

Thank you all for all of your prayers

and well wishes and healing thoughts.

They are much appreciated and 

I love you for taking the time to 

visit here and leave your comments.

I will be taking a few days away

from blogging but will be back soon.

Love to all of you~

REMEMBERING MY BROTHER, CHARLIE-----MISS YOU EVERY DAY

 NINE YEARS AGO TODAY

my brother, Charlie,

walked into the hospital ER

because he wasn't feeling well.

On February 5th,  2013,

 4:04 pm he left the hospital.

He didn't leave the way we hoped,

nor the way we expected.

He went to a different home

than the one he left that last Tuesday.

He developed a very rare cancer

that affects less than 1% of

cancer patients.  It is fast moving

and there is less than a 1% chance

of survival.

I  struggled trying to figure

out why this has happened.

Then a peaceful thought came to me.

Our little granddaughter,

Anna Bella, 

needed an Uncle

to keep her company.

A great-uncle.

Great in more ways than one.

Wasn't he a cute little boy?

We knew that last morning that his

time to be with us was to be

short-lived.

They put him on a morphine drip

and he gently drifted away

without pain.

What you don't know about

my brother is that he was a 

joker-He loved to make

people laugh.

He was the "smiliest" person

I ever knew and he

dearly loved a good joke.

You know, even in moments of 

blinding pain there are

sparks of laughter,

After we said our good-byes and 

gave him permission to go "home",

we were all sobbing.

I told him: "You are so, so loved here

and Mom & Dad

and our grandparents and 

uncles and cousins and family

are all waiting for you-waiting to

welcome you to Heaven".

My sister-in-law added...

"And Snow White".

What? I asked.

Maybe you read a different

Bible than I do cuz I don't

think Snow White is in Heaven.

Everyone in the room erupted

in laughter.

In the burst of laughter

my brother, Charlie,

took his last breath of

life on this Earth.

We knew then that he 

was free to go because

in spite of our sadness

there was one last smile for him.

I'm betting that right now,

up in Heaven,

he is setting our little Anna Bella

up to some mischief

just like  I my father used to 

set him up.

He passed so-so peacefully,

with nary a complaint.

You did good, Charlie,

very, very good.

Now I feel like I have a 

GUARDIAN ANGEL

that watches over me.

As a family, we have moved on,

walking different paths than the ones 

we were on and that is okay.

Happy memories keep us company

on those days when we mourn

our earthly loss.

Take a moment today to 

tell someone you love them.

If there are rifts in your family,

mend them while you have time

for tomorrow is never guaranteed

and there are no "do-overs"

when death comes to visit.

Have a wonderful, blessed day.

I hope YOU have a 

GUARDIAN ANGEL

in your life!

As I write this, my hubby's brother,

STEVE

is drifting towards heaven.

Please pray for a peaceful passing 

for him and comfort for his wife, Carol,

and siblings.

ps.  Snow White?  She was Charlie's cat.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND HIS WIFE AND ALSO MY SON-IN-LAW JASON.

My son-in-law, Jason,

is fighting the good fight

against brain cancer.

He has very aggressive chemo

which takes it toll.

He is a trooper and

and a fighter.

Please pray for him,

his wife (my daughter Mindy)

and his three children.

You can read the original post here.

My brother-in-law, Steve,

and his wife, Carol, are home 

in Wisconsin now.

You can read the original post here

Please continue to send up

prayers, well-wishes and 

healing thoughts for them

as he fights cancer that

has metastasized.

He has two grown sons and one

sweet grandchild, Ollie.

As many of you know,

my hubby has had three bouts of cancer.

We know the battle!

All prayers, well wishes and 

healing thoughts accepted and welcomed.

JANUARY PICK YOUR TABLE RESULTS...DON'T GET YOUR UNDIES IN A BUNDLE BECAUSE I MIGHT HAVE PICKED ON YOU

 Well,

Here we are.

Ready to see the results and who your

table mates will be?

#1-WOODLAND PARTY

Pam S-is coming but has to sit in the corner if she is still sick.  Leena -coming because she thinks there are BURRITOS on the table.I didn't have the heart to tell her I think those are rolled napkins.bobbie-the critters won her over,  Missy-who has a real bear visiting her yard and eating her bird food, Jeanie, Jenn & Sandra/Dinner@8

#2 JANUARY BLUES- SPRING IS COMING

DONNA-On Team Spring, Mad Snapper-needs clothing to attend, Hootin'Annie, Ginny, Nonie-um-she is onto something about eating animals-?, mxtodes, Roxy-wants to know what time to be there-I KNOW it is not because she wants to have a couple snorts before the party starts, Melanie, Theresa, Marilyn/Mountaintop

#3-HELLO SNOWFLAKE

Dear Gert, Amy/ToodyGooShoes, Kitty, Sandie/Chatty, Debra-Wants champagne-and keep it coming, Jack & Sherry-my sweet RV travelers, MA, Mevely, Lea, Nellie, HappyOne, Billie Jo, Julie, bj and Debbie-Dabble

#4-BLACK AND WHITE ALL OVER

What the What Couldn't believe bj didn't sit here- Penny, Pat, Jan/Jan'sJourney, Nil, GrammyGrits, Laura, Ann-will remain sober as long as I don't serve alcohol-after that all bets are off. Terri D, Vee, Sheila, Lorrie, Linda/LifeJournal, Sweet Lynne, Carla, JennyThePirate-will NOT be drunk because she is a teetotaler. We need to hook her up with Ron...just saying....he has been complaining about hangovers.

#5-JUST SO SIMPLE AND SWEET

Betsy/Estelle's, Diane, Rita, Doris, Tom-says he is a sweet and simple guy...hmmm..we shall see!, Kim/Exquisitely-Already complaining about the chairs, Judy-coming in her pj's-at least I hope she has them on..not sure, Susan/Flutterbys, 

#6-WOOD YOU LIKE TO SIT HERE?

Brenda, Ron The Cocktail King-go see JennyThePirate-she has ZERO hangovers,Cecilia-promising she WON'T get drunk-but that could go South sitting next to Ron, Linda/Life&Linda-will keep the table classy-and water down the drinks, Betsy, Michele, Sandi-wants to know if I cut down a tree for the chargers--ummm..Sandi, my sweet friend...have you ever gone to Hobby Lobby-they're there...promise...

#7-OH DEAR DEER DEAR

Seated here: Liz, Kris-who could use a drink after the week she has had, Polly-says she WILL be sober-not sure if that has been a problem in her past..um....., Bless & Jan/LowCarb

So-there you have it.

We have wrapped up January's table choices.

If I missed anyone- I apologize.  I do this

late at night-sitting up and trying to make sure I get

 everyone in.  

Let me know if I missed your name 

so I can make fun of you, too.

Will see you soon!

Will also start working on a 

VALENTINE'S DAY TABLE.

PRAYERS FOR A SPECIAL FAMILY MEMBER

 I am posting this to ask

for prayers for a special family member.

I grabbed this pic from FB so it is not the best.

Steve & Carol

are missionaries that have been

traveling south for many, many years

to minister to people.

They are some of the happiest people

I know and I am blessed to have

them in my family.

For the past several years

they have gone to Mexico

to help build churches and other buildings

and start ministries there.

Steve became an ordained pastor late in life.

They have the biggest hearts of anyone 

I know.

Steve has been diagnosed with cancer

that has metastasized.

He is very ill at this point

and needs a miracle.

Barring a miracle,

please pray for peace and healing

in his wife's heart and soul

and pray for a smooth transition 

from this earthly life to his heavenly home.

They have a faith-filled marriage

but that doesn't make this process any easier.

Please feel free to put this on

any and all prayer chains. 

Thank you-

If you are not a pray-er,

please send well-wishes and 

healing thoughts their way.

PICK YOUR FAVORITE JANUARY TABLE--NO DRUNKS ALLOWED!

 The reason for the 

NO DRUNKS ALLOWED?

I ran into someone the other day

that said they were still

HUNG OVER FROM NEW YEAR'S EVE!

Seriously?

Personally, I can't imagine.

I "think" they meant that they were just

exhausted after the holidays---but--

who knows!!

So- here we go.

It's January-  a "downer" for some of us.

But---CHEER UP!!!!

You've been invited to a wonderful dinner

with a good friend.

You would put on a great looking outfit

and pick which table to sit at~

Ready?

TABLE #1

WOODLAND-PARTY ANIMALS INVITED

TABLE #2

JANUARY BLUES- SPRING IS COMING

TABLE #3

HELLO SNOWFLAKE! 

TABLE #4

BLACK & WHITE ALL OVER

TABLE #5

JUST SO SIMPLE AND SWEET

TABLE #6

WOOD YOU LIKE TO SIT HERE?

TABLE #7

OH DEAR DEER, DEAR

You know the routine.

Pick ONE--YES ONE--table

to plunk your butt at.

No complaints allowed!

And DON'T ask me what's 

ON THE MENU

because it is NOT my party!

Got it?

As you know- I don't like winter

SO

You will see me immediately 

when you get there......

I'll be the one with the frozen expression!

A SUNDAY PRAYER REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL BLOGGER

 Many of you know our

Ricki Jill Treleaven.

Her blog is 

The Bookish Dilettante

She has always given of herself

to all of us in many ways.

She has shared her book reviews,

her artwork,

her travels,

her family

and her sweet self.

Sadly, she has been hit with that

horrible word

CANCER.

She has breast cancer.

Even though she has breast cancer

it does not define her.

She posted about it on her blog 

but said she will do 

NO MORE POSTS ABOUT IT

until she rings the bell when she

finishes treatment.

Here is what she posted:

Right before Thanksgiving, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It required quite a lot of diagnostic testing, and I had my first chemo treatment on December 27th.  My prognosis is very good because it was caught early.  I will not be blogging about it at all because cancer does not define who I am.  It will, however, limit my activities because my immune system is being destroyed.  BUT I have fun things planned to do at home, and since all other activities (in person art classes, all travel, DAR, sorority functions, and church) are completely off limits, I will be spending more time blogging.  The only other time I will blog about cancer is when I get to ring the bell after my last treatment.  

She knows that I am doing this post

so feel free to leave her a message here.

She just does not want her blog

flooded with anything to do with

CANCER.

So, all you praying people know what to do.

Thank you all!

~Sending you MY love~

If you are not a pray-er, then

please send well-wishes and 

healing thoughts and vibes her way.

FRIDAY FUNNIES-STEPPING OUT OF THE SHOWER

 At one point,

when I first started blogging,

I did a quite a few 

'FUNNY POSTS'-

at least I thought they were funny.

Because I am trying to 

keep to somewhat of a schedule

I thought 

FRIDAY FUNNIES

might keep me on track.

These posts are mostly nonsense.

Seeing the humor in the 

little daily things in life

that happen to everyone me.

A few years ago my little 

SWEETCHEEKS, age 3-1/2,

was peeking through the 

bathroom door just as I was

stepping out of the shower.

I ask-

Who's there?

The door cracks open

a bit wider.

Guess who?!?!

Me:  What are you doing?

 SC: I'm juss' whatching yohu, Nana..

I seen yohu like thaht

 beforah, yohu know!

Yes! I know!

SC:Nana?

Yes, honey?

You knhow whut?

What?

Yohu luuk a lot bettah

wiffth yohurh clothes on.

Thank you!(sarcastically)

Yohr'er wehlcome (sincerely)

Lord, I think I am finally getting it.

Remember the generation that

said kids were to be seen

and not heard?

Yeah...

NOW I get it!

And there you have it.

Moral: Never undress in front of someone

that does not know how to lie to your face.

And this is what she looks like today-

AND she still won't lie to my face-

   So- What do you think?

More of these little tidbits from daily life?

This is an old "funny"

but many of them will be much newer.

Thanks for following along.

Love my fellow bloggers and friends.