Thank You, A Question Answered and an Award

I am still humbled by how many people have have emailed me or left kind comments in the last week or two leading up to and after my CS visit. I still have to pinch myself sometimes. People that know me well know that I don't think it is the end all or be all in life and it is not the reason I work hard to make our house a home, but it sure was a dream come true. Thank you, thank you to all of you who have been there with me along this journey.

And I have to answer a question that has come up a lot recently. Absolutely NOT - my house isn't always as clean and neat as you see it in my photo's. We actually do LIVE here. I have most of the holiday, birthday and seasonal gatherings with our families and friends here. My dining room table is usually pulled out to it's fullest and set with the vinyl tablecloth I posted about here not my prim tablecloth and it is not set for dinner. My very big grand doggy Brady drools all over everything and sheds all over everything. My dad drops his crutches and they knock things over. My hubby spills his coffee all the way down the stairs on the way out the door (yes he knows about travel mugs - he has that in the OTHER hand - LOL) and he leaves crumbs where ever he goes. (not me though ~wink wink~) I do projects on the dining room table and or in the kitchen and leave them up for days until I finish. At any one time you will find dishes in the sink, hair in the tub, laundry piled on the bed waiting to be folded, toothpaste in the sink, my desk full of papers, and the usual chaos of normal living. BUT I don't take my camera out to share that. I figure people have their own messes and don't really tune it to see mine. Am I wrong?

And even though I LOVE and I am BLESSED to be a home maker and it is what I do best, after taking care of people ever since my first job of babysitting at age 11, I am finding that not taking care of others on a daily basis (other than DH) quite refreshing. I went from babysitting to changing bed pans in a nursing home, to nursing as an RN, to being a SAHM, and then to teaching (including changing diapers). Just last year Jen moved out. I have to say, I find it is a whole lot easier to keep a sense of some order when you don't have kids living at home. We don't have grand babies coming over yet either. After 33 years of cleaning up, around and after and for others, it's so nice to come home and find the house the way I left it. I am still getting used to it. I know that grand babies will come along and then the house will look like little ones live here again and I welcome that more than I can put into words. But for now, I am having a little fun and the best part is I find this stage of life leaves me more time for things like my Angel work.

And last but certainly not least, I want to thank Robin for this Wyld Woman Award. Isn't it great looking?

Robin from The Robin's Nest is one of the sweetest gals I have met in blog land. She always leaves me the kindest comments. I love her blog - she is so talented and creative and sweet and kind - yes those are worth repeating. I love her photography and wise words and find joy in her blog each time I visit. She and her DH just welcomed a new grand baby to their family so please go on over and congratulate them when you have a chance. Thank you Robin for honoring me with this award!

Here is how this award works. You may give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure and include links to their blog and also link back to Tammy Vitale so she can visit all the wonderful people that receive this award. The Purpose of the Award is to send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day,teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

I chose to award this to all the gals with blogs in my blog roll. Please do grab it and post it on your blog. If you are listed in my favorite blogs it is because you amuse me, enrich me, inspire me, teache me, remind me of the things in life that are important, and we share something that connects us through cyber space. Many of you are becoming my friends and I treasure that. I look forward to keeping in touch for a long time to come.
Until next time - hugs, Linda