Creative and Blessed

hello chubby...................

2009-01-07T17:21:00.004-05:00

Greetings all..........

Time to spice up my blog w/ a little fun………… People are tired of the Carrie happy Mom, Carrie happy Christian, Carrie’s reflections on life, blah……..blah………….
Well to spice it up a bit, I am dieting AGAIN, and it kinda SUCKS!!! I have been trying to tell myself for years that I am outgoing, somewhat funny, and certainly funky, who needs to be skinny when you have SOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY great qualities……. Well, I guess being fit (not skinny) could be a goal. Looking at pictures of myself, I want to say, “awwwwww look at that chubby girl, hmmmmmmmm WAIT A MINUTE………. That’s me???…. How could this be I don’t REALLY look like that, or do I….. “
Some not so nice words were exchanged with Hubby, informing me, maybe the gigs up??? “What, hold on a minute, soul mate/husband/lover/ did you really just speak to me that way??…..”
Truth is painful, and NO FUN at times, this was one of those times. It did however shed light on the fact that I NEED TO BE HEALTHY, and being CHUBBY/ FAT, is not healthy. SOOOOOOOOOOOO, drum roll please…………….. I am eating healthy, and looking at it as a lifetime goal/ with skills to be learned along the way.
True confessions: I have been known to eat junk food alone, hide candy for myself, order the greasiest thing on the menu, think of doughnuts as an OK breakfast choice, tell my kids I LOVE healthy food, only to buy myself nachos later. My NAME is CARRIE, and I am a FOODAHOLIC…..

Check back and see the progress, cross your fingers and toes, maybe you’ll find a healthier me.

God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Time for a schedule...............

2009-01-04T11:46:00.004-05:00

Marley and Me tickets

Me and my Big girl on a date.....Ready for a schedule--------
I LOVE the laying around, kids waking when they please, enjoying board games, laughing, building forts with blankets, meals not at meal times, chips ground on the floor, screaming fights with each other, arguing bedtimes, messy bedrooms, people around me 24/7.…………….. Well, maybe it is not all wonderful, tongue in cheek……..
I think we are digressing, it is time to go back to a schedule.
Before it was all over, I really wanted to take my big girl, 11 and a half on a date. We both LOVE animals, and we both have had to say goodbye to animals, so we decided coffee/hot chocolate/ and a movie date to Marley and Me. It was delightful, we had some laughs, mostly her, at my expense, but we are headed for adolescence so I was just happy she still wants to spend time with me. Even if that means poking fun at Mom. The movie is cute and quirky, the dog is REALLY ill behaved, and most people would do a lot to train, or give away such a dog. But it did show how a dog is a member of the family, and how sometimes the dog is the only one we lean on. It was sweet, and sad, we had a nice chat after the movie, it was wonderful to share an evening with someone so special.
Welcome 2009,
God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

reflection+struggle= new start

2008-12-29T21:52:00.004-05:00

General Christmas Craziness...
Nate in Christmas Play.....
Claira in Christmas Play.............
The last week has been filled with holiday fun, we enjoyed a wonderful couple of days before Christmas, and Christmas eve with our dear friends. My Mom flew in from Michigan and enjoyed the kiddos, and craziness of Christmas morning, the last several days filled with cheers of wii games. And now we approach this week of Christmas packed up, Grammy heading back to Michigan, and a hope and excitement for a new year. To be honest, I am struggling slightly with my reflection of 2008.
When we are given so much, I struggle to feel ungrateful.?.?
My life has had it’s challenges, but everyone has a ”past”, or “issues.” This year has brought many joys, and wonderful travels, new friends, visits with family, and it’s share of heartache, major surgery, and job loss.
My hope looking into 2009 is that of most of our nation, that we see a turn around economically, that hope for the future is returned. My feeling of melancholy is shared by many. I am not without hope, and faith, it will be a wonderful 2009!!!
Here is to wishing you and yours a,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
God is good, Life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Christmas Eve FUN!!!

2008-12-24T15:30:00.004-05:00

STOP MUSIC to the right so you can hear the video....

Grandpa Buck couldn't join us for Christmas fun, due to work obligations. Here is the video of the kiddos enjoying gifts from Grammy, and Grandpa, now nobody will feel left out. Merry Christmas Dad, xo, Lu Lu

Wishing you and yours...........................

2008-12-24T11:27:00.006-05:00

Wishing you and yours…………………..

Hello all, out there in blog land. I am so grateful for a wonderful holiday season. My kids are ready, as I am sure yours are too.
Do you remember your Christmas holiday as a kid???
For my family growing up Christmas was a big deal for my Dad’s family, and more of a quiet celebration on my Mom’s side. Living in a town with most of my extended family, these occasions were quite memorable. On Christmas eve we would travel across town around 4 o’clock. Because I grew up in Michigan there was ALWAYS snow!!! We would wear our “new” Christmas dress, tights, and patent leather shoes, over to Nana and Papa Chamberlin’s house. My Aunts, Uncles, and cousins would also arrive around the same time. The house was decorated with a traditional artificial tree, many poinsettia plants, a lovely professionally made center piece with green bows and candles. I always remember a crystal bowl with colored lights inside, that would sparkle the walls with multi colored dots. Each of the 7 grandchildren would have a stocking filled to the top with little treasures specific to each person. Often one of the older cousins would play Santa and pass out the gifts to each of us children. It wasn’t lavish, and the gifts were often handmade, knitted sweaters/mittens in our favorite colors. It was the time spent preparing, the beauty in the surroundings, the knowing it would ALWAYS be just like that. Except it wasn’t, they grew older, and became sick (later passing away), and things slowly changed, still special but, not the same. We were however left with magical memories of special childhood Christmases together. On my Mom’s side of the family we would gather at an Aunt or Uncles house, and I being the oldest cousin would enjoy a day filled with little cousins, and babies. It was simple, and very festive, we enjoyed time together, playing with the many gifts we were given both by Santa, our parents, and extended family. This has also changed because I no longer live near Michigan, and do not gather there in the holiday season. I do however treasure watching those loved ones grow, and become amazing adults with their own lives.

So, in this season with you and yours, I pray you make wonderful traditions, and memories. Nothing stays the same, and there is no ALWAYS here on earth.
The true gift that will ALWAYS last forever came with the birth of Christ. And this is the greatest gift of all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Pot Luck.....................................

2008-12-22T19:48:00.001-05:00

Pot Luck………………………………
This was created sometime in the depression.
Here is the definition: pot⋅luck
/
–noun
1. food or a meal that happens to be available without special preparation or purchase: to take potluck with a friend.

2. Also called potluck supper, potluck dinner, potluck lunch. a meal, esp. for a large group, to

which participants bring various foods to be shared

My kids and I enjoy Art class at a local Mom’s home on Mondays. There is a teacher that comes with a fun eco friendly art project, and the Mom’s gather round a table, enjoy coffee, and individual projects. Then after the children finish their projects we have a pot luck dinner. It is wonderful, we laugh, the kids play, and we share a meal. In these times of companies downsizing, no increase in pay or bonus, and joblessness we need to be creative. I am so thankful to have friends that wish to bond over the simple things in life. What in the end do we really have??? It is our family and friends that are truly meaningful gifts. In the next few days and months, I wish you many Pot Luck dinners with those you love.
God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

May the Schwartz be with you...........................

2008-12-20T14:58:00.003-05:00

May the Schwartz be with you…………………..
My little nephew had his finalization for adoption yesterday. Oh how he has been a baby Schwartz since day one…………………………… Yet, it is always comforting to parents, loved ones, and good friends when the “legal” work is done, and court date is done. Well, this all took place in California yesterday. My brother and sister in-law are amazing people with wonderful hearts for others.

It was just last Christmas my husband and I each had private conversations with them about the timing of starting their family. They were both open to adoption, and were ready to parent. They applied for adoption the beginning of January 2008, and Emerson was born April 15, 2008. Needless to say their lovely married home of 2 + dog was GREATLY changed, and they are AMAZING parents.

Welcome newest Schwartz boy, we LOVE you.

God is good, Life is hard, I am blessed,
Aunt Carrie

What is a tree???

2008-12-16T19:11:00.004-05:00

What is a tree?
Well, the Christmas tree itself isn’t very Christian. It has however become a mainstay in today’s Christian households, along with the celebration of Christ’s birth.
I do love Christmas, and I do love decorating the tree. It has so many memories for me. As a kid growing up in Midwestern middle class, America, this was a big deal. The tree my parents, bought, chopped, or assembled, depending on the year, was filled with mostly handmade ornaments. It was always filled with bright lights, and seemed very large. To this day, I remember laying on our red living room carpet, looking up into the tree, and dreaming of the holiday to come.
Expectation of Christmas is almost better then the holiday itself. In these complicated times we live in, with peoples expectations of doom and gloom, let us try to remember holidays of past, and the expectation of the Christ child that gives us eternal hope and peace.
IT IS A WONDERFUL LIFE………………

God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Gingerbread facts.......................

2008-12-12T17:06:00.008-05:00

Family memories……….
Last weekend we made gingerbread houses with the kiddos. This in years past have included, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends. This year, it was just the kids, hubby, and I.
First off, I have made the gingerbread from scratch, along with icing, and bought an assortment of candy. The time, and $$ invested in this event ran about 50$. So, for the last 3 years, no baking of gingerbread, and an entire kit, w/ pre-made icing has cost around 9$. (We all know it doesn’t taste as good as homemade )
Q&A
Fun-yes
Messy- of coarse
Laughter-always
Mom wanting to help- uh, yah
Kids fighting over frosting duty-no brainer
Dad with the camera- you guessed it
Dog standing at attention- right on point
Eating half the candy before the job was done- sure thing
Dog ate it the next day- I wouldn’t lie
A memory made- I think so…………..

Wishing you and yours a holiday memory to remember,
God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Christmas blessing....................

2008-12-10T08:52:00.004-05:00

Blessed……………….
Why am I so blessed beyond measure? Many of you are too………….. I look at my 3 angels lying above (it was no small feet to get them to look so heavenly). Miracles, all children are……………… It was hard to have children, nothing seemed easy about it, the trying, the loss of pregnancies, the death of a baby, the failed adoption, the birth mother mentoring, nothing was easy. We are not promised easy. In this time of reflection of the Christ child, nothing was easy then for Mary either. Yet how amazing, it unfolded into something we still focus on thousands of years later. (Nobody will focus on my life thousands of years from now, I am not that narcissistic-egocentric)……….. How amazing, that there were 3 women, on very different difficult journeys willing to be selfless, and find a path to hope for their unborn child.
My life will never be the same due to the blessings I was given.

God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Picture by my dear friend, Kim Collins

changing..................

2008-12-05T12:15:00.005-05:00

Changes…………
I HATE pictures of myself!!!! When I was 16-25, I didn’t mind them, I felt most showed a true reflection of myself. I have gained a lot of weight since my early 20’s, occasionally losing 20-30 pounds here and there.. However, never really back to any ideal weight, along with many major and minor health issues. Why do some of us physically change so through the years??? It seems others look quite the same. Inside there are days I feel OLD, and others that I feel 20 again. I believe in my heart that God wants us to be the best we can be. It is necessary that I become more “healthy,” exercise more, and lose some of the extra pounds. I will not guarantee to take self portraits often, but, I will try to document myself more often through time, changing (grey hair and all) for the BETTER.
TGIF,
God id good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Christmas bliss...........

2008-12-02T22:13:00.006-05:00

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas………..

Yippee skippee little elves, Mrs. Christmas will not be disheartened by the whole economic downturn. That’s right, it is the 2nd day of advent……………. Christmas to me is about the baby in the manger, Christ Jesus birth, hope for the world………. It is the simple things, I love the folklore of Santa, and the pretty lights. So, even though I will randomly do Peek at my Pad from here on out. I want you to catch the spirit of the holidays, give someone a hug, a wink, a smile, let someone cut ahead in line, while put on hold by an operator- sing a Christmas Carole, let your light of hope shine through for all to see. The pictures you see are of my living room, family room, dining room, and kitchen. This little endeavor is what the kids and I do every “black Friday”, after Thanksgiving. We simply love it, Ebenezer Scrooge usually does something “productive”, this year he replaced old light switches with dimmers. Very helpful, although not holiday”ish”.

Enjoy this season of hope,
God is good, life is hard, I AM BLESSED,
Carrie

A new season...............................

2008-11-29T09:22:00.003-05:00

A new season………………………
My firstborn daughter has started a new season of her life. Not only did she start middle school this year, and get her own phone. She now has braces, and looks much older. This face of a young girl with lovely honey colored hair, and big chicklet teeth, tiny freckles, and a thin frame, has braces. She is kind to animals, loves to cuddle, and tickle, has great passion for horses, and is diligent about school work. She has many great qualities, too many to list. It seems like yesterday I held her for the first time, and nursed her at my breast. It was so easy to meet her needs. A little hug, a band aid, maybe a treat and all bad things melted away. Life is becoming more complicated, choices more difficult to make. Wounds not so easily helped or fixed. I am thankful for the early years, we have a fierce love for each other. I am proud of you in your new season, I will help be there and pray you through the tough times. You will always be my Noonie, braces or not.

God is good, LIFE IS HARD, I am blessed,
Mama/Carrie

giving thanks...........................................

2008-11-26T16:21:00.001-05:00

Giving thanks……………….

It is in times of hardship that it is most important to be thankful.

Our nation is in one of those times……………..

I am thankful for Gods saving grace,
I am thankful for freedom,
I am thankful for my husband and children,
I am thankful for my parents, and loving extended family,
I am thankful for the gift of friendship,
I am thankful for the gift of strength to heal from surgery,
I am thankful for my dogs,
I am thankful for kind people who say thank you,
I am thankful for bright colors,
I am thankful for a cozy home filled with vintage goodness,
I am thankful for baked goods,
I am thankful for mercy,
I am thankful to be given grace,
I am thankful for you……………………….

God is good,
Life is hard,
I am blessed,
Carrie

God, a dog???

2008-11-23T20:48:00.003-05:00

Why can God see us, and we can’t see him?

Out of the mouths of babes………………… My 4 year old looks up at me and says, “Mom God is ebbery where (everywhere).”

To which I answer, “yes baby he is .” Because he is 4, and because he has endless questions, this was not the end.

He says, “Mom God can see us, and I can’t see him.”

I reply, “yep that’s right sweetie, and God thinks you are AMAZING!”

“Of coarse he does, he made me, but…………………….. I just wanna know what he looks like,” He states.

“Well little man this is where faith comes in, you believe in God and all he has done, and he made you, but………………….. you can’t see him, this is faith, Ok?”, I said. Truly hoping this would satisfy him, because I wasn’t sure that I was able to explain more. Well, he had more up his sleeve.

“ God made Greta and Bitsy (our 2 dogs), and they are pretty cool, and love everyone, well…………………………. Maybe God looks like a dog,” he said.

Trying not to laugh, I reply, “well God is everywhere and everything, and he is a spirit, not with a body like you and me.”

This is me being all serious, looking into his little blue eyes………………….

He says, “Mom God is not a dog, I was just kidding, God is in me and you, and in everyone, I just wish I could see him.”

I responded, “me too.”

God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,

Carrie

Peek at my pad # 10

2008-11-20T20:33:00.004-05:00

Peek at my pad #10

By now you are aware I love things unusual, and uncommon, old with a funky flare. Well, this desk is another of those. I bought this desk, white, w/ chippy paint, and fun cubbies for my daughter (who likes modern clean lines, and mostly things that would be on set of a Disney show ). Needless to say, she did not like this desk or use it. Soooooooooooooooo, Mama took it back!! I asked Hubby to paint it red, the same Ralf Lauren red we used to paint little guys bed (leftover, just sitting in the basement).
It is now MY desk, in the back entry way of the kitchen. It holds the phone, homework pencils, teacher notes, phone books, coloring books etc. It is quite delightful, and Hubby did a great job, don’t you think?
God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

a little thanksgiving................

2008-11-17T19:28:00.003-05:00

Family-“a group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals and, frequently, live together, all those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor. the children of one person or one couple collectively: parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not.” This is part of the definition of family from dictionary.com.
This is what I am thankful for……………………… My sister has married into a “ready made” family, her husband has 3 delightful children that they both care for in joint custody, with the children’s mother. Then there is my family blessed by God 3 x in adoption. And my parents truly loving and adoring couple., God brings us together to love one another, and not cast judgment. This is easier said then done, but we only human, and as people we must try . As we enter the season of thankfulness for this great nation, and those we call, “family”, may we feel a sense of childlike unconditional love. It was a week and a half ago I had pre-Thanksgiving with my sister her family, my parents, and my husband and children. A great sense of peace flowed through the restaurant that day, we were traveling back from our long weekend in the Midwest. We were happy for our 2 hours of communion, and embraced one another with unconditional love. It may have been short, but it was filled with joy.
God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

peek at my pad #9

2008-11-14T16:39:00.003-05:00

LAZY.................. This is a picture of our 5 year old weimaraner, Greta. This is her favorite place to be, besides jogging with my husband. The bedspread was a "big" purchase 2 years ago at Anthropologie. It is soft, great colors or burnt orange, lime green, yellow, robins egg blue, and rust. The night stand next to my bed is red, and has old glass knobs, it belonged to a hardware store and used to hold dynamite. I know this is not a usual bed stand, but I'm not a usual girl.
That's all, it is a rainy day, and I'm off to bake.
God is good, Life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

I am blessed...........

2008-11-12T11:10:00.006-05:00

What does it mean to be blessed?
My life is filled with blessings………….. I am thankful for the good bad and ugly!! I know, you are thinking, “yeah, sure crazy Christian , martyr, blah..blah..” Well, I am far from anything, or anyone to put on a pedestal. I was going through my life, and making a list of the things that stand out. I can’t remember a time I did not feel loved by my parents. My family had a deep Midwestern view on values, and Christian living. My memory of childhood and adolescent friendships and relationships was filled with fun, questioning life, and hardships, all something to be learned from. In my youth I spent many a summer -spring break on short term mission trips, helping build schools, churches, and share the love of God and America to far away lands. My love and rock, hubby and I were married at the ripe old age of 20, and 22. Just 3 short weeks later we put our vows to work on sickness and health, I spent a full year in recovery from a broken neck. When almost healed physically we traveled to Europe for both business and pleasure, a truly amazing time. My short career as a preschool teacher and midwife are full of adventure, and majesty when viewing new life and young children. At 23, the loss of my first pregnancy brought the reality of how fragile life is, and how little control we have. Pure joy and amazement, at 24, with the adoption of our first child .Then came my new job of motherhood, I loved that first year full of “newness.” This was the first time I wore my heart on my sleeve. Just 18 short months later at 26 came our second incredible blessing from adoption, she made our firstborn become a sister. Then the death of my Nana, to be present during those last breaths was something i shall never forget. Shortly after we moved cities, along came new friends, and bittersweet goodbyes. Life felt different and new somewhat exciting. With this change came a new pregnancy at age 29. This was filled with much anticipation, each moment a bit stressful, yet full of great pause. Our son, born still, and was here only a short time. Many lessons were learned, and my heart wears a scar never to be the same.
Another miracle of life slips away at age 30. Much despair in the months to come. My life did not feel like my own, just going trough the motions, my strength came from loved ones, and a deep faith. I would forever live life in a, “new normal.”
Through prayer, and a welcomed surprise at 31, the adoption of our son. The light shone bright, a new day, hope returns.We soon said goodbye to Papa after a long battle with many physical illnesses, a dry sense of humor, and stately man. Shortly after another move, far away from what I knew. More blessings, and friendships, tolerance learned. Daily life, enjoyed routine, yet not mundane. Summers in Michigan a time to remember childhood, embrace old friends.
At 35 emergency surgery, intense recovery, more scars, life is fragile, each day is a gift. People blessed us by family and friendship helping in a time of need.
In a nutshell, these minor and major events makeup my life. I am thankful, in this season of Thanksgiving.
God is good, Life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

A long way from NJ................

2008-11-10T15:06:00.006-05:00

Midwest to remember-
My husband is currently “benched” by the Wall Street crisis. I know, don’t cry in your latte……… But it is currently very strange having him home, a lot lately. It is good for the kiddos, and mostly good for me (a little annoying). Blah, blah…
We decided to take a trip this past week to Indiana to visit my husbands aging grandparents. I do NOT like road trips, especially LONG ones, especially with SMALL children who have no concept of time. Needless to say, we drove the 11+ hours in our mini van to visit the Midwest family. The first leg was fairly uneventful, and the kids were busy with books, games and movies. The second leg of the journey we stopped for lunch at Taco Bell, the kids were excited to get out of the car, and load up on burritos. As we finished lunch and got back into the vehicle Hubby and I arranged the some of our belongings, he put the computer case and extra pillows into the back, and I decided to put my bulky purse on top, as to not miss place. Off we headed onto the 2 lane highways of rural Ohio. Moments later my middle child says, “Daddy, I feel air back here, Oh NO the TRUNK is OPEN”!! Bob immediately turns back, to our horror, pillow were in the middle of the road, and I GASP, “MY PURSE.” We circle the parking lot, nothing, we go back to Taco Bell, nothing, we call the police, NOTHING!!!
Thank God Hubby is organized, he had all important information in his phone, we cancelled credit cards, stopped checks etc………………. I was red hot mad, mad at myself, mostly mad at hubby. After a bit of a fit, I got back into the van and decided the purse was gone forever, having lived in a fairly urban area for sometime, and watching too many “news” programs, I knew I would Not see this item again.
However, there are GOOD people out there, some kind person saw our things fall out the back of the van, and drove them to the local police station, they are currently being mailed back to me, as I type this blog. Many lessons were learned the past few days.
All in all it was good to see my husband"s grandmothers, they are doing well in daily life as elderly women, his grandfather now lives in a nursing home with advanced dementia, and no longer recognizes most of his family. The children had fun playing with 2nd and 3rd cousins, and soaking up the simple rural life in America.
God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Peek from my pad #8

2008-11-05T10:19:00.004-05:00

This is a sneak peek at my Christmas display. It all starts the day after Thanksgiving!! I spend hours and hours decorating my house with new and vintage Christmas décor. I am always VERY happy doing this with my 3 little helpers. My husband, “Ebenezer Scrooge”, doesn’t get into this at all, but after 15 years he tolerates it fairly well. I am already buzzing with excitement about how I will display my 2-3 trees, and 1950’s vintage paper houses, with the little vintage candles, and cotton snow. This is when my half crazy-girly girl side shows it’s true color. If this is not your idea of fun or sane activities then SORRY (LOL).
The true meaning of this next holiday is being thankful, and I am very THANKFUL……….
Xoxo,
God is good, Life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Give me a break................

2008-11-03T18:34:00.006-05:00

Why must life be so hard………………..?? The stories of people losing their 2nd and 3rd homes to foreclosure , children abused by their Mom’s ex boyfriend, animals starved by crazy people with 15 indoor cats living in a trailer with one litter box. These are the kind of stories in our news papers.
Don’t you want to scream, “LISTEN DUMMY, WAKE UP, AND SMELL REALITY”!!!
That is what I think…………………….. The serious stories of loss, and hardship are sad and disheartening. But this stuff makes me NUTS. In America the “Land of Plenty,” maybe we should take a second look at what we have, and what our priorities are…………
If it must take 2 incomes to buy that MAC-DADDY ski lodge retreat, should you really buy it? If your current boyfriend has felony for assault and battery, should he REALLY baby-sit your kid? If you live in a trailer, should you really have more than one animal living with you? Come on America, this isn’t life being hard, this is us being STUPID!!
God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

Live from NY it's................................................

2008-10-31T17:45:00.003-04:00

Peek at my Pad #7, not really………..

I promise to resume Thursday’s to where I really reside, next week (well I’ll try anyway).
Last spring I “won” tickets to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in NYC. The taping day was yesterday, and it was VERY FUN, he is HILARIOUS, and very professional, his guest was Bill Kristol, who is founder and editor of The Weekly Standard, the influential journal of politics and ideas located in Washington, D.C. He is also a regular panelist on Fox News Sunday and an analyst for the Fox News Channel.
Mr. Kristol served as chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle during the first Bush Administration. So, this was an interview of complete opposites………………………….. Both men were really good sports, especially the outnumbered Mr. Kristol. I laughed so hard my sides ached. Included you will see my 2 friends (hubby was taking the picture), and myself.
God is good, Life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

election, already.........................

2008-10-28T19:45:00.002-04:00

Ok vote already…………….
Not to sound like a broken record, but it is time for ELECTION DAY!! My kiddos want Halloween candy, I want election day!!
On Thursday I will be going to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart….
I know, GREAT timing………….(BIG GRIN)
This will be full of laughs, (hopefully not many naughty words by host or guest) and ALL about the election. My heart is heavy, selfishly this economy has greatly impacted my family. Our country has had mush success the last 15-20 years, and many things have come crashing down all at once. I am really not sure what the “best” situation will be in Washington DC, I do have an idea of the results. (Bit of a CNN news junky)…………..
My prayer is truly for peace in this nation, and unity, we need a change.
For whatever it is worth please VOTE, and be kind to those around you, this is a dark world in need of light.
God is good, life is hard, I am blessed,
Carrie

peek at my pad #6

2008-10-23T09:32:00.004-04:00

Peek at my Pad #6
Today I am on the outerbanks of Virginia beach, not really an island, but kind of one…………………..
Due to the economy (not good), and my Aunt owning a second home here (FREE), we decided this would be a fine place to celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary. My husband and I are enjoying the quiet seclusion this type of atmosphere allows.
I think we have somewhat forgotten life BEFORE kids. We were married 4 years before our oldest came along, but that was quite some time ago. Each morning we leisurely rise, make coffee, chat, all while watching the waves crash upon the shore. It is simple, and beautiful, just what we needed at this time in our lives. If you are wondering how to picture this, think of the current film RODANTHE, set on the outerbanks of North Carolina, house on stilts.
It is at this time we can revaluate where our lives are going. Our children are growing and changing, becoming more independent. What should we be focusing on in our mid-to late 30’s. Today I am praying for direction for the future, and God’s grace on our country.
God is good, Life is hard, I am BLESSED,
Carrie