SANTA KNOWS

Santa knows it's important to take some time away from the hustle and bustle of shopping and wrapping and searching for the perfect gifts.

Be sure to take some time just for YOU to do something you love.

A walk on the beach does it for me.   And Santa ;-)

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Santa knows....

it's important to have some fun with friends!


 
Hugs from the beach,
Kat 

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

"NOTHER" MOTHER

Me and "Nother Mother"

Most of you know that I am blessed to still have my Mom...thank you Lord...and my Mom's best friend, Bet, who I call "Other Mother".  I also have Pat, who named herself "Nother Mother".  She moved to an assisted living community about two hours away back in 2006, not because she needed it, but because of her husband's health.  He died the next year, but Pat is busy busy busy and is very happy.  She even has a "boyfriend".  

She was in town this week, so some of her friends gathered for lunch.  She looks incredible for 86!  She is just as cute as a button.  Full of spunk!

I don't get to see her often enough and sure miss her.

I did a post about Pat back in 2007.  Click here for that post.

"Other Mother", my Mother, Me, and "Nother Mother" (photo taken March 2005)

Lucky me with all my "mothers"!


The luncheon this week with Pat and some of her friends was fun!

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I've finished my decorating just in the nick of time since we're having ANOTHER open house this afternoon.  But girlfriends, let me tell you...I've had 2 fiascoes with my tree.  More on that later.


 
Hugs from the beach,  
Kat 


"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

BRING IT ON!

Coffee in the morning and a glass of vino at night is saving my sanity ;-)

Just like you, I'm sure, I'm busy busy busy decorating for Christmas.  Gosh, it's a lot of work.  But, I love it.  I hate the mess though.  Boxes everywhere.  And glitter.  Have you noticed how many things have some glittery stuff on them?  It's everywhere, including on ME!  There's scissors and wire, extensions cords, ladders, etc. are in almost every room.  I'm in the "throw" of it all.  Don't get me wrong...I'm having fun.  My goal is to be through by Friday night so we can just ENJOY!!!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! (sing with me)  

I love the white lights, the smell of the tree, the music......

How's your decorating going?

 

Hugs from the beach, 
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

HOW SWEET IS THIS?!  VERY!

Florida's version of a reindeer in the snow!

This photo was taken this morning at Inlet Beach, not too far from where I live.

Doesn't she/he look pretty laying in our snow white sand?!

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HOW CUTE IS THIS?!  VERY!

granddaughter Sydney Anne

 My daughter-in-love posted this on her facebook:

My youngest just asked "where is tis of thee?" I wasn't sure what she meant and she began singing my country tis of thee. Lol

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HOW FRUSTRATING IS THIS?!   VERY

I spent exactly 2 hours at the doctor's office this morning.  An hour and a half waiting...and waiting...and waiting.  15 minutes with the doctor and 15 minutes checking in and checking out.  Frustrating, since I have so much I want and need to be doing.  BUT....I'm very thankful I HAVE a wonderful doctor and I'm healthy.

 

Hugs from the beach, 
Kat 

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

COMFORT DURING LIFE'S STORMS

I woke early this morning feeling the need to pray.  I have so many sweet friends who are hurting right now and it breaks my heart.  Holidays are hard anyway, but especially so during life's storms.  And we've all been there.  But, what a blessing...a gift...to know that no matter what, we can find refuge with our Heavenly Father.

Dear Lord, surround my friends with your comfort and love.  Amen


 

Hugs from the beach, 
Kat 


"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

PLANNING TO PLAY TODAY

If you're like me, you wake up in the morning (or the middle of the night) thinking about all of things you need to do.  Especially during the Holidays.  But...it's important to plan...yes PLAN...time to play.

It refreshes me and keeps me sane :-) 


 

Hugs from the beach, 
Kat 

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

STILL STUFFED

I don't know about you, but I STILL feel stuffed after all I ate yesterday.  Oh dear!

My sister and I spent the entire day in the kitchen.  No one understands the hard work and all the LOVE it takes unless they are the ones in the kitchen.  Know what I mean?

Our menu - turkey, gravy, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, twice baked stuffed sweet potatoes, mac & cheese, butter peas, sliced tomatoes, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, pecan pie and pumpkin pie.

It was all wonderful, but my favorite by far was the twice baked stuffed sweet potatoes.  Oh.my.word!  The ingredients we used were brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, cream cheese, pecans and tiny marshmallows to melt inside and then we covered the top of the potatoes with the tiny marshmallows before we put them back in the oven.  Slap your mama good!

I had to snap this photo ;-)  George helped clear the table and was rinsing off the plates.  I LOVE seeing a man in the kitchen!    It's a rare sight at my house.  LOL

I love love love the smell of Thanksgiving.  Don't you?  And guess what?  My house still smells like Thanksgiving this morning since I'm using the turkey carcass to make turkey soup.  The whole house smells divine!

I hope your Thanksgiving was good too.

I AM NOT out there shopping like a lot of CRAZY people on Black Friday :-)  Just can't do it.  Instead, I'll be here listening to Christmas music while I take down my Fall/Thanksgiving decorations and begin my Christmas decorating.


Still counting my blessings......


 

Hugs from the beach, 
 Kat 

 "Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

THANKFUL

I drove home today with tears in my eyes, but sweet memories of my time with Bree and Jay and sweet Daven.  Gosh, I miss him so much already.

Luckily, Bree is so good about sending me photos and videos often and that helps.  Love this cute short one she sent tonight.  It seems Daven is already exercising.  Maybe he's getting ready for his Thanksgiving feast tomorrow ;-)

My house smells like Thanksgiving already.  Lots of yummy smells, including pumpkin pie.  Love THAT smell!  Can't wait to smell the turkey cooking tomorrow.

I'm counting my blessings.  And there's too many to count.  That's a wonderful fact.  Thank you Lord for each and every one.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and YOU and YOU!

 
Hugs from the beach, 
Kat 

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

NECESSARY PAIN

...BUT that doesn't make it fun. For sure.

Daven got his first shots today. Three! One in the left leg and two (!) in the right leg. I know these shots are important, but dang I hated it. He cried and I wanted to. That mean ole nurse was lucky I didn't slug her ;-)


He's been so good this afternoon. I just hope tonight is good.


It's sure gonna be hard to leave tomorrow morning :-(

I've got to go home though to get ready for turkey day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!
We all have so very very much to be thankful for. I am truly so thankful for our grandchildren.  We have TEN!   I've talked mostly about Daven lately since he's our newest, but every single grandchild is a true blessing to us.  Thank you God for Zac, Kristin, Elizabeth, Dalton, Carson, Karrigan, Landon, Kaley Grace, Sydney Anne, and Daven.

Hugs,
Kat
"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

OH SWEET BOY

You have had me smiling all day!

He loves his bath...just like his Mommy and his Goose (me)!

Lots of hair...just like his Mommy had

We went to lunch with two of Bree's friends (and co-workers).  All three girls had babies within 3 weeks.

He kept turning to watch me tonight.

A happy boy!

Hugs,
Kat

CAN.NOT.WAIT!

My bags are packed and I'm leaving right after church to go see Daven.  I can.not.wait!!!!!!!!

 

CAN'T WAIT TO KISS THOSE CHUBBY LITTLE CHEEKS!

 

Hugs from the beach, 
Kat 

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

BENEFITS OF BLOGGING

There are lots and lots and lots of reasons why I love blogging, but the NUMBER ONE reason has got to be that I've gotten to meet so many wonderful friends all across the US that I might not have ever met had I not starting blogging.

Case in point....my sweet friend Lou @ Mountain Mermaid who lives in Denver, but loves the beach, especially "my" beach.  Since her sister lives not too far away, we get to see each other every year when she visits and we always have a good time.

This time we met in the little town of Seaside.  It's only 20-25 minutes from my house.  I love it and I just know you would too.


I didn't take this video.  I found it on line, but it gives you a good idea of how cute Seaside is.

We climbed those stairs and had lunch at Bud and Alley's, with a great view of the beach and water.

After lunch we had to get our feet in the sand.  Lou told me she has always heard that if you go home with sand in your shoes you will always return to the beach.  I like that thought! ;-)

Another cute place to eat....maybe next year

We ran in to these two cute girls and traded cameras to take photos of each other.  The one in the middle had her pose down!  She gave us lessons.  Too funny!





Here we are!  I thought a black and white photo in front of the old timey looking building was cool.

Here we are being silly....again!

This is Modica Market.  Love it.  They have a bit of everything.  Their deli is amazing.  I told Lou when we were walking in that if they had caramel cake I was taking a slice home for George and I to share.  They don't always have it, but when they do....Oh.My.Word!  Talk about heaven!

Guess what?  They did, so I did!
 

 


Seaside is where The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey was filmed.

What a fun day!

On the way home, I stopped by the library.  Loved seeing the leaves changing!

A perfect sunset to end a wonderful day.

See ya next year Lou....if not before.

 
Hugs from the beach,
Kat 

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

TOO MANY CHOICES

GOOD GRIEF!

I'm sure we all feel this way sometimes, but my head is spinning with all the things I want to do.  Plus, all the things I need to do.

I'm planning for Thanksgiving, but I'm wanting to decorate for Christmas.  Even though the weather feels more like summer.  Grrrrr

I need to be shopping (groceries and Christmas).  I need to catch up on laundry.  And it seems the housework is behind schedule.

BUT (insert whining here) I want to stay home and just play.

You know...doing important things like blogging, Pinterest, Facebook or just reading the many many books I'd dying to read.

I need more hours in my day.

What's a girl to do?


  

Hugs from the beach, 
Kat 
"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."