Stopping and Thinking

This morning, I was bundling up to go to the mailbox in the freezing rain and sleet and I had one of those crystallizing moments. You know the ones that stop you dead in your tracks? I realized how very lucky I am.

I grew up with the best family in the world. My parents are the epitomy of love. They would give me everything they had, if I needed it. I am incredibly thankful to them and my life is so blessed to have been born to these loving people! My brother is always there if I need him, always caring, so funny and a true friend!

With Charles, I found the love of my life! There were so many toads to reach this prince! He’s so incredible and never ceases to amaze me with his love for me. It’s scary to think of the different things we could have done before we met that would have caused our paths to never cross. But, alas, that was not in God’s plan. Thank you God for bringing this wonderful man to me!

I have several very good, special wonderful friends in my life whom I’m also very thankful for, including the brilliant and talented ladies whom I have met on the world wide web. Lovely ladies who inspire, encourage, care and share. Your comments to me on this blog and in emails and private conversations are not unappreciated – I love them each and every one. Thank you wonderful friends – you are appreciated more than you could ever, ever know.

What brought it all on? Yesterday, I made scones (using this recipe I blogged about before, sans the egg/milk topping and the raisins) and thought about having one this morning. I imagined I would heat it just a tad and use a little butter on it. Then I had the moment – the world stood still just briefly while I took it all in. The warmth, the happiness…of everything in my life.

Who knew a scone could do all that?

Paths and Changes

I took the photo below of my Jeep when we were in the mountains this past October. This was taken at the Chimneys area where we stopped and had a picnic. It seems to be a nice photo for this post and my feelings right now…

My life has changed so much over the past few months. I’m happier than I have ever been. My life is calmer and more peaceful.  Today I’m reflecting over those changes, while looking at new directions and goals. I’m excited about my life and this path I am on. Though some bizarre things occurred and pushed me into this path, it was all meant to happen because this path was waiting for me.

I have no idea where it leads. I wonder what stops and things of beauty there is along it. With so much promise and so much hope, I’m walking slowly taking in every second.

I have many things to tell you about very soon…exciting and lovely things are happening!

Wishes and Resolutions for 2009

As the new year approaches, I start thinking about all I would like for it to hold for me. Everything I want it to be. Everything I hope for.  Some goals for me in 2009:

• Continue to improve my health
• Spend more time with family
• Continue growing my cottage industry business
• Make “The Cozy Loft” my full-time job
• Continue working on our home remodeling
• Finish my studio for the ultimate creative haven
• Be happy with myself

That’s not too bad of a list. It can be done, right? What are your wishes and resolutions for the new year?

I know that I am really looking forward to bringing in 2009. I absolutely cannot wait to get rid of this cobweb-filled 2008

P.S. The photo above is one I took while we were on vacation in Gatlinburg. There were some of the prettiest roses there that I had ever seen!

Uncle Harold

So many friends and family read my little blog that I really just talk about almost anything that’s going on in my life. While I try to keep my posts mostly positive, I feel it’s only fitting to tell you about things when times are hard, too.

My Uncle Harold passed away last Sunday, December 21st. Because of Christmas and his family living all over the US, the funeral wasn’t held until yesterday. He was 83 years old.

Daddy is one of 11 children. My grandparents, H.E. and Lucille, had 11 children. Can you imagine? WOW! My paternal aunts and uncles (in chronological order) are Harold, Juanita, John, Jo, Allene, Gerald, Larry, Bobby, Billy, Charles and Ronald (Ronald’s my daddy, thus my name). My Granddaddy passed away in 1979 and my Grandmother passed away in 2004 (she was 96 years old). My Aunt Jo passed away in 2005. Now, my Uncle Harold in 2008.

My family is huge and I’m so thankful for that. Almost all of them live within a few miles of each other here in Tennessee. I am so very proud of my family and each time we lose someone, it really breaks my heart. Each of these people are such wonderful, strong, compassionate people and I am so very proud to be a part of it.

With lots of love and many blessings to my family during this difficult time,

Rhonda

Thankful and Prayerful Thanksgiving

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is Thursday. There’s so much to be thankful for and so many things to be so prayerful about. Through this year, I have had quite a few rough patches and have had quite alot of good things happen, too. Lately, I have been reflecting alot so I thought it would be a perfect time to sit down and write all of the prayerful things and thankful things I have on my heart at this particular time.

I’m thankful for:

• My discovery of etsy
• The wonderful friends I have – online and not online
• Opening my shop on etsy
• Kind words said by others
• Friendships that are tried and true
• My wonderful, loving, caring, strong, kind, crazy, funny, sensitive, thoughtful husband (I could go on and on with wonderful words about him!!)
• My parents – they are the best Mama and Daddy that a girl could ever dream of having
• My brother – he’s always there when times are tough and can always make me laugh
• My extended family who I know are just a phone call away
• My faith, which gets me through so many hard times and helps me to see clearly
• Our house. While it’s slowly getting renovated to our vision, it’s our safe haven. Our little piece of comfort. Our home.
• That I was born into this wonderful country.
• Being able to do something that I love and share it with others.

Things that I am prayerful for:

• Our wonderful country and all the issues we face.
• Making my etsy shop my full time job.
• The economy.
• The President and his family.
• People who have wronged me.
• Soldiers and their families.
• Sick and hurting people, known and unknown.
• Loss.
• Peace.
• Hope.
• Love.