Where to start.  Scottie is now a year and a half old.  He continues to be a constant source of joy for me and his parents.  It is simply amazing watching him grow from being a little baby into a toddler.  He is walking…no running…and climbing all over the place.  He is starting to speak and has wicked temper tantrums when he doesn’t get what he’s asking for.  He calls me “amma” and says “hi ya” “ee ya” (see ya) gives wonderful hugs and is just a big ham.  As you can tell I love him to death.  I have had the opportunity to babysit a few times, I think I’m suited for the role of Grandma!  Love it!

Erin is now in 12th grade, and is looking forward to Graduation.  She is still quiet and our bookworm, but hopefully soon she will be working and coming out of her shell somewhat in the next year.

As for me, in June I finished my 2 year program, and in August I found myself living in Kamloops, renting a room from a childhood friend.  By Sept, I found that my husband decided he didn’t want to move here with me, so now I’m separated, and making it permanent, I guess soon.  Life is full of surprises.  I am enjoying being in the city, lots of things to see and do.  I am hardly ever home, whether it be looking for work, shopping or just visiting with my adopted family.  I’ve made a few friends but I do miss my family.  Oh heck, I miss Clearwater, but not the boring life I led before.  At least now, I get out, take the bus downtown, sit in the park (when it’s warmer) or just go for a walk somewhere.

Let me see, what else can I catch you up on?  I guess that’s about it…Oh I am on a work trial for 30 days at a local retirement home, am enjoying it!  I am doing a bit of administration work as well as receptionist and kitchen work.  Answering the phones, and the door and building databases are part of my main duties.  No work is offered after this, but I figure it’s something else I can add on my resume as well as the experience which is something I can not give back!  LOL

So, I enjoy life one day at a time, take it as it thrown to me, and hopefully I don’t spiral out of control.  I’m doing okay with my good days outnumbering the bad days but I still have them.  I will be okay.  Yes there is a reason I am sure for this, but I will persevere.  I have to. I have 2 lovely daughters, a son-in-law and a grandson to love.  I will be okay.  Yes I will  :)

Welcome to our little grandson, Scottie Leon Ficke.  He was born on Aug 26th, 2010 bouncing in at an even 7 lbs.  Mom and dad are doing fine, a little overwhelmed but are really good parents.  He slept 6 hours last night, letting mom and dad catch up on some sleep! We are just ecstatic about this new generation and wishing Shannon and Jason happiness as they continue to bond with their new son!

I’ve done with my first year of classes.  I’ve done really well, and am quite impressed, even though a couple of courses caused me grief.  My marks range from A to B+  as my lowest.  This next and last year will tell the tale.  I’ve got accounting to go through yet.  hahahaha!

Our grandbaby is due any day now.  I’ll post a picture when the baby is born.  It’s exciting and we’ve totally accepted the fact that we will be grandparents, though I haven’t really gotten used to the title.  I guess that will take as long as the title “Mom” did…still trying that on for size…hmmm

Things have changed a little around our place.  Hubby is now a certified (nut) security professional. He took a week course, passed, and is now qualified as a guard.  He has a certificate and bought a license and may have a job starting soon.  I applied for what seems like a zillion jobs, had 2 interviews and as of this morning landed a part time job at the local newspaper office.  I worked here years ago, collating, but now will be learning about the front office.  I will learn about how the paper is put together, and since I had to submit 2 pieces of my writing (which they seemed really interested in) I’m hoping to get a writing job out of it.  Wouldn’t that be cool?  That may be wishful thinking..but hey…one can dream, right?

The past year or so, hubby and I grew apart in our relationship.  It was getting so bad, that we were living separate lives, and were contemplating separating.  After a long talk, we realized where the problem lay, and found each other again.  This is the real reason for my absence.  I fell in love again with my husband.  We spend time together, snuggling, smiling and just enjoying each others company.  After almost 28 years together, it feels like the beginning of a new relationship.  It’s wonderful to be able to hold each other, and enjoy being with each other again.  Others have noticed a difference in us, haven’t said anything, but our happiness is infectious.  It feels good!  So if I don’t spend a lot of time, here, I hope  you’ll understand.  I’m spending time with my growing family and my new life.

:>)

I love this quote I got off facebook this morning.  I often go into the status shuffle and pick a quote or a funny little saying.  I admit some of them are just so disgusting that I frequently pass them by, but this one hit me this morning.

I like to smile, makes a day feel so good!  Yes, I have my down days, and quite a few of them I might add, but it makes my day when I see my girls smile even for fleeting second.  And it makes me feel extra special when I see my husband smile.  He has had some really hard times, and I do all I can to make him happy.  He’s a good man, deserves a whole lot better, but he’s getting better. We’ve had 27 years together and things are good.

Anyway…smiling is good for all of us, young and old, big and small. So smile a little smile or a big smile, it’ll really make you feel good and you will make another, who may or may not be having a good day, feel so much better!

:>) :>) :>) :>)

Back to the real world and me!  haha I got my hair cut on Saturday, still taking a bit to get used to, but I like it.  Short hair is good for a lot of things. Easier to take care of, just wash and go. I like that. Long hair is too high maintenance for me.  School is going, learning that web design and maintenance, haven’t actually designed anything yet, but soon!  My grades are in the high 80 mark range.  So am pretty happy with that! I’m actually learning something!

Grand-parenthood is slowly creeping yet, Shannon’s at the 6 month mark now, and is looking forward to being a mother.  Jason is a typical 20 year old boy, wanting toys and not quite sure of being a father.  Terry says that is typical of men, and I sort of remember of all the differences coming out when our girls were small. Oh here’s a picture of our grandbaby (I refer to the baby as he..maybe I’m wishfully thinking?):

He’s a very active baby, much like his mother and is always kicking here, which is what he was doing here.  But he’s there and he’s real and he’ll be here before we know it!

Hmmm..What else can I tell ya?  Not a whole lot.  Life just goes down its usual bumps and turns and an occasional fork but I think maybe..just maybe things are looking up for us.  We’ll see what happens. We take it one day at a time and hope things turn out for the best.  That’s all we can do, right?  Oh and keep on smiling despite how lousy some days look!  :>)

This is something I made for my website design and maintenance class.  I took 3 pictures from my camera and merged them as one. I kinda like how this one turned out.

This is one I made earlier.  This is the lake where I spent my teen years and every picture I have is different.  It’s a lake of many faces.  It’s so pretty!  So..I’m done with my class for now, just trying to decide if I want to use either of these pictures or design yet another one. I think I’m in my element, here!

:>)

Good question. Inspiration comes from all kinds of sources.  You can find inspiration for writing in blogs (yeah that’s why I write here) or writing for blogs, stories, tv shows, nature, or life itself.  I need inspiration, sometimes, to cook something new or to start a new project.  I get inspired by watching people do everyday things like shopping, walking the dog, or just chatting to someone.  Chatting to someone about how they do the laundry, or pay the bills, inspires me to do things differently then I normally do them.  Inspiration comes in all sizes and shapes.  Just look it’s there somewhere, maybe hiding under a rock, a bridge, or even…gasp…under the bed with the dust bunnies (oh..maybe that’s where all the plot bunnies went too!)

This blog was inspired by a friend who just mentioned the word inspiration…hmmmm…see where it got me? It inspired me to post!  Maybe…just maybe…I’ve inspired something in you?

:>)

I always wondered about this. All my life I’ve been told too much sugar in your diet can cause diabetes. But now a new study shows that a diet high in sugar can cause heart problems?  Wow! Another good reason to cut sugars out of your diets. A lot of our diet these days is a fast paced, convenient foods. High in sodium, high in fats, high in everything that’s not good for you.  So I’ve been trying really hard to cut out that kind of packaged foods. I spend a lot of time at home now, so I can afford to cook good, nutritious meals with all the foods that Mom used to serve us.  If I was working, I’d probably put on the slow cooker and cook something good too. I still like those convenient foods but as someone keeps telling me, all in moderation.  We tend to overdo.  Just like sugar, it’s good, sweet and did I mention good?  Let’s get back to basics: meat, starch(potatoes, rice, pasta) and vegetables.  We really need to do this, and then we won’t have so many health conditions, I’m sure!  Just my 2 cents…

:>)