1965

This post is way overdue but I wanted to share it anyway

since it was so great and brought a huge smile to my face

In April I turned the big 5-0

we had a party and I was surrounded by family and friends

I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life

there are those of course that wished they could be here

but were too far away to come

namely my best girl ever ~ aka my cousin Gina.

About a month or so after my birthday I came home to a delivery

the box was huge and I was scratching my head wondering what was inside

So ripping open the big box I pull out this beautiful memory box

you know that I am a word girl so when I saw this I had tears in my eyes

but I sure wasn't prepared for what was inside

it was FULL of goodies under layers of tissue paper ~ all wrapped in paper and tied with ribbon

and this note:

these were right on top along with instructions

the time, thought and effort behind this gift blew me away

every time I pulled another thing from the box I wondered what the little tag would say

who knew I shared my birthday with the Pillsbury Dough Boy!

I did know this one

this one made me snort laugh ~ Green Acres debuted on tv!

Diet Pepsi, Nutrasweet, Cool Whip, Apple Jacks, Shake n Bake,

Gatorade, Cranapple Juice & Pop Tarts all debuted in 1965

I checked the box for a key to the Mustang in the box but it was not there

maybe she will drive it here?  no?  Oh well ~ can't blame a girl for trying!

of course she knows I am all about the music and along with a list of the top 100 songs

of 1965, there was a flash drive with some videos and a key chain

I opened the tweezers and went ???  couldn't wait to read the tag on that one!

I still watch ~ of course she knows this so seeing the hourglass made me smile

and chocolate ~ yum!

There were more items ~ all with their little tags and ribbons

I texted her this pic when I was all done just to prove I did read and follow 

the instructions!

When I was talking to her next we talked about the gift and I asked her 

where she came up with the idea...  Pinterest of course!

For the end of the school year they did "Orange you glad it's Summer" 

and had a buffet of everything orange

she was working on a "Box Full of Sunshine" for her besties birthday

which was coming up at that time.

I love this idea and will be using it in the future

and luckily I have 2 years to plan before she turns 50!

Happy Sunday.

Friday Potpourri

Friday morning

and it looks like it is going to be a fabulous day

this vacation week was picked back in the fall

with hopes of jetting off somewhere warm

but since that was not in the cards for us

it was a working at home week ~ well mostly

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I put a post out there on Instagram on Sunday
my brother was having some health problems
and I was looking for prayers ~ thank you for those
and your kind words

he was released from the hospital on Wednesday
and although he has a new road to travel
he is here and feeling a lot better

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painting was high on the to do list this week

I finally got the closet doors done in our bedroom

along with installing new nobs

then I tackled the bathroom

one coat of primer and 3 coats of paint

can you say complete ~ done ~ finis

I do love it ~ so much brighter

I will share pictures soon

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massage and a mani-pedi was in the cards as well

don't you love gift cards

and the weather has been so nice ~ warm temps

the snow is melting.......slow but sure

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oh yeah ~ by the way ~ this is one of my favourite cakes ever

old fashion yellow cake with chocolate frosting

I am a simple girl really

it is my birthday eve and I have mixed feelings this year

this is a milestone event in my life

lighting 50 candles on the cake

reflecting on my life ~ what to keep ~ what to change

like cleaning out a closet

I think there will be more on that as well

so tomorrow night we will gather ~ I am so looking forward to seeing

people that mean the world

Trev has been in planning mode with help from a couple of my girlfriends

I know we will have a good time

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Cheers to the weekend

hope it's a good one!

Family Ties

Small town ~ late 40's

a single woman gives birth to a baby girl

and gives her up for adoption

a couple of years later ~ the couple gets married

and has 3 boys and life goes on

forward wind to 2014

that young woman is now in a nursing home

in the early stages of alzheimers

the oldest son decides to search for his sister

(this is my mother in law and her oldest sister Elsie)

at the same time a city away the daughter has started the search for her mother

and they connect and meet

these are not step siblings ~ they share the same parents

this is the story of my husband's Aunt Elsie and her family 

and on Good Friday it was time for this lost sister

to meet some more of the family

we gathered at Trevor's cousins place

19 for dinner and 21 in total when all was said and done

this is the entire gang ~ a motley looking crew aren't we!

Diane connected with her new found cousins

she brought her husband and her children

and their families

it was a blessed day to say the least

we fell into easy conversation ~ lots of stories to be told

sharing history ~ learning about each other

and this was just scratching the surface

this is my hubby's family

his brother Scott and sil Phyllis ~ seated are Barb & Lee then Trev and I on the right

I cannot wait to gather again and learn more about our new found cousins

it was a very Good Friday

oh ~ and I was spoiled just a touch as well

a cupcake birthday cake came out for dessert

a glass of wine ~ a cupcake ~ ice cream and blueberry cheesecake

with a side of tea

quite the combination ~ yes please!

and roses from my love.

The rest of the weekend was low key but that is ok

it was a gorgeous day today where we spent most of the afternoon outside

and had our very first bbq of the season tonight

hope you had a fabulous Easter weekend.

Celebrating 49

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today I light 49 candles

and celebrate life

I look back at the years stretched out behind me and smile

so many memories ~ so many good times

I am blessed to be where I am today

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the future is a mystery but one that I look forward to 

with faith and love

friends and family

there is a whole lot of living and loving coming

and I can't wait to experience every single moment

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so today I share some of my favourite things

and hope that a little pretty will bring a smile to someone's face

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and this weekend I will make this ~ I think for Easter brunch

and maybe just maybe ~ a mimosa to go with it

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and I will place my order for one of these

love ~ love ~ love

I hope you had a great week and that this weekend you are surrounded

by those that you love.