Hey There!

Hey There old Friends!  Remember me?  I know, I know. I have been away too long.  But, as you all know, life gets busy & we disappear sometimes from Blog World which is a good thing, except for when our Blog friends don't know where we go & worry.
So fret no more... I'm back!
Whats Up? 
Do you remember when everyone was saying "Whatzzzzzz up?"  wasn't that annoying? Glad that passed.

So... here is one of the main reasons I was ...MIA

Yes... this is my precious ASUS laptop that I am oddly very attached to.  A few weeks ago, as I reached for my fresh cup of coffee (with cream & sugar), my wrist gave out right as I was reaching with it across the laptop, causing me to pour the entire cup into this ole laptop. Seriously. I tried to rescue it, but well, it went into a coma.  Luckily, one of my heroes is related to me and knows a boatload of computer geek stuff as he works for HP.  My dear BIL , Brent, took ASUS to his home hospital where, he performed a miracle.
heavy exhale!
I can not tell you how happy I am to not only have this baby home, but... I didn't lose data! That is huge!  I am a photography whore and have way too many unprotected/un-back up-saved photos.

I am so relieved.

Second, the reason that I have been writing less in the past three months, is I am very happily busy with my job.  This job is such a Blessing.  It is the perfect fit, and I truly can say, I am one of those people that love their jobs & look forward to coming in every day.

And third.... there has been family drama.  Not within Hubby, Daughters, & myself. But outside those safe arms... on both sides of our family, separate craziness is brewing.  I found myself in a place where I knew I couldn't write my true feelings as the censorship "family" police would be up in arms and things would be taken wrong, feelings would surely be hurt (although the pain some have caused me seem to not be an issue for them). I feel so helpless when I can't "fix" things.  It really stinks.  The hurt cuts deep and sometimes you wonder if things can ever mend when it gets this crazy.  I won't go into it right now, maybe never.  There is no healing in writing about some things at this point. We will just have to see what time and prayers bring.

My beautiful youngest Daughter turned 21. I promise to do a post on her with pictures.

Also, today is Veteran's Day & I must post about it as well.

Gonna get some house work done & will return to do another post soon.

Love you all~
It's great to be back♥

Up In Smoke...

(how many of you thought about Cheech & Chong with that title?)
Last week, was a frustrating week for me. Challenging and frustrating.  What I thought was going to be an easy breezy lazy yet productive week, turned upside down.. once or twice. I will admit, I have been rather scatter-brain lately.
This is what happened when I got side-tracked with Blogger on Tuesday...

I was making garlic bread.
The phone rang, and I found my phone sitting next to this toaster oven.. with my toast on fire. Grabbing a dish towel, I yanked the plug, and pulled open the oven door... Not the best move...flames shot up to the cabinet above. So I grabbed the sprayer hose at the sink and drowned the flames.  (my fire extinguisher is MIA. I have no idea where, to be honest, I think I lost it with the last move. )
We were lucky...

I do know what a fire devastation can do.
A few years ago, July 1997, my Sister's family home burnt to the ground.
They were on vacation, lightening struck, and it burned for several hours before someone saw it.

It was horrible to say the least.  I am just thankful they were not at home.  They lost their sweet cat, and a fish tank.  Their dog was outside, therefore survived.
My Sis and BIL, didn't have cell phones.  The fire was discovered while they were en-route to home.  No one could reach them, and did not want them to drive up to the horror.  So, driving home, as they passed a friends home, they noticed a large sign that told them to stop here before going home. They passed it, as they were tired and just wanted to get home. But something kicked in and made them turn around.  Had they not, they would have been greeted by other friends, taking turns staying at their property, to assure they would not have to face it along.  As they learned the news, they gratefully left the children with one of their friends and the other drove them home... Or to what use to be home.

I watch them rebuild. Not just a home. Not just the contents. But, their lives.
Timelines for them are;  Before the Fire  and After the Fire.
Although it was not me this was happening to, I was able to feel much of it through my Sis.
I watched it transform priorities. Pull them together, build their love and see them (Sis, BIL & niece & nephew) all become closer together.  My niece & nephew are two years apart. You'd think they were twins. The closeness they share. Best friends Siblings. I have never seen them squabble or cruel to each other.
Material things didn't matter so much before, but even less now.
They adapted to living in a Bed & Breakfast, as well as a couple of rentals while they rebuild.
The gathered much strength in this tragedy.

I would never wish this on anyone. Although, how wonderful to see life through new prospective, and truly value the important things as many can accomplish through devastation.

For me, I value things as I have been able to learn through her example.  I saw my little fire, and immediately realize how very fortunate I was.

I hope that the same is true through little things as well as big things, that I have been through, that perhaps others can learn through how I handle them.

something to think about..

Miles Brentson Reed

A couple of weeks ago, I was honored to attend my nephew's college graduation from Depauw University. I am EXTREMELY proud of my nephew, Miles. I don't doubt that he will be a wonderful asset to society and his skills & knowledge will be beneficial to our great earth. Miles, graduated with a degree in Environmental Geo science. He is working on an Organic Farm this summer, then will travel to Washington state where he will attend Alderleaf Wilderness College. http://www.wildernesscollege.com/ How very cool is that?

Miles has the sweetiest girlfriend, Katie. I wonder how she will do with him so far. I am growing to love her as much as him, I see her bring out the best in him. She is strong and loving. She is beautiful and smart. Will she follow him out there? Will she become my niece :)? {hint-hint-Miles}

Both my nephew & niece have broaden their horizons, stepped outside the comfort zones of home & familiarity which I admire tremendously. (Kuddos to Julie & Brent for teaching them to think outside the box).

His sister, Michelle, {whom I absolutely adore}, is the niece that traveled abroad and went to Germany for a year of study and adventure. Her handsome German boyfriend will be coming to America to visit her and see this great country of ours,{as well, as visiting my sweet Michelle} at the end of the month. Which~ I am going to come meet him Chelle! I need to make sure he is good enough for you :)

The years are flying. Seems only yesterday, my girls and Miles & Michelle played joyfully and giggled through the days. You blink and wonder where the days have gone. All four have become young adults whom happen to have turned out pretty well. You hear about how proud I am of Emily & Annie all the time. But let me tell you, I am so very proud of Miles & Michelle too. I couldn't have asked for a better niece & nephew.

Way to go! I love you so much!

Remembering on Veteran's Day

Today more than ever, I am thinking and praying for our Military Men & Women. I know a few that are currently serving as well as many brave men & even women that have served.

My favorite Service Men are the following handsome men.

My father, Thomas A Meyer US Navy


My Grand Father, Edward George Wright US Navy


Friend, Kinch Edward Waltrop US Marines, currently stationed in Northern Iraq

I am also very proud of others from our family that I unfortunately do not have photos;
My Great Grandfather Marquis, US Army
My Brother In Law, Robert Brent Reed US Air Force
My Brother In Law, Homero Gonzalez US Marines & US Army
My Uncle, David Edward Wright US Navy
My Cousin, Tully Wright US Marines
My Cousin (InLaw)Kristine Wright US Army

Countless friends that have served during war-time as well as peace time. My gratitude for their sense of keeping us safe. Knowing that they are willing to do what ever necessary to keep my country, and my family safe.

To you all, I salute you. I thank you. I pray for you.

For our brave young men and women that continue to enlist, for the young men and women about to go to boot camp (Andrew J Davis US Air Force).

The many friends of my daughters, so young and so brave.

May we all remember, be thankful and prayerful.

Traveling Abroad

Annie, Nathan & Michelle

My niece Michelle is home from her year of study in Germany. She looks wonderful. She lived a healthy lifestyle while there. This photo was taken at a local bike shop, where we met up with her as she decided on a bicycle purchase. Riding was her main source of transportation, and she is missing her German bike riding!

Michelle loves Germany. She is already missing her friends and family. A particular young man as well. She is planning a year of study here, at DePauw University. Then, she wants to go back to Germany and go to a University there.

My Sister, Julie, and husband, Brent, had a wonderful welcome home party for her a couple of weeks ago. She had a nice mix of family and friends. I loved seeing Michelle. I wasn't able to chat much with her, as she was the Fraulein Michelle was in demand by all. I look forward to upcoming gatherings as I am anxious to her of her adventures.

My Emily, has a few friends that have or will be traveling abroad this year. One of her Roommates will spend a semester in France, I believe, studying Culinary Classes. Emily and Annie also have a few friends that are or will travel due to military.

Frankly, the selfish Worry-Wart Mom that I am, makes me glad the girls haven't gone out of the United States. I hope they will have an opportunity in the future, but, I feel they are safer here. I realize several of my readers won't like that comment, and I apologize for any ill feeling I may cause. Particularly to my friends in the UK, Australia and Canada. I love you all and would love to travel to your beautiful countries one day. But, I am not crazy about my 18 and 20 year old daughters going across the state lines let alone the country borders. Traveling is kindof scary these days.

Heck, everything is scary lately.