Heaven and Hail

Today I spent an interesting couple of hours in a small town cemetery.

Last year, a fellow Blogger Brooke introduced me to a group called Find A Grave . It is an organization that has volunteers take photographs of graves from request. I have been wanting to do a shoot for awhile, but every time I attempted one, something either got in the way or someone beat me too it.

This morning, I got an email request for a small town just south of where I live. I know the area, and knew it would be a small cemetery. Typically you can find out the area of a grave, through the cemetery website or groundskeeper. This cemetery is old, and has no office/groundskeeper on the grounds. It also did not have the information on line. Just a confirmation that the grave I was searching for was indeed there.

It was a beautiful but windy day. Perfect for photography.

Have you ever really paid attention to the detail in the Headstones, Memorials, or Markers? Particularly in the older ones. They are amazing. Some are outlandish and some are simple. Some have a lot to say while others are brief and to the point. Some are downright creepy.

This cemetery only had one Mausoleum. Must have been a very prominent person. There were side windows that were Stained glass, with light pouring inside the mausoleum. I felt it would be disrespectful to take a photo at the door where I could see the colorful light pouring in.

Benches were popular here as well.

It was fascinating to see the detail and consideration to age..years, months, and days. To an exact.

Here lies siblings. Just to the side of their parents Headstone. Each child died within two years of life. Life was hard back in the 1800. There certainly wasn't the medical knowledge or immediate care that we have today.

Some Tombstones are so old yet grand. The smaller one is of a child, and there is a sleeping lamb craved on top. The old Oak tree is magnificent in the background.

I noticed a lot of older Headstones with the hand pointing up.

Then I saw this one...

Which freaked me out. Actually scared me.  Did I mention I was all alone walking this Cemetery for two hours?  Did I mention how the ground is very uneven and I found myself tripping now and then? Or when I stopped to take a picture, my foot would start sinking into the ground?  To make up to these souls I did a lot of praying for them and their families (especially for the many young people buried here). I also picked up a fallen cherub or two.

I saw a few of these old broken tombstones. 

In all I saw hundreds and hundreds, maybe a thousand tombstones, headstones, memorials, benches, markers... whatever you are comfortable calling them.  The problem... with all those I read (and I read every name searching for my assignment), I could not find her grave. This teenager that died so young, that I went on a search to photograph her grave for a loved one, and I could not find anyone by her name.

So I went home without the picture I sought after.

Now about the Hail part of my post.

Tonight the weather got really weird. The sunset was so bright. Scary bright. Then the warm air got really cold! The weather alerts were on the tube and just like they predicted, this came down loud and hard.

It hurts when Hail hits you. But I had to get a picture. 

It's Begining to look a lot like Christmas

It started snowing this morning. Chilly too. My most current excuse for not attempting to finish with the lights. (I have gotten the two boxwoods finished & 1/3 of the Magnolia tree).
Trying to finish things up around the home. I got the tree done. I let the dogs see it & Bandit got a little too excited... He won't be allowed back in the living room until after the tree is down.

Our Tree this year, is a mismatch of new and old. It has a lot of old hand-made from the girls, Precious Moments, their favorite hallmarks over the years, as well as this & that's we have collected. The girls use to have their own tree in their bonus room that was always very fun. I have done all home-made, and I have done all white or other themes.

My old glass ornaments go in a fishbowl on the coffee table.  I wish I had thought of this years ago as many have not survived children & cats. Here they are safe and I can see them well.

The mantel is coming along. I love the old Tonka truck that was Sergio's sitting on the hearth. I also love catching him smile at it.

A gathering of Santas. I do love them. In different styles and vintage as well as new.  The two old ones in the center belonged to my Grandmother Peggy & maybe Grandmother Noel prior to that. The one with a light bulb in his nose is so frail.  I never plug it in as the cord is older than I! I remember my parents sitting hit up on the bar when I was young.

Finally the good stuff.  The best Christmas decorations, the ones that I will never part with.  The precious goodies my babies made. These are my favorites.  Some have permanent spot, displayed through out the year.

My dear Blogger friend Linda over at Over the Fence inspired me to share a little of my Christmas cheer. I love how she gives us glimpses. It's like sharing a cup of coffee while enjoying her Christmas cheer.

I still have a ways to go.  But, getting there gradually.

Got some great music on too.  I am playing my friend Brooke's playlist from  Brookie's Cookie Jar . She also has a lovely Blog and always great jams. Gosh... so grateful for my Bloggy Buddies!
One more picture for you...
This is my bed last night @ 2am. Im am actually squeezed in between the cat & dogs, with the rest of me up the pillow side.  With Sergio out of town on business, four of the 6 critters that live with us, like to keep me warm at night!

Love to all♥

Sugar Doll? Me?

My Blogger Buddy Bridgette sent me this "The Fabulous Sugar Doll Blogger Award". Awe! Really Bridgette? Thank you sooo much! You are the Sugar Doll but I love that you sent this to me!
Bridgette has a lovely blog here:
http://bridgettetaylor.blogspot.com/
Life's a Beach
She is a breath of fresh air! A young perspective. An adorable fun girl. I love reading here blog. I hope you will too.

Okay...
Play time! Ten things about me? Okay, let me try:

1. I never have enough time in the day to get things accomplished that I intend.
2. Disappointing others is a big fear of mine.
3. Once upon a time I was "double jointed"
4. Both my daughters are left handed and I suspect I would be too if I I did not learn to write in the 60's, when teachers forced us to use our right hand.
5. I am in the process of forming a Bunco Group of friends.
6. I strongly believe in Paying it Forward.
7. I don't do astronomy, psychic readings or any of this nature since becoming a Catholic.
8. I believe all animals have feelings and thoughts.
9. I think you should always give respect even before receiving it.
10. I rarely think I am good enough, smart enough or liked enough. (I have self-esteem issues).

Passing this award along. Gosh, I don't want to stalk my favorites, I just passed another on to a few Blogger friends. Bridgette deserves this but she already got it. Hmm, Let me think..sorry for the repeating but some are such Dolls I can't resist!

1. Brooke at http://www.brookiescookies.blogspot.com/ She is the sweeties doll I have met in Blogland, gotta send it her way.

2. Mandy at http://www.byrdonfire.blogspot.com/ She too is wonderful and I have enjoyed her blog for quite a while.

3. Lori at http://www.loritimesfive.blogspot.com/ She is just amazing and inspiring! We all love her writings.

4. Rosaria at http://www.sixtyfivewhatnow.blogspot.com/ She is one of the best composed writers I have read. she has a lovely way of sharing her wisdom, her life stories, and wit. She is encouraging and uplifting. I am grateful to have found her.

5. Anne from http://www.justiandmyself.blogspot.com/ My fairly new friend from South Africa who inspires me and educates me too.

6. Linda at http://www.my-over-the-fence.blogspot.com/ One of my original top fives. Linda reminds me of how alike we are yet enough difference to make her interesting and intriguing.

Oh I could go on and on. I love all my blogger friends and am grateful that they entertain me, encourage me, educate me, and love me!

Beautiful Blogger!

JC from Lilacs & Cats, http://www.jcatmom.blogspot.com/ sent me this award! Yay Me! This one is soooo pretty. I am happy ! Thank you JC! I have been down and this certainly brightened my day.

JC is amazing. She is dedicated to Animal Rights, Animal Rescue, Shelter Animals... She is one of my heroes and she gets the word out. No wonder her blog followers have grown so. She is awesome and I am so glad that I found her . She takes fabulous photos of her fur balls and tells great tales of them.

Please go check her out. Also click on to her many links to help our furry friends in need!

I want to pass this Award on as well, so here goes. (In no particular order).

#1. Pam from Scotty's Place, http://www.scottys-place.blogspot.com/ . I love her! Love her blog! She makes me laugh all the time. I get giddy when she writes. I know I will either laugh at her humor, be hungry after hearing her cooking tales, or be envious from her crochet abilities.

#2. Brooke from Brookie's Cookie Jar, http://www.brookiescookies.blogspot.com/ Love her too! If we lived closer I would stalk her till she'd hang out with me! lol...jk. Brooke & I have enough in common that we have become good blogger friends. I find her inspiring and enchanting. She loves life and sprinkles happiness wherever she goes. She is Blessed to have wonderful family and she takes her bloggers on wonderful photo journeys on her trips.

#3. Speaking of trips.. Lori from Lori Times Five, http://www.loritimesfive.blogspot.com/ Incredible journeys into amazing places. Lori has a wonderful way of putting her story into words and photos. I have been following her seen earlier days (before she became famous!) she is always so sweet to me.

#4. My fabulous friend Reya from According to the Cosmology of Reya, (formerly known as The Gold Puppy) @ http://www.thegoldpuppy.blogspot.com/ Reya is also one of my popular friends (teehee). She still comes back to me & always gives me the best comments and praises. This woman has an amazing eye for art and her photography is marvellous!

Oh there are many others... But I am going to keep this to a minimum for now.

Love you all and thank you, thank you Ms JC!

Sweet! An Award!

All my bitchin' has caused an itchin'. My dear Blogger Friend FireByrd has sent me an Award! It is my first :D I am a happy camper and can now die peacefully knowing I have recognition!

I am very honored and yes I will play!

So, here we go:

The award is the Kreativ Blogger award and the rules are:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
Thank you FireByrd!!! I am so tickled and I feel validation! You are so kind & I do love reading your Blog.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
Done

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
Okay, lets see if I do this correct:
http://byrdonfire.blogspot.com/

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
hmm. not easy.
I blog about myself, so, much of this may be known.

1~I grew up with a Father that was Handicapped
2~I spent my summers from 12 - 17 yrs old, with my Grandparents in Texas
3~ I learned to drive in graveyards, with a stick shift car
4~I went to college @ Vincennes University to become a Special Ed Teacher, but ran out of money & had to drop out.
5~I worked at The Indiana School for the Deaf and know Sign Language
6~I almost married the wrong guy (Thank God that DIDN'T happen!)
7~My Husband STILL makes me giddy & I am more in love today than the day we married.

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
Several come to mind but I am going to hit Bloggers that haven't received Blogging awards to my knowledge.

1~ Sheri from Riley Writings http://rileywritings.blogspot.com/
Because of her, I started my Blog. She rocks my world! Bestie~Lifer

2~Mark from Pirate's Bay http://markspiratebay.blogspot.com/
I know Mark from High School, and found him again through BlogWorld. He is one of the best writers! And reminds me of Sergio. These guys will truly be friends if we ever get together!

3~Pam from Scott's Place http://www.scottys-place.blogspot.com/
My first BlogWorld friend. I love her Blog! I love her. I feel like she is my long lost friend. She has talent oozing from her fingers. Crafts, culinary, sister animal lover, and can make me laugh till I snort!

4~Brooke from Brookies Cookie Jar http://brookiecookies.blogspot.com/
She makes me feel like family. I LOVE her photo journals of her loving family. She also educates me on tours. It's like a mini vacation or a visit for coffee when I stop by her corner of BlogWorld.

5~Linda from Over The Fence http://my-over-the-fence.blogspot.com/
My awesome, smart, Laura Ingalls twin~ oh are you sure we are not sisters separated at birth Blog Friend. Linda has a wonderful writing gift that takes me back...sometimes listening to her tell of her daughter and her relationships and situations (oh I hear you! I was just there not so long ago!) and sometimes she takes me back to my youth. Pictures and all. Oh my, Linda, I remember that too!

6~Wizz from An English Shepard http://anenglishshepherd.blogspot.com/
a charming true story of a United Kingdom English Shepard puppy's journey into adulthood. Her many adventures. Seeing things through her eyes. And educating us on her breed. I find it enchanting. She is beautiful, her story is so worthy to check out.

7~Nathan, my Young Rocker from Nathan's Blog http://napierson.blogspot.com/
This is where to go to get inside a college man's head. He is bright, funny, can play the guitar, write music, sing, and he happens to bring smiles to my youngest daughter as her boyfriend. He is super-busy, but worth being patient for. Because when he writes, you will smile!

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
see above

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.
Whew! this is taking me forever. Okay let me go let my peeps know!

Thank you again FireByrd. You made my day. Sorry to everyone for my whining all the time. I love BlogWorld. It is my venting, am I crazy or what~ thank you for making me feel normal world.

Good Night y'all!