Today has turned into a fabulous day!

One of the best for me in a very long time.

I have found my neices!

When my sister died two years ago, we kind of lost touch with them.

They live in Texas with their father.

Well, I recently sent a package to them and their other mom called me!

I am so excited!!!!!

She was very kind and understands completely how much I want to keep in touch with them.

I feel as if a huge weight and load of guilt has been lifted from me.

I haven't wanted to interfere with their lives; I didn't want to bring more pain to them since they lost their mom... so, I've tried to keep a little distance from them.

So, with baby steps, I hope to re-intertwine our lives.

For me, this is a kind of a "holiday" day!

Halloween is coming!

Halloween is coming!

Halloween is Saturday, and I just can't wait. My Godchild is going on 2, and this will be her first real taste of "Trick or Treat"... I can't wait to see her taking it all in. I think I am more excited for her than she will be when it actually commences!

I'm posting a pic of her from last Halloween and next week I'll update with a 2009.

She was a ladybug last year... this year she is a ladybug again... just a different kind, I think.

My "Holiday" Tree

For me, there is a difference between a "Holiday" tree and a Christmas Tree. My "Holiday" tree, I keep on display all year long and decorate accordingly. My Christmas tree is only up from Thanksgiving to January 2nd. I am very perturbed at the idea of them being the same thing... because for me, they are not. MY Christmas tree is a symbol and is filled with symbolism by the ornaments adorning it. For some people, Christmas is just a holiday... but for me, it is a frame of mind... one I try to keep all year long; ... ... ....meaning: Give more, take less. Others first, yourself last. Share, don't hoard. Welocome, don't shun. Help, don't hurt.

Well, the point of this post was to share with you my "Holiday" tree. It's in my foyer, right by the front door. I decorate it all year long. At the moment it is decorated for the football season, and I have paid tribute to LSU with it. Go Tigers.

What do you think?

Happy Autumn To All!

I just love this time of year! The air is crisp and clean... the weather is cool and the holidays are just coming into focus.

I can't wait to start decorating.

I've just gotten everything for Halloween down from the attic and have begun spreading it out on the patio to dust off, clean up or throw away if it's beyond help.

There is just something about all the memories that are wrapped so tenderly in old newspaper, packing peanuts or original styrofoam molds that give me a boost this time of year. Every box I open is filled with yesteryear. It is uplifting somehow.

Maybe pics of the decorations in my next post.