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So never let a cloudy day ruin your sunshine, for even if you can't see it, the sunshine is still there, inside of you ready to shine when you will let it.

-Amy Pitzele

Sometimes it is hard to remember that just like the weather, not every day in our lives can be blue skied and sunny. Our family is standing under some clouds right now and there are parts of me that are standing there in the dark, waiting for it to rain. But that small part inside of me that just won't ever let doors close, or bridges burn is ready to dance in that rain. Sure I get dissapointed, I stomp inside and cry "not fair!" I want this, and I want that. But that part, that treasured little light in me knows how much better I have it than SO many other people. So I'm clinging to that today, and probably for many more days ahead. If you catching me just standing under a cloud stomping, pouting or whining...remind me how lucky I am! Let's talk about some of that!!

Darren is comming out of his shell at a record pace now! He has a girlfriend, he is hanging out with friends, he is happy. That is all I need. I could spend days lookin at my boy...finally....YEARS later look happy again. He is comfortable in his own skin again for the first time since probably 5th, 6th grade. Praise the Lord!

Zach is a constant source of joy. Despite the fact that it is apparent I run a DISTANT second to his beloved Daddy, he still tells me daily things like "Momma, I love you one hundred eighty seven twenty two!" That's ALOT!! Who can be grumpy when you get that AND a neck squeeze???

Bill is having a hard time seeing the sunshine I think...he's pretty firm under his cloud right now. But he is real careful to pretend to see the sunshine for us. I'm sure he feels responsible and worried about providing for his family, and at this very moment is waiting for a meeting that will most likely tell him that the dream job he was so excited to get a little more than a year ago is no longer his. ( my little bright spot can't help but make me type...for now...)

I know we'll make it through someway, some how. We might not be able to replace the tv that died yesterday, right away. We might not be able to go...and do...as much as we'd like. But we'll be ok. There is sunshine simply in the fact that we are a family. We have each other, a home, our health, insurance if that should falter, and many many material things that we may now remember not to take so for granted.

Time is flying

So I must be having fun right?? Well, mostly I am!! There have been a few rough days, not really days, moments. I'm not one to let my mood be bad for long. There is SO SO much in my life to be grateful for it doesn't take long to find something to lift me up! So, what have I been up to anyway? Well, lets see. My last post was inviting you to join us over at Paper for a weekend crop... There was a TON of inspiration and prizes! I even won a couple! We have had a handful of new members lately which is alot of fun! Here's a glance at what I got done over the weekend...

Then the work week began...my boss of the last nine years is retiring at the end of the month, so there is a TON going on there....Our much much anticipated patio was finally poured, stamped, and nearly NEARLY finished...

Then began the hunt for patio furniture...to go with what we REALLY love, but is WAY more than we planned on spending; or what we thought we wanted, but doesn't hold a candle to what we found, but is at a much lower price. What would you do??

Thursday has become my favorite night of the week. My highschool bff's and their kids and myself and Zach have been meeting up at Presque Isle to catch up, let the kids play and bond, and catch amazing sunsets:

And my mom, has been not doing very well. She struggles with pain caused by too many things to list. She doesn't like anyone to know how much it hurts and this let an infection go on longer than it should...and doctors took what appears to be the easy way out on top of that. All of that culminated in surgery yesterday and a long road ahead for my superwoman mom. If anyone can, she can. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers if you would...

So, that is what I've been up to!

My latest favorite doses of positivity to share:

"People of character do the right thing, not because they think it will change the world but because they refuse to be changed by the world."

~Michael Josephson Radio Commentator

"Living consciously involves being genuine; it involves listening and responding to others honestly and openly; it involves being in the moment."

~Sidney PoitierActor and Author of The Measure of a Man

Scrappy Fun this weekend!

Hey Scrappy People!! Online Crop this weekend at Have Your Way with Paper!!! The fun starts Thursday with challenges running through Sunday and Monday as a final day to get your work posted to the best online gallery on the web!! If you head over tonight there is still time to get your words in for a fun online bingo game too!

Here are a few creations inspired by challenges during the last online crop a few weekends ago!

I hope you stop by my home on the 'net!! You couldn't ask for a more inspiring, friendly group of scrappers!

Food for Thought...and Taste!

"Waiting is a trap. There will always be reasons to wait. The truth is, there are only two things in life, reasons and results, and reasons simply don't count."
Dr. Robert AnthonyEducator

SO true!! I can be the worst of procrastinators, and I come up with reasons that make PERFECT sense... at the time. Then comes the lack of results...which circle back to the reasons...and over and over and over again! No where is this more true in my life than with eating well, exercising, being healthy in general! Bill and I are teaming up again, it is so much easier when we are both on track! This is a great time of year for healthy eating! We hit up the produce stand tonight, corn on the cob and a yummy new to me zucchini recipe. The zucchini recipe is from a friend, and has already become a favorite!! Give it a try, super easy, fast and delicious!

Zucchini Boats

Got this recipe from Emily tweaked it a little. Could change it up alot to whatever you have on hand.

*I used whole wheat crackers made into crumbs, EVOO instead of butter, added a small chopped onion into the stuffing, no olives (bill won't eat them) instead put small amount of bacon bits on top of filling after stuffed.

Ingredients:

1 medium zucchini

1/4 cup water

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lite butter or margarine

1/4 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs

2 tablespoons chopped black olives

2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp and set aside, leaving 1/4-in. shells. Place zucchini shells, cut side down, in a skillet. Add water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5-6 minutes or until tender; drain.

2. Turn shells cut side up; sprinkle with salt. Chop zucchini pulp; saute in a small saucepan in butter for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in bread crumbs and olives. Spoon into the zucchini shells; sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook over medium heat (with no added water) for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serves 2

and the happy winner is........

post number 12!! Iris Goddess!!! Please contact me so I can get your information and you can claim your happy prize!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you will come by anytime you need a dose of positivity!

Sunday Dose

{if you're looking for the happy blog hop...scroll down!!}

Good morning! Found this dose of positivity to share for today!

We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.

William Ewart Gladstone

Had a good start to the weekend! Spent some crafty time with a newish co-worker and friend and met some new scrappy people! So many different kinds of scrap happy goin on. What I enjoyed most was the chatting I had with her afterwards. She is a positive person much like myself and we found a lot of common....thought processes. It was really nice.

In the evening I was cajoled into attending an Erie Seawolves game despite the daunting weather. I was glad I went in the end. And only these two women, two of my oldest, dearest friendships could have gotten me there. Zach had a BLAST, and D had fun too despite being a bit uncomfortable at first.

Zach got a hug from 'C. Wolf'

The kids all 'ran the field' during a inning break.

As soon as I finish this post and my cup of coffee, I'm gonna grab a shower and we'll head outside to take advantage of the sun...something we haven't had alot of this summer! I hope you have a fabulous day!!