So caught up

In all the holiday comings and goings that I really have not had much time to do much blogging or even breathing! Lucky for me breathing takes no thought so at least I managed to do that~!

Christmas came and went in a blur but one thing is for sure. We were and are surrounded by family and friends and all the love that comes with it. Jared and Tina had us all over and we ate, drank, opened gifts for what seemed like hours. Truly though, the day was highlighted by an impromptu game of "horse" using all of us. What a blast it was watching and being watched while we all put our awesome basketball skills to the test. Needless to say the only one that could really play was our 8 year old grandson Blake. He is obsessed with basketball and has become quiet the player if I do say so myself.

Tonight we are going to UCF to see the Christmas lights for the final time this year. They also have a skating rink but for 12 dollars I think I will pass. Great time for pictures though! :)

My wish for all of my friends and family as we end 2009 is that God Blesses you richly in 2010 and that everyday you take a moment to really see the wonders of his love.

My top 5 Thankyou's for 2009

1. My continued health
2. My wonderful family
3. The love and support of close friends
4. Security that nothing is too big for him
5. All the "small" stuff.

Merry Christmas Friends

May your Christmas be filled with all sorts of Thank you's to our Creator. He is the reason for it all.

1. Holiday decorations
2. Dinner with good friends
3. The love of my sweet and lovely daughter
4. My husband even if he is a "mister bah humbug"
5. Teeth whitener ( don't ask ) okay, I drink alot of coffee. perhaps a little wine too! :)
   

Productive Day

After being cancelled this morning I was bound and determined I would make something productive out of it and I sure did! Lots of gifts bought and some are even wrapped! Whoo Hooo! No baking yet but no worries, that is what the weekend is for! I do have my recipes out and I am ready to hit the grocery store to start the process. I think I have finally gotten into the spirit of the season.

Hannah kept me company all day and while I am sitting here exhausted she is out again with her friends. Makes me feel slightly lazy now that I think about it.

Thinking of all the blessings in my life tonight. The comfort of my home, my family and my friends. God is so good.

1. Shopping with my girl.
2. New lipstick from MAC! yes, it's the small things.
3. Free gift wrapping at Belle's
4. Sales!!!
5. Cranberry bars. yummmm.

Help me please

In an attempt to keep at my 24 hour resolution I did NOT swear when I got an ADO this morning even though I was told yesterday I would NOT get one. I look at that as progress because usually I would have slipped a little "d" word out but not this morning! Nope, I just put down that SECOND cup of coffee I was drinking and started to DRY myself as I had just come out of the SHOWER. Sarcasm here folks!! Get it? Shower, Coffee, 5:15 in the morning??? What's a girl to do but blog about it.

This will be a productive day, this will be a productive day, this will be a productive day!!!

If at first you don't succed

Okay well I lasted about 2 hours before my 24 hour resolution was nixed. BUT the beauty of it is I can start all over ! Right?

Where do I start with my Thankful thought? How about at # 1

1. Sweet Jackson's face at his first Christmas production. He picked his nose the entire time! Yuck, but funny all at the same time.
2. Purell ( see nose picking )
3. The smell of my Mandy after picking her up from the groomers
4. Beautiful invitations to Tina's baby shower. Thanks Amber!
5. Hannah and her mouse ears.

Great Times

Last night was a great night for the NICU staff at Florida Hospital. We ate, drank and danced our silly heads off! Fun to just let go and let loose. Some of us let loose more than others ( me ) but still everyone seemed to be having great fun.

Woke up this morning with tons of things to do and no energy to do it. How come one night of dancing for me requires another day of recouping?? Can we say, "get in shape Robin" ? Yeah, that's on my list for 2010.

Speaking of 2010 I am wondering. Do I sabotage it and make a resolution I will not hold to, or if I do it anyway, and this year, REALLY try to make it stick? I say that every year and every year I really do intend to make it work but somehow it all unravels by February. I guess New Years Resolutions are just part of ending one year and starting another with new hopes, new dreams and a chance to make it all better.

This day, this moment, I have a chance to make everything better so I will start right now. My new day resolution and try really hard to make it stick for the next 24 hours . Then perhaps tomorrow I will have another 24 hour resolution. hhhmmm, yes, that sounds so much more plausible. yes, that is what I will do. The 24 hour resolution. For today I will not swear, not one time. I will avoid any expletive, I will, I promise. ( for 24 hours ). :)

So sore

Back in the surgeon's office today for some revision of my reconstruction site. As part of the Breast Cancer story I have had my nipples placed on. Crude to even say the word "nipple" but I guess that is what it is so there you have it. Anyway. I have been fighting an infection in my left one ever since the surgery ( hospital acquired ) and today I had it cleaned and re- sutured. God help me. 12 sutures later. I am thankful for:

1. Time off in the busy day to leave and have my "revision".
2. Tator at my door way when I got home. :)
3. My new friend Layne. ( even if we only got to know each other as she leaves for another job)!
4. Drive through pharmacy
5. Percocet. see above post.

Awesome Day

Some days there are SO many moments you can reflect on and be thankful for but today? Wow, where do I start?? Could it be my BIG sister coming into town for the Christmas Holidays? Or, perhaps, seeing my Niece a year after her graduation? Yes, I am thankful for those moments but I have so many more reasons to be Thankful today with the above mentioned just stating the obvious. For now I will dig deeper into my top 5 NOT so obvious Thankful moments.

1. A sisters knowing look and I don't have to say a word.
2. History
3. Looking at my past with someone who shared it.
4. Laughing at the same old joke that only we get.
5. Blue Martini room, Russian Martini, EXTRA dirty. ( only my sissy shares this love with me ) .

She's here!

My sister that is! Whoop Whoop!! I haven't see her in almost a year and we have alot of catching up to do. Going to shop, eat and laugh all day. I can't wait!

Funny how during this time of year I get most especially sentimental. I remember the years we spent as children and all the excitement that went along with Christmas even though we were terribly poor and never had alot. We still managed to get into the magic of it all. My grandmother would make her very tiny ham out of a can, her potato salad that had the oddest taste and it wasn't until she was much older did we figure out what that "taste" was. I can't reveal it as it is a BIG secret. Don't' worry I don't think you would like it! :) She also made a wonderful cucumber salad that to this day I have not been able to make it perfectly like she did. My mouth waters just to remember it. Few gifts adorned our very sparsely decorated tree but they were all wrapped with care and our names written on them. I don't ever remember believing in Santa but I am sure I must have at some point. I do remember going through the Sears catalog and marking my initials next to the toys I wanted and dreaming for hours on end about getting them. Funny how come Christmas morning all I wanted was the smell of Grandmas house and the comfort she gave me. Gifts were great but it was her presence that was our biggest gift. We all felt that way, me, my sisters and my mother. My grandmother was our Angel, our sweet beautiful Angel.

I hope that all of you have your Angel this year. Hold them dear and let them remind you of the spirit of Christmas. It is their presence that is your present. Everyday with them is a gift.

Today I am Thankful for my "gifts"

1. The sweet memories of my precious Grandmother
2. My 2 sisters who hold on to her memories as dearly as I do
3. My mother who loved us enough to share this wonderful woman with us.
4. My own chance to try and be the grandmother to my own grandsons that she was to us.
5. This moment in time .

It's Saturday!

and I am at work. Actually in the level 2 nursery today and enjoying the time I have to snuggle with the sweetest little babies. So different from my usual job with baby's on ventilators, feeding tubes and such. Nice break and fills my arms with sweet smelling, soft cuddly, tenderness.

Top 5 moments today.

1. Butt warmers! Yes, even in Florida we need them.
2. Warm Cookies from a sweet mommy
3. New life
4. Great co-workers
5. Wine chilling at home. Thanks honey.

Happy Anniversary to You

Today Jared and Tina celebrate 4 years of wedded bliss. Hard to believe that my grown son now has a family of his own and will soon be opening his heart to one more little BOY. There family is growing and he is seeing what I have said all along. Being a parent is the single biggest joy you will ever know. I am so blessed to have had the 3 children I have and now get to sit back and watch them raise there own children. Not to mention being a grandma is AWESOME!!

Jeff and I babysat the boys tonight so the Jared and Tina could go out and have dinner. We stuffed the boys with Spaghetti, peanut butter and Oreo cookies. After giving them baths we watched Spider Man. So fun. Now we are home and Jeff is sleeping while I keep my promise. Hannah as you read this, know that I love you and am so Thankful for you and stand in awe of all you have been through making your life your own in Gainsville.

Without further delay: Today's top 5 thankyou's are

1. Sleeping with all 4 of my kitties last night.
2. Photo shop and all of the headaches that come with it!
3. Hannah doing well in Calculus
4. Sticky fingers all over me as Jackson kissed my face. :)
5. Knowing my sister is in the state of Florida! Whoop Whoop!!

Jackson picked this little, lonely tree for his Christmas Tree. Can you say "Charlie Brown"?

It's raining Hay!!! Yeah for Florida!

Love this New Layout

Testing to see if this new free blog page is working. Love the Santa. Thanks Layne! Your the best.

Uuggghhh, time to be Thankful. :)

Do you ever find it hard to be "thankful"? I know that sounds terrible but right now my feet are throbing, my head is aching and all I want is my bed. Before I take a shower, clean the litter box, make some dinner, oh, and throw a load of laundry in I will take note. I am Thankful. Yes, I am.

1. 3 admisions!! Hard to say as my feet and head are hurting. But I really am Thankful for them.
2. My sweet girl who calls me just to "check in". :)
3. Roof over my head and food in the fridge. ( hard to know that there are people who do not have such things )
4. Knowing what I want for Christmas. ( all 3 kids informed ). :)
5. My sweet lap dog and her sweet doggy breath!

Good night my friends. I really am Thankful!! and Grateful!!

So Sleepy

Long day with the babies. I am tired and ready to turn in for the night. But first, as promised. I am thankful for :

1. My job! Lot so girls loosing their hours so I am greatful for mine.
2. A great car to drive into work in. Convertable, great gas milage. Just a great car.
3. Jaksons finger is feeling better
4. Hannah coming home next week.
5. Clindimyin.

So Sleepy

Long Day today

For some reason I am in a funk today. It just seemed like a long day and almost like a little cloud over me. Perhaps it is just the natural let down of the weekend. What ever the reason it will pass, of that I know for sure.

Hannah has a HUGE exam today and we have been in contact most of the day. She is struggling with Calculus and I know has a great deal of stress on her. She is concerned about maintaining her grades and I can so relate. Pour little girl. Funny how at 19, 5 ft 11 inches tall I still can call her "little". She is my little doll baby and always will be.

However long this day has been. I am Thankful for

1. Free long distance! :)
2. The relationship my daughter and I have. Best Friends for sure
3. The smell of our Christmas tree
4. The Little Drummer Boy
5. Feeling at home in my husbands arms.

On that note. I will say Good Night to all my friends. Work tomorrow so it's early to bed for me.

We Found it, the PERFECT tree!

Okay, maybe not the "perfect" tree but it is the 2009 Roberson/Bush tree. The day was wonderful with lots of pictures ( over 1000 ), roasted hot dogs and marsh mellows, several pony rides, and even a donkey bite later we are officially worn out. Pictures will follow but for tonight I am done and could not be more Thankful.

1. The Eustis Christmas Tree Farm for memories that will last a life time.
2. Hot dogs on an open fire
3. So much laughter my sides hurt
4. The Spirit of Christmas abundant today all around us
5. Christmas trees as far as the eye could see.

In search of the perfect Christmas tree

Today is the offical day we go with the grandkids for the long talked about, yearly pilgramidge to find the "perfect" Christmas tree. This is no ordinary Christmas tree hunt. We first go to breakfast in preperation for the calorie burning run through the trees. Next, we load up the truck and drive to Eustis where they have the only central Florida Christmas tree farm. We are talking hay rides,a petting farm, buy your own hotdog, and roast them over the open fire pit Christmas tree farm. We usually spend 2-3 hours having a blast and taking tons of pictures. I am so happy to be able to share another Christmas with my greatest blessings. My children.

Not a great way to end the Season.

Started this afternoon so excited about the SEC Championship game between U.F and Alabama but what a crushing blow. U.F. got their butts squarely kicked and I hate to say really deserved it. :( That is so hard to admit as I am a huge fan of the Florida Football team but what a bad night they had. Poor Tim Tebow. I know that the entire team is responsible for such a miserable loss but I have a feeling that Tim felt it the most. What a sad ending to a great season. Tim said it best when he spoke after the game. "when it is all said and done it is still a game and there are many more important things in life". Got to give it to him. Even in the pain of a huge loss for him both personally and professionally he still has his priorities straight. What a guy.

5 things I am Thankful for..

1. Getting off half a day to watch football.
2. Good friends to yell at the T.V. with.
3. Good friends to Text and yell about the game with.
4. Wings, Beer and Napkins
5. Tim Tebow. :)

Not sure were my Thankyou list for yesterday went

I am sure it is somewhere off into Cyberland but for the life of me I know I wrote it!! Pretty sure God knows that I am thankful so I get a pass for the one missing list,I think.

Woke up a little early today and thought I would make my coffee, take a shower and actually be on time for work. My normal routine is to be up at 5 and rush around like a mad woman and be out of the house at 6. Oh no, not today. Up at 4:30, showered, coffee, which by now I am onto my 2nd cup and low and behold, the phone rings. hhhmmm, not good. Now I know full well that we have been cancelling people left and right because of a low census but surly not me, not on the morning I was up and wide awake? My husband looks at me, I look at him, dripping wet. He answers the phone. I am officially CANCELLED! Now what??? I can't go back to bed, too much caffeine, I stand there and do the next best thing. Throw back on my pajamas and sit at the computer. So here I am. Wet, hyper and cancelled.

My little dog Mandy does not mind that I am not working if fact she rather likes knowing that she has an unlimited number of hours to sleep on my lap. Lazy girl.

Today I have no more excuses I MUST start my Christmas list. Tight budget, and long lists of needs from all the kids. Time to get creative.

Thrilled

I made it through the day.

I made it through my first day back at work after several days off and not feeling so great. It was rough going the first half of the day but Dayquil and Tylenol were my friends. Glad to be home drinking my hot tea and listening to the rain outside my window. What is it about the sound of rain? I find it so soothing. Nothing better than a rainy day and nothing to do but read and snuggle with my cat, dog or husband. Sometimes with all 3 at the same time. :)

Really sad day at the NICU. We lost a baby girl that although expected, still heartbreaking for all of us. Nothing can prepare you as you watch a life being brought into the world and very quickly brought back out. Doesn't make sense to my mortal mind. Somehow there is sense to it but we just don't know it now. Someday when those parents are brought face to face with their perfect baby girl it will all come together. For now we are left just shaking our head and wondering why God does what he does.

On that note let me share my "Thank-You God" for my life and moments to be grateful for.

1. Blessing me as I witness Life and Death and the frailty of it all.
2. Friendships that go beyond having to speak.
3. Maltballs!!
4. Rain on my window
5. Happy Dogs to greet me after a very long day.

Because I had nothing better to do

I thought I would play around with my new little buddy, aka Nikon d5000. I love her but boy am I needing to learn alot!! Trying to figure out these fancy settings and so far just have become more and more frustrated. Not to worry though, I will prevail!!!!

I am scheduled to work tomorrow and I am crossing my fingers and toes! We have been canceling alot of nurses lately due to our census being so low. Time for some baby's to be born as much as I hate to wish it. Lets just say that if a pre-term baby is to be born in Central Florida I hope it will be at our hospital.

Today as much as any other day I remain grateful for so many things but here are my top 5 special Thanks for today.

1. Time with my kitties as they snuggled around me. I swear they know just when I need them the most.
2. Free long distance. This comes in handy especially when my daughter and I are sharing the same flu but in different cities. Just the sound of her voice brightens my day
3. Knowing the love of my life loves me when I am least lovable. Okay, enough of the love I know.
4. Renters that pay on time. :)
5. Dinner from Uno's already heated and on a plate when I woke up from my 3rd nap today. Now that is love!

Playing with my Camera

Woke up with High Hopes

Woke up actually feeling pretty good and thought to myself that it would be a good day to stroll the mall and finally start some Christmas Shopping. Out I headed with my list in hand ( at least this year I have a list ) and stopped for coffee. Armed with caffeine AND a list, into the Mall I headed. Fast forward ahh, say 5 minutes and I started to sweat profusely. Cold chills, legs shaking and sweat dripping down my neck I had to stop and catch my breath. Maybe this Christmas shopping is a bit premature coming on the heals of the flu. Never having made it out of Barnes and Noble I turned back around and headed for my car.

Home with Thera Flu in hand and back in my pajamas. All good intentions but no cigar. Home for the day.

So Excited

I woke up early this morning and checked out my e-mail to find a reply from a blogger I think lives in Minnesota?? I am not sure so I better check but I was thrilled that she actually read her e-mails and took the time to respond to lil ol me!! Actually she posted a picture of one of her cats that looks amazingly like one of mine it could be her twin!! I sent along a picture and she thought the similarities were uncanny also. I truly am not a blogging stalker but then again maybe I am???