Blue Monday.........

Good morning everyone! Welcome to Blue Monday, hosted by my friend Sally, at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ Thank you Sally for hosting such a fun post! This is a weekly post where some of us blogger's get together to share something blue. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Blue Monday web site.......




I love this time of year! When I was a little girl, teenager, and college student I just couldn't wait for another school year to begin, especially since it meant seeing all of my friends again. I wish I was going back to school this year but instead I will be resuming my book club and humanities group........
Our grandson Ryan is all set for another school year to begin. All of his school supplies and clothes are layed out and ready to go. I don't think Michael, Thomas, and Khory, being the teenagers they are, care so much about school supplies and that sort of thing any more. They are much more interested in the social aspects of school..........

I'm sure if we all take a look around we will see lot's of blues at the beginning of this new school year..........

Happy Blue Monday everyone!.......

Again, Charli and Me would like to wish our teachers and students a truly awesome and blessed school year!.....

With warmest regards, Carol

God bless our teachers!.......

I received the following e-mail last year and posted it here on my blog. With a new school year beginning for some teachers already, and fastly approaching for others, I wanted to post it again........

There's nothing like the truth is there?.........

After being interviewed by the school administration, the teaching prospect said "Let me see if I've got this right:

You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning. You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually-transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride. You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.

You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of anti social behavior, and make sure that they pass the state exams. You want me to provide them with equal education regardless of their handicaps and communicate regularly with their parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. You want me to do all of this with a piece of chalk, blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps. You want me to do all of this and then you tell me... I Can't Pray?"

Charli and Me appreciates and values all of our teachers here in blogland. We know how hard you work. Best of luck as you begin another school year and thank you for the wonderful job you do! God bless you ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

Show Us Your Roosters Party!.......

It's the 'Show Us Your Roosters Party'

Come on in everyone!

Bella Vista is throwing a Cockle-doodle-do of a party today over on her blog, at http://barbsgoodlife.blogspot.com/2009/08/show-us-your-rooster-blog-party.html?showComment=1249526468390#c3237225672731581815

It's not to late to join in the fun! If you would like to show off your Roosters, or you would like to see all of the interesting, beautiful, and whimsical Roosters displayed here in blog land just click on the above link.......

I don't have to much to show you in the way of Roosters. I used to have a beautiful Rooster figurine, a cookie jar, and some canisters but they have all got broken through years of ware and tear, three sons, one husband, and klutzy little old me.... However, recently I purchased these cute little Roosters from Fritz and Floyd. They are actually salt and pepper shakers. I just love them because they are so colorful......

I also have a set of whimsical rooster dishes which I really like and have used in a tablescape here on my blog....

My all time favorite Roosters though would have to be my Rooster napkin rings. They are the very first napkin rings I ever purchased and are years and years old. They are made out of wood and have been banged and chipped through the years. Our grandchildren used to love to play with them when they were little. There is a lot of sentimentality and memories associated with these little guys....

Well, that's it for me. I am looking forward to seeing all of the beautiful things Rooster out there in blog land........

I hope all of you enjoy your day......

With warmest regards, Carol

Hopeful Friday.....

Welcome to Hopeful Friday!......

Although, my friend Cielo, who usually hosts this beautiful post is taking a little break from it for now, I would like to continue Hopeful Friday here on my blog. Cielo has encouraged me to continue and has graciously agreed to allow me to use her lovely button. Thank you so much Cielo!....
Hopeful Friday is a post that is dedicated to positive thoughts and inspirational messages. It is a place to celebrate God! If you are interested in posting with me, just pick up a button, write your post, and then leave a comment here. Otherwise, thank you so much for stopping by to visit me. I hope you enjoy your time here....


'Catch the Moment of Grace'


"The moment of grace comes to us in the dynamics of any situation we walk into. It is an opportunity that God sews into the fabric of a routine situation. It is a chance to do something creative, something helpful, something healing, something that makes one unmarked spot in the world better off for our having been there. We catch it if we are people of discernment."
-Lewis B. Smedes-
In A Pretty Good Person

Happy Hopeful Friday everyone!
Peace be with all of you ♥
I hope you have a lovely day.
With warmest regards, Carol

Dogs on Thursday......

Welcome to Dogs on Thursday at http://dogsonthursday.blogspot.com/
A weekly post where dog lovers like myself get together to share stories about their most precious little four legged friends. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Dogs On Thursday web site........

Good afternoon everyone! I hope all of you as well as all of your sweet little furry friends have had a beautiful and fun filled week.......

Charli had quite a mishap last weekend that has left us both shaken to the core. As some of you already know we went to an air show party over the weekend. After much debate it was decided that Charli would remain home alone. We didn't think she would be able to handle all of the roar and thunder of the planes. She was quite upset and indignant when we first got back home but all was forgiven when we ordered a late night pizza to share with my brother and sister-in-law who were spending the night with us. You see Charli just loves turbo pizza crust. It's one of her very favorite treats. My brother and sister-in- law were amazed at how quickly Charli settled down when we told her we had ordered a pizza.......

The next day I discovered that I had left a bag with my house and car keys at our son Kurt's. My hubby told me not to worry. He said he and Charli would go pick them up for me. I already had plans to go see the play 'Rent' at a local theater that my cousin Jamie is directing. I was on my to the theater when I received a some what frantic call from my hubby....

Apparently, when my hubby got to Kurt's, he opened the car door, and Charli bolted out. She ran through the neighbors opened gate and promptly fell into they're in ground swimming pool. Luckily just about everyone who was at Kurt's and the neighbors saw it happen. We have recently discovered that Charli hates the water! She became so anxious when she fell in to the pool that she couldn't swim. She couldn't get out of the pool and was struggling to keep her head above the water. Kurt's neighbor reached her first, grabbed her by the scuff of the neck, and was able to pull her out. My hubby said Charli would not stop shaking and crying. Nobody could calm her down. Needless to say, I turned right around and drove back home. Charli was already at home by the time I got there. My hubby said she kept pacing up and down the hall looking for me. When she saw me she yelped and yapped for ten minutes streight. It was almost like she was telling me about everything that had happened to her while I was away. I kept telling her everything was OK now. I cleaned her up and wrapped her in one of her favorite blankets. She would not leave my lap for the rest of the evening, and if I tried to put her down, she followed me every where I went. I have made up my mind right then and there that Charli will never ever go near an in ground pool again unless I am with her....

My cousin Margie sent me the following link last week. It's about GOD and dog. I thought all of you who love dogs might enjoy seeing it. Just scroll down and click off the music on my playlist. Then enjoy. It's sure to warm your heart :>)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY



Happy Dogs On Thursday everyone!....
I hope you have a wonderful week ♥
With warmest regards,

Booking Through Thursday.......

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday at http://btt2.wordpress.com/ This is a weekly post where book lovers such as myself get together to discuss literature and books. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Booking Through Thursday web site.........

This week our question is as follows......

"What's the lightest, most "fluff" kind of book you've read recently?"

I would have to say that the lightest and most fluffy book I've read recently is Sunday At Tiffany's by James Patterson. I really enjoyed it. It was easy to read and very entertaining. I think I finished it over the course of eight hours. I have included a book review I wrote on it earlier this year........

Sundays at Tiffany's is co authored by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet. It is a tall tale, a modern day fairy tale of sorts. It was an easy, quick, and interesting read. It also has short chapters which are especially appealing to me......The story is about Jane, a forlorn and lonely child. Her mother is a high powered Broadway producer that always seems to be working and doesn't have the time to spend with Jane she should. Jane develops a relationship with an imaginary friend. Michael is perfect in every way. He's kind, intelligent, funny, handsome, and caring. Michael walks her to school in the mornings, spends time with her in the afternoons, and tags along on outings with her to famous New York landmarks like the St Regis Hotel. Everything is going along fine until one day Michael says, "Children have imaginary friends to help guide them into their lives. We help children feel less alone, help them find their place in the world, in their families. But then we have to leave, have to. It's always been that way, and it will always be that way, Jane. That's just....how it works."Although Jane begs Michael to stay and tells him she is not ready for him to leave, Michael reiterates that he must and reassures her that she will forget him over time. After all children always do.....Jane becomes an adult but never lets go of her imaginary friend Michael. She even writes a play about her experiences with him. Even though Jane is an adult she still has not found her place in the world or her family. Instead she remains lonely and unhappy. She doesn't like herself very much at all. She has a narcissistic self centered boyfriend and a domineering mother who pretty much runs her life. Michael is between jobs and vacationing in New York when he happens to see Jane. Then Jane sees Michael and an adult relationship ensues. They realize they have always loved one another. Although Michael is not a prince all he has to do is snap his fingers to get the money he needs to take Jane on romantic excursions. Jane and Michael seem to have found their true soul mates. Jane develops confidence because of Michael's endearing love for her and she begins to change her life. Jane sees herself in a new light and actually begins to like herself for the very first time. However, there is a cloud looming over their relationship as they constantly worry that Michael will have to leave again. Then a twist in the story occurs that I cannot discuss here for fear of ruining the story for someone else.......Is Sunday at Tiffany's a true fairy tale with a happy ending? I'm not telling.... You'll just have to read the book yourself to find out........

Happy Booking Through Thursday everyone!.....

I hope all of you have a beautiful day ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

The 2009 Selfridge Air Show Party......

The 2009 Selfridge Air Show Party........

Every other year the Selfridge Air Force base puts on an amazing air show and the citizens of Harrison Township just go wild! It's so much fun! The people all along the river, on the other side of the street, and through out the subdivisions across and along South River Road throw large and fun filled air show parties at they're homes. I mean there are parties going on just about every where!........

Our son Kurt who lives on the river right across from the base is no exception. He and Rhonda make sure all of they're family and friends have front roll seats for this amazing display put on by the United States Air Force. The ground shakes, people clap, squeal, and holler, and the planes roar all day long as the Red, White, and Blue strut they're stuff across the skies here in South East Michigan......

Everyone in the neighborhood is so friendly at these parties, snapping pictures, taking videos, party hopping, talking, laughing and whooping it up........

Kurt and Rhonda's party, as always, was a huge success! They are so well organized and really know how to throw a fantastic party.....
The food was just fabulous! Kurt and Rhonda make a list of everyone who is coming and then let them know what is needed in the way of food. The women, as well as some of the men really came through, and brought the most delicious foods to sample and try. Kurt, and one of his good friends grill twice, once around one o'clock, and then again around six. They always serve hot dogs, hamburgers, and sausages with all of the trimmings. All of the food is either kept in the refrigerator, or on ice in one of those large flat storage containers on the serving table....
As people began to arrive all kinds of finger foods, dips, crackers, chips, and hor dourves were served including things like ham roll ups and my sister-in-law Roxanne's yummy pot stickers... A couple of hours later the main course was served that included potato salad, cheesy potatoes, fruit salads, pasta salads and, baked beans....
For dessert there was chocolate pie and all kinds of different flavored cupcakes......
The show it's self was awesome! Kurt tunes his radio to the military channel so all of his guests are able to hear everything that's going on at the base. The show always starts with a para trooper falling from the sky holding a United States flag. The Pledge Of Allegiance is said at that time. It's really quite a tearful and emotional experience. All of the music was great! It was all very patriotic and moving...
Though out the day planes are constantly zooming over head, flipping through the air, and twirling about as everyone from house to house is clicking cameras and making videos of each thundering event. Simulated bombings go on at the base at intervals which gives one quite an eerie feeling as the black smoke is seen rising in the sky. Boats gather all along the river to watch the show. The coast guard, base police, city and state police can often be seen patrolling the area. During the day people tend to gather on decks, under tents and umbrellas but towards evening they sit out by one the many fire pits that can be seen situated in the yards along the river. It's a wonderful celebration and one that our family looks forward to every other year.....

Thank you so much Kurt and Rhonda for hosting such a fun event!

Love, Mom and Dad