We have made it over the mountain.

We are finally on the other side of the mountain. Whoo Hoo!!

Wow, it has been over 6 months since I last blogged. My intentions were so good earlier in the year. "Stuff" got in the way. The last half of 2013 has been quite the adventure. It has certainly kept us on our toes (and quite often on our knees)! As I sit here looking back, it seems like a really crazy movie. Not one I would pay to see however. Thank God we have crossed over to the really good side of the mountain.

Early this summer, my precious hubby was diagnosed with cancer. We were shocked to say the least. My blogging friends will remember that I have been the one with health issues. When we got married 10 years ago, he married a "pretty sick ole gal". Hehe. He was the strong, healthy one. After treatment, surgery, treatment....today he was given A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH!

We are so thrilled. We realize how blessed we are. Thank you God!

Oh, lest I forget. Jeff was shot through the leg in September. Friendly fire (so to speak). He is doing o.k.

He is also remarried and I am now the grandma to 8 fabulous grans. I just doubled the amount of children to love. His wife is pretty amazing. She loves him and the job he holds. Being a military wife is difficult but she is up for the task.

J.W continues to amaze us. His health has not been great the past few months but he is a fighter. I guess we all are. 

I hope to be able to visit my blogging pals. If that doesn't happen as often as I would like, please know that I think of you often. Many of us started this journey together years ago. Some have dropped off but we stay connected on facebook. I hope that 2014 will allow me to blog a bit more. Time will tell.

Big hugs to each of you.

Unbelievable! Please check this out.

Photo- Getty/AFP

This link is worth a visit. The story is sad and moving. The treasures are beyond belief.

It truly is like stepping back in time. I shared this on facebook this morning but I know not everyone is a fan of facebook. If you have some time, check this out. You will not regret it.

Have a fantastic week.

Big hugs,

Barb

Finally......it is finished!

So, I was chatting with a friend earlier and she asked me if I was finished. I really didn't know what she was talking about. She said she had visited my blog and evidently I was still doing laundry from our trip. Oh, all those good intentions flew right out the window. Hehe. One of these days it will all work out.

To bring you up to date a bit (if anyone is there), it has been busy. I have been working on some projects that I am excited about. Well, I am usually excited about something. We have had some health hiccups but hoping good news will be delivered next week.

Jayde is a teenager! Can you even believe that? When I started this blog in 2008, she was so young.

Now, a teenager.....big sigh!

If you haven't read Sonia's FABULOUS magazine

Creating Vintage Charm, you are missing out on a good thing.

It is a treat for the senses. I am so excited (happy dancing) to have an article

published in it. I know my facebook pals are very familiar with it.

It is definitely subscription worthy! Check it out!

Oh, one more thing. I have had a face lift. I needed a change. Well, not me exactly (I don't even color my hair anymore) but The French Elements.

I thought she needed a little makeover. I love how it turned out.

So, that is about it. Please say a little prayer for a good report from the Doc next week.

Big hugs,

Barb

Now that's Italian (with a lot of French)

We are home safe and sound. I love to travel but I am always HAPPY to arrive back home.

We had some pretty incredible adventures. We met so many warm, loving people both in France and Italy (even MODA)! This will be a short post with some pics. I still need to do the laundry that I started early this morning.

This was taken from a hilltop in San Remo, Italy. This city is gorgeous! And the food.....mama mia!

We had the opportunity to visit the fete du Citron in Menton. The theme was around the world in

80 days. Notice Jules Verne? The novel is 140 years old, the festival has been celebrated for 80 years.

I have to tell you that it was a highlight for me. Everything made from oranges and lemons. So imaginative!

This was taken in Antibes. It is one of my favorite pics. The gentleman looking out the window has the best view. Big sigh. Hehe.

We ate,

visited markets through the south,

and participated in Carnaval in Nice.

The best thing however, was spending time with the gentleman below....

my handsome hubby. I treasure our time together and the memories we made.

So, that is our trip in a nutshell. It is good to be back (home and blogging).

big hugs,

Barb



Way too long!

 

Well, It has been WAY TOO LONG. The last time I blogged was

in August, 2012. To be honest with you, the desire kind of left.

I believe the desire is returning. I know I will not be posting as often as I

used to......like everyday, but the posts will be coming. Maybe once a week.

 

The photo above was taken in Nice, France. Hubby and I are there right now.

It is 4:30 a.m. and I am wide awake. I have slept like a baby for the past few

days. Tonight when I woke up at 3, I felt the need to begin blogging again.

So much for sleep..Hehe.

 

So much has happened since August, good and not so good. Thank God

the good outweighs the bad. I have had some interesting opportunities

come across my path. I think life does become sweeter the older we get.

 

Well dear ones, here is what I hope will be my return to blogging,

I have missed you.

 

Hugs and lots of love,

 

Barb

 

P.S. Jeff is still in the Army but I can't really discuss him (I hate that) and

J.W. is now 30 (can you believe that?!!!)

 

Hopefully, this will post. Blogger seems to have changed so much!