A Lot of Irons in the Fire!

Hey everyone!  I'm on hiatus from doing much blogging for awhile.  There are so many things going on right now with our new home and selling this one.  I have very limited blogging time, but just wanted to thank everyone who has left me a comment recently and those who've just become a follower.  I am trying to keep up with "Thank you's," but if I miss you, please forgive me.  I am also trying to sneak in quick peeks at your blogs, but may not have time to leave comments.  Just know I am thinking about ya'll and really miss those special connections that I have with so many of you.  I hope you'll hang in there with me, and I'll try to make it up to you when I can.

Hope ya'll have a wonderful week and Memorial Day!
xoxo...,CAS

A Little Break & Nice Surprise!

Hey everyone.  Hope ya'll are having a great week so far.  I haven't had too much to post about lately, but that should change next week.  I'm going to be MIA for a few days, but will try to keep tabs on all my bloggy friends if and when I can.   Some things are happening & decisions are being made, but that's all I'm sayin' for now!

The Man and I will be celebrating our anniversary in June, but he knows how much I love to take pictures and document everything, so he decided to surprise me early with something I've been wanting for a long time.

The Man surprised me with this beauty..........

All I can say is that I'm ever so grateful it came with all this.........

Lots to learn, but the process is fun.  I'm still learning the basics, but the video is a great teaching tool.  I'm hoping for some wonderful photo opts over the next few days that I can share next week.

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely week!

CAS

Yep, it's ME!

No, you didn't get yourself into the wrong blog.  It's definitely me.  Just decided I needed a change in my look.  Last Friday I had an appointment with my great hairdresser, for just a haircut.  But....the night before, I decided I not only wanted a new haircut but a new color, too!  I used to be a redhead until about ten years ago & just started going more blonde & then all-of-a-sudden, it was all blonde.  I was starting to feel washed out with the blonde, but not feeling too washed out now.  LOL!!  My hairdresser has always said I should have been a redhead because of my coloring.  I didn't remember how much greener my eyes are with the red.  And yes, The Man is getting used to it!  He would never say, even if he hated it (but I would know).  But he does keep looking at me with a bit of a grin and extra twinkle in his eyes.  Maybe he's just imagining a new and strange woman in his house.  LOL!!!  It's fun to still surprise him even after almost 42 years of marriage.

I guess my message today could be to not get stuck in-a-rut.  We all like to change up our home decor, so why not ourselves, too.  Hope you are having a great Monday.  Thanks for stopping by and please come again soon.

CAS

To All Women, Mothers or Not, Enjoy this Special Day!

This is a heart-felt message to all of my bloggy friends, those I've met and the ones I hope to meet soon.  I don't believe you have to have birthed a child,  adopted one, or even need to have one in your life to still receive the title of "MOM."  I believe that any woman who takes care of her family in whatever capacity that may be, is a "Mom."  Those of us who do have children, sometimes feel that should be the desire of every other woman, but that's not true.  I believe we each have to choose our own path.

I knew from the time I was a very young child that I wanted to someday be a "Mom."  My desire came from watching and being close to my grandmother.  I looked to her as my example of what a mother should be and how she should treat her children.  My own mother truly did not like being a mother and made that very clear to me at a very tender age.  My grandparents always lived close, I think because they felt they needed to protect me and show me what "love" really was suppose to be.  I'm so grateful that I had both my grandparents during what was a very dark time in my life.  I knew from being with these dear sweet people that I wanted to be a "Mom" someday, and I knew my children would never want for love.

My Mom was a woman who should never have had children.  I think at the time, there was so much pressure to have children -- it was what was expected of you.  I'm glad that women today can choose which path they want to take.

I am grateful every single day that I found (or he found me) a sweet and kind man to spend my life with. I am grateful that in the very early years, when my body didn't want to cooperate in making a baby, that we were united in our desire to be parents however that needed to happen.  I am grateful that we didn't give up, and were then blessed with first our beautiful daughter and then our wonderful son.  I am so grateful for the many exciting years we had with them growing up, even with a few ups and downs.  I am so grateful that they both found that wonderful love for themselves that they saw in their father and me.  I am so grateful that they, too, chose to have children and bestow on each and everyone, that wonderful "unconditional" love that parents should have.

I am truly blessed to have had my wonderful Grandmother (and Grandfather) who taught me how to love.  I now understand that bond that we shared.  Being a grandmother myself, of 6, I would lay down my life in a heartbeat to protect them.  They are my own children's precious children which makes the knot around my heart even tighter.

So again I say, choose your own path.  I can't imagine my life without my children, but I do truly believe that it's not for everyone.  But, if it is your desire and there are obstacles in the way, just don't give up.  I applaud each and every woman I know for who you are and pray you always stay true to yourself.

I wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day!

CAS

"Hey, I didn't sign over the rights to these photos!"

My mom didn't even ask if it was okay to show my pretty little face all over blogland.  She seems to think that just because she lets me cuddle in her lap, always makes sure I have food and clean water, and scoops my "*^%*^^" that she can take and post photos of me whenever she wants to.  She and I are going to have to have a serious discussion.  But I guess  I'll let you see my "preciousness," just once!

Sorry about the quality of these first few photos, but my mom had to take some photos of photos that were already in "My Album!"  I'm so S.P.E.C.I.A.L.!  And darn cute!

I was soooo.....little.  Mom and Dad found me at our local Humane Society in a cage with about 15 other kitties.  I was the only light-colored one with big blue eyes.  I was the smallest, but I was standing with my front paws on the cage saying "Pick me, pick me!" And they did!

Mom and Dad kept saying, "Abby, get down.  That is a faux bird."  Heck, what's a faux bird?  It had feathers and it was in a birdcage, for crying out loud.  I was in "hunter-mode!"

I thought I was being sneaky about investigating this pot.

You remember I said I was really little?  Well, I was also too young to not have my birth mom.  Once I was removed from the cage with all the other kitties, I started getting cold & got very lethargic, but I was smart, too.  I kept going to the kitchen & laying on the rug in front of the refrigerator until Mom caught on.  Then she pulled out the heating pad & I was a happy camper after that.  She always kept it right next to her;  I liked that, too!

My mom even had to feed me with a baby bottle.  I needed kitten formula for a couple of weeks.  Mom and I really did some bonding during that time.  I didn't really like it when she made me go down for naptime in the bathroom, but she put this heating thing in my bed, so it was almost instant slumber-time for me.

This is me when I got a little bigger.  Mom and Dad always made me wear a collar with a bell, because they said I was like a "stealth-kitty."  I guess that means I could sneak up on them.  Oh, the good 'ole days!

Now I'm about 6 years old.  I've mastered the art of sleeping with my eyes only half-closed.

Mom hasn't mastered snapping photos fast enough, that's for sure.  Yeah, I can keep her snapping all day long and I know just when to move a bit to blur her picture.  Who rules here, anyway?

I do things like this just to give Mom a good laugh during the day.  This is actually a hole for computer cords, but it works so much better for playing "peek-a-boo."

Yep, behind bars!  This usually means I'm off to the Vet where I get boarded when Mom and Dad feel the need to go see those little annoying things they call "grandkids."  Aren't I enough?

Really?

I can do really "super-cute" like nobody's business!

This was like my one and only visit outside.  I always want to go out, but noooooo!

I like to pitch-in anywhere I can.  Here I'm a stand-in bookend.  Good job, huh?

This is just one of my beds.  I love having options!

But, I can actually sleep anywhere, anytime!

I do try to be lady-like, but sometimes............!

Well, I'm sure you would love to see a lot more photos of me, but I don't want my mom to get a 

"big-head" showing me off.  Although, I am pretty adorable, don't you think?  Anyway, Mom says thanks for stopping by and please come again soon.  See ya!

Happily linking to:

Lucy at DebbieDoos for a great Pet Party

You simply must check this out!

I know, 2 posts from me in a matter of an hour might just be too much.  But wait till you see why.  Do you see the button down there?  Well, go take a look.  You definitely won't be sorry.  I adore  Matthew Mead, and his wonderful collection of book-azines.  They are always filled with so many cool & awesome ideas.  Well, he is having a give-away with another of my favs (but can't really afford to shop there), Anthropologie!  Go check it out.  What are you waiting for?  Go now!
Anthropologie Give-Away

Good luck to everyone!
CAS

Do you utilize "AdSense" on your blog? Plus 2 cuties!

Hey everyone!  I actually think today may be a fairly "finally feeling normal" day for me.  Well, maybe the term "normal" is a bit strong, since I doubt I've ever been "normal." Heehee!  Anyway, I'm feeling close to being my "old self," how's that?  I certainly have a lot of catching up to do, but The Man has been so sweet & really so helpful.  There are just lots of things that are much easier to do ourselves rather than trying to explain to them how to do them.  Right?

Now on to my post question, "Do you utilize AdSense on your blog?"  I signed up for it about two months ago, & was kind of surprised at how intrusive the ads seemed to be on my post pages.  I didn't really sign up thinking I would make a bunch of money, but rather that it was a pretty painless way to make a bit of "fun" money if it actually brought in any money at all.  I have kind of gotten used to the intrusiveness (kind of) & hadn't been paying any attention to my account until yesterday.  I received a notification in the mail from Google "Google AdSense Support" & it contained my "Personal Pin #."  Well, that looked rather official, so I followed their steps to go into my account.  My account was showing that I had a whopping $6.42 amount, but that the funds are only paid out after it reaches $100.  What?  It also said the funds were frozen until I "jumped through their hoops" for tax purposes -- get a tax ID #, file this form, & on and on.  That just seems like a lot of "red tape" for the amount of money & the (cough, cough) speed at which it is accumulating.

As I write this post, I'm trying to decide if it's even worth it to have these ads on my posts.  Have any of you felt this way & what did you decide?  I know that some of my favorite sites have ads & sponsors.  I think that's great, because most of those blogs are really big & they do the linky parties & lots of give-aways.  Those bloggers spend a lot of time making things nice for a lot of other bloggers, & if they can earn some monetary reward for that, then more power to them.

As I sit here pondering this situation, I'm trying to remember if I've ever responded to one of these ads on someone else's blog.  Truthfully, I have not.  Have you?  I visit blogs to learn new things, see what my friends have been up to, & just feel a connection with a great group of people.  I do visit some of the Sponsors (if they are another blogger); but I never pay any attention to the ads, I guess because I know I can find any of those things on Google anytime I want.  So what's your take on this?  Do you blog just for fun or do you blog for fun & hope you might gain some monetary reward, too?  Do tell.

Now, because I know that a post without photos is just too blah for most of you, I'm happily sharing a couple of my latest pics of my 2 youngest "grands."

Avery at 2 months.  I could just kiss those cheeks all day long!

Flynn at 2 1/2.  Can she wear a hat or what?

I do truly hope you will let me know what your feelings are regarding AdSense.  I know I'm pretty close to pulling-the-plug, but I do very much value your opinions.  Anyway, hope you are having a wonderful day, thanks for stopping by and please come again soon.

CAS