Scarf-utopia

Friends, family, neighbors...don't be surprised if you get some version of a scarf from me this year. I take that back, YES pretend to be surprised. LOL The fact is, I love scarves, I love making scarves and I've only got one neck and a certain amount of days in the year I can wear them.

I have a handful to make for orders but if you'd like one made for you, a child or heck, even your pet...I can totally "hook" you up. Get it? "hook" you up. Haha I kill me!!

Ok, back to my lil scarf-utopia. Have a superbaliffic day. =)

Pass it on

Today after our workout we went to food court in the mall and picked a boy and a girl of of the angel gift tree. It makes me so sad when I see that all a 10 & 11 yr old want is some new socks and a pair of jeans. Ken and I are fortunate to be in the position to help these kids and I am so grateful.

Today, I posted this on my facebook and holy smokes!! The conversation went in a direction I never expected. Some talked about people abusing welfare, others talked about how middle class white males have the upper advantage. Seriously folks? It sickens me that people would go to thos eextremes. The facts are, there are people and pets out there who need help and we should absolutely do what we can to help them.

Christmas is not about gifts. I despise Corporate Christmas. This year Ken & I will be helping out these two kids and donating to our local Animal Society. My sister and I exchange handmade gifts and I choose to make the majority of the gifts I give.

All I am asking is for people to remember those less fortunate. Remember, you are blessed, pass it on.

To Mom

To Mom:

You taught me how to crochet in one day. We'd sit for hours making skeins of yarn into balls.



I'd pick handfuls of dandelions you would proudly display on the windowsill.



I'd go upstairs and collect the "dirty hangers" Why empty hangers were called dirty hangers is beyond me.



We'd put my Puff The Magic Dragon 8 track in the player and listen to it before I went to school.



I was your Suzy Bell.



When I was 10....You died



I am living with my real dad and his wife now. They love me very much and treat me like their daughter. But, I still miss you, Mom.



I'd pick two handfuls of dandelions so you could put them in a jar on the windowsill, but toss them on the ground.



Man, I wish I could sit on your couch and watch you crochet.



I have learned that wanting "things" and having more is selfish.



I wish I told you I loved you on November 11th instead of getting mad that you said I couldn't have another Cabbage Patch Kid.



I wish I hugged you and told you that I loved you every day.



When I was a teenager



I'm in high school now, Mom. I wish I could tell you about the boy/boys I have a crush on.



I sit in my room crocheting while thinking of you.



Your voice is beginning to fade away now. But, I never forget the way you'd say Katherine Marie.



I go to your grave and tell you I love you and long for a hug from you.



What I wouldn't do to sit in the Church pew with you and hear you sing "Amazing Grace"



I go to my Junior and Senior Prom but you aren't there to help me get ready.



I have my first real boyfriend and fall in love, only to have my heart shattered.



I could use your advise so I go to your grave and talk to your stone.



When I am 18 I meet the love of my life. I wish you could meet him, Mom. his name is Ken. I think he is The One.



I was given the blue afghan you made. It always was my favorite. I sleep with it every night. It makes me feel like you are giving me a big hug when I have it in my arms.



I got engaged to that wonderful boy Ken, Mom. Oh how I wish I could tell you this in person rather than visiting this stone.



I took a pregnancy test and we are expecting!! You are going to be a wonderful great Grandma!! I want to rush to you and get your advice, Mom. After all you raised 10 awesome kids. Who better to talk to than you, Mom.



I'm lying here in a hospital bed. I lost the baby Mom. I had an ectopic pregnancy and they had to remove my ruptured fallopian tube. I don't know what hurts worse, the pain of losing our baby or not having you hear with me, Mom. I realize my step mom is a god send. She understands and shows me the love I know you would show.



Mom, I need you.



Today is my wedding day. I am 20 years old. I wake up and get ready all by myself. Darnit, you should have been here. You would love Ken. he treats me like gold and he's rather handsome. He wants a big family too, Mom. We played a song in yours and dad's memory and our baby's too. I hope you heard it. The whole day I thought of you. I even wore your Mother's ring to have you near.



It's my 22nd birthday I and I just found out we are pregnant. I want to share my birthday and this awesome news with you....so I close my eyes and think of you.



I can barely remember your voice now and it breaks my heart.



I really need you, Mom. We lost the baby to another ectopic pregnancy. Dreams of having a family are shattered. I could really use a hug from you right now. Our angels reside with you and Dad in heaven now.



We go through a handful of adoption processes and they never go right. I need you Mom.



I'm 35 now and it's the 25th anniversary of your passing.



I still sleep with your blue afghan every night.



I go to your grave and I smile when I think of you.



I crochet for hours on end. You have put the passion for yarn in my bones. I know, my passion is a bit extreme.



I find myself missing you more today than I ever have and I wonder how that is possible. I only had you for 10 short years. How can I miss something so bad that I barely had? Then I realize, you have always been with me, Mom. you are in my heart. You are in my thoughts.

It is you that inspires me to be the best daughter, wife, daughter in law, sister, cousin, aunt and friend I can possibly be. In those short 10 years you made such an impact on my life. I want to be a better person because of you.

I honor my husband. The love you and dad showed for one another is a mirror to the love Ken & I share. You taught me what that kind of love is and I knew what to look for. You continue to teach me every day to never give up, because, you never did.

You were full of P&V and well, Mom...I guess you could say, so am I. I do wish I could pick up the telephone or just drop by and hear your voice.



I close my eyes and I feel you in my heart. You may not be here on earth with me but, you will always reside in my heart & I can reach in there and talk to you anytime I want.



I miss you Mom



Love,

Suzy Bell

Game night

Food, fun, games, laughs and friends is what life is all about. Boy oh boy, have we ever been blessed with the greatest friends!!

Game night at the Woodbury's

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words"

Life is too short

Yesterday I went to my Uncle Harold's wake and this morning was his funeral. It's always nice seeing the family but so sad that we meet up under sad circumstances.

This past summer we went on several camping trips with many members of my family and it was awesome. Oftentimes on those trips it was mentioned that we hardly ever get together as a family anymore other than some birthdays and major holiday's.

Ya know, life is really too short. Even if one lives to be 110yrs old. It's still too short. We talked about each family member taking a month and and having a day or night that they family comes over for food, fun and laughs. Last month my nephew and his wife hosted a Pumpkin Carving party/Fall festival. This month my family is going to have a chili cook off up at our camp and next month Ken and I are hosting a Christmas event.

I think it's so important to make those memories and enjoy one another's company. I never thought I would have lost both of my parents at 10yrs old. If I would have thought it was possible I would have made more memories, been kinder and done my very best. Life has a way of throwing curve balls and we never know when it will end. Nothing lasts forever and nothing is ever going to be perfect. So don't wait for the perfect moment...it may just pass you by.

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right,. Love the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Kiss slowly, forgive quickly. Nobody promised life would be perfect, they just said it's worth the ride"

Make your ride one worth remembering.

The Over The Top Democrat

Did you get out and vote today? If not, I sure hope you had a good reason. I feel it is our duty and an amazing privilege we have been given to elect our officials. I was filled with excitement and hope as I drove to my voting place.

I will be beyond ecstatic for the never ending phone calls to stop and my mail box won't be bursting at the seams tomorrow with the "vote for me because so and so sucks" type of fliers. I am hopeful and excited for the outcome of today's election.

I want to write about my experience I had yesterday. I was using the leaf blower/sucker in the front yard when a gal in her early to mid 20's approached me. At first I thought she was the neighbor from across the street returning a piece of mail she accidentally got. Nope, it was a young gal informing/begging me to vote a certain way. Now, I don't think I am straight Democrat or Republican or Independent and often times, I wish we could vote for Papa Smurf. There's always the over the top, psycho Independents, Democrats and Republicans. I know several of those types and I appreciate their opinion even if it is not shared by me.

Well, this gal called me by my full name and I realized I was in for it so I played along with her psycho babble. I asked her questions and the answers she gave were nothing close to factual. She would stumble on the facts about her candidates and couldn't even say their name properly. She then went on to tell me what Human Resources are....like I was some sort of idiot. She, assumed several times that I was a teacher because I was wearing my home team sweatshirt and jogging pants. Now, I have nothing against teachers and I find them to be rather fabulous. But when she referred to me as one several times because of my apparel and told me I NEED to, and please vote Democrat I seriously wanted to blow her away with the leaf blower.

She then went on to say that the folks on the Democratic ballot are very similar to the folks currently in office....UMMMMM, I live in MI, the U.P. We are often forgotten or not even acknowledged on the map of the United States. I feel the current office holders are not doing their job and I hope for change. I guess I should have said, " thanks miss psycho Democrat for sealing the deal for me. Your current Democratic officers suck and you are now telling me that the ones running are extremely similar to them...." Did I mention she mentioned the teacher thing several times? After about the 5th time I told her I support my home team and happen to find the outfit comfortable.

One more thing...I was hounded two more times today from this political party begging me for their vote and telling me why I needed to. I mean, seriously, that kind of nonsense turns people off and is completely rude.

I am sure I may have offended some people by writing this but this is my blog, where I can write about whatever I choose.

I love my Country and I feel completely privileged that I have the right to vote. I respect other's opinions and do not, and will never force my personal opinion on someone.

Betsey Sue

Betsey got a new kitty house on Friday.

I had a few Cheetos's and our cat, who thinks she's a dog decided she wanted to lick my cheesy fingers. I just love how her tongue is sticking out mid lick.

She is doing so good since we had to put Buster down. We weren't sure how Betsey would do with being an only cat amongst all our pups. I am happy to report, she is the most lovable, social little butterfly than she has ever been. She even runs to the back door when I let the pups out. I recently bought her the collar she's wearing and a leash. To my surprise, she loves going for walks!! Pretty odd seeing she has never, in her 16yrs been on a leash.

We are unsure of her actual birth date but it's sometime around the beginning of November. Happy Birthday my sweet feline princess kid Betsey Sue.

Random Shenanigans

You know all those thoughts I have whirling around in my never resting brain? The same thoughts I can't seem to put into words? I thought it would be fun to do a post about some of the shenanigans, thoughts and dreams I have floating around in my scattered brain.

I truly have THE best husband. Ever. I know I say this often but I cannot even put into words the love I have for this man. He inspires me so much and keeps me focused and makes me a better me. I am by no means a walk in the park on a sunshiny day.

We recently joined the deaf club here in Esky after being asked several times. No, I'm not deaf yet but we know that that is what meniere's disease eventually does. This group has some of the most amazing people and we are honored to call them friends. I debated for some time if I should join so I asked Ken's advice. His reply? "Kat, I think it would be great, embrace what is going on instead of being scared." So bless his awesome heart and these fab group of friends. I am not afraid and I will embrace it for what it is and no longer pretend everything is "just fine."

On September 12th we had to put my dear fluffy boy Buster Brown down. My heart still aches for his snuggles but I know he is in a better place. We buried him up at camp, right next to Sassy and Alex. He was 16. We still have Betsey Sue (another feline kid) and she is doing awesome. We were worried she would be lost without her brother. But alas, she is more sociable and lovable and energetic as ever.

I had an amazing birthday in August. Ken and I took a mini vaca and took the suburban and camper and pups on a eastern U.P. adventure. The highlight of that trip was being able to spend it with the ones I love and all those sunsets at Paradise. I definitely need to show pics.

I find myself missing my Mom and Dad more and more as time goes by. I don't know why or if it's "normal". I wish I would have had time to make more memories with them. Ten years was not nearly enough.

I put up two of our Christmas trees yesterday. I know it's early, but I was extremely crabby yesterday with all sorts of family drama. p.s. I despise drama and would rather free flowing, happy, love one another and be considerate vibes. But, I love Christmas and it brings me happiness. Plus, I was only a couple days early from when my "normal" decorate for Christmas bonanza begins.

Ken and I are both dieting. Rather, eating healthy. The word diet makes me think that you're hungry all the time. Believe me, we are not hungry. It's actually hard work to pack all those calories in during the day when you are eating good calories. Ken has dropped 18lbs now and if I wasn't so dang bloated I'd be down 12.

I wish I could get a hysterectomy so I wouldn't be so dang bloated and all that other fun lady junk. I mean, the stuff does me no good and cysts and endometriosis kills!! Last night I asked Ken if he'd slice me open and do surgery himself. I'm sure next week will be better.

I still sometimes have thoughts of wanting to be a Mom. I don't know if those will ever go away.

I'm very excited about the surgery Dr's in WA did on a man that suffers from meniere's. They did a procedure similar to a cochlear implant but hooked the electrodes to certain parts of the inner ear. When the man feels and attack coming on he will be able to utilize this unit to hopefully stop the attack. Technology is fantastic!! I sure hope it works and progresses. I'd love to sign up for something like that. To have my life back, or to some degree would be beyond smurfy.

We got a stellar deal on laminate hardwood flooring today. $0.61/ sq ft!! Plus all the underlayment is FREE after rebate!! Do you even know the awesomeness of that!!! Next weekend Ken and I will have a big project on our hands. This is where not hearing the greatest works to my advantage. I am sure there will be bickering and frustrations expressed.

I am so proud of my husband for all he has done, all that he is and all that he is becoming. I swear, I fall more deeply in love with him as the days pass by.

There's so much more I could write, so many more ideas, hopes, dreams and goals and future plans I wish I could just blurt out. Life is great!! We have a stitched quilt thing on our wall in the living room that it sums it all up...."We may not have it all together, but together we have it all"

What I did yesterday

I have so much to talk about but when I go to type it out it comes out as gibberish. Once I get my mind focused on all of the awesome and exciting things around me I'll have more words to say. For now, here's a peek of what I've been up to the past couple days.


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in the Woodbury house.

"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind." ~ Mary Ellen Chase

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth...

Whew, it's been a long time since I've been on here. Every once in awhile when the world seems to be too much or too hectic we all need a break...and that's what I took. Time to rejuvenate and heal and have some up to our eyeballs fun adventures canoeing, camping, hiking, embracing each other and ourselves.

I've got sooo sooo much to talk about, but yet have no clue where to even begin. Life is wonderful, my heart is full, and we are at peace.

I will have more to write about...but for now, I am going to put up a Christmas tree or two and make some cookies and a cake. We are having 11 friends over Saturday night for game night. It's going to be fantabulastic!

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself ; I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." ~Groucho Marx