Christmas in Chicago 2009

Merry Christmas from my family to you!

This is Grandma Chloe with Nathan and his adorable girlfriend Lexi!

Christmas Dinner with Grandma Chloe, Uncle Jeff, cousin Nathan, Alex, me and my husband Michael.

Linda & Jeff invited us to stay in their beautiful home! Linda is my husband's little sister.

We are enjoying a week of Christmas with family in Libertyville, nortth of Chicago.

Opportunity?

Look closely at the photo of this window. How do you feel? Are the branches dying around your windows of opportunity? I don't know why I like this picture so much. Perhaps because I have turned around and see a doorway wide open!

We have an opportunity with our company to help re-build a community devestated by two recent hurricanes. They need 9000 homes now and 2000 more each year over the next several years. We are in meetings now with city officials, developers, bankers etc. It is very exciting to step back and watch God work!

To Honor my Husband on Veteran's Day

Today, especially, I honour my husband on Veteran's Day. He served in Viet Nam as a gunner on a helicopter, in the maintenance of the airplanes and in the secret and confidential files. He sufferred one serious flashback a few years ago where he motioned combat signals to his wife to get down and take cover. After a brief hospitilization, he was fine. He does not talk much about the war but I know from the stories he has told me of his intense bravery and courage. We watch a lot of the military channel which has helped me learn so much about history and the supreme cost of war. I don't like war, but I do value our freedom and so appreciate my husband and the many others who have served our country. God Bless America and thank you for my own hero!

Ominous Fortress

Just to get you in the mood! This castle is in the town of Fagras of Transylvania (Romania) where my son was born. Have a frightfully fantastic Halloween!

Forest Defender

Welcome Fall

I think, feel and believe that my husband and I are embarking on an exciting journey this fall.

We just opened our own business this year after two years of research and putting things together.

See, four years ago, my husband was declared "disabled" due to severe degenerative disks in his lower back. He couldn't walk, sit or stand for long periods of time. He couldn't pass a physical to get hired by anyone due to health insurance. We were living on SSI benefits and what I made. We didn't want to settle for that so we began to strategize on forming our business.

We combined our experience, talents and passions and came up with an extraordinary approach to the custom home building market by combining three products to build the shell of a home.

God has blessed us with some initial success in that we have four homes under contract to go forward.

This morning we just finished our formal marketing presentation. My husband and one of his salesmen are now in a meeting with the General Manager of a huge development in our area. They will be building residential, commercial and retired living facilities in their community.

Very exciting! With God's will, it is time to harvest!

Welcome Fall !

The Hand of Nature

Apple Pie Anyone?

Hello Fall.
Isn't this the most gorgeous apple pie ever?
I found it over at the blog http://agiftwrappedlife.blogspot.com/

and she found it at The Bottom of the Ironing Basket and so I
just had to share too. They both have beautiful blogs.
If this is what fall looks like, I'll have a slice.

My dear friends in the back yard

Dear Willow

I'm sorry, but I overcooked the pear preserves. Let's just have coffee.

I'm gonna be a Grandmother!!!

My beautiful step-daughter just called and we are going to be grand parents in June next summer! We are very happy for them!

Sand Artist