Oh' Daddy You Were Always My Hero!

To All The Men I've Loved

I grew up feeling like the luckiest little girl in the world.  And of course I had the best of all Daddy's.  My Daddy was the sweetest, friendliest, most giving person I've ever known.  We weren't wealthy but my Father worked hard and earned a good living just so he could care for his family.  My Daddy knew how to make me feel like a princess.  Cherished and loved.  He always made me feel so safe and so special. 

The picture above was taken well before I was born.  This is a close up of  his father and him after a deep sea fishing trip.  Papa as my Dad and all of us called him died when I was 5 years old.  I can remember seeing him only 2 specific times.  One of those times I remember running across the yard and into his arms.  I don't know if I just built him up in my head to be so special but I've always felt like we would have been so close.  I guess I sort of idolized him and based him on my own father.

I would have never thought I would have had such a short amount of time with Daddy.  He passed away a month before my 28th birthday.  His own Mother lived to be 93 years old and his Grandmother lived to be 114 years old.  Daddy passed only 14 short months after my Mama died.  I'm certain that he didn't want to be here without her.  This is a picture of my parents before my older sister and I were born.  My family was not the best about taking pictures so I had to dig hard to come up with these.

I'm really bad about doing things backwards but I hope to share some memories of my Daddy with you this week.   

 It's funny, in this shot they look like they are about the same height.  Mama was actually about 5'9" and Daddy was about 5'7".  Daddy was stocky and Mama was so thin and tall looking it made them look even further apart.

A new generation continues to celebrate the love of a Father for his children.  

I'm so proud of the loving Father my son has grown up to be.  He had many wonderful men in his life to learn from.  Even though his Father and I divorced when he was only 1 year old his Dad was active in his life.  My Father was like a Father to Ty as well but aren't Granddads even more loving and giving.  They were so close.  Then just 9 short months after Daddy died I met Neil.  Ty was only 9 years old and Neil has loved Ty and Ty has loved Neil as though they are Father and Son.  Neil never had his own children and has always considered Ty his son and the Grandkids his own Grandchildren.  I'm so grateful to Neil for his unconditional love for Ty.  (I wish I could have also found a picture of Ty and Neil).

This is my son Ty with his daughter Ki'a and son Zack.  Unfortunately his step son Tristan wasn't on this trip with them.  Ty has been Tristan's step-father since Tristan was around 2 years old.This was the last time I saw them which will be 2 years ago come November 1st.  I just love this picture.  Ty always was a surf boy and though they now live in NY, his children are natural born water lovers too.  You can believe they all got it from me!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TY!

In closing I'd like to thank God for the earthly Father I was given.  I can't imagine having anyone anymore special in my life.  I was so blessed to have you Daddy and I miss you every single day. 

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DADDY!

I hope all my friends enjoy this special day with their own Fathers or at least the memory of their Daddy's.  That's exactly what I will be doing.       Love and hugs....Tracy :)

Could You Please Direct Me To The Old Ladies Clothes

My days are pretty much the same.  We have learned to live a life of repetition.  It's been a couple of years now since Neil and I have gone to the store, mall, etc... together.  Forget movies and trips.  This time in our lives are devoted to his Mother.  Staying home is the only  thing we can do now. I've never been one to be able to sit still long unless I'm in a full fledged depression. That's changed.

All  those muscles I had, I had some serious strength, have turned to fat and cellulite.  My energy is at zero level.  I have never had to watch my diet.  Seriously, I had such a high and nervous metabolism that I ate anything and it fell off.  If I was depressed or upset before, I didn't want food.  I was never a nervous eater.  Well all that has changed now.  I eat all the time.  Pure junk to make it worse.  Lots of coke, hardly any water.  If it's bad for you I'm eating it.  And I am so uncomfortable.  I haven't weighed lately but I'm sure I'm at least 25 lbs overweight.  It's time for a change.  We stay up all night and sleep most of the day.  That means I do most of my eating at night and go right to bed on all that food.  It's nervous bored eating.  It's I've got to stop.  I could probably give up coco-cola and exercise and drop weight easy enough but it's not going to tighten up all the ugly stuff.  I hope I will finally get to the point where I will make the changes that I need to make.




I'm one of the lucky ones.  I don't have any real addictions.  I've never smoked, don't use drugs and can drink in moderation.  To be honest I can't remember the last time I drank a beer or mixed drink.  But I'm not kidding, Coca-cola and the dentist (because of coke I'm sure) has made a fortune off of me.  I really can't stand the thought of running out of coke and knowing there won't be any in the house for the morning.  I even know that in the past when I've committed to exercising I craved more water and less coke.  When you stay away from coke for awhile even the food tastes better, I crave more fruits and vegetables and actually the coke doesn't taste that great anymore.  Yes Coke as in Coca-Cola is my down fall.  Well I am a chocolate addict too but I could probably give that up easier than coke.  What can I say I'm a child of the Coke generation.

 Have you ever been to the World of Coke Museum in Atlanta, Georgia.  It's been years since I have but it's got some really amazing stuff.  And have you ever spent anytime looking at old coke ads and memorabilia.  They have some of the most beautiful ads.  It's simply iconic America to me.  The above ad is a Dutch poster that translates to say to say "Me Too!"
 

Well there is no real point to the story (this is not a sponsored advertisement).  I just start on one subject and it runs into another one.  No moral to gain from this but it's my squawk box and that's my squawk.  Thanks for listening.



Smiles and hugs...Tracy 

Oh' Goodie, I Mean Yummy Miss Rhea's Having a Giveaway

 Oh' have you heard?  Miss Rhea's over at Sweet N Shabby Roses is  celebrating and she celebrates so good!  She celebrating two wonderful milestones.  First today is her 3 Year Blog-iversary and second it's also her 200th Post.  I hope your go by and congratulate her on both. (But we're the lucky ones, getting to see her wonderful creations).


I really do have to overcome all this envy.  Just look at what she creates and lucky for us is sharing in her giveaway.  Hurry because she'll  be picking not just 1 lucky winner but 2 on Wednesday, June 16th.  I just love all Miss Rhea's sweet Pinkness!

Hugs....Tracy :)

My Little Cowgirl Memory and My Winning Prize

I just have to show you what I received in the mail Saturday from dear Sweet Elizabeth @ Creative Breathing.  Everyday I'm amazed at what new creation she has made and as if that's not enough she tells the wonderful stories.  That's why I felt so honored that she chose me as the winner of her "Thunder Rolls Giveaway".  You really ought to check out all the fun, funny and sweet stories that were submitted in her comments.   You can click here to read that post.  I never had any idea that my own silly childhood antics would win it for me.  


I cherish owning creations from blogland friends more than anything I could imagine.  I have a few from Elizabeth and though I don't have my own craft room, I have them prominently displayed so each day I'm reminded that a friend cared enough to gift them to me.  How that makes me smile! :)

Do you have a special handmade item that you cherish?   I"d love to hear about it!


Have a blessed week....Tracy :)

I've Found A Wonderful New Blog & A Pink Giveaway

I know I haven't been having much time to get around blogland lately but it's just seriously wrong that I didn't know about this new blogger.  Lynn has only been blogging since March 22nd.  Yes, that's March 22nd of this year and she already has 178 followers.  And no wonder!  One look at her creations and you can see why.  Her pin cushions are to die for!  Is it wrong to feel sick on your stomach because you know you'll never be that creative?  I know I'm coveting her talent which is a sin, but I've been breaking that commandment  so many times over since I found this blog world.  I really have to get over this envious thing, green never has looked good on me.  There are just so many TALENTED people out there.  I mean crazy talent!!!


Well she is hosting a giveaway to celebrate 100 followers, which will be 200 before this giveaway ends, on her young  blog Tea Cup Stitches I'm sure.  Just look at all that pink goodness that she is generously giving one lucky person.  Her giveaway ends on June 14th, so don't be late.  Stop by and meet her if you haven't yet and enter her giveaway.  I can't wait to go back and visit again and see what she comes up with next!


Have a wonderfully sweet Sunday.  xxxooo's...Tracy :)

Giveaways - Oh' My, Oh' MY!! Hurry Before It Ends!

Giveaways seem to be pouring out like sunshine in blogland.  This one is just full of homey, country love.  I'm crazy about all the blue and nature this giveaway exudes.  

I've found another lovely lady that I didn't know was in blogland.  Her name is Yvonne and she is having her very 1st giveaway and she made sure it was special!  It's being sponsored By April Cornell (You'll love her fabrics and creations) and The Olde Millhouse Shopppe.  Stone Gable is the name of her blog and it suites it to a tea.  And all you foodies are really going to love it.  She has the most delicious looking food and the presentation is beautiful.  Please stop by and enter her giveaway before it ends on June 8th.  I barely found this one in time.

Hugs...Tracy :)

My day with HGTV

Every day, ordinary people are changing the world in extraordinary ways.  This online community is dedicated to telling their stories.

I've been waiting to share this with ya'll.  Not much exciting happens for us anymore.  So it doesn't take a lot to thrill me.  


Last month HGTV showed up at my house.  I know can you believe it?  When they first introduced themselves my heart started skipping beats.  I'm sure they realized I was on the verge of passing out so they hurried forward with an explanation.   They were actually here asking if they could take some shots in my yard for the Crusader of the month.  HGTV is proud to honor these people who are making their communities a better place to live.


Judy Kelly of Jacksonville, Florida (here) was chosen for the Crusader of the month June.  I had never met her before but she was such a sweetheart.  After only minutes of talking you felt like you'd been friends with her forever.


Of course when the film crew asked if they could use our water front for a few pictures I said yes!  It was fun watching them work.  I asked if I could stay in the background and take a few shots for my blog, hence the really dark far away photos.   They offered to send me some still shots and press info before the June 1st release.  Unfortunately just as I thought they forgot.  I'm sure it wasn't on purpose but not a big priority for them.  I did ask if they would take a picture with my camera of Judy and me.  They were so nice.  Not only did he take a few shots (the good ones obviously) but the background crew even held up they light diffusers or what ever they are called to really make the pictures turn out.


You can't really see much of  the view as Judy is the focus and the background is just that, a rather blurring background.  The video shows Judy all over Jacksonville.  There is one shot with a big old Victorian home in the background and Judy walking  up the path.  That is my neighbors home.  She is now in a retirement home and it's been vacant for some time. 

Even though I was disappointed that I hadn't been nominated by some beautiful soul for a landscape makeover, I was thrilled to have my day spiced up a bit.

Oh' why couldn't they have come a few years ago when I had an immaculate yard?

My neighbor just happen by during the filming and they were so impressed with how well mannered her dogs were  that they used them in a couple of shots.  This is my neighbors newest dog with Judy.  She/he is a retired grayhound that Hillary adopted.  She named her Bunny.  Get it she spent her working years chasing the rabbit at the track!  This is the sweetest dog and so pretty.

Here is the director.  So far all the photos you've seen besides the video at the top are the ones I took.

Below are a few candid shots the director took of us.

I would love to get to know Judy better.  She had the sweetest spirit.
 

Oh' the glamorous life I lead!

That was my bit of fun last month.  Check out the video above to learn a little more about Judy.

If you or someone you know has changed a home, a community, or even a life, HGTV wants to hear about it!  Share your story now.  Each month we'll award one outstanding Crusader with a feature in a video that will air on HGTV and HGTV.com and a $5,000 cash prize.  HGTV will also make a $5,000 donation to our partner Rebuilding Together on behalf of the winner.

oooxxx's.....Tracy :)

Red, White and Blue Giveaway

The Red, White and Blue is really starting to show up now.  Don't you just love the sweet doily above!   I want to share a new blog giveaway to with you to help you celebrate the 4th of July.  I just found this creative blog tonight called Stitchin Time Farmhouse.  She creates the most lovely doilies.

The owner (whose name I don't know) of this cute blog  is a certified crochet instructor and has been crocheting for over 30 years. Just click here or the Stitchin Time Farmhouse on my sidebar to visit her blog and enter her giveaway. 

Hugs...Tracy :)

P.S.  How do you like my new blog look.  Come on, be honest I can take it.  This was the easy part.  I really need to clean it up and move things around.  I'd like to figure out how to have separate buttons maybe up top for giveaways, reviews, diy's, etc...  I also need to find out how to get a cute twitter and facebook button.  So much to do and so little tech knowledge to do it with.