Read My Blog - Swap-bot Swap from Happy Mom

I have to admit -- I'm having fun with this blog.  I don't journal on a regular basis, but having a place to upload pictures for swaps and just to vent if I want to...well, that makes me happy!

So, for this swap, and just to post an update for anyone who might drop by... Here's a re-introduction about me and an update on my family.

I can't hardly believe it,  but I turned 60 just a few weeks ago on August 10th.  This is significant to me for a few different reasons.  Besides the obvious - a new decade, senior citizen discounts and more candles on the cake...I'm happy to have lived longer than my mom, who died entirely too young.  She passed away in 1995 at 58 years old.  Now I'm aiming to live beyond 65 years old.  My dad was killed in a car crash in 2000, not long after his 65th birthday.  Not that we really set age goals for ourselves, but I always notice dates, times, years, etc...

Besides a milestone birthday, this has been a fun summer.  They always seem to go by faster every year, and this time around is no different.  While others are complaining about the heat and humidity, I'm enjoying every minute of it.  Winter will be here soon enough, and I'll be the one complaining.  I wish I could just go to sleep in October and wake up in May!  And the weather here in Virginia isn't nearly as brutal as it is up north.  Growing up in Chicago, living in New England....I have had my fill of rough winters!   Virginia is so much more tolerable, even when winter hits.

The highlight of summer for me was our trip to Phoenix and a mini-family reunion there.  It was 106 degrees....and I love it!  Here's a photo of the gang that came to celebrate my birthday:

Another big event this summer was my resignation from the international leadership team for "The Walk to Emmaus" -- After 11 years, it was time to step down and make room for someone else to take the reins.  I loved my role and the amazing people I served with, but I have to admit -- it feels pretty good to have a little more breathing room with my schedule.

As for work, it's been a good year so far, and with 4 months left, I think I have a good shot of qualifying for Presidents Club.  I need more NEW business though, and quite a big chunk.  I'm already at my annual sales quota, but we need $325K in NEW business to qualify for Presidents Club, and I'm not even close!  Yikes!  Know anyone who might be a good prospect for me??  I do pay referral fees, so don't hold back!  LOL -- CLICK THIS LINK FOR MORE INFO

Update on the kids -- Callie was promoted at ULTA Beauty, and is now the co-manager of the Short Pump store.  She and Elliott came to Phoenix with us, and then went straight to Nags Head with his family when we got home.  Jacob is a freelance graphic designer in Chattanooga - still loves rock climbing!  He's bringing his new girlfriend home in 2 weeks, and I'm excited about meeting her!   He surprised her in July by showing up at her yoga studio in California, and spent 10 days out west.  We're all going to the Washington Nationals game on September 11th -- that was Michael's Father's Day present from the kids.

Michael has been keeping busy with his 3 churches, as well as serving in Emmaus, Kairos and as a hospice volunteer.  He's gotten a lot of work done here at the house, and at the parsonage - His garden was very fruitful this summer!  He's ready for a break though - Anyone who thinks that pastors only work on Sundays has no idea!  

So, as we head in to Labor Day weekend, I'm looking forward to a weekend trip to Marco Island, Florida, with one of my very best friends.  Margaret and I both love the ocean, sea shells and playing Scrabble, so our weekend will be a great getaway!  I hope you have an awesome holiday weekend too, and thanks for reading my blog!  

My Favorite Photo from July Swap-bot swap from Happy Mom

Once again, I'm using my blog to post the photos I'm selecting for this swap on Swap-bot.  These swaps are fun and I'm a sucker for looking at others' photos too.  Even if you're not assigned to reciprocate and send your swap to me, I would love to see the photos you shared this month too.  If you feel like sharing, send them my way!  And thanks for posting a rating, so I know you got this swap alright.

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This month was a busy one for me, so I'm going to share some highlights.  July is one of my favorite months and it includes my favorite holiday- America's Independence Day - July 4th.  I love my country and have always been very patriotic.  Here are a few pictures I took at the Reservoir near our house.  We had dinner at my favorite restaurant, "The Boathouse"and I caught a gorgeous sunset!

Also took a picture of my hubby and me, and my daughter and me:

Here's a picture of the restaurant too - I love how they decorated for the summer festivities:

I had a business trip to Augusta, Georgia towards the end of the month.  I lived there before moving here to Richmond, so it was fun to see how much the area had changed.  I drove past my old apartment building and snapped this photo.  My unit was the upper corner with the balcony.  

I also had friends in from Seattle, and we had dinner at Station 2 in Richmond.  Here's Susan, me and her grandson Jackson:

My son came home for a visit and to drop his dog off with us, while he traveled to Oakland, California to be with his girlfriend.  He's picking her up at the airport in Tennessee today, and I know he's glad that she's back.  They've only been together for a few months, but I think he's pretty smitten with her -- could be "the one" for him!  I took this picture with him before he left here to go back to Tennessee:

Now, that was taken a few weeks after the ones from the Boathouse - I swear, I do own other dresses besides this one, but I happened to be wearing it both days!

I also had a business trip to Norfolk and Virginia Beach, so I "had" to include a visit to the oceanfront.  I love the beach and summer.  Here are two shots from my trip:

And my final shot for the month cracks me up!  I was leaving my house for a meeting, and noticed this little green thing sprouting up as I stepped out of the door.  It was so bizarre, I had to take a picture of it!  Crazy, isn't it?!  It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes, which I included at the end.

Hope you have a great month, and thanks for checking out my favorite photos of the month for July!

Till the next one - 

Ilyse - Happy Mom 

Stepping down and stepping out

The purpose of Emmaus is to grow Christian disciples so they can better serve the church.  Not just the local church they attend every Sunday, but THE CHURCH – the Body of Christ.  In February of 1997, I attended my Walk to Emmaus, and that was the beginning of an incredible journey. 

The 3-day experience was life-changing, and living intentionally in the 4^th Day has made me who I am.  My participation has afforded me opportunities that never would have come my way otherwise.  I’ve attended countless Candlelights and Gatherings…served in the conference room as an Assistant Table Leader, Table Leader, ALD, Board Rep and Weekend Lay Director.  I’ve shared this gift with many by sponsoring them on their own Walks.

I continue to be held accountable in my 4^th Day by my family and friends, and most especially by an extraordinary woman God knew I would need for years to come.  Not only was she my Weekend Lay Director, but she is my weekly prayer partner and dear friend. 

I’ve served on the local Board of Directors and been Community Lay Director. I became a Certified Trainer in 2005, the Northeast Regional Leader in 2007, and the Southeast Regional Leader in 2014.  I led the first women’s Emmaus Walk in the Philippines in 2012, and I represented the international office at the National Australian Emmaus Conference in 2013.  I have been to Emmaus communities from Maine to Florida, plus California, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.  Nashville has been like a second home to me for over 10 years.  Not only have I traveled extensively, but I have witnessed story after story of how God has used the Emmaus movement and its people to change the world – one life at a time. 

I have served with incredibly talented and gifted people who laid down their lives for their friends time and time again.  I’ve been humbled in ways I can’t even explain, and I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Now, as I step down from the international leadership team, ‘thank you’ seems so insignificant for nearly 20 years of growth in grace and love.  But I’m looking ahead and I’m ready for what comes next.  I know that God goes with me, and I know that no matter what…Love Never Fails!

Love and blessings to all –

Ilyse

Spend the Day With Me - swap-bot swap from Happy Mom

Hello swappers!  I am crazy about seeing everyone's photos and sharing mine - even just the typical places people go on a day to day basis are so interesting to me.  So, for this swap, I snapped all my pictures on Saturday, July 23rd, and have posted some here for your enjoyment.  It was a pretty uneventful day, which is a welcomed change for me!  

My day started out the same as it always does - Morning coffee in my spot in the living room.  I can't function without it.  This was 7 AM:

Not a pretty sight, but we're all friends here, right?!

Here's a shot of my kitchen - early morning and late night are my favorite times of day.

Since it was Saturday, I treated myself to breakfast at a local spot called "The Egg & I" - my new favorite breakfast place.  I'm following an eating plan called "Trim Health Mama" and it's easy to stay on-plan there.  I love bacon but don't like cooking it at home.  After breakfast, I checked for Pokemon Go and found one in my car :)  I snapped this one before I captured him!

After breakfast, I did some shopping - I'm going to Phoenix in a few weeks and was hoping to find something to wear to dinner with my family.  I found some good buys at Kohls, and also shopped at Office Depot for a new printer.  I did a little work - updated my account list, got my week ahead lined up and gave the dog a bath.  As I was out and about, I checked the time and temp - it sure was hot, and today is supposed to be even hotter.

At 5 PM, I had a massage -- It was amazing!  I snapped this picture of the geese outside Massage Envy - they are cute, but there's geese poop everywhere...you really have to watch your step!  Gross!  

After my massage, I decided to get Chipotle for dinner, since no one's home but me.  Daughter is out with boyfriend and hubby had to work.  I actually stayed on plan again for dinner - only ate 1/3 of this burrito bowl:

Still crazy hot outside - even at 7:30 in the evening - this is from my car's dashboard:

Good to be home - and the doggie was happy to see me.  "Princess Leia" is the best, most chill dog ever.  She's 9 years old and always my faithful friend!

Snapped this as I walked Leia - you can see the outside of my car, and my house :

We walked by the big neighborhood sign and the community pool, which is where I'm heading today!

And that's about it for the day - watched some TV and got to bed around midnight.  I hope you enjoyed spending the day with me, and if you're one of my swap partners for this swap on Swap-bot, please remember to post a rating!  Thank you!

My Favorite Photos from June, 2016 -- 

Swap-bot swap from Happy Mom

Total Bedroom - Office - Closet Makeover!  

My pictures this month are mostly of my new digs.  What started out as a simple plan to have my office and bedroom painted, turned in to a total makeover.  It's amazing how much stuff a person can collect in 24 years, and how much you can get rid of once you get started.  I donated 12 of the large lawn & leaf trash bags full of things I no longer want or need, and threw away at least that many.  I sold some furniture, donated some and repurposed some.  All-in-all, I couldn't be happier with the way everything turned out!  I hope you enjoy the photos!

So, in all the decluttering and reorganizing I did, I came across lots of old photos of when my kids were little.  My son just turned 23 and my daughter is 25.  I snapped pictures of some of the photos and texted them to the kids.  They'd kill me if I posted them on Facebook, but I thought I'd share them here.  My son lives out of state, but my daughter lives here with me.  I'll include a recent photo of the 3 of us just at the end.  Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed the selection of my favorite

 pictures from June!  

Giving this another try!

It's been ages since I thought about blogging, but I've decided to give it another try.  What prompted this was how much I enjoy sharing photos and particularly, how much I enjoy Swap-bot's photo swaps.  A lot of the people who participate post their swaps on their blogs, and I really enjoy seeing what they share.  So -- I'm going to see if I can use my blog for some swaps and for personal expression...  Hope you'll join me a long the way!

This is one of the pictures I shared for my favorite photos of May.  I took it on a recent road trip through SW Virginia -  With all the rain we've had, everything is growing like crazy and looks so pretty.  Happy to have the sunshine!

SW Virginia - May, 2016

Thought I'd share my big project for this summer:  I'm doing a complete makeover of my office, closet and bedroom, plus fixing up my son's bedroom since he's moved out of state.  I've decluttered, donated and pitched so much stuff!  It's amazing how much you can accumulate in 24 years!  

So far, the painting is finished.  New outlet covers and vents are coming today.  New furniture is being delivered and old moved out next week, and the custom closet is being installed next week as well.  Here are some work-in-progress photos:

Bedroom closet - Before

Bedroom - During painting

Bedroom - During painting

Paint is finished - waiting for new furniture and decor