Swaps ~ Getting To Know You #2

This was a fun swap on Swap-bot, so I thought I'd post my answers here :)  Enjoy!

1.  How would you explain love to somebody who had never heard of it before?

I would explain that love is an emotion that makes people do goofy things.  Symptoms include getting tongue-tied when trying to talk to someone you think you love…putting someone else before yourself…or feeling like your world might end if you had to live without the person you love.  The Christian in me would explain that God is Love, and Love never fails. ❤ (Nothing like starting with an easy question, huh?!)

2. What toppings do you like to put on your pizza? 

Extra cheese, pepperoni, onions, green pepper, mushrooms

3. Where are you most likely to be at 8:00 on a Saturday night?

On my couch watching TV or on the computer working on mail.

4. Where is the funniest place you have ever fallen asleep?

OMG – I hadn’t thought about this in years….but I was in a meeting with a former boss, and I was fighting sleep so badly!  It was just him and me, and I nodded out.  He must have thought I was high or something, but I wasn’t! 

5. What is your favorite thing about your dad?

My dad was an amazing man…he taught me what “unconditional love” is all about.  My favorite thing about him was the special relationship we shared.  I was “Daddy’s Girl” through and through.

6. What is your favorite thing about your mom?

My mom was amazing as well.  She was a trailblazer for women in the financial services world, and my favorite thing about her was how she excelled in everything.  One of her favorite says was, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”  Taught me a lot about doing my best all the time.

7. Who was your best friend growing up and are you still friends?

In elementary school, my best friend was Jackie, and yes, we’re still friends on Facebook, but she lives in Illinois and I’m in Virginia.  We haven’t seen each other in about 18 years.

8. What job did you have that you would never want again?

Bartender.  Couldn’t take the people, noise or hours!

9. Would you rather be rich or healthy?

Healthy – Without health, the money isn’t much fun.

10. What did you do during your childhood summers?

Summer camp – such great memories!  I attended day camp until I was 9, and the summer I turned 10, I went to overnight camp.  I was terribly homesick at first, but the camp was an incredible influence on who I am today.

11. What do you do now during your summers?

Work – try to take some long weekend road trips and get to the beach at least once.

12. What is your favorite season of the year?

SUMMER!  I live for hot weather.

13. How do you manage stress?

Prayer, wine, tears and hard work.

14. Have you ever been on TV?

Yes, co-hosted the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Rockford, IL one year – probably 1978 or 79.  And, I voiced hundreds of TV commercials, but wasn’t on-camera for those. 

15. Who taught you to drive?

The PE teacher at my high school. 

16. Would you like to know ahead of time the day you were going to die?

Hmmm…  My first thought was no, but I’m not so sure.  I could see advantages in knowing, but I kind of like not knowing too.  If I knew the day, but not the ‘how’ – I would be a basket case!

17. How old do you want to live to?

I don’t care.  I’d rather die sooner if my quality of life wasn’t good…but if life is good, I’d like to stick around long enough to see my kids get married and have their own kids too.

18. If you were going to skip one meal, which one would it be?

Breakfast.  I’m not a breakfast person, so I usually have a protein shake in the morning.

19. What do you remember about your grandfather?

Grandpa Leo (dad’s dad) was a Yellow Cab driver in Chicago.  I remember playing with his coin changer.  Grandpa Norm (mom’s mom’s second husband) smoked cigars and was mean.  My mom’s father died when she was 14 – I’m named in memory of him.

20. What do you remember about your grandmother?

I remember Grandma Shirley (dad’s mom) being a great cook and I loved how she doted on my brother and me.  Grandma Lil (mom’s mom) was a classy lady who drank martinis.  She would let me eat the olive from her drink after she swished it around in her water glass.

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Old-Fashioned Letters - Poem by Edgar Albert Guest

I was looking for a poem by one of my favorite authors, and I came across this one.  Thought I'd share:

Old-fashioned letters! How good they were!
And nobody writes them now;
Never at all comes in the scrawl
On the written pages which told us all
The news of town and the folks we knew,
And what they had done or were going to do.
It seems we've forgotten how
To spend an hour with our pen in hand
To write in the language we understand.
Old-fashioned letters we used to get
And ponder each fond line o'er;
The glad words rolled like running gold,
As smoothly their tales of joy they told,
And our hearts beat fast with a keen delight
As we read the news they were pleased to write
And gathered the love they bore.
But few of the letters that come to-day
Are penned to us in the old-time way.
Old-fashioned letters that told us all
The tales of the far away;
Where they'd been and the folks they'd seen;
And better than any fine magazine
Was the writing too, for it bore the style
Of a simple heart and a sunny smile,
And was pure as the breath of May.
Some of them oft were damp with tears,
But those were the letters that lived for years.
Old-fashioned letters! How good they were!
And, oh, how we watched the mails;
But nobody writes of the quaint delights
Of the sunny days and the merry nights
Or tells us the things that we yearn to know—
That art passed out with the long ago,
And lost are the simple tales;
Yet we all would happier be, I think,
If we'd spend more time with our pen and ink. 

Edgar Albert Guest

From Happy Mom - Favorite Picture of the month - March

I have several photos to share this month and I hope you like the ones I've selected.

First - we start off with a road trip to Danville, VA - not far from the North Carolina line.  These are some budding trees I saw along the way.  

I love Weeping Willows, especially when they first get their leaves!

               

Spring has sprung!

          

Such a pretty day!

Next we have an example of how opposites attract, or "Men are from Mars - Women are from Venus" or just that I can be somewhat OCD when it comes to the simplest stuff!                                                                                                                                          

            

                When Daddy empties the dishwasher

        

When Mommy empties the dishwasher          

Dinner at The Boathouse at the Swift Creek Reservoir is one of my favorite places near our house.  I always love the sunsets, and I like this one of my daughter checking        her phone.                                    

These next photos show a quick spring pick-me-up I did to my bathroom.  

I got rid of the brown paisley print, in favor of coral and cream, 

and a simpler design on the shower curtain.  

Really brightens things up!

           

And lastly, I'll leave you with my favorite photo from my trip to Red Rock Canyon

 near Las Vegas:

That's it for this month!  I hope you liked the photos, and thanks for visiting.  I'd love to see your photos, even if we're not partnered this month, so drop me a note if you care to share.

Till next time,

                                       

Something that made me happy this month

Hello all - It's nice to have a moment to reflect on happy things from March, and thankfully, I have a few to share!  Even though the video isn't from March, I hope you like the official Richmond Happy Video :)  I thought I'd include it here.

I am happiest that I got to travel to Las Vegas for a few days, to celebrate my aunt's birthday with her.  This is one amazing lady -- she's beaten cancer multiple times, deals with chronic health challenges and yet, she keeps living life!  She loves quilting and has created some amazing pieces on her new high-tech embroidery machine. I enjoyed seeing what she's working on now, and the finished pieces she's done - they are beautiful!  She didn't want her picture taken, but I took some in her sewing room and of the house - The weather was perfect while I was there.

Here are some pictures from my trip:

This is just a sample of all her supplies.

This is the embroidery machine.

Really pretty home in a quiet neighborhood.

Another reason to be happy in March was that SPRING has sprung!  I am not a fan of winter, and even though ours was incredibly mild this year, I was still happy to see it go.  I will share my photos on another swap, if you care to see them, but just know that I am a happy girl when I can open my windows and let in the fresh air!

And the last one I'll share here was that I got my taxes done without an extension this year....and my accountant has already filed them.  The best news?  We're getting money back this year - not a lot, but for the first time in 5 years, we don't owe.  Now THAT'S cause for a celebration!

Thanks for visiting my blog and hope to see you soon!

My favourite picture of the month-February

Hello swappers and friends!

February is such a short month, and ours was unseasonably mild - that makes me happier than you can ever know.  I don't know why I've never liked winter, but I've been this way all my life.  That said, this winter has been incredibly do-able for me!  My big hope and prayer is that we stay like this through March.  The optimist in me says "anything is possible" - the pessimist says "we are surely going to pay for this" and the realist says, "Lord - if we get snow in March, please don't interrupt my flights to and from Las Vegas"!  Seriously, I have the worst luck with travel, but I'm always up for an adventure and I'm excited about my upcoming trip.

So --- back to February!  Here are some of my favorite shots - Hope you enjoy!

I've been trying to step up my game when it comes to making Friendship Books.  Here are some I made that I was quite pleased with:

 So, as I mentioned, we have had a incredibly mild winter, and many trees are already in bloom.  We usually do get them popping out early, but then we get snow or freezing cold rain, and the flowers are history.  This year, we're actually able to enjoy them!  As I'm typing this, it's going to be 80° this afternoon - definitely warm for us, and I ❤️it!

While the weather has been so mild, we've also had some extreme conditions, including a brief hail shower this past weekend:

I'm very pleased that I've been able to take my dog out when I go to the mailbox or to take out the trash, and she's been really good about not taking off and running away.  She'll run laps around the perimeter and burn sone energy, but she comes right to the door when I go back inside.  I think we both are enjoying this very much.

And my final picture of the month is a quote from President Trump's speech last night.  Regardless of your political views, who you supported in the election, or even which country you may be from.... I believe it's time for us to work together towards making our world a better place for all people.  I am hopeful that our best days are yet to come.  Have a fantastic month everyone, and thanks for visiting my blog.  If we're partners on Swap-bot, thanks for posting a rating for me, and I'd love to see your swap too, if you care to share, even if we're not partnered.

Till next time,

Ilyse - Happy Mom

My favorite picture of the month January - from Happy Mom

Hello all!
It's hard to believe that 1/12 of 2017 is already in the record books.  Where has the time gone?   It's been a fun month though, and I'm happy to share some photos with you.  

We had our first snow storm early this year - We got 8" of snow on Saturday, January 7th, but it warmed up to near 70° by Thursday, and everything melted.  January is always such a grey month.  Here are some pictures from around our house with the snow.

I'm always glad to get out of winter weather for points warmer... and my company's National Sales Meeting was held in New Orleans.  We had a great time - Our company only gets together once each year, so I always enjoy reconnecting with co-workers from around the country.  We do a great job of combining work and play, and NOLA is famous for FUN!  Here are a few shots from my trip.

We only have 5 women Regional Managers, out of 43 in the company, so the 5 of us are close.  I'm the one in the middle, and I'm joined by Erika from Kansas City, Celeste from Atlanta, Julie from Michigan and Kimberly from Colorado.  We're all top performers in the company too. 

This is the SE Division - we were #1 in the company again, for the 3rd year in a row!

 Boys on Bourbon Street

Girls on Bourbon Street

The rest of the month was spent getting 2017 off the ground.  I always love staying at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, especially in the winter.  Something about the ocean clears my head!  Here are 2 from the beach.

And my final offering for January was a sunset I caught on my drive home.

Thanks for visiting my blog this month, and if we're partners on Swap-bot, thanks for posting a rating for me.  I'll leave you with a cute graphic I found, which describes exactly how I feel about winter.

See you next time!

My Favorite Picture of the Month - December from Happy Mom

Hello and Happy New Year!  December sure seemed to fly by, and here we are, embarking on a brand New Year.  I hope and pray that 2017 brings abundant blessings and much love to all!

For the Swap-bot swap "Favorite Picture - December," I've selected a few from my trip up to Connecticut and a few from Christmas.  I hope you like them.

I seem to have terrible luck when it comes to travel.  I was booked from Richmond to Dulles to Hartford, but got rebooked when my Richmond-Dulles flight was delayed and I would have missed the connection.  Instead, I went to Newark and would have arrived in Hartford at 4 instead of 2.  However, the flight from Newark was delayed several times, and to avoid being stuck in Newark overnight and missing the meeting in CT, I picked up a rental car at Newark and drove to Wallingford.  It was rush hour by the time I hit the George Washington Bridge, but I made it to CT by 7 PM, and was glad I got there in one piece!  The flight from Newark did make it, but it would have been after 11 PM when I got to the hotel.

Driving from Newark to Wallingford

Girl and her dog at the airport

The trip home was much less stressful, and it was good to be here.  I spent the rest of the month wrapping up as much as I could for this year's sales and finished with a great month!  

Here are some pictures from our Christmas.  My daughter is our tree decorator and she always does a beautiful job.  "Santa" was good to us this year, as you can see.

Lots of gifts!

My amazing kids 

My son came home for the holidays from Tennessee with plans to purchase a new car while he's here.  We got him squared away on Christmas Eve, and then my husband decided to trade in his car too.  He got his new car the day after Christmas.  Our driveway looks like a Honda dealership!

Michael's new ride

Jacob's new ride

My daughter started her new job on December 27th and really seems to like it.  She has her own cubicle and is so happy to be out of retail! 

Callie's Cubicle

Lastly, we went to dinner at Tazza Kitchen and snapped a group selfie on the way out.  

Johnson Family, December 2016

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few photos from this past month, and that your year was a good one.  There is so much to be thankful for and so many things to look forward to -- I wish you a cozy Winter, early Spring and many happy days ahead!