Weekend Review

Good Friday morning!

The Gallery Pics are just a few birthday gifts I received. It was a lovely day from beginning to end, and after a birthday lunch Sunday afternoon with the Faulkner Five, I think I'll call an end to the festivities until next year!

REMINDER - I will be posting new pictures today, Saturday and Sunday in Belinda's Project Life. Project 365 is still up, but it is COMPLETE! New photos will not show up on that blog.

The Year in Review - I've decided to look back on my 48th year of life using the Top Ten method. (It's not easy to pack a whole year in ten segments, but here goes!)

1. I had my first pedicure EVER... and it was totally lovely! (I know this a little thing, but little things count, too!)

2. I survived my firstborn going away to college not once, but TWICE! I survived, and he thrived.

3. I mastered the art of making really good soup. (I know this seems small and inconsequential to most people, but it was a goal. This year's goal is to learn how to make an edible reduction sauce. See. I'm growing as a human being.)

4. For half of the year, my life revolved around football, volleyball, basketball and band. While it was extremely busy, it was also extremely fun.

5. I didn't travel to any far and distant lands, but we did visit the following places: the mountains of Tennessee, Wind Creek (camping), Amelia Island, Sandestin and Mentone. That's a pretty good little list, if I do say so myself.

6. I survived my first year with three teenage children. (Technically, Roxie has been acting like a teenager for three years, but if we go by the calendar year, it became official in 2009!)

7. Our family started the following NEW traditions: Birthday Bunco, Black Friday Shopping Trip with the cousins, cooking at least once a year for the Ronald McDonald House, fixing a 4th of July Troop Box and participating in a walk/run for cancer at least once a year.

8. Mikie's reunion concert with The Hope Quartet stands out as something extremely special that took place this year. I absolutely loved it!

9. I broadened my friend base (and strengthened some old friendships) by having three Mystery Bag Parties this past year... and I'm planning more.

10. Although Josh continues to have setbacks every two to three months (some major, some minor), his determination and ability to "bounce back" quickly has amazed me. Unfortunately, my determination and ability to "bounce back" (at all) still need a great deal of work. (A goal for the coming year, I think.)

It wasn't a perfect year, but there were some absolutely wonderful moments. And as for the moments which weren't so great, I made it through and even learned a few lessons along the way.

I have been blessed by God above and beyond anything I could imagine this past year.

Forty-eight... It was a very good year!

Weekend Happenings

High school football begins tonight, so at least one or two of the Faulkner Five will be attending the game. We haven't come up with an exact number yet. Between the high school, JSU, Auburn and the empty lot at the end of our street, I feel most weekends from now until mid-November will include some sort of football activity!

The only thing in INK on the calendar for Saturday is lunch with Mikie's parents. There are several lawns which need mowing... and a house which needs washing... and two dogs which need bathing... and some vehicles which need cleaning inside and out. I'm thinking at least part of Saturday will be labeled "Work Day."

Which brings us to Sunday... the "Day of Rest." And that is exactly what we intend to do. Mikie and the kids are taking me to an undisclosed location for a birthday lunch after church, and then we plan to go home and rest! I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to Sunday!

Have a magnificent weekend! September's Special Guest will be visiting A Simple Life Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I'll have hints for you Monday and Tuesday of next week. (She answered ALL of the questions, and she didn't have to! I love that!)

Next week's "theme" is "Time Well Spent," so everything (parties, traditions, recipes, dates, etc.) will all be centered around ideas for spending time more wisely. It's going to be a idea-filled week on A Simple Life!

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda