Friends...

Friends are funny things. They come and go throughout your life.

The friends we have as children are so important to us. They are our whole life! In elementary school if your friend decides to play with someone else on the playground...it's the end of your short life as you know it. It's completely devastating! At least until someone else comes along and asks you to play.

In highschool, you have your "buds." The people you "hang" with. Do sports/music/absolutely nothing with. The ones you know you can gossip with, but they won't gossip about you...at least until they are with their other friends.

Then you get married/attatched to someone and you have your "couple friends. You have barbeques, play cards and party with them.

When you have kids, your friends are other Mom's and Dad's. Often they are the parents of friends of your children. Again you do barbequing, play cards and do child related activities like sports, dance or band.

If you are lucky, you find yourself in a friendship with someone who you are drawn to "just because." Your are friends not because you knew each other in school, because of your children or your spouse. You are friends just because you "get each other." You may not have had similar experiences. You may have lived very different lives. You may not even be close in age...but it doesn't matter.

My best friends name is Betsy. She is 13 years younger than me. She couldn't be more different than me, yet she is oddly just like me. She gets me. She understands my akwardness in public situations. She gets my akwardness in private situations. She just gets me...doesn't judge me...knows me...and still likes me!

Why am I waxing on about my...dare I say it...yes I will...BFF. Betsy is getting married in October. She contacted me and asked if I wanted to see her dress. I jumped at it! So, I met her at the bridal shop. She is simply lovely in her dress. She will make a most beautiful bride. Her dress has simple lines and just the right amount of beadwork to enhance, but not overpower the elegance of her dress. After the fitting, we went out for a couple of drinks and lunch. We chatted for hours! We only called an end to it when other obligations intruded. It was wonderful. We all need a friend we can chat with, talk to and listen to.

It's so nice, that after such a long dry spell (years), I finally have someone to spend time with other than just my family. I have actually been very blessed in the last year. I have three wonderful women I call my friends. Betsy, a lovely lady I met at my Daughter's dance and my Husband's nephew's wife. Blessings!

Now Go Make More Friends!

p.s. Here a few really cute wedding related crafts to check out:

Clothespin Cake Topper
Paper Flowers - I love this for lots of differen uses!
Do it Yourself Bridal Veil

18...A Giveaway & My Christmas Giveaway

***UPDATE*** I used the random number generator thingy...and the winner is...Penny from Bee and Bean! Congratulations Penny! I always feel bad for those who don't win, but hopefully, we will have made a new contact here in blogland and I hope to see you guys back!
Day to go...
You have got to hop on over to The Great Christmas Giveaway site and check out the giveaway being hosted by Angelina's Trinkets. The amount of generous, lovely items she is giving away is truely amazing! She will be drawing names on Christmas Day!

In that spirit, I am having my Christmas Giveaway! I am giving away a Santa hat purse made by yours truely! There will be a few other goodies along with the purse, but I want them to be a surprise, so they aren't pictured. This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If someone internationally wins, though, due to the cost of postage, I can't guarantee that you will receive it before Christmas. I will be drawing the winner on the morning of December 12th so that I can get the package posted that day!

You do not have to have a blog to enter!

For one entry leave a post here on this blog entry. Say hi, tell me where you are from, tell me anything! Although you won't be penalized for a simple "pick me" message, I would love to have something more to read! I am trying to find some more blogland friends, and who knows, I could be your best friend in hiding!!!

For two extra entries post about my giveaway on your blog and leave me a second comment telling me you did and where your blog is!



That's it! I hope to hear from lots and lots of you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

picture found at http://www.examiner.com/

I just love this picture! Isn't that why God put dogs and cat's on the planet? So we can dress them up in silly clothes and laugh at them???

Here are the top five things I am thankful for:.

1. My children who are healthy, intelligent, semi-well adjusted, independent souls. (yes I count that as one!)

2. A husband I have loved for 28 years who has classes 3 nights a week so we don't drive each other crazy. (What am I going to do when he gets his Masters in May? Maybe I'll encourage him to go for his Phd!)

3. Parents who are relatively healthy who have always given me unconditional love.

4. Heat. I'm in Michigan and winter came early this year...need I say more?!?

5. My two best friends, Betsy and Rochelle. Even though we don't spend much time together as we all lead busy lives, I value their friendship and am glad they are on the planet with me.

I hope everyone can find at least 5 things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Blessings come in all shapes and sizes...you just have to look for them!