My Year in Review

I always enjoy reflecting on my year.  It always amazes me at how much I've done in a year. 

2017 brought many fun outings and trips with family and friends! 

In March, my grangirl and I took a trip to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg where we enjoyed several days in a cabin where we soaked in the hot tub, had fashion shows, played "Genie", danced and enjoyed the game room.  We went to WonderWorks where she climbed the walls and I laid on a bed of nails LOL, Ripley's Wax Museum where we saw LOTS of cool "people" with I Dream of Jeannie being her favorite...then got "lost" in the maze that they had as well, The Comedy Barn where she got to go up on stage, and The Island where we ate and shopped.  We loved The Apple Barn as always wonderful but our favorite restaurant is Paula Deen's!  It was her first time, and she loved it so much that we went there twice!  :)

In June, my bestie and I went to Savannah, Georgia for several days.  We toured the city by tour bus, and our driver was actually from a small town near where we live.  We ate and shopped/antiqued, ate, drank, and shopped/antiqued some more and went on a Ghost Tour!  I think The Olde Pink House was my favorite restaurant, and we spent half a day at Bonaventure Cemetery where we saw Gracie's grave, along with many other famous/infamous people.  Our hotel was nice, and we talked and laughed our heads off.  We always have the best time...that's what besties do!

During the summer, my grangirl came to visit.  We had tea parties, fashion shows, danced/sang, and went to all of our favorite places...Splash Island, Creative Discovery , Hands On Science Center, the ice cream place,  Mellow Mushroom, the antique carousel and splash pads at Coolidge Park, Faith Promise Church, Chick-Fil-A, and much more!  We cram in as much fun as we can in the summer....and enjoy every single second of it!!! 

Also during the summer, I was able to reconnect with my bestie from high school!  We went to lunch one day, and she got to meet my grangirl.  Then we went to see the Doobie Brothers and Chicago!  It was a great night of music, catching up, and laughter!  It was like we were never apart!

This year I got to see my oldest son on Good Morning America and Harry Connick Jr.'s show, as well as, in person at The Ryman.  I got to enjoy worship with my youngest son, daughter-in-love, and grangirl at their church where my son in on staff in the music ministry, and plays on stage many Sundays.  I got to spend Mother's Day with them at their church and take pics in the photo booth car.

In July, I celebrated my oldest son's 35th birthday with chocolate cake at his and Allie's home.  In November, we celebrated my youngest son's 30th birthday on Thanksgiving Day with pie and coffee after a huge Thanksgiving meal.  My daughter-in-love's birthday was in Sept. and my son's precious girlfriend's was in October.  Emmy turned two in March and had her second Gotcha Day in August.  Lucy turned one in June and we celebrated her first Gotcha Day in November.  My grangirl got to be here then because she came to visit so we could go see a play, Sister Act, at the local theater/playhouse.

In September, I began a new way of eating....I had weight I needed to get off, and needed to get my self back in good health!  I was amazed at the loss of weight...in a healthy way, how well I began sleeping, and the energy that I had!  It is something that I plan to continue and maintain! 
Also.....I met someone special.   I am blessed to have him in my life, and I'm happy in the direction our friendship/relationship is going.  I look forward to what the new year brings for us!

In October, we celebrated my grangirl's 8th birthday and my *cough, cough* 52nd birthday.  During my first week of fall break, I went to my sister's and brother-in-law's house in Indiana.  We ate, shopped, went to *my first* Oktoberfest...which was ahhhhhmazing, got to see one of my great nieces, and celebrated my birthday with a Princess Cake and Pomegranate Martinis.  My sister came to visit me a couple of times in November, and we stayed up late just chatting away!  It was wonderful to have that "sister time" again!

So....I guess the biggest...and scariest part of 2017 was BUYING MY OWN HOUSE!  I have worked two LONG and HARD years to get there...to have my own house again...and I did it all by myself!  After months of looking, the PERFECT house was right there when it came time for me to actually put in a bid on a home.  To say I'm in love with it is an understatement.   God's hands were in it all the way, and it is a dream come true for my pups and me!  On August 10th, the pups and I closed on our home, and immediately moved in.  I have had the best time decorating it, and have many ideas for future projects!

In December, I entertained for the first time for a group....my Bunco Babes.  We had a great December Bunco!  And....I got to have my very first Christmas in my new home with all of my kids and grangirl here to celebrate.  It was the BEST Christmas in a long, long time!

2017 was a wonderful year, to say the least!  It was the best one I've had in a long time!  With where my life is at right now, I anticipate 2018 to be even better.  Thank you, Lord, for these blessings!!!  I am counting them one by one...and I am so appreciative!

I'm linking up to
PINK SATURDAY.

Cottage Blessings,