Gone but Never FORGOTTEN!!!

Today marks 10 years that my Dad left us for a better place, a place without suffering and pain... I do know that we will see each other again - I will cherish that day!!! Just know that you are loved today as you were back then

PLEASE feel free to share any favorite memories today as we CELEBRATE and REMEMBER the good times....

He touched many lives - and I know that he would of been so Proud of Trey!!!

Thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought of you yesterday, and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part. God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.

Do you Hear it???

This photo spoke to me....... We can complain about what we DON'T have or we can step back and look at the beauty around us... Count our Blessings.

This is becoming one of my Favorite quotes:

To wish you were Someone else is to waste the Person that you are!

I have come a long way - I have SETBACKS... BUT, I am surrounded by Family and Friends that Love me no matter what, Support me and give me the PUSH I need. You have to be a FRIEND to have FRIENDS!!

Just soak in this photo and share with me what it might mean to you!!

Live with your HEART!! XOXO

Better Update fast.. Daph is Blog Hoppin!! LOL

Hope that you all are doing well... I am hanging in there!!

Making progress on my Life Goals - getting a better footing EVERY DAY!!!

Last weekend I went to Orlando to hangout with the Nielsen's - took my bike and had a BLAST - Shay and I went for a few rides!!!

Another reason for the trip was that my SIS was headed out with her family on a Cruise from Port Canaveral - so I wanted to make sure to get over and send them off. We had a nice visit/breakfast - way to short! BUT, since it has been 2.5 years - I didn't care if it was for just one second. Did my heart so good and I hope that we can make a Sister's weekend happen sometime in 2010 - it is so very important!!

If you love someone tell them - don't waste time with NEGATIVES!!!

LWY Heart... XOXO

Where does the time go??

Friendship:

Sometimes friends come into your life and you know that there was a REAL Reason or PURPOSE. That is how I feel about the Jerkin Family!! 2 years ago - Daphne asked if I would be willing to take Family Photo's while there were here in FL for vacation and then Daph was attending the same Photo Conference as I was in Orlando - that was the BEST YES I ever said!! I love what my Craft of Photography has given me!! So very BLESSED!!

Good Morning Friends!!!

I hope this post finds you doing well... I have been busy these past couple weeks - working on my Personal Strategic Plan!! Why is thinking and planning so hard.. LOL I have always had a hard time talking about myself!! This is one thing I am working on.. During this process there was a section that was called a 360 Degree Review!! Where you ask 3 friend - that you know will be truthful 3 questions - are you BRAVE enough to do this?

1. What do you think is my Best Quality?
2. What is my worst quality?
3. Where do you see me sabotaging myself?

It was a very enlightening experience!!! Thank you Kathleen, Terry and Sis for helping me out!!

Last weekend I attend a Photography Conference - it was so very MOTIVATING!! Fun to hang out with Old Friends and made some New ones..

Today's Super Bowl Game would be lots of FUN - I can't remember the last time I could actually just sit and watch - and not play hostess with the mostess... I have Friends on both side of the Field - so I will just say GOOD Luck!! I know how it feels for YOUR team to be Champ.. FUN FUN!!

Have a WONDERFUL Day and Live with your Heart!!! M

On the RIGHT Track!!

Good Morning Friends!!!

I hope that the first 16 days of this year have treated you well!!! I am doing GREAT!!! On track with my Activity, Calorie Intake - lost 4lbs week one and will weigh in again tomorrow. I joined a 100 mile challenge and so far in 2 weeks I have charted 38.5 Miles!!! Thank you La for getting us moving and your such an inspiration to me and MANY!! So on my way to 50lbs!

I am working on a Personal Strategic Plan - it is a 8 week course by Darren Hardy - http://darrenhardy.success.com/2009/12/db10-pm/ it is a lot of work - it is allot of thinking and planning - we are in week 2 and so far I have already learned a great deal about myself!!!

I am blessed to be a part of a wonderful community - that is Photography!! It has giving me Friends all over the US and we share a passion and friendships that I can never explain 100% but those in this group will understand. I will be attending a conference at the end of this month - http://syncseniors.com/Home.html because of the GENEROSITY of a fellow photographer.. I am so excited to be spending a few days with some of the best in the industry and LEARNING what I love!!! Also, hanging out with some of my FRIENDS.. FUN FUN

New Years weekend I drove over to visit my Friends in Orlando and meet up with Denise and her family from Miami - Cristy and John of http://cristynielsen.com/blog/ were kind enough to take some photo's of me at the new studio. If you are looking for a Photographer in the Orlando/Central FL area they should be your choice (they will also travel for special occasions)!!! Here are a couple pics from my session!! THANK YOU C & J.. Love U!! M

Happy Day #3

So we are Three Days into a NEW year... So far I am so thankful!!!!

1. For having AWESOME Friends that support me and Love me
2. My Family - Able to spend time with my Aunt's, Uncle and Cousins and My Mom and Lou
3. Getting my head on straight with my Finances.. FEELS good and Need every one's HELP!!
4. That I have a Warm home and a kitty that keeps me company

Today was my last Bucs Game after 21 season as a Season Tix Holder. Right now I realize that it isn't in the BUDGET - and that these steps right now - are securing a FUTURE that I want to have.. I can get thru it and I WILL!!!

Hope that everyone is doing well and ready to start a new work year tomorrow.. Remember to always count your blessings...

Today's Quote I liked: If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." ~Anthony D'Angelo

Have a GREAT Evening and MONDAY!!! LWY "Heart" M

Happy NEW Year Friends...

First off - let me say that I am sorry that I haven't been bloggin... I really do miss it!!! Wont promise daily but at least once a week you can expect to hear from me... That is if ANYONE is still around.. HA HA

Even with it's ups and downs 2009 was a REALLY good year for me!! I am learning about myself - learning how to LOVE myself and get along with my FUTURE!!!

Our family lost loved ones this year - they are always in our Hearts and will be missed for sure!!!

I survived a medical scare - made it thru surgery... Those of you that know me - understand the IMPORTANCE of me going thru with it all. I don't do medical or Doctors very well.. BUT Thank GOD I am well!!!!

I celebrated my 50th Birthday - went to North Carolina with some of my BESTIES - it was AWESOME and I am so Thankful!!! Got a AWESOME Coffee pot and lots of GOODIES from some of my FANTASTIC Photography Friends... And had a wonderful Birthday Dinner cooked by Lou - with Mom, Billy, Kathy, Trey and Aunt Jeanne in attendance... WONDERFUL getting OLD. HA HA

I got allot accomplished around the house and now I am buckling down and getting my FINANCES in order - it it time!!! So I must be smarter in 2010 - I had a GREAT December - first Month that I can remember that I made forward progress!!

Anyway - rang in the year asleep HA HA BUT, do not plan to tackle the rest of the year sleeping... It is going to be PERFECT.... A PERFECT 10!!!

Be well, Be Happy and LIVE with your HEART!!!

M

PERFECTION...What does it mean???

I feel GOOD today!!!

This was a GOOD weekend for me - did lots of thinking - and something came clearer to me!

Self Esteem
Perfection

These are two areas that I suffer - have always had very low self esteem and the feeling that I need to be perfect. If I am not perfect I just don't try or give a damn then I allow myself to shut down - and true happiness with myself escapes...

Well.... Sitting at the Ribfest this weekend - I did a lot of people watching!! I saw people of many colors, styles and shapes. I saw people that were confident - happy!! And while really observing them - I was thinking about PERFECTION.. Or this stupid idea of perfection that I have Concocted for myself. That I can not be REALLY happy unless I am perfect... Perfect weight, Perfect clothes - etc. BUT, really what is PERFECT!!! As I looked at 1000's of different people I realized that not one of them were the SAME!!! So why do I spend so much energy and time trying to be LIKE!! Instead of just being??? Now this isn't rocket science - and there is really no reason why this hit me now. Except that maybe I am finally taking those steps towards being happy - I mean REALLY HAPPY!!

I suppose it is just one more step toward my FUTURE!!

Make it a GREAT Day!! M

Heavy Heart... So Sad!!

Last night Heaven got another angel... Louise passed away in North Carolina after a Brave fight with Cancer - she was so strong and so strong in her love for God - she is with him now and I know HAPPY and Pain free.

We all have been friends for well over 25 year and she was like a second Mother to me, I will miss her so much - I just wished I could be there with Ed and the whole family!! Since I had surgery recently - I have NO time off from work - and NO extra $$. I might think about going to see them for Thanksgiving - we have spent many Holidays together over these years!!!

Please keep the Dupree/Elliott and King families in your thoughts and Prayers!!

Rest in Peace Sweet Louise!!! XOXO

YES I am alive and WELL!!

Not sure if I even have any followers to my BLOG and to those 1 or 2 - Let me just say I am sorry for my absence!!

Surgery was a SUCCESS - I was told all pathology reports were normal and there wasn't any Cancer involved. They did remove both Ovaries and F-Tubes. The Cyst itself was about a golf ball size - it did attach itself to my intestines and bladder. So it was a BLESSING and good thing this all came to light and we got it out of there.


My First two weeks of recovery were a BLUR - I was tired/Still am and in Pain!! Hurt the worst to get up and down from a lying down position. Needless to say I slept and functioned upright for a lot of the time.. LOL


My Mom was here a lot and helped so much!!! My Cousin Karol was a GODSEND she stayed with me over nights and hung out during the days... Trey also spent one night here as my go to Man!! One thing I got RE Hooked on Young and the Useless.. LOL Had lots of Visitors - My Photographer friend Heidi from Tampa came over and brought me a huge pan of YUMMY Lasagna - it was enjoyed by EVERYONE!! Cristy, John and the Girls came over to St. Pete to camp one weekend so that I could see them... It was GOOD MEDICINE!! Thank you!!


I went back to work 1/2 Days on week 3 - it was all I could do and glad I had made that decision. The 4th week I just played it by ear - couple days I left around 3ish.. and now I am pretty much back to FULL schedule.. I go for my last follow up with the Surgeon on Wed. I expect to be released to FULL DUTY!!! I am looking forward to getting more active and back to the Gym - I went back to Weight Watchers this weekend... Ready to rid myself of about 60 lbs!!

Last weekend we had a Cook out in Scottie's honor at Christi and Steve's house - to christen the new deck and sauna.. I tortured Trey with some updated Photos.. Isn't he handsome??


This weekend was Halloween fun filled - spent some time with the Family and my niece Tracy.. HA HA
Anyway - very sorry for the delay in posting..

I have taken some steps to get along with my FUTURE - I am so blessed with a Fantastic Family and the BEST Friends in the world. I take FRIENDSHIP Serious - you have to be a FRIEND to have a FRIEND..

Love you guys.. M

So Blessed!! Update 24 hrs till Surgery!!

Just thinking about my Life.. So BLESSED!!

Sure there are a couple things that I wished didn't happen or that may of happened differently - but OVER All, I would not CHANGE A THING!! I am so very BLESSED and LOVE the life I have and the Life I am going to Continue to have!!! So BLESSED!!

My Mom and Dad always provided for me - I always had a nice home to live in and Food on the table. Surrounded by LOVE and SUPPORT - When the Dog Died I was blessed with a Brother (Longtime family Joke) - He is a Fantastic Brother, Husband and Father - I am so very PROUD of him. My SIL Kathy is AWESOME and Trey well what can I Say there!! Except that guy is my HEART! LOL So BLESSED!!

I grew up with my Aunts and Uncles - and ALL My cousins - and now being taken care of by my Cousins Kids. I have friends that have never even met some of their families - but we are so involved and always surrounded by LOVE.. SO BLESSED!!

I have been Blessed with AWESOME Jobs thru the years - things that I truly LOVE and some of my Very Best Friends even today are because of those jobs.. We have share so much thru these 25 plus years!!! So BLESSED!!

My Photography - WOW I can capture memories FOREVER (some of my Family Gripe) but when it counts those photographs are our TREASURES!!! BUT, I have to say that Photography has given me something much more Valuable - it has given me some of the BESTEST Friends in the WORLD. We are in contact Daily - have been lucky enough to share ups and downs with many - Experienced the Miracle of BIRTH.. WE have gone on many trips - just being ourselves... And even sometimes they haven taken GOOD care of me.. LOL You all are in my HEART and I Love you all hope you know how much!! So BLESSED!!


I sit in my HOME - that as a single working woman - purchased Furnished and continues to pay for. Granted times haven't always been easy Money wise - and I have used CREDIT when I shouldn't of used it - continued to keep an excellent credit score. At least I have something and THINGS to show for what I have spent.. Not many can say that!! A lot of people these days are struggling with Finances - they cant pay bills and they may have NOTHING to show for that DEBT. I cant say that ... So BLESSED!!!!

I was never blessed with Children of my own - but I can not say that I don't know what it is like to be a Mother - my Friends have allowed me into the lives of their Children - I have been loved with all their hearts. I love being Miss Margie, Aunt Margie, MiMi, Auntie M - or anything else they choose to call me. I have been in the lives of so many children that are now Young Adults and I am so very PROUD of them.. So BLESSED!!

I have my Faith - my Love for GOD and his love for me - how can I ever go WRONG!!! So BLESSED!!

I will close with one of my Favorite Bible Verses:
PSALM 23

The Lord is my Shepherd...
THAT'S RELATIONSHIP!

I shall not want...
THAT'S SUPPLY!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...
THAT'S REST!

He leadeth me beside still waters...
THAT'S REFRESHMENT!

He restoreth my soul...
THAT'S HEALING!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness...
THAT'S GUIDANCE!

For His name sake...
THAT'S PURPOSE!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
THAT'S CHALLENGE!

I will fear no evil...
THAT'S ASSURANCE!

For thou art with me...
THAT'S FAITHFULNESS!

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me...
THAT'S SHELTER!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...
THAT'S HOPE!

Thou anointest my head with oil...
THAT'S CONSECRATION!

My cup runneth over...
THAT'S ABUNDANCE!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...
THAT'S BLESSING!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...
THAT'S SECURITY!

Forever...
THAT'S ETERNITY!

Thank you to my FRIENDS & FAMILY for LOVING Me for who I am - I will continue to LIVE with my HEART and be the VERY BEST FRIEND Possible... It is just WHO I AM!!

Lots of LOVE and HUGS, M

Home from my BD Bash!!!

Just wanted to say that I am home safe from my Birthday Bash in the Mountains with my GOOD Friends... We had a BLAST and I promise to post MORE pics and give the overview..
.

And today when I came home from my Trip - I had a BIG, Heavy package for my BD!!! It was a so cool to find out that Daphne my Friend in AL - coordinated this SURPRISE!!! 20 plus friends from all over the US - pulled together and bought me a VERY Fancy Coffee Pot - Coffee Pods (Decaf and Hot Chocolate) a AWESOME Picture Frame and a M Cookie and a nice big Trevis Tumbler with a M on it... SO SO COOL!!!

Hope you all have a GREAT Evening - Be Blessed!!! XOXO

PS. Keep the prayers coming - I have my appointment with the Specialist tomorrow at 1:30pm!!

Sunday Evening Wind Down...

Even with Storms in your Life... There is BEAUTY and GOD is GOOD!!!

Hello Friends,

Not a whole lot to report Medically... Actually NOTHING.. LOL I called the Specialist on Friday just to follow up - was told that my reports were on his desk - he was at a Conference and would return Monday - once he looks them over - his secretary will call and set up an appointment.. WHATEVER!!! I did tell her that I would not be available Thurs- till after the holiday - Why is my TIME not as IMPORTANT... UGH!

This is going to be a GREAT week - I was bummed (but Understood) when my Friend Marnie said she was not going to be able to make the trip to the Mountains. BUT, everything happens for a REASON - she was able to get a job for this week.... GET THIS in Brandon/Riverview (what 45 mins away) - so the GREAT news is that I will get to see her Tues and Wed Evenings - she will get to see my house and meet Cory the Wonder Cat.. I wished the others could get to meet her and hang out - but I will be SELFISH and say I am HAPPY I get some time w/ her!

Thursday I will be heading to Nashville and 4 of us will be hanging out an awesome cabin in the Smokey Mts... Will be a FANTASTIC getaway!!! More about the trip later..

Hope everyone had a GREAT weekend... Be Blessed and LIVE with your HEART!!

XOXO, M

Little catch up Friends

Sorry I have been quiet - just not a lot to post!!!!

I was so blessed with Great Friends - Cristy and John had me over this weekend - to hang with them and the GIRLIES... Had a BLAST - just nice to take my mind off of things for a FEW Minutes here and there... Cristy treated me to a Pedicure was heaven and Brewster Ice Cream.. YUMMY!!! So thank you guys so much - I love you lots!!!

Monday - I called to make an appointment at the Specialist (So I thought) was set for Thursday @ 2:00 - then yesterday afternoon I get a call from their office said oh I listened to your message from Monday and realized you wanted - you cant do that without a referral - So then I had my DR. send the reports to him and he will review and call me for an appointment.

In the meantime I still had not gotten the blood work results... So today when I called for the 3rd time she faxed them to me and TO THE SPECIALIST -which was supposed to be YESTERDAY... SO I am still waiting for an appointment!!!

BUT there is good news DR. Margie analyzed her own blood results and the Ovarian Cancer marker was well in the NORMAL RANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So a little bit of RELIEF!!!

Stay tuned - keep Praying... LOVE YOU ALL...

PS. GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Friday Friends...

Took this in North Carolina a few year back - I love pictures of PATHS - it give me STRENGTH and keeps me CALM...

Just a quick update with not much to UPDATE!!!

I called first thing this morning to get the appointment with the Specialist - and well the offices are closed on Friday... GO FIGURE!!! Anyway I will call again on Monday.

My Good Friends Cristy and John have invited (ok well I invited MYSELF) over for the weekend - so I am heading to Orlando after work today - will be back sometime on Sunday. Just felt a change of scenery would do me good - Shay has a Riding lesson in the morning and I have been wanting to see her ride for a while now!!! I am so blessed to have GREAT Friends...

Thank you all for your continued Prayers, Love and SUPPORT!! I know I have some work ahead of me - but I hope that you all are stuck with me for a LONG WHILE...

Hugs and Love, M

Margie Update - Keep Praying!!!

First off I want to thank my Family and Friends for Loving me, for caring about me and most of all PRAYING for me this past week as I have been faced with some Medical Challenges...

Just to give you the whole story in one place - I will do it here!!

Last Wed - I was throwing up and had a pain in my Right side (had Flu Symptoms) but was scared that my appendix was bursting - so I went to the Drs.(those that know me know I must of been REALLY REALLY Scared)LOL She thought it was the FLU gave me some antibiotics - and was going to send me on my way - I did mention to her that from time to time my Side did hurt.. So we went ahead and ordered a Ultrasound... The results did show Gallstones and also a "Mass" on my Ovaries. They wanted me to get an MRI with and without contrast - that took place Monday and Tuesday.

Today - I was told that I needed to go to a specialist - OBGYN - Of course me who doesn't ask questions said .. OK - and then just let my MIND Play with me like usual!! Thanks to Julie - I called back the Drs. office and made an appointment to speak with my Dr. to discuss the findings and get this figured out. Hear his words and NOT MY MIND.. Glad I did!!

I do have a Golf Ball (hate golf) sized cyst on my ovaries - pretty much 100% sure that it needs to come on out and be tested... Then we will hit the next hurdle - ONCE I have the answers!! I must and will need help from my friends - to TAKE Each STEP as it comes and NOT get ahead of myself.. I can DO IT!!

And.... the gallbladder has some stones - he said least of my worries.. CRAP. LOL BUT, the abdomen showed my Liver, Spleen, Pancreas were all normal.. So will take that as good news RIGHT???

So tonight I will have a couple Corona's - call and make my appointment in the morning... Steps - they did a full blood draw tonight - Hey I'm getting good at this needle stuff.. LOL

I have a Vacation weekend planned over Labor Day - and as of this VERY Moment it is SO ON!!!! Did ask the Doc about it and he said he didn't see any reason why not!!

Again thank you for your love and support... I need each and everyone of you right now!! Love you and don't want to ever feel like I am alone... I know that I am NOT!!!

LOVE YOU, M

Day 10-11-12 & 13 NO WAY!!

Have I really been gone that long!!!

Sorry friends - Been down with a FLU Bug!! Finally went to the Doctors yesterday got some antibiotics and they did an Ultrasound of my Stomach/Abdm. and Pelvis just to rule out the side pain I was having... No results yet..

I promise to be back to my daily posts... Right now my biggest MIT is to catch up from missing 2 days at work... YIPPPEEE!!!

Have a Great day - Live with your HEART!!

XOXO, M

Day 8 & 9 - Pooped!!

Good Night Friends!!

I had a Nice weekend - Spent it with Friends and Family - Not much better than that!!!

Friday Night was Movies, Dinner and Ice Cream with Karen and Dana!

Saturday - Saw Karen and Dana (2 days in a Row) Garage Sale - and then had a nice afternoon at Kathleen and Johns - Swimming in the pool and playing with Heather's GUYS!!


Sunday - Mom, Lou and I went for a Ride to Sarasota - St. Armands Key - and Lido Beach!! It was HOT HOT HOT, but in and out of the shops helped. Late lunch at The Columbia - Sangria, and the yummy 1805 Salad........ On the way home - we visited the Sarasota Elks Lodge. Then we stopped off to see Aunt Jeanne on the back home. She is doing really GOOD!! Thank God and THANK you all for your Prayers!!

Sweet Dreams everyone! Hugs, M

Day 7 Round 3 - Good Morning

TGIF Friends!!!

Today is a Day that I request Prayers and Positive thoughts for many of my Friends who have struggles in their hearts !

Leaders don't create Followers - the CREATE more Leaders!! Be a LEADER..

I did pretty good with my MIT's Yesterday !!!

Cx the Subscription - Yeah

Dinner at the Elks

Work:

My To Do list had a lot of RED Ink - meaning thing are getting CROSSED off!!

Today's MIT's:

1. Balance Checkbook

2. Dinner and Movie with Karen (I hope that we get together more often)

Work MIT's:

1. Accounting Issues

2. Filing

3. Work some more on the TO DO LIST

FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS!!!

Have a BLESSED Day!! XOXO, M

Goodnight Day 6 - Round 2

Ok fast post - Sweet Dreams

Had a Really GOOD Day........... Post more in the AM!!

Time for sleep!!!

XOXO