* It's Monday! *

Hey everyone! I've been busy with different activities and just haven't been able to finish a blog post. I started writing one for "I Wonder" and couldn't get to the end of it. I think that was this past Thursday. Then I remembered my "Nostalgic Sunday" posts and thought that would be fun to do yesterday. Well, as you can see, it's Monday evening...

Some of my recent "activities" 

1) I've been doing a lot around the house. Ron and I are slowly getting our remodeling done. I don't remember if I mentioned about our purchase of a double-wide mobile home, in a senior community (55+ years old). We bought it 2 years ago and began taking it apart and putting in new. We moved in about a year ago and the work continues. We got it at a really good price and knew we could fix it up to make it our own. I told Ron that if I hadn't watched that TV show, "Flip or Flop", I would never have believed we could make it beautiful! Maybe I can post some "before and after" photos later as we keep working on it.

2) I'm also very happy to announce I've been writing!! I'm working on my sequel in the fact that I've found a bunch of notes and have been trying to get them in some kind of order. I'm also working on a story for a Chicken Soup book, and plan to write something for another one that's not due for quite a while. 

3) This evening I cut up carrots, potatoes and onions and put them all in the refrigerator in storage bags. Tomorrow morning before I leave for work at 6:00 am, I'll dump them all into my crockpot which is ready to be plugged in...and of course, I have a round roast to put in with the veggies. Mmm, that sounds so yummy to me. It's the kind of food I crave in the cooler/colder weather. How about you? 

"A few days ago, I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." -- Eric Sloane

* A Leap of Faith, Again *

 I went through some of  my older blog posts yesterday, searching for just the right information to share...once again.  When I came upon this one, I decided to post it again. (It was an "I Wonder" post on March 9, 2012.) It was very meaningful to me then, as were all the wonderful comments I received, and it's very meaningful to me now as well, for very different and new reasons. 

Lately I've been thinking and wondering about Leaps of Faith. Don't you just love that phrase? Such thoughts and images come to my mind. But there is a group of images that is unsurpassed...

 

(all images courtesy Google)

I'll never forget the first time I watched Indiana Jones in The Lost Crusade take that "Leap of Faith." I held my breath, and then when I saw the "bridge" he walked across, my stomach got weak and I almost passed out because of my fear of heights! And no matter how many times I watch that scene, it effects me the same way -- -- emotionally and physically. My heart palpitates, I don't breath, my stomach does flips, and then BOOM...Indy accomplished the impossible. He believed. He HAD TO believe...and I cheer, usually out loud!

Anyone trying to achieve something of importance in their life has opportunities to take that "leap of faith," but how many of us actually do it?? Looking back, I know I've made a few of them, but they were more like "small steps of faith." (Every step in the right direction counts, though, right?) 

I'm working on the sequel to my memoir now, and will most likely need a few "leaps" along the way! 😀

 “Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” -Margaret Shepherd

* SAD NEWS ABOUT CHARLIE *

Ron and I had to say goodbye to our beloved Charlie Thursday evening. We knew it was coming sometime soon, but he went downhill quickly...He hadn't eaten in almost 2 days, but drank water pretty much like normal, went outside always for potty, and was getting up and down the steps okay. But Thursday he began to really look confused and wasn't walking good and the last time he drank any water, he immediately threw it up...just the water.

(He had blood tests about 3 weeks ago and had very serious problems that no one was aware of. He had liver problems, thyroid problems, diabetes and a heart murmur! And he never seemed sick or uncomfortable before then.)

We had an appointment for this morning, so we could see our usual vet, but we didn't want Charlie to have to wait that long, so the clinic fit us in and they were all so kind, just like always.

I told Ron I can't go through this again and don't want another fur baby, and I truly believe it this time.

This was Charlie on his 12th birthday, this past February. 

I love this picture! This was earlier this year. Ron was walking with Charlie, and all of a sudden this stray cat decided he not only wanted to follow them home, he wanted to walk right next to Charlie and look at him as his new best friend! (Have you ever seen something like that?!) I think it's so adorable. Our next door neighbor already had a couple of cats, and she happily adopted this little guy, who she named Lucky!

Below are just a few of my favorite Charlie photos. 

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And 2 beautiful quotes.