Things I am thankful for RIGHT now...

I've been pretty down & out lately which is NOT like me at all. I am normally a very positive thinking person, but I've been in a rut. I've been on the verge of depression (yes, I'm admitting this on the ole blog-o-sphere), I've been stressed and bitter and emotionally drained.

Then this morning, while checking out my newest addiction, http://www.pinterest.com/, I found an awesome photo of a sign...



So...in true McNeely fashion, I shall make a list of things I am thankful for right now. Not tomorrow. Not yesterday, but today.

1. I am thankful for the kicks to the rib and the constant bathroom breaks. I am thankful for the little man growing inside me!

2. I am thankful for my mom. She is a beautiful person with a big heart. We don't always see eye to eye and we often misunderstand one another, but she loves me dearly. And I love her too.

3. I am thankful for a husband who loves me. He felt the baby kick really good for the first time a few nights ago - he is still talking about it. I am thankful for his hilarious good bye's in the morning "I'm gone. I love you. Bye. Have a good day, I love you. Bye. I'm leaving, have a good day, be careful, I love you, etc etc..." he yells as he puts his boots on and heads out the door. Sometimes I think...I heard you already and I answered you - you don't have to repeat it 15 times...but I love it and am thankful for his morning nonsense.

4. I am thankful for my drive to work, it's the only peaceful time I have before walking in to this dump. My drive relaxes me, lets me think. It's my quiet time with God. We drive, we talk, we pray, we sing, we cry. As much as I sometimes gripe about my drive to and from work, I will miss my quiet time and I am thankful for it today.

5. I am thankful to have found Mack-dog a home. I love him dearly, but he isn't getting the attention he needs from us and it makes me sad. Today a friend of mine decided to take him to their house. They have three kids and they love going to the lake (Mack's favorite adventure!) so I know he will be loved and played with and happy. I am thankful that someone else will get to love this oversized puppy the way I wish I could have.

6. I am thankful for pedicures. This girl is having issues reaching her toes in a comfortable manner. So thank you, weird oriental guy for softening my heels and slapping paint on my toe nails.  I'll be seeing you after work, my little friend.  O yes, I am thankful for pedicures! :)



I am thankful for many more things, but that'll do for now.  I guess sometimes we just need a reminder of how loved and how blessed we really are.  So today, I won't let the bossman tear me down, I won't let my worrying over not having a job in 2 months effect my day and I won't let the fact that I still haven't finished painting the furniture upset me. I will be happy & thankful & at peace! :)

Peace, Love & Baby Baker,

W

3 years ago...

3 years ago today, I woke up with some of my best friends all around me...anxious to see my Kammerdammer.

There were flower petals and stems strung all over my house - and maybe a few stray Allsup's burritos and some beer cans left over from the night before...

3 years ago today, I woke up single for the last time.

3 years ago, it was cloudy and raining.  They say rain is an extra blessing on your wedding day and I'd have to agree! 

3 years ago, I walked in a church wearing a white dress and pair of my handmade boots. My Uncle Noel sang 'Til the Rivers All Run Dry' and Kam dropped the ring! 

3 years ago, we walked out of a church as Mr. & Mrs. to my Uncle Jimmy sawing 'The Orange Blossom Special' on his fiddle. 

  

 3 years ago, I married my crazy, handsome, wonderful, hard working, loving husband. And life would never ever be the same....what a blessing he has been. I am so proud to be allowed to spend the rest of my life loving him...

In the words of Reckless Kelly...

"Don't think my days of loving you are through, cuz I still do!"

Happy Anniversary, Kamdon Ray!

Peace, love & happy days,

W

Lunch with my favorites

I needed a lift today, so I drove out to see my boys...and Bea, during my 40 minute lunch. (Mind you it takes 15 minutes to get out there and 15 minutes back...I was Speedy Gonzales Fo Sho!)

I took a few NOT SO great photos while I was there. So sue me, I was shoving a DQ chicken sandwich down my throat and hoping I made it back by to work by 1. I didn't, but at least I can say I tried!

So there I am...snacking on some fries while the boys generously lick the paint on my new g-ride (Kam will love the tongue marks, I'm sure), when I look up and notice my Tad-man. 

I guess something was funny...

Bea's the queen of the horse pasture. She loves attention, but only on her terms, not yours. And the two brothers, well you can tell they like to hog it...she tried getting her ears scratched a few times, but here came the boys, every time!



Pick Me! Pick Me!



Of all the horses I've owned. One in particular stole my heart for good. My old man, Uncy. 

I was a little girl, riding around with my Pa, checking out his new crop of colts when I saw a little yellow and white colt with legs as long as you'd ever seen standing awkwardly by the best Momma horse you'd ever seen. 

He shined in the sun and like that, my heart was gone.  Pa named him Bea's Once.  He was Honey Bea's eleventh foal,  (once is 11 in Spanish). Honey Bea was a beautiful palomino mare. She was Pa's favorite. I can't remember just how many babies she had before she died, but I know for sure it was at least 15 because Quince Bea had a few foals for Pa before he sold his herd.



Bea's Once at the L7 pens -2008

Anyway, Uncy's been my man since I was around 7.  He's a heck of a cow horse and he's all business. He's all legs and his head is bigger than most prefer, but his heart is bigger than Texas and his eyes are ever knowing and always full of love. He loves a good scratching and to eat cake out of my Daddy's hand.   He's my horse on paper and in my heart, but if he could talk, he'd tell ya he was Stan's. They're pals, for sure. 

Stan the Man & Uncy

Anyway, I sure enjoyed my lunch with the herd.  They make me laugh and smile and long to throw a leg over one of them, take off & never look back. But, reality sunk in about 12:50 today and I hauled it back to town... thanks for the lunch date, boys.  I'll see ya again real soon!

T & Uncy

Peace, Love & lunch dates,

W

Pour Your Heart Out: Random (not so earthshattering) Confessions

Confessions of a crazy almost unemployed almost first time mom who needs a nap and is not so secretly wishing she could suck down a gallon of margaritas right now...

1.  I need a drink....H2O will have to do.

2.  I ordered my 3rd pair of Tom's last week (same size as always) and they didn't fit.  I have to return them and I'm sad.

3.  I have become insanely lazy. I have a million things to do and I just want to sit in my chair and watch 'How I Met Your Mother' reruns on Lifetime.

4.  I am stuck at this job until October (a blessing, I know) but holy cow, it's quiet around here, and it's only going to get quieter...

5.  I am not a shopper, but I am pumped about  H & I's shopping excursion to Dallas next week while the boys do some serious fishing.

6.  I am a very hot natured person and baby boy Baker has definately turned up my temp gauge. Thank you 100 degree weather for increasing this issue even more.

7. I want a swimming pool. 

8. I want a swimming pool really Really REALLY bad.

9.  We are spending all next week in our camper at a big, beautiful lake and I can't wait...

10.  Sometimes I really do wish 'I lived in an Airstream, homemade curtains, lived just like a gypsy.'   (did I mention I love Miranda Lambert?) (and our awesome pop up camper?)   Vacations are awesome...


Peace, Love & Random Confessions...

W

Nursery projects...revamped

Well, now that we know we're having a little boy...some of my original plans (as discussed here) have been revised...

I ended up ordering solid red bedding. It came in and it's perfect!  It's just the right shade of red - not too bright, and not too dull!

And Mom, Gran, Sissy, Wendy & I are going to tag team a crazy quilt for the crib quilt.  It's going to be all colors and bright and happy. What I love about crazy quilts is no matter how "new" they are, they have that old feel to them because they are seemingly thrown together.  (I'll post when we work on it/complete it)!

I finally found a rocking chair! Thank you, Craigslist!!  Now it's time for the facelift - tighten the arm, rough it up a little, add my favorite "Wagon Wheel" verses, a few funky designs, a pillow or two and this oversized, funky rocking chair will be complete!  I can't wait to get to the finished project on this one!!

The crib still hasn't came in which is driving me INSANE, but I'm trying to be patient!!

And then...I splurged. I ordered a handmade leather pillow from Lacy Gray.  If she had a link, I'd add it here because her and her hubby, Ryan, are making some awesome stuff!  ANYWAY...she started making these pillows and they are completely amazing.  SO...I ordered one.  Check it out! The photo is a little dark, but the back of the pillow is a dark brown. I cannot wait to pick it up!

As far as the furniture goes, I am kind of at a loss. I was going to paint the chest of drawers & dresser both red and antique them with brown, but with the red bedding and me deciding to leave the rocking chair red...I am thinking of painting the furniture a dark brown and antiquing it with a deep turquoise...I just don't want it to get too girly or too...busy. So, if you have any ideas on this, let me know cuz I'm at a loss. I am going to replace all the knobs with vintage metal knobs and  really try to keep the old personality of it all because lets face it, this furniture is ancient and it ain't too purdy, but I love it.

Mom is also giving me my little bookshelf from when I was growing up, so I need to think of something fun to do with it too because right now it is stark white.  OUCH! 

Anyway, I'm sure I'll have more ideas and more posts changing those ideas, but for now.  This is what we've got.  Hopefully, we'll get crack-a-lackin' on these projects after our totally awesome fishing adventure/vacation next week...


Peace, Love & Turquoise,

W 

The Lucky Spur

Have you ever known one of those people who just seem to light up a room when they walk in? 

If you haven't, you should meet Jennifer....




 Jennifer owns The Lucky Spur in good old Spur America. Her shop is full of jewelry, clothing and decor that will make your mouth water. She also travels to ranch rodeos and other events with a booth full of fabulous merchandise. 

She's full of life and attitude and has a heart the size of Texas. 

And she makes a mean salty dog, this one does.

So if you ever venture out toward Spur America, hit up the Lucky Spur and tell Jenn that Whit sent ya! :)

Peace, Love & Lucky Spur,

W

Snakes & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails...

Becoming a mother is something I've always dreamed about. I always kept in mind that being "mommy" wasn't all about smiles and cuddles and cute little nothings. I knew about the dirty diapers, the up-all-nights and all those other not-so-fun parts of mommyhood, But I never cared.  I still don't care to be honest. I can NOT wait for this adventure.

 BUT.....
         I am also scared senseless. Will I be a good mom? Will I know what to do? Will I know what to say when their world is crumbling around them? Will I remember words to songs they should learn? Will I be a good example? Will they be smart? Will I make the right decisions for them before they are able to make their own?  Will I find a new job that will provide for our family properly?  Will I find a new job AT ALL?  What if I don't want to go back to work?  Is this the worse time ever to consider getting my masters?  Is everything okay? Will everything be okay?  And so forth & and so on....

I know worrying will get me no where, I am usually not a worrier, but with all the added stress of losing my job and having had such an "uncomfortable" pregnancy thus far, I have literally worried myself in to sleepless nights and crazy crying fits. I have become a raging lunatic (just ask Kam)! :)  

And then....
          Yesterday we made our way to Dr. Lampkin's office and found out that this little miracle is a boy!  Immediately, half of my worries disappeared. All I could think of was hoping he loved horses as much as I do and fishing as much as his daddy does...and how blessed we were to be told how perfectly he was growing. We laughed at his touch-me-not ways (just like ME) and noticed he already has his daddy's nose.   And the questions went from "what if's" and "will i's" to "I wonder's" just like that!

I know I still don't know what the future holds, but our futures are held in God's hands, not our own. And I SO often have to remind myself of that. Yesterday was one of those reminders.  I'll find a job, our baby will be happy and healthy and things will be just as they are suppose to be...I have faith.   I doubt this will cure my raging lunatic ways right now and I'm still going to catch my self worrying, but hey...it's all gonna be just fine! :)  


So here's to snakes & snails & puppy dog tails....   


....and fishing poles & little spurs & four wheelers & babysitter horses & football helmets & shetland bronc ridings... 

(this kids gonna be busy..heeheehee)



Peace, Love & BIG Dreams,

W