Murraytalk

Yesterday was a relaxing day for me since I had the house to myself for most of the day. I love my solitude and its been a long time since I've experienced it. I was able to have a phone conversation with no interruptions, surf the web for new boots, and actually drink and enjoy several cups of coffee... loving life! But all good things must come to an end  -  today I'm going to tackle the dreaded jacuzzi room that has become my storage. I really want someone to pull the jacuzzi out and make the room a sitting area/ closet/arts and craft room. I have visions of that room being my go to place for peace and quiet.                                                                                                                   Does Trading Spaces still exist?  If not, HGTV needs to come help me do a makeover asap! Time to get to work! Have a fabulous Sunday! Design is coming to grips with one's real lifestyle, one's real place in the world. Rooms should not b

My brother, sister in law, her brother and my nephew stopped by to visit me yesterday on their way home to Tucson from Sequoia National Park. I seldom see them since all of them with the exception of my brother work at Sequoia National Park. So I cooked and we hung out and caught up. As we were catching up, Kathleen, my sister in law was telling me that she does Geocaching.  http://www.geocaching.com/  I had never heard of it before. As she explained to me that it's a worldwide treasure hunt my question was how do you win? There are no winners and no prizes she explained. You just hunt for an object and sign your name when you find it. Although I didn't really get the point in doing it, my daughter Melissa and I decided to go with her to help her find a couple before they headed home. It was after 9pm so of course dark when we jumped in the car to seek the treasures. Kathleen said the first one was at the park by my house which actually turned out to be the desert. We needed

Yesterday my husband was on his way home from work on his motorcycle and he slipped on an oil spill while exiting the freeway. I asked if anyone stopped to help him and he said, "No, but the traffic did stop and wait for me to pick up my bike. What's wrong with people? Are we all in that big of a hurry that we can't take a minute out of our day to help someone and check to see if they're okay? Fortunately he ended up with just a few bad cuts and scrapes on his arm and leg. I didn't see him when he left this morning but I'm pretty sure his body is sore today. Yesterday was National Thank You Day and I thank God that he walked away with just a few cuts and scrapes. It could have been much worse. "Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel."  Author Unknown Have a safe Friday! 

Today is National Thank You Day I was thinking when I read that it's  National Thank You Day  - saying thank you is probably the one thing no matter where you live, what your culture is, or what your beliefs are, you've been taught to say it. Here's a few quotes on being thankful. A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you’, it will be enough. God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?”      Have a Happy Thursday & Thank you for reading my blog!

While I was complaining about the mess I had created at my house, my mother in law sold her home, She has over 50 years of stuff that she has to sort through to move - I just need to count my blessings that I was only working with three rooms. I'm really happy that the house sold. She was saying that it was too big, had too many memories, and she was lonely. So this move will be a good thing for her. In fact, my mom did the same after my father passed away. I think we all need a fresh start at times. Speaking of houses - I finished mine finally and I love it! I threw away, donated, and stored very little. If I don't find a home up North by the end of the year my stored items are going to Goodwill. I really understand how people become hoarders - it's so easy to accumulate stuff. The older I become the less stuff I want. Years ago I had an elderly woman, Mary, that worked for me - she only had one child, but her and her husband had labeled and made a list of all the

Chipped nails, sore thumbs, and a mess is what I've accomplished so far today. I stayed up late last night trying to get my house back in order after painting on Sunday - woke up early to finish and I still have a mess, I use to love decorating but after the past two days I can officially say I hate it! Nothing is flowing from room to room like it should - hating the pink couch and pretty much everything else I own. But I did find a picture last night with my wall color that has yellow, pink, and purple accents, so there is hope for me and the pink furniture - I'm just tired of messing with it. I think this is the time when I offer my decorator friends wine and food so they can help me put my house back together. Back to work! Love your Tuesday!

That was my day - pretty much the entire day yesterday...painting! We only did the foyer and one side of the hallway - next it's the living room, dining room and the rest of the hallway. Honestly, I'm in no rush to complete this project - I hate painting! I made the decision to put only a few crosses up and scattered a few through the house. I'm packing the rest away for our home up North that we're shopping for. (hopefully we'll have it by the end of the year) So as far as the paint color that I choose I don't absolutely love it yet. I didn't realize that a cool gray (what I used) brings out some blue, and a warm gray would of brought out red, but we're not re-painting. I need to dry brush my red bench with white paint and find fabric that has some gray to tie it all in and I think it will be fine. It's clean and fresh looking so that's a good thing.  When I get it completed I'll post pictures. Have a fabulous Mond

I spent the morning running around to fabric stores looking for material to re-upholster two of my dining room chairs... no luck! I'm in a funk again with my house so the cheapest thing that I always do to perk me up and my house is paint, re-upholster, and make new throw pillows. Since I can't find the material I want it's going to have to be only painting this weekend. Tired of my red walls and I'm getting close to being tired of my crosses, but I have too many to get rid of and they all have a story behind them. Once the wall is painted I'll make a decision if they should go back up. Lately I'm tired of everything so hopefully painting is going to get me out of my slump. I have a new addition to my house that my grandson Andrew( 5 years old) made for me. When I came home from California one of my cats had disappeared so he made me a stone in memory of her. Do you see the cat on the stone? Time to get back to work... Happy Saturday! Work joyf

Today is National International Peace Day and World Gratitude Day. International Peace Day has been promoted as a day of ceasefire and non-violence throughout the world -established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly, International Peace Day. World Gratitude Day was established in1965 by the United Nations Meditation Group to thank the people who've acted in the spirit of Globalism. It's always celebrated on September 21st. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. John F. Kennedy  Happy Friday!

I'm meeting an old friend of mine this morning to check out a product that her son created. I met Donya in 1989 at a church in Scottsdale. I see this tall beautiful woman waving at me through the crowd of people at the end of the service, so I waited to see what she wanted. She thought I was a  politician - I told her no, I just moved to Phoenix and I'm employed.                                                               We exchanged numbers on that Sunday and I had an interview by Monday and was working by the end of the week. She's also the one that got me involved in the industry doing commercial and extra work. She's always been my work angel. She tried talking me into doing Mrs. Black Arizona, but that's where I drew the line. She can keep that title. Donya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual and Dramatic Arts and is an accomplished actress and model.  http://www.artistsites.org/EliteCustomArt/ Anyway, her son Donte has created a product for the

Yesterday I was talking to one of my sisters from Tucson and she was telling me that she's planning a trip to New Mexico to visit the home that she lived in as a young child because she feels that she needs some closure. I think if that's what she feels she needs to do, go for it! But for some reason I woke up thinking I want to go too. I was a baby and out of the house when three of my siblings died in a fire there. But she and my other sister were in the house, so it's a nightmare for her.                                                                                               I would like to see the house where they lived and walk through it with her. She also wants to visit the grave site which I did in my 20's, but I'm willing to go again to support her in this journey.  I know it's going to be extremely emotional for her, but I think the end result will be good. I also found out that it's family living in the home, so it would be interestin

Today is National  Rice Krispie Day and  National Cheeseburger Day. Since I don't eat beef I'm only excited about the Rice Krispies - not excited to eat a bowl of cereal, although I still love that snap, crackle and pop. I still remember as a kid putting my ear to the bowl of cereal to hear the snapping crackling and popping, but I'm talking Rice Krispie Treats! In 1939 two homemakers, Mildred Day and Malitta Jensen invented Rice Krispie treats to sell because their Campfire Girl troops needed to make money for meetings... Genius is all that I can say to Mildred and Malitta. Have an awesome Tuesday - I'm off to buy marshmallows, Rice Krispies and butter. Rice Krispies (known as Rice Bubbles in Australia and New Zealand) is a breakfast cereal that was created by Clayton Rindlisbacher for the Kellogg company, and later marketed by Kellogg's in 1927 and released to the public in 1928. http://www.ricekrispies.com/en_US/recipes/the-original-treats.

Yup, it's Monday and for me it begins with Makenna - luckily I was asleep when she was dropped off this morning so she fell asleep. Usually she stays awake and is a ball of energy from the time she gets here until bedtime. I had a really good day yesterday catching up with my niece Diana from Tucson. I moved to Phoenix when she was young so it seems like funerals and facebook have really been our only connection. We're really not that far from each other, but we hate driving from Phoenix to Tucson and vice versa. But we're both going to work on all of the family getting together more often. I'm lucky if I see my sisters and brother a couple times a year - that needs to change. Speaking of family and facebook - if you're not my friend on facebook you don't know that 2 of my granddaughters made the cheer squad at their middle school - really proud of them. Also, one of my grandsons tried out for the basketball team at his school. He's in second grade and

The Murray & McGuire Women Last night we went to Eli's with family and friends to celebrate Kelsey's 21st. Kelsey was ready to go home and crawl in bed by 9... she's not a party girl, but she hung out until 1 in the morning with us dancing the night away. I'm thankful for friends and family sharing the evening with us. Unfortunately Tiffanie (daughter) ended up with a swollen and bruised foot from falling off her 6 inch Jessica Simpson heels - she wasn't drinking either. Actually, there were a lot of moments that were perfect for America's Funniest Home Videos... fun night!  Here's to another fun night and great memories. Enjoy your Sunday!

We had a good day yesterday celebrating Kelsey's Birthday. She worked until 4 and her boyfriend and I did a quick cleaning job in her room as we decorated it. It turned out cute even though the streamers that Sam bought had little elephants, giraffes and ducks on it - pretty sure it was made for a baby shower, but he tried.                                                                               I made her dinner and we had birthday cake from Baskin Robbins. We were all together for cake except for Makenna and Michael - he had to work and Makenna went home after a week of spending the night with me. But at 11:45pm there was a knock at the door - it was Michael with a card in his hand and a big smile on his face asking if  Kelsey was awake. He made a great ending to a beautiful day. The fact that he remembered and acknowledged his sister's birthday is confirmation that my son is back... God is good! Tonight we're celebrating with family and friends

Twenty one years ago I was in Scottsdale giving birth to a baby girl. I still remember when the the nurses would bring her to me they would check our arm bracelets numerous times making sure she was really mine.                                                                      Yes, she was the fairest of them all. It's hard to believe that she's 21 today. It really does seem like it was only yesterday that I was trying to drop her off at preschool as she hung tightly to my leg begging me not to go. She told me that she was never going to leave me and live with me forever - I didn't believe that statement then, but I do today. It's been a fun 21 years  and I can't wait to celebrate 21 more. Saturday we'll go out with family and friends to celebrate - today will just be dinner at home with the family. All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it! Bob Newhart Happy Birthday Kelsey - make it fabulous.  I love you!

I went to Big Lots - seemed to pull up, get out of the car and walk in at the same time with a woman with a little boy around 3 years of age. You could tell that her son is ill. His skin color looked like he was burned in a tanning booth, and his baldness didn't look like a child that is just getting hair. We both walked over to the shopping carts pulling one out - as she placed her son in the cart and gave him the lecture that they weren't there to buy him anything we headed off in opposite directions. As I was ending my shopping I decided to venture over to the back of the store and look at Christmas items. As I rounded the  corner there he was - the cart parked in front of a musical Christmas decoration with no mom in sight. I placed my cart beside him with no words exchanged and watched as he repeatedly pushed the button and was filled with joy each time like a typical 3 year old. While I watched him play I wondered how a mother could leave her child unattended in a s

I started watching Braxton Family Values on Netflix a few months ago and I love it. I was watching the reunion show last week and something that Tamar (one of the sisters) said I thought was a great message to all women. She said, "To all women, family, sisters - Be cautious of who you decide to be with because they can either make you stronger with your family or they can break your family apart. " What a true and profound statement that I agree with completely. Since I was young I always said that my family came before any man, and I didn't have a family like the Braxton's. My husband would never separate or make me choose him or his family over mine - if he did, we wouldn't be together. As a mother it takes a lot of time and hard work to raise your children to be close and continue that relationship into adulthood. I have no respect for any man that separates or breaks the family unit. In fact, I don't have any respect for the woman that allows

When I woke up this morning and realized the date I immediately remembered where I was when I heard the news. I was getting ready for work and had Good Morning America on when I heard the news of a terrorist attack. I was working at Mountain Ridge High School at the time - when I got to my classroom I turned the television on to continue watching the news until the kids started trickling in. I remember all the staff at the school feeling like I did - shocked and saddened. Today pray for families and friends that lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks “Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “ - President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001

Taylor Swift song 'Ronan' for Phoenix boy an artistic high

I've shared with you that I have a friend that has a son that's an addict like my son. We were just talking on Friday about our sons - I was telling her how thankful I was that mine is working and seems to be on the right track. Her son recently detoxed and is seeking employment - seems to be clean. The same day I had another friend that inboxed me on facebook saying that it looked like my son was doing good and how happy she was for him. I told her I keep praying he continues to go in the right direction - after both of those conversations I've been waking up in the middle of the night with him on my mind  Sunday he came over to drop off a lawn mower and he hung out for a couple of hours. His eyes looked like he's doing something or like he hadn't slept, but with him no sleep typically means drug usage. Since he isn't living with me anymore and I only see him for a few minutes if he drops by, it's hard for me to know for sure.                        

I woke up way too early this morning.  Yesterday Makenna was playing with Tom's phone so we woke up to an alarm that sounded like the phone ringing at 4am. I will be ready for bed by 7 tonight. I read a few devotionals before I ventured out of bed to make my way to the coffee. After pouring a huge cup I joined the dogs in the backyard. We sat watching a quick shower of rain and enjoyed the morning view - at least I did, the dogs decided to ditch me to run in the grass. As I sit staring at the sky and the palm trees I can't help but think that I need to do this more often. I never take time to enjoy the view. My morning usually begins with me running around the house with a cup of coffee in my hand which usually ends up cold before I have time to finish it. I'm actually enjoying listening to the birds chirp, but I have to admit that I'm really tempted to grab the broom and start sweeping the patio - I have relaxing issues, but I'm forcing myself to st

I just got home from Tucson - I had no wifi so I couldn't blog. We went to visit Tom's mom and help out around the house. We took three of our granddaughters along to help clean. Although her house really didn't need any cleaning, but the girls had fun helping out. After cleaning we took her out to lunch and from there I went to visit my sister. She's been having heart problems and can no longer work so I wanted to check up on her. We had a short but nice visit. As usual I'm exhausted from the road trip, but fortunately I came home to a clean house and dinner waiting... Thanks Kelsey! Sipping my wine and then I'm off to bed. Hope your Saturday was fabulous!

It's Raining!!!! I love the rain so I was extremely excited to wake up to it pouring this morning - if it were only a few degrees cooler, but I'm still enjoying it. Apparently Makenna feels the same... she stood outside this morning dancing, laughing and singing in it. I remember doing the same thing as a kid. For some reason the rain clears my mind and gets my creative juices flowing - So today I will do something creative! Tomorrow I'll share with you what I did because I have no idea at the moment what it's going to be. I'm not sure if I shared with you that songs always pop in my head when I speak (I'm sure it's a disorder) so here's what I'm singing now. Happy Friday... Peace, Love & Hugs! Johnny Nash I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way.

It's Day 6 on feeling sick. I just realized when I don't feel well my brain doesn't seem to work well. So I thought I would share a quote from on of my favorite people, Tina Fey.  "Every girl is expected to have caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama and doll tits. The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes. Everyone else is struggling." - Tina Fey Thought this was funny... hope I got a smile out of you! Love your Thursday!!!!

Finally at 11:30 I can sit at the computer... it's been one of those mornings. I'm still sick, but had to run around this morning helping my son get his car going so he could get to work. When someone is finally on the right path you don't want the little stumbling blocks to discourage them. He's not completely ready to use his stumbling blocks for stepping stones. I know I still have days where it's hard to stay positive with what life throws at you. Besides, that's what family is about... helping one another. Going to try and get some rest while Makenna is sleeping. Have an awesome Wednesday!

This morning I started cleaning the garage and came across a greeting card that I thought would be good to share. 10 Simple Things to Remember 1.   Love is why we are here. 2.   The Most important day s today. 3.   If you always do your best, you will not have regrets. 4.   In spite of your best efforts, some things are out of your control. 5.   Things always look better tomorrow 6.   Sometimes a wrong turn will bring you exactly to the right place. 7.   Sometimes when you think the answer is "no" it's "not yet." 8.   True friends share your joys, see the best in you, and support you through challenges.  9.   God and your parents will always love you. 10.  For all your accomplishments, nothing will bring you more happiness than the love you find.  The card is by Children of the Inner Light Have a great Tuesday!

I had a great weekend in Flagstaff even though I ended up getting sick. But because I got sick it made me think of all the people in my life that are fighting cancer or some type of serious illness. For some reason God has placed people in my life that are hurting either physically or emotionally. I'm thankful that I'm just fighting the flu. My prayers go out to all of my family and friends that are under attack with illness and pain. I know what it's like to fight for your life - December will be 13 years of me being a Cancer Survivor. So never  give up hope and never stop praying my friends. Happy Labor Day - have a safe one!

Yesterday Tom and I drove to Strawberry , AZ to check out their craft fair. For me there wasn't anything that I hadn't seen before when it comes to crafters, but it was nice walking around. What's crazy is that I ran into two people that I hadn't seen in years, and Tom ended up running into a guy he worked for years ago - he led us to another guy that Tom worked with that owns a wood shop in town  by the craft fair... it's a small small world. After our visit to the wood shop we drove to Flagstaff and stopped at Art in the Park. They had unique and beautiful art pieces that I fell in love with, but best of all... a french fry stand! They peeled, cut and cooked the fries while you waited. After eating fries that my body didn't need we walked downtown and did some shopping - had dinner with family and friends in the evening, and somehow in the process I ended up sick. I'm not sure if it's a cold or the flu  but it's screwing up my weekend. We were