December 29, 2017 Closing out 2017 part 2 Fitbit

For the most part, life is what you make it!
My expectations for 2017 far exceeded my goals in the Fitbit category.
~~~ EXERCISE ~~~
I can gripe and complain and make excuses.
I can play the blame game and point my finger.
I can use injuries, illnesses, bad weather, not the right gear, yada yada yada.
Oh how I wish I was as agile and active as my children.
So much for my pity party........
Here’s to staying alive and active in 2018!
My Fitbit helped me to celebrate my successes.
My Fitbit also nudged me to ‘move it’.
I was 'boasting-proud' to take a photo and post it on Instagram after completing 10,000 steps ( 4+ miles).
Sadly, I didn’t wear my Fitbit everyday, nor did I complete 10,000 steps everyday.
Sadly, I’m crying in my coffee. Can you here me?
The year is not over, but it’s close enough.
Here are the numbers.

This 658 miles of walking averages out to about 2 miles per day.
OK... not the best for what I've been used to doing......... but........
Here is to remembering:
Put the past behind you.
Move forward and achieve great things that God has planned for us.
There is no way to be looking forward while still looking back.

Be a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

December 28, 2017 Closing out 2017.... part 1 (Paintings)

This is one of my favorite weeks in the year........
the time between Christmas and the New Year.
No activities, no parties planned, no what-evers!
I think it's normal to look back and say that "I'll do better next year."
But as I look back at 2017......
I'm more focused on the GOOD accomplishments.
Here is part 1..... the oil paintings that were done in 2017.
I didn't realize I had so many.
22 to be exact.
Some were sold, some were gifts, some are hanging in my home, 2 were commissions.
Some were loved, some were endured.
Some were done from photographs, some were painted using the inspiration of other artists, some from logos on merchandise!
With each painting, something was learned.
The sizes range from 5"x 5" to 36' x 48".
THREE (3) of these paintings are available.
The sizes and price are listed under the available painting.
Text, private message, or email at tksharpley@gmail.com if interested.
One thing to for sure... I'll be painting my way through 2018.

18" x 24" 275.00

8" x 10" 65.00

24" x 36" 375.00

November 28, 2017 An Evening with the stars, and the ISS.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Tonight we enjoyed getting outside, walking downtown, and taking a few nighttime photographs.

The sky was clear, and the moon was shining over the Wells Fargo bank, in downtown Roanoke, Va.
We stood on the MLK Bridge. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL BRIDGE

What a view of the new AMTRAK STATION and the train tracks.

The ISS (International Space Station) flew over where we were standing at 6:24pm.
We knew the arrival time, based on a link sent to my email.
SPOT THE STATION. It's always exciting to see this, but the sky has to be dark
.......... and clear!

It was a fun Monday evening!.... we are easily entertained!

November 23, 2017 Thanksgiving Number Two

Happy Thanksgiving-------- AGAIN!
Beyond Blessed and Thankful.
Thanksgiving should be everyday.
We have so much to be thankful for.
One day a year hardly seems adequate.
Planning a get-to-gather seems more and more complicated each year, but somehow we manage to set aside time!
THANK YOU GOD.
and thank you adult children for making this a priority!
I seriously need to photoshop 2 more people into this photo.... Ethan and Carson.

Hooray for the selfie-stick

For obvious reasons, this crew does not stand still very long.
Pre-lunch exercise/warm-up is a must.
Check out the HAND MADE BOWS made by Robin Hood  Ron.

Future hunters of the world unite!

Athletes as well as hunters!

The women folk just kinda stand around and talk!

Aren't we cute!

So much for the warmup/exercise..... Onward to the table!
(Not quite the traditional Thanksgiving feast, but not much was left behind!)

Laughter, hugs, peace, love, joy....... a few words to describe this family when we are together.

Did I say that we all conversed at the same time at the table?
Ha!
We also celebrated 3 birthdays for 3 people who have December birthdays!
Andrew 33, Stephanie 40, and Walter 43.
HOW COULD THIS BE?????

The cousins had a fabulous time together....... We REALLY needed Carson and Ethan here to help with the supervision.(SMH). These 3 have discovered playing in closets, and hid in just about all of them.

Thanks again to our 3, for making this time HAPPEN ♥!

Lauren, Walter, Sarah

GRATEFUL, BLESSED, THANKFUL

November 17-19, 2017 A Pennsylvania Thanksgiving 2017

St.John Lutheran Church York PA

How does one begin to express gratefulness and love for a family, residing in Pennsylvania, for including us in their Thanksgiving weekend extravaganza→ extraordinaire. (Nov 17,18,19)
This special family belongs to our youngest daughter's husband's Mom and Dad, Nancy and Keith.

Andrew, Wyatt, and daughter Lauren

Not only were we invited, but all of their siblings, moms, cousins, nieces, nephews were included, bringing the count for the Saturday feast to 34 +-ish.
St. John's Lutheran Church was the perfect place to host the Thanksgiving festivities.
Meet our hostess and host (one can never get enough hugs from grandson).

Nancy and Keith

 How blessed to have both of their Moms included in the festivities.

Ann and Gloria

Keith and Nancy also have a daughter, who married last April, thus the 1 yr anniversary cake!

Katherine and Jason

Here are Jason and Wyatt, waiting to start the festivities.

Jason's parents drove from Chicago to celebrate the Thanksgiving celebration. I recall them saying it took 12 hours to drive to York!

Mike, Mo, and Jason

There were several 3 and 4 generations represented. Here is one:

Nancy, daughter Katherine, and Gloria(Nancy's Mom)

Donald(Nancy's brother) and their Mom, Gloria

Donald's wife is Kim. They have 2 children, Brett and Laura.

Laura and Dwight with their 2 girls

Keith with Nancy's sister, Carol

Carol has 2 daughters, Emma and Meredith

Emma and husband Johnathan, have 2 daughters, Delilah and Caroline

Carol's other daughter ,Meredith,  has a son, Edmond. (Nancy to the right) 

Phew, how am I doing so far???
I'm catching my breath, and writing as fast as I can while I can remember!!!
Keith, our son-in-law's dad, has 2 sisters and 1 brother.

Carol (left) and Keith's Mom, Ann (right)

 l to r: Daughter Lauren, SIL Andrew, and Carol's husband, Mike

Mike and Carol have 2 daughters

Keith's sister, Gail

Did I say that there was food at this event?
OH MY!!!

Don't forget the desserts!

Keith's Mom playing the piano ♥

Ron and Keith

Kids??? just a few!!!

What a fabulous keepsake....... the tablecloth of THANKFULNESS, used for at least 3 years!

At the end of 2 consecutive days of festivities, everyone felt like this!

Oh give thanks........

We are grateful, thankful and blessed.