Looks Like It's Number 1000!

This is my 1000th post. Actually, I didn't realize it until the other day when I was looking for something in my list of blogs! I'm not quite sure how I hit that big 1000. I do know that I talk a lot, and obviously all those crazy thoughts that are always in my head, often come out through writing. I've always felt that "life" always has a story to tell if you just listen, look, and pay attention. So, on my 1000th post I decided to share the things that have meant the most in my life. My folks, above, with me, have been gone for a few years now. They did leave me lots of stories to tell to my kids and grandkids. My mom's struggles growing up in Texas during the Depression were stories I always held close to my heart along with her stories of growing up in Texas. And my dad, OMG, the man use to make me absolutely crazy until the day he died. But he too had stories from WWII and many, many more he shared.  They both shared a love of our furry friends and gardening, something that is still a big part of me.

And my kids! These three are still not only a big part of my life, but hold a big place in my heart as well. I always wanted a few more kids, but we won't discuss the ex-Mr. Wonderful today. I'm so proud of each of them. They all know the importance of giving back, paying it forward, and helping those that need it. For me, I couldn't ask for anything more. They have grown up to be good people that mean the world to me.

I always use to think that nothing could get better than having kids. Then I had grandbabies, and my world has changed in a heartbeat. The love has filled my heart with feelings  that I cannot even put into words. I look at Bodhi, Morgan, and Riley above and know how blessed I have been. Just their smiles let along melt my heart, let alone their hugs and kisses.

My bestfriend above, Country Roads, has given me so many stories to write. Opening back on January 2nd of 1993 I'm still amazed at its popularity. The one little door you see on the right opens up to this very special world for me, and I know for many of my customers as well. I'm still not giving up on my  book, "Geeks, Freaks, and Antiques. . . the Real Country Roads Story". Seriously, there is an endless supply of stories to share. One day, one day I keep promising myself I will seriously start writing the chapters to the ever ending stories Country Roads shares daily!

Not only has Country Roads given me stories to tell, it gave me two more daughters. Although they are not my biological daughters, these two girls have a place in my heart just like my own kids. Yesi, pictured above and her little girl Josalyn are amazing. Yesi started working so young, as in around eleven hanging out with her sister, Caorl, who worked there. And now she could run Country Roads by herself with her eyes shut. And little Josalyn, this kid is hysterical. I love her like one of my own grandkids!

And Carol, the one I share our little bit of air that floats through our heads daily, is above in the middle at her little girl Arianna on her fifth birthday party a few months ago. Carol started working at Country Roads when she was eighteen years old. She was shy, knew very little about antiques, but her parents had given both her and Yesi a very strong work ethic. Carol has gone from a shy eighteen year old, to (in a couple of weeks on her birthday) a 32 year old wife, mother and antique dealer that is so very knowledgeable about this business. And her son, Azul, on the far left, and her little girl, Arianna sitting next to Riley, are also like my own little grandbabies. They are very special to me!

And this is us! My family at  Pa's Pumpkin Patch last year.  Vinnie on the above right is Katie's husband, and Justine, below right, is Bryce's wife. This is us, "MY" family! I know some people think success is measured by how large their bank accounts are. But mine? It's strictly measured by love. And I look above at the pictures on this post, and all the stories I've written in these thousand posts about my family and Country Roads, and how can it now truly warms my heart? It makes going to bed at night, even when you have had hard day, all worthwhile. I have met so many good people through Country Roads and blogging. I have been lucky to get to meet many of my friends from blogging, thanks to my bestfriend, Country Roads. So, as I head down the path to blog post 2000, I just want say "thanks" to all of you that have left so many nice comments over the time I wrote these 1000 posts. It still amazes me that people actually read what I write, but thank you, I always appreciate your kind words.  One of my favorite songs, that my friend RuFie also loves, is below. I've always loved the lyrics and it just kind of sums up the way I feel about life!

"A Wonderful World"

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by

I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do

They're really saying I love you

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow

They'll learn much more than I'll ever know

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

Louis Armstrong