Brownies-- check
Cookies-- all set to prepare tomorrow
Bread-- check
Spinach dip-- check
Cranberry chutney-- well... in progress
Mashed potatoes-- all set to prepare for tomorrow
Green bean casserole-- all set to prepare for tomorrow

Cleaning... well... hummm... err.. For tonight anyway, good enough!!! I am tired! I am going to sit here and relax for a bit.

It's been an interesting day, actually... my 7 yr old is acting very much like my four year olds and my four year olds are stepping up to the plate and acting closer to the age 7. I was informed that someone was going to be sleeping on the futon for the weekend.... nice to know. At least it wasn't completely last minute... Also, fearing slippery roads, Little Brother, SIL and my niece decided to come tonight rather than tomorrow. That's cool, but I had to change all my plans around because Mom C wanted the sun room clean before they got here. Originally, I told her that I was going to do it tomorrow to make sure that everything was super clean. Oh well.... I have some more cleaning in here to do now, especially since we'll have guests. Gee, I hope they will bring their own pillows.....

Today my girls helped me make cranberry bread and a coffee crumb cake for breakfast tomorrow. 3 wannabe cooks in the kitchen frazzled the Senior Chef... It was interesting to say the least. But, we got through it and I can't wait to try the breads tomorrow.


Life is good. Maybe it could be a little better, I mean, there's always room for improvement, but I certainly won't complain. I do have so much to be thankful for, but I won't bore you with details. Sometimes I just like to keep it in my heart for awhile and cherish it, revel in it's warm touch before letting it bubble up out of me. That's where I am tonight. I'm seeing, feeling and appreciating what I have and enjoying it.







May you all have such a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with warmth, love, peace and laughter.

Sincerely ~MacKenzie

And, so it begins. The frantic cleaning needed in order to get this place in tip top shape for the company arriving on Thursday. If it was my family or if we were having friends over, I wouldn't be so nervous.



I'm nervous because only 6 months ago, this was where Mema and Mepa lived. This is the first BIG holiday that they are not here. And here we are... we've intruded on people's memories that are here, we've painted, changed things around, and, well... I'm just nervous. Nervous means nervous energy that needs an outlet. I don't want people to think that we don't care about what has happened. Mepa is still such a huge part of our hearts. If I hear a strange noise here or if something really ridiculous happens, sometimes instead of getting upset, I just laugh and feel that somehow Mepa is laughing, too. I hope that Mepa's son and family will feel comfortable here. I hope that seeing this place won't be difficult a)that mepa isn't here and that b) we are. Little Brother, for instance, comes in here now and just makes himself at home. That's what I want for them, too. I just want them to feel at home. But if they don't, if it's too hard for them, or maybe they just won't want to... I'll just have to be understanding about that, too.



Honey told me this weekend that he ordered wreaths for the cemetery. I appreciate the symbolism of purchasing an evergreen wreath for Mepa, Dad and Zachary. For whatever reason, it gives me comfort to know that they are there during the months when the cemetery is blocked off to vehicles. (and there's really no parking along side the road for cars) Still, over the years, it's been hard enough to put them on for my dad and son. It's gonna be hard to add Mepa's this year. Hope I remember to bring tissues.



Ah... well, no time to get teary now thinking about it. Honey is determined to make this one of the best holiday seasons ever. That's a little nerve wracking when you think of his infections energy, the amazing workings of his mind, his desire to make this -it- an -IT- and the way he chooses to ignore the fact that money doesn't grow on trees.... I've come to realize that some of the changes that Honey has made over the summer is due to Mepa and how he chooses to celebrate Mepa's life and principles. My husband is an amazing and wonderful man. Others have noticed a marked change in him as well. Finally, it seems as if he is letting some of the darkness that entered his life nearly 10 years ago fade. Thank you, Mepa....

And now, it's time.....


Be good to yourselves today!
Cheers! ~MacKenzie

Cheers! ~MacKenzie

I knew, KNEW there was something going on with the computer. FINALLY, when Honey was using it and we got the "blue screen of death" ~~"Your computer has experienced a problem and must shut down now"~~or whatever the heck is says, THEN he takes action, discovers a whole bunch of bugs and viruses on the computer and spends almost all day wiping them out!!!



Afro-Celt Sound System: Whirly 3 Remix~~


Because, sometimes you just don't want a visual distraction....

Have a Wonderful Saturday Night!

Cheers! ~MacKenzie

Your Blogging Type is Artistic and Passionate

You see your blog as the ultimate personal expression - and work hard to make it great. One moment you may be working on a new dramatic design for your blog... And the next, you're passionately writing about your pet causes. Your blog is very important - and you're careful about who you share it with.

It's like I explained to someone yesterday.... I blog for me. This is one of THE things I do for myself. Sometimes I know just what I want to say. Sometimes I just let my soul or mind or heart wander and just wait and see what pops out into the Inner Fire. Sometimes my blog is a dumping ground for all the crazy thoughts that I JUST HAVE to get out of my head so I can think more clearly. Sometimes it's all fluff. Sometimes it's all emotions. Sometimes it's the Soul at work. Sometimes my blog is a simple conversation to me, from... me.

Honey asked me awhile ago if no one read my blog anymore, would I stop? I turned and looked at him like he had 4 alien little heads growing from his body. No. I wouldn't stop. I could have the most unpopular blog here. And really, lets stop and face it: I'm not very high here on the Blogstream totem pole. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE having people stop in and say hello. I LOVE the interaction I get from my posts. I LOVE the insights that others give me.

The Inner Fire is not about popularity or neat little magic tricks or gossip, or creating chaos or pity or well... it's not about a lot of things. It focuses around an average person doing average things living an average life. It's about spirit. It's about the part of me that makes me, me. It's the parts that are hidden away that I want to find, rejuvenate, experience again. Or maybe, it's about things that I have held onto for so long that they are holding me back. Maybe it's time to put them through the fire and let them go. Maybe I don't even really know sometimes what my blog is for. I'm okay with that.

No matter what's on my blog, what falls onto the "page", for the most part it simply makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I've accomplished something, even if it's something really silly or serious or absurd. I like my blog, I like the feeling it gives me, I like the way it greets me in the morning with no strings attached, no expectations just the simple, "What's up, MacKenzie??? What are we gonna do today???" I guess you could say, I remain addicted....





Thank you all for reading, sharing and just being there...
Happy Friday!!!!!
Cheers! ~MacKenzie