Merry Christmas

                               Thought you might like to see some pictures of our "decorations"

                                                  this was before I de-iced them!

and afterwards................

There are more pictures-- just have to get them turned upside right so you won't have to lay down to see them----enjoy!!!



Long Time No Blog

Just in case you think something dire has happened to me--- take heart, I'm still alive and kicking!

It's been a busy coupla months around here-- we've been working hard and unfortunately not playing nearly hard enough!

Let's see---- we went to Va in July the week before Marshall and Mary moved out of the house they were renting and moved into TLF awaiting the birth of their son.  Maverick Garrett was born on Thurs August 19th.  With Marshall going to Korea, Mary and the kids relocated to Greensboro with her parents until they can join him.  We got to meet Mav when he was 8 days old-- sooo precious!  Mav was baptized at Mary's home church  that Sunday-- he was 10 days old--- a repeat of his sister's first few days--

Mav 8 days old

We had my side of the family here for Labor Day weekend-- what a blast!!!!!  We ate and laughed and had a grand old time.  Marshall had to leave for Korea that Saturday, which put a bit of a damper on the festivities, but we knew he was going to have to go.  Unfortunately, all of those pictures are on my other computer, so I'll have to do a "catch up" post with those pictures.

This past weekend, Mike's famiy (minus John) was here to visit and meet Mav.  Now, those pictures are here so you will not be spared!!!

Mdx decorating her pumpkin cake

Washing dishes

Mav meets Grandpa Mac, Grandma Mac and Aunt Marcia

Helping Grandpa with the inflatables

With the purple spider

Decorating the Halloween house

It was quite a weekend!  I ask everyone to keep my father-in-law in their prayers.  He will be admitted to the hospital in the morning and have a shunt placed for hemodialysis.

I've been working and trying to have some fun along the way.  Started with a new trainer at the gym last week, my dear Megan got a "real" job and now I am working with Steven.  We have to get used to each other, but I think it's going to work out.

Well, that's probably more than enough for now--- will try to be more attentive to my blog!

Happy Birtrhday Lisa!!!!!

Happy Birthday today to my "little sister" Lisa----- It's the BIG 5-0 for her!!!!!!

Umm, yeah, your card is gonna be late----- but Happy Birthday anywho!

Tuesday.....

Had a VERY exciting day today (I know you can't hear the sarcasm in that statement, but try to read it in).  Yeah, really not so much...... met Megan at the gym this morning..... she worked me over and "made" me do jumping jacks when I whined.   I did walking lunges, some step-ups, side steps across the gym with a resisitance band on--- then some pull-ups, lat pull downs, tricep dips and other stuff I can't remember (or my mind has blocked them out permanently).

After the gym (and a shower) I decided to take a trip to WalMart--- I got a couple of cards--- then went and looked at the scrubs-- I picked up 2 new tops and a pair of white pants-- yes I said white pants-- I only wear them on office days, but I like to have at least one pair.  Then it was off to the food section--- all boring stuff today-- lettuce, green onions, a cucumber, some canned pineapple. 

Once I got home and put the groceries away, I made myself an egg salad sandwich.  Then I went up to the studio and played around for a little while-- stained some wood and put some artwork on a table and chairs from a kit I had in my "stash".  Like I said, today was VERY exciting.

Some more calendar catching up---

first today---  If you're caught napping on the job, you might say...  I wasn't sleepin'.  I was just checkin' for holes in my eyelids.
(Whoa, there.  If you get caught napping at my job, you will be escorted out of the building--- not a good thing at all).

(6/5-6)  Tall.... He's so tall if he fell down he'd be halfway home.

(6/4)   Down in the Dumps...He's sittin' in low cotton.
           (I think I've been in that field a time or two.)

(6/3)  When talking about a stubborn friend, you might say...  He could make a preacher cuss.
         (I believe I've known one or two folks who could fit that description)

(6/2)   Spendthrift.... She spends money faster than  green grass goes through a goose.
         (All I can say is --- GROSS)

(6/1)   If you want to tell someone that you're aware he's trying to hoodwink you, you might say.... I've seen more than one frosty morning.

(5/31)   Laziness...He's so lazy he'd starve to death in a pie factory.
              (Now, THAT is lazy!).

(5/29-30)  Excuses.... Excuses are like backsides- everybody's got one.

OK---- that's more than enough for tonight.  Sleep tight..... more later.....

Gonna Try to Catch Up.....

I know you've been missing the "Southern Sayings" so, I'm going to try catch up this week.   Counting today, that's 27 sayings to get caught up---- hmmmm-- can she do it--- yes she can!

So let's start with today and we'll work backwards.......

(6/14)  Listless.... He's so slow he's got to speed up to stop.

(6/12-13)  Contentment.... I'm as happy as a tick on a fat dog!  
        (but lately I've been feeling like the fat dog)

(6/11)   Vocally Challenged.... He couldnt carry a tune in a bucket.
          (I'm sure I resemble this saying!)

(6/10)    Referring to someone who acts cool because he can hide his emotions, you might say....
         There may be snow on the roof, but there's a fire in the hearth.

(6/9)    Pessimist.... He could depress the devil.

(6/8)   If you want to compliment someone's cooking, you might say...  This is gooder'n grits!
  (and we can make some fine tasting grits around here--- just ask Kris!)

(6/7)   Feeling Great... I'm finer than a frog hair split four ways.

OK--- don't want to overwhelm you-- so that's enough for today... more later...

Monday is Flag Day

Almost forgot---- don't forget to fly your flag tomorrow!

Guess What's Bloomin'

Yep, my hydrangea is finally blooming!!!  I'm so excited!!! The plant was a Mother's Day gift from Mary (and I'm sure Marshall's name was on the card, too) may be four years ago.  Mike planted it in the yard and there it has been ever since--- then this spring we noticed what looked like buds on it and here we are!  There are pink, purple and blue blooms on it. 

We took a stroll around the "crops" this afternoon--- I picked another pepper and we counted over 12 tomatoes on the various plants--- hopefully they will start ripening soon!

Have an early day at work tomorrow--- so sweet dreams all!

                              

Ummmmm----

I know----it's been a looooooong time since I've posted and I'm waaaaaay behind on my calendar--- well, the only excuse I have is that I've been busy?  or is that lazy?   HMMMM-- take your pick.

Memorial Day weekend we went to Maryland to help Mike's brother-in-law celebrate finishing his bachelor's degree--- he'd been a "few" credits short for quite some time and finally decided it was time to "git 'er done".  Marcia planned a party to mark the milestone, so we headed "up" to be part of the celebration.  It was a great weekend--- we met some of John's fellow Air National Guardsmen and their spouses/girlfriends.  We visited with Mike's folks and his Uncle Al and wife Jane.  And of course we ate waaay too much!  John used his new camera to take a family photo--- unfortunately, Marcia had hurt her back and wasn't able to come outside for the picture.

Mike, me John, David, Mac, Helen, Al and Jane

Memorial Day was also our 35th wedding anniversary--- it's been quite a ride, but time flies when your having fun!  We put some steaks on the grill and spent a quiet evening at home.

June 1st was Mason's 28th birthday--- seems like just 10 years ago we were sweating wheather or not he'd actually graduate from high school!

Last weekend Marc and Kris had a yard sale so we went to Myrtle Beach to help them.  Kris and her sisiter Tara are trying hard to settle their Mother's estate.  Friday we hit happy hour at Bumzz-- the drinks were cold, the food was good, the ocean was beautiful and the guitar player was pitiful.  After consuming several "adult beverages" Kris and I went across Ocean Blvd and got henna tattoos-----

Not a great picture, but it's hard to take a picture of your own ankle!

Saturday was hot and sunny--- we all had a little glow by the end of the yard sale!  We were hot and tired and decided to cover it all up and continue on Sunday morning.  After showers and naps, we headed out to Ron Jon's for some adult refreshments and a game of trivia--- we went into the last question in first place, but ended in third place---we won a $20 gift card--- but couldn't use it for our tab that night :(   Oh well, Marc and Kris' trivia team plays there, so it will be used.

Sunday morning their AC went out---(they were able to get someone out Monday morning and fortunately, it was not too expensive to fix).  We loaded up the truck with some of the yard sale remains and headed back to Raleigh--- of course, as soon as we hit Creedmoor Road it started pouring rain and we got soaked unloading the truck.  Mike is threatening planning a yard sale in the near future --yeah-- can't wait-- woo hoo

Mike had a business trip to NJ this week.  I ended up in a dark room with a migraine--- we really lead exciting lives around here!

So, that's what we've been up to for the past couple of weeks----- more later....

It's About Time

Marc and Kris were here this past weekend and I've got to show you what we did...........

Kris said she had been waiting 14 years to do this!

I don't know who took this picture-- I just saw it when I loaded the pictures on the computer!

Mike and Marc hard at work-- what a difference already....

Yes, it was time for the wallpaper to go











The end result of Saturday's work










Sunday morning Mike installed the new light fixture I got at IKEA.  The hole in the ceiling is bigger than the light fixture so it is just up there temporarily and we have to adjust the length of the chain, but we have an idea of how it will look.  Now, I just have to make a final decision on paint color (it will be a neuteral tan-ish color).

Kris has already marked my calendar to come back and start in the dining room--- I'm excited to actually have started a project Mike and I have been talking about for at least two years now.


We had a great time while they were here. Marc and Kris went to campus on Thursday and explored the remodeled Thompson Theater- I think it was a bit sad for them, it is no longer the theater where they went to school and met and got engaged.  We had dinner at On the Border (one of Kris' favorite and not available in Myrtle Beach).  Kris and I got pedicures-- love the hot rock leg massages and had a nice relaxing lunch on Friday. Then Friday and Saturday nights they were able to connect with old friends.  We're looking forward to seeing them again in a couple of weeks.

More to come later.....



Question for my blogging friends--- WHY doesn't my post look the same when I post it as it does when I look at the preview screen while I am writing it?????????????  The big spaces between pictures don't show up until I publish the post...... HMMMMMMMMM

If you're talking about putting the horse before the cart,

you might say....
                       They got their hind parts forward.

My car is in the shop--- some kind of solenoid in the transmission-- whatever-- it's supposed to be done by 5 tomorrow so I can get to work on time----in the mean time, I'm driving a Saturn Outlook-- that is a big car!

Dad is heading back to PA in the morning--- hoping he has safe travels.

Hoping to get a little mini time in tomorrow afternoon--- but I'm not holding my breath about it.

Not much else of any interest going in around here--- sweet dreams.....

Surprised

                 Well, don't that beat a mule flyin'?

Of course, I could never say it like that--- I would instinctively say "doesn't"--- and then it loses something in the translation---- but it is funny!


Watching the Penguins play Montreal--- end of second period--- Pens are down 2-3.

Here are a couple of more pictures from the yard......

Hostas under the black walnut tree 

Plumbago bush-- one of my Mother's Day presents 

 Bouginvilla plant-- another Mother's Day present (remember, I bought these for myself while out shopping with April) 

My hydrangea bush-- Mary gave me this for Mother's Day may be 5 years ago and it finally looks like it might bloom this year-- how exciting!

Had a good workout at the gym today--- arms and arms and more arms-- I'm pretty sure I'm gonna feel it in the morning!

Taking my car in to have the tranmission looked at in the morning, then to work, then maybe to the gym, but maybe not-----

Happy Mother's Day

Hope all the Moms out there have had a wonderful day today.  My day started with cards from Marshall and Mary and Mdx then a cinnamon roll with Mdx and her Mommy baked by Grandpa.  After we ate, Grandpa took Mdx outside for a surprise.  Mdx came back in to get me to come out to the garage-- she and Grandpa had planted a hibiscus for me in the planter between the garage doors.  The hibiscus was from Mary and Marshall. 

cinnamon roll face girl!

The VA crew headed up to Blue Jay Point for Mdx's cousin's birthday party.  We had a nice weekend visit with them.  Here are some pictures.....

watering the salvia

and the tomatoes

                                                                        waiting for Grandpa to refill the watering can

Mdx LOVES to water!










talking with Grandpa and Loving on Auggie








Mdx and Opa












Talked to my Myrtle Beach guy and Little Rock guy today also.  We had shrimp and grits for dinner and apple crisp for dessert.  I tried to be good, but alas, I am weak.

Friday's calendar saying.... Troubles....
                                    She's got more problems than she can say grace over.

I hope I am never in a place where others would think this of me. 

and the weekend saying...Certainity....
                                          As sure as God made little green apples.

I like this one--- will have to remember it.

Time to close it down for tonight---- work out with Megan in the morning, then to Costco to refill the propane tanks, then Kroger for asparagus (hope it looks good), leftovers for dinner tomorrow-- lots of choices--- barbequed chicken, grilled pork tenderloin, and shrimp and grits and of course salad!

More later..... sleep tight......

A Great Idea...

If you come up with a great idea, you might say....
         It's horse-high, bull-strong, pig-tight, and goose-proof.

I don't think I've EVER come up with an idea that good!


Dad arrived this afternoon---- the VA gang tomorrow---- sadly, I have to work tonight and tomorrow night--

Not much else going on.....