Reality...sometimes it bites

I could fill you with fluff today, but I am not in a fluff kind of mood. I am taking the slip Kevin had last night harder than normally. Maybe it's because I thought he was finally on track...that doesn't sound right, he's on track. He's going to more meetings than ever. He hasn't lost the desire. He just slipped. It happens. But, I really thought that after the last one, we were on the road of recovery where we would start counting off the months until he could say, "I've been sober now for 2 years." You know? Well, maybe this time...am I discouraged? Do I get down about it? I get asked that sometimes....reality is YES! It is not an easy disease to deal with. Alcoholism. I hate it now when people joke about it or laugh that someone is an alcoholic. Before I met the disease face to face. I was one of those people. It isn't something to joke about. These people have to fight everyday of their life to stay sober. Sometimes it is scary. Sometimes it is disheartening because when things are going great, you almost wait for the other shoe to drop. And sometimes, like this weekend, when we had to go the visitation of one of his friends, you have a sense of dread in the back of your mind because you know he can't handle it. I told my friend Michelle to pray the minute I heard the news of his friend. I knew what it could mean. Is that why he slipped? Who really knows in the end? It only matters that he did, and today we are starting all over. But, at least, we are starting over. We cannot give up. He will win this battle and is so close. I just know it. Last night, I was so scared. I am not going to lie. But, I am SO grateful that he didn't drive anywhere. No innocent people were in danger. That to me is the very worst thing about this disease...the fear that an innocent person could get hurt from it. Once I knew he was okay, I just came home and cried and cried. I haven't let it out in a long time. Sometimes I hold it in. I admit it. I don't want people to think badly of him because he is not a bad person. He is good hearted person with an ugly disease that will not release its grip on him. Maybe it's time I give Al-Anon another try. I don't know...maybe sometimes you and Kevin will just have to listen to me vent here. You know he hates it when I let the whole blog world know. Oh well, I hate it when he leaves his wet towels on the bed. So there! (see I'm starting to feel a bit better and get some sass back).
I don't want to leave you with the impression that I live daily with a "drunk". I live with an alcoholic who is fighting to stay sober. 95% of our days are great! We laugh, we love, we talk, we communicate, we have the same interests (except golf), we share a family history and childhood memories....It is that one day in 30 that we struggle because the disease won that day. We just have to remember that no situation is hopeless. Situations don't lose hope. People do.

**I may have rambled and made no sense. Sorry. I am working through my thoughts.

My own personal petting zoo

And in the city! shhh! Imagine what I could do with a little land!! :-) Let me talk a bit about one of my favorite topics ~ my pets! You can come visit them for free (until we grow the pumpkins and have our pumpkin patch/petting zoo business! LOL!) The first one you will probably meet when you walk in the door is the sweetest, best dog EVER, Jax. I love this dog more than anything in the world (Kevin knows and has made peace with it - ha!). He is getting old and is sleeping most of the time now, but still has a ball of energy that comes from nowhere when I walk in the door. It doesn't matter if I am gone 15 minutes or 8 hours, he goes nuts! I tell ya, no one else is crazy about me like that! :-) He follows me everywhere I go and is a good snuggler. (when he doesn't have gas and he can run you out of the room ~ trust me on this) The ottoman is really a dog bed:
Next, you are sure to meet Simba! He thinks he is a dog, so he has to greet people too. And you best acknowledge him or he WILL tell you about it. He will stay at your feet meowing until you talk to him (and he answers back) or pet him. Simba is my hunter and likes to play rough. He really is a dog trapped in a cats body. He even comes when you call him. He is usually in trouble and is featured here quite often for his shenanigans, so I am only giving you this picture of him sleeping...I'm sure he'll get in trouble again soon! And then, there is the semi-normal cat, Nala. You probably won't meet her because she is a normal cat in that she likes to hide when people come over (especially if you bring little people with you). She is fluffy and everyone wants to pet her. She loves to snuggle but only with me. She really doesn't like anyone else. She has attitude and everyone calls her the mean cat, but she isn't mean. Promise! (even though she did bite the cleaning lady once...whole other story). What makes her a bit abnormal for a cat is that she is clumsy. She can't jump very high and will often miss jumping on the bed and fall off. It's really comical.
See the fluff:
Then, for summer's only, we have Nibbles, the guinea pig. She is getting very spoiled this summer and expects a treat of some sort everytime we walk by. Kevin says only I could spoil a guinea pig! This picture is the only time all summer that Nala has paid her any attention.
Only about a week and a half and it's off to school again for Ms. Nibbles.
And last, but not least, there is the backyard pond full of fish...well, 7 of them. I lost my fish that I had in the pond diaster earlier in the year. I had one of them for 4 years, so I was upset. But these guys are my new ones. There are 4 big ones and 3 little ones. I have them where they know when I turn off the pump to come to the surface and eat. When kids come over they love to feed them. Oh, and the pond is full of tadpoles. We are about to be over-run with frogs/toads. And, being a teacher, I wanted to watch them turn to frogs up close and personal, so I have a few in a container on the kitchen counter. But that is it - for now - no more pets!
Not bad for the city huh? Just wait until I have land...

This one is for you Mom!

Mom and I may be the only ones who enjoy watching these videos over and over! LOL! So, here you go Mom. And, I will put these all on a DVD for us at the end of the season. These are all from Saturday in the triple digit heat!!

Dad riding Mindy in barrels...keeping in mind that Mindy is in training!! (and her trip at the beginning is in there ~ 48 second video)

Autumn in pony barrels (26 seconds)

Autumn in polebending (35 seconds)

Autumn in keyhole (18 seconds)

Prayer Request

This weekend one of Kevin's life-long friends that we both grew up in Church with and graduated with died from a heart attack at 35 years old. He had a hard life in those 35 years, but had found his way back to Church and was turning his life around in the past few years. It is just a sad situation and really makes you stop and think about life and what is important. We don't know when it might be our last morning to wake up.

Please take a minute right now as you read this and say a prayer for his family. I cannot begin to imagine what his parents are going through...no one should ever have to bury their child. I think it would just be too much to bare. They are very strong in their faith, but still need your prayers.

It's Play Time!!!

So much to look forward to ~ Woo-hoo! No class work for a few days...I am going to Hot Springs today with my peeps from work and hanging out on the lake all day!!

Tomorrow, my BFF, Michelle is coming in from NW Arkansas and staying the night. Because...guess what time it is....that's right.....it's scrapbook night! yee-haw!

Life is good! :-)

Update: I may have spoken too soon...in one of my finest blonde moments, I just locked my keys in the car. Where is the spare you ask? That is the question of the hour! urgh! You know the last time I had plans with these girls I had the flat tire. Think they are jinxed?

Wish me luck with finding the spare, I can't afford to have someone come jimmy the keys out of the car. Can you say poor???

9:30 pm Update again: Found the spare! woo-hoo!

Check this out!

For one my assignments in my Master's class, we had to investigate 5 books on the list of highly banned or challenged books. I was surprised at some of these books on the list,and others I knew had controversy. As a lover of books and reading, I thought this was interesting. Check out this list from the American Library Associations website. Do any on the list surprise you? How many of these books have you read? I highlighted mine.


The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–1999
Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Forever by Judy Blume
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Giver by Lois Lowry
My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Sex by Madonna
Earth’s Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
The Witches by Roald Dahl
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
The Goats by Brock Cole
The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
Final Exit by Derek Humphry
Blubber by Judy Blume
Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
The Pigman by Paul Zindel
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
Deenie by Judy Blume
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
Cujo by Stephen King
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Ordinary People by Judith Guest
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
Fade by Robert Cormier
Guess What? by Mem Fox
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Native Son by Richard Wright
Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies by Nancy Friday
Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Jack by A.M. Homes
Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
Family Secrets by Norma Klein
Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
Carrie by Stephen King
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
Private Parts by Howard Stern
Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
Sex Education by Jenny Davis
Jumper by Steven Gould
Christine by Stephen King
The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
That Was Then, This is Now by S.E. Hinton
Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain
Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Autumn wasn't the only star this weekend!

That's right...I provided some entertainment in the stands myself by falling about 3 bleachers down from the top bleacher!! hee-hee! My Daddy didn't call me Grace when I was younger for nothing! Seriously, I don't know what happened because I didn't even have a chance to TRY and catch myself. It happened so fast. I hit with a loud thud and looked up at my family like "what just happened?"...saw the look of panic on my Mom's and Kayce's faces and busted out laughing - to which they knew it was ok to laugh and everyone had a good chuckle. The stands were full of folks right where I fell by the way, and I told them all I was fine that I shouldn't wear flip-flops to a horse show! Ha! Now, my ankle did swell up and I had a knot on it and my shin...but an ice pack took care of that. I have a nasty, ugly bruise on my rear where I landed, but nothing broken. Amazingly, I didn't even get embarassed for some reason. I guess that means I am finally use to falling down for no reason. In college, I would be walking to class and trip over my own feet in tennis shoes (not even clunky shoes) and take a tumble....not a great way to impress the cute boys on campus! ha! So, there folks, for all you who wonder why I don't wear cute clunky shoes and am always in comfy shoes...it's because I fall down easily!

Now...here is my gorgeous neice providing some real entertainment:

I love the action pictures where her hair is blowing and you can tell they are really moving!

Here is my Dad on Mindy (the momma horse who had her first time in the arena this weekend) and they are bringing her baby, Stormey, who is now a year old to the shows now. They are starting him out young getting him use to the noises and action.
Aren't Mindy and Stormey beautiful? After I left, Dad rode Mindy in the barrels...I have to stay late next time (these shows go on forever). Well, plus my ankle was throbbing and swelling...LOL!

Toot! Toot!

I'm tooting my horn because this is my 500th post!! Wow! I didn't realize I rambled that much! (shut-up Kevin! LOL!) Seriously, thanks to all who read and care about my day to day ramblings (and especially those who comment!! ha!). Maybe for my 500th post prize, I'll look into one of those counters...think I'm smart enough to load it on here? (again, Kevin, no comments needed from you!)

For my 500th post ~ I will also toot the horn of my cowgirl niece...who is braver than I ever was on a horse. This video was taken yesterday, and she is riding the new horse Mindy, that is gorgeous, but is just out of training and had to go twice because the first time didn't take!!! This is her first time in the arena at a horse show and is a good demo of how the keyhole competition isn't as easy as Autumn usually makes it out to be because the horses don't want to walk into that flour keyhole. I am super proud of how Autumn stuck with her and made it happen! Go Cowgirl! (and yes, her Grandmother was a nervous wreck! With good reason, Grandma has been thrown by the same horse before the training camp happened!)

(video is about 1 minute 30 seconds)

(If horses aren't your thing, check out the post below and show Kevin some love with his garden!)

The Garden

Last year, the garden was pretty pitiful b/c Kevin didn't live here to take care of it. This year with him here to tend to it, the garden has been awesome! He planted green beans, cucumbers, carrots, corn, cabbage, several kinds of tomatoes, squash, and several peppers. Early on, we had trouble with some critters - rabbits and squirrels - and had to start over on our tomatoes. So far the only thing that really hasn't come in for some reason was the squash. So, Kevin says we are going to plant pumpkins. We could have our own pumpkin patch!! And, with all our pets around here, we could charge a petting zoo/pumpkin patch entry fee! ha!

This was Kevin's first time to plant corn, and we were so excited when we got to pick some and eat corn from our own garden. I have even learned how to "blanch" the veggies and get them ready to go in the freezer for some fall/winter eating. Next year, the garden is going to be even bigger and I am going to learn how to can veggies from Kevin's mom. How cool is that?

I think our favorite thing (as well as Nibbles the guinea pig who is home from the classroom for the summer) is the carrots. You really can't tell what they are doing unless you pull one up and then you are like - wow! (or at least, I am, but I am easily entertained!) From the looks of it, so is he: (this is what they look like right now...almost ready)

Anyway...I have been meaning to share pictures of the garden b/c it has been another thing Kevin and I have enjoyed doing together...I was going to leave it all up to him, but then it got fun going out to pick and seeing how much I could find to bring back in with me!

Our dog, Jax, is old and retired from his opossum, squirrel, rabbit chasing days. He will happily just watch them eat from the garden while he lounges on the deck or the couch IN THE AIR CONDITIONER! But, luckily, we have our hunter, Simba, who likes to patrol the backyard and keep the critters under control!

My Hunter is at it again!

Simba has moved on from the lizards and snakes of last year...now, he is much more interested in the toads in the pond and moles!! So far, I have been able to save the toads he has caught...or Kevin has b/c that is who I yell for to help with the situation when Simba emerges with toad legs hanging out of his mouth every way imaginable! I love the toads in the pond, so it upsets me when he finally catches one ~ especially when he brings it INSIDE and lets it go! Those toads can JUMP! LOL!

Well...last night, he must have snuck out of bed and went huntin' in the middle of the night. When I went to sleep, I was sharing my pillow with the devil cat ~ this morning, when I got up to go to the bathroom...both cats were "guarding" the dead moles at the foot of the bed! Not one, but two! He was on a roll last night! Luckily, they were already dead. And, thank God, he has not brought any of his kills INTO the bed! The first time this happened, a few weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and stepped right over it on my way to the bathroom...thinking it was a rolled up sock. I can't see a thing without my contacts in, so imagine my surprise when I put them in! yucko! This time, I knew the minute I saw the little black spots on the carpet...plus the fact that both cats were watching them intently! ha! Moles are the freakiest looking critters I have ever seen!! They gross me out, but I am glad he is quite the mole hunter b/c they can really screw up the yard and flowerbeds...just why, oh why, must he immediately bring them inside? yuck! Aren't they ugly???

Wordless Wednesday: Daylillies

Girl Talk

I think sometimes a little girl talk is just good for the soul! I had lunch today with my peeps from school. I tell you, I love these girls! They make me giggle, and they are the kind of friends you instantly bond with. I do miss seeing them on a daily basis during the summer. Besides Kevin, these friends are who I spend the majority of my time with...we eat together everyday and are sometimes the only adult conversation for hours since we work with little people. Seeing each other every day, you get to know the up's and down's and share a lot. (Of course, I have also worked in places where I wasn't this fortunate and pretty much had to stick to my room.) We are all in different phases in our lives and yet we all get what each other is going through...you know?

Isn't it funny if you sit back and think about the friends you've had in life...think about high school when you didn't really have a choice b/c you had to pick from what was there...any of those friends still around? I have about 4 or 5 that I keep in touch with...obviously Kevin is one! ha! Then, college friends, work friends...some friends stay around for a short bit, and then we enter a phase in our lives when they somehow fade away, but you don't forget them. Then, there are those awesome friends like my BFF in NW Arkansas that no matter how far away you live, they aren't going anywhere. You are friends for life. Today just got me thinking about girlfriends and how valuable they are to our lives. So, to all my girlfriends - my work peeps, my BFF's, my scrappin' buddies, my blog buddies, my friends from past days and present days - I love ya!

TRUE FRIENDSHIP
True friends are for life
Until the end
They're more than special
They're your bestest friends.
They're the ones you can go to
When you're in despair
The ones that'll help you
Even when you got gum in your hair!
They're the ones who'll laugh
And go laughing with you all through the night
The ones who'll help you
Help you with all their might
To have a good friend
You have to be one
So be nice to one another
So you can be friends forever
And that's how to be the best friend you can be.

-Samantha Sumler

Home Sweet Home

It was exactly 4 years ago yesterday that I moved into my house and started this journey of life after divorce...wow! What a journey...if you would've told me 4 years ago how happy I would be today, I wouldn't have believed you! This is my house a week before I moved in...there was a major panic to get the yard done b/c the bank wouldn't close without it finished. I was closing on the sale of the old house and this house on the same day - July 12th. It kept raining IN JULY and putting off the progress. I was a nervous wreck and my family thought they were all going to have to come lay sod so I could close! ha!
I was very, very fortunate to find a little house brand spanking new that I could afford by myself on a teachers salary. I got it early enough in the building process that I even got to pick out light fixtures, floors, appliances, and countertops. That was FUN! My favorite part of the house was the kitchen cabinets...I thought and still think they are gorgeous. My kitchen is small but somehow I never noticed until last summer when Kevin moved in...wonder why? It was plenty big for those take-out boxes....hee-hee!
Here's my house today...proof that even with a new house, there are projects to do to make it feel like HOME!!
This house will always be special to me, and I will have a hard time leaving it someday. We won't leave until we can afford land...so we'll be here awhile! :-)

Camping Weekend!!!!

Our Campsite this weekend at Lake Sylvia. We can now completely set up camp in an hour! Woo-hoo! We had a most relaxing weekend that included an adventure-some Saturday and waking up to a rainstorm today...complete with packing up camp in the rain! But was it worth it? Oh yea, even the chiggers! HA! Here we are Saturday morning (self-timer on the camera...heehee!)...after breakfast (and I do LOVE a good camping breakfast), we blew up our floaties (oh, and don't tell Dad that I can actually do it myself b/c I usually sucker him into blowing up my floaties..heehee), loaded 'em in the car and decided to go exploring. Wow! We had no idea where we were at times, but we saw some beautiful parts of Arkansas and felt like we were the only two people in the world. Because we were literally out in the middle of no man's land!
Just to give you an idea of the roads less traveled that we were on look at the picture below...needless to say, we never passed any other cars the entire time. We saw three deer...the first one was a Momma deer and her baby but my camera was in the back. The buck that later ran out in front of us was way to fast even if I wanted a picture! Look at the view ahead of us...we probably drove upward around 15 miles before we started back down the mountain we were on.
Turns out, we were in the Flatside Wilderness of the Ouachita National Forest. We were told this may be Flatside Pinnacle Mtn.??
We saw so many beautiful streams and creeks that I lost count!

Look at this old timey store we stopped at after we found our way out of the forest...it even has a sign out front that still says "washrooms" and points to the bathroom.
Now, we are just heading back to camp and notice a dam and lake that neither of us even knew existed in Arkansas, so of course, we had to stop and check it out too. Ever heard of Nimrod Dam or Nimrod Lake? I hadn't and thought it was a funny name! We climbed up on the Nimrod Dam and checked things out from above. You can camp on the river side or the lake side...the river looked dirty but the lake looked nice, and there were lots of people fishing on the river side.
We finally made it back to camp, had lunch, took a nap in the AC of the pop-up and then headed out for a late afternoon swim. Ahhh...relaxation!!
Of course, we then had to have some good 'ole campin' food for dinner...see the corn? That is from our garden!!! Yay!

Check this picture out: It looks like the towels are on fire but they are a long way off from the fire - I promise! It had rained earlier that day and the wood was wet. It was driving Kevin nuts that he couldn't get the fire going, so he got a bunch of brush and wham - we had fire! Thanks honey!Happy Campers!

(gonna have to crop out that trash in the background for the scrapbooks..ha!)

The best part about camping is that we BOTH love it!! There is nothing better than spending the weekend in the woods with your best friend, no agenda, just hanging out and seeing what adventures come your way. We are very lucky that we love each other's company and can do these things and not ever get bored with it just being the two of us. Love ya Kevin!

Thursday Ramblings of the Week

Things of note this week:

• I started my Master's class on Monday. At first, I was irritated b/c basically the professor met with us and gave us all our assignments and due dates, and we are on our own. We meet a total of two other times to present our PowerPoint's to each other. But then, I thought, this is great for summer. I can work at my own pace and on my own time. I can still piddle in the flowerbeds in the mornings, and in the heat of the afternoon I can do my class work. Win-Win! Right? We'll see!?!?
• Tuesday, I was hit with a nasty summer flu bug. Oh my, it was not nice!! I spent ALL day in bed and couldn't keep a thing down. I haven't been that sick in a LONG time!!
• Then, on Wednesday, my Mom and niece, Autumn came to town to go visiting all the horse tack stores. I gathered up all my strength from being all sickly the day before to go with them...now, you know that was for the enjoyment of the company and the not the stores they were visiting! ha! I mean, you gotta be a horse nut like those two to get enjoyment out of the stores we were in! But it was fun.
• Today, I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. This place goes downhill fast when I am down and out. It is a sight! urgh!
• This weekend is camping though, and I am pumped!!! Woo-hoo!
• Oh, and if you missed it, you gotta give some love to that Wordless Wednesday of Jacob! LOL! I love it!

Wordless Wednesday

guest starring Jacob again

The Broker by John Grisham

From the book jacket: In his final hours in the Oval Office, the outgoing President grants a controversial last-minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious Washington power broker who has spent the last six years hidden away in federal prison. What no one knows is that the President only issues the pardon after receiving enormous pressure from the CIA. It seems Backman, in his power broker heyday, may have obtained secrets that compromise the world's most sophisticated satellite surveillance system.
Backman is quietly smuggled out of the country in a military cargo plane, given a new name, new identity, and a new home in Italy. Eventually, after he has settled into his new life, the CIA will leak his whereabouts to the Israelis, the Russians, the Chinese, and the Saudis. Then the CIA will do what it does best: sit back and watch. The question is not whether Backman will survivie - there is no chance of that. The question the CIA needs answered is, who will kill him?

What I thought: DON'T even start this book! I was on a roll until this book. It took me forever to get through and didn't get good until the last 80 pages or so! urgh!

4th of July Weekend

Between us and the neighbors, I think we had a pretty good display of fireworks! Kevin was like a kid in a candy store when we went in the firework tent! I mean...look at how his eyes lit up over the silly chicken firework:
We had a cookout with the neighbors, and then my cousin and her family came over to watch and enjoy the fireworks. We had a great time! We had sparklers and Roman Candles for the kids, and then plenty for the big boys to stay entertained.
Look at that mess we made in the road behind Kayce...it was ALL worth it!
For anyone who missed fireworks on the 4th, here is a video of the last one we lit...our grand finale...it only lasts about 45 seconds. If you don't watch for any other reason, watch to listen for Kevin's excitement in the background..."hey" booomm....booommm "hey". hee-hee!

Happy Birthday Big Bear!!

Happy 35th honey!!

I have many birthday wishes for you. You are so deserving of every one of them!!

I wish you many days of peace & happiness...just like you had on the 4th of July! (although when your Momma sees this picture you are in trouble!)



I wish you more time to play golf and to get a hole in one at a challenging course!!



I wish you more belly laughs! I do love to hear you laugh!!

I wish you successful caterings and to start your own business with the concessions trailer of your dreams! I will always be behind you to support you and encourage you with your goals!




I wish you laughter and continuing to take pleasure in the simple things in life....to continue to always enjoy the everyday life that we both love.






I wish you a garden that is bountiful and something you can be proud of!

And, most of all, I wish you the sobriety that you are working so hard to achieve. It is not an easy obstacle that you have been given in life, but you are a wonderful, loving, caring person, and I truly believe with all my heart that you can overcome it and beat it. You are almost there...you have come so far!! Keep your chin up and continue taking one day at a time. This time next year, you can say, I made it to one year sober!! :-)

I love you Kevin!

Thursday Thirteen

13 Things & Thoughts Around Here:

1. My summer school friends that I've taught with the past two summers called yesterday and are missing me this summer! Awww!
2. I felt a little guilty because I miss them, but I am really enjoying not working for once in the summer! ha!
3. I am reading a John Grisham book that has sloooowed down my reading progress because I just can't get into it. urgh! It called The Broker - anyone read it? Will it get better?
4. Kevin had a doctor appointment today, and we are pretty sure his kidney stones are moving. The boy is IN PAIN with it too!
5. I had lunch with my friend, Carey, yesterday. She is one of those great friends that I don't get to see often but when I do it is like no time has passed.
6. We took a 2 hour lunch at the same restaurant I had eaten at the night before b/c I love it so much. Kevin said he hoped I would get the same waitress and I did! HA!
7. My 11 year old cousin, Kayce, is having a sleep-over for her birthday tonight, and I am going to go over there and act silly and try to embarass her...heehee! Good times!
8. I think tomorrow for the 4th we are just hanging out in the front yard with the neighbors and shooting fireworks. I love a low-key 4th of July.
9. Surely, Kevin will grill something though!! (honey, are you reading this??)
10. Kevin's birthday is Sunday!!! We'll be the same age again (there is a 5 month difference in our birthdays), and he can't say "I'm not 35, you are!"
11. My summer class starts Monday. It is with the professor that I am NOT fond of...but it should be easy enough and go fast.
12. I am not sure I can pay attention on a computer for 4 hours straight though!!!
13. Next weekend, Kevin actually has the weekend off, and we are going camping for the FULL weekend!! WOO-HOO!

**Happy 4th of JULY!!**

Wordless Wednesday

(guest star: Michelle's son, Jacob)

It's MeMe Time!!

Got it from Vader's Mom...
1.What is in the back of your car? an old quilt
2.What color is your toothbrush? purple & white, I think??
3.Name one person who made you smile today. Kayce
4.What were you doing at 8:00 AM? asleep...ahhh...summer break!
5. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? talking to the neighbor and working in the front yard
6. What is your favorite candy? Nerds or peanut M&M's
7. What is the last thing you said aloud? Jax can do that - he's the smartest dog ever!
8. What is the best ice cream flavor? Rocky road
9. What is the last thing you had to drink? Dr. Pepper!!!
10 What are you wearing right now? shorts and Cozumel T-shirt (I wanna go back)
11. What is the last thing you ate? burrito at TaMolly's - surprised?
12. Have you bought any new clothes this week? no - not a big clothes shopper
13. When was the last time you ran? me, run? ha!
14. What was the last sporting event you watched? cousin's T-ball game
15. Ever go camping? As much as possible!
16. Do you have a tan? not anymore - it caused all my freckles!
17. Do you take vitamins daily? No, but probably should
18. Do you go to church? yes and searching for home church
19. Do you like Chinese food more than pizza? pizza first please
20. Do you drink your soda with a straw? out of a glass? Only when I'm out.
21. Are you someone’s best friend? yes
22. What are you doing tomorrow? lunch date with Carey, doing a home visit for BoxAR rescue, and working in the flowerbeds
23. Where is your dad? I have no doubt he is asleep in his recliner
24. Can you say the alphabet backwards? nope
25. Do you have a maid service clean your home? I have a cleaning lady every other week
26. Do you have a favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? flip-flops
27. What color is your car? silver
28. How do you like your popcorn? With salt and butter
29. How did you get your worst scar? No scars really
30. Look to your left. What do you see? Jax asleep
31. What color is your watch? silver
32. What do you think of when you think of Australia? my ex was from there
33. Do you use chap stick? not really
34. Do you have a dog? a very spoiled one!
35. Last person you talked to on the phone? Kayce
36. Have you met anyone famous? no
37. Any plans today? It's 10, so I'll blog a bit, read and crash!
38. How many states have you lived in? one
39. Do you dye your hair? I get highlights...covers any grey that may come in! :-)
40. Do you like cats? Well, yes, I have two! They are my babies too!
Wanna play? Tag… you’re it!