Meep.

It's FRIDAY! I want to spin around in an amazingly green field like Julie Andrews in The Sound Of Music! But I want a better dress.

Ya'll I can't tell you how happppy I am that today is FRIDAY.  I'm not sure why, but yes, I'm so very happy about it.  My weekend is looking a little corn-y as the corn at Mom and Dad's house has come in.  We are doing an assembly line of shucking, silking, blanching, cutting and stuffing into bags.  Dad worked hard in this drought to keep the water on this crop, so I'm glad he's seeing a reward.

We celebrated my brother's 44th birthday last week.  All the family on our hill pitched in and got him a charcoal grill, which he was very excited about.  I give him mucho credit - he is an awesome chef. Seriously.  

Katie and I took Macy to Lunar Golf - basically putt putt under black lights - because when it's 99 degrees outside, you just can't do much in the way of playing outdoors and this kid has ENERGY.  Our concerns of her being afraid of the dark room proved to be needless as she ran allllll over the place, enjoying all the glowing things.  And enjoying running in general. So glad there weren't many people there.  

There's our two space aliens.  Macy did NOT want to be the green alien at all.  That crazy yellow hair kinda looks like her bedhead in the morning. HAHAHA

When I was invited to come play - and enjoy homemade tacos - I couldn't possible resist the drive to Gaffney! :)  Especially since Donna had just gotten home from her vacation in Washington State and Canada.  Looked so beautiful!  I'm envious. Ellie is a sweetheart and Daisy had to smile for us, too!

 And now, enjoy some random photos I haven't posted for ya'll yet.  Macy after church - just thought these bright colors were so cute on her. :)

 The new puppy at my sister's house.  Macy named it Sparkles but somehow it was changed to Daisy.  So yes, another Daisy pup in my life.

 The sweet nieces enjoying Dunkin' Donuts I surprised everyone with this week. I had a doctor's appointment and knew everyone had be working on corn.  I figured they needed a break and a happy snack.  It worked - they were very happy.

Yes, I have become the Crazy Cat Lady in the neighborhood.  In addition to the stray mama cat that I took in and she immediately became pregnant (and may be again?) - three of her four kittens are still with me.  Now this dude just shows up like he owns the place.  Add another huge orange cat that I see slinking around from time to time.  Like I said, the Crazy Cat Lady.

So someone asked how the doctor's appointment went.  Welll..... Not that you want THIS much detail, but I have been diagnosed with IBS. This isn't new, but I hadn't had a flare up since this time last year.  Over the fourth of July I had a rough go of it, didn't eat for two days, felt so nauseous, was just sick with pains moving all over my abdomen.  It wasn't a lot of fun.  I called my gastro doc to see if I could see him but he was on call at the hospital. And no, they wouldn't let me see another doctor.  If I wanted to see him, I would have to go to the ER.  I did that and still didn't get to see him. But I did have a CT scan and blood work that showed nothing was wrong. That's the deal with IBS.  You hurt for no reason, really. So, I had prayed they would find out what is wrong with me and I suppose they did! There is no "cure" just endurance when you get a flare up. SUCKS.

What else is happening in my world? I do need some prayers for my family.  My brother-in-law had a huge back surgery fusion in Dec 2014.  They told him last week is has to be completely undone and redone - major pain.  MAJOR pain. It was such a long surgery before and so incredibly painful. I hate feeling helpless and we all felt so helpless to make a difference for him.  We are all so upset it has to be repeated, so please pray for the doctors, for him and that he will heal properly this time.

My Dad will be having a stress test next week leading up to his knee surgery.  Once he passes the stress test, we'll be on go for the knee surgery, which he really needs.  He is also in a good bit of pain and it's been tough on him to not be able to go go go.  So please pray his stress test goes well, too!

I know, it seems like all this bad news! But we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. I try to remember this - ya'll help me remember. Keep telling me, ok?

Ok, thanks for joining in my read-a-long here. :) It's a joy to have ya'll visit. Hope you have a great weekend! *hugs* friends!

Friday's Letters

Happy happy joy joy - It's Friday! I took yesterday and today off and have thoroughly enjoyed my down time :) and I got good news at the cardiologist today woop woop!! Visited with a friend, spent way too much money in Hobby Lobby... Life is good! So y'all pull up your chairs and let's dive into Friday's Letters! 

Sweet Nieces, y'all are so adorably cute. :) exhausting and a handful-both of you!!! But I love y'all very much and I'm so proud of you! 

Baby Sweet Niece, I get to spend more time with you because you are here full time. This week you've been super sweet and loving and challenging. We've read books, played blocks, princesses, fought over picking up, experienced how stubborn you can be... Oh my. But you are such blessing. 

Dear brother and sister-in-law, thank you for inviting me over for supper!  It was great to just kick back and catch up. And the dogs were great entertainment. :)

Dear Dunkin Donuts, thank you thank you thank you for pumpkin pie donuts. That us all. 

Dear Lord, you have answered prayers, blessed and always loved. You know these private prayers that weigh heavily. Please continue providing strength and comfort. 

Y'all, I'm so happy most of my shopping is behind me. I'm wanting to visit Santa with Macy, see Christmas lights, send cards and dive into this in-depth study of Christmas in Sunday school. Very excited. :) :) :)  I hope your weekend is a good one! *salute!*

On the subject of Dogs...

Since we were discussing dogs anyway, I thought I'd share this ADORABLE picture of Bentley, my boss' dog.  Oh my gracious, so precious. He has the best disposition, just a sweetheart.  I love it when he visits our office because he's so friendly and sweet it just makes the entire office seem happier. 

Wanda invited us all to her office (oops.. I realize it seems we live there, but we don't. We were invited to her HOUSE!) to check out her new backyard that she and her husband have been working on for over a year now.  It was SO NICE.  I am so envious - would love to have my backyard landscaped to maximize the enjoyment. Not that I'll go outside much...but the thought is nice. 

This is the view as you pull up into the driveway. Love it already! 

The arbor and a welcoming pot of colorful flowers.  Everything is so cheerful! 

This is the main area and it's awesome.  Love the pergola, which was handmade by the owner and a friend. This wasn't a kit, this was custom!

My other favorite part is the fire pit in the arched back wall of the center area.  The gas lanterns make it even more cozy at night.  They really did a great job. 

So, I know it isn't the weekend and I know I haven't shared many "wants" with you, but I will be filing this under Weekend Wants because I WANT THIS! :)   Maybe one day... *sigh*  

Muffin Monday, featuring a DOG?!?

I can't help it.  Gracie came to visit our office and she was so darn cute, I had to share her with the world.  She's a Patriotic Pup! Just look at her! Love the vintage look of this picture, thanks to Instagram. I mean, yes, I know it's screwing with the pictures, but it looks like something you'd see screen printed on the back of a t-shirt. You know!?

Here she is with no visual enhancements. Still adorable, don't you think?

Ya'll have a great Monday and a great week! PS - thanks to all our military for everything you do to keep us safe! :)

Family Fun Weekend. :)

This weekend was Katie's birthday celebration at Clay & Angela's house. Their house is totally beautiful and Angela is amazing with her decorating skills. It's like designer magazine!

Isn't it beautiful?? This is just one of their trees... I don't think I took any pictures of their other tree. Oops! Oh well...

My niece was also home this weekend, which always tickles me PINK, PURPLE and YELLOW with GREEN STRIPES and ORANGE POLKADOTS!! So we had the extra joy of AH time! :)  She is quite the photographer (she took the picture above and many of those below!) and will coax smiles out of people that normally hide from me.

Clay, being his normal goofy self and Katie with Chloe, the dog. :)

Roger & AH

Angela & Clay

Mom & Dad

Katie & Roger

AH & Me

Decorations in Angela's house, mostly taken by AH! :) 

 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.  I'll probably post again before Christmas, but in case life overtakes me and I don't, please remember the true reason for this holiday.  It's not Santa, or family, or presents... it's not trees, or decorations, or awesome food. Think of Jesus, who was born in a barn to the virgin Mary. You know she must have been nervous, childbirth with no epideral, no doctors... it's a miracle that has only happened once, and with this miracle we have the chance at eternal life with God in heaven. So much love. So much hope. So much peace.

Merry Christmas, my friends! :)

Holiday Muffin Monday Treat!

Because I missed last week, here is Muffin peeking at you from the safety of her cover fortress. I think she's trying to push thoughts into your mind, like feed Muffin treats...
And as a special treat, Shelby decked out in reindeer antlers for your enjoyment, and not so much hers. Hee hee...
Happy first week of December!

Muffin Monday - GUEST

Yes, I totally realize this is a DOG.  A dust mop, really, with buggy eyes and a little heart wet nose. But she's so buggy she's cute - Shelby, my sister's dog.  Shelby is the happiest and goofiest dog I've ever met... and the snottiest dog, but that's another story.  She's just a little thing, but she's full of energy and joy.

She's our guest here on Muffin Monday.  I'm giving Muffin a break from the camera as she really hates it. And I'm being nice to her since I was gone part of the weekend/week. :) 

Ya'll have a GREAT first week of October - enjoy the autumn colors and weather. :)

Muffin Monday. And Ellie! And FAMILY! Woo Hoo!

Muffin Monday is a bit blurry this morning... and a bit late. :)  Go figure, just like real life! ha ha. This is what happens when you try to take a picture of an unhappy squirming cat - you chop off half of her head and get half of your own in the pic! :) 

My weekend was wonderful and I just had to share a few pictures with you.  Saturday morning, instead of going to sleep after work Gary met me for breakfast. It was really nice to see him on an "off" day.  After spending the morning with him, I met Donna and Ellie for an adventure at The Shiele Museum in Gastonia, NC.

Ellie conquers the rock! Don't you love her mining hat? The lights MUST be turned on in order for her climb.
But isn't she the cutest little climber ever?  

Aunt Donna and Ellie. Every time you mention "Skunks" in front of Ellie, this is what she does.
Places her hand over her nose and says, "Stinky Skunk." It's HILARIOUS!

Wild Child playing in the tepee at the gift shop.

Here Ellie points out to us the glittery gemstones. It's funny because everything must have
an adjective associated with it. Friendly raccoons, stinky skunks, slimy snakes, etc etc.

Ellie and her snake, Sarah.  Everything is named Sarah these days.

She is just too cute. TOO CUTE! As Gary says, she's so cute she's dangerous. :)  I agree.


On to the second part of the weekend - my older brother turned FORTY!!! Holy cow, Batman, I have an old man for a brother now!  We got together with all of our family and his wife's parents and niece. It was really nice to have everyone together and enjoying some really great food from the grill. I gotta say, for an old man, my brother can really grill up some more tasty food. YUM YUM.

Clay with one of his cards. He gets just as big a kick out of cards as he does presents.

Angela and Zowie, which is her mom's dog. Although she has one almost identical!

Katie and Chloe Bella (Angela's dog!)

Chloe peeping through the back of the chair

Yes, I know, I have more pictures of the dog than I do of the people. :)  But the dogs are so cute! We really did have a great evening together as one big happy family.  Even though we live close together, I really don't get to see Clay and Angela often. Nice visit.


Ya'll have a most wonderful second week of July!! Can't believe the summer is zooming right by us so take time to enjoy the hot and humid weather before Jack Frost comes through and has us begging for warmth!