THANK YOU

                             

I am not a military person. No one in my immediate family is military. My father served in the Army in WWII as a medic...and beyond that - no one has served in the military.

Working with my co-workers, police officers, I have come across many, many military personnel, both present and past. Not sure why, but alot of the officers I work with are Marines, active, retired and reserve. I guess for this reason, I am most impressed with the branch of the Marines.

This is one of my officers J.R.(retired) and his son J.D.(active)

(I was privileged to buy them both lunch today)

Wanted to wish them both a Happy Marine Birthday (Nov.10th)

As Veterans Day draws near, I just wanted to take a moment and to blog, to say "thanks". We live in an amazing country. While we have problems, we are FREE. More than most can say. We have this freedom because of our military branches. The men and women who have served and are presently serving.
Some have given the ultimate sacrifice.

If you meet a military person this weekend, be sure and say thanks! If you have the honor of buying them a meal, a cup of coffee, or a beer - do it. Some of the men and women that have served, have come back to this country less than when they left. Some are going thru physical and mental pain. Some have loved ones that have been left behind. Some will never be the same. Some will never come home. They all fought for you and me.

When you sit down and enjoy your a meal with your family, watch your TV, hug your children, go to your job - think about those who have made it all possible. I have a deep gratitude in my heart for all military personnel. I am grateful I live the greatest country of all. I have freedom and I am thankful.

LAP DOG……

SOLO AND POPS

                     65 LBS OF LOVE 

SHE LOVES HER DADDY !!

GRAND   time

As you know if you read me - at all - my beautiful, adorable, smart, intelligent, funny, cute, grand angels live away from me. This past weekend Chad, Jaycee and Cody came for a visit. I WAS IN HEAVEN. They got in late Friday - so we pretty much just said our hellos and went to bed.

On Saturday we did a little lunch eating and shopping. Cody man has gone thru a growing spurt and needed some new new duds. And if shopping is on the agenda, I am all in.

We started off with lunch a RAZOOS...it's a must when Chad comes to visit.

Jaycee loves her fried pickles

Cody was busy with Dad's phone

After lunch we made our way to the mall.........We did JC Penny's, Old Navy, Burlington Coat Factory, and Cavenders. Fun, Fun, Fun

Cody was so cute in this hat. It is a prop for a upcoming pic

Can't wait to get my copy

Jaycee waited patiently

After lunch and shopping we headed back home. Anyone see a pattern here.

These kids have it so good these days!!

A few of Chad's high school and college friends came by to visit. We cooked up some yummy burgers and hot dogs. Bobby brought his kids, Dillion and Hannah. All the kids had a blast. They ate, played the Wii, put puzzles together, played games and watched movies. It was like they had known each other all their lives. So strange to see my son and his friends with THEIR kids. The best part, when the kids misbehave and their parents have to correct them. I always told my boys - some day you will get pay back!!

We had some great adult time outside. The weather was perfect, the food and drinks were great and the stories - the stories were an eye opener.

It was a GRAND weekend with my GRAND angels. It was sad to see them go - but I think we already have plans for next weekend.

Love you guys !! 



WARMING THE HEART

Nothing warms the heart of a grandparent more than when they see, touch, hear, talk with their grand angels. All of my grand angels live away from me - so for the most part - I have to rely on pictures and phone calls. I love getting mail from them and thanks to the age of technology - I can see them on the computer. I got these adorable pics on Halloween. I mean these kids are PRECIOUS !!!

The fierce and terrifying - CODY MAN!

Bewtiching Annabelle and Sir Knight Jaxson

FrankenJaxson and Minnie Annabelle

The beautiful garden fairy - Jaycee

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU GUYS !!!

HAPPY  HALLOWEEN !

PUMPKIN CARVING

Chad carved out pumpkins Monday for Jaycee and Cody - I told him he should enter them in a contest.

    The boy's got artistic talent!! (get's it from his mother - no doubt)

Jaycee's Pumpkin

Cody's Pumpkin

Lucky 3

It is unusual that I get a date night with Wheatie very often, let alone 3 in the same weekend! He was actually off Friday night and Saturday and Sunday. This is rare unless he makes a request - and if he does that - then it means we have some sort of pre-arranged plans. This was a surprise.

Friday night - we went to eat at what is now one of our favorite places. The Weatherford Downtown Cafe. It is a small place, but the food is to die for. Wheatie got a sea bass with a jalapeno sauce and I got a grilled pork chop. WONDERFUL ! Then we headed to the movies - to see ALEX CROSS. Now, I am not much of a reader, but WHEATIE - the man reads all the time and he is a big James Patterson fan. The movie was good and according to him - not bad - as far as following the book. Of course, there were things that were changed and left out and modified - but then aren't all movies that come from books?? I had a hard time watching the "fight" scenes. I just don't like it. But, all in all...for a date night movie - it rocked!!

Saturday - we slept in (which for me - if I sleep past 6am - it's late - but I actually slept till 8 - probably had something to do with the drugs I am on for my back ) and in the afternoon we went to Six Flags and FRIGHT FEST. I know what you must be thinking - ARE YOU KIDDING ME? We have season tickets and so it is no big deal. But let me tell you, I think every teenager within a 200 miles radius was there. It was AWFUL - so crowded, we only rode one ride - and for that we stood in line 2 hours!! We did make all the haunted houses - and they were pretty good. One you had to wear 3D glasses - fun, fun, fun! Of course, it is kinda of hard to see what is coming when you are hiding behind you husband. In the first one we went in, there was a group of 3 - young "kids"...that didn't want to walk. The older of the 3 - a girl - told the other 2, younger ones...."let's let the OLD people go in front of us!" WHAT THE WHAT?? OLD PEOPLE...I was so insulted. And as if calling us OLD wasn't bad enough, she kept saying "it's ok, the OLD people will get scared first. it's ok, the scary people will jump out at the OLD people first!" Finally..I had enough and told her to stop calling us the OLD or I was going to make them go in front!!

Sunday - we went to out to our favorite winery - The Lightcatcher Winery - along with my boss (smooze smooze) and enjoyed an afternoon of wine tasting, hors d'oeuvre, cigars and jazz. It was so relaxing and since we picked up the whole tab - major points with the boss man!!!

How was your weekend??

RE-DO

Several months ago I gave my niece my entertainment center and donated my TV center to charity. It was time for a change. I looked, thought I would buy a "vintage" piece and restore it (I mean, what some people consider "vintage" - is just plain OLD....and they want an arm and leg for it.)
So I opted to look elsewhere - and found something at WALLY WORLD - online - go figure. The piece was not exactly what I was looking for - but close and I will make it work.

Wheatie mounted the TV on the wall and hid all the cords in the wall. LOVE THIS...but for the last several weeks this is what it has looked like.

I ordered a credenza - and when it arrived (in a flat, heavy box)

and Wheatie started to put it together - this is what it looked like.

(needless to say - he was not a happy camper)


And so it began:

Bought some new nick-nacks, pictures, took down some things, re-purposed a few

 and waaa-laa -

Finished wall...very pleased

and Wheatie - as always - did an outstanding job - thanks honey !!

10 Random Facts About Me

{reminder: the theme isn't a MUST, just a prompt!}  

Linking up today - I am a newbie - with LenaB check out her blog - you will love her !!

I love purple, not that that is random, because if you know me - even a little bit - you know this fact already.

I use to decorate cakes, when my boys were younger - I did all their birthday cakes, I did wedding cakes, shower cakes, retirement cakes, cakes for other kids birthdays, cakes for cakes, cookie cakes,  - and got so sick of them - I don't like cake at all,  anymore. Don't like to decorate cakes, don't like anything about them.

I hate it when people say, "Remember??" - no I don't. I have an awful memory. Maybe I should eat more Omega 3 fatty stuff.

I love animals. I have 3 dogs, 1 cat and a horse at present. If I could - I would have a rescue home - take them all in and love and care for them. Any size, shape or form.

When I retire - which I hope is within the next 2 years - I want to live down on the coast.

I am not much of a reader of books. It has to grab hold of me instantly - or I won't stick with it.

I really dislike people who aren't true to their word. If you say you will, then do it. If you don't have any intention of following thru  on your word, your commitment...then don't even say anything.

I really, like really HATE - hypocrites. Especially those people who say they are "christian" - but don't truly live their life as a christian..

I don't like fruit, well most fruit. Watermelon is good in the summer, grapes are ok - and if I am really hungry - I will eat a banana...but past that - nope

I love my family.

 

This weekend - I worked my A$$ off.....Geeezzz louise.....

first I thought this working in the yard thing was over - should have been in August. We have been blessed with much needed rain the past several weeks, which means my yard still needs mowing and weed-eating. Wheatie had to work all weekend, so I took on the duty of yard work......then I cleaned out the camper - and it is show room ready clean !!

This weekend I bought another Vera Bradley item....I don't know what has gotten into me...but I suddenly am in love with everything and anything Vera Bradley. We were in Maryland last week and I was forced to shop at the Vera Bradley Outlet store.....and found a small duffell bag, perfect for travel in the Plum Petal Design. Apparently this is last years color - but I love it!  It is my birthday month - so in addition to the already discount outlet price - I got an extra $ 20.....WOOHOO..... then this past weekend I went shopping at Stein Mart and found this purse in the same design. I absoutely love the purse....it has everything this girl could want!! They were so kind to send me a discount for being a new customer...so I must go shopping !

This weekend, I watched my LONGHORNS go down hard.....sorry guys - but you sucked  BIG TIME......maybe, just maybe - it is time for a new coach....Also, the Dallas Cowboys came up a little short...tough sports weekend in Texas.

This weekend, I made turkey meatloaf muffins. I am attempting to eat healthier and better and by putting the meat mixture and cooking in a muffin tin - I can control the portion size and they are super dooper easy to freeze.

 3 lbs. ground turkey, 2 envelopes onion soup mix, a large can of mixed vegetables, salt/pepper. Mix really good, and fill tins up to top. Made a hole in the center of each muffin and filled with ketchup! So simply, so good for you !! (this is not a pic of my loafs, I forgot to take pics)


 

This weekend, I got to watch (not recorded) REVENGE....I love that show...and am so glad it is back.

Here is hoping your weekend was filled with family, friends and love !!

Maryland...


Earlier this week and for 5 wonderful days, we spent time in Maryland with Corey, Robyn, Jaxson and Annabelle. Chad (Mr. Chod to some) came along to make it one of our best trips ever.


SATURDAY:
We started off  after pick-ups and meetings at the airport to the Fell's Point Festival in Baltimore. There is a saying in Austin, Texas - KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD - but I gotta tell you, the sights we saw at this festival would put Austin Weird to shame.

(These were the normal people)

Beautiful water view

As you probably know, we like Texas Longhorn Football...duh - I know. So our day would not have been complete without a football watching party. We stopped in at Hollow Creek Golf Club for some grub and football. Although the outcome was not to our liking, it was good food, good conversation and most important - family.

 

Back at the Wheats Casa

It's been said that you can take the girl out of  Texas,

but you can't take the Texas out of the girl....

Miss Annabelle proves the point !

SUNDAY:
We got to visit at Corey and Robyn's church.

Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch at

Barley and Hops Grill and Microbrewery

yummy...Maryland Crab Cake sandwich

Brunswick is just a hop, skip and a jump.

There was a local fair going on so we stopped in to take a look

 

It's never to cold or raining or wet or cloudy or apparently anything not to enjoy a snow cone!!

Headed then to Harper's Ferry. What a cool town on the banks of the Potomac and Shendandoah Rivers. We didn't get to spend near enough time there...can't wait to go back. Beeee u ti ful !

MONDAY:
was a lazy day around the house, enjoying the family. We did manage to stroll into downtown Fredrick for some sight seeing and back to Corey and Robyns for some steak and chicken wings
courtesy of Mr. Chod (Chad - sorry - I forgot to get pictures.....my mouth was too busy watering)

 TUESDAY:

Before taking Chad to the aiport - we stopped in at the Music Cafe to enjoy some good 'samwiches' - and MUSIC.....

AB just had to give it up on the way home !

WEDNESDAY  was here before we knew it and Boo and Pops had to head back to the real world !

We already have our next trip scheduled - but this time it will be even better - I will have all my family,

especially my 4 GRAND ANGELS with me.

What a way to start the new year.....

Thanks to Corey, Robyn, Jaxson and Miss AB

....you guys know how to show folks a good time !

Love to all....see you real soon !!