Painting with a Twist....

Michelle and I tried our hand at painting and I have to tell you - IT WAS A BLAST!!!

The whole class

Michelle and I with our finished

WORKS OF ART

Proudly displayed on my CROSS WALL

Cute Girl Sisterhood

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when wearing any open toed shoes:

*I promise to always wear sandals that fit.  My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

*I won’t wear pantyhose (who even does that anymore) even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, or sister tells me the toe seam will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

*I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free.  I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

*I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.

*I will shave/wax the hairs off my big toe.

*I promise if I wear flip flops, they actually flip and flop and make the correct noise while I am wearing them and I will not drag or slide my feet.

*I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season (or once a week) and have a real pedicure (they’re worth every penny!)

****I know there are more “must and must not do’s” but I am off to get a pedicure!!

Happy Summer Sisters!!

Peace of Mind – Cleaning…..   

       

I am now one of the proud people who are lucky enough to have a housekeeper. I have never really had a housekeeper (unless my two boys count – and, well….never mind)

Due to my back problems and the upcoming surgery – Wheatie agreed with me (wink, wink) that it would be a good idea if I had a little help. Mind you, there are only two of us (and my 3 furbabies) in the house. For the most part, we only use the kitchen, living area, our bedroom and both bathrooms. We aren’t dirty people – but living in the country – we are dusty!!

Last week was my first “cleaning”. Ann with Peace of Mind Cleaning is now my best friend!! She came out and did a wonderful job. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to come home to a fresh smelling, clean house. It is strange not to think about having to do that when I get home from work or on the weekends, but it sure is nice.

My floors was sparkling clean, my bathrooms shined like a new penny, my sheets were changed, my patio, front door and mirrors were picture perfect. I think I’m gonna like this.

Much thanks to Ann. If you are in my area and need a SUPER housekeeper – I got the gal for you!!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY – CHAD AND COREY !!

What, you say? Well, this is one proud MOMMA – and my two boys are the reason for it. It’s great to be a Mom on Mother’s Day to two of the most amazing son’s in the WORLD. So, MY mother’s day I want to thank my son’s.

My boys are AWESOME! They have grown to be amazing men. They are smart, kind, loving, hard working, fun, funny, caring, thoughtful, good looking, loyal, supportive,  AND awesome dad’s to MY four grand angels. 

I am PROUD to call them mine.

Thanks guys! Happy Mother’s Day !!

Party On!!

Each year - for the last 15 years - a co-worker/friend and myself host and sponsor a bus trip to the casino's in Louisana. Now when I say a "bus trip" I don't mean we get on a bus,travel 4 hours - get off, gamble 6-7 hours, get back on the bus, travel home 4 hours, get off and part ways....
This my friend is a PARTY BUS!!

The MASTER (he likes you to call him that) of Ceremonies

I lend a hand when I can

The year our bus company was Gotta Go Trailways.
This is about the 5th bus company we have used and by far the best.

Our bus driver Sonia was AMAZING.....it was her first trip to Louisana - but you would never had known it. SHE ROCKED!!

We have had some REALLY good times and we have had some not so good times. Most of those that travel with us have done so for the last 15years. Some news ones each year - who always ask -"When is the next one?". We rock as host/hostess.

This year we had 53 travel with us. We always go the first Saturday in May. It is always Kentucky Derby Saturday. We always play games. We always drink (a little). We always have food. WE ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME.

We play bingo - 10 games. Straight line, criss-cross, with your partner and of course blackout.

We give prizes and have lots of laughs along the way.

One of the things we do is scratch-offs. The person with the highest scratch off - also wins the prize. This year we decided to add a little excitement. One of the scratch offs was a "fake". It was a $10,000 dollar winner.

Elaine was our lucky (or unlucky) winner...she was a great sport and for about 2 mins - was ready to jump ship (bus) and head straight to Austin to cash in her card!! Thanks Elaine for playing along !!

We make one "pit" stop to stretch the legs, get a bite to eat and then we are back on the road.

Once we arrive in Louisana - you are all on your own. Everybody does their own thing and we meet back up - 7 hours later to hit the road.

We gather just before boarding the bus to watch the Kentucky Derby race. Everybody puts in $5 and we randomly draw the horse numbers. This year there were 20 horses in the field. Number 16 - ORB - won. I was the lucky winner at the table and brought home $115.00 

There were no "BIG" winners on the bus, but we had several that came home with a little heavier pockets than they went our there with. Some, the pockets were empty!!!

The ride home is much quieter. We play one game where we announce a winner to the Kentucky Derby (everyone put in a guess before we departed) The first person drawn with the correct horse winner wins the prize.

Then we put on a movie - and LIGHTS OUT!!

Alone....

I don't like to go places by myself. Never have and still can't get use to it. I don't make small talk, don't start conversations with people I don't know, I simply don't like to go places - ALONE. This was another one of those ALONE weekends. Wheatie was out at one of his many "have-to" music festivals. For those of you that know who Larry Joe Taylor is - that is where he was. HE LOVES IT - I don't, so I chose to stay at home.

Friday on my way home - I stopped and had myself a mani/pedi. I have taken off my "fake" nails because of my upcoming surgery - and actually am loving it. It is taking some getting use to - they are very brittle and still need time to heal. The mani/pedi was heaven. The techinican gave me the "bestest" sitting up in the chair massage I have had. Very relaxing.

When I arrived at home - I got myself a glass of wine and settled into some Friday night boob tube.

Saturday morning I had an hair appointment. Time for a little cut and color.

                       Saturday afternoon, one of my best friends daugter got married.

J.R., Alexandria and Darlene

I have known Alex since she was about 3. Her dad and I have worked together over 20 years and watched each others kids grow up. We have had family vacations together, high/college graduations, weddings, birthday's, babies, grandbabies, trips, sickness, deaths, a little bit of everything. I had no one to go to the wedding with me. CRISIS! - what to do, what to do. But, I sucked it up and went alone. How could I miss this very special day for Alex.  When JR saw me - he said he expected lighnting to strike - because I was alone (great -make me feel even better than I already do).
Alex, Zach and young Mr. Logan (and Happy-the minister, also a dear sweet friend and co-worker)

But miracles do happen and among all the people I DID NOT KNOW - was one of my retired officers and her husband. YEAH KELLY - you rock, saved....we had so much fun. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Sunday I went to church ALONE. Now I know for some of you that is no big deal. I know lots of people at church - but I just don't like to go alone. Pastor J was back in the pulpit for the first time. He was involved in an accident several weeks ago. It was good to see our prayers of healing had been answered. His sermon was on love and learning to let God do his work. It was words I needed to hear.

NOT BAD FOR AN "ALONE" WEEKEND !!

What I LOVE about TEXAS

I know this is not a shock to anyone that reads my blog, that I LOVE TEXAS. Wheatie sent me a picture last week of some bluebonnets (state flower) that he had taken on the road to home. When he sent the pic he said “what I love about Texas”….so it gave me an idea to do a blog posting about – TEXAS –

I am proud to be a TEXAN and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I am true – thru and thru. If you are dying to know more about this GREAT STATE, please read here

In the meantime, I have taken some pictures and downloaded others about some – not all – of the things I LOVE about TEXAS.....

This is the pic Wheatie sent me.....the bluebonnets are absolutely breaktaking right now. They are rich in color and line roads everywhere.....

Longhorns

love the Iris - especially if it is purple

Mockingbird

Cotton tail rabbits

Rebel - my horse

It wouldn't be a blog by me if I didn't include sports. Yes, I love sports...especially those that are associated with TEXAS......
Dallas Cowboys - America's Team

Texas Rangers, WE ARE A BASEBALL TOWN

And of course, the ever famous and much loved University of Texas - Longhorns

Pecan Pie

Blue Bell Ice Cream

Beaches (sorry not a good pic)

Sunrises

Moonlight

Sunsets

Ya'll come sit a spell and take in the beauty of TEXAS

Wait - What??

It isn't possible - 33 years - WOW Corey you are getting on up there son!!

Happy Birthday to my "baby"......Corey has made his dad and I very proud. He has accomplished much in his 33 years -



who wouldn't love this .....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COREY - MOM AND DAD LOVE YOU!!!

OLD PENCILS Not only the talent but the patience this person has is really something. I hope you enjoy the ‘show’ and get something out of it. When I saw the carved alphabet letters on the tips of the pencil lead, I thought that was about it, but no – it was just the beginning! (How did he keep from breaking the lead all the time? See below.)

JUST OLD PENCILS! BE SURE TO READ THE PARABLE AT THE END !!! A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX: 1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK. 2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE. 3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU. 4.) IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER. 5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU. We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you.