Christmas

It has been a pretty good Christmas. Thursday we decided to exchange gifts and cook our Christmas meal, to leave Friday open for a St Nick pic-nic. So that's just what we did. I got the most beautiful 3 tier fountain for the yard, my new car stereo, 2 cement planters for the front porch, a co-co clock, a new mixer. Bill liked his Christmas lemon tree, and of course the Christmas cash. Says he's going to get a stereo just like mine for his truck.

We got up on Christmas Day, packed up the leftovers and hit the road for Flint Creek Park. We stopped by Lisa's on the way and visited with them and gave the kids their gifts.

The park is very nice and the lake is beautiful. The sun was shining brightly but it was COLD. We checked out the cabins and decided to try to get one for New Year's weekend.

Today we went over to my bestfriend's house and spent the afternoon. Yesterday was her 60th birthday and she was given an open house by her room mate. Lots of friends and food and laughter! It was a great time.

Christmas Party

Last night was the office Christmas party. It was at Clint's "barn" up in Stockton. Again rain all the way up and back. I had never been up there but heard about how nice it is. This is no usual barn. It does house horses but it has a nice kitchen, living room and bathroom. The food was done by The Coachhouse. They do a wonderful Buttermilk Pie. We had planned on a hay ride for the kids but the rain changed that idea.

Christmas Open House

Yesterday morning we got up early and got on the road for Hattiesburg. It rained all the way up and back. DD's open house at her stained glass studio was yesterday, and as usual a fun trip. I sent most of the time looking through the glass picking out colors I can't find locally. She had the studio decorated pretty and lots of snacks. Had a fun time as always, and actually didn't spend too much!

Becky's Babyshower

Yesterday was finally Becky's shower. Talk about wait until the last minute! Baby is trying hard to get here early, if possible. She tired, and sore but looked great yesterday. The shower was at Christie's home--a beautiful place out in the country. I enjoyed seeing all "the girls". I remember them all as teenagers and here they all are with 2 or 3 kids! All grown-up. It was a beautiful afternoon and I really enjoyed it.

In memory of Lee

I went to the life celebration of a dear old friend today. She was so much like a mother to me growing up. Lee was always happy, and ready and willing to go and do anything. In the month before she passed away she and her daughters went to Paris, France and North Georgia! She was at the Greek Fest last weekend and had this weekend planned and something going for next weekend too! Travel was one of the many things she so enjoyed in her life and she wanted to see everything and experience all she could. She has inspired me to hopefully do it now -- whatever it may be--don't wait. Go and see it or go and do it! Make some good memories! I hope I will always remember to live life to the fullest, just as Lee did right up to her last days! Bon voyage Lee! God Speed and love to you on this journey of eternity!

Fall is here

Well, seems like summer is finally coming to a close. The zinnias look pretty rough, and I cut them back some last week. They will continue to bloom until Christmas unless it happens to get really cold first. Some of the leaves on trees are starting to turn and I noticed the Popcorn trees have their little white popcorns The "naked ladies" (spider lilies) have come and gone and took the love bugs with them.

We had fun watching the hummers this year. We put a feeder on the front porch so we could watch them through the front window. Many times, fighting over the feeder, they would hit the window but keep on going. I had not been noticing them at the feeder lately and wondered if they had gone on to vacation down in Mexico. Then one morning this week I had the window open while getting ready for work and heard one chattering. They are feeding at the hummingbird vine that grows on our fence and don't care about the feeder too much anymore. Sitting out on the back porch one evening last week, we saw 2 tiny baby ones feeding at the roses! So tiny they almost looked like large moths!

The cooler (not cool but COOLER) weather is enjoyable. I sat out on the back porch a long time this morning and just relaxed.

October is always a busy month with festivals and other stuff. Fall doesn't last long on the Gulf Coast. Soon it will be just rainy and yucky.

By the way, I did not take the picture of the hummer on this post. Ours were so hyper, it was impossible to get one!

Labor Day weekend

What a wonderful 3 day weekend we had! Saturday was spent piddling around the house-mostly working on stained glass. We went out for Bill's birthday and ate at Macaroni Grill. Food was great. Went over to Lisa's on Sunday and saw all the grands. They were great as usual.--Spoken like a true Nana! Monday I spent some more time on the glass project and we went out for lunch for our anniversary, to Longhorn. That's where we went on our first date 3 long years ago. I got a beautiful pair or opal earrings--something I have wanted for many years. Just a great time--now back to work!

Family and Friends

Spent a wonderful time in Pascagoula MS yesterday at a huge family and friends reunion. Saw many people from my childhood that I haven't seen in a long time. Some that have very important to me and that I will always remember and was very happy to see. The weather was ok just terribly HOT, and there was much fun and laughter. Gonna really try to stay in contact better with some of them.

school Time

It seems the summer has just began and here it is school time already. Bryan started 2nd grade in Moss Point Thursday and the Vess kids will start in the morning in Lucedale. The twins will soon be 12! I don't know where the time has gone. They are nearly as tall as their mama, and are so sweet. E-Man is still funny and happy go lucky. I am so blessed! And another one on the way!
The garden is starting to look a little bedraggled. At first so hot and no rain and now rain everyday. Hubbie has gotten the drip system in and it's working great. Had seen a hummer around, so I put a feeder up on the front porch and he has found it this weekend. Bill has his camera "at ready" inside the front window, but hasn't caught him yet. Maybe soon.

Well I just haven't gotten around to blogging lately. Not really much going on. Work as usual. We are building a new flowerbed at home and it is slowly taking shape. Got most of it cleared this morning and got some Zinnia seeds in. Then after lunch we just decided it was too hot to go back out now. So we have just been resting and waiting for it to cool off some. I may go out to the "studio" and work on my glass some. I have already started a project for the Flowers of Hope. It's not due til September but I don't get to work often and I wanted to be sure and be finished in plenty of time. All plants seem to be doing well. Got plenty of maters and looks like we will have some squish too.

Summer must be here

What happened to spring? it seems summer has arrived already. We have been working in the yard the last few days and it is HOT! But we have gotten lots done. Flower beds are cleaned out. All the flowers we bought at Lowe's tuesday are in the ground. It's really starting to shape up.

The side of our house was a real eye-sore. Nothing could be planted in the bed beside the house expect rocks. So we have come up with a solution and it looks pretty good. We filled it in first with layers of newpapers to keep weeds from coming through and then mulch. We bought 3 planters and filled them with flowers. Bill hung his ferns up and I think they may like it over there. That's a pix of the results at the top of this post. What do you think? The other picture is proof thqt I have some 'maters on my plants. Can't wait for a good ol mater sandwich!

The rest of the Trip

It seems that since we've been home I haven't had a chance to sit down at all. I told Bill that I work harder on Vacation that at work! I did not get a chance to post about the last couple of days of our trip.

Sunday we spent in a little town Gruene (Green) Texas. Just a cute little place. We ate at the Gristmill which is on the river and absolutely beautifully landscaped. Then wandered around in the shops. Just had a wonderful afternoon.

The trip home was pretty unevenful. Stopped at a market in Lake Charles, LA and picked up some boudoin (boo-dan). Really good. Made a stop in Baton Rouge and ate at an Italian Deli that Bill liked when he worked over there after Katrina. Goe home Monday evening. Stopped and got the puppies--I think they were glad to see us.

Texas

Made it to Austin last night. Yesterday was a long day of driving. The grasslands are pretty though. Lots of big ranches and cows. The sides of the highways are all a-bloom and very pretty. Yellow, pink and some purple flowers that I am going to say are Texas Bluebonnets. Peaceful ride. Just long. Things seem to be stretched out and far apart in Texas. Plenty of elbow room. Going down to a little town near San Marcos - Gruen I think is how you spell it. Going to have lunch at the Gristmill River Restruant. Then heading on back toward Mobile. I must confess I am getting ready to be home. Want to spend next week playing in the flowers and stainedglass. Ready to see puppies and grands. Oh! News! Eric and Becky are expecting again! That kinda came out of nowhere. I have placed my order for another girl. 4 grandsons is enough! Eric wants a boy. I guess we'll take what we get and love it bunches anyway. Hope your day is blessed!

Starting our trek home

We left Colorado Springs this morning. We both are feeling better but not out the woods yet. We made it as far as Amarillo, Texas. I enjoyed seeing the grasslands through south Colorado and New Mexico. I found very simple and pretty. Very relaxing. Had supper at the Big Texan. It was ok but over-rated. One guy tried to eat the big steak and failed. 2 guys were starting when we left. They looked like they might make it. Next stop Fortworth and the Creation Museum.

Garden of the Gods/Pike's Peak

Well, we have had 2 beautiful days of site-seeing. Drove down to Colorado Springs yesterday morning. Toured Garden of the Gods and did some shopping at the Trading Post. Bill bought me another pair of earrings from there. Not many people or much traffic to deal with at all. Found a room after that and just did some riding around in the city. Still battling sinus junk and seem to have shared it with Bill. Nice of me huh? Got up this morning and drove up to Pike's Peak. Just a gorgeous day! sunshining brightly. We were not able to get all the way up to the top but were able to get above the tree line probably about 13,000 feet. Still lots of snow on the ground and the winds are really ripping up there! But we did see lots of pretty scenary and had a pic-nic in the car in the park. Stopped in a town called Manitou Springs and did some shopping. Back at the room resting now. Both feeling some better but still sniffy and coughing. The cold air was a bit rough on us. More later.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Finally got to feeling like getting out yesterday. Monday we stayed in all day both sick and the weather was yucky anyway. I have developed a sinus infection and sound like I have the Swine Flu. Sneezing, sniffing etc all the time. But we did get to the park yesterday. Talk about beautiful! Most of the roads are still closed but we were able to get to about 9300 ft. Still lots of snow on the mountain tops and all along the roads were they have plowed. We saw a HUGE herd of Elk! Beautiful, and many deer were walking around town in Estes Park. They just walk through people's yards like they belong there! The day was nice -- cool but the sun was out and we had a fun time.

Think the plan is to drive down to Colorado Springs today. I stopped yesterday and bought lots of sinus meds so I will be highly drugged so hope I can enjoy the day!

Snowy morning

Woke up to snow and rain but mostly snow now. Just relaxing in the hotel lobby drinking coffee and watching the snow fall. Don't really know what our plan is for the day yet.

Posting from Denver CO

Finally made it Denver late this afternoon. Two long days for driving and we are tired. Bill has already given up and is under the covers and I'm not too far behind him. Weather very cool and the snow capped mountains look great. Clear, cool and clean. We stayed last night in Oklahoma City. Drove across Kansas with not much to look at except wind generators and tumble weeds running across the highway committing suicide. We got out to take pix of the generators and the wind out there is amazing. It will almost blow you off your feet!

My birthday

Well today was my 48th birthday and it was a busy but wonderful day. Rushing around trying to get things ready to go out of town, working and rushing over to Mississippi to see my grand-princess, Baleigh in the hospital. She's doing ok, just sweet as can be, fighting a staph infection. Bill had gotten me a glass cutting saw, my good best friend Theresa brought me homemade goodies to take on the trip. My oldest good best friend Lanie sent me a beautiful plant. My sister sent me one, too. My right handgal Kelly brought me nice plaque, and we had carrot cake at work. Out to eat some seafood for supper--a wonderful blessed day!

Spring is here

Spring is here and has brought with it all the work and fun of yardwork and gardening. I've gotten all the plants brought out of hibernation in the garage and on the back patio. I have also gotten most of them trimmed up and re-potted. I have started a new bed on the side of the house but I'm gonna wait until we get back from vaction until I work on it again. Will spend most of this week getting ready to be gone for 2 whole weeks! Hubbie has helped me get the drip system in so it can run while we're gone.