2011 - 4th of July Weekend with All My Chicks

It’s hard to believe it’s the 4th of July again.  Kayla hadn’t been “home” since last 4th of July… we were so glad to get her back up here for a visit even though we didn’t have much time together.  They got here Thursday evening and had to leave today after church.

We started off on Thursday night by visiting Ms. Charlsie.  Tyler came home late from work, but showed up while we were at Charlsie’s.  After our visit, we headed to eat pizza and then the boys took David to Lowe’s and surprised him with a belated birthday/Father’s day gift – a new grill.

Friday, Kale’s friend came up from Conway and he and Kale and Tyler all went golfing while Kayla-girl and I headed to Branson.  We left late in the day and made a short day of it, but it was the first time in forever that we’ve been able to spend a day together.  (I MISS YOU, KAYLA!)

We met the guys for supper at Cadron Creek Catfish House… Kayla’s one request for food while she was here.

Yesterday was SO hot… we spent part of the day indoors and later that afternoon we loaded up and went to our farm.  Tyler had made plans for all of us to fish out of the pond with Dave’s sister and her daughter (and granddaughter).  It got overcast just as we got there, so I think it was a bit cooler than it had been all day.  It was a lot of (hot) fun, though.

The boys

The girls

David

Mémère brought along a spray bottle to 1) keep Maddie cool 2) keep Maddie occupied

So cute!

My niece, Lindsey, and her daughter, Rylee – and David’s sister, Carla

Kayla might have got her line caught in the tree

For supper, Kale grilled some burgers (his special recipe) on the new grill and then we had s’mores in the backyard. 

It was a nice, family day.

Today came all too soon and after church and lunch… we had to say goodbye.  I still cry every single time I see them leave (or I leave them).  But, it gives me something to look forward to when we get to see them again!!

Life is sweet.

Has It Been Two Weeks? My Birthday and Texas Trip #5

Today is David’s birthday – “Happy Birthday, Dave!”

* * * *

I can’t believe it’s been over two weeks since I’ve posted.  It just goes to show you that without structure, I am wandering aimlessly.  (Do I need to do Project 365 to actually keep a blog??)

Two days after my last post – it was my birthday and the present I gave myself was a trip to Texas to see Kale and Kayla.  I went ALONE.  I flew alone.  Did you hear that? And I did it without nerve medicine. Haha!

Before I left, I knew I needed some Maddie time, so I picked her up from daycare  (there’s nothing better than hearing her scream “Mémère” when she sees me come in the door!) and off we went to Wal-mart.

When you live in the sticks, travel isn’t all that “convenient”.  It takes three hours to get to the airport.  The flight from Little Rock to Houston is only an hour or so… unless you get a plane with THESE…

…then, it takes about two hours. Ha!

Kale picked me up from the airport and shortly after we got home, Kayla got off work. I miss them SO much, they are always a sight for sore eyes! We went to eat at a really neat little "family" cafe (Eden Cafe) and I got chicken pot pie.  I haven’t had that in forever and it was so good! (I crunched up my crust before getting a picture. Ha!)

After supper, the “kids” gave me my birthday gift – an iPad2!!

It was a hard gift to accept, but I pretty much ran with it after I got over being overwhelmed!

All in all, it was one of the best birthdays ever! (That’s saying a lot when you get to be my age.)

I’ll post more about my trip tomorrow.  Until then,

* * * * * *
Dear Maddie,

Look what Mémère got for you!

The Commute

Does your ride to work look like this?  Only in the country …

…and right after he turned off, look who pulled out in front of me…

Today’s average rate of speed on the way to work – 20 mph.

I Don’t Even Know How To Title a Post Anymore

I am SO used to counting my posts and now that I have no direction at all, I’m at a loss. Haha!

I know y’all were wondering what I might post about today – I’ve been wondering that myself.  Today has been a pretty typical day except for we actually saw the sun shining today!  (It seems like it’s been forever!)  Everything is really green and overgrown now and having a sunny day was so refreshing.

The makeovers on Biggest Loser were SO good … but the girls were AMAZING!  (I love Tim Gunn, too. I know my Mom doesn’t think so, but he reminds me of my grandpa.) 

I’m on a “youversion” kick right now.  Jodi showed it to me on Sunday morning.  It’s a free Bible app on the web (www.youversion.com) or for mobile devices.  I installed it on my iPhone and have been playing with it ever since.  It has all the Bible versions as well as reading plans that you can choose from.

What phone app can you NOT live without??

365–This Time It’s For Real

So this really is my 365th post for Project 365.  I may have some perfectionist traits and let it totally bother me that I skipped a post number.  I may have gone back and corrected them to the right numbers. Can you say OCD?

It has rained here pretty much all day again today.

It just keeps coming.

I got excited when I opened my mailbox today and these were in there!!

These are THE BEST workout socks in the world.  They are cushiony!! And you can run in them and sweat like a hog and then take your shoes off and lo and behold – they stay dry! Amazing!!  They’re not easy to find around here… I have to drive a couple of hours to get them, so when I found these in bulk on eBay, I was thrilled!

* * * * * * *

Today has been an interesting news day.  I am ever so grateful to our military for the work they do to protect us and to rid our world from the threats we face.  Bin Laden was an evil man, and while I am thankful he is gone, I’m also aware there is someone who is more than ready to take his place.  He is only one.  His death doesn’t make me feel “safer”.  There is only One who’s death changed my life, sealed my security, and gives me hope! 

I am committed to praying for God’s hand of protection over our servicemen and women daily as they remain in harm’s way defending this great Country!  I say “thank you” from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of them today and every day.

“For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways…” (Psalm 91:11)

360–Secretary’s Day 2011

“Thank You!” to whoever worked on our dirt road the last two days! I’ll finally be able to drive my car to work tomorrow.

Ms. Judy came in today bearing gifts.  I thought she was early for my birthday, but as it turns out, it is “Administrative Professionals Day”.  I’ve been a secretary long enough that I still think calling it “Secretaries Day” is just fine. I am SO blessed to be able to work where I work, with the people I work with, and for the best church family in the world!

Late this afternoon, Tyler came in to my office with this sweetie pie! She said to me tonight on the way home from church, “Ms. Jacquie, you got me that Easter dress.”  I said, “Yes, I did.” Then she said, “I think I need another one.” (She must’ve liked it.)  She also informed me that I haven’t bought her a blue dress yet. Haha!
Do y’all realize I am only four posts away from completing “Project 365”?

359–Yet Again

After work, I met JoAnn at the park for some cardio.  We barely finished when our old friends “lightening” and “thunder” showed up again. I think we are finally on the downhill slide of this crazy weather pattern.
There was some good TV on tonight.  Biggest Loser followed by The Voice.  Next week is “makeover week” on BL! I love that episode.

358–Spring Flood 2011

I only have 1/2 mile of dirt road, but even though it’s not far I couldn’t get my car across it to get to work this morning.  It’s washed out in three places on the 1/2 mile stretch. So, Tyler drove me to work this morning.  Looks like he’ll be doing the same tomorrow.
When he came to pick me up after work, we ran to Walmart for a few groceries and just as I came out the weatherman was announcing a tornado warning for our county – specifically our area of the county.  As we drove home, the sky didn’t look too bad, so we drove slowly to see the effects of all the rain. 
We took a few pictures of the ponds that are overflowing into the fields.

And water covering our road.

This is my dirt road…

When we pulled in the driveway, the sky was looking awfully threatening.

And the wind picked up and within a minute or two it was storming. Bad.

It didn’t last long, but I don’t think the ground here can’t take much more.

Things could be much worse.  We’re safe and dry in our home.  Some are not as fortunate.
But I sure am looking forward to some warmer, drier weather soon!

352–Storms and Biggest Loser

There were some severe storms in the area today.  It looked kinda scary for a little while, but in the end, they pretty much went around us.  I am scared to death of severe storms, but do you know what’s helped me more than anything to be less afraid?? Watching “Storm Chasers”.  Go figure.

Have y’all been keeping up with “The Biggest Loser”?  The contestants are really looking good and there’s still lots of time left (between weeks on the show and at-home time).  I am always amazed at the transformations.  I don’t really know that I’m rooting for any one person, but I like the sisters (Hannah and Olivia).

347–So Close and Yet So Far

After work, my friend JoAnn and I met at the river to do our cardio.  I have to talk myself in to doing cardio, but when the weather is so nice and the view is this beautiful, it’s becomes just a little bit easier.
I just realized because of a Tweet tonight that Kale is in Arkansas (about 3.5 hours away).  So close and yet so far.

340–I Love When…

I love when the grass changes from brown to green…

… and the dogwoods start to bloom

… and Spring-time comes to the Ozarks.

We are surrounded by God’s handiwork.