Contentment

Well, I have to say that for us DFW folks this has been on of the first days in awhile where is hasn't been pouring. I took advantage of the day by getting out and enjoying running errands without an umbrella in hand. I headed to Michael's for a quick trip to get some supplies for a project. I even ventured down the knitting section only to be somewhat intimidated. Sarah at In the Midst of It has inspired me with her craftiness to begin a to knit... something I have always wanted to take on, but kept putting off. I decided to just order a book off of Barnes & Noble with a gift card instead.

The off to the grocery store for my least favorite activity grocery shopping. Although to my surprise the store was having 10% off a bag you filled with frozen foods. So like teturis I gracefully placed so frozen veggies, bread, and ice cream into my bag sparing no room.

Driving home from my domestic adventures my heart leaped with joy to find a woman selling Gucci, Tiffany, Coach and Louie items. They looked oh so real and for the price I doubt they are real, but I couldn't resist a look. And then $15 later I walked away with this great find!! $15 dollars folks.

And with that I am beginning to prepare for our lesson in Sunday school tomorrow on contentment. I really do set a fine example don't I with my necklace?

one year

One year ago, on July 3rd, I lost my grandfather. Not to old age or a disease as we all thought one day may take him home, but to suicide. I have to admit that I never thought suicide in my family would happen. To me suicide was for "messed up" people not every day families like mine. But on July 3, 2006 I'd meet it head on. I'd be lying if I said that past few days around this holiday went smoothly. An anniversary from a death is always painful you remember the day like it was yesterday recalling the smallest details. On that day we had slept in and were heading out the lake house for the holiday. The phone rang and boy picked it up and handed it to me immediately. Something in his face told me I'd remember this phone call for the rest of my life. My mom had that voice...there is just something awful about a voice getting ready to share bad news. She told me my grandfather had commited suicide with a .22 on the church steps that morning. I collapsed in sobs. From that point it seemed like such a blur as we drove all day to my grandmother. I remember the shock, I remember the tears as I held my mother, I remember the pain I felt for my aging grandmother as she was given this news, I remember the sun setting on the Kansas plains as we drove, I remember the panic and fear of the unknown days ahead, I remember the rain as it fell driving into their hometown, and I remember the silently prayer of thanks for God giving us this rain to wash it all away. I wanted so badly for God to take this all away and for this to be one bad dream.

That night I tucked my sweet grandmother into bed. I held her tiny hand and we prayed in sobs. She would go for the 1st time in 61 years of marriage without her sweetheart lying next to her that night and that was almost to painful for me to bear. "How God are we supposed to do that?" The pain of losing a loved one is so painful, but for that life to be ended out of choice makes the questions flow uncontrollably. Some days moments like this one stand out more so than others. I think I will end here tonight. I will leave you with a reminder of God's grace and mercy. As painful as this experience was and is, God has overflowed our cups with love and strength to deal. His word was the rock I needed and the rock in which I leaned. The verse 2 Timothy 4:17 has a new meaning to me now, "The word stood at my side and gave me strength" I love that scripture for it's power and relentlessness. Sometimes we may forget to seek His word when we need it most. But our Heavenly Father knows and is without a doubt there even if we forget to ask.

Good Night

our "fancy" feast

Alrighty friends...need a little recipe help. I am pulling out all the cookbooks and online recipes in search of a killer bake bean recipe for the 4th. I'm not talking a can of bush's finest...I need the good stuff. So spill your little cooking hearts. Here's also what's on the menu in case you want to stop on by.

Chips and Queso for a post lake snack...I found a new rec. I am going to try. People swear by it so we'll give it ago.
Boy's Ultimate Mini Cheeseburgers: These little drops of heaven are "yumo" and in fact great for pick eaters.
Corn on the Cob: Grilled with a little garlic powder and drenched in butter.

Now off to watch "The Next Foodnetwork Star"!! Whoa!!

4 more days...

Boy and I have a confession...we are HUGE Big Brother fans! I actually started the trend before I met him beginning with Season 2 and sucked him into it so that together for 2 months we become glued to the t.v. The obsession is so bad that on our wedding day, I made him double check to make sure that TiVo was recording it so not to miss it...how romantic huh? If you are unfamiliar with the show, it's on CBS Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays and basically consists of a bunch of people stuck in a house for 60 days, they vote 1 person off each week and there are crazy twists in the midst of it. Exciting huh? Now we know we are not the only ones this crazy. My parents dig it, one of my best friends from college and our cousins too. So there are 7 losers walking around in Texas talking about this Emmy worthy show. So just far warning...there will be much more Big Brother chat to follow!

**UPDATE** No we have never subscribed to the online 24 hour viewing...we're crazy, but not that crazy.

the hunt for a red chair

We have been in our home for over a year now and it has taken me just that long to decide how to decorate it. I knew I wanted something comfortable, cozy and chic but had no idea where to begin. My hunt ended the other day when I was looking up B & B's for a trip next year to Nantucket and I found this AMAZING piece of paradise with a room to flip for. Here is the LINK. I just totally fell in love with the simplicity of the rooms, but I already have the white bedding and black furniture so there is not much more to get. Yep, you heard me right we have WHITE bedding. People always gasp for some reason when they find out we have white linens, but I love them and they really are not that impossible to keep clean (just DON'T sleep on them) just kidding. When I wash them I wash them in regular detergent and a little bleach and they come out as good as new and they are so heavenly to sleep on it's worth the purchase of bleach. We also don't have kids so that's helps too. When we got married I had a wooden sleigh bed painted black and then sanded to give an aged look along with the armoire. The room didn't look bad I just knew that I needed a pop of color to complete and a couple accent pieces. I tried sage, but it just didn't do it for me. I tried a baby blue, but it washed out with the white. I can't believe I had never thought of red. So, my mind is made up and just a few more things to complete our little piece of Nantucket right here in Texas. I began by compiling my shopping/wish list which starts with a red chair. Now I know I can head over to Pottery Barn and get an adorable red chair, but I can't quite swallow the lump sum that could instead go to something more useful i.e. food. So plan B. I head to the Antique Mall today, which is always such a treat. I could spend all day going up and down the aisles of trinkets n' treasures, but today no red chair in sight. Instead I came away with a few accessories for the house...it was still a fun trip, but very discouraging. So I gave up for the day headed to Target for some instant gradification of large frames and Half Price book for another book to add to my summer list. I am now beginning my internet search for the perfect red chair. I know I have few visitors, but if you have seen a red chair, please do point me in the direction.

wish you were here

Here are some pics. from our trip to Aruba...oops I mean Ft. Lauderdale thanks to our friends at the passport center. We were set all set for a few days on the island of Aruba with our swimsuits packed, airline tickets purchased, hotel reservations made and a passport for boy that was "supposedly" on it's way. We even expedited the thing too!! To make a long story short the passport got lost and we went to plan B...Ft. Lauderdale. We had a great time...and we really can't complain we did get some Miami beach.

Boy at the beach catching some serious waves. He also looks like I fell out of the movie Top Gun with those shades.

I am also proud to say that I ate bread on Ocean Drive on South Beach. I think the overly skinny waitress flipped because it looks as if no one ever orders carbs in the town. They don't even give out bread to munch on while you wait. You have to ask. I have no shame.

Okay, now here is a good story. Boy was on a phone call in the hotel room and I took this perfect time while the sun was setting to snap a few pictures of these gorgeous money boats. Now I had my super duper zoom on my SLR so I really was just snapping quick getting what I could when this next picture popped up into my eye.

Yep, it says what you think. At first I didn't know if I should be appalled or impressed that someone went to so much skill to create this word. I mean come on put your wood word creating to some use. Thankfully, the word was removed in the middle of the night and the next morning "USA" greeted are morning view.

downpour

As tired as I am of being wet I really can't complain about all the rain we've had this summer in Texas. It surely beats the 100 degree frying pan of a Southern June and plus we haven't had to turn the sprinklers on once this month...so $$$!!

The rain had finally seized for the last 12 hours so tonight boy and I headed to McAlister's Deli for their yummo club sandwiches. They put a killer honey-spicey mustard on it and toast it all up and then with a side of mashed potatoes you can just roll us out the front door. My mouth is salivating just reminiscing. Anyway, back to the story. On our way home the clouds were starting to roll in when I had a super bright idea of taking the dog to the park. We went home grabbed pug and drove down to the park a few miles from home. Pug was thrilled with the toddlers running around and giant puddles to sit in. What could be better? We headed out on a walk on the trail which is about a mile long and I kid you not half way through it started to pour. No sprinkles just buckets of water. Normally I probably would have complained about my flip flops getting wet and how the wet dog is going to smell up the car. I jumped into this opportunity and splashed through the puddles chasing pug. It was a blast. God, thank you so much for not only these small events in our lives, but also the ability to stop and enjoy them. Let me never be to old to jump in the puddles of life.