Happy Memorial Day!

I feel a little guilty enjoying the day on "Memorial Day", so I try to keep in the forefront of my mind the reason we have this holiday. I've been reading articles on Memorial Day and yesterday at Church we honored those who have given their lives serving our Country.

Terry and I were alone today, so we tried to figure out what to do. I started the day by reading and would probably have been happy to continue, but we decided to get out of the house. I had been to a Belk in Montgomery a few weeks ago, but it was near closing time so I didn't get to look at the clothes that were on sale. We don't have a Belk in our area, so I mentioned to Terry that maybe we could drive over to Gulfport, MS and do a little shopping. So we drove over, about 90 miles from us and first went to the Coast and rode up and down the beach area. It was good to see some of the rebuilding that has taken place since the last time we were there. Although the beaches looked beautiful, there were not that many people on them. I think the oil spill is scaring people away. Even though there isn't any oil in Gulfport...yet!

Then we stopped at a few stores. I made it to Belk and purchased some items and then to Cracker Barrel for dinner. We don't have a Cracker Barrel in New Orleans either. After that, we went to the Outlet Mall. We found some more bargins that we needed and then headed home.

It was a nice day out and we enjoyed our holiday together. Terry did get to meet a young man who is stationed at Keesler Air Force Base and will be deployed to Afganistan in a few weeks. He was able to talk with him and promised to keep him in prayer. It was a meaningful meeting on Memorial Day.

Judy - this is for you!!

My flower garden is just bursting with blooms. I so enjoy this time of year when everything in the garden is flourishing. The days are so hot now and not much cool down in the evening, so it won't be long before some of the plants start to wither.

My Mandevilla is just full of blooms

This year, my Queen of the Nile flowers are just so full and the buds keep coming. They have never been like this, I think the hard freeze this past winter somehow helped them to come back stronger.

My Hydrangeas are the same....this one is so full, they are on the ground. I cut more than half of them off today, in hopes of getting more blooms.

I love this pink hydrangea...it is different from my purple one, thicker leaves and stems. Holds up well in vases, they last forever as long as you keep water in the vase.

So Judy, give me some tips, how often should I trim them back, cut them off, etc??

I chose to end my temp assignment after 8 months, but I am at peace with my decision and I am enjoying my summer at home so far. Ashley has finished her school year, so we are planning a few quick trips this summer.

Brittany and Justin will be here next week for a couple days. They are coming down to help Jose and Ashley with their team, leading worship at our Annual State Church Conference in Baton Rouge. It will be good to see them - but as usual, too fast and too busy.

Congratulations Ashley!

Ashley graduated on Sunday. We are so proud of her. She received her degree in English Education and has already secured a job at a local High School. She will be teaching English I and English III. She will begin her job after the Christmas Break.

My parents got into town on Saturday and it has been a whirlwind since they arrived. Looking forward to relaxing in the coming days and enjoying some time together. We always enjoy playing cards, dominoes, and board games.

Mom cut up fruit today and made us a big bowl of mixed fruit. We are all loving that. I just finished my menu for the next few days and tomorrow Brittany and mom will get groceries while I finish up my last day of work before the holidays.

On Sunday before the graduation, we had our Christmas service at church. We started by meeting early and having breakfast together and passing out Christmas cards. The service was filled with great music and Terry preached a Christmas message. We always have a great time together. After Ashley's graduation, we went to eat at a wonderful Asian restaurant. Jose's family joined us as well as a few friends. Then, we had to RUSH back home and set up for a reception at Ashley's house - when we got home, friends were already waiting - the rest of the
evening was filled with friends and laughter. Dad brought 6 huge bags of Dippin Dots from the Paducah, KY Dippin Dots plant (where he used to work.) They were a big hit - everyone loves Dippin Dots, especially when they are free!!

Christmas is coming....

Christmas is coming and it is coming fast. Thankfully I feel like I am ahead of the game. Shopping is just about finished, all my gifts are wrapped and under the tree. My decorating is complete. I've already hosted a Christmas Tea at my house and last weekend we spent a day downtown, enjoying Christmas in the Quarter. So, from here on out, I think it will be smooth sailing...just enjoying the holidays!! I must say though, I could not have accomplished those tasks without the help of Brittany! She is so good to help me in preparation for whatever I am trying to accomplish. It is becoming more of a reality each day that soon she will be gone. Only 10 more weeks until her wedding.

Now that is where my stress is being funneled - not the holidays, but the wedding. So much to do. After Christmas, it will be a whirlwind of activity in preparation for her destination wedding. We have put off a lot of the planning, simply because we have been focused on other things. Brittany is taking her last final this morning for this semester, so she will be free after today to pick up the planning again. When she starts back to school in January, she will have all Internet classes, so that will give her the freedom she needs.

Ashley will graduate on December 20th. My parents will be coming down for the graduation and stay through Christmas. We are excited about them coming, they haven't been here since Ashley's wedding last year. We are so proud of Ashley - she completed her student teaching and did an absolutely amazing job! She has already had two high schools offer her positions and is now agonizing over which one to accept.

We are so blessed, and it has been a full and exciting year for us. On top of all of our blessings, the SAINTS are
12-0, and the city of New Orleans is just electric with excitement!!

Fulton Street - downtown.

Gingerbread Streetcar at the Harrah's Hotel lobby.

The lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel.

Our friends that we spent the day with in the Quarter (thank you Brittany for being our photographer and tour director!)

Patty, Johnette and me at the French Market.

Some of the ladies that attended my Christmas tea and Bible study.

Brittany and our little Cooper.

An Autumn Weekend!

Ashley and Brittany as "Kisses" several years ago...I would say they were 6 and 8 in this picture. I didn't make these costumes, although I did make some for them over the years. These were borrowed from my friend Elizabeth, who made them for her and her son Ryan. She shipped them to us, and I shipped some of mine to her over the years.

This weekend is the epitome of Fall....Trick or Treating, College Football, A Cold Front and Time Change!

Tomorrow we will go to our first LSU football game - along with a cold front that will come in tonight. It is in the 80's today and humid. Tomorrow in the 50's....so, I will be digging out the scarves and gloves for the game. I don't have a purple jacket, so no one will see my purple shirt anyway. I am not going to buy a purple scarf and gloves, so I will be one of the few that is not decked out in school colors.

I hate losing an hour of daylight, but there is something comforting about long evenings - it ushers in the holidays. Plus, we get an extra hour of sleep and who couldn't use that?

Memories....will I have any?

I was just thinking the other day....I wonder when that movie - My Sister's Keeper will come out on DVD, since I missed seeing it in the theaters. Then, today, while reading my friend's blog, I saw a link to my blog and clicked on it. I haven't updated it since July. As I read my last post, I read that I did indeed see that movie in the theaters! I am sitting here now trying to remember the ending to the movie - can't remember it.

Scares me sometimes, my lack of memory. Thank goodness for pictures and my mother, who remembers every detail, unless of course it is something that might shed un unfavorable light on her.

I guess I need to look into some sort of vitamins or minerals that can help - let me know if you have any suggestions.

Happy Birthday Ashley!

This is Ashley's 1st birthday! That was 22 years ago. Ashley is 23 today....I can't believe it.Ashley's pre-school picture. She was 4 years old here..and so cute. This is Ashley at the Children's Museum in New Orleans. She was about 7 years old.

We've started celebrating early. On Sunday evening, we went to Sam and Candace's house for dinner and to play cards. Candace surprised Ashley with a birthday cake.

Last night, we had a girls night, just me, Ashley and Brittany. Brittany cooked dinner, then we went to Cherryberry for some frozen yogurt and to the movie. We saw "My Sister's Keeper."

This evening Ashley has a couple of friends coming over and we are all going to meet at Cheesecake Bistro for dinner. She is at the daycare with Brittany this morning and they are celebrating there, her boss is making a cake for her.

Happy Birthday Ashley! I love you, you have helped complete my life.