The Hills . . . well at our house anyway

This is what our front hill looked like in spring.  I wanted lots of colors and got them, but there is still too much dirt showing.  It's a good start though.

The Nest is Becoming Empty Again . . .

So, my Ashley is moving back to school again.  My heart isn't as sad as it was years back when my first little bird flew the coop.  But, I am feeling the pangs again.  I distinctly remember telling "little A" as we fondly call her, when she moved home in June that I didn't want to "bond" with her again because I knew she'd be leaving me.  I told her that she was "just a big leaver!" Some mom, huh? But, ya know something? I was right! She is leaving again. She and Chris took up the first load on Thursday and she is packing more stuff and making plans and making sorority boards for Rush for Sigma Kappa and, well, she's been busy. I am just very glad that I have Skype now and can see my kids while we talk.  This is a big help and I am looking forward to seeing her cute little face on the computer screen next week.  I just have to be careful what I am wearing when the "computer" rings.  It is a little tricky when you get calls on "naked Thursdays."

Labor Day Weekend

Well, it's the last weekend of the summer - wait, did we ever have summer? Well, yes, I think there were a couple of warm days, ate the requisite watermelons, watched the sun go down over the ocean, we had one beach party, and spent one evening with friends in their backyard by their fire pit.  Hmmm, guess that was summer. I'm not complaining though, believe me. I loved that it wasn't hot, hot, hot as usual.  But, it does make one wonder if come Christmas it will be 90 degrees in the shade.

We have been running errands, went to church last night, BBQd, hit the Macy's sale, found frames for the pictures of Lucy from Oh My Dog photos. I am actually typing this blog on Carrie's new laptop sitting in Dan's room in the recliner with my feet up.  Sweet!

It's Quiet!

OK, Ashley isn't that noisy, but it sure is quiet this weekend with her away!  Last night Dan and I went to this great restaurant that a friend, Susan Callahan, introduced me to this week.  Thanks, Sue!  It was good that she mentioned there is a man there who gives hugs because I would have freaked out as he came toward me. He hugs everyone - even a crusty, scary looking motorcycle guy seated at the bar. There was a wedding rehearsal dinner going on, families munching on pizza, and all in all it is a great experience.  It is an Italian restaurant called Capazolli's.  Yummy.

Today I got to sleep in, had a pedicure and went to church.  They began a new summer series on the book of Ruth and it was very good.  Pastor Chris referred to it as a "summer chick flick" and lamented that no one gets blown up or fights, but he was drawn into the story of Ruth, Naomi and Orpah.  Did you know that Oprah was to be named Orpah from the Bible, but her mother misspelled it on the birth certificate?  Just some trivia to bring you up-to-date.

Now, got to figure out who will go see Eat Pray Love with me tomorrow.  Dan said he's had enough of a summer check flick already this weekend.  Maybe I'll take a page out of Carrie's book and go by myself!  Probably just women there anyway . . .

Down She Goes

So, on Thursday I was walking to walk from my car and somehow managed to fall flat on my face.  My arm suffered the most damage, but is in its sling and healing.  Nothing was broken, so am sure glad about that.  It was my right arm, too, which is so inconvenient.  However, that said, it could be a form of a diet to eat with the wrong hand.  Working on that now. I hope to go to work tomorrow, but Dan will drive me and I don't think I'll be doing much computer work.  I'll manage by walking around this week.  Well, I will plan to walk and hope that I don't find myself on my face again any time soon. 

Missin' TX, Ya'll

So I am missing all the fun we had in Texas . . . anyone else feeling the same?  Such a sense of community, family, never being alone, little Miss Ainsley Fluff, laugher, discussion, sharing, revealing, learning, and all in all reveling in being part of a big family that doesn't see each other often.  Perhaps that is why we always have such fun - we don't spend too much time with each other?  I am amazed that I didn't buy any quilt fabric, but was making a real effort not to do so.  I have to finish my projects that I have already purchased.  But, that said, has anyone noticed that all the new Christmas fabric is out now?  Oh, how I love Christmas in July!  Does Ashley have the Christmas countdown on her iPhone for 2010 yet?!?  I bet she does.  Love to all!

What's New?

So, bet you noticed that my blog has had a  makeover.  Too much?  It's like, WOW!  I've probably been watching too many David Tutera shows - am sort of hooked on that of late.  He is an event planner and apparently has a very large budget because his wedding receptions are amazing. For one he used something like 14,000 roses and all I could think of was that there are people in Haiti who need food.


Ashley is moving home today for the summer.  The empty nest will have a little birdie back in it, but a birdie that has soared with eagles and will not cotton to having helicopter parents again.  Note to self: no helicopter rides.  It will be nice to have her home again!  Our gain is Carrie's loss - no roommate for three months!


Dan's red sofa delivered and he loves it.  With the blue carpet, it is quite red, white, blueish and so very him.  I need to redo the bookcases now as they are quite junky.  The red items on the shelves are really popping with the red couch.   Who knew?!?


We put about 50 more plants into the front hill to fill up the holes from last year's plantings.  It really is pretty.  The gardener (you didn't think WE planted all those plants, did you?) liked it so much that he asked if he could take pictures.  Good sign!  They scraped down the side hill and we are thinking of how we will plant that one now.

Well, someone has to go to the grocery store, so guess I better get moving.  Hmmmmmm, what to make for dinner tonight?!?