It's that time of year!

Yes, it's that time of year. The time that the girls love the most. It's summer time!

The new trampoline parts came, the trampoline is ready to go.

The Magnolia is blooming. The backyard has a heavenly scent.

The pool doesn't look like this anymore.

Or this.
It is still green but it's getting better!

Thanks to my cute pool boy!

It's time to get the furniture ready.

Let the staining begin!

These chairs, built by a wonderful neighbor, just needed a little TLC.

And yes, I'm aware that I need to work out my legs more!

Look what I accomplished today!

I also stained this and another table I didn't get a picture of.

But what the girls don't like about summer is...




Taking care of the massive amount of leaves that the Magnolia drops. Although it is an evergreen it loses leaves in spring. It doesn't drop one unless there is a new one to take it's place. Now you can say that you learned something today!

I am sure that they are going to call DHS on us anyday now to say that we work them too hard. It takes a long time to pick up that many leaves! After we do the first massive cleaning they have to clean one of five areas each morning before they swim. You cannot imagine the complaints!

But I doubt though that they work as hard as Shawn and I do!


And yes, I'm aware that I need a pedicure!

Overheard

Today I asked Reagan to call Gogo and Grampa and invite them to our house for Memorial Day. Here's part of their conversation:

Gogo:What time do we need to be there?

Reagan:My mom said we're eating at noon but you can come anytime.

Gogo:Can I bring anything?

Reagan:Yes, Grampa!

True Love

Oh how deeply in love I am. It's a love I've never felt before. It's new, and exciting, and gets better everyday.





Oh yes, I'm in love with my camera. And of course the man that gave it to me!!



I've decided since I've been given such a wonderful gift I should definitely get the most out of it. I have been reading http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ and have fallen in love with her photo taking advice and Photoshop tutorials. Also Shawn has blessed me again with Photoshop CS3 and now I hardly leave the couch! Except to take more pictures!



Here are some I took on the way home from picking up Reagan and of course Photoshopped when I got home.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

I'm still learning...I probably will be for years to come! I only used Pioneer Woman's free action set to do these. http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2008/04/actions/ I need to learn to venture out on my own and start playing around with settings.

But for now......I'm having fun!

Where's the Beef?

Remember that old Wendy's commercial with the old lady that kept saying that? I'm dating myself, but I do remember them. I still laugh when I think about it.

Today I made my annual pilgrimage to Pocassett, Oklahoma to find the beef. It was there, at the butcher, just like it is every year. We buy a side of beef from a rancher. It's like Christmas for a cook like me. All the possibilities with a freezer full of beef.

I love the drive to the butcher. Once I got off the interstate it was little towns, old houses, wheat fields, and miles of nothingness to stare at. While growing up I wanted to marry a rancher and live out in the country. Ride horses everyday, look out my windows and see pastures. I did date a rancher for a while. Then his horse threw me which broke my arm and cracked my pelvis. After the lawsuit was filed the relationship pretty much fizzled out. I do have fond memories of the time we spent riding around his property watching the sun set from horseback. I also have one arm that's two inches shorter then the other but that's a story for another day.

I wouldn't change my life or where I am now for anything...but when I get off the beaten path and get back out to the country...it makes my mind wander.

Oh, and to answer the question that started this blog.

Where's the beef? It was in the trunk of my car,

but now it's in my deep freeze:C)

I'm going to Disney World!!!

That's right folks, we're going to Disney World! My aunt called Friday night and said that friends of theirs that were going backed out. Since they had two condos reserved would we like to go? I of course said, "YES!" way too loudly and starting hopping around. She then mentioned that I should talk to Shawn first. Funny thing about that. Right before the phone rang we had been talking about the fact that the stimulus check had arrived. We had decided to make some much needed improvements in the girls bathroom. Now, that money is going to Disney. (The girls are fine with their old bathroom for now!)

My uncle built a plane several years ago so four of the six of their family will be flying. The girls and I will be riding with the other two. We don't have to pay for the condo and will be splitting gas so I just need money for food, souvenirs, and park hopper passes. Thank you United States Government!! We plan to spend 5 days hopping and two days visiting the beach and of course Kennedy Space Center. (She's thrilled.) Since my uncle and his family have gone every year for the last nine they know all the ropes that are Disney. That is a huge relief to me since Shawn won't be going with us. He's new enough to his company that he doesn't have time built up. We will miss him desperately!!!!!

So....I need to be swimsuit ready in 22 days!! I broke my juice fast for the last week because I felt guilty that my girls wanted to take me out for Mother's Day and I wouldn't be able to eat. We also had dinner plans at a friends house and a family barbecue that same weekend. But now I'm back at it! Well, sort of. I am juicing two meals a day. I am also upping my workouts.

I

am

determined!!


Wish me luck!