Day 129 - August 8th

Big, long, sweaty, huge day of work at the Tulsa house. I'll tell you what, it's starting to look like a house again. Now that I'm actually a part of the building and in the middle of it, I can see how far it has come and how few things are left to do. This is going to be a great house for someone! Nana (Elaine) came into town and helped with it too. We couldn't do this without her. Actually she's been helping Russell with this since the beginning. Even Ginger helped all day long. She'll just do anything for Russell and she's a really hard worker...when she has something that's entertaining enough to do. Thank goodness, it was entertaining enough for her today to sand, tape, and mud.

Day 128 - August 7th

What a great night! My Bunko girls got together, and it wasn't to roll the die and scream BUNKO!! It was a dinner night to finally disclose who we had for our Secret Sister! This has been the most fun ever and I look forward to doing it again. We all ate at On The Border and exchanged one last gift to see if we could guess who had our name!! From left to right is Shelley, Valerie, Ginnette, Gwen, Joy, Laurie, Tiffany, Me, Erika, Lauren, and Courtney.

I had Erika's name and gave her an antique Brownie camera as her final gift. She's a girl that shares my passion: photography!

Courtney had my name and had me fooled every time I got a gift from her. For the final gift she spoke to my heart with a Chipotle gift card and some canvas and paint brushes. She reached the inner artist in me and the inner Chipotle fan...ok, maybe that one isn't so "inner". Thank you Courtney!!

Tiffany was 100% convinced I had her name. I loved playing right along and letting her believe that was true. But it wasn't...

Shelley had Tiffany's name!! Ha Ha!! I love you Tiff and Shell!!

Day 127 - August 6th

Big full day today! I worked 1/2 day and then took Ging to her final piano lesson with Mrs. Darla. Mrs. Darla is moving on to something that God is calling her to do, but it worked out great because Ginger starts 3rd grade next week. We're hoping Chuck will help Ginger at least finish her books until we can find her a new teacher. She loves playing the piano and showing off her skills, but the practicing reminds me a bit of when I was younger and hated practicing. Hopefully she sticks with it longer than I did.

After that Ging and I both had dental appointments. Cleaning time! We got there a little early and I had time to annoy Ginger with my camera. She thinks I take way too many pictures. I just don't want to forget anything because life just goes by too fast. Then Ginger told me that it's the rules, written in the Bible, and Jesus said I wasn't allowed to take my camera with me to Heaven. I guess our time on earth is long enough having your mom stick a camera in your face. I suppose eternity with a camera in your face is way too long for her.

The dentist was fun. The assistant's name was Amber! She just must be all sorts of awesome!! I went first, then it was Ginger's turn! And some things just go so much better when you have naked feet! I have to come back in a few weeks to get a filling, but Ginger is good for now...including FOUR wiggly teeth! She's going to send the Tooth Fairy to the poor house!

Day 126 - August 5th

I thought today was going to be a day of searching for my POTD. You know, jumping out of bed tonight and taking a picture of some random object in my living room when I remembered that I forgot (Is that an oxymoron?). Or better yet, staying in bed and entertaining you with more pictures of us in the dark.

But nope...turned out I ended up with many photos to choose from. Let's start with at the beginning of what I thought was going to be a "normal" day. Channel 2 Works for You came over this morning. My Mother-in-Law (Nana) was interviewed because of some hoop-la craziness that TCC is putting her and several others through. It's a mess and hopefully Channel 2 will help them all get what they were promised. Something came up at the last minute and we had the interview moved to our living room. It was quite exciting to have an exciting event to take a picture of! Elaine did great! Way better than I would have done being interviewed. I was totally impressed, and she looked beautiful!

After the interview, we had lunch at Backyard Burger...it's 99 cent day! We were just talking in line about how much places charge for drinks. We were reminiscing about the fabulous drinks at QuikTrip for 49 cents and how Summer is officially over because that deal is gone now. I know, it was a shocker for me too...take a moment to gasp and wipe away tears. It took awhile for me to let it sink in too, I'm still in denial. But I refuse to go to QuikTrip in fear of the welcoming 49 cent sign that has been expired and will no longer greet me.

Ok...getting back on track now... The Backyard Burger sign. Notice what the sign says under the outrageously priced drink prices. "Smiles Free" I wonder how long they will be free? Then guess what else? No one that worked there smiled at me. They must be out.

When I got back to work, Joy and Phyllis introduced me to Itty Bitty, Teeny Weeny, Yellow Bananas. They are so stinkin' cute! I had no idea that these little things even existed. Where have I been? But then I tasted it, I'll stick to the bigger ones.

Day 125 - August 4th

I got sleep last night and feel much better now, not as cranky. I went to Sam's a couple of times today for work. I had to go in the morning for the morning crisis of being out of coffee at the office. I went in the afternoon to cure the crisis of being out of Coke. While there I actually witnessed the crossfire between seasons. Swimsuits and winter coats on the same rack! Forget fall, it rarely happens for more than a week in Oklahoma anyway. And then what got me that neither the swimsuits or the coats were on sale.

Tonight I had the best time making and remaking and remaking and remaking one more time a baby gift basket. It was so much fun shopping for babies, but it was really hard not to buy stuff for my own little keepsake I have for future babies. Ok, I bought one little outfit that was too hard to resist at only $1. I'm going back later for more. The owner's son and his wife at Russell's work, just had twins! A baby boy and baby girl. I could have done a hundred more baskets, or at least just redo this one a hundred times because it was so much fun making it. My friend Tiffany makes the best and prettiest gift baskets ever, so this one isn't up to Tiffany's level, but with more practice I think it could be. It was packed full of goodies that I wanted to keep for myself. Some day Amber, some day.

Day 124 - August 3rd

Back to work today and I'm tired! I would much rather be on vacation. But that's a silly statement, because wouldn't anybody rather be on vacation? Another silly statement is, "I need a vacation from my vacation." Even though it's overused, I still say it. Another overused statement is, "How cute is that?" That one is starting to get on my nerves and I try not to use that one. And the word "literally" should literally be used only when it's being used correctly. Number one pet peeve right there people, misusing the word "literally". The other day I heard a guy complaining about a co-worker and he said, "She just literally pulls crap out of the air." Really? She literally does that?

I need a nap.

Day 123 - August 2nd

Traveling back home today. We made great time. I drove the whole way...just about exactly 6 hours! Ginger watched movies and Russell finally got to get some work done. We also all jammed a bit to The Monkees. About 1/2 way home, Shawna called to tell us she is pregnant! The kids are so excited and have nick-named the baby, Paisley. I told Shawna that I'm going to name the others, Plaid & Argyle. Triplets would be fun...for her, not me. Love you Shaw!

We got home about 6:30 and the sun was still up, we started laundry, put the groceries away, cleaned out the car, and got everything put away. It felt good to be home, but we all wish we could have stayed longer. We were having a great time! Thank you God for an awesome family that gets along so well! We are so blessed! Back to work tomorrow though.