Self Portrait/Comfy Old Sneakers

• In real life, they're old, and faded red.
• They've seen a lot of miles, these Chucks!
• Long, dirty laces help keep them on my feet
• They go really well with my fun, red and pink striped knee-highs
• I wore them to my client meeting today.
• They made me smile...all the way to my core.
• I'm glad I know how to laugh

Friday Afternoon

I got to hang out with Amanda for a little bit on Friday. We went to Castle Rock and took in a few of the sights on Perry Street. It was a lovely little breath of fresh air. Of course, I had my camera with me.

When we got home, I baked a little cake for my anniversary celebration. I've lived in my little magic cottage for twenty years. When I struck the matches to light the candles, Quincy asked me, "So.....are we singing happy birthday to you? Or to me?"

Big Shoes To Fill

the last time I went to the Paris Street Market, Kaitlyn accompanied me. We walked up and down the rows of all the neat treasures. At one booth, we found these fun wooden shoes. Kait decided to try them one...much to her chagrin, they fit her feet.

Here is to fun senses of humor and goofy wooden shoes.

An Outing

The lighting is fantastic!

If he tosses in a nickel, does that mean he gets five wishes?

He's pretty sure he DOES get five wishes. I wonder what he wished?

Tempting fate at the outdoor waterfall. He dipped the toe of his shoe into the water.

Even more temptation! Running on the rocks! No matter how much I threatened that he might fall in, he could not stop running.

TThis snap pretty much sums it all up. a trip to Starbucks, a trip to the bookstore and a recent purchase, sunshine, photographs, comfortable blue jeans, cell phone, relaxing, happy kid playing...

....life is good.

I just love falling water.....

...and shadow play....

I love Park Meadows Mall. I absolutely LOVE the lighting inside the mall. The light and the warm, rich wood and ironwork all play together really well for a treat for the eye. It really is a beautiful mall. I think not everyone goes there just to see the lighting...LOL

Sometimes, when I feel a need for inspiration, I love to just go there to hang out, get a coffee and people watch. Lately, though, I've had Little Bit in tow and his energy level is at an all-time high these days...he is constantly on high. His favorite thing is to make wishes at the water features. The water features in this mall are really lovely. They look like an outdoor setting. Well, one of the features IS outdoors in the open air part of the mall.

Sunday Morning at The Hurricane Cafe

Coffee and breakfast with dear friends from far away. What a delight it was. I hope for more times like these....

Girlfriends since seventh grade... Shelly, Kelly and Shannon

Snuggles!

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Gramma Margie baked a chocolate birthday cake for Alex!

Happy Birthday, Dear Alex!




Gramma Margie and Alex

Alex and Quincy


YAAAAAAY! Yahtzee and birthday money!

Dear Alex,

It's so hard to believe that eleven years ago, you were just a tiny little peanut who'd just been placed into my arms. Even though you were the biggest of my newborns, you were so tiny and red. You had the biggest blue eyes. I loved to hold you and just snuggle you. I held you so your heart was next to mine. Your little head resting on my shoulder; I could feel your breath on my skin.

You were such an easy baby. You quickly filled out and had the cutest little round cheeks I'd ever seen. When you slept in your cradle beside my bed, you'd suck on your middle fingers and ring finger. It was so cute. I used to love to watch you sleep.

You have become a wonderful young man. I love your sense of humor. You amaze me with your love and enthusiasm for sports. I am eager to watch you play basketball on a team. I know you will have fun with that and I will proudly cheer you on from the stands!

I am so glad that of all the Alexes in the entire world, I get to be YOUR mom. I love you so much. I am really proud of you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZIGGY!

Love,

Mom

Take a Little Trip

My sister and I got to travel to South Carolina to spend a weekend with our dad and his girlfriend, Karen. We got up very early in the morning to ride the bus to the airport. We were flying standby and had a connecting flight at Dallas/Fort Worth, so I figured It would be a better bet if I carried my suitcase on. One agent for the airlines we flew told me my suitcase would be all right even though it woudln't fit perfectly into the metal frame to check the size. The wheels made it just big enough that it might not work.

While we waited to board the plane, the ticketing agent told me she couldn't let me board the plane with the flip flops I was wearing and asked if I had packed another pair of shoes. I had only the shoes on my feet. Luckily, Danielle had an extra pair of shoes in her suitcase and let me wear them. They weren't bad shoes at all, but to wear them with a skirt, I felt really strange. The flip-flops looked much better.

Then as we were boarding the plane, the flight attendant told me my shuitcase was too big and it wouldn't fit since it was a full flight. I had to check my suitcase at the gate. I was beginning to wonder if I should have even gotten out of bed that morning!

We got onto the plane and found our seats. This was the seating assignment....

...and this was the view out my window.....

This was not a good arrangement for a person with mild claustrophobia. See, this flight left at 6:00 in the morning and the sun hadn't yet risen...and the view out the other side of the plane was...well...JUST LIKE THIS ONE. When we started to move, I could feel that we were moving, but that was when the real panic started to set in. I closed my eyes and listened to the loud engines just outside the window and tried to calm myself. Then, Danielle leaned over to me and told me it felt like we were in a big washing machine......oy vey!

Eventually, the sun did come up and afforded us some light to see a little better. It wasn't a very long flight and we landed at Dallas/Fort Worth without incident. I had some great tunes loaded on my iPod and a small, portable knitting project with me for distraction.

We rode the train around to our next gate and wandered around a little. I was amused to find a vending machine for iPods. I had to take a picture of it with my camera phone, even to send to my kids while they were at school! They were intrigued as well. They started putting in their requests of items they'd like to receive......rrrrriiiiiiight, guys!

We stopped at one of the many Starbucks and got coffees and then found a lounge where we sat back in the cool air, rested in the leather armchairs and....even cut up and were silly.

See? They aren't bad shoes at all....i just really felt mismatched because I was wearing a skirt. Apparently, no one is supposed to wear flip-flops on an airplane.

When it was time to check in again, we learned we had FIRST CLASS seating. We were so excited about that. We did little happy dances in the airport, and even took pictures of our tickets with our phones and cameras to share with our friends and family. We got on the plane and were so jubilant, Danielle was sure we gave it away to all who travelled with us that we were newbies to the first class realm. Oh well! We were having a lot of FUN!