The Party

 We had our first Grad Party (ever) at our house last week. Kevin didn't walk through the line at his graduation and didn't want a party either. Jo and Ally decided to combine their parties since we'd be inviting all the same people anyway.

 We decided on a menu of desserts and fruit with a yummy fruit dip. We had chocolate sheet cake and lemon brownies, lemon squares and mini fruit pizzas, mini cheese cakes and ginger snap cookies. All of which were so dang good!!

We had baskets set up for people to drop cards or gifts in so the girls wouldn't lose them. They also put out notebooks for their guests to write a favorite memory, fun time or something they will always remember.

 We set up tables in the garage for everyone to sit at. I do wish I had handed a camera to Jim to take photos of our friends visiting and eating. I did not....and I really regret it.

 Here are our two graduates....stunning!!

The girls and their Mamas. Not much family resemblance here!!

 Miss Stephanie from Minnesota came to support Jo and we loved having her here with us. We missed this punk!

 One of the things Jo got for a graduation gift is this quilt made from my Mom's clothes. My sisters and Aunts and some cousins and my sweet Grandma helped me with the top. My awesome friends here in Omaha helped me tie it and get it ready to give to my sweet Jo.

I am so very proud of this girl. She has come so far since we moved here two years ago. She is an amazing young woman and I can't wait to see where she goes in life. It is all up from here!!

The Best is Yet to Be

Time is flying by. I really don't know how we got here. It seems like just yesterday I was dropping this little squirt off in Mrs.Moysh's kindergarten class. One thing I know for sure....it's been quite a ride. 


My sweet girl, the only thing that will limit how high you climb will be fear. Never let fear hold you back. You are smart, funny, beautiful and strong. Never let anyone tell you that you aren't. I know this next step is scary and you are uncertain of the out come....But know this, you can do this. You can. There will be days that you doubt everything. When those days come, know that I will be there cheering you on. I got your back, boo. ((hahahaha)) I have loved you every second of your life, and before. I am your biggest fan and I am SO proud of the young woman you've become.  You are the embodiment of the best of what your Dad and I are. You are truly unstoppable. So spread your wings...learn to fly. This is your time.


All my love, forever, Mom

Because That's What They Do

So to say I have a few friends would be a lie. I have hundreds. Most recently, here in Nebraska, I have so many friends. I have my gym friends and my church friends and my friends from Jim's work. I recently posted as my Facebook status my inability to finish the quilt (made from my Mom's clothes) for Jo for graduation. (pictures coming soon) Instantly, three local friends (and a few from far away) offered to help me out. Really? For me? Yes. For me. I set up a time and a place and gathered the necessary equipment (except for my camera) and they showed up. Eleven.....yep.....eleven of us. There were a few more that wanted to come but had crazy schedules, eleven of us. Wow....We tied the quilt for Jo in under 30 minutes. Then, since we had time, we put one on for Kevin. Stacy has put a quilt on frames far more recently than I....so she was a HUGE help!! We tied both quilts in under and hour and a half. It was awesome. It was fun. It was a huge blessing. At the end they were thanking me....yep....they helped me out and it was them thanking me. I love my friends. I can honestly say that God has sent me the very best.

A Little About Grass

So I have learned a few things about lawns over the last 30 years or so. More so recently (like in the last 20) but really, I started mowing when I was about 10 and quickly decided I didn't love it. I mowed for my Grandma...I mowed for my Dad. I can't say I got paid....but I can't say I wasn't compensated either...especially by my sweet Grandma. She'd have some cookies or some other treat (mostly home made) ready for me when I was finished but I still wasn't a fan. One thing I learned when I was about 12 is if you could sweet talk one of your friends...who happened to be a boy...into coming over on the day you happened to be mowing, usually, he would end up mowing for you. By the time I was about 14 or 15 I decided that if you finished mowing and had all your fingers and toes...it was a job well done. Well, then I married a guy who actually liked yard work....and knew how to do it....but didn't always have the time for it. So, I was given an education about the "art" of mowing. I hated it. It was a lot of work to do it "right" (princess doesn't like to mow...remember) and so usually I'd pay the neighbor boy (on the sly...thanks Clayton!!) to come mow for me. Finally my kids got old enough to take over this dreaded chore and I was back to princess status. Well...nervy little punks...they've decided to grow up and dare I say it...MOVE OUT!! Of all the nerve. So guess who is back to mowing...Yep...da princess. I suppose I don't HAVE to . No one is holding a gun to my credit cards or anything. But the back yard was getting really deep and it is supposed to rain tomorrow....so....what's a princess to do??

Wordless Wednesday

Just in Case

So today we are on high alert. We are in a tornado warning and major storm watch. We are in the high risk area for life threatening weather. Am I worried. Not really. See, I live with Mr. Prepared. He would have made an excellent Eagle Scout. Back a bit when we (fool-heartedly) decided to drive through a blizzard to get to Fergus Falls...we were prepared....and it saved our lives. Literally. So when we heard about the weather headed our way, we just got ready. We dug out our 72 Hour Kits (backpacks with everything we would need if we were forced from our home i.e. soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, hand towel, water, granola bars, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, rope, bandannas, a change of clothes) and made one for our dogs (leashes, food water).
We got our I.D. and some cash ready. Then we pulled Jim's truck in the garage as far as it would go (stupid dinky Nebraska garages). We are now sitting back, watching the sky. No worries here.
Except for Nellie. She isn't sure how to get ALL of her Frisbee's in the house. To help her relax we took her over to the lot by our house for a quick game of catch.
Here's the wind up....
And the take off.....
A little extra lunge.....
And we have lift off!!
It's hard to see here, but she really is in the air....
And a catch....
Now for the landing....
Putting on the breaks....
And a little lower.....
Made it!! Now that we are ready and Nellie has relaxed a bit....we can all sit and watch NASCAR. (yippee...) Lucky me. Oh well....not everything is about me. Although it should be :)

What Does Your Garden Grow?

Apparently, mine grows Pugs. I suppose I'm gifted that way.