Dog Sitting

The girls are so excited to be dog sitting this weekend. We will have Dakota from today through Sunday. She's a great dog so it makes it a lot of fun.

Sweet Sleep

Congratulations Madison!

Madison graduated from Pre-K on Thursday, May 29. She'll be heading off to kindergarten in August. OH MY!
getting her "diploma" from her teacher, Ms. Jeni
her award for "Most Outgoing"
singing with her classmates

Pool Days

Our subdivision pool opened on Saturday. Unfortunately, I had to work but Peter took the girls anyway. I ended up going the next day (with some friends) and captured one picture. The water was so cold that I didn't even step foot in there. Actually, I'm pretty sure not one adult has been in the water yet. brrrrrrr

M in the water

Another bird's nest

What is so attractive about our house that these birds are making nests in the strangest places? The last one was in M's bicycle helmet and this one was in my dryer vent (the part that leads outside). I am hanging out my window trying to capture this photo. The nest was so tightly packed that it wasn't quite visible until I started digging it out.

The only reason I found this is because our dryer hasn't been working fully. It would take about 3 or 4 cycles to dry a load of clothes. Now, it should be back to normal.



Where will the next nest be?

Updates

I really don't know what to write about but I wanted to sit down and post something. I didn't feel like fiddling with pictures and trying to decide which ones to put up anyway.

Gas prices: I don't know how much gas costs where y'all are at but down here it's over $3.60/gallon. That's ridiculous. I think out west (CA) it was always more expensive. Meg, what do you pay for gas? Massachusetts I believe is about the same as us here in Atlanta. And are we all still driving our SUVs? I am. I still see Hummers driving around. It must cost them over $100 to fill up. Goodness! I've know people that have sold their trucks because it costs too much to fill up. They've gotten smaller vehicles. Smart people actually!

Pool Opening: Our pool is supposed to be opening on Saturday. I have to work, but I sure look forward to sitting by it on Saturday while the girls swim like little fishies. Last year, Maddy was just about swimming on her own. This year, I don't think she'll have a problem. Kenzie was still wearing floaties last year and I'm sure she'll at least start out with them this year. The age that the girls are at right now is going to be so great for Peter and me. We'll be able to sit on the lounge chairs and relax. We could pretty much do that last year, but I think I was more of a Nervous Nelly than him (like most moms).

Work: At the moment I work 24 hrs a week (Mon, Thurs and Sat) at the Consignment store. Next week will be my last time working on Mondays and Thursdays. I will continue working on Saturdays, but since the girls are not in school during the summer, Peter would not be able to watch them all day for those 2 days he works from home. So the girls and I will try and stay busy with friends and the pool, and the lake. We sure as heck won't be taking any day trips with the high cost of gas.

Peter just hit his one year anniversary at ADP - congrats!

Man, I just realized that this is starting to sound like a family Christmas newsletter.

My mom: She got a job! She will be working in a doctor's office (an allergist I believe) in Newburyport. Right on the harbor (haa-baa for you New Englanders), near (or in) the downtown area. Wow, good for you momma! I still think you'll be back here in a year ;-)
Check out how beautiful that area is. That is so her cup of tea.

Ok, well, I guess that's all I can think about right now.

Tree

Tree (and lake) at my aunt's house in Amesbury, MA
February 8, 2008

Same tree on April 3, 2008

If you grow it, they will come

Here's the set up:
We have Bermuda grass in the front and back yards. On each side yard we have Fescue. Fescue grows faster and thicker than Bermuda grass. So thick that it seriously looks like a cornfield. I have mowed the front yard many times so far and have only done small parts of the side yards because it stalls the mower too often. Peter hasn't had a chance to get to it yet.

I'm expecting to see Shoeless Joe Jackson walk out of it any day now.

Mini Me

mmm... Starbucks Chocolate Chip Frappuccino

Home Decorating Tips

I have found these items to be very useful when decorating my mantle:

1 - Always have 2 tubes of chapstick - no, one isn't enough
2 - a big glue stick is a lovely accent
3 - baby oragel (cute, right?)
4 - Oh, and never, ever leave your mantle without an eyeglass repair kit. I mean, when are you going to ever need that? Cuz it sure as heck WON'T be in the drawer when you DO!

If you want any other tips, please let me know.

Pastries for Parents

Kenzie's preschool had Pastries for Parents today in celebration of Mother's Day & Father's Day. I couldn't be there because Maddy was sick and I had to take her to the doctor (turns out it's prob just a combo of a cold and allergies).

Kenzie brought me home a beautiful sunflower, a decoupage candle holder and an adorable card. Thanks Kiki!

Thanks Neisha for bringing K home for me!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk

I know that I have emailed all of you about this but I wanted to also post something about it.

I will be walking in the Atlanta Breast Cancer 3 Day this year. It's at the end of October and really need to raise my money. I registered to walk in 2005 but I broke my ankle 5 days prior to the walk. I am attempting it again this year. I promise I will not play any sports right before so there is no risk of missing it again.

As you know, Peter's mom (my almost-mother-in-law) passed away from this disease. She has 6 granddaughters that (God forbid) could possibly go through this and we want to make it easier, or nonexistent for future generations.

I would really appreciate any help I can get. Thanks so much!

Love you all!
Diane

Strangest place for a bird's nest

For a few days, every time we would open the door to the garage we would see a bird fly out. I thought he was just looking for food or something. A few days later, I went to move Madison's helmet that we have hanging up in the garage and this is what I see:

Mom's Going Away Dinner

For those of you who don't know, my mom left this beautiful state of Georgia to move back to New England (Amesbury, MA). Yes, yes, what was she thinking? Is she crazy? What a weirdo! I know, I totally agree. But have faith my friends, she WILL be back. I originally gave her 2 winters up there but I think because she is getting there in the spring/summer, I will change that to 1 winter.

We went out to dinner last Wednesday night for her final farewell. We went to Bahama Breeze. And for those of you who have been and have had them, their ribs are to die for. There were 8 of us at the table and 6 of us didn't even look at the menu, we knew exactly what we wanted: the ribs! The waitress comes over and asks me first what I would like. I say, "the West Indies Ribs, please." She kindly says, "ooooh, we are out of ribs tonight." GASP! "What? No! This can't be happening." I almost told her she better run because there were going to be 6 forks headed in her direction. Instead she gets the manager to come tell us himself that they were out. I don't think Manager John had too much experience in management because all he really said was "Yeah, sorry, we're out. We have ribs but they're cooking. You see, it takes 6 hours for them to cook and they're just not done right now. Sorry." WOW! Great response. We should have thrown the forks at him. Turns out the Fillet Mignon is really good there too. Everyone else was satisfied with their meal they chose as a 2nd option... well, besides Sue whose Mahi Mahi was undercooked and she was pretty sick that night. Manager John redeemed himself halfway through our meal by handing each of us a $10 gift card to use that night, or at a later date.

Kindergarten Registration Today!

I registered Maddy for Kindergarten today. What a milestone!

An Example God's Amazing Works

a plaque at the Grand Canyon that reads:

O Lord,
How manifold
are thy works!
In wisdom hast
thou made them all:
the earth is full
of thy riches.

Psalm 104:24



Thanks to Meg's blog for the pictures

July 15, 2006
Uncle Bob and Ron



My uncle Bob's crazy dancing

Another Trip to the Beach in NH

this time without the kids... (and it was much colder)

The waves at Hampton Beach. It was just so nice. I sure do miss the beach.

SKYBUS = JERKS

The first and only time I take this lovely airline, it shuts down... in the middle of my trip - like thousands of others.

I was raving about this damn airline when I got to my aunt's house in MA. 3 days later - BAM, they're out of business and I'm stuck in MA trying to book a one-way fare back to GA. UGH!