Remember These Girls????????

Beach 2011.

Rinse.

Repeat.

We're off....

Want to join us???  :)

See you on the sand!

Look who I will miss:

 

Our Gifts

Spent the weekend with my kids and their families.

Really, how could I NOT have a great weekend?

Thank you family for loving us enough to share your angels with Nonny and Poppy.

Having these grandchildren is a gift.

Thank you for gifting us with them.

They Call Me Andy!

This is an Andy Warhol painting.

Cool huh?

Last night some friends went with me to a painting class.

NONE of us can paint.....like NOT AT ALL!

We wanted to join our artist friend, Lauri, who has started a fun business:

Bottles and Brushes!

Here is what we did:

Aren't they fabulous?

They don't call me ANDY for nothing!!! :)

Me Me...I Was Tagged!

Tag, You're It!

I was tagged in a ME ME by Melissa at The View From Five Two. 

Melissa and I share the same home town and know some of the same people even though we are just a FEW years apart!! :)

I loved reading her answers and since she tagged me, here goes:

Here are the rules:
•You must post the rules.
•Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you; then create 11 questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
•Tag 11 people and link them in your post.
•Let them know you have tagged them

1. Where were you born?
I was born in  North Carolina and I STILL love calling NC home!

2. What irrational fear do you have?
I am SOOO claustrophobic! I panic at the THOUGHT of being enclosed in a small space. Flying is difficult for me, but I do it!


3. Where’s 1 place you hope to travel before you die?
Because I don't love to fly, a road trip to Maine is on my bucket list!


4. What’s your favorite summer cocktail?
I love anything salty and anything with lime....but, if I can TASTE the alcohol, forget it!! :)

5. Fine Dining or Casual Dining?
Casual! A sunny lunch or night outside eating is my idea of perfect dining!

6. Did you go to summer camp as a kid?
YES! I spent my summers as a child AND as an adult, at Camp Lurecrest on Lake Lure in the mountains of NC! There is NOT a better camp. Anywhere!




7. Favorite comfort food?
Homemade macaroni and cheese or cinnamon toast!

8. Do you have any siblings? If so, how many?
I do! I have an older sister who died at 49 of a heart attack. We were 21 months apart. And to this day, she remains close to my heart and childhood memories! My brother is 18 months younger than me. He has a house on the lake complete with a boat and jet skis....ahh, the life! My baby sister is ten years younger than I am. I was ten years old when she was born and felt like I left my own child when I got married! I have a half sister a few years younger than me that I don't get to see often enough!




9. Coffee or Tea?
Both. Coffee black. Tea sweet. (I'm southern!)

10. Friends character you’re most like?
I am the only woman on the planet who has NEVER seen an episode of Friends. Weird. Much.

11. What’s the first concert you ever saw?
Hmmm....hate to be dull, but, I don't remember.

I tag:

Renee' @ Two Kids And A Goat
Kat @ Just A Beach Kat

Danielle @ Josh and Danielle

Amanda @ Mama Sings

Kara @ Matt and Kara Adopt

Robin @ Meri Robin's Eyes

Teresa @ Nonnie's Blessings

Lisa @ Odom Party Of Five

Amanda @ One Sweet World

Paula @ Sweet Pea

Betsy @ A Time To Love

My questions are:

1. If you could live anywhere in the world for one year, with all of your expenses paid, where would you live?

2. What is your favorite musical? Or do you not like musicals?

3. Are you better at singing or dancing?

4. If you had the choice of getting dressed up and going out on the town or staying home in your PJ's on the couch, which would you choose?

5. If you could win an Olympic gold medal in any sport, what would it be?

6. What is your weirdest or most annoying habit?

7. Tell us about your first best friend.

8. What is your favorite show on TV right now?

9. What is your favorite show from the "old school" TGIF or Nick at Nite days?

10. What is your favorite season of the year, and why?

11. Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names and what kind of animal(s) are they?

Here are my answers to my questions:

1. If you could live anywhere in the world for one year, with all of your expenses paid, where would you live?
Destin Beach, Florida...on the beach, with a house big enough for all the children and grandchildren to stay as long as they would like!


2. What is your favorite musical? Or do you not like musicals?
The King and I. (But, i could list several I have seen and love!)




3. Are you better at singing or dancing?
Singing....but, it's a close race. I'm bad at both!



4. If you had the choice of getting dressed up and going out on the town or staying home in your PJ's on the couch, which would you choose?
I would definitely stay home. My favorite thing in the world is hanging out at home in my PJ's!

5. If you could win an Olympic gold medal in any sport, what would it be?
Gymnastics!

6. What is your weirdest or most annoying habit?
I pick my nails. UGH!

7. Tell us about your first best friend.
Teresa. She was my best friend from summer camp and church. Teresa is still a dear friend today after 45 years!!!


8. What is your favorite show on TV right now?
19 Kids and Counting. I admire the Duggars...don't be a hater!

9. What is your favorite show from the "old school" TGIF or Nick at Nite days?
I Love Lucy!

10. What is your favorite season of the year, and why?
SUMMER! Bring on the sun....and the heat!

11. Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names and what kind of animal(s) are they?
No. I am not an animal lover. Sorry to those of you who are. I always feel like I have to apologize because people that love their pets, REALLY love them. I don't get it.

I'm SO PROUD Of ME!

So, you know, I just turned the big 55.

You know, the age where you get belly fat and have to have your cholesterol checked.

Last year at my check-up, it was 200.

Not good.

Especially since I already try to eat healthy

and exercise.

Fast forward to this year.

I do NOT want to have to go on medicine.

Went to doc.

Had blood work done.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

The only thing I have done different in the past year, was a weight-lifting program.

A friend and I lift weights a couple of days a week, along with our regular workouts!

Cholesterol:

160.

BAM!

Proud of ME!

I'm Not Irish, But.................

The Pearl Event Part III/Twins

Saturday morning, before The Pearl Event began,
 I received this from the twin grandsons....

Just what Nonny needed on her phone when meeting her peeps at The Pearl Event!

:)

The Pearl Event Part II

The Pearl Event was a wonderful weekend to reconnect with old friends

......and make NEW ones!

I have been reading Amanda's blog for a long time.

 She brought her sweet mom, Diane, with her. 

Diane starts every day with Paige and Jesus.

 Now THAT'S a good combination!

We all had lunch together at *STAX* inside the Opryland Hotel.

And man, do they ever STACK it!

And this was after I had eaten THIS for breakfast.....

 Yeh, it was fabulous!

My daughter monogrammed an apron for Sibi...

Pearls and all!

After The Pearl Event.....

Hubs and I went with our friends to The Grand Ole Opry!

Allison Krauss and Brad Paisley were there

........along with Charlie Daniels' Band and several others.
It was such a fun ending to a wonderful day!

Sunday morning we visited our friends at their ADORABLE cabin in the woods.

We also got to see the fabulous town of Franklin, TN.
I want to go back just to spend more time there!!!!

Thank you Nashville.
 We LOVED your city!

The Pearl Event Part 1

Do you read Sibi's blog.....

Pearls and Grace ???

If you don't, you are missing God's grace for your life in a BIG way.

I've been reading Sibi's blog for maybe four years.

For four years I've watched her have babies. I've seen her reach out to single moms, and try to mend relationships in her family. I've read about her heartache and the redemption of her soul. I've seen the pictures of her gorgeous family and learned that her heart beats for newborn babies. I've heard about a husband who is EXACTLY what Sibi needed.

And then.

I saw she was hosting The Pearl Event in Nashville, Tn. 

I hit purchase in my Paypal account. 

I had no idea how it would happen that I would have that weekend free....

and be able to work it out to go. 

But,

God did.

And this past weekend I found myself there.

Along with Edie, Paige, Sibi, Sarah, Jane and Brittany.

And can I just tell you, God did not disappoint.

Like, duh, did I think He would? :)

Edie is funny and tiny and has beautiful *smoky eyes.* 

She is eclectic and fabulous. Smart and committed. 

She is a go-getter and makes some to-die for chocolate chip cookies. 

Edie is very well read....a C.S. Lewis fan!

Her story will challenge you to trust the Lord. 

He proved His faithfulness time and time again to her family.

She has some incredibly talented teens and two adorable little girls who have the gift of their mom home-teaching them.

 Paige and I could be friends. 

She is as down to earth as can be with a graciousness to go with it.

Her four girls mean the world to her and when they are in pictures, you can hardly tell the mom from the daughters. Good grief she looks young! Paige has a love story that could be a book. She must be one incredible woman. She has had two men adore her. Paige is a nurse who is now stretching herself in a new venture to support the oppressed through a new business. She is humorous and looks great...even without  SPANX! :)

Sarah got me. 

Her story made me cry.

It made me thankful.

It made me know I can handle the hard things.

Sarah is Miss America gorgeous, 

but her soul....

It's even more beautiful.

She is so well spoken and points to Jesus in a way that makes me want Him....

....even more than I already do.

There is a crown for Sarah.....actually, there are two of them....

waiting with Jesus for their mommy.

Jane.

Heartbreak Brokenness.

Loneliness...to the tenth degree.
Then Jesus.
Jane is a *professional pray-er*....:)
I'd sure want her in my corner!
You should have seen her sister.
I had a bird's eye view of her from my seat.
If there was any healing to be done there.....it's already been done.
The love was so evident.
Jane is amazing.

 Love her sister's simple gesture of touch.


The praise and worship was AMAZING!
Brittany Nelson blessed us with her words and her voice.
WOW!
Her spirit is PRECIOUS, and it's so evident when you stand in the presence of her singing.
Brittany has a new CD.
Buy it.
You'll like it. :)
And, good grief, LOOK at her!!!!

I can't say enough about the blessing of this past weekend.
These ladies were the hands and feet of Jesus.
.....and that's saying a lot.

What A Great Birthday Weekend!

Today is my birthday.

Hubs treated me to a wonderful weekend in Nashville, TN!

Let me back up.....

I lost some diamonds in my original engagement ring about ten years ago.

AND, my wedding bands had gotten too tight.

As we left for our trip Friday morning, hubs put a Michael Buble' CD in and handed me THIS:

 He had had my original engagement ring rebuilt and the missing diamonds replaced.
And, he had the bands re-sized.

 A brand new one would not have made me happier.
 I love that I can wear the one that made me his wife back in 1975.

Then, we headed to Nashville, TN to The Pearl Event.

We stayed at The Opryland Hotel. Woke up to this view (from our room) each morning:

Gorgeous!

The Pearl Event deserves a post of its own.

Tomorrow I will show and tell!

Thank you HUBS, for a fabulous birthday weekend! 


You are one great husband. 


Thank you for making my birthday a special one.

 

Snow White

Snow White folded her first full load of laundry all by herself!

Think she was proud????

The Boys!

These three boys have my heart. One day I want each of them to say

"I am Nonny's favorite."

Thank you Jesus, for the blessing of these grandsons.