What a game!

Ok so it took me a day to compose myself enough to write about Saturday's game. I know there will be some out there that just think I am a bit over the top about this whole football thing, but hey I am who I am.

I was so excited about Josh's first tackle game, nervous for him and just wanting it to be here and see what happened. So you know that fantasy world you live in for your kids, come on you know the dreams you have for them....the ones where it is the perfect moment and it all plays out in slow motion. That one where he is winning the Pulitzer prize, or getting his doctrine...or scoring the winning touchdown. Just insert your own little fantasy dream here.

Well most of my thoughts about his first game were, I just hope he has fun and plays well, remembers his plays, (he has 6 to remember). Hoping he wouldn't fumble, or get hurt. Then the other side of the brain had this dream of him getting the ball and sweeping out to the right and running for a touchdown. Ahhhhh to dream it is good!

For those dreams to happen right in front of you is FRIGIN AWESOME!!!

Opening play the hand off is to Josh, he sweeps right....makes the turn....runs down the sideline......HE





MAY



GO



ALL



THE



WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!



Yep I got a picture of him as he broke thru and got to about the 40 yard line(He started at the 50 yard line) and then it was hands up in the air and camera up in the air as I cheered for my son and yelled RUN JOSH RUN!!!!

As that little tear came down my cheek, all I could do was stand there and watch as his teammates all came down piling on him and high 5s were everywhere. All I could see was his smile shining thru his helmet as they all ran to the sideline together. I get choked up just writing about it still. As I sit here all alone and just see him running down that sideline, I know that he is only 7 years old and I love him every day of his little life, and I know he is a superstar.....but he was a superstar today for everyone else to see. And nothing else could put a bigger smile on my face then to see him being the shining star even if it is for one moment.

Josh had such a great day, he played alot, it was SOOOOOOOO Hot! He went on to score another TD in the 2nd Quarter and he also had 2 sacks. He was in on almost every tackle for the 1st half also. 2nd half they didn't run to his side so much!

The WHOLE team was just amazing, watching these little guys practice for 3 weeks/4 nights a week we really didn't know they were going to kick it up a notch and play like they did. They were holding back a bit! I loved how they all were a TEAM, and they all worked together. They ended up scoring 4 TDs and Qtown didn't get any. We don't keep score on the scoreboard at this level, but believe me these kids knew the score.

Josh called Grandma & Grandpa, Grandma , and Uncle Steve. It was so fun to listen to him telling each of them about his game.

Below is some of my favorite shots from the game of Josh. I took 190 Photos (after editing) of the game and the parents were so happy with the shots I got of their kids.

It is here................

Football season!! Wahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I just love it, time to get the telephoto lens out and take 100 pictures in the span of 2 hours! I got a little giddy today knowing on Saturday at noon I will get to watch my son take the field and finally get to play his first game of the season. He has been practicing for 3 weeks, 4 nights a week to get to this day. I have been so impressed with Josh on the field. He has blown me away this year. Believe me that wasn't an easy thing to do.....when it comes to football I have very high expectations, I really want him to have fun, and just give his coaches the respect they deserve. All I ask him is to give it 100% at all times, ( the same I expect from him with everything he takes on).

Josh and I have had lots of conversations this summer, he is a very smart boy. He knows how to charm you, he listens to EVERYTHING, and he analyzes alot. Sometimes he will hear something and in a few hours he will come to you with questions that will blow your mind.

Of course then other times, he is a 7 year old "man in training" This is where you just throw your hands up in the air and realize somethings come pre wired for boys and there is just nothing you can do about it. Moms of boys know exactly what I am talking about!!

Tomorrow night we are going to opening night for the Greenjackets and watching the 135lb team play under the lights at the field. It should be lots of fun and Josh is so excited to go and see some tackle football in person. He will probably be analyzing the plays and watching the running backs and what they do. He will be the Running back on Saturday and also the Safety or corner on the defense. He looks so handsome in his uniform.

Now for the fear part....as always there is that little thing in the back of my heart and mind that also will be squinting and worrying when someone goes to tackle Josh. That is going to be the hard part for me this year. He enjoys tackling so much, and I have never let him know how I worry just a bit every night, but I know more on game day. This isn't going to be his teammates hitting him, these are kids that don't know him, except that he is the "other team" the "enemy" .

So here is to FOOTBALL SEASON! Bring it on!

Rock on......

That is what ya gotta do! I just look at this picture and it makes me smile.
It makes me think of what a great childhood Josh is having.
It makes me smile to know this.
It makes me happy to have friends like Julie.
It makes me giddy to know they love music , as much as I do.
Pictures are great for the eyes, heart and soul.
Scrapbooking rocks, it has changed my life.
It only takes a simple picture like this to remind me of this.
So Rock On!! Keep Scrapping and keep taking pictures!

fun to celebrate

Proud owners of memory lane, pa

It is fun to celebrate something that you work so hard at day in and day out.

I got to do that this weekend as the store I co-own had its second anniversary of opening on Aug 19, 2005.

2 years seemed to go by very fast. I sometimes can't believe it has been 2 years, when you are in the day in and day out it doesn't seem to move that fast. When you are there 5 or 6 days a week it just seems like each day comes and goes. Then it has been 730 days later and you are celebrating 24 months of your life.

It has been an interesting 2 years. Scrapbooking is a wonderful sport and I love it so much. That is the one factor that keeps you going each day, the love of it.

As I reflect back over the past 2 years, there are great times. Every time someone walks in the store and is so happy to be there. Every time someone tells me how important the store is to them. Every time someone says it is the best scrapbook store they have ever been to. (never get tired of that one).

It is a labor of love also. This weekend I missed my family, I don't like to be away from them on the weekends. The weekends are our time to be together. With Kate's schedule during the week and leaving at about 5 am and coming home around 8 pm, doesn't leave us much family time. Everyone has their own stories about how hard it is, whatever they may be doing. I know intellectually that I am doing what I want to do right now. But the heart doesn't always follow the mind in that department. My heart just missed my two loves this weekend.

So tomorrow will be one of my last two Mondays of summer with Josh. We are going to hang out, play some Yahtzee and have some fun. I can't believe school starts in 2 weeks. He is going into 2nd grade, it just doesn't seem possible.

A big thank you goes out to all the ladies that came and spent some or all of the weekend with us at the store. It was great to be in the crop room just listening to the the laughter and all the great girlfriend time going on.

Mr. Football

It is amazing how much Josh is growing thru his sports. He is becoming such a leader and developing great listening skills. The coaches are all so impressed with him and they can't say enough great things to Kate and I about him. I can also see what it is doing for him. He is just beaming with pride and also just wants to do better every day. I like the respect I see in him and the manners, it is like everything we have been trying to teach him in the last 7 years has finally caught up to him and he gets it. I know there are also days where I just throw up my hands in the air and wonder where did that boy go I was just talking about. But for now I will ride this train!

In not so good news Kate is at the ER right now, she is having such a hard time breathing. She has been on medication for everything this year and is just not getting any better. I am so worried. I hate to see her coughing all the time and she is just worn out. She has no energy. So with a little push she is at the ER trying to get in for a breathing treatment. It is crazy but that is the only way to get one. When she called the doctor today they told her to go. I am hoping this will help and she will start healing. It is so stressful, I am a worrier anyway, so when I really have something to worry about it is just worse. So if you can send good thoughts her way , Thanks!

Peace....do you acheive it?

Tackling!

That is what it is all about right now. Learning how to tackle. Josh is in the #40 shirt. He is getting the hang of this quite well. I think all the wrestling has helped him. Some of these kids are having a harder time, but they will all eventually get it.

I really love how the coaches are with all the kids on our team. They have a great approach, very positive with the kids, rewarding all the right things. Teaching them how to do what they need to do. It is so important to have those type of coaches in your sons life.

So that is about all there is in the Stillings house going on. Football 4 nights a week, not much room for anything else right now. By the time Friday night rolls around we are ready for a night of sitting and watching a movie. I asked Josh last night if he would like a pj day on Sunday and there was a shriek for joy.

Some crazy summer days this year, I can't believe it is August 9th and in just over 3 weeks the school year will be here. That is just crazy!

S.A.V.E. .....the name says it all!

WOW!!!
I could have named my company that this weekend!

I did name it S.A.V.E. , and love it.
Scrappin Away Vacation Events, every time I look back at how that all started I get a little teary eyed.


Every time I think...why do I do this?


It is alot of work....is it worth it?


Do I keep doing it?


All I have to do is spend a weekend with 90-220 woman and know that I am doing the right thing.


Just hearing how important these weekends are to these ladies, how they look forward to these all year. How much they thank me for putting it all together so they just have to pack up and come and crop. These are the reasons I do this.



Altho exhausting I want to give a big shout out to all the girls that helped me this weekend, Trish, Deena, Connie, Patti, Shirley, and Stuffie!! I couldn't have done it without you this weekend thanks for all your hard work!



Here are a few visuals from the weekend. Thanks for all the friends pictures. I know there are more out there but these are the ones I had on my camera.





Julie and me
Deb and me
Denise and me
Kate and Josh dancing! So glad they came up for Saturday and Sunday!
Nancy, myself and Bridget ( Nancy you are looking great, it is your year!)
The Gang, (well those who came out for the photo gang) So fun!!

Who said cute isn't cool!

There comes a time in every boys life that you have to watch how much you use the word cute around them.

I have just been told that would by at 7 1/2!

BUT .....BUT.....I don't care that he will be smashing into other boys, or that he will be grunting and snarling.....

I don't care how many push ups he does, or how many times I hear the smashing of the pads....

He is still CUTE!!! Cute as a button, even behind that helmet I can see his blue eyes and that wonderful smile.

Yep the tallest bobble head on the team!

I just love this game, I love the gleam in Josh's eye, I love when he tells me tonight after 2 hours of practice..." I can't wait till tomorrow nights practice" "Football practice is the best thing in my life right now" I know that he loves everything he does, but he is truly in the moment that is football. I love that we share a passion for the game, he loves to sit and watch it on Sundays with me and that is beyond special to me.

Ok I know by season end you will have heard enough about football, but that is one thing I love to talk about, FOOTBALL!!

So I am outta here for the weekend, it is time for Scrappin Away Vacation time, 4 days and another wonderful time ahead. It is alot of work to put this together, get the store packed up and get it all to come together, but again love it! It was a bit harder this year as I am not fully recouped from last weekend yet....but I will get thru this, maybe even get some things created and I know the energy of the wonderful woman at the event will get me through! That and a few cups of caffeine a day!!

Exhaustion never felt so good.

Seems weird but it is so true.
All the preparing before, the setting up of the booth and then the actual show and it is gone in a flash it seems.
My eyelids were hurting as I sat at the store on Saturday night putting in the last of the orders from the convention. When midnight rolled around and that task was finished, I then drove the rental truck back, got an ice cold drink at Wawa and headed home. Collapsed on the couch and didn't awaken till morning.
Finally 2 days later and still feeling it a bit. But the best part...I have renewed energy inside.

It is hard to go thru the day in day out of owning a business. It can get to you in the summer months when it is a bit slower then the rest of the year. It seems no one is scrapbooking. The crop room is not buzzing with creativity as much as usual.

The remedy is GO to a Scrapbooking Convention!!!
Run don't walk, the hobby is alive. People are excited about what you have to offer, they are thirsty for creative mojo. They are happy, they want to talk about scrapbooking. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Now to get ready for a great weekend again, with 90 woman ready to get in a room and create for 4 days straight. Ready to have girlfriend time, to be inspired even more. Life is good!!

A HUGE, BIG , wonderful thanks to all that helped out this weekend, each of you made it even more special. People couldn't say enough good things about how much our customers and workers love mlpa and how they take pride that this is THEIR local scrapbook store. That just makes me beam! So rock on you ROCKSTARS!!! You know who you are!

Champion Day!

This group of boys won the championship yesterday at the "Battle in the mountains" A team tourney. There were 7 teams there, and our guys as a team defeated each of them. All the other teams lost to at least one team. Josh did two exhibition matches, losing his first by a score of 4-3 and then winning his 2nd in a PIN!

One thing I was so impressed with, with these boys on the Weaver elite team, is no matter who you are, your ability or how you did on the mat....they all were there for one another as a TRUE team. They have been learning...not only have they been learning wrestling moves so they can be better wrestlers, these coaches have been teaching them sooooooooo much more.

I know as a sports parent we are sometimes looked at as someone who just brags about our child winning awards, and this is so far from the truth. That is the end result that you see us talk about, but the road to someone becoming a champion is so much more to me. I love the growth, the maturity and the ideals that Josh has been developing thru these sports. I have a little boy that is not only taught those values at home, but also it is reinforced out there by his coaches.

I would pull Josh out of a place where I didn't see this in the coach, and actually have already confronted a coach that I didn't agree with. I will always be the one looking out for Josh.

So it was a great day, long ....but at the end of the day when we were down 2-1 in the last match and the young boy turned it around and got 3 points for Weaver Elite...As I saw each one of our boys jumping up with the excitement they had....it was a great day to be a witness to.

Thanks!

that was nice of all of you to stop by and wish us well on our anniversary! I really smiled as I read each one!
It really makes me warm and fuzzy whenever I know a friend is celebrating another year in a healthy loving relationship. It is a rare thing these days.

I have pulled up Kate's comment from the other day...cause it was the first time she has ever commented on my blog and I just was so proud of her!

Well I guess this is the moment you need one of those cute card that says "You know you work to many hours when: You forget what July 18th means (when asked I say it is not August 20th the day we meet so don't I get some points????When you call a coworker your son's name and his name is Joe not Josh oops!At least I did not do it to Mr. Bolgari (Bolivia sp? watches and Italian jewelry) who I met today in NY.When you mostly talk to your partner on the cell phone (not that it has not kept us in touch lately)Honey I love you and our life is so busy I too enjoy the few weekends our even the few hours we get to spend together!Love you and Happy 9th anniversary

Well it is Friday...long day here , Josh to camp, then it is off to the store from 10 am - 9 pm tonight. The joys of ownership, some days are long! The back room is filling up with boxes ready to go to CK Convention next week. My lists are growing tho, there is alot to do. Now it is down to finishing touches such as signs and the details that will mess you up if I don't take care of them.

This weekend is Josh's tourney in the Poconos. Sunday morning have him there at 8 am! It will be a great day to watch the Weaver team wrestle and hopefully the boys will do well. We will be spending time with our friends the Rush's so I know the day will be fun!

Well time to go pay some bills, get the day going and make today a better day! Have a wonderful weekend....and keep the drama in the T.V.

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Remember this honey?

Even tho you didn't remember today was our anniversary....(well till I gave you big hints yesterday), I still love ya!

Hey after 9 years the memory starts to fade....that is why we have pictures and why I scrapbook! So when we can't remember, we can!

Seriously tho....9 years!! I knew 10 years ago and still know today, I got lucky! I made the right choice, and I am so glad I didn't let you slink out of this. My shy shy girl!

What a wonderful day it was July 18th, 1998....well it ended up wonderful anyway. That is the day I got to marry my best friend!

After the limo never showed up, the flowers were late, the guest were late and we even had open bar before the ceremony...everything was wonderful. We got to kick our shoes off in the dunes, get married barefoot on the beach and make our commitments to one another.

Fast forward 9 years, we have a wonderful son that we are raising together, 2 dogs and a home. Your career is ever growing and I am so proud of you. I am an owner of a scrapbooking retreat company and a co-owner in a retail scrapbooking store. How much more boring could we get!!!

I love our boring life, I love that we are a family, and that there is enough love to get thru the rough spots. Anyone can do it when everything is going great, but few survive the rough spots.

So my dear I raise my glass and clink to you today...I love you so much!

Sometimes you find goodness in your email...Thanks Shirley!

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots; each hung on the ends of a pole
which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and
always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot
arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only
one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable
that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the
woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in
my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of
the path, but not on the other pot's side?"

"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower
seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water
them."

"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate
the table.

Without your being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to
grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each
have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good
in them.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell
the flowers on your side of the path!

It's Monday again!

I feel like I haven't stopped.

Kate went for her sleep study last night, good news is she doesn't have to get the c pac thing. Bad news is the "snoring" will probably not get any better till the surgery in Oct to scrape out her sinus area and get rid of the scar tissue and polyps.

So I haven't seen her since 8 pm last night.

But we had a wonderful no frills weekend.

Saturday we got up at no appointed time, no where to go and nothing to do. I remember when I would have been so bored with that, but now I cherish those kind of days so much!

We did go and see the new Harry Potter film....it was great as the other 4 have been. Josh and I also decided to watch all the other 4 on DVD this weekend. It was fun to watch them again and see somethings I hadn't seen before. Also realized I had missed the 2nd one all together...no wonder I was lost a little!! So as Josh said it was a "Harry" weekend.

Now I did the movie watching doing some cleaning in my crop room....boy did it need it! I had just piled things in there, thrown things in there. I had enough daisy bags to supply the store again! But now it is all organized for the most part. I actually even scrapped about 3 pages over the weekend. A few finishing touches and I should be able to share soon.
I actually committed to scrapping some pictures that I had cropped about 3 years ago. I used to be a chronological scrapper... pre The Big Picture Book by Stacy Julian. I have pulled these pictures out a few times and just put them back. Well this weekend I finally pulled them out and put them on a page. It looks nothing like what I had in mind when I cropped them, but it was fun to see where I have gone since then.

Sunday was all about being together, but everyone doing their own thing too. Kate and I both took time out of our things to do things with Josh. Still dealing with a little bit of an attitude when Mom... aka ME , beats him at anything. Kate is actually not that great at alot of games so Josh can usually beat her. He would rather do that then play me alot of times.

So wrestling camp today then the bank, grocery store and home to fix dinner. Hopefully Kate will make it home so I can go get my hair cut.

It was a wonderful weekend, I miss my family....even tho we are together almost everyday, I miss these kinda weekends.

ahhhhhhh....a weekend at home.

no not that weekend! ( altho those colors are screaming to be scrapbooked!)

Today I am going to get in my scraproom,

well as soon as I move a few things!

Yes today I am going to clean up and put

things away. Then I am going to mess it

all up again! But in a good way, I am going

to do some creating. I can not wait to get

some of the thoughts and designs I have for

pages down on paper. I am very excited.

Need to print some pictures.

I don't know about you, but I feel a little bit

of depression creep in when I don't get to

create for a while, I have to admit here I also

get a little jealous of people that are creating,

when I can't find the time to create.

The next few weeks, are going to be even

crazier then they have been already. With

CKC ( a scrapbooking convention) that we are

teaching at and vendoring, then S.A.V.E. weekend,

there will not be much time for creating. So I am

taking full advantage of today and tommorrow.

I will hopefully have some layouts to post next blog.

Kate, Josh and I will find a few hours today to go and

see the New Harry Potter film, can't wait for that one!

So what are you doing this weekend, or not doing!?

Car conversation

Josh: Mom, I want to work hard enough to get a Gold Medal

Mom: That is a great goal

Josh: Do they have them for Kids?

Mom: Not for wrestling, but you could work for State champion till then.

Josh: Then that is what I am going to do.

ETA:
I had to run out this morning but wanted to get that part written down.
Josh was at wrestling camp and Bobby Weaver the Olympic Gold medalist in 1984 Olympics was there teaching. Josh has been in the Weaver Elite training camp since May and just loves it.
Well on this day Mr. Weaver had brought the DVD of his Olympic Gold match and they showed it to the kids at lunch time. It had quite an impact on Josh, as per our car conversation.
Then this morning he had set his alarm and was up and ready to go, actually asking me if we could get going, because he would like to be early today.

I just love his passion and fire for this. I know he is 7 years old and that he may change his mind about a million more times before he decides what he wants out of life, but then again he might not change his mind either. I am always proud of him win, lose or draw. As long as he attacks everything he does with total commitment and does his best, that is all I ask.

I am actually getting better at practicing what I preach on that front too. I am hard on myself and feel I have to do everything perfect. I am trying to teach myself how to accept that not everything I do may be perfect, if I do it to my best then I have done it well. Also have to practice that more with people in my life. I am trying to get better.

I am learning everyday .

some leftovers....

How frigin cute is that! I love what you can find at the dollar store sometimes.

and we are back home! I love being back home...it is just wonderful to be back to our very boring lifes. Well boring in the way of no drama, just the 5 of us (yes we include the 2 dogs).

Always great to see friends, but there is nothing like the security and love of our little family.

I don't have to wonder how much love I have from these two people. I can always get a hug and they both make me laugh more then anyone else can.

Today I took a little more time for Josh and I before hitting the grind tomorrow.

Josh started Wrestling camp today and he did so great. I really love the passion I see in him for this sport. It is amazing to watch this grow. He just smiles and loves learning, and there is alot to learn in this sport. It is amazing to me how much.

So we hung out today after camp at the local pool and it was a wonderful couple hours, since it was almost 100 degrees today and we don't have central air, it was a welcome cooling off.

Not much else going on here...needing sometime to get in my scrap studio, and undo the bomb that went off in there.....I need to find that person that keeps messing up my studio and hurt her!!

the end is near!

The Mission: To win the Giant prizes in the games.
Time for the "Trade UP "

I think Josh is ready......but Kate does win!

Ahhhhhhhh! Margaritas!!!

Happy feet! Hermit crabs, prizes and smiles!

Saying goodbye to Rehoboth Beach!

The Booty! They all worked together to win the prizes!

I kinda missed this, our cuddle time. Having his buddies here all week there wasn't alot of this. Oh they grow up too darn fast. I always knew I wanted him to have buddies at the shore, and hopefully there will always be one that can come down for the week at Rehoboth. So you can feel it in the air, our last full day is here. It is sad in away, because it is just so great to relax and chill and just not have any plans....just letting the day happen. It is also a happy day, I look forward to going home seeing Cody and Cricket....being in our home back to just "us". I miss having my scraproom right around the corner, I like to have that near me. I feel a little creative mojo coming and hopefully I can stick to my plan and actually make sometime to do this. Again with the balance thing....I will get there.

So as I sign off from Rehoboth for another year. I have to say this was a pretty cool week. We had lots of people come and go. Last night just the 6 of us were sitting here and we all felt the house was so empty. It was funny. Can't wait till next year, it is so great to have this to look forward to!

Happy 5th!

The biggest wiener on the beach at the Purple Parrot

Nothing like riding a good wave!

Awesome dude!

The bike ride home.

Monkeys!

Awesome summer memories!

Grandma and Josh!

Connie and the boys!

We had a little scare that our fireworks might get rained out.

We have been coming to RB for 8 years now and never had that happen, so we were holding out hope. Well we watched another great fireworks show!!

Today we hung out at the house, then went to the beach later in the afternoon, the waves were awesome and the boys got some boogie boarding in. The wind was so wicked, after getting sandblasted a few times we decided to go on the boardwalk , and the boys played some mi nature golf. Then it was home for a BBQ and back to the beach later for the fireworks.

Connie and the boys are enjoying their time with us, and we love having them. I think the boys are sad they are leaving tomorrow, but we have already lined up a few play dates over the summer for all of them.

I have enjoyed watching Josh with the twins, they have all got together so well. It makes me sad sometimes knowing he will not have a sibling. So I am glad to know he will have great friends, and I hope these two boys stay in his life for a very long time.

I am in such vacation mode. I haven't even called the store this week, that is a major thing for me. I know Christina is probably laughing at me right now. I have tried to be good, cause I know when I get back in there on Tuesday it is going to be non stop for the next 2 months. We have so much planned.

Well it is time to go and set up for the beach, have some thrasher's fries and maybe a visit to the Candy Kitchen.

Land and Sea

That's what it is all about today! A little water, and a little sand makes for a wonderful day.

I was so very lazy today, no focus just sitting staring into space most of it.

My dear friend Jen Rubeo did have her baby on July 3rd at around 4:30 am! A little boy has come into the world and I can't wait to meet him.

I had my visit to Lazy Susans last night for my annual birthday dinner. ( oh yeah another one!)

The crab was delish as usual and I had fun teaching Kordell how to eat it and get to the sweet meat of the crab. I might have to be careful with this one...he was eating it as fast as he could get it out of the shell.

It is raining here this morning...hope it clears for the fireworks on the beach tonight. 8 years we have been coming here for the 4th of July and we have never been rained out.

Looks like an Outlet day today....got to have one good shopping day. I am sure it won't thrill the boys much, but they will survive.

Is it 5 o'clock yet?

wonderful....only begins the story

I just have to say, to have true true friends in your life is more then a blessing! The type of friend that is there for you ALL the time! Not just when they need you, not just when it is convenient for them. No that friend that will laugh with you when you need to laugh, listen to you when something goes wrong...even if it is not as bad as you think it is. But they will be there with you and say "that sucks!" That friend that you can do just about anything with, that friend that laughs with you, thinks you are funny, even when you aren't.
I got to spend two great days with that gal this weekend! Trish and I met 5 years ago and our friendship has been growing ever since. I have watched Trish grow, and I have been there for some of the rough times in her life. She has been there for me when I need to talk. We have had more times then I can remember that we just did sit down on the floor and laugh till we cryed and our bellies hurt!! We had some more great times this weekend, and got some time for us to just walk around Rehobotoh beach and enjoy some shopping. I loved showing her the town I call home once a year for a week. I loved that she loved it so much she pouted having to leave! I called her this morning and I think she was on the Internet looking for a hotel room for thurs and friday!!
I miss ya Trish!
In other beach news..the boys are just having the time of their lives right now. They have played, ate and slept their days away and can't get enough. I love it when they crash at night knowing they have given it a FULL day.
Did a little photo shot for Trish and her family, got some real keepers in the bunch!
Ok it is 5:00 HERE.....so *clink, clink*