Ahhhhhh.......a LONG weekend!

Just something about having a 3 day weekend....I plan, make my list, add to it tons of times and am determined to go back to work on Tuesday feeling accomplished, lol.

But who can pass up taking a break and heading here -

this is definitely one of my favorite places to go.  Last year we didn't take the canoe out once and although we are getting a late start, we have gone twice in one week.  Yay me!

You just never know what you are going to see - maybe a few loons -

some dragon flies (humping at that, haha) -

how about a doe? -

But the most exciting time is when I hear that train 'a comin' round the bend!

We went there the other night and actually saw three trains....THAT was a good night =)

Paddling makes us just a little hungry so off to our fav Shepherdstown restaurant -

The salmon is awesome!

So I'd say that our first day of the three day weekend wasn't too shabby, ha!

Cookies, Brownies, Breads, Pies.....OH MY!

Yep!  The goods were lined up -

The sheets were handed out -

And the auctioneer started us off -

Cierra's club went 3rd -

And who purchased their basket?!  Ahhhhh  All Inclusive Expertise, LLC -

Pretty cool Thank You card by Robert Tuckwiller -

And I can't think of anything better to snack on laying in bed, watching TV, LOL!

Because......It's his first day as a Jr. in high school -

Her first day as a Freshman in college -

Her day to watch -

Her big sister in the tractor pull -

NOPE!  It wasn't too shabby, huh?!

It was a 1996....

It was August 12th.... (because Ronnie did NOT want a child born on the 13th)
It was the day the child we prayed so hard for was to arrive.

NOT -  She really wanted to be born on the 13th.  Ronnie's 'unlucky' number, hehe....

But she was perfect.  Our prayers had been answered.  Today we feel the same, if not stronger.

Cierra Jade - Happy 18th birthday.  You continue to make us proud to be your parents.  We love you very much.  We wish you all the best in whatever you set your mind to.  Have a great day!

xoxo  Mom and Daddy

Hope -

Wineries are known to get ‘bad wrap’. They are fun. There is alcohol. It’s what people do on the weekends. Ok. I get it. But, I have to tell you that over the past several years since we have been ‘hitting a few’ from time to time have met some really great people. Have found some really cool places. AND I say it all the time but EVERY winery has a story.

A few years ago on a Friday evening, we stopped by Doukenie in Hillsboro. We hadn’t been there before so wanted to do a tasting. Unfortunately they don’t do tastings on Friday night. Hmmm.. so we chose a bottle of Mandolin based on the employee’s description and it was very good.

While there, we noticed an older lady, full of spunk walking around, greeting the customers. That’s when we met Hope –

We hadn’t been back for a while but a month of so ago, went on a Friday evening (they are open til 9 yay!) and had a great time Everyone was very personable and even broke the rules by letting us taste a few =)

Two weeks ago, we went back. Todd Brooks was playing and he is AWESOME! The place was packed so we ended up inside. This caught my eye –

And ya’all know how much I love books. Books with meaning. Stories of people’s lives that I feel like I know. We bought the book and Saturday morning in between chores, I read it. Wow. This woman is awesome. Her Mom’s name is Doukenie. Her life has been full of challenges and this is somewhat of a memoir. Some of her favorite sayings, she talks about her children and her grandchildren, she talks about her husband of 52 years that died a few years ago and she talks about how she once again is playing the piano. She named her golf cart, computer and piano. Such a unique, inspiring person.

 Anyway, it was one I couldn’t put down and it just goes to show that good people open wineries. Good people keep the good coming. And, it’s not always bad to enjoy local wines, meet great people and relax for a while. Just sayin’…..

Happy, Happy Anniversary -

To my sister and bro-in-law!  THIRTY FIVE years - awesome!

What a fund day that was back in 2010.  I hope you have a wonderful anniversary =)

The hills of Cumberland -

Chase participated in the Soap Box Derby for hmmmm 4 or 5 years, winning two of the Ray Miller Memorial races which allowed him to advance to Akron, Ohio.  

Once there, it was clear that Cumberland was in the top ranks for participants and winning cars.  Now that I've been to Cumberland, I can certainly see why.  There are soooo many hills to practice on.  I'm not sure where they have their actual race because I am not certain we could find that 'perfect' hill from a grade and smooth perspective but.....they obviously did.  

Anyway, this picture was hanging in The Bruce House.  It is a really cool pic and took me back to those days.  

Chase has certainly kept us entertained through the years =)

Maybe one day Kayden, Brooklyn or Kendall will want to run.....I'm sure Poppy would be willing to help with building the car, ha!

I think this was her first SBD =)

And Kayden's Daddy even knows how to line the streets for safety, LOL!

Speaking of the Soap Box Derby - we went to see this guy today in the hospital =(

He played a key role in Chase's involvement in the sport and says he's getting better every day but definitely has a long road ahead of him.  He had a 'cart' accident at Summit Point Speedway on June 28th.  Keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

Welp - that's all for now.  Check back tomorrow....

Happy, HAPPY Birthday!

I'm pretty sure this is our 13th birthday celebration with you and I'm VERY sure you are going to be mad but......

I will never forget the day J brought you to meet me at work in this -

And when I hugged you, you totally smelled like fumes =)

But you always went right along with tons of pictures on our vacations, even the very first =)

And through the years you have become very photogenic, ha!

We hope you have a wonderful day filled with all the fun stuff you enjoy =)

ORGANIZED...

PERFECT....
LOVE IT!

So, getting old definitely presents challenges.  Like....I can't remember if i have a certain color, haha!.  And since luckily I haven't changed in size, that means I end up with a lot of tank tops/camis....LOL.

But, I recently saw something that sparked me to get organized -

So....this looked really cool but the hooks were VERY expensive.  So, at Ronnie's request I searched Amazon.com and found 150 for $16.00 - ha!

And now, I can find exactly what color i need PRONTO =)  Gotta love Facebook and Pinterest.

Signs -

Anyone remember that song....Signs by Tesla?  I used to love that song, lol.

And, I always find it funny to see the sign as you exit Ocean City that says California 3,000 (or something like that) miles.

This sign caught my eye a few months ago so the last time we went through town I had Ronnie stop so I could take a picture.  

Yep, Boonsboro, Shepherdstown, Frederick, Williamsport, Hagerstown, Washington DC, and then of course - Midsomer, England just 3,804 miles away =)