Scenes from Sunday -

This is the first weekend so far this Spring/Summer that I haven't had ANYTHING to do. And, better yet....there was no rain!

I was able to spend some much needed, quality time thinking, napping, getting my priorities straight, reading, laying by the pool, floating in the crystal clear, blue water, planning our upcoming trip this week and sipping on lemonade, ha!

Today I decided to take my camera out to capture the all the beauty around me.

It was Bike West Virginia day -

I am not kidding when I say thousands of bicycles went by our house (there's an advantage to living on the corner, by the road).

My flowers are lookin' pretty good -

Scanlon always enjoys going across the lane, into the woods -

The birds were singing - And then suddenly I noticed something overhead. It was soaring.  It was graceful.  It was moving slowly, peacefully.  A buzzard?  A goose?  I thought for sure it looked like a bald eagle!

So I took some pictures and sure enough, it is!  Ronnie will be sorry he missed the show =)  As it turned out, my neighbor pointed out that there were actually three eagles flying overhead.  Very cool.

But I can't neglect to show you this lady that catches my eye every time!

I always think it is our neighbor, lol. (where's her pants?! Steve?)

The clouds eventually appeared but that was ok with me.  There's still laundry to be done, dinner to be started and of course figuring out the final touches to our anniversary excursion.  I'm just a little bit excited!

Two days then off we go - yippee!

I hope you all had a great weekend and this coming week is exactly what you want it to be =)

This would be the week that....

the house would be quiet.  Dinners would be for two.  No one to say 'good night to'.  Everything stays in order.  The grocery bill is lighter.  And, packages would be sent to two campers.

That's right.  If this were like the past three years, Chase and Cierra would be at 4H camp.  Chase had a ball tournament at the Cal Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen and Cierra decided to not attend this year in hopes of being a counselor next year.  With that in mind, this week is just like any other week and that's ok with us.

4H has played an important part in Cierra's growth.  She doesn't hesitate to speak in front of groups, volunteers to help out and looks forward to conducting the club meetings as "president".

So when the application came to sign up to be a counselor for Bud Day, she filled it out on her own and mailed back.  Not long after, this arrived -

Then the day came -  her group was the Kangaroos -

And boy there was a lot of kids!

But more importantly the recognition and thanks she received.  Wow, a simple Thank you! goes a long way.

Nice job Cierra - we are very proud!

Happy Birthday WV!

I am a TRUE West Virginian!

I have lived here my WHOLE life (actually within a 10 mile radius), ha!

I have been called a hillbilly, redneck, and everything else that goes along with those of us that live across the river =)

I have even joked about being married to my cousin (J/K) but I must admit that I am proud of my hometown and state. 

So here's to you WV! Happy, Happy Birthday!

Happy Father's Day - 2012

To my DAD!

and to my HUSBAND!

 who are of course, by far my favorite Dad's!

And I'm not thinking either of them would complain about a Dale Jr. win on Father's Day, ha!

a college baseball game -

or a nice dinner here -

and it just gets better with two days of baseball here -

Yep, Chase's ball team is in Aberdeen, MD playing in a tournament at the Cal Ripken Stadium.  Fun, fun!

I hope all the Dad's out there had a wonderful day yesterday!

Wordless Wednesday -

Minnesota? Really?

Minnesota is not one of those places Ronnie and I have ever contemplated relocating to.  But.....maybe it's not such a bad place June, July and August, ha!

I had the opportunity to send a few hours out on Lake Minnetonka and boy was it BEAUTIFUL!

And, within those few hours, I saw so many beautiful homes.  I can't rattle off whose is whose but several famous people were mentioned, including the Pillsbury family!

Check out this Sailing School -

I always miss my family when I'm traveling and wish they were with me but these ladies (aka our book club, lol) were fun to spend the evening with.

While I don't think Ronnie and I will ever "live" in Minnesota, maybe we could one day, have a house on the lake as our summer home. Who really knows what the future holds?!

Exciting Times!

There's just a couple things happenin' around here today -

First, this team -

is playing their third game in a Fredericksburg tournament. They won both games yesterday, first 10-0 in 5 innings then 14-0 in 5 innings. They played some pretty good ball!

 Today they play one game at 9:00 and if they win (fingers crossed), they play in the championship game at 11:00.  We're getting updates every inning and as of now, it's 8-0 us after 2 innings.  Sweet!  Cierra and I are hoping to get that call that they won't be home til later because they're playing in that final game!!

And - speaking of Cierra and me......we aren't watching the game because we're busy back here

because it's a perfect day for a Bridal Shower, too. It feels like the 'kick-off' of such an exciting and memorable time for Brittany and Brandon!

So I'm thinkin' it's a GOOD day all the way around =)

Friday's Feature -

Our 'home town' hang out place and it's always rockin'!

Our whole family loves to go to Glory Days.  After 9:00 p.m. there are several appetizers that are just $5 which works out perfectly for us since we eat late anyway.

The staff is friendly (of course we have a few favorite servers, ha), the food is always great and just about every night has a theme (Trivia, Sports, etc.)

Last night was a special night.  A percentage of the sales are going to help with medical expenses for Tyler Wilt.

Tyler is just a young guy, very active in football & baseball and is now fighting a battle of lung cancer.

The place was packed all through the evening and all those that came out were able to leave a note -

Our community truly is the best!

So if you haven't been to Glory Days, you might want to give it a try.  I don't think you'll be disappointed =)

Happy Friday y'all!

Magical....

times and not even in Disney, but Minnesota!

A friend shared a story with me today that I felt was 'blog' worthy. You see her daughter Hannah was featured on my blog a few years ago. She's definitely a softball kind of girl and recently she had the honor of working with a magical group of kids!

 According to what I learned, a magical field is created. Made out of rubber and painted up to look just like a ball field for these guys and girls to enjoy a day at the park!

Hannah wasn't quite sure why she had to wear her uniform that day but once explained that she would be a mentor, a buddy to a special child, someone that she would get to teach about softball and someone that she would forever be remembered as a ball friend, she didn't hesitate.

She didn't know this little guy until that day but don't you agree they look like pretty good friends?!

I love things like this where children get an opportunity to make a difference in other "special" children's lives.  I think it was a pretty magical day, totally makes my heart smile =) Hannah....your friends back in West Virginia are proud of you!

A new hobby?!

Not hardly but I have to say that this - really is a hobby for some of my friends and appears to be quite addictive!

Some of my co-workers are known to buy coupons on ebay, pick up MULTIPLE Sunday papers and share their stories during free time at work.  Very, Very interesting!

I do have to admit though that a few months ago I did buy this -

visited these 'crazy' ladies.... and got all set up -

and, while I have done really good this year with bargains, coupons and looked for money saving tips, I don't come close to most.  I have even heard stories about some local ladies that shop at CVS, purchasing hundreds of dollars worth of stuff all for free (or even getting money back)! HOW DO THEY DO THIS?

Any of you have any suggestions or tips?