my gina...

we have had the honor of having my dear, dear cousin, gina staying with us for 10 days. she was the easiest house guest that i have ever had. let me introduce you to her.....
she didn't ask for much. she felt free to invade my pantry at any given time. she stayed up late with me watching 'teen flicks' that my husband would never waste his time watching. she fit right in with my friends. she let my boys be boys. never complained (to me anyways) that they were too noisy. she can shop like no ones business. she is styling. always looks cute and put together, even when she wakes up. she takes as many pictures in a day as i do. she is kind. she has cute hair. she randomly cut my hair at weird hours of the evening, WITH A DULL KITCHEN SCISSORS. she is cool. she is trustworthy. she's going to be a total catch for some guy someday. she is dear friend. i am honored to call her one of mine.she is welcome back anytime. oh, i love this girl. i miss her.

done, accomplished, achieved....

i searched my Thesaurus and found many words that describe our emotions after the final brick was laid on our patio project....
*played out. tuckered out. fatigued. overtaxed. haggard. consumed. pooped (yup, that was in there!) sewed up. wound up. satisfied. content. joyful. gleefully. merrymaking. cheerful. PURE JOY!!! yes, we experience all those things. it was a labor of love and moments of asking each other, "what WERE we thinking"!! i posted a few pics of rye and dad laying the last bricks, just hours before the big party! i am so proud of them. thanks guys!
next year we start on the pergola over the eating area. don't tell rye, i haven't sprung that one on him yet. :)

reunion....

ok, so we love parties. a few weeks ago, rye's family had a massive family reunion. 2 of dad likkels brothers came from out of town with their kids & grandkids. since we were off camping that weekend we missed most of the festivities but were honored that we were asked to have the Saturday part of the reunion here. the day was filled with crafts and games for the kids, much coffee drinking, a healthy amount of socializing, an abundance of laughter. uncle stan & aunt lois even put together a grand game of lawn-golf. a true redneck game. (redneck in a good way! :)) the great news was that i had to do nothing but get our yard in order. i didn't have to cook...IT WAS CATERED!! :) i think the total count of folks that showed up was 114!! it was a blast! God has lavished His goodness on this family. from generation to generation He has cared and protected them. had dad been here, i'm sure he would have been proud. we sure do miss him.

i snuck upstairs and snapped a few shots. i'll see if i can track down a few more pictures from others. a good looking bunch i tell ya.

yup, parties, i love them.

another.......

Where is your cell phone?
CHARGING.

Your significant other?
A GEM.

Your hair?
OUT OF CONTROL.

Your mother?
GOLDEN.

Your father?
A ROCK.

Your favorite thing?
LAPTOP.

Your favorite drink?
ICE COLD CORONA-LIGHT WITH A LEMON,NO LIME.

Your dream/goal?
RAISE GODLY BOYS.

What room are you in?
KITCHEN.

Your hobby?
BLOGGING.

Your fear?
NOT RAISING GODLY BOYS.

Where do you want to be in 6 Yrs?
HOME.

Where were you last night?
HOME.

Something that you aren't?
A PUSH-OVER.

Muffins?
COSTCO POPPY SEED.

Wish list?
SIZE 8.

Last thing you did?
TALKED TO KATH.

What are you wearing?
MY FAVORITE WRS SWEATSHIRT. CAPRI'S. ORANGE TANK.

TV?
RIGHT NOW I'M WATCHING THE COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL & I'M ASSUMING RYE IS WATCHING SEINFELD B/C I CAN RANDOMLY HEAR LAUGHING COMING FROM OUR BEDROOM.

Your pets?
JOSEPHINA.

Friends?
THERAPEUTIC.

your life?
CHARMED.

Your mood?
CONTENT.

Missing someone?
MY SISTER.

Drinking?
DIET COKE.

Smoking?
GROSS.

Your car?
BLACK TOYOTA SEQUOIA.

Something you're not wearing?
SPURS.

Favorite Shop?
HOME GOODS IN NEW JERSEY.

Your favorite color?
RED.

When is the last time you cried?
WHEN I ACTUALLY REALIZED THAT MY BABY WAS GOING OFF TO MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Who will reply to this?
TAYLOR SWIFT.


Where do you go to over and over?
LAUNDRY ROOM.

Person who emails you the most?
EBAY.

My favorite place to eat?
MILLYS.

Favorite place I'd like to be at right now?
BED.

on that note....goodnight all.