I have always loved Thursdays

Picture #1 was sent to me yesterday by my adorable nephew, Matt. Attached to the picture was his greeting, "Hello from Horseshoe Bend!" Picture #3 was sent to me from my sweet nephew, Jason. They were there to finish spreading the ashes of their maternal grandparents at Lake Powell. Jason and I visited Horseshoe Bend together the year that my father-in-law passed away, 2007. It brightened my day immensely that they took the time to photograph part of my beloved canyon and send me the pictures. I wish I were there with them so I could smooch their faces off!

Picture #2 was sent to me by my crazy husband, Aaron, just this morning. He had an early flight to St. Louis and sadly I will not be able to meet him there. He will return late tonight though, so I am not too terribly sad about his absence. Most people don't know this about me but my dream job, as a child, was to be a steamboat captain on the mighty Mississippi. So anytime he crosses the river, he'll send me a picture of the moment. It has completely made my week that while I plug away here at my beautiful dark wood desk in itty bitty Keller, Texas, my loves are sending me pictures from their travels, each of them places I adore for certain reasons.

Tonight, I will go home alone to hang with my dogs, cats, bunny, pony, duck and chickens-each of us saddened just a bit because Farmer Ferrell will not be home with us until after we all hit the hay-to watch the very first, regular season game of the year! The ever returning Favre and his Vikings taking on the Saints in New Orleans. My money's on the reigning champs, just for the record. Like I said, I *have always* loved Thursdays. And so it continues.

I can't believe how much I suck.

I recently remembered the two other blogs I started before and never kept up with. The first one was in 2006, before the blog sites were very good. Since I am technoligically challenged anyway, that didn't work out too well.

The next time was the end of 2007. I logged on the site so infrequently and actually forgot about it for so long that, by the time I remembered I had it, I could not remember my user name or password or even which email I had it associated with. After messing around with it for days and even Googling things I remembered about it so I could find it (but never did,) I gave up and started this one. So far, not much better.

There are lots of reasons I would like to maintain it better outside of the obvious reasons. I really enjoy looking back and knowing what the weather was like for some reason. Also, later when people tell me that they did something substantial at a certain time in their lives, I am anxious to remember what I was doing then as well. Several other small reasons keep me attempting to stay active with this. My journal is so hit or miss. I just need one constant.

Last week, I visited Island Park, Idaho with my oldest brother, Rick's family. Rick and Jill; Richie, Amanda, Wyatt & Eric; Jason, Katie, John & Tyler (John Tyler-our 10th president-hee hee); and Matt & Aimee Bell. I love being around those people. Really love it. It was my first time to meet Katie and her boys and Aimee Bell. I think, for a first meeting, thrown together in the woods for days, we all did very well and had a delightful time together.

Two reasons brought us together at this place at this time. 1. Jill's parents passed away, both within the past two years and this was a memorial for them in which Jill and her husband and sons spread the ashes of her beloved parents on an island in the Snake River at the place where she and her parents had been camping for decades. Very beautiful! Matt brought an ipod player and played The Beatles "Here Comes the Sun" and it was just beautiful. 2. Richie is about to deploy for his third tour; this time to Afghanastan. He'll be gone almost a year, leaving behind his wife and two sons. It isn't something any of us are looking forward to. I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with those wonderful, warm, beautiful, loving people.

I could write for days about that trip but I am playing catch up with the rest of my life.

Ciao for now.

Another blurry weekend

So Friday night started out with a bang. Got home from work, rounded everyone up and headed to eat at Rosa's then raced go-carts off Northside Drive with Aaron, Alex Andrea, Alex & Jordyn Hunt and all 5 screamers. We had a great time. Saturday, we got up early. Aaron and I took care of the animals and then messed in the garden for a bit. Then I rounded up the three girls and picked up Elaine, Aaron's mom, for our fun-filled day. First we went to the Amon Carter Museum so I could introduce Alex Andrea to my beloved, Frederic Remington. I think they all enjoyed it. I did as well but was sad that my favorite sculptures of his were put in the vault until who-knows-when. Bummer.

Next we headed to Big D to meet Aaron's Aunt Neva for lunch at Cafe Express on McKinney. That place is so nice with a really pretty patio with waterfalls and fountains. We caught the trolley and got the tour and then picked up some delicious cupcakes before heading out of Dallas. On our way home, we stopped by Cowboys Stadium, which was hosting the post world cup soccer game between USA and Mexico so the area was full of excitement. We took pictures and then bought souvenirs. Finally we headed home and, after some serious confusion with Aaron, I took all three girls to Perrin to stay the night. I got some good pictures of the Parker County Courthouse on the way home (I love that endeavor) and then crashed with the tv and some snacks.

Sunday, Aaron and I went to Starbucks, then came home and cleaned a little. Then I packed up and headed to lunch with Kandice and little, baby Mia. Followed that up with a drive back to Perrin to meet the girls for a trip to Unks Lake. On the way, took pictures of the beautiful trees & stepped on a thistle which went through my flip-flop and into the ball of my right foot. Ouch! Unks Lake was really fun. We all had a blast. After a fill up and some refreshments, we took Ashley & Chris home, helped unload their new pool table and then I brought all three girls back with me. We hung out at the screamers and then I went to pick up pizza and we all just hung out and talked. I haven't laughed that much in a while. I really enjoyed my time with everyone this weekend.

Now I am excited to get a good work week in. New clients I am a wantin!