THE SEARCH FOR WATER

After spending the past 36 years being the sprinkler system-well me and the hose, the "Master Gardener" has convinced me that we need a sprinkler system. The "Man" is here today to put the new system in. First Susan took all of the plants out where my "Flower Garden" will now be. The pictures below are the "Before" putting in the sprinkling system.

The two beds in front of the house will be flower gardens.

The Big Question-the two Maple Trees
Asparagus Fern in Chiminea Was Susan's Idea

The West Side Where I Added More Hosteas And Ferns

Susan Transplanted Nandina Among The Fern

My Little Antique Angel Fountain Surrounded By Fern

I have the vision of what it is all going to look like and I am waiting with bated breath for the results. I have always felt like our home was a sanctuary, but this should make it even more inviting. Pictures to come of the progress.

MADELINE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

We celebrated Great-niece Madeline's birthday yesterday at her Grandparent's Gnemi's lovely home. It was a wonderful party and I loved seeing my great nieces and nephew. We missed poor little Abby who was sick and her Mom, Adrian, who was home playing nurse. If I close my eyes and just listen to the sounds, I could be at a party for the nieces and nephew-they are SO MUCH like their parents!

Miss Audrey Jumping in the Jump Around

Such a serious pose for such a sweet little girl.

Anne and her clone Emma

Lili with All Her Grands-EXCEPT Poor Abby

Lynne lighting the candles

EHHH-Could you cut my piece from the back, please!

Madeline seems to like her cake and ice cream!

For someone who protest their picture being made-

Elisha can pose in a flash!

I would LOVE to know what words of wisdom Andrew is saying!

Mom & Sweet Daughter Enjoying Opening Gifts

Talking over the new Doll.

Jack-the only boy in the group-BUT he is ALL boy!

A SPINNING TOP!

So YOU ASK WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN????? Sit back and I will tell you about my adventures.

Beginning with Thursday------ Our nephew, Michael, has gone with his Mom on a Mission trip to Africa. Meanwhile, he is moving into The Conville Estate-West and it is in DIRE need of a long overdue paint job. While stopping by one day, he tells me that niece, Brooke, has volunteered to come and paint. I QUICKLY-really without even thinking about it--tell him- I WILL COME HELP HER PAINT YOUR BEDROOM. Really it was so easy to say those words. Michael leaves, Brooke starts a new job and GUESS WHO IS ON A PAINT MISSION. Thursday I spent the entire day painting the ceiling and kilzing the woodwork which must have a primer. OH YES-after I told Michael to leave the room empty-IT IS FULL OF HIS FURNITURE which requires moving it and covering all surfaces with plastic after taping off the borders. I AM CERTAIN MICHAEL felt the vibrations as I took his name in vain all the way over in Africa. This took an entire day! Came home Thursday night to supper by BC (Dowlings Smokehouse).

Friday AM- since I have been back in Erie-our personal business needs taking care of-so I spend half the morning getting things back in order. The second half of the morning was spent with a couple of sweet friends discussing their business and evaluating financials. I do enjoy simulating my brain with my love for the financial world-be it analyzing financials or playing the stock market. I DIGRESS. Around noon, I pick up friend Sonja PAINTER EXTRAORDINAIRE! and we head back to the Conville Estate. THANK YOU SONJA! She can sling paint with the best of them. With her expert help, we finish out the room in three hours. Back home and the "Master Gardener" has paid a visit and I spend the next couple of hours in the yard. Go in with enough time for a bathe before heading out to eat with some of the small group. The surprise of the evening was "Friday's In The Park". In the downtown Railroad Park on summer Friday evenings, they are having bands come and play. We walked over to the park and enjoyed the end of the concert and visited with lots of old friends.

Saturday AM- early morning long run day. I am able to go 5.5 miles which is the first time since the middle of February that I have run more than 5 miles. It is time to start working on upping that distance again. Make a quick trip to Wal Mart to pick up a gift and go by for a Micky D's biscuit (I DESERVE IT!). Home again and I have now mowed the front yard.

The rest of the day----Well Great niece's birthday party at noon and then tonight we are off to Shreveport for a family dinner with the other side of our family. In between we plan to do a little more yard work and make a visit to Nannie and Pappaw.

SOMEONE HELP ME get my mouth around "NO" or even learn to just keep it shut! Actually I love all my projects----perhaps I take on a few too many at a time-but it keeps me moving and busy. BC has offered to be my manager if you are in need of any help.

PROOF

Woman speak with straight tongue. Man Hold Baby For Entire Weekend!
Man spend much time with baby sleeping while man sleeping. Baby like being on man's chest. Baby think, warm--soft---rising and falling---hear soft beat---GOOD SLEEPING WITH MAN!

Man say he not spoil baby-----HMMMM-Pictures say different!

MY SECRET SIN!

I know I promised a post today proving that I speak with a straight tongue-BUT feel ABSOLUTELY CONVICTED that I need instead to come clean with all of you. I am suffering from a secret sin and feel the time for confession has finally come! Almost EVERY time BC leaves town for a night, I am tempted and usually give in to the temptation. The sin- you ask- THE SIN, I AM SO EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT it the LUST OF THE FLESH! There I said it-it is out in the open! My physical body as well as my conscious bother me EVERY TIME I commit my sin. I am SO DRAWN to the flesh though and SO ENJOY committing my sin. The sin is committed and then I begin to pay the consequences that all sin brings. WILL I NEVER LEARN???? Why can't I stay away from the lure of the flesh? I sin and then I toss and turn all night in shear agony-----OH SINNING WAS WONDERFUL-but then the physical agony of my actions ALWAYS OCCUR. I beg forgiveness and I KNOW through grace I am forgiven-BUT I MUST SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES AND PAY THE PRICE for my lust. In the dark of the early morning I suffer the final cost of my sin while running my 5 miles in the heat and humidity of Louisiana. I am ABSOLUTELY NAUSEATED over my indulgence in the "DARK WORLD OF FLESH LUST!"


WHO, YOU ASK IS MY TEMPTER? Why this innocent looking -kind-and gracious Southern Gentleman. Who would ever suspect he would stir within me the lust and desire that I feel almost every time BC is out of town?
BUT WHO CAN RESIST THE FINGER-LICKING GOOD CHICKEN FLESH! SO FAR NOT ME! WELL MAYBE I WILL DO BETTER NEXT TIME!

OH WELL-I need to get dressed to go eat at "THE BLUE LIGHT". One of the Runners said, "I can't eat there, that Southern Soul Food is full of grease!" My answer, "That is the point!". I will be better tomorrow---BC is coming home tonight. GO FORTH AND SIN NO MORE!

A SMILE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!

Henry has discovered "His Smile". SUCH A SWEET SMILE! He smiles at his Momma and Poppa, his Poppa Bob & HE REALLY LIT UP FOR THE MOBILE OVER HIS SWING! For you enjoyment a few pics of "The Smile That Melts My Heart."

It was not easy getting on that airplane EARLY this AM to head back to LA and leave behind this sweet baby and his parents. He is REALLY growing-in case you can't tell from the pics!

Stay tuned tomorrow for "PROOF IN THE PUDDING" that I "SPEAK WITH A STRAIGHT TONGUE!"

HELP ME, POPPA BOB!!!!!

BC made the absolute MOST of his time with HJ! He only relinquished his hold when feeding time came. That included sleeping on the couch with HJ on his chest. Well last night HJ did alright the first part of the night, but then in the wee hours he seemed to be missing Poppa Bob.

When I woke up at 3, Camille had been up with him about 30 minutes. We rocked and changed, and rocked and changed, AND ROCKED AND CHANGED for the next hour +. FINALLY I get him back to sleep some time after 4. Camille said he was back up at 4:30. She ended up taking him downstairs and sleeping ON THE COUCH-ala Poppa Bob-until this AM's feeding.

When I spoke with BC today, he said, "Well I couldn't have caused that in only two nights" ME THINKS THOU DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH!

Meanwhile, Henry says-----HELP ME, POPPA BOB!!!!They will not hold me all of the time! They want me to sleep in MY BED! POPPA BOB !!! POPPA BOB!!!!