Coffee anyone?

I've been looking at and wanting a Ke*rig coffee maker for some time but was having a hard time convincing my DH.  But I'm a fairly good convincer......you like that word?......so I wore him down with nagging finally got him to say O.K. 

Here it is.....

And we BOTH love it!  

My mind had been twirling the idea round and round for a long time, but I thought if a certain someone didn't like it....well.  But then Connie  got one and talked about it and that convinced me once and for all!

I happened to have a coupon from BB&B so I went right down before the doubts could make me stop and bought one.  I bought the tray that you put underneath the coffeemaker to hold the coffee, but it made it too tall for under my cabinet.  So I took that back and had to come up with an alternate place to store the k cups.

We have tried several of the different kinds.....neither of us are big on flavored coffee, in fact I like my coffee black so we've settled on a regular coffee we both like.

The biggest surprise in this whole coffee maker journey, and yes, I know that for most people it wouldn't be a journey, but we lead kind of dull lives.....is that DH LOVES this thing.

There is absolutely no waste!  You make a cup of coffee or two or three and when you're done, there isn't a half pot to pour down the sink.  That is what I think actually convinced DH.

Oh, it's the little things in life that make us happy!

Grateful Heart

I love this country.  I love that no matter what anyone says, we were founded by Christians and we have always been blessed by God.  We have always been blessed by men and women who were willing to serve this country and to give their lives if necessary.

This is my son.....He was on the U.S.S. New Orleans in the first Gulf War.  

I'm thankful for him. 

I'm thankful he came home.

I'm thankful for all those who are serving now......and for every one who has served in every war. 

This is Russell's Uncle Hugh.  He was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed.  He's 93 now, I'm grateful for him.

Those are just two of many we know who have served.

Thank you from a grateful American with a grateful heart!

Great going's on and what to do?

I am so blessed to be a member of a large family.  Both my mama and daddy came from big families and they dutifully carried on the tradition!  As we always say......at any event, we are assured of a good crowd, even if we only invite family!

Sunday afternoon, my cousins had a 95th birthday celebration for my Aunt Frances.  She's looking good for 95 isn't she?  Aunt Frances is my daddy's sister.  Here are a few pictures of the day.

Aunt Frances with her two daughters, Claire (L) and Ellen (R).  

Aunt Frances with Ellen.....I actually wanted this picture to be first, but I didn't want to mess things up, as I so often do!  So slightly out of order, a young Aunt Frances.

Aunt Frances and me.....yes, showing slightly too much cleavage.  Sorry about that, but when I got a certain, never to be named sister to take another picture, it was blurry.  I tried to edit the picture, but I didn't quite know how to do that.  Anyhow, you're supposed to be looking at the birthday girl!

Aunt Frances with her SIL, Bill.  She's about to blow out her candles.

My brother, Tommy with Aunt Evelyn......the wife of daddy's brother.

 Just a very, very few of the many cousins who could be there for the birthday.  All of us couldn't fit in one room.

Happy, happy Birthday Aunt Frances......We all love you so much!  

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So on a completely unrelated note.........as you can probably deduce from this picture, I'm painting my bedroom.  But NOT this color.  This is supposed to be grey but it is most assuredly blue.  In fact after I painted this sample area, my husband walked in and said isn't this close to the blue the room was painted when we married.  And didn't you HATE that color.  And why did you paint such a big area?  At that point I thought it a good idea to smile sweetly and hand him the paint roller to wash.

The reason I'm painting my bedroom is this beautiful quilt.......I'm changing all the colors in my room to match the quilt.  Pictures cannot do it justice, but I got this in a silent auction at our church school's fall festival, knowing full well I would have to change colors.  

One of the ladies in my Bible study group donated the quilt.  She brought four quilts and we voted on which one she would donate and the minute she unfolded this one, I fell in love with it.  It is very unique and I like unique!  So I knew that day that I intended to bid on this quilt.

Folded on the end of my bed.   Isn't it gorgeous?  

Our master bathroom which opens directly off of our bedroom, I plan to paint red.  When I told Russell that, he almost fainted.  But of course, first I must find a real grey and I'm starting to think that could take some time!  

So what do you think?  Does anyone know of a sort of light, but true grey color paint?  I would love any suggestions. 

By the way, I started this project two weeks before Thanksgiving and I'm having my family for Thanksgiving.......almost 50 so far.   I have no idea why I do these things.  

Oh, dear. 

Reasons not to answer the doorbell....

It used to be just the phone I wouldn't answer before looking at caller I.D.  Can you get doorbell ringer I.D.?  Because I really could have used it today.

First you should know that these two crazies precious pups go completely wild when the doorbell rings.....even if it is on tv........

See how they are always on alert?

If they sense that I may be trying to rest, people start calling and ringing the doorbell.  It's true!  Although it is usually a delivery person with a package for Matt.  No, I don't get that many packages....well not THAT many.

But today.....Good thing I wasn't resting or I might have gotten violent.  

The doorbell rings.....I'll bet you knew that was coming....so amid two mad, barking dogs, I answer the door to find this young looking man standing there with a big I'm fixing to try and sell you something look on his face.

Turns out he's just out of the marines and is in a public speaking contest and if he wins he gets to go to Spain.

Have you ever been to spain?  he asks.

No, but I might as well just tell you now I'm not buying anything.  says the hacked off housewife who is trying to keep her dogs from running out the front door.

 Him....Oh, no mam....but you do want me to win this contest don't you....

Me...Not really, I actually could care less....I would actually prefer that you go out and get a real job that doesn't entail ringing my doorbell.  (O.K. I said that in my head).

Him.......all you have to do is subscribe to one of these magazines as he whips out the order form from his back pocket.

ME.....No thanks....I wouldn't care to order any magazines today, but thank you.

Him......well, most people at least order one just to help me out.

Me.......well good luck with that, but I wouldn't care to order any magazines....as I'm trying to close the door.

Him as he turns to walk away.....well, thanks a lot...he was mad and said that really sarcastically and walked off through my front yard to my next door neighbor's house.

So after I get over thinking what a nerve this guy has, I get in my car, drive out of my garage and run to pick up paint samples.  I'm gone maybe 15 minutes.

When I drive back into the driveway, open the garage door, drive in and park and get out of my car.....guess who walks up and says.....with a big grin on his face.

Hello mam, I've just been to see your neighbor (uses her first name here) and she says you'd be happy to help me out with this contest I'm in to learn public speaking and win a trip to Spain.....

Me......She did huh?  Well you've already been to my door, I declined and my answer is still no.  

Since I was now in the garage and not at the front door, he had forgotten that he had already been to my door!

What I wanted to say was this..... maybe memory lessons would serve you better than public speaking.  You seem to have no problem spinning lies speaking.

Yes, I know that was probably mean, but if this guy had spent four years in the marines (or so he says), he now needs to get a job!  Then if he wants to go to Spain, he can buy a ticket and go like the rest of us.....only I've never been if you'll remember.

Before I can walk back in the garage door.....he says.....you know I'm from South Carolina, a little town of 1,500 people and jobs just aren't that easy to come by.

Me.......well how did you get here?  Really, I do always wonder how these kinds get here?  At my door????

HIM.......frustrated......because I'm in this contest.

Me......once again, good luck to you, I wouldn't care to subscribe to any magazines!

So as the garage door slides down blocking out this pest young man, I contemplate turning on my alarm system in case he's seeking revenge against the mean old woman who wouldn't order any magazines!

Sigh!

Our anniversary

Fifteen years ago, I was nervously waiting to walk in and be joined in marriage to my sweet husband.

We were being married in the church where we both grew up.  The hand of God was evident in every part of this marriage, both in the two and a half years leading up to it and to the very day!

There is a VERY long aisle leading to the altar in this church and when we met with the preacher, I told him long aisles were for young brides and that I would come in the side door.  My second son, David walked me in because my oldest wasn't in town and was unable to attend.  We missed having Paul there!

My friends say that when it was time for me to come in, that door flung open and I jumped from the door to the altar in one step.  The photographer only had time for one quick shot!

Here we are with our preacher and our three children who were able to be there.  One reason I was especially nervous is because I suffer from inappropriate laughter......I laugh when it isn't appropriate....a nervous thing.  Russell told me he would be upset if I laughed!  Talk about pressure....as it turned out, thankfully, I didn't laugh!

Russell and I with my mama and daddy.  Daddy is the reason I will NEVER wear transitions lenses!  He always looked like he had sunglasses on!

Russell's mama and daddy.  My second set of parents!

We both miss our daddys!

Me with my sisters.....Debbie and Cathy

Me with my brothers, Michael, Tommy and Steve.

Me with my beautiful mama!

Me with my son David.

Me with my sweet daddy!   Russell is so much like daddy.

In the past 15 years, we have had joys and sorrows.  Six months after we married my daddy died suddenly.   Russell suddenly had a huge glimpse of me in grief mode.

I took on raising two more boys, so we've been through all the things you go through with children.....I said joys and sorrows!

Five years after we married, Russell's brother died suddenly.

Then almost three years ago, we lost Russell's daddy.

We've had grandchildren!!!!  Talk about JOY!

Russell has been a solid rock for me and I think I've helped him have a better sense of humor.  :)

Granted, we have had some tough times, but I figure they put for better or for WORSE in there for a reason.

Thank you dear Lord for bringing us together.....and as always you have all my love/all my life!


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights....James 1:17

Charley visits

I hope you all voted today!!

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Friday night, this sweet boy and his parents came for a weekend visit.  Look at that smile!

Charley and mama.

The next three pictures are Charley showing us he can turn over!  The poor boy scratches his face so he's wearing mits.  I call them his boxing gloves!

I did it!  Now what should I do?  

Russell's 93 year old Uncle meeting Charley for the first time.  

Great grandma (Mema) who shares a birthday with Charley.

Claudia is a very creative mama and made Charley a snail costume.  I love this picture....one of his tentacles is over her nose.  It was really hard getting him in the costume and I'm sure he was very hot and unhappy! But he was so cute!

Can you see how she made the snail part with pantyhose and pillow stuffiing?  Then attached it to his sleeper and attached the tentacles.

We laid him on the floor to try and get the snail effect, but he didn't like that at all and let us know it pretty quickly!

Whew!  Glad to be out of that hot outfit and watching a little Gator football with daddy and pappy!

 A little down time with Pappy between hunting trips.  Pappy killed a deer for me...I'll have sausage this winter!

Who invited this kid anyway???  This is our Mema.

I went to visit my Grandma Duncan and gave her a big smile!

 Visiting Grandma is so much fun!

I think I have the most grandmas of any boy!

Uncle Matt and Charley

 Charley meets Uncle David

 Uncle David's fiance, Arwen, Charley, Nana and Uncle David

Mema's got me again!

 Pappy and Mema put me right to sleep.

Nana and I are both pumpkins.

We had such a fun weekend with Charley.  

I think I'll hula.....

There are always new ways to exercise your way to slimness  You may remember this one from a couple of years ago.  That was a huge failure.

The latest is the hula hoop!  Oh, yea, I've been reading up on the hula hoop and how to trim inches off your waist in NO time!  It's all the rage in the exercise circles, not that I'm actually in an exercise circle.  So, since I choose to buy into that kind of advertising, I ordered one.  I put it together and tried it out.....hmmmmm.  It's really easy to hula hoop with this thing, but maybe I should have gotten little hoops for those flabby arms!

And yes, I am wearing leggings.  I know I said I would never wear leggings again, but apparently I've changed my mind.

Anyhow, I'll let you know if this works.....or if I get a job hula dancing!