Another Fun Day!

OK, I have to start off with this great gift from Starr! It is called EZ combs and if you are awake in the middle of the night watching infomercials like I do, you must have seen this. You can easily pull your hair up in a ton of different ways and even lay on it and you don't even know it is there! Perfect for me so maybe you all will see a different hair style on me!

As Seen on TV EZ Combs™ Stretchable Double Combs - Bermuda Black/Sahara Sandlewood. These stretchable double hair combs will give you salon results without having to step out of your own home. Create classic ponytails, butterfly twists, French twists and more with these easy-to-use combs that work on any hair type. EZ Combs™ have a comfortable, secure fit. Set includes two combs. One in each color.

I went out to the salon and Starr gave me a much needed manicure and I got my favorite polish, Cajun Shrimp much to Starr's dismay. I am a creature of habit and when it starts getting warm weather, that's the polish for me! Starr also took the remnants of the polish off my toes from my Christmas pedicure and polished my toes in zebra print! Now that is the perfect look for me! (Please disregard my swollen feet and toes, they still look very cute I think!)

Then we headed out for lunch at a place in Indian Lake we had both been wanting to try called Mimi's Cafe. Oh my goodness! We studied the menu for way too long and finally made our choices. You have to know Starr to know how much fun it is to eat great food with her! We oohed and aahed and totally enjoyed every morsel of food.

We just had to have something a little sweet and decided on the trio-desert! Don't even get me started on the sounds and comments we made enjoying this!

We went to a store that Nita recommended called CJ Banks and Starr (my personal shopper) picked out several summer things for me. She made reference to my all black wardrobe so everything is bright and colorful. Pictures to follow! They were having a sale so it was a necessity! And then, off to my beloved Stein Mart that I have missed so much! I have only been once since the store moved and I could hardly wait to get in the door! I must also add that I just received my new Elite customer rewards card and a call from Jay Stein himself! Well, it was really a recorded message saying how much they had missed me and they sent me special coupons to please come in and use and let them know that Jay sent me! We told a sales clerk about him calling and she was envious saying she had worked for the company 10 years and he had never called her. Oh well, what can I say? (Starr and Mom did not get the call or the Elite card I might add). All of a sudden I couldn't go anymore and you should have seen Starr go into panic mode to find me a seat. Once I was seated, Starr just brought things to me so I could look at everything, how's that for a devoted friend!

By 5:00 I was done so we captured the moment with a self portrait and headed back to her car so she could get home in time for a martini and to watch Cops. I came home and watched the Dove Awards again and just reflected on 2 great days in a row!!!

Fun Day with Mom

Today Mom and I had a date planned to head to Green Hills. Our first stop was to drop off my coat for the summer at Regency Furs. Then we drove around to decide where we would have lunch. We decided on Zoe's and planned to eat outside. We got our food and all the seats outside were taken so we stayed inside. As we looked around, we noticed half of the people in our view were talking on a cell phone or typing on their phone. Are we the only ones that don't do that? I love the Internet and email as much as anyone but is it so important that you can't even eat lunch without checking your email? I must be getting old because I just think it is annoying!

Next stop, Swoozies!!! Oh my goodness, I could have stayed in there all day! I had a gift card that I got for my birthday last year that I have been wanting to use forever so I was so excited to finally get there. We must have looked at every item in the store! They also have a website http://www.swoozies.com/ where you can see all the cute stuff they have.

We made our purchases and set outside in the shade and "people watched" for a while. We saw all sorts of people and "attire" Green Hills is a whole different world from Madison!

Our self portrait!
As we drove down Hillsboro Road, we saw this road side tent with fruit, vegetables and flowers. We both came home with huge beautiful ferns. Mom says it is still too early for most things but ferns were ok. FYI: planting is best after Mothers Day.

Here are my purchases, A great frame that I am going to put my new picture of Mom and the sisters that we had made at church last week. I also got a travel mug for my coffee and a great large tumbler for my Diet Coke. We had such a nice day and the weather was so great. Mom is determined that I get out more and I am always glad when I do.

Girls Gone Scrappin Wild Weekend Review

What a wonderful weekend! This slideshow shows a glimpse of the fun, laughter, food and fellowship that we had. We were very productive while having a great time. We decided that we will do this from now on once a quarter and we have already planned to have a July repeat. Brad is all for it and was such a good sport to let us take over the house and his "mancave" for the whole weekend. He said that he didn't mind if I left it set up for as long as I wanted to because he knew how much I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Samantha and Starr for giving me the best medicine I have had in a long time! I never stepped foot in the kitchen from Friday until Monday.

This is what is going on at our house this weekend! Starr, Samantha and I have been planning a whole weekend of scrap booking for months and it is finally here! They have been planning the menu and I can't wait to see what they bring. Brad helped me get everything all set up and I am ready for them to get here! Hopefully we will get lots done over the next couple of days. One thing I know for sure, there will be lots of laughing!

Ray and Nita in all their glory! Easter Sunday with the grandchildren and children in Mississippi!
Drew. Tara, Chris, Ashley, Emily and Jackson

Back: Christopher, John Ed, Mary Hollis, Emma, Sarah James

Front: Maddux, Will Carter, Anni and Ava

2 Posts today....

Yesterday Patrick took his truck in to find out about the noises it was making. They called to tell him that it needed several things and after 7 years with his beloved truck, he decided it was time to trade it in. In the middle of the awful thunder storms and pouring down rain, he test drove 2 trucks. He just didn't love them so I told him I thought he should keep looking. So, being the ever "helpful" mother that I am, I went on a massive search on the internet for a truck that he would love. I found this one and it happened to be at the car dealership where our friend Jeff Cowden works. I called Patrick and told him I thought it was worth a look. He called me an hour later and said "he loved it"! Jeff made him a great deal and the next thing I knew, Patrick had him a new truck and he did it all by himself!

17 of the family gathered Sunday at Mom's house to celebrate Easter. It was a perfect day with perfect weather, food and fellowship. Leslie made sure that I would have all of the memories captured in pictures and I could not have done a better job if I had tried. The children were precious all dressed in their cute clothes and so appreciative of the little Easter bags I made them. Corinne's trunk was packed full of games, eggs to hunt and prizes. This year the kites were a big hit and there was just enough wind to keep them in the air. Mom had the chocolate bunnies all lined up on the mantle like she does every year and her house was all decorated for the occasion. We were minus all the Maddux family and the Wiseman family but it was a wonderful day and the Easter tradition was kept in place on Freda Villa.

It is because of Easter and the resurrection of Christ, that I have been able to experience love of all kinds here on this earth. The love of family is especially important to me more and more each day of my life. This is a picture from Easter Sunday 1961 at my Cline grandparents home. A memory etched in my mind that I will never forget. Take time to make memories as we celebrate the love of Christ. I am thinking of my sweet cousin Cheryl this morning, she is celebrating this year in Heaven.

( L to R) Alice , Nita with her arms around me, Jimmy, Rosemary, Corinne and Cheryl. We are all dressed in our brand new Easter attire, gathered for a family lunch and easter egg hunt. (Tracey had not come along yet).

Easter Nest Eggs

Saw this cute idea from Better Homes and Gardens for a cute treat for Easter. I think I will give it a try!

A package of crunchy wonton noodles, melted chocolate, and some Jordan almonds are all you need to create these tasty treats. In a bowl, toss noodles with melted chocolate and use your hands to form nest shapes with an indentation in the center. Work quickly and in batches to form nests before the chocolate sets. Set on waxed paper to dry. Serve with a few Jordan almond "eggs" in each nest.

Today my sweet son wanted me to get out so he came and picked me up and took me to Sonic for ice cream. As always, we laughed, sang to the radio and I quizzed him to pieces! While we were gone my sweet husband went to the grocery and cut our yard. When we got back to Patrick's house, we found Brad.....

cutting Patrick's yard! It was a good day!

Oh my goodness, what a night tonight in our Esther Bible Study! If any of you have the chance to take this study, I encourage you to. I went into the study so hungry so I guess that it has touched me more than I ever imagined. In the Beth Moore video she makes a reference to this song by Casting Crowns that I had never heard. She relates to the verse in it that says " today I feel like I'm one mistake away from You leaving me this way". So many times I have felt this way but I am so thankful that God is always faithful and I will learn to face my fears!

"East To West"

Casting Crowns

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness

The chains of yesterday surround me

I yearn for peace and rest

I don't want to end up where You found me

And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight

I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west

And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned

But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west'cause

I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest'cause

You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin

Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in

Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light

I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night

I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals

I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me

You're holding on to meJesus, You know just how far the east is from the west

I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

'cause You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

One scarred hand to the other

From one scarred hand to the other