Our Final Day!

We slept in a little later than normal. I was up first, then Jim and Cody got up. We had our showers, gathered our belongings, (well we got dressed and stuff too) took our luggage out to the truck and went back in and enjoyed our continental breakfast. I had a bagel with cream cheese. Jim had some french toast sticks and just raved about how good they were. They were so good he even ate Cody's. He said he doesn't even like French Toast so I'm wondering why he even put them on his plate???

When we arrived at Kyle's and entered the house, Raylynne almost knocked me down trying to get past me so she could get to her PawPaw. I'm telling ya she is crazy about her PawPaw.

Four years ago when we were in Georgia for Raylynne to be born, Jim had gotten acquainted with Mr. Bible from the airport near them. Yesterday PawPaw had mentioned to Raylynne that we would go to the airport to see if Mr. Bible was there and look at the airplanes. See didn't forget it either. Kyle said that last night before she went to bed she told him that we had left and hadn't taken her to the airport. Kyle explained that we would be back and would probably do it then.

Mr. Bible was there and he picked Raylynne up and sat her in the plane.

Then we had to walk around and look at all the different planes. I'm really leaning more towards thinking that was Jim's idea than hers.

Back to the house for some more visiting.

"Isn't she precious"?

(She is trying to cut some teeth on her upper left side).

PawPaw's going to try again.....

Oh I think it might work.....

Nope, not yet PawPaw!

These guys spent what time they had doing this....

and some of this.....

more of this.....

Meanwhile Kialey needed a little......

sleep.

and if you like music, lets do some of this...

and even more of this....

If you haven't noticed these two could play music ALL DAY long if you would let them!!!

Cody started playing the keyboard last year and progressed very well. Through the year he began playing the guitar too and recently he discovered he can play the harmonicas also. I guess he gets that ability from his dad. He too, can pick up most any instrument and play it.

Well after you sleep you need some food, so off to McDonald's we go.



And look who wants PawPaw to carry her.

Raylynne's got her hug-lock on PawPaw!

Don't they make those playgrounds for the little kids???

yes, he is asleep!!

It must have been all that driving yesterday...hmmmmm.

I'm sure he is just resting up so he can drive home!

Meanwhile we got in touch with Lisa and Danny. They were headed home from being at Destin, FL all week.

It was difficult as always, but we finally got through saying our goodbyes about 6:00. On the road again.......

We stopped in Troy, AL at the Santa Fe Cattle Co. Steakhouse.

Cody looks tired. All that music they played today.

After a delicious meal we hopped back in the truck and headed down the road.......listening to music ALL the way! This kid is passionate about music. May the Lord bless him and use him!

I had to pull over a couple of times for some rest, so we didn't make it home until about 10:00 Sunday morning. I even took a nap, which is unheard for me. The rest of the time I just walked around like a zombie. I'm looking forward to a good nights sleep.

Ahhhhhh.......snooze....snooze!

The Big Night!!

After showering and some sleep, hey, we're ready to go again!!


While we were at the hotel "Daddy" made it home.

Kialey is starting to loosen up a little.


By the time we went to get some lunch and came back it was time for Raylynne to get her hair and makeup done for the recital.

They had to have their hair in ringlets and Ray's hair is real fine, so Leslie had to use about 3 different gels and goops and plaster it with hairspray.


They didn't allow flash pictures to be taken during the recital, but Leslie got this one during rehearsal one day.

Raylynne loves ladybugs, so she was so thrilled when she found out one of her dances included a ladybug costume.



This routine was "Mary Had A Little Lamb". They all had these little stuffed white lambs they carried and hugged. This picture was actually taken after the recital but she had to get re-dressed for an award portion of the program, so Leslie got this picture then.

They have a more experienced teen that does the routine along with them. Although Ray looks rather petrified, she wasn't the least bit nervous and she stayed focused on the teen instructor.

Well I have to admit the whole thing just brought tears to my eyes. She was so cute. Kyle says she loooves to sit and watch the older girls when they do their routines. She is just mesmerized.

She got done with her two routines about 9:15. But they found out then that she had to stay for the award portion. So we went on to the hotel for some good ole sleep.

Georgia....Georgia.....

We left home about 7 pm Thursday evening. Arrived at Kyle's about 7:30 am. We did have to pull over for about an hour and a half for some sleep though. Kyle was having to work til about 2 pm. So we visited with Leslie and the girls for a short time.....well I visited anyway, looks like they napped.

and I'm the one that drove over 9 hours!!!!! Cody drove the last 3 hours

(but I admit they didn't necessarily sleep on the way down....you know, the good kind of sleep anyway.....except when I pulled over.)

Kialey' not sure what to think of everybody. I was there when she was born and a month later when she was in the hospital. But other than that we have only seen them once and she was only 4 months old then.

Oh, Cody is making progress!!

As Chonda Pierce would say, "Isn't she just precious"?

Meanwhile, Raylynne' isn't hesitating.....she has done crawled up in PawPaw's lap and has him reading to her. (Believe me, I think the whole library appeared before we left! Ha!)



PawPaw decides to give it a try.....

Well that didn't work!

So we decided we would get some breakfast on the way to our hotel. Raylynne wanted to go too, cause she loooooves her PawPaw.

She appears to be hungry....

Then she decided it needed a little pepper.

Only that wasn't enough....so she added a little more.

Pawpaw tried to convince her she already had entirely too much.

But I guess it was to her liking.......

After we dropped Raylynne off at the house we went on to check-in at the hotel.....and get some long awaited sleep before the recital tonight!!

Shhhhh......it's a birthday surprise!

I noticed when we were shopping at flea markets one day Lisa was eyeing some of the vintage aprons. So when I saw this in my July Country Living magazine I thought it would be the perfect gift for her.

Isn't this adorable!

It's from

Since I had a question I just gave them a call and Karen was so nice and very helpful.

They also have fabric, craft items, bedding, hankies, totes and many other items.

I'm looking forward to receiving this package.

~~~~~~~~

Remember this flea market find a few weeks ago?

I also got her this to set on her newly purchased desk!

Shhhhh.....it's a birthday surprise, so don't tell Lisa.

We're Going On A Trip

I wanted to elaborate a little more on this new magazine I subscribe to.

It is published bi-monthly and is chocked full of shopping information. Apparently it is a division of "Consumer Reports" so it has product buying advice, reviews, tips, how and where to save on products, etc. There is no advertising so every inch is utilized for consumer information.

You can click on the image and it will take you to their website. You can then see some of the articles that have been published.


If your all for saving money, learning about a product before you purchase it, or get some useful tips, you may want to purchase this magazine for yourself.


Tomorrow I will be working until 1:00 then in the evening we are leaving out for Georgia. Our 4 year-old granddaughter, Raylynne, is having her first dance recital.

It's going to be a turn-around trip. Those are the hardest. It's a 12 hour drive and we don't usually stop unless we just have to pull over for some quick sleep. We will get a little visiting in, see the recital, visit a little more, and head home again. It's still always worth it though no matter how little time you have to see your loved ones.

Such A Good Wife Am I....

I got my husband one of these. (Who am I kidding, I'll be the one to use it.)

I don't drink coffee so I guess it really never occurred to me to get one before. Then I read in my newest magazine "Shop Smart"



that they recommend this coffee grinder, the Mr. Coffee Model IDS77, and for less than $20. I always thought they were more expensive than that. Like I said I'm not altogether up on coffee things.

So I bought one....... along with

this.


He was so impressed with the fact that I did something so special just for him.

Ha! (Trust me....he is very spoiled.)

Although I wasn't sure if he would like it or not, he thought it was very delicious. He does love a good cup of coffee but he's not into the different flavors and such. I was worried it would be too strong coming from freshly ground beans. It was a hit!

This gadget was very simple to use. You put in some beans and there is a button on the lid that you push and it grinds it in just a few seconds.

Jim also loves these.

1.5 g fat

Lonny, my oldest son, had bought some of these several weeks ago and asked if Jim would want them. He said they were too rich for him. Jim absolutely loves these. He usually eats 2 if not 3 at a time. (and no he doesn't have a fat cell on his body!! It's disgusting). They really are very good. The ice cream is creamy and smooth. It doesn't taste at all like something dietary.

I even picked up some of the ice cream cones.

Very delicious as well. And look folks, all of these products are low fat!

Here is Ethan, doing what he loves to do most......hitting golf balls into the pond!

My work is done!

Then we decided to watch the video "Drumline". If it has anything to do with music, he will probably like it. (Hmmm....wonder where he gets that from). His uncle plays drums and his Grandpa sings in a gospel group, and his dad, Aunt Lisa, Bubby and PawPaw are all active in music.

Everything was going good.....until he climbed in my lap.....then

it was all over!

Our Treasure Hunts

A couple of weeks ago, Judy Gail asked me if I would like to go to some yard sales with her. I love to go to flea markets and such so of course I said yes. About mid-morning I discovered this at a yard sale.









When I walked up the carport I was certain it would have a SOLD sign on it. But I looked and couldn't even find a price tag for it. Meanwhile I thinking my daughter, Lisa, might like to have this. So I'm trying to text her and take pictures well EVERYONE that came was looking at it. I was so afraid someone would buy it before I got an answer from Lisa. This one lady asked someone how much it was and the lady told her it was priced in the drawer and she had $130 on it, but would take $100. I was determined then I would buy it myself if Lisa didn't answer me. But she did and she definitely wanted it.








It was in excellent shape, the drawers worked great, the part inside with all the compartments looked great too.



We were pleased.



Lisa decided to meet up with us and continue on for the hunt of treasures. She spotted this before I even made it into the building


$30

(This isn't the exact one she bought because I can't find that picture. The seat on hers was more of a reddish/pink). But this is the style of hers. It turned out to belong to a friend of ours grandmother. So that makes it more special.



After that purchase we went around the corner to a flea market and we found these. A brand new set of Rachel Ray pans.....for $60. They were still in their wrapping, but instead of being a 10-piece set, there were only 8 items. My set was missing a lid for the larger saucepan. Lisa didn't have the smaller skillet. But other than that they are great.




I really like the fact that the handles don't get hot. I'm not sure what they are made of.






The next thing she wanted was this....

.....but it wasn't for sale!! Sorry Lisa.