Fall Give-away

You too can win this gorgeous handpainted scoop from THE ANTIQUE PALLET. I know he would look perfect in my kitchen this fall.

I don't know about you, but I'm anxious for summer to be over, the heat has been so bad this year, and I'm ready to put away my Americana and fill my home with the colors and scents of fall. This guy would fit in perfectly!

Here's the rules: "leave me a comment that you want to win on this post for an entry!
2nd, become a follower of my blog for an entry! If you were already a follower you will get two entries! 3rd, post a picture of this give a way on your blog with a link back to my blog and you will get TWO entries! Be sure to drop me an email or a comment to let me know that you did this so I don't miss you."

Hop on over and enter!

She's going home

Monday is here and in a couple of hours I'll be watching Josie take off into the wild, blue, yonder. The past ten days have passed so quickly, it's almost been a whirlwind, but we've had a wonderful, wonderful, time together. Oh, we've had our moments...she's a very sensitive child...and there's been a few tears and a little homesickness, and although she's ready to go home I think, all in all, the whole trip has been a success.

Yesterday we had a beach day, watching the excitement and delight in Josie's eyes as she saw the ocean for the first time was worth the hours we spent driving and the million times we answered the "are we there yet" and "how much farther" questions. Our first stop was Daytona Beach where she got to play in the ocean and pick up a few seashells. Then back into the truck for the trek to Cocoa Beach and a mandatory shopping trip to Ron Jon's Surf Shop. We showed her the vehicle assembly building at Cape Canaveral and the cruise ships in port at Port Canaveral, but visits to those places will have to wait for another trip. She got a cute Ron Jon's hoodie for her souvenir. She'll be able to wear it all winter and remember her vacation fun.

This morning we're sitting in the Holiday Inn in Orlando, sadly waiting for the time when we have to take her to the airport. I'm not looking forward to the long lines, the waiting, the crowds, or the noise, but the thing I dread the most is my last look at her as she rounds that corner to get on the plane. It's a long way from Florida to Chicago and these once a year visits don't come often enough for grandma and grandpa. We've stored up a year's worth of memories, and are already planning for next year, what exciting and fun things we can do together.

Summertime Fun!

We have been very blessed these past few days to have our granddaughter, Josie, with us for a visit. We've stayed very busy, trying to do fun things so she enjoys being here. Florida is quite hot and humid, especially to a northern gal like Josie. But, she's been a trooper and has really been enjoying herself. The ten-day visit is passing all too quickly and before we know it, Monday will be here and I'll be standing in the airport, waving good-bye as she boards the plane home.
We took her to a local gun club one day. The owner there has quite a collection of animals he's killed. One we thought she'd really enjoy was a black bear. She thought they were all fascinating and had many questions. The first one was, "can you teach me to shoot a gun?" This is a picture of Josie with the black bear.
I can proudly say...she's her grandma's girl!!

Getting Squished

I can't think of anything much more painful than getting a mammogram. All that mushing and squishing , not to mention how COLD those rooms are!! However, they're very important, especially when you have a history of cancer in your family. My grandmother died of breast cancer, my cousin died of breast cancer, my sister is a 10-year breast cancer survivor, and we have another cousin who has breast cancer. I had uterine cancer surgery in March, we have a cousin with brain cancer and an uncle who died of brain cancer. Think we just might have the cancer gene in our family??

Anyway, today is my day to get squished. I've put it off since 2006 and my doctor told me "no more procrastination." I wonder, do you suppose if I'm a good girl my husband might take me out to dinner?