Coming "Home"

These were some of the sights I saw on Tuesday and Wednesday as we made the drive to Virginia. I snapped a photo of myself passing the time on the journey. Thank goodness for the iPhone and its many wonderful features. It provided me with hours of fun. I used that beloved phone to catch pictures of the following pictures.There is nothing I enjoy more than catching a glance at the bay or the ocean when I am driving around my hometown. And, a snapshot of my high school that is scheduled to be torn down in a few months. Just needed to be sure I caught a photo of it before that happens. I soooooo enjoy the scenery when I'm here.

An Award!

The super sweet Carmen gave me this terrific award and I feel so honored. Be sure to check out her crafty and inspiring blog. You'll love it.
The rules are:
~thank this person who nominated you for the award
~copy the logo and place it on your blog
~link to the person who nominated you
~name 7 things about yourself that people may not know
~nominate 7 creative bloggers
~post their links
~leave a comment on each


1. I do not care for most vegetables...not a fan of corn, peas, beans, carrots...the list keeps on going.

2. I love Yankee Candle tarts...the smells are so yummy.

3. I am adicted to my iPod and specifically my Bob and Sheri podcasts.

4. I miss miss miss my hometown of Virginia Beach.

5. I am a longtime Steelers fan!!!

6. I am about halfway done with my Christmas shopping...yippy. Oh, and John and I do not exchange gifts...best gift we've ever given one another.

7. My parents are my heroes.

My nominees:

1. Heather: this was one of the very first blogs I ever read...always entertaining.

2. Just a Girl: she's clever and funny. So fun!

3. Raven: she writes about real life and is creative. Great combination.

4. Sandy: a real mom who shows you how to entertain with grace and a loving heart.

5. Saucy: funny and so motivating! This blog will make you want to do more, more, more.

6. Whatever: her words are powerful and her pictures are amazing. She offers so much visual stimulation.

7. Five Things: just recently found this blog. It's short, simple, and informative. Love it.

Now, go check out these blogs and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Red Door

If you live anywhere near us, you'll probably recognize the building in these photos. If not, it's called the Farm Office and I am not quite sure what goes on there. I do know that it's a small building painted white with a large red stripe and the words "Farm Office" in red. Oh, and it has an awesome red door to boot. Each time I go by the Farm Office I think I should stop and take some pictures. And so, yesterday we did. The girls thought I was a bit crazy to make them pose at the Farm Office, but I was glad we did it. Because who can resist a red door????

Gee, I'm A Tree

(That's what the little acorn said when he grew up...from the title above)

When I was in the 9th grade, my mother was my Geometry teacher. I loved that she was my teacher. I did well in her class. It was one of the few math subjects that significantly stuck with me and I understood. I guess maybe it was my teacher...

My mom always had lots of books of geometric images and I loved spending hours sitting and coloring them in various patterns and designs. When we were sorting through some of my mom's things in March, I found many of her math books and amongst them were the geometric books. I scooped them up and brought them home for the girls. They just recently discovered them and have spent days coloring and designing much like I did as a little girl. I like that. It's another little snippet of my wonderful mom that continues to live in my girls. It's a blessing to have so many fantastic reminders of her in my life. Love you, mom.

A Beautiful Fall Day

Our afternoon in photos...

John trimming the trees:

My favorite drink---a Chik-Fil-A unsweetened iced tea with extra lemon:

Lily reading her book with Bella: Shelly posing: Shelly enjoying the leaves: Shelly jumping for joy because the rain has stopped: Lily constantly fixing her hair: Lily chatting: Lily practicing her amazing cartwheel:

John practicing something golf related:

Thank You

Today at the girls' school they celebrated Veterans Day (they were off of school yesterday) with a beautiful musical program. Each grade sang for the veterans who were there at the school. It brought tears to my eyes to watch the combination of the children and the older men they were honoring. Although this is a day late, I want to say Thank You to all of the men and women who so selflessly serve and protect our country. And a special thanks to my dad and my brother-in-law who are both former military men.

Up, Up, and Away

On Saturday morning at about 7:15, Shelly excitedly woke me up to let me know that I had to look out the window. So, groggily, I got out of bed and looked out our window and right in front of my eyes was this huge balloon. No joke it was flying right by the window at that moment. The photos of it were taken a few minutes later as it sailed down the street. Very cool. And strangely enough we saw a balloon like this one chilly November morning about 3 years ago.