Double the Blessings! Yay, oh yay!

You can tell from the picture that July 4th is going to be FAB around here.

My youngest son will be able to spend the weekend at home with us and I am so grateful.

To top it off, Jeff has a weekend pass and will be back in AZ.
I am doing a big time happy dance.
The girls have no idea he will be flying in.
You will probably be able to hear the screams of joy in your neck of the woods.
I can't wait!

Now, there is a little something that I feel a need to post about (unfortunately).
This is addressed to those "mean spirited" anonymous comments that have been coming in.

You are absolutely right. I don't visit blogs like I used to.
If you, or someone you love has serious chronic illnesses that are time consuming, you know what I am talking about. If you don't have these issues, consider yourself very blessed.
When I am not advocating or helping to take care of my son, I try to take care of my website.
In a perfect world, I could visit all my favorite blogs all day long.
At this time, that is not an option.

Please know that I do appreciate comments but I really don't want my grandchildren to read that junk. There is enough hatred and junk out there without them having to read it on my blog.

O.K, enough said on that!

Everyone, please have a safe and beautiful July4th weekend.
Treasure your time, it really is a gift.

Sweet Sunday

For the joy of the Lord is your strength
(Nehemiah 8:10)

May your day be filled with joy.

Ticket overpriced, the experience- PRICELESS

Well, graduation is over and I am so grateful I was able to attend.
This was an experience I will always treasure. My respect for anyone moving in this direction has grown tremendously (this is coming from a little hippie in H.S.).
I took many pictures but I'm just posting a few.

The picture above is where family day and graduation took place (Hilton Field)

Addressing the crowd on Family day.

This gave me chills. Smoke grenades went off and the Color Guard marched out of the woods
onto the field.

Then the troops marched out of the woods. The cheering was deafening.
I think hubby could hear me back in AZ.

The heat and humidity - overwhelming. The uniforms are so heavy.
I swear I will never complain about being hot again.

Jeff's group. I couldn't spot him but I was so excited knowing he was in there somewhere.
Dorothy had a camcorder so she was able to really zoom in and spot him.

Once all the troops were on the field, we were allowed to try to find our soldiers.

YAY, double YAY!
I had been crying (of course) but I was just so happy to see him.

Jeff and Dorothy. Can you see all the smiling faces in the background?

Love them to pieces.

The Army Band

I thought they were fab. Actually, I thought everything was fab.

This shot is from graduation.
It was so hot and humid.

Quite a few soldiers passed out from the heat and most likely nerves.
My heart went out to them and their families.

Jeff's group getting ready to march around the field.
I will get the lingo down eventually.

Finally off base and into civilian clothes.
The "ladies" picked out this shirt for daddy.

Since I had a flight out that left around the same time as Jeff, the Army was kind enough to let us take him to the airport.

Saying goodbye

This is Kaylen, she drove with Dorothy to South Carolina.
I think of her as my second daughter.

This lovely lady is Carolynn.
She is one of Dorothy and Kaylen's best friends.
She and her husband Eric, volunteered to watch the ladies so Dorothy could attend the graduation. This photo was taken at her wedding last year.
Jayde is right behind her and Hailey is to the right.


Now that graduation is over, a new life begins for Jeff.
He is in California at DLI, Department of the Army Defense Language Institute.
He is in Military Intelligence and will be learning Indonesian.
I guess those few years at the Lycee helped him. Indonesian though... I can't imagine it would be an easy language to learn.
He will be in California for a year.

I can't wait until we can visit him there.

Well my friends, I have rambled on long enough.

I want you to know that I truly appreciate your comments and emails.
You all ROCK!

GO ARMY

S.C. here I come

Very early in the morning (shuttle pickup at 3:30 am)
I leave for Fort Jackson.

My sweet one's are driving. What a long drive.
I wish I could have driven with them but those pesky "little issues"
kept me from that.
My son still doesn't know that I will be there for family day and graduation.

I am so proud of him and all the very brave young men and women that have decided to serve in the military. Very courageous.

I haven't really visited blogs recently. Just not feeling up to it.
Honestly, I'm not feeling much like posting either.
Just tuckered out- hehe. Maybe some humidity will help!

Have a fantastic rest of the week.

XOXO

Another Year Older

Although the date on the photo is November, I am actually a June baby.

55 today and still counting!

I feel very fortunate to still be counting the birthdays.

Now I actually qualify for the senior discount at the grocery stores. Yay.

Happy Birthday to all those June babies out there.
May we all have many more.

Early celebration

Good news! I am doing the happy dance and it is difficult to type as I dance.

The Ct scan was o.k. YAY! More testing to come but that is not a problem.
Army mom is leaving Phoenix for Fort Jackson on June 17th.
I am over the moon.

Thank you so much for your lovely comments and emails. There is power in prayer and I am so grateful that things are looking up.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

XOXO

The magical orange box and a favor to ask

Love books, love bags. Love that magical orange box.

These little gems were given to me by a good friend.
She knew I would enjoy them. She was right.
Any book that features a Hermes Birkin bag or Kelly bag is going to be chock full of French goodness.

While I don't own either bag, I do love my vintage Hermes scarves.
They were purchased years ago (weren't vintage then), when the dollar was king.
They were truly affordable. Hard to believe now.

I am a scarf girl. Since I live in AZ, they come out in the winter.
Wayyy too hot most of the year.

Beautiful colors!

The same friend that give me the books, sent me an email titled "get your credit card out".
The Drouot Auction house is auctioning off vintage Hermes bags on June 8th and 9th.
Definitely worth a look. Big sigh!

Now for the favor. Some of you that have visited over the year know that I have had some health "issues". Well, a few "issues" have cropped up and yesterday Hubby took me for a CT scan on my little ole brain.
I am hopeful but to be honest with you, a little freaked out.
Jeff graduates from boot camp on June19th and I am determined to be there.
I told the Dr, whatever it is, I don't have time for this right now.
Proud Army mama has things to do and places to go.

I would appreciate a happy thought, a little prayer, anything.
I just want to be at this graduation.
Fort Jackson, here I come!

French- with an American twist

Ooh la la.

I love sweets and I love anything French so these French sweets are right at the top of my all time favorites.

Madeleines are delicious but these are a close second.
Very easy and the kids or grandchildren will love helping you.
I've had my molds forever it seems, and have put them to good use over the years.

My local market was having a sale on Betty Crocker cake mixes so I stocked up.
How easy is that?

This version was spice cake with fluffy white frosting.

Carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting is amazing.
My favorite is chocolate fudge with double chocolate frosting.
Yum!
A dusting of powered sugar is nice but nothing beats a generous dab of frosting.

Trying to put some weight on....

I can tell you these did not last long.

I may have to do a little baking later on-hehe.

Happy Wednesday to all!

Ah, Paris

Too cute for words

From Angie (and no, I'm not)

I am NOT the Queen of ALLL Things Awe-Summm but Angie gave me this award a while ago and I am finally posting it (see, not awe-summm).
Thank you my friend. I appreciate your kindness and friendship.

I need to come up with a list of 7 things that make me awe-summm.
My list comes from just being a mom, wife, and friend.

Here goes.....

I am very loyal. Just think of me as a basset hound (Tommy appreciates that).

I'm not afraid to try something new. Lots of mistakes but a lot of fun too!

I have a strong belief system. You already know that.

I am a good advocate for my son. I'm a mom and you do what you need to do to make things happen.

I don't carry grudges. Life is way too short for that.

I have a decent sense of humor (at least I think I do).

I am grateful for everyday. Goes back to life being too short.

Now, I am passing this to 3 special ladies. All of you are special but I am playing by the rules.


1. Trish

2. Lorrie

3. Anita



Each one of you has been a blessing in my life and I am so grateful to have you as friends.


Now, go spread the Awe-suuumness.

Memorial day memories

While sitting on the beach in Cannes (HEHE), I thought I would post some memories of Memorial day. I just love blogger post options.

As a child, I loved Memorial Day because there was no school, we always had a picnic, would watch the local parade and visit our little town cemetery to place flowers. It never occurred to me what it was all about.

As I grew older, the true meaning became apparent.

My dad was a war veteran.
He never really spoke about his experiences.
He was a man of few words but a man with a HUGE heart.
He was an animal lover extraordinaire.
He had an interesting philosophy- to speak no ill.
He was always quick to help anyone without thinking what's in it for me.

He was an entrepreneur. He worked very hard but never complained.
In fact, I never heard him complain about anything.
He always had time for me and for that I am very grateful.

He passed away on Memorial Day 4 years ago.
I was very fortunate to be with him as he passed.

This Memorial Day weekend has a very different feel about it since my son Jeff is in boot camp.
I am so proud and in awe of the young men and women that are serving our country now.
The sacrifices my dad's generation made has given our generation freedom.
The sacrifices that our occurring now, I pray will give our grandchildren and their children continued freedom.

I am hoping to be able to attend Jeff's graduation from Ft. Jackson. FINGERS CROSSED and saying PRAYERS. I'm definitely on the bandwagon!

Have fun this weekend, be safe, but most of all remember.

I'm in Cannes...

I had on the Today Show and Anne Curry was in Cannes for the Film Festival.
With so much going on, I decided to pull a French is a state of mind and go there myself.

You have seen this photo but it still makes me smile. I call him Cannes man. When you least expect it, he starts moving. Kids (adults too) love him.

Such a beautiful spot.

Looking down on the Croisette. Not too busy but it really picks up in the evening.
Many families out for their evening stroll.

Just so serene.

Roof shot of The Noga Hilton.

Ok, I needed that little break.

Not much flower sniffing going on this week.
It has been a tough week health wise for my son.
He may be headed back to the hospital. One day at a time.

We have had record breaking heat for May. 14 days of triple temps.
Today will be a chilly 98. My oh my!

In between running around like a crazed nut, I have been able to add some items to my shop.
Several months ago I ordered some marvelous pillows that arrived this week. Yay!
I'm so excited.

Some other pretties as well.

I have also been improving my soldering technique.
No idle hands here-hehe.

I also wanted to thank you for your comments and emails. They really do mean the world.
At a low moment, they can pull me right up.
Bloggers are the best!

See you in a few

Taking a little time to smell the flowers.
See you soon.

My favorite little crafter

Hailey spent several days visiting Gma and Gpa.
She is really missing her daddy so we thought the undivided attention would be good for her.
I know that is was very good for Gma.
Thank goodness for blogger options. I love being able to schedule a post.
Now, I need to visit and catch up.

Hailey is very crafty. She enjoys making anything but we decided to focus on cards.
The picture above is a get well card that she was making for her Uncle.
It touched my heart.

This is the front of the card and.....

this is the back of the card. When we visited my son on Mother's day, he couldn't believe that she had made a card just for him. It brought me to tears!
She is such a sweetie. I feel very grateful to have her in my life.

We also did a little "treasure hunting". Look what we found.
I told her we were looking for some crowns and right after saying it, this came into view.
I was calling it the wonderwoman crown belt.

Later on today it will be in my little shop.
I have to tell you that the picture does not do it justice.
It is definitely unique.

Happy Tuesday to everyone.