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

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.

Happy Mother's Day

Say to them, may the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor and give you His peace.

(Numbers 6:23-26)


Have a beautiful day with those you hold dear.

Learning a new skill?

I believe the key to staying "young" is to keep learning, and to remember that French is a state of mind.
I have been in love with soldered necklaces so I decided to teach myself how to make them.

These are my first results. Primitive but that's OK. I will just keep practicing.

Practice makes perfect- maybe.

I do have to tell you that I had fun so I guess it was a success.

Jayde wanted me to thank you for visiting her birthday post.
Her dad was able to call her on her birthday. Definitely the best present.

Have a happy Friday!

Happy Birthday Miss Jayde

9 years ago today, a little Angel came into our family.
Jayde, your parents couldn't wait to see you, hold you, and love you in the flesh.
Daddy looks so young doesn't he? My baby was just 21 years old when you were born.
Your daddy was proud, he just beamed.
In fact, he didn't want to put you down!

Your mommy was thrilled. Two had become three.
As we heard your first cries (girl, you had a set of lungs-hehe) we rejoiced.
I was so excited to be your grandma and that excitement will never go away.
It just keeps getting better and better.

I am so proud of you. You are a compassionate person.
Your spirit just shines.
My wish for you is that as your grow up, you keep your joy.
Keep listening to that small voice inside, it will never let you down.

You are a wonderful young lady and we are very lucky to have you in our lives.

We love you sweetpea.

Happy, happy birthday.