The dog lady

I have a best friend at work who always remembers my birhtday by giving me a gift. This year she gave me a night shirt which sports a dog theme. My friend and I have been very close friends for five years and we really have a lot in common.... except dogs. When we met, I was a lot like her, in that I would never dream of having a dog inside my house. Over the past couple of years, we have become proud parents of two wonderful pups, thanks to my dear daughter. I have to admit that I have truly fallen in love with our little guys. I'm the typical "dog lady" now, as I do tend to talk about my little guys at work and to my dear friend. She always shakes her head when I start talking about my little ones, as if she just cannot believe I am now one of "those people." This week, for my birthday, she gave me this adorable little night shirt with a few other "dog" related items. It was probably the best gift I had ever received from her, and she had a big smile on her face while watching me open my gifts. After it was all over, and she saw how happy she had made me, she replied, "You really disappoint me." hee hee So, happy birthday to the dog lady!

Snake Plant

Believe it or not, this is the first snake plant I've ever owned. This plant was part of an arrangement that someone gave to me as a going away gift when I left work a few months ago. It has been in a dark room with very little water or attention since that time. Since it was determined to live anyway, I decided to repot it and give it a new chance at living. Why have I never owned a snake plant before? I don't know... my mom has plenty of them. Did you know that another name for the snake plant is "Mother in Law Tongue"? That's funny! I hope I haven't jinxed this little plant, now that I've decided to give it a little attention. Time will tell!

Long weekend :o)

I have worked and worked and worked the past couple of weeks. Now I'm off for a four day weekend.... yay, yay, yay! Daughter and I will be going to see hubby this weekend. We will be doing a couple of things for a niece's wedding while we are there. Daughter has to pick up her dress (she is a bridesmaid) and we have a shower to attend on Sunday. I went to the doctor today, thinking I was going for my "yearly" exam. It's never that simple, is it? I will be going back in a couple weeks for more tests. I guess the older we get, the more tests they find to do. That's okay, though.... once the results come back normal, we're glad we did it! My pups have been with their "daddy" all week and I've missed them. It will be great to be with hubby and puppy babies this weekend. I hope you all have a great weekend too!

Summer Time

Do you remember how we, as kids, always looked forward to summer? No school; just many long days of playing, hanging out with friends, going to the beach, swimming, and thinking of fun things to do? Wouldn't you love to go back to those days.... just one more time? I have so looked forward to summer this year, just to realize that it is passing right before my eyes! It's been tougher than I thought, being apart from my husband during the week. We are, once again, rethinking our situation and if all goes as planned, I hope to reunite with him by late Fall, if not before. :o) Then I hope to find some of my "lost" summer days. I hope you guys are having a wonderful FUN summer!

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day! I hope your day is full of fun and fireworks. One of the things I love about living in my current home is that we see free fireworks from our front yard. We don't even have to fight the traffic! We live a road over from Victory Junction Camp and get free access to their show every year. Also, we have very extravagant neighbors who put on a huge display of fireworks over their little lake just across the road. I love the peaceful feeling of pulling out a chair into the middle of the driveway, in my summer gown, with barefeet on the warm concrete, relaxing in the quiet of the night, without the crowds and noise, sipping coffee, and having my very "own" firework display. I'm looking forward to tonight. Hope you all get to see great fireworks!

My little quilt

I've had this quilt for at least 12 years. I bought it from a little flea market in a very tiny town in NC for $5. It is all sewn by hand.... the flowers, the quilt, and the quilting stitches. I have had it tucked away all this time, as I didn't want my children to "mess it up". Now get this... I brought it out over the weekend for my little dog to sleep beneath when she lies on the couch next to me. What kind of mama am I? I wouldn't let my kids touch it, but now I'm using it for my little dog??? hee hee The funny (odd) thing is, that after all these years, I noticed for the first time ever that there is embroidery on the back, that I never have seen before. It says 1984-McClung. I'm sure a Ms. McClung made it in 1984, but I think some of the fabric looks older than 1984. What do you think?

PS. My little birds flew away today! (see posts below) I was a little sad when I came home from work to find the empty nest. But that is nature... and I really enjoyed watching them while I could.

Country Living

These pictures cannot reveal the true beauty of this recently cut hayfield near my home. This field seems to go on and on, but my camera could not get a view of the whole area at once. I love these huge round bales of hay and how pretty they make a landscape look. Believe it or not, there is a pretty blonde lady who is responsible for cutting all this hay. I've seen her in several fields in the area, on her red tractor, working away in these fields, while someone else comes along with the baling machine to finish up. I'm proud of her... I have no idea who she is.
I imagine she is used to hard work and probably doesn't enjoy her work nearly as much as I enjoy seeing her handiwork. This is country living at its finest... true beauty found in what is a necessity and money maker for the farmer, yet such a pretty site for others to enjoy.
By the way, Mom, this field is just a yard or two away from our very famous neighbor. (The King of Nascar)

See how we have grown!

Look at my baby birds! There are still six in the nest and look how crowded they are! I hope they can continue to live together as they grow and that none fall out of the nest. Look at all that YUK! that I will get to clean up after they fly away. Do you think Mama bird poops on the edge of her nest? Or does part of that mess belong to the baby birds? Whatever it is, it is surely making a mess on my front door. I look forward to cleaning it!

His eye is on the sparrow....

This is what we saw on Sunday when we peeked inside the bird's nest. Lots of little feathers, with one egg not having yet hatched at this point. Now, look what I see today: Scrawny little birds packed tightly inside their very tiny nest! It 's amazing how much they have changed already!
They seem to be just flopping around in the nest... apparently, waiting for Mama bird to bring some supper in this picture. I've had new carpet put down this week and new furniture delivered today.... all without disturbing the birds. Everyone is still using either the garage door or the back door. This has been a little inconvenient to all of us, but it has truly been a gift watching these little miracles right in front of our eyes.
And you know, God not only watches over the little sparrows, but he truly watches over ME. There were fatal shootings at a nursing home this week, in our new town where hubby transferred recently. As many of you know, we decided to keep our house, and I've moved back home and resumed my former job. However, if we had not made that decision, I would have been at that very nursing home when the shootings occurred. My office would have been just down the hall. I don't think I would have been in any danger, as the shooter did not intend to take anybody's life, other than his own, his wife's, and his mother's. But I don't think my mind or my body could have handled the horrific events of that day. I turned down that job just days before returning to my current job. I pray for all those involved and I thank my dear heavenly Father that he truly watches over me!

Baby, it's hot outside!

Eastern NC is having a heat wave and boy, is it hot! I've been in and out of the car for two days, running errands, and the heat is unbearable. I cannot imagine NOT having an air conditioner during this time. The a/c seems to be working overtime, but it's doing a fine job cooling our little apartment.

I started back to work last week. Everything went well and most everyone seemed glad that I was back. After having not worked for almost two months, it was a big adjustment, having to set the alarm clock and actually leave the house every morning. But I made it through my first week and look forward to being with so many of my friends again.

I am working Monday thru Thursday, which gives me a three day weekend every week. (my new position doesn't require me to work weekends) Other than not having to work at all, what more can one ask for? Right? Coming to the apartment on Thursday night was almost like taking a little vacation. If the gas prices would only come down, I think this living arrangment will be okay for awhile.

For those of you interested in seeing a few of my son and daughter in law's wedding pic's, go here: http://thebabysitterslove.blogspot.com/ I'm the mother in the blue dress. Babysitter's Love is my daughter in law's blog page and I always look forward to reading her posts. Please check her out if you have time.

Hubby and I will be heading back to our real home this afternoon. From there I have to get busy, as we have homecoming at church tomorrow. I posted about homecoming once before and was surprised at the number of people who had never heard of a church homecoming. I guess it's a southern thing. Everyone will cook and bring several dishes and dessert to church tomorrow. Friends, family, and former members are invited to share in our meal after church. We will have a guest speaker, which is usually a former pastor from the church. It's a lot of work, but a lot of fun.

I hope you guys are staying cool and enjoying this "spring" time weather!

Time Alone

Wow! I forgot how much one can get done without distractions! Hubby and I have decided to keep our house and I will be living here during the week. He took the dogs back with him on Friday, so I have been alone for two days. Don't get me wrong, I miss them terribly, but I have enjoyed my free time. I have worked in my yard and been able to really enjoy my flowers. I visited with the newly weds... had dinner with them and watched the wedding video. (which was awesome, by the way) I shopped at Wal Mart late last night (late for me, anyway). I got up early this morning and enjoyed several yard sales. I treated myself to breakfast and had my nails done today. I came home and washed my car. I hope to start painting in my laundry room as soon as I cool off a little. (it is hot here today) Last night was my first night alone and I was a little nervous. I kept thinking I was hearing things and didn't get a lot of sleep. I could have sworn I heard the garage door opening at one point. Someone hit a deer in front of my house and I got up to look outside without turning on any lights. I walked into the door frame on my way back to bed. I have a tiny little black eye today. I don't like things that go bump in the night! So, to my hubby, if you are reading this... I have enjoyed my free "day light" time... but I sure do miss you guys at night!

Progress

Mama bird has been very busy, hasn't she? When we left to go back to our apartment last week, I forgot to put the sign up to warn people at the front door . My daughter in law told me that she and my son came over Tuesday night to pick up her wedding dress. They didn't know about the nest but quickly noticed mama bird flying around their heads while trying to open the front door. They decided to exit through the back door after they picked up their things. I now have a sign on my storm door, just under the wreath, which says: "Please use back door, Mama bird is on her nest. Thanks!" So far, the sign is working. Hopefully, the eggs will hatch soon and we'll get a good picture of her babies! Isn't nature amazing?