This is why. . .

I'ts that time of year when sales abound and taunt and the desire for a new winter sweater popped out of my closet! So off I went to Macy's and looked and looked for an hour, finally settled on one and tried it on. Something just wasn't quite right so I left it and begged my daughter to come back with me later on that day to see if she liked it on me. I thought her ideas of what looks good on me might help see what I was having trouble with. She wouldn't do it. Farmville, an old episode of Heroes and talking with her friend on the phone was more important. So after dinner Tim and I went out to learn how to use our OnStar from the car dealer and he asked if he could help with what was bothering me. "Just a silly sweater", I said. He drove right to the mall when I had just decided to forget it and 20 minutes before closing watched as I tried it on and then saw exactly what was wrong with it for my body type and then helped me sum up what does flatter my shape in the most perfect way. He even branched out and helped with pants and that is even harder for me to find the right fit. Anyway, it is "New Moon" release week and maybe I am a little love sick but . . . I love him.

Lauren's backyard summer projects

This girl is doing every bit as much as Ben did for his Eagle project! Way to go Lauren:)http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbId=2275448
Remember to hit the button to the top right to view in full screen--easier to read

Reading

I pulled some lower back muscles last week during my body pump class so I decided to get back to reading as I couldn't do much else. I just finished The Help and now I am starting Peace like a River to read along with Ben. Mike and I are into Chet Gecko mysteries. I just finished reading The Hunger Games with Lauren and took her to see a local community play, Wait until Dark.

Visitors after the game

Well this is a fitting way to get back to posting again. These little guys made my day last Saturday, around noon after our first freeze. Lauren had just finished her last high school soccer game of the season. This flock of Eastern bluebirds were on their way through and stayed the afternoon in our backyard Maple and would fly down to the grass and grab something. Their song was so pretty although it was a bit nippy to be out watching them. A guy at the wild bird store thought they were probably grabbing the bugs that had frozen and fallen out of the tree overnight. So here are a few shots of them and one of Lauren at the game.

Going to see my sisters

I love visiting with my sisters. Now that we are old enough to enjoy each other, the visits we get are so fun. Love them! So here is a little preview of gifts I am bearing as I come:) http://www.brittneysscentsations.blogspot.com/ Can't wait!!!!!!!

June is such a busy month

June is always so busy for us. The winding down of school and that busy schedule gets replaced with a more relaxed but still project-oriented busy, esp. outdoor projects. This year Lauren wanted to lay a patio and have it done for Father's Day. My birthday fell in the middle of the two week span she devoted to the project from planning, buying and assembly. So we squeezed some fun in there for that too! So here are some before, during and after photos.

Surrey bike rental and sling-shot for Mike(he wants one of these real bad!!)

The work continues . . . she enlists more helpers!

And FINISHED for lunch on Father's Day.

Ben spent all week putting the grill together:)

Complete with tiki torches that she had drawn into the plans at the start!

Dads at home

Two or three Dads in my neighborhood that I know of are staying home this summer with their kids. Two have lost their jobs in the last several months. These are tough times, but I see both making "lemonade" with their situation. One just had a newborn baby 2 weeks ago and he will be home with his baby. I hope he knows that time will not be a regret. And the other has a 9 year old that just said to me last night that she is looking forward to being around to play with the kids more because she won't have to go to the summer day care program. He also has a 15 month baby. I hope both men know what value that have at home and around the neighborhood too.
My Dad was home with us when I was elementary school age and those are fond memories I have. Some playing around the house and watching Sesame Street together and a few field trip places. All of it are memories of being together with my Dad that I don't think any kid would regret. Maybe I will get a chance to tell them that. I think I have with my Dad. Do they know how just really coool they are! Wonderful times:)