Happy Freedom!!

Saturday, the 4th of July, we decided to have some people over and make a day of it. Of course, the first person Steve thought to invite was his good buddy Art. Art's wife Jana and I thought we would try to take some pics of them but they said we were asking them to do a bunch of "gay" poses and refused. So we said just act like you're really deep in conversation and they did. I swear they should be models...look how real that looks. It's like on of those Kohls 4th of July ads. This is Art's wife Jana...we just love her. She's so witty. And check out her new bathing suit...very fashionable!! I loved the print, the colors, the style....just cute!! Anyways, pretty shortly after arrival Jana informed me that she read somewhere that "it's not a true 4th of July party unless the hostess has a bowl of cherries". I was way ahead of her....good thing too or she would have blogged something horrible of my hostess-ness. Here Damian and Jarom are enjoying some patriotic cupcakes (note the bowl of cherries on the table). I decided to make a Freedom cheesecake with fresh berries and such. I think it was a hit because there were no leftovers...which is always a good sign.

This was my mama's first holiday as an Arizona resident. My brother Mark graced us with his presence...which made her happy.

one last thing...doesn't hubby look hot in that pic of him and Art...I thought so.

Happy Freedom!!

without me

so Steph begged and begged me to go on a road trip with her friend for a week and half. I thought it would be too long but she insisted it wasn't. so I let her go...she has called me every day at LEAST 3 times a day!! she can't live without me...and I love it!!

tonight

Had an 8 cow enrichment tonight...It was really cool. My mother accompanied me to listen to me speak. I spoke on how not to be a mad cow...how to be a friendly one. I think it went over really well.
My niece Michelle is spending the night with us tonight. She's playing volleyball with our young women in the morn. I can't be rude and be on the computer all night...gotta go.

triggered desires

I want a baby. I really, really want a baby!! I've been wanting one for a while now. I start having withdrawals when mine start hitting around 2 and a half or 3. You'd think that after 5, the oldest of which is 19, I would be done. And I am done...I just really wish I could have another. It's nothing I think about on a daily basis or anything but when I see someone with a baby it makes me miss those days and think about what joy it is to hold a sweet little baby in your arms. Then there's those days when I think...only 15 more years and we're done!! But my Sister in Law announced last week that she is expecting and that triggered my desires. Now I keep thinking about how lucky she is to have that sweet little something to hold, to love, to kiss and to make her feel loved unconditionally....like only a baby can.

remember your first best friend

So one of my weaknesses is wrapped in a little blue wrapper and is called Dove Promises. Not only do I love them because of the way the chocolate feels like silk when melting in your mouth but because of the little daily thought they put on the inside of the wrapper. During sacrament meeting today I decided to have myself a little taste of heaven and popped one in my mouth. My wrapper said "remember your first best friend.". Which got me thinking about mine. Her name was Nicole Kuzma. I grew up in military housing in San Diego and her house was connected to mine...directly next door. I want to say that we were 7 when we met...and we were inseperable. If her family went somewhere I went with them and vice versa. We dressed alike, we did our hair the same, we played softball together and chased after the same boys (when we were older)...inseperable!! So today, I want you to remember your first best friend...and I want to hear one thing about her.

Yard Sales and Bunco

As of today, when one enters my home, they will encounter this in the entryway... Isn't she a beauty? I bought her today for...wait for it...wait for it...10 bucks!! So the table and everything on it cost me a total of 20 bucks!! Is that awesome or what? All yard sale purchases.
The following is a picture of what I like to call my washboard wall. This whole wall including the mirrors was $5. I paid a buck for each of the mirrors which were a horrible orange (but black paint makes the world a better place) and $3 for the 2 small washboards. The big one is actually the washboard my grandma washed my moms clothes on. Pretty cool huh? If you happen upon an unwanted washboard please send it my way!
This wall was $4.98...thats what I paid for the 2 gold plates and the red sign was a bunco win made by one of the ladies in the bunco group.

This, too was also a bunco win made by the same lady!! It sets on one side of my piano and brings me much happiness. I do not know yet what will go there when the 4th of July has come and gone but I'm sure I'll think of something.

On the other side of my piano sits my most treasured purchase of the day...Vogues book of Etiquette. I paid a whoppin 25 cents for it and I can't get enough of it!! This book was purchased new by the lady I bought it from about 50 or 60 years ago. It was printed in 1948 and is full of helpful hints for men and women on etiquette. Quite interesting!! I plan never to part with this little treasure!! Look at the binding!! So worn and old...I love it!! And here is a sampling of what you will find inside of her. Click on the picture to be able to read the excerpt.

Yard Sales and Bunco...2 of my favorite things!!

MJ

I know he was a freak in his latter years but I'm quite sad about Michael Jackson. I grew up listening to him...loving him...waiting up to see Thriller when it premiered on MTV is one of my greatest movies. Am I a freak or were you a little sad too?