Hardly Yardly

We talk about it every year, and we do little bits here and there, but over the past couple of weeks we actually re-landscaped our whole front yard and side yard...well, I say "we" very loosely, because I must admit I had absolutely nothing to do with it! My adopted sister, Michelle Bennett and her husband, Gordon, helped Steve design the yard, she drew it all up so we could get it approved by the homeowner's association, and then they helped pick out all the plants, and helped Steve dig/yank/rip out the old stuff, haul all of it to the dump, and plant all the new stuff. They even helped install underground drain pipes to direct the water out of our yard and out to the street so we don't wash away all our lovely work! (Again, I use the word "our" very loosely!) Don't hate me because I get to enjoy the beauty of the yard without helping create it, because although I'm hardly yardly, I really was WORKING when all this WORK was being done!

I tried to find a "before" picture of the yard, to show all the large, overgrown trees & bushes, so you could really see the contrast between these new small, UNDERgrown trees and bushes. But alas, could not find one. So, please imagine...and know that by the end of summer, these will have grown alot and they will look even more lovely! It's hard to see the crepe myrtle tree on the far left, and the weeping cherry tree on the far right, but I love both of those, and the pencil trees. Okay, and those are the only ones I know the names of, but they're all beautiful!

I'm sure the neighbors think we must be putting the house on the market or something, because we've lived here for 13 years, and this is the first major overhaul we've ever done. But we're not --we're staying to enjoy our beautiful yard. Thanks, AGAIN, to the fabulous BENNETT landscaping crew!

Hey, everyone, come visit, so you can see it in person!

Father's Day

It's been busy and hectic today, but we're winding down, and looking back on a great day. One of my favorite things about this Father's Day is one of the gifts I got to give Steve, known as "Pops" to our 5 grandsons.

Last December, they had a United Way fundraiser at work, and I bought $10 worth of tickets for a personalized caricature drawn by one of our employees, Dale Braden, who is a gifted artist in disguise. Well, two of them were given away, and I WON ONE! I was so excited. And although it took until June to collect my prize (not because it takes him that long, but just competing priorities for him) -- I LOVE THE FINAL RESULT!! I framed it and gave it to Steve for Father's Day. He was totally surprised, and just loves it, too!

                                                                                   

I also gave a smaller framed copy to Randi, and have one for Chris & Nathalie -- and for Mom & Dad. So...when you read this, know you have a copy coming!!  :o)

Also, a couple of weeks ago, Sam was at our friend, Michelle Bennett's house and she took him with her to a Primary activity where they decorated TIES for Father's Day...so Sam made one for Steve. Now, Bennetts are in a different ward, and everyone in THEIR ward would be wearing these ties on Father's Day. But Steve would be the ONLY one in our ward wearing one (haha) -- but he wore it with pride, because it was made with love by his sweet 10-year old. (And as it turns out, our visiting high councilman is from the Bennett's ward, and wore his tie on the stand and everything!) So cute...and everyone in the Carnton Ward knows Steve is loved!

Below are some pics from our fun day today. Randi and her boys came over, and we just had a nice afternoon eating good food, opening presents, holding babies, hugging on kiddos and eating red velvet cake (shhhh, it was enhanced with some 'healthy' puddings from our weight loss program).

I also want to send a special FATHER'S DAY  'shout out' to my own dad, who I love dearly! Our family has been so blessed to have you as our dad and patriarch. I talked to you on the phone last night, and know you had a wonderful day today. I look forward to you and Mom coming to visit in August, and all the fun we'll have, and the next memories we'll make. I love you, Dad!

               

And...last but not least, I want to wish my son, Chris, a very Happy Father's Day. It's his THIRD official Father's Day, and I know he is a wonderful dad to our precious grandsons, Colton & Rogan. We're blessed to have such a great son, who's an exemplary husband and father. We love and miss your family, Chris, and look forward to seeing you again soon!

Blessed

I am often reminded that although our life as a family is very busy and crazy, hectic and rushed, over-scheduled and tightly wound, stretched to the limits, and then some at times -- we are very blessed.

We have love. We have good health. We have the gospel. We have extended family who we hold dear. We have close friends who are like family. We are employed. We have music. We have knowledge. We have opportunity. We live in America. We are sheltered from much of the pain that exists in the world. We have hope. We have faith in a God who loves us all, and will fix our troubled world someday.

I know these blessings are not necessarily common, and they are unique to our family. Every family has their own set. The fact that we can do all we do each day, running our many different directions at 'mach speed' is a blessing in itself. I try not to take things for granted. It could be so different with the snap of a finger. It is already different and difficult for so many.

Life is good, and I am grateful.

Cutie Pies...In Ties!

What cute little fellers we have in Nebraska!

CMA MusicFest (Now--and Then)

Well, for the first time in many years, I actually attended CMA MusicFest (formerly known as Fan Fair). It was about 150 degrees outside, and I thought my face would MELT OFF, but other than that, it was a great time! I was with a group of friends, we enjoyed dinner first, and then headed to LP Field and stood and rocked out with all the groups that night. What a lineup!!

Jamie O'Neal (National Anthem - she's GREAT!)
Easton Corbin (A newcomer, but I like him!)
Billy Currington (or Crankton, as we call him) -- He ROCKS!
Zac Brown Band (okay)
MARTINA McBRIDE (need I say more!?)
Rascal Flatts (they are the best group out right now)

Briana Lutes, Me, Gina Rose

  

"CMA MUSIC FEST 2010"

Gina's Mom, Annette, made us these vests, and we wore them long enough for
the photo op, and to rock to a couple of Billy Currington Songs...then
they were off! It was TOO HOT!

(Annette, Sam, Rita, Briana, Me, Katie, Gina, Tandi)

There are better photos available on-line, but since I took these with my own camera, and I was THERE, and I was in the spirit of the moment, I have to post these instead...

Easton Corbin                            Billy Currington

Zac Brown Band                                     Rascal Flatts

Martina McBride!!

And now...for a trip back in the TIME MACHINE to when we first moved to Nashville, and I was a rabid music fan, music wannabe, and Fan Fair attendee. I went and sweated it out with all of the country music fans from morning to night, and enjoyed every minute in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

In fact, in 1990, I was working for the local paper, The Williamson Leader, so I got a Media Pass where I got to go backstage to interview some of the nicer stars who would actually stop to talk to a small local reporter who really couldn't do anything for their career. My favorite was VINCE GILL, who was very nice, and very handsome! And my article about Fan Fair (and this photo) were actually featured in the paper!

Backstage with Vince Gill -- Fan  Fair 1990

I don't have an actual photo of one particular artist I heard that year, but he sang a song called "Much Too Young to Feel This Damn Old." He was a newcomer; I thought he was okay, but personally didn't think he'd go anywhere in the business. His name was Garth Brooks. Ever heard of him...?

Anyway, here are some more photos from Fan Fair.  If you weren't a country music fan in the late 1980's you won't recognize any of these names, but you can laugh at the SCARY HAIR!

Kathy Mattea -- I met her at Fan Fair 1989, but this photo was actually taken
after one of her concerts at the Grand Ole' Opry in July, 1988.

Mason Dixon -- Fan Fair 1989

Dave & Sugar - Fan Fair 1989

Desert Rose Band - Fan Fair 1989

Now, this next photo isn't from Fan Fair, and will appear again down the road in an entire post dedicated to a fun night we had in 1988 when we first moved here. But in the meantime, let me tell you that I won tickets on the radio to a United Way benefit at the Opryland Hotel hosted by Reba McEntire.

We all had to dress up like the 1920's (Steve and I rented costumes), and there were all kinds of activities planned, and it was such a fun night for us! And after Reba's show, I (literally) dragged Steve backstage, and we SNUCK back past the gate while Steve was freaking out, and paranoidly watching for the guards and whisper-yelling at me to "hurry!" I snagged Reba as she was leaving the dressing room, and she was kind enough to pose with me for this photo. I'm sure they upped their security after that!

Me & Reba  in 1988 -- 1920's Style!

(Yes, we do have poodle perms, and yes,
she does have on hair extensions with her costume.)

Someday I'll post many, many more music memories, so I can document them somewhere. In the past 22 years since we moved to Nashville, we've certainly made a few! But for now, my CMA MusicFest/Fan Fair experience last night reminded me of these...so until next time!

Baby Grands

My friend Susie just got a gorgeous new baby grand piano for her music room.  She loves it so, and it sounds beautiful when she plays. She is such an accomplished and talented pianist. I love to do duets with her, I sing, she plays....ahhhhh.

I have my own baby grands! And they are sooooo sweet and beautiful! To hear them call me "Grammy" is music to my ears. I love them so...

Being a grammy is just...well, GRAND!

Dunce Cap

Okay, so through some strange brain malfunction, I determined recently that I'm going to finish my degree.

Yes...your gasp(!) and pause were audible. It's okay, really. I'm letting this sink in...wait for it, wait for it...

I'm actually going back to school. There, I said it, I'm going to be held accountable, I have witnesses, and I'm going to have to actually do what I said I'm going to do.

I've talked about it for years, and the time has finally come.

So, in a blatant attempt to avoid taking Algebra and failing it miserably (c'mon, I barely passed Algebra I as a freshman in high school!), I'm currently taking a remedial algebra class taught by a good friend of mine, in a small group (3 students). I'm actually sort of understanding what she is teaching!! My hope is that with literally 1-on-1 instruction to the enth degree I can learn enough to test out of the class at the local Community College. Math is my biggest FEAR. If I survive that, I'm going to finish my Associates degree at the college, and then do my Bachelor's on-line in General Studies with an emphasis in Communications.

I currently work as Director of Marketing Communications for a national corporation, and have over 30 years experience in the work force, for heaven's sake! Please tell me most of the subject matter I will be learning will be pretty familiar to me from what I do every day. If not, I'm just sunk.

Because remedial algebra is already blowing what was left of my mind...

Your prayers would be appreciated.

Baby Boo-Boo

Poor little Rogan fell down the stairs and got a spiral fracture in his wrist. Awwww.... isn't that the cutest little face (and cast) you've ever seen?

But he's going to be okay...15 days, and the cast comes off!

Memorial Day Fun

Since we have three birthdays in May (Sam, Andrew & Randi), and the Memorial Day Holiday, we sort of combined a family celebration of all the above. Randi provided a group birthday cake, and we partied on! Randi's friend, Crystal, and her little Sariah joined us for a day of fun, grillin' and chillin'.