We've moved! Just without all the packing...come with us, we'd love for you to! =)

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Sunday, August 30, 2009

Cats and Dogs and TURTLES! Oh my!

As if there isn't enough going on around the house, today Julie's friend Jenna brought her two turtles to join the family! The good thing about them is that they can't run around and mess things up..ha! Truthfully, they're fun to watch. Still a little skittish from being transported but swimming around and checking out their new digs.
Max and Molly are especially excited about the new arrivals. Molly isn't quite tall enough to get up close and personal, but Max uses those unusually long legs of his to get a closer look!

Oh yeah, their names? Well, Mango and Marley, of course! (Thanks Kenny! :))

Friday, August 28, 2009

Favorite things Friday

This week I wanted to share something simple yet makes me smile and is a great little reminder!



Last year I saw this in a store and fell in love with it, but didn't buy it (very surprising!). Well, Mom a.k.a. Santa was with me at the time and surprised me with it on Christmas morning. It sits on a stand in our bedroom and serves as a nightlight. I love waking up to see believe shining through! Sometimes it's the simplest things in life.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Wednesday's Walk Down Memory Lane


My friend Bev started Wednesday's Walk Down Memory Lane and I had to jump on board.

This week marks the beginning of another school year for the J's. I know people say it all the time, but time is flying by. It doesn't seem possible that Julie is starting her 2nd year of college, that Jon is a senior and that Jake is finishing up middle school. I stumbled across this picture last week as we re-arranged half the house (no joke..more to come later about that!). I swear it seems like yesterday this was taken!

Julieanne - 5, Jacob - 8 months, Jonathan - 4

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Rewarded!

Since she was a sophomore in high school, Julieanne's worked for The Little Gym. She's amazing - she truly loves working with kids. No matter what might be going on outside of work, she turns on bubbly and gives it her all. It's fun to be out with her when kids yell 'Ms. Julie!' (in their cutest small voices). They're obviously so excited to see her outside of the gym. I've always known she's just the best at her job but let it be noted that I'm a bit partial! ;) But, looks like I'm not the only one that recognizes her efforts. She called today to say that she's been promoted to Program Director! We're so very proud of her. Congratulations Bugs!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Down went Duffy!

Wednesday evening, I set out for a walk with Mason and Titan. Duffy decided he would go along, except instead of walking he was going to ride his bike. To add to the excitement, he decided he could ride and let Titan walk/run alongside. Needless to say I didn't think it was a good idea - I had lots of reasons. Titan could be hurt if he got too close, he could get tangled in the wheel and Duffy could fall...yeah, yeah, yeah - he knows best (yeah right!) and so off they went!

(I actually took this pic when things were going well - guess it's that intuition that told me I'd be using it later! Ha!)

After a trip around the entire neighborhood, he was on the home stretch when I heard commotion - yep, you guessed it, he fell! He claimed he was fine (typical of him)! The only visible signs of injury were his scraped hands and skinned toe. Other than that, he seemed to have survived....until about 3 hours later. The pain in his left elbow became worse. After a short trip to the ER, he found himself in a brand spanking new splint...from his upper arm to his wrist.


At that point, they didn't see any breaks but suggested he follow up with an orthopedic doctor if he didn't see improvement. So, on Thursday afternoon, he decided it would be best if he made that appointment to see what was really going on. Glad he did! Turns out he has a 'v' shaped shatter in his elbow! Can you imagine?! No more splint, but needs to be kept in a sling with exercises to help it heal. Thankfully it wasn't a circular fracture-apparently that would've meant surgery! Shew... 6 to 8 more weeks and he should be all healed - we're praying that's the case!

By the way, Titan is perfectly fine! He got away from Duffy but met nice neighbors who captured him until Duffy gathered himself and his flip flops! Ha! AND before this little adventure started I told Duffy that I WOULD NOT being going to the ER with him if he fell....I hate to eat my words, but I hate that it ended the way it did more!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Favorite Things Friday

Friday is definitely my favorite day of the week...more specifically Friday nights! =) So, what a better time to share favorite things.

I do love electronic gadgets so I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of those! Technology is the best - one of my more recent purchases was a Sony Reader. It takes a minute to adjust to the fact that your books are in a slim notebook style device but it's an easy transition. I love this little thing! It's easy to take with you anywhere you go. And there's a great light accessory that I couldn't imagine not having - a LCD page that illuminates to allow you to read at any time. Check it out.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Home Sweet Home

I have to admit that since moving to Hagerstown, I haven't spent a lot of time in Frederick (except for work!). But every time I'm downtown I remember how much I love it! We enjoyed a delicious dinner with Daddy tonight at LaPaz.


It was a great evening to sit on the patio and enjoy good company and food! But my favorite is the view looking down Carroll Creek.



There's so much to see - lots of details and plenty of people watching too.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Show us your life - Favorite vacation spots...


Truth be known, my favorite vacation is a staycation. Yep, given the choice, I'm perfectly happy and content at home, chillin' on the patio and relaxing - a glass of wine (or a Cruzan concoction) in hand and candles burning. Traveling causes me stress! Seriously! I know, weird, huh? Here's a peek at where you'll find me enjoying home...



When I try to be mainstream (or normal =)), I can enjoy the beach. Any one will do with few qualifiers - I need entertainment. None of these secluded places for me, I want to watch people and have plenty to do when the sun goes down. Here's a couple pics of my favorites...

Myrtle Beach, SC

Ocean City, MD



13 on the 13th!


Cierra Jade, I remember the day you were born! I can't believe that was 13 years ago! We hope you have the happiest birthday ever! You deserve the best!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Almost Wordless Wednesday

If you've enjoyed Skipjack, then this really is a Wordless Wednesday post - you don't need to read any further...you already know. But, if you haven't then I need to tell you that it's simply the best! It's the first wine I really liked and although I've had several (ok a little more than several) since, it's still my favorite!



Monday, August 10, 2009

Happy Anniversary Linda & Daddy!



We hope you have a great day and many, many more years of happiness! Enjoy!





Sunday, August 9, 2009

Friendship Bread Adventure

So, a week ago Friday, Julieanne brought home a bag of mix with daily instructions that would eventually become friendship bread. Considering that she's barely home and leaving for a cruise, it became my little project. Here's what it looked like when we started.

For the first four days, you just squeeze the mixture in the bag (mash the bag). Along with NO refrigeration and letting air out of the bag as it builds up. On the 5th day, I added a cup of flour, a cup of sugar and a cup of milk...mixing together by squeezing while still in the bag. That's when it really started to rise.

Three more days of squeezing and letting air out brings us to today. The 10th day - adding another 1 1/2 cups of sugar, flour and milk. Stir it all together and measure four 1 cup portions - this goes in separate bags to be shared.



With the remaining mixture, I added eggs, oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, baking soda, instant pudding, more milk, sugar and flour. Drizzle the bottom of two baking dishes with sugar and cinnamon and divide the batter between the two. Top off with sugar and cinnamon and bake for an hour.


Once done baking, cool completely, slice and enjoy! Wow, this is good stuff! So good, I don't know if I want to share! Ha!




For those of you who know me well, YES, I did it - hard to believe, huh?!


Has anyone else made this before?

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Bon Voyage!


Today, Julieanne and most of her family (including Jonathan and Jacob) set sail for Bermuda! We're hoping they have a great trip with perfect weather and calm seas!

She's a picture freak in training, so I'm hoping for some good ones to share! Stay tuned....


Wednesday, August 5, 2009

SHOW US YOUR LIFE - Reception and Honeymoon


It's that time again, this week we're dishing our reception details with everyone at Kelly's Korner.

We were married at the United Methodist Church in Clarksburg, MD (Duffy's hometown - well at least from the 2nd grade and up) and our reception was in Frederick, MD (my hometown). I thought that was a nice compromise. (In case you don't know, Clarksburg and Frederick are only about 20 miles apart!)

Our reception was at the local American Legion. Given the fact that we were married at 1:00 in the afternoon, the party began around 2:30. It was a lot of fun! Plenty of dancing, socializing and yummy food. A DJ provided the music and the entertainment, courtesy of our guests :)! Our cake was made by a lady who baked in her home kitchen - no fancy bakery for us. It was almond flavor and was very tasty!

Here are a few pictures:
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We spent our honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, SC. You know the oddest thing? I have NO pictures! Did I lose my mind temporarily?! Must have! I can tell you that it rained for a lot of the time but we enjoyed splashing around on water slides, great dinners and a little shopping too.

Wordless Wednesday




Sunday, August 2, 2009

Today is Friendship Day!

Did you know today is Friendship Day? Me neither 'til I saw an e-mail about it. Well sounds like a good reason to mention a few special people!

Luanne - So much to say...we've been through a lot together in the past 18 (almost 19) years! (has it really been that long?! - must explain why we're starting to look alike LOL) I think it's best summed up by the candle you gave me a few years ago 'you'll always be my friend - you know too much' HA! Enough said!? =)

Jenn - Friends since high school. (I'm not even going to share how many years that's been, let's just leave it at ... well a few...a lot...get the point?!) You will always have a special place in my heart and life - you have so unselfishly shared 3 of the most important people in my life! Julieanne, Jonathan and Jacob...thank you for them! I have been immeasurably blessed by each and you know that words don't begin to touch their meaning!

Christie - although we lost touch for a bit, talking with you now seems like time stood still! Your humor and straight to the point approach to things makes me smile. Thanks for being you.

And lastly - but most certainly not least - Duffy! When I think of you, Kenny's song 'You Save Me' comes to mind. There are many times I'm more than eager to fly off the handle but it's your calm, reasonable approach that reels me in (well most of the time anyway!).

So to all of my friends - those mentioned here, those who shall remain nameless and those I don't even know yet, here's wishing you the happiest of Friendship Days!

Thanks for stopping by