I don't have to be me til Tuesday!

Starting tonight, I don't! And let me just say that I'm going to live it up and squeeze every minute I can. I ♥ three day weekends, I do! I like knowing that work is closed and nothing's piling up while I'm not there. Bottle up that feeling cause I'd buy it!

I think I'll do some of this

and enjoy some of that (ok, more than some)

and that

and maybe watch some of these

oh yeah and lots and lots of this

with him

and him

and Jim...

Enjoy!

A little of this and that...

Quality time with Jon....

Since Tuesday he's been here most of the time...a week off from his summer class was perfectly timed with the US Open and with with no other things he had to do in Pennsylvania, he stayed through the weekend. And even though the sky threatened to let loose with rain at any moment which kept us off the water, we still had time with Jon...and that is just the best!

Do it himselfer....

This is our 7th summer in this house and each one of those Jim has worked on the grass like his life depends on it. Summer number one - we had nothing...small patches of weedy grass but mostly dry dusty dirt. We moved in December so the seed that came with the house didn't excatly grow, so we tried again in early spring. But come warm weather he was out there mowing what was there...picture Pigpen from The Peanuts skits...yep, that's what he looked like! But each year that followed he got more grass to grow until we had a real lawn. This year he decided that it was just taking too long for the lawn treatment people to show up for his early spring work so he did it himself. Turned out ok so it's his mission now. Big bag of fertilizer - check, spreader - check and he's off. Looks like a lot of work to me from my seat on the patio. Don't get me wrong we don't have a lot of ground to cover but still...anyway - it's looking green around here and I think I detect a sense of accomplishment.

Here's a little then and now for comparison:

April 2005

Now

Extreme!

So, there's a coupon craze going on. Who knew? Julie mentioned it to me a week or so ago and I half listened...but the other day when Jim and Jon went to play 9 holes (The Open has 'em a lil excited for golf) I was flipping through channels and found a show about it! OMG...seriously, $600 worth of groceries for less than $100. Now don't get me wrong, that means A LOT of cooking and let's just say that's not me. But, we have been eating at home lately and Luanne and I are always talking about ways to save money. This could be it...so today, I got a Sunday paper and scoured for things we use. Jon said (and I quote)...'this'll last one week'. He could soooo be right but this could be really cool. Time will tell ;)

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I'm looking so forward to a new washer and dryer arriving this week...pathetic? Ha...you have no idea! I'll tell ya more about that later.

All day long

Today is my birthday! Can I just tell you that it has rained ALL day...no joke...like need an ark rain! White knuckles driving home rain! But, it's still my birthday and I love that! I love forgetting for a few minutes and then remembering...oh yeah, today's my birthday! :)

There's been so many wishes...people that I haven't heard from in waaaay too long...people I talk to every day...friends and family and friends that are practically family! And it's times like these that make me feel like I matter! Ha!

So, every Thursday night (well not every..but darn close to EVERY) we go to this local place...The Broad Axe! We like it there...it's a little like Cheers...where everybody knows your name. Well not quite, but you get the point. And it's Thursday, right? So, that's where we were. Dinner and drinks with Duffy and Julie...chats over the phone with Jon and Jake..my day is complete!

And yep, this is my last year to be 30 something. And don't think I'm not going to hold on tight and enjoy it! Because I am...and when it's next year at this time and I'm writing about being the big four oh...well that'll be ok too, but until then...I'm going to live it up...my way. ;) I can promise you this...when I say goodbye to the 30's I'm gonna say, now that was fun!

(not sure why it's sooo blurry...but it's the official b-day pic with Duffy!)

So on this very rainy night (I can hear it hitting the roof as I type and honestly, it's one of my most favorite sounds to hear when I'm laying quiet in bed) I say bring it on! I'm ready! Let the party begin....

Getting to Know You Sunday!

Keely at MannLand5 hosts Getting to Know You on Sundays. I found her blog while hopping and was excited to see her last name's Mann! How cool, huh?! (that's my maiden name) So, here it goes....

1. Where were you born?

Frederick, MD

2. Toilet paper..do you crinkle/crumple or fold it?

Oh, I'm definitely a crumpler.

3. What was the last movie you saw in the theater?

'The Blind Side' - what an amazing movie! I cried through most of it and on the way to the car and on the way home! ha!

4. What room do you spend the most time in besides your bedroom?

Well it's not the kitchen! =) at least not yet (remember, I might cook more). Most of my time is spent in the family room.

5. Would you be grossed out if you found out your husband/boyfriend/significant other hadn't brushed their teeth for 4 days and you had been snogging (kissing) them?

Ummm, yeah! Ewwwww

6. Do you fold your underwear?

No! I tried once but I'm pretty obsessed with underwear matching my clothes so that requires looking through for the right ones so folding isn't happening!

7. What is one goal you would like to achieve this year?

Oh, New Year's resolutions? (click to check those out!)

8. What is your favorite month/least favorite month?

Favorite month is easily September! After all, it's my birthday month... Least favorite? Probably March - I'm usually done with winter by then and am anxious for spring!

Wanna play along too? Click Keely's button at the top of this post to link up.

New Year's Resolutions

So I'm hoping if I publish these I'll be more dedicated to sticking to them. Here's my list (hopes!):

• I hope to do at least one house chore a night. I'm pretty good about keeping up with things around here, but sometimes I try to cram all of the 'real' cleaning into one day. Let's just say it doesn't bring out the best in me! ha!
• I hope to cook more. Oh goodness! I wrote it, God help me! But I really would like to (I think) ;)
• I hope to be more adventurous. gulp! I'm not quite sure exactly what I mean - but truth is I'm pretty conservative when it comes to taking risks, so almost anything would be an improvement.
• and finally, I hope to find a church that I like and feel 'at home' in. (Duffy - this might be your assignment! :))

I think I could go on and on but I don't want to set myself up to fail. Ha!

So, how 'bout you? What are your resolutions?

The scene of the attack!

Ok, so I wasn't really attacked but it sure does feel like I was! I can never wait to share stories when others do things that are....well....dumb. So, I guess it's only fair that I share about me too.

Wednesday night I was hopping down the stairs, like I do a least a hundred times a day. But this time as I made it down the first flight and turned at the landing for the last four, my foot slipped out from under me and down I went! Funny how that slow motion thing works - I swear I remember hitting every single stair on the way down! When I reached the floor I wasn't exactly sure I was ok. Pain? oh yeah, but also a sick feeling in my stomach (I hate to be nauseous!) and when I tried to talk...ok YELL for Duffy, nothing was really coming out...just a whisper when I was giving it all I had. (I'm soooo laughing as I write this!) When he got to me, I was trying to say that I was ok - I don't like that kind of attention - I'M FINE! =) So, I crawled to the couch and laid there trying to decide what was really hurting. So, long story short...a trip to the doctor and am fairly certain I cracked a rib or two or more (who knows) - if not it's most certainly badly bruised. If there's no improvement next week, I'll need a X-ray - but I'm most certain there'll be improvement! No need to worry about that, after all Christmas is two weeks from today and I'm soooo not ready!

So there you have it....my 'not so sure what I was doing to fall down the stairs' moment! Ha!

Oh yeah, if you're wondering if Julie was home for this episode, yeah she was. But, she was in her room on her phone (shocker!). About a hour later, she came to check on me. She said she heard the whole thing and was laughing hysterically at me. Stop thinking that! She does care! ;)

So far 38's alright!

I'm truly blessed! Oh, how I love my birthday, seriously, I do! It's been a great day...so many wishes from great friends and family - the people who matter most!

Surprises? Well now that you mention it, I was at work when a picture text arrived to my hello (Bev and Mendie lingo for cell phone, ha!). I quickly realized that the car in the picture was mine! The very same car I safely parked in it's spot when I arrived at work. Imagine my shock when I saw... =)

and then....

and....

Could those sweet, innocent kids I tell you so much about be responsible? YES they could and ARE!

Despite what you're thinking, it was a relatively quiet ride home. One 'honk', a few smiles and strange looks.

I adore cross necklaces. I honestly don't know how many I have but it's a lot. Thanks to Bev (a.k.a. Luanne (thought I'd tell you that in case I slip and call her that)) my collection grew! I haven't had it off since I got it. I LOVE IT...don't you?!

I could go on and on about the sweet cards, the great notes, the much needed (ok, wanted!) new clothes and the shopping money but it's best summed up by saying I'm blessed and am very appreciative of each and every one!

I spent most of the evening laughing...wondering why? Here's a peek...

I'm telling you when they're all here together there's never a dull moment!

Oh yeah, did I mention something about an apple? Well, here it is...

All in all a great birthday! And by the way allbodies (Morgan - you said that when you were little instead of everybody =)) only 365 days 'til my birthday....so 'cited ;)

Good night and THANK YOU! I hope you all know how much you mean to me!

Happy Birthday to me!

Yep, it's true, today's my birthday....ALL DAY LONG! =) Love that! I promise to update later with my celebration highlights but was reminded that I didn't let y'all know that today is my day! Ha!

SHOW US YOUR LIFE - Wedding Dress

So for those who follow http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/, you know that there's a new request to 'show your life'. This week is sharing pictures of your wedding dress.

I dug in the archives (not really, but it feels that way) and found this picture. I have to ask that you ignore the really big hair and sleeves! While I still love big hair, I've come to terms with the fact that it's not in style. The only excuse I have for the sleeves is that it was 17 years ago!

Honestly, I loved this dress. It's ivory with lots of beading and frills - so me...at the time!




But, if I were going dress shopping today, wow - the picture sure would look different! Something a little more elegant and sophisticated. Something more like this...

A little bit about me...

A few months back someone suggested I write random things that told a little about me. Well I did and when I re-read them today, I thought I'd share them here. It really does sum me up! Here it goes:

Looking back over the years, I’ve been blessed in more ways that I can even begin to describe. I’m so thankful for each of them! Speaking of blessed, I have three of the most amazing God children a girl could ever wish for. To each of them, I want nothing short of the best! They so deserve it. God has a plan for each of us…it’s following it that’s the choice. I hope He knows I’m trying!

If I can’t be home, then I want to be near the water! Any kind will do…as long as the sun is shining and the boats are floating.

I really do like being tan…why does it have to be bad for me? Who got to decide that? LOL

I get asked all the time, ‘are you two sisters?’….the answer, of course, ‘no', but it's another example of God’s plan. We wouldn’t appreciate each other as much if we had grown up together too!

I believe people come into your life for a reason. I try to learn something from each of them.

I love when the seasons change – doesn’t matter which one, I always like it.

I try not to borrower trouble. If it needs me, it knows where to find me.

I’d wear flip flops everyday if I could!
I can water ski! If you know me, you know that’s almost impossible to believe! Jim deserves all the credit for that! Thanks Duffy!
I don’t think I remember life before a puppy…funny how things you think you never want in your life can make you smile so much!
There’s nothing better than a new outfit! After all, you never know when you’re going to see someone for the first time.
I like surprises, even though I say I don’t. Not the ones that scare me, the ones that make me feel special. Why don’t they happen more often?
I LOVE my birthmonth. Yes, that’s right, the entire MONTH! If you were born on the last day of yours, then you understand. We get the whole month!
I really like cell phones. Lots of reasons why…but really, I think they’re the greatest invention ever!
I twirl my hair when I’m tired or thinking. I’ve done it for as long as I can remember. There’s something so comforting about it.
I’ve known my husband for longer than I was alive before I met him and I’ve worked for the same company longer than that. Guess it could be said I’m getting old, but I like to think it’s that my settled....and Blessed!
At the end of it all, I want to make a difference to someone! Really, that’s all I want from life…

Thanks for thinking of me

On Mother's day, I got the best surprise! A perfect card and wonderful treats from Bath & Body! I think they might love me after all =)

Hello

Let's see, where to start? For a long time I've tried to think of a way to capture thoughts and memories but never took the time to pursue it. So, here's my attempt to do so. I hope you find some enjoyment and possibly amusement in following along.

Jim and I have been married for 19 years and have had many blessings along the way! First and foremost are three perfectly wonderful Godchildren. Julieanne, 20 and an instructor at The Little Gym has brought more joy and pride than words could ever begin to describe. Her naturally caring demeanor coupled with her soothing nature makes her nothing short of a God send. Jonathan who's 19 has a way of reaching out to people. He doesn't shy away from a conversation and never fails to make me proud when confronted with meeting new people. Jon's attending his second year of college at Penn State - Brandywine. Then there's Jacob, 15, 10th grade. He has a sense of adventure and is wise way beyond his years. If you've met him, you know exactly what I mean! He has a natural sense of humor that makes it nearly impossible to stay upset with him! Each have so much to offer this world.

Over the years, we've made countless memories together. Summer weekends at Lake Anna - learning to ski, wake board and just having fun! Watching ice hockey games, swim lessons, and most recently Saturdays at the river and the addition of furry family members. But, knowing that no matter what time spent together is what really matters.

We've only just begun! Someone once said; if you want to hear God laugh tell Him your plans. How true, so we'll keep moving forward with life - excited about what might be coming next and doing our very best to follow His lead!

I'm going to do my best to keep everyone up to date....who knows, one day someone may look back on this with loving thoughts and memories!

Sit back and enjoy our life at the lane! We're glad you've stopped by.

Feel free to drop me a note at mendieherrmann@gmail.com - it'd be great to hear from you!