It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Target or Wal-Mart...which one do you prefer?

If you know me at all, you know I'm a Target girl all the way. Not trying to be snobby or anything but I don't go to Wal-Mart...ever! The aisles are to stuffed and we call it the throw up store. My sister-in-law was shopping at Wal-Mart a few years back and my niece slipped and fell. Guess what she slipped in!?! Yep, you guessed it!

Birthday Goodness - Part I

Generally, I don't like it when my birthday rolls around...in fact, every year I dread it! I really don't know why except for the fact that I hate getting older! I feel much younger than I am and I don't like being over the hill!

But this year was different!

This wonderful group of blogging buddies that I have come to know and love showered me with so much kindness, generosity, and love that it turned out to be one of the best birthdays ever. I'll take some time over the next few days to show you the wonderful, thoughtful gifts I received.

A box filled with awesome goodies from sweet Bren was the first to arrive. You could tell with each item that she really thought about things I may have said and then picked up on it, even down to the pink packaging it was all bundled up in. She knows I love pink! She also included photos of 2 children, a boy and a girl. She said she thought this was maybe what my 2 kids looked like when they were younger. Now really, how thoughtful and special is that!!! At some point soon, I'll dig out some older pictures of my 2 loves and you can judge for yourself (I'll tell you though, Bren did a pretty good job!)


And you gotta love the candles..."31"...just too cute! You can't tell by this picture but she also sent some biscuits for my little Jakester and a book which I forgot to include in the picture, it's a devotional and entitled "Footprints in the Sand." I've always loved the Footprints in the Sand poem...it can bring me to tears just thinking about it.

Thank you Bren for everything but especially for being the person that you are! You are loved and so appreciated!

What Type of Blogger Are You?

What does your blogging style say about you? Mine says...

Your Blogging Type is Kind and Harmonious

You're an approachable blogger who tends to have many online friends. People new to your blogging circle know they can count on you for support. You tend to mediate fighting and drama. You set a cooperative tone. You have a great eye for design - and your blog tends to be the best looking on the block!

What's Your Blogging Personality?

I don't know about the best looking blog on the block but I truly do love anything beautifully decorated...even blogs.

SPT - 100 Things About Me

Lelly's challenge this month: we will consult our 100 lists. it's quite simple, really. on the 7th of the month post an spt about item #7 on your list. on the 14th of the month, post an spt about item #14. and so on. and so on.

#7 on my 100 Things About Me list says:

"I've been married over half my life...to the same man"

Yep, it's true...and you know, I'm really proud of my #7! It's so easy to go in and out of marriage these days that people don't take it seriously. But we did...and we still do.

My husband and I have tried our best to be good examples for our two children, in all areas of our lives, but especially when it comes to marriage vows. I know it makes my kids proud to have both of their parents active in their daily lives (even at 20 and 23 years of age) and proud that we all have a history together. Marriage hasn't always been easy or fun, but one thing is true, we've always stuck together...for better or for worse.

If you'd like to see more of my 100 Things About Me list, I have a link on my sidebar.

(I'll try and get hubby to take a self-portrait with me today and add it in...but we'll see how that goes. He's not a camera loving guy.)

We're Back Home

As much as I love to go out and explore this big beautiful country of ours, I truly love getting back home too. In some ways, I'm such a homebody.

We arrived home late last night and boy there's nothing like sleeping in your own bed! This last week of being in such close quarters with a husband that snores loud enough to raise the roof was completely exasperating...and exhausting. He did go out one night and buy some of those nose strips and some throat spray to help with the snoring, and it did help a tiny bit, but not much. It got so bad that one night Brandon slept in the car. I really wonder if Howard realizes how much his snoring affects others because it's pure torture for anyone who sleeps in the same room with him!

I don't go back to work until the end of the week and it's a good thing because I've got so much to do around here. I've got bills to pay, birthday good mail to acknowledge, laundry and unpacking to do, posts to write, Halloween decorating/organizing to start...and most importantly, sleep to catch up on!

We're also moving forward with getting our house ready to sell so we'll be having some of the inside painted and the complete exterior painted too. We got the bid done before we left and will be organizing this over the next couple of weeks. Our house is in really good shape but there are always things that need to be done when you want to put your home on the market. We know it's not the time to sell a home with the market as bad as it is, but we want to be ready. Wait, I should rephrase that...I want to be ready. Howard is fighting me tooth and nail about moving, but that's another post completely!

I also can't wait to catch up with all of you, I feel so disconnected! I hope your all settling in and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. It's glorious isn't it!!

Heading Home

I'm still on vacation...not sleeping much, but still going strong. We will be heading for home today. As much as I love vacations, I love getting home too.

This has been a very productive trip. We've gone to many cities that I've been curious about and even have found a business venture to consider. We've been able to pretty much narrow down areas/cities that we are interested in moving to within the next year or two. Although I love Oregon, I liked Washington the best. Of course, my hubby likes Oregon better...figures, sometimes we are just on the opposite ends of the spectrum. It will be a miracle if I can get him to move out of California at all. Only time will tell.

We're in Hood River right now, with a great view of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. Yesterday it just rained and rained. It feels good to finally enjoy cooler weather instead of the constant heat of home. I'm loving it! How's the weather in your part of the world these days?

(Have any of you read about the O.J. verdict? It looks like the law finally caught up with him...finally!!)

Lack of Sleep

We've been on the road since Monday and we've already got some serious sleeping issues going on...or should I say "lack of sleep" issues.

My husband snores so loud he could wake up the neighbors, yet Brandon and I are sharing very close quarters with him in hotel rooms while we're on vacation.

Brandon is frustrated, I am frustrated, and we're both TIRED!

It was the middle of the night last night when Brandon loudly shouted "DAD, STOP SNORING!!" Finally, super early this morning Brandon just got up, got dressed, and headed downstairs. He said he had no idea his Dad snored so bad. Believe me, I warned him.

I can already tell this is going to be a lovely trip. I seriously think I should have gotten a prescription for some sleeping pills before we left the house. Brandon bought himself a glass of wine last night. We both need something.

Better yet, maybe Howard should just sleep in the car!