Day One Hundred Fifty One

A gorgeous Sunday, high temp, low humidity, deep blue sky, nice breeze. What more could we ask for? Ice cream! We decided to sit outside and eat. Kelly got this tiny cup of cheesecake mixed with strawberries and graham crackers. I got a huge cup of the same. Killer stuff! Neil had white chocolate with sprinkles of all things. He can do chocolate as long as it doesn't look like chocolate I guess. Good times, great calories!

Day One Hundred Fifty

Don't you just love Day Lilies? Pictures never do the flower justice. I wish we had more of these in our yard. (Check out the "negative" version at http://kaykel.blogspot.com )

Day One Hundred Forty Nine

I didn't take any pictures yesterday (Friday the 29th). Not one picture. And I totally forgot to post anything here Friday. So here is a blast from the past, May 24, 2007. This was Shelby's last day of school in kindergarten at Capshaw, and Elijah, at nine months, was just starting to crawl at this point. That's grandpa in the middle. Shelby will be eight in July and Elijah will turn three in August this year. Time goes by, so fast, it flies....

Day One Hundred Forty Eight

Happy days are here again! School's out for Summer!! The looks on these faces say it all, even though Elijah really has no clue that today was the last day of anything in particular. Shelby hated to leave her teacher and friends, but those hot Summer days beckon. Time to move on and move forward. But first, a little freedom and fun in the sun.

Day One Hundred Forty Seven

Grand daughter Shelby had a blast at her end-of-the-school-year luau today. Here she is posing in all her "playground Hawaii" (her term)glory. They played games and enjoyed a water slide and snacks and got to wear these cool shades and hula skirts. The boys wore hats, not skirts, by the way. They had sunshine for their party. Walked to my house in the pouring rain, though, by three this afternoon. Good thing she had on a bikini! Tomorrow is the last day of school. Let the Summer games begin!

Day One Hundred Forty Six

Elijah was so proud of his scrapbook from
Mother's Day Out today. "That's me," he'd
say, pointing to himself in every picture.
"Those are my friends." So sweet!

Shelby was so stylin today, all in black, with
her Jonas Brothers T-shirt. She was excited
NOT to have any homework and looking forward
to her end-of-year class party tomorrow. They're
having a luau! She gets to wear a hula skirt!

And I have to post this one simply because
I love this picture! I love these two faces!!

My Quiz from QuizYourFriends.com

My Quiz from QuizYourFriends.com

Day One Hundred Forty Five

Memorial Day, 2009. America is the land of the free because of the brave. Thank you to all the fallen Patriots who died to defend my freedom. I thank God every day that I get to live in this country and be free. God Bless America!

Day One Hundred Forty Four

Welcome to my virtual farm! Farm Town is a game I play on Facebook, along with my family and friends (in Farm Town they're called my "neighbors" of course). I own a piece of land where I plow fields, plant seeds, harvest crops, sell them for a fair price in the farmer's market, then do it all over again. My farmer neighbors send me animals and trees for my farm. I have virtual sheep, pigs, cows, dogs, cats, rabbits, a donkey and horses. They can be sold or given away, but what's a farm without animals running amok! The trees are great because they can be harvested at any time without fear of losing the crop. The other plants are a different story. If you aren't prepared to harvest your potatoes or strawberries, cabbages or grapes or whatever when they're ready, they will go to waste and you will lose valuable coins to buy more seeds, fences, ponds--you get the idea--not to mention the chance to advance to the next level of virtual farming. I tell you this is more fun than virtual people should be allowed to have! Don't knock it til you've tried it (you know who you are). In the meantime, I've got my eye on the clock. Got some grapes due to be harvested just after midnight. "Moo!" y'all.

Day One Hundred Forty Three

Local veterans were honored here today with a Memorial Day weekend program that included an honor guard, a band that sang patriotic tunes, and my Aunt Joy Brown, who recited 'The Ragged Old Flag'. Aunt Joy is from Gainesboro, Tennessee, just a thirty minute drive from here. She has become a local celebrity and is always in demand to recite this poem at various memorial programs honoring American war heroes from all generations. As usual, she did a wonderful job, reciting this poem from memory. She made her own Uncle Sam inspired costume, from the top hat down to the red and white striped pants. And she's only 94 years old. Well, as she is quick to point out, "ninety-four and a half!" We remember all those men and woman who sacrificed their lives in service to this country and we thank them for standing in our place in harm's way to defend our freedom. I'd also like to salute my Aunt Joy Brown for her spirit of perseverance. I want to be just like her when I grow up. God Bless America!

Day One Hundred Forty Two

Neil and I went to the Nashville Flea Market today at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. I always enjoy it and find interesting stuff. Never any fleas, though. I didn't buy anything today. And that's a first! I had fun taking pictures with my cell phone and here are just a few things that caught my eye. The weather was great. It never rained. And we ended our little out of town outing with our daughter Kelly at Olive Garden--an after-flea market tradition. Good times!

Very cool, very expensive Beatles poster.

These mannequins crack me up just piled up in the dirt.
She looks like she's saying, "How can you laugh at a time
like this!?" How humiliating. I'll bet they once wore stylish
clothes and adorned an expensive department store window.

Love the messages these garden stakes convey. So colorful.

I call this the rolling pin from hell! It looks like an implement

of torture. It probably cut biscuits or doughnuts. I'm always

attracted to rolling pins and own a few I rarely use.

Day One Hundred Forty One

The blue sky over my backyard this afternoon was simply awesome. I like the three clouds in a line. The picture just doesn't do this scene justice. But I can't help taking pictures of a sky like this. I spent part of the afternoon visiting with my mom and brother and sister. We got to sit outside on the porch swing and enjoy the gorgeous day. I also spent part of the afternoon with Shelby and Elijah until their mom picked them up after school. Shelby is under the weather with allergies and a bit of a fever. Elijah and I sat in the wicker rocking chairs on the back porch (where I took this picture). He was content to sit and eat little candy canes left over from Christmas and sip on a tiny can of cherry Coke. Enjoyable day in a hundred different ways.

Day One Hundred Forty

I took this picture of myself reading a book on the front porch this afternoon for lack of anything better to do I guess. I took it with my cell phone in a color setting called 'solaris' which makes things look posterized or chalked. This day was awesome weather-wise--deep blue sky and lots of sunshine and sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair reading a book just seemed like the thing to do. And taking pictures of myself doing it. Silly. Reading has taken a backseat lately to spending waaay too much time on the computer. One of the books I'm reading now is 'Run For Your Life' by James Patterson. I made it to chapter 14 which isn't saying much since his chapters are notoriously brief. I'll get through it eventually, if I can stay off the computer long enough!

Happy Thirty-Sixth Anniversary!

My hubby Neil and I got married May 19, 1973--36 years ago today. We've shared a lot of life--good times and not so good times. But mostly good! Happy Anniversary to us! Love you, Neil!!

Day One Hundred Thirty Eight

Elijah stayed here with me today. He helped me take Buddy cat to the vet and held the doors open for me so I could get in and out easier with the pet carrier. He and Shelby are kicked back after school this afternoon, watching Spongebob, coloring pictures, and Elijah is nibbling on some of his left over chicken nuggets from lunch. Love my grand kids!

Remembering Rob

My brother Rob passed away a year ago today. We miss him terribly and love him always. My sister Ann made this photo collage. Thought I'd share it.

Happy First Anniversary, Kelly and Kerry!

My daughter Kelly and her husband Kerry Kimbrough were married May 16, 2008, in Destin, Florida on the beach. Today they celebrate their first wedding anniversary. They are a blessing to each other and to me. I love them both and wish them all the best and every happiness today and throughout all their years together. Be happy!

Day One Hundred Thirty Five

TGIF with Elijah. He got his old stroller out the other day and likes to take it for a walk up and down the sidewalk. This morning--a beautiful sunshiny morning--he put a rubber ducky and a jump rope in the stroller and off we went. We also amused ourselves on the trampoline, watching a Scooby Doo movie, building a wild wacky tower with blocks, and having lunch with Grandpa and Mommy. But not all at the same time. Good times with grand son!

Day One Hundred Thirty Four

The season finale of LOST aired last night. Neil and I watched it tonight. (Thank goodness our Dark Ages VCR didn't crimp the tape!) No spoilers. All I can say is, "WOW!!" For those of you who have never watched this show, you have missed something unique and totally mind blowing. The next season is their last. I hate to see it go, but it's time. Maybe you can catch it from the beginning on DVD someday. I highly recommend it.

Day One Hundred Thirty Three

A cardinal family lives in our backyard. This is the male, enjoying this windy day. Hope you can see him. He's that bright red spot in the middle of the picture. I had to take this from my back door. I was afraid to step out on the porch for fear he'd fly away. And my little digital camera just doesn't have the zoom power to get a close up. We use to feed the birds sunflower seeds, but we quit that because our cat, Buddy, also enjoys the birds a little too much. It's always something.

Day One Hundred Thirty Two

Elijah really wanted to climb the
Tulip Poplar tree and got a bit
frustrated when he realized it just
wasn't going to happen.

He gets so tired of me taking his picture!

Shelby amused herself by making a Fruit Rollup bracelet.

And then she ate it.
Good times with the grand kids after school today. Love
you guys!

Day One Hundred Thirty One

My niece, Sarah Foy, did an awesome job tonight performing 'Part Of Your World' from 'The Little Mermaid', which was one of seven sets of Disney tunes in the chorus spring performance. She wore a beautiful red mermaid tail (she said it fell off at one point), and of course I'm kicking myself for not bringing my camera. I get emotional when I see her perform. She's been in lots of plays and I always end up with tears streaming down my cheeks when she sings. Keep up the good work, Sarah! Love you!! (PS-just noticed the program is dated "March" 11)

Day One Hundred Thirty

Today was a whirlwind happy Mother's Day. The good times always fly by, don't they? I got cards from my nieces, sister, daughters, grand kids, husband--all wonderfully sentimental and heart-felt and guaranteed to bring tears to my eyes. Shelby and Elijah had a blast taking the new trampoline for a test drive. Kelly and Kerry jumped, too. Posed for a few pictures with daughters and grand kids. Once my family scattered to the four winds, I headed over to visit my mother and snapped this picture of her enjoying a chocolate Frosty from Wendy's that my sister Jane brought to her. I had a good time today. Always do when I get to be with my family. Happy Mother's Day to all moms everywhere!

Day One Hundred Twenty Nine

Some people never grow up. Take my daughter Kelly and son-in-law Kerry for instance. They couldn't wait to jump on the trampoline we bought today. (Well, mostly Kelly couldn't wait as you can see from the first picture--"Can I jump now?") I wanted something the GRAND kids could play on this summer when they're out of school. They enjoy their trampoline at home, so we figured they'd like one at Granny and Grandpa's house when they're here. It was either that or a swing set, 'cause I'm done with swimming pools that keep getting holes in them. The big kids had fun jumping this afternoon when Neil and Kerry finally got it built. The little kids will have their turn tomorrow.

Day One Hundred Twenty Eight

I had some sunshine going on in my backyard this morning. For some reason, I decided to take some pictures in black and white, just for the fun of it, so I included the second picture of my bright blue sky just for the record. Turned out to be another beautiful day, for the most part--couldn't make up its mind whether to be cloudy or sunny. So far, no storms, but I'm sure more rain is on the way. TGIF!

Day One Hundred Twenty Seven

Grand daughter Shelby made the best out of having to do math homework by doing it outside on this most beautiful day of days--a welcome sunny, blue sky respite from what sometimes feels like endless rain here lately. Shelby is in second grade and has math homework every day, except Fridays. After homework, Neil and I took turns pitching the ball, as Shelby and Elijah took turns at bat. Good times!

Day One Hundred Twenty Six

If you sat down in one of these chairs, the grass would tickle your fanny. It's starting to grow up through the seats of the lawn furniture. We've had days and days of rain. Everything is spring green. But wet grass is hard to mow. If the sun doesn't shine again soon, our yard will go to seed. The sun'll come out. Tomorrow. Maybe.

Day One Hundred Twenty Five

My Fly Guy, hubby Neil. This pic was taken April 26, but he managed to get in a couple of hours of flying his remote controlled planes this evening before sunset and in between rain showers. He's had some crash and burn moments, but I think he enjoys rebuilding and repairing his planes just as much as he enjoys flying them.

Day One Hundred Twenty Four

My grand daughter, Shelby, found a caterpillar on a tree at her house the other day. She said it was black and orange and had light blue dots. She named it Sherman ('cause that name just popped into her head and she thought it would be nice for it to be a boy caterpillar). She played with it all afternoon then put him to bed in this plastic bowl (I think that's how it goes). The next day, she found that Sherman had spun himself a nice little cozy cocoon and attached himself to the side of the bowl. Today, she took him to school for show and tell then brought him to my house and of course we had a photo shoot. So meet Sherman, the caterpillar who hopefully one day, if all goes well, will become a beautiful butterfly.

Day One Hundred Twenty Three

The only word to describe this day is 'wet'! Everyone is already tired of the rain. I hope this summer we're not all saying, 'wish it would rain!'

Day One Hundred Twenty Two

Today is (Inter)National Scrapbooking Day, which is observed and celebrated the first Saturday in May each year. So I did my part by starting and actually finishing two pages for my Project 365 scrapbook. I also made a May Mother's Day themed desktop calendar and e-mailed it to my two sisters. I use Photoshop Elements 5.0. Learned a whole lot in the two years I've been using it, but I still don't know all the tricks and probably never will. Hope all the scrappers out there (paper, digital, or both) got a page or two done today.

Day One Hundred Twenty One

I think this might be the Tennessee state bird. This big ole skeeter was perched on the picture window at Ocha Deli (our favorite Thai food restaurant--I'm sure I've mentioned that) this evening at supper time. Luckily, he was on the outside looking in. I don't think he's the blood sucking kind. As you can see, the streets around TTU are soaked from all the rain we've had today and tonight. And of course with the rain comes the skeeters! Bonn Appetite! (P.S. My sister Ann tells me this is a May Fly and not a mosquito.)