Day Two Hundred Thirteen 2010

Happy 9th Birthday, Shelby! Part II


We celebrated granddaughter Shelby's 9th birthday two weeks ago today in Destin, Florida--July 18, her actual birth date. But she wanted to have a party at home to celebrate with other very important loved ones who couldn't be at the beach party.


Shelby is now an expert at making wishes and blowing out birthday candles.


Shelby's brother Elijah and her cousin Julia Foy were by her side while she unwrapped her gifts. The look on Elijah's face is priceless. You would have thought she had just pulled a pony out of that gift bag.

This awesome portrait of Shelby was drawn and colored by her cousin Julia as part of a special folder of artwork created especially for Shelby's birthday. Suitable for framing.

Shelby enjoyed her party and all her gifts, but there was just something about that fuzzy pink pillow. Wishing you a happy year, Shelby! Love you!

Day Two Hundred Twelve 2010

That Was The Week That Was

When I started this blog in 2009, I also started making scrapbook pages using my pictures from the blog--a picture a day for a year--but using a weekly format for each page. Needless to say, I'm way behind in the scrapbooking department. I did a few pages today and got caught up to week thirty of 2009, which happens to coincide with the present week. So here's a snapshot of a week that was. Some things have changed: Eddie Kitty is no longer with us, grandson Elijah has grown several inches, and the front porch could use another coat of paint. But some things are the same: we still enjoy Harry Potter movie weekends, I made a lemon ice box pie today, and the kids still get a kick out of throwing rocks into the pond where my mom lives. While life is flying by me at the speed of light, I'm grateful I've got some snapshots to remember what was.

Day Two Hundred Eleven 2010

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

Having some fun with my cell phone camera set on the Solaris color setting

Day Two Hundred Ten 2010

Elijah Man And The Little People

Grandson Elijah loves to play with these vintage Fisher Price Little People his mom and her sister use to play with when they were his age. He always picks out each family member--his dad, mom, sister and himself and his dog 'noopy--and they go for a ride on the Little People vehicles. Sometimes Granny and Grandpa get to tag along, too. Road trips are always fun.

Day Two Hundred Nine 2010

First Day Of Fourth Grade! (Plus+A Weird Red Bug)


Today was granddaughter Shelby's first day of 4th Grade. She had an easy fun day, likes her teacher, and already knows a bunch of the kids in her class. And best of all: No Homework! She's off to a great start.


While I was waiting for Shelby, I saw this bizarre insect racing around the steps. It looks like a gigantic red ant/wasp thing, although it doesn't have wings. I've never seen anything like it. I'm hoping there's not a colony of them lurking underneath these steps where I sit each day at three o'clock! Does anyone know what this thing is?!?

p.s. My sister Ann looked up info on this insect and found this link: http://www.asktheexterminator.com/Wasps/Velvet_Ant.shtml
Thanks, Ann! I'm going to be careful where I sit down out on those steps from now on.