AARON & RYAN'S BUSINESS ADVENTURE

I just want to say how proud I am of Aaron & Ryan and how excited I am to see them off to such a great start. They will be off to Vegas again mid week for their 2nd meeting with Palm Mortuary regarding their custom photo books. If any of you would like to design an "absolutely beautiful" photo book of your vacations, children, memories, etc...visit their web site at www.mycustomphotobooks.com. I have just completed a beautiful book for Melissa honoring her career as a Professional Ballerina. It is so awesome...check the website out.... The software is extremely easy to use....If I can do it ... anyone can.

LULU and her BELLA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY SANDPIPERS

The Mama Sandpiper that laid her eggs in the parking strip on our street had her babies sometime yesterday. She has four little babies. Look closely and you can see them next to her. They already have their feathers and have been up walking (or I should say running) around. They are so cute. Now I know why she picked the lava rocks to lay her eggs in. The babies blend right in making them hard to see.

THANKS AUNT LINDA

Paul traveled to Maryland this past week on business and while he was there he got an opportunity to drop by and visit with my sister Linda in Alexandria, Virginia. He surprised her and just showed up at her door. He likes to do things like that. He told me that it was really great visiting with her, since he hasn't seen her in a long time. (years)Linda sent home this baby doll with him for me. I sat it in the family room and waited for the grandkids to see it. Ayana was the first. Thanks Linda, we love it.

A "DAVID ARCHULETA" GOOD LUCK NIGHT

Tonight was the finale of AMERICAN IDOL. We had our hopes up as we all went to dinner before watching the show. I made T shirts for the grandkids and some of us went back to my house to cheer David on. Evelyn was in tears when she left to go home after the show was over and David Cook was announced the winner. I wish I had gotten a picture of that. (where is that camera when I need it) DON'T WORRY TED...I WILL STILL MAKE YOU A SHIRT.

Keep Those Umbrellas Upside Down

Wishing Aaron & Ryan much success...WATCH FOR MORE INFO on this blog about their Business.

ARE YOU JOKING?

Seriously... I had an appointment with a client to go over their pre-need funeral plans and when I pulled up to their house, this was what I saw. It looked like the "STAIRWAY" to heaven. I didn't know if I was selling Funeral Plans or if I had died and had to enter through this gate.I was so depressed when I left their home regarding my lack of gardening skills that I immediately went to the nursery and spent $60.00 (which I didn't have) on flowers. Needless to say...I am very disappointed in the outcome of my efforts to make my yard look half as good as my clients. I must be doing something wrong...perhaps a new house/yard?

ROAD TRIP TO VEGAS

On Friday Heather, Aaron, Ryan and myself drove to Vegas. We went for two great reasons...to visit with Melissa and a business trip for Aaron and Ryan. They had a meeting with PALM MORTUARY early Saturday morning; but we had a chance to unwind and relax Friday evening. They were a little nervous about this big opportunity for them.

Before the Big Meeting

Since Melissa has worked for PALM MORTUARY for the past seven years, she was able to hook Aaron and Ryan up with the Decision Makers at Palm. These photos were taken before they left for the meeting.

MEETING....SUCCESS

The meeting with the big client went great. Aaron and Ryan were so excited when they came back to Melissa's apartment. We changed and went immediately car shopping/dreaming. The guys have big dreams...what's wrong with that? It is so great to see Aaron experience some happiness and have some hope for the future. Ryan and Aaron are such great friends. It was a fantastic weekend. We had a blast.

RED or BLUE

HEY AARON..WHAT ABOUT AN ORANGE ONE...

It matches my new dress!

TIME TO LET OUR HAIR DOWN...CELEBRATE

After a couple of stressful months, getting over things, getting started on new adventures...it's finally time to let our hair down and have some fun...

LAUGHTER IS GREAT MEDICINE

After the car shopping experience for the guys...they were good enough to allow the girls to shop for clothes, makeup, jewelry, etc..
We found this poor guy outside one of the clothing stores...I believe his purpose was to model clothes, however, someone thought it might be funny to shame him (look where his pants are) ...oh, by the way..it wasn't us! What happens in Vegas...well you know how it goes!

SKUNKS AMONG US...HE'S BACK!

I keep a bowl outside on my back porch to feed my "outdoor" kitty. Last year a skunk would come every night and eat from the cat's food bowl. Well....he's back! He has come every night now; usually around 11:00 pm. He is so beautiful! I have to take his photo from the window because he will run if I try to open the door. I love pets! Paul gets so mad at me for feeding him....and most of all....for being excited to see him every night. I look for him every evening and I sit and watch him until he has finished the whole bowl of cat food. That must be good stuff...because I also catch the two wild ducks eating out of the bowl during the day.

"HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM"

Sunday morning we went to Del Taco for a cheap breakfast and I wanted Aaron to have his picture taken with me. He cannot resist making some sort of face when I want him to be serious. Adrienne had to take at least 7 pictures before we got a decent one.

Relaxing on My Front Lawn

Whenever the day is warm and sunny outside, out comes the quilt that Paul's mother made us and my girls and their kids enjoy each other's company. I love having my kids and grandkids over. If I don't see them everyday, I get upset.

COUSINS-how precious is this?

I took this photo of Zeke and Evelyn at lunch. I chose to post this photo because I love the freckles on Evelyn's little nose.

FAMILY

OFF TO WORK

Adrienne & Melissa went to work at STARKS FUNERAL HOME this evening. Oh, by the way....so did Audrey, Paul, and Aaron. Pretty soon, they are going to have to change the name to STARKS & SHARPLES FUNERAL HOME. So, I stayed home and watched American Idol and Heather invited me to her house for dinner. Thanks Heather.

YOU BETTER SHOP AROUND ......

After Aaron cut the grass and tilled the garden for me....he laid down on the porch swing and fell asleep. I couldn't resist grabbing the camera and taking this shot. But..before I snapped the photo I wondered what he was dreaming about? Could he be dreaming about one day finding the right person for him. Someone he can laugh with; someone who will love him and appreciate him for who he is and how big his heart is? Then..I thought to myself...YOU BETTER SHOP AROUND AARON....before you fall so hard the next time around.

BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY

Today was a very nice Sunday. I got to spend the whole day with my children and my husband. Aaron got up early and cut the grass for me so I wouldn't have to do it tomorrow. Paul, Aaron and Eugene worked at tilling our small garden, and then we had a barbecue this afternoon in the back yard. Melissa arrived from Vegas just as we were sitting down to dinner. As usual, Aaron did all of the grilling of the salmon, steak, hamburgers and hot dogs. I didn't take alot of photos today, but was able to snap this wonderful photo of my beautiful daughter-in-law Kelly pushing Simon in the tree swing in the back yard.

WHAT WAS MAMA BIRD THINKING?

After dinner we took a walk down the street and found this mama sandpiper bird sitting on four of her eggs. Look closely in the lava rocks...yes that is four eggs. She didn't like us even looking at her or her eggs. She laid these eggs right in the parking strip of the sidewalk in the middle of some lava rocks. I hope the cats that roam this neighborhood don't get to them. I will check on her tomorrow.

GUESS WHO PEE'D ON A STICK?

That's right! I am going to have ANOTHER grandbaby. I am so excited. Read on to find out who?

and BABY makes THREE

CONGRATULATIONS ADRIENNE and BRETT

Adrienne and Brett came to lunch with us today and right in the middle of a conversation that Audrey and I were having about my purchasing a ceiling fan for my new family room, Adrienne blurts out..."Well, I'm pregnant?" What fantastic news. We are so excited for Brett, Adrienne and the girls.

CAR SHOW

This morning Paul and I took my BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MUSTANG to a car show. Zach took his SHELBY and we parked next to each other. It is so fun to see Zach so excited about MUSTANGS. (almost as much as he was over airplanes when he was a little boy)

TWO OLD FARTS HAVING DINNER

Heather & Ayana Come with us to Dinner

Ayana didn't want to have a homecooked meal "again" tonight, so her daddy told her and Heather to come with us to Noodles & Company. Ayana is getting so big. It was fun.