Close Doesn't Count

The saying goes that "close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades". It does not count in BINGO and doesn't count when we say it's almost a nice day.

For the last weekend of summer, we were robbed. Rain all day yesterday again forced us indoors. We racked up 2 1/8 inches between Friday and Saturday, according to my rain gauge tender. Yuck!

Today was church, a meeting with our new choir director (a talented college kid!), then onto BINGO.

I wore my mom's rings to try to channel her energy. She was always lucky – just like her mother (Grandma Flossie). I even have Royal Blue nails for Homecoming Week.

It did not work. Here I just needed that stinkin' B15 forever to form the A (for Assumption). Close does not count. Winless in everything today.

Oh except for my Vikings squeaking out a victory. Must be my purple dobber! 

Got home and bundled up and went for a walk. Did not get far. The cold wind was making my eyes water. And hubby was golfing all afternoon in this! Of course he said it was fine. No such thing as a bad golf day no matter what the score (or weather) is.

Since he and his buddy were eating at the golf course, I invented a little sandwich for myself. Pulled pork topped with Japanese BBQ sauce and honey goat cheese. Yum yum! 

Now I have to brave this "summer weather" (calendars lie) and get in a few more steps.

Hope you had a more enjoyable last weekend of summer!

Embracing Autumnal Vibes... Sort Of

Well I definitely wasn't going to lead with a photo of myself but my blog platform won't let me upload any other images. Gah!

So I've mentioned before that I'm a solar-powered girl. I love summer! I love the sun, time with Mr. Deck Chair... and my golf clubs. But today, because I found (and ordered) a style of dressy shirts on Amazon, I had to kick my "Autumnal Vibe" in gear!

Yes, I take pictures in the bathroom at work to show my sisters certain outfits. LOL. But you can't argue this doesn't spell FALL.

When I got to my hair artist after work, she's like, "Let's cool you down for fall." I always have complete trust in her – especially when she adds in the red and brownish low-lights in all the right places.

Per usual, I told her I'd have to sleep "real careful" so I wouldn't smush her handiwork before going to work tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. 

I do love autumn as well. If you can believe, it's September 9 and I still have held off having my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. Something tells me that's going to drag me from summer to fall in the very near future!

Happy early fall, y'all! 

Foxy Friday

Ever since I made national news (CBS Morning News!) with my famous fox photo from the 2023 U.S. Senior Open, I've declared the fox as my spirit animal.

So today, on my day off, imagine my delight in finding these fox paper plates at Dollar Tree while I was hunting for other raffle basket related items! Not sure when and where I'll use them, but it was a must-buy!

Speaking of must-buys... I went to the downtown farmers market at lunch yesterday (not many weeks left) and made sure to feed my guilty pleasure of buying myself fresh flowers. How can I resist full bouquets like this for merely $10? I don't feel so guilty after all!

Today I took the day off for no reason other than to have a 4-day weekend. I went down to the Rome farmers market so I could get some candles from our friends who run Midwest Nice candles. (They smell so yummy!) 

A perfect addition to these raffle baskets I'm putting together for a benefit my nephew Colin and his wife are organizing. A fellow racer has a newborn daughter who spent many, many weeks in the hospital due to seizures. Very sad.

For the rest of the day off... well I was going to get steps on this hot and humid day. But now I see it's 87 degrees and "feels like" 95. Uff da!

Enjoy your holiday weekend! 

Monday Sports Report

It was a Monday sports day! I gotta say I wish all football games were playing during daylight hours. Perfect lighting and great focus. This switching to 8-man football also brings me a few yards closer to the action! 

I stopped at our Royals' JV game after work. It started at 5 p.m. and book club started at 5:30 so I knew I had time to shoot pictures of one quarter at the most.

It was just enough time for me to catch a long kickoff return for a TD!

What made it special is that the varsity squad had finished practice and were watching from the end zone. Loved to see their excitement and support for JV!

Jim was actually officiating at the game. He said it ended in a 22-22 tie. Since it was 90+ degrees out, everyone was fine with ending it in a tie. I don't even know if they keep JV stats/records anywhere to see how they compare to other schools in the conference!

Put me in the right frame of mind for book club since the main character of the book also played some football. If you get a chance to read Life & Death & Giants, do so. A brief synopsis:

Shunned by her Amish community in Lakota, Wisconsin, Rachel Fisher lives on her own and gives birth to an 18 lb., 27" baby boy. Orphaned at birth and not knowing who his father is, Gabriel Fisher ends up being raised by his older brother, his Amish grandparents, and the local veterinarian who delivered him. Over the years, Gabriel rapidly grows to become a giant in height and weight. He spends his entire life trying to fit in; both literally and figuratively. However, no matter his size or where he went, he was loved by animals and people alike.

It got high marks from us all! As I've said many times, I love my book club. We rotate picking out the books so there's always something I never would have thought to read! 

And yes book club is a SPORT. We're exercising our minds! 😀

It's Not Nice To Fool Mother Nature!

Some of us of a certain age recall a TV commercial for Chiffon Soft Stick Margarine in the late 1970s – one of the memorable ads with "Mother Nature" uttering her famous line, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature!" 

This was back in the day when you had no choice but to watch the commercials. So we all new the popular ad slogans whether it was "Madge, you're soaking in it" to "Please don't squeeze the Charmin!" And we all were intimidated by Mother Nature.

Let's just say I forgot about her power.

I've been staging a silent protest. Obviously, a fruitless one. I decided that if she doesn't do her job of giving us rain FOR 23 DAYS IN A ROW then I don't need to do my "job" (ha) of blogging.

I surrender! This is our crispy crackly yard! She wins. Dang. 

We have finally gotten a teeny tiny bit of precipitation. In fact, Friday night when I was getting steps around the neighborhood, it started sprinkling and I kept walking. It was refreshing! Also I hadn't showered in 2 days so you know... two birds, one stone.

Today in church when we heard the familiar 5 loaves and 2 fish story, I thought maybe that's a sign for a miracle. The Weather Channel does not agree. And when I went out to try to resurrect my flowers – time of death was called last week – a snake slithered under the deck. So now I have to deal with satan AND Mother Nature! 

Our couples golf league finale tonight didn't lean the way of miracles either! Still fun though! And the grass was green! 

These days that's winning.

Just Breathe... But Indoors Only

 

It's insane that wildfires from Way Up North, Minnesota, can impact us here down in central Wisconsin. But we can see it. And probably worse, we can smell it!

It's just enough haze to think you're about to drive into a thick fog. Crazy. 

But as for Duluth... our neighbor's brother who lives up there took this photo. Crazy. 

Our favorite new Duluth residents, Carter and Mamie, can no longer see the big lake they call "Gitche Gumee" from their apartment. And they can't escape the smoke smell. It's outdoors, indoors, everywhere. I'm just grateful neither one of them has any respiratory issues.

Hubby and I are planning to go up there next weekend. His first time "seeing" Duluth might not be what I built it up to be!

I did manage to get out for a walk at lunch and realized the smoky haze was not blocking our view from everything...

I could still see this wild daisy where I swear the flies were lining up to create a smiley face for me!

And of course, there is always something purple on my route!

Or a more "artistic" purple! 

The only downside for me is that they canceled golf league tonight, citing "outdoor conditions." Probably a combination of the 90-degree heat and the air quality advisories. There's nothing boring about Wisconsin summers!

Be smart and be safe, my friends!

Shut Up!

Thanks to AI probably, my favorite "It's so hot it's madness" cartoon is now a bit more 3-D-ish. Still makes me laugh. 

Despite dripping in sweat.

I went outside two times today. Once mid-morning to water my hopelessly fried flower baskets. And then after work to get a few trifle ingredients and supplies for a family reunion. I really thought the chocolate would melt before that 8-minute commute home. 

Oooof. Car just couldn't cool off.

Turns out our 92-degree high in Rapids was 10 degrees "warmer" than average. And you know I love summer. I'm 100% solar powered. But dang, this is gross.

On the flip side, the A/C is so cool in the house I had my little space heater running in my office today. 

Yes, I am officially at the age where my body doesn't know what it needs or what it wants or what to do with it when I got it!

Just breathe, stay hydrated, and be safe my friends. I promise not to whine about the weather tomorrow. (Honest... it's Trifle Tuesday!)

Red, Hot, and Blue

 

America's colors – at least in the Midwest – are red hot this weekend! When we teed off for couples golf league at 5:40 p.m. it was 93 degrees. When we got done after 8 p.m., it was still in the 80s. Crazy. Thankfully there was a bit of a breeze.

I guess I didn't bother checking the forecast. But it was quite warm at 11 a.m. when Mr. Deck Chair and I were enjoying a bowl of lightly salted watermelon! We didn't last long!

The blue part of the forecast was Saturdays activities. We had a "Something Blue Before I Do" bridal shower for one of the sweet girls who grew up calling Jim and I Mr. And Mrs. Awesome.

Ellie requested everyone wear blue to the shower. There are definitely and endless amount of shades of blue! I brought this dress out of retirement. I had to stop wearing it when I realized every wedding, grad party, or celebration I scrapped for two years straight I was wearing this same dress! Now it seems new again.

The other blue yesterday was the waters of Lake Arrowhead where the Shermalot Water Ski Show Team was performing. I can't believe I haven't made it down there before now. And state competition it this week! If you've never seen a ski show, it's worth checking out – just down the road at Red Sands Beach on Lake Wazeecha. Oh and it's FREE! I'll be out of town next weekend but do hope to catch some of the jump competition, etc, they do on Thursday and Friday.

Oh and one funny thing... the show host was wearing this shirt so I immediately had to text it to Carter. He said he's see a few around town. Might have to get one when we go up there in a few weeks. 

Unless it's cool and I need a new "I'm cold" hoodie. Can't have too many of them!

Fried-Day

Do not for a minute think that is me with a great idea for a friend or family self-absorbient object.

I was just trying to tell everyone the joy I had in Taco John's Mexi Rolls – a favorite i've loved since the 1990s. Not kidding.

And sadly, that is the excitement of my day! I had a normal work day with meetings, etc. Nothing earth-shattering. But I was able to sit outside with Mr. Deck Chair a few minutes to soak up some sun!

But later the clouds were super sporadic, which meant nothing consistent with our deck time or my chair time!

Here's to a mostly sunny weekend!

Feeling Salty

I like blueberries and honeydew melon, etc, but without a doubt, my favorite summertime fruit is watermelon. Please tell me it's still considered a FRUIT!!

Hubby, however, is not a huge fan. So I have to buy a small melon – which still chops up into a big bowl worth of fruit – and try to eat it within a week so it doesn't ferment into watermelon wine or something.

Today I decided to have a small bowl full for lunch. Then I had a memory... For some reason my mom always added salt to watermelon. I think she claimed it brought out the flavor. So I had one small bowl unsalted and then another small bowl lightly salted. I gotta say, it did bring out the flavor. But I am such a "don't add salt to anything unless your popcorn or fries need it" person that I felt guilty.

I was wondering if this was a weird "growing up north of Highway 8" phenomenon like adding sugar to raw tomato slices. I presented a poll of my marketing department at work and so far, I am the only one who ever adds salt to watermelon.

But, to expand my flavor palate, someone did suggest sprinkling on some Tajín. Apparently, Tajín on watermelon is a classic combination that balances the fruit’s natural sweetness with a vibrant kick of chili, sea salt, and lime. Could make it interesting. Let me know if you've tried it.

I'd ask what your favorite summer fruit is, but I do have to make my way through this whole bowl of watermelon cubes this week. Remind me next week to take a poll!

In and Out of Luck

Headed Up North yesterday morning. After the detours and road construction I encountered a few weeks ago, I decide to take a different route north-westward. I went up to Colby/Abbotsford to get on Hwy. 29.

And it was one lane each way 'til my Chippewa Falls exit for 53 North. Grrrr.

By the time I got to my sister Rachel's in Luck, I was ready for a nap!

I visited with her awhile (while she got me hooked on Sullivan's Crossing) and then went up to my sister Romey's near Grantsburg, where two other sisters – Rayna and Renell – joined us for a short visit.

From there I went to Adventures restaurant in Siren to meet my twin and some of her family for a belated birthday dinner. Coconut shrimp for the win! My nephew Tony was home visiting from Green Bay so it was nice to see him, too!

From there I went back down to Rachel's to stay at her place for the night. She's just down the street from our high school. Even at 8:36 p.m., it was still class of '86 degrees out. Ha. Yes, this heatwave is ghastly.

Got home late this afternoon. Yes, my A/C works in my car, but there were times I wondered. It was just that hot out! 

Hope you all are staying cool and hydrated. My vacation is already going by too fast! 

RIP Mr. Deck Chair

 

While hubby is hopping around Minnesota golfing with buddies this weekend, I've been mourning the loss of my better half. Not him – Mr. Deck Chair!

If you want to know the answer to the question "Can you wear out a deck chair from too much use?" The answer is yes, apparently you can.

Well he was on his last legs. Had a big crack in his back. As Jim pointed out when he sent me this picture on garbage day, it was his time. "He was dirty and broken." Same. I am, too, sometimes!

Of course this photo was after he was already taking him apart to stuff his corpse into the garbage can. Sniff!

So I am hanging out with Mr. Deck Chair 2.0 and 2.1 this weekend. Yes, it takes TWO to replace the OG Mr. Deck Chair!

We'll soldier on!

A Two-Some Weekend

Saturday was sort of like an episode of Wedding Crashers... but we were more like Wedding Surfers!

We happened to have two weddings on Saturday – one family, one friends. We somehow managed to get to both ceremonies. First our friends' daughter Allyse (one of Carter's prom dates from forever ago) at 1 p.m. When the ceremony start was delayed a bit, we wondered if we'd get to the other ceremony at 3 p.m.

Thank goodness both wete within 5 miles of Wisconsin Rapids.

After Allyse's absolutely beautiful wedding, we got out to Rooted in Red for Jim's goddaughter's Becca Austin's wedding. It's a nice venue for any outdoor ceremony, etc. The weather was just pleasant – not super hot. So nice. And so great to visit with Austin family and cousins.

Becca was the happiest bride!! Just loved to see her joy! 

After our dinner and some dancing – oh yes, two dances with hubby – we headed home and stopped at wedding No. 1 reception at The Ridges on the way. Got to officially congratulate the bride and visit with some friends. Full day of two-some fun!

Then this afternoon we started our "two-some" couple's league at Tri-City. The fun thing is that Jim and I go against another couple and we get to do a scramble format so we can keep the pace of play going. The non-fun thing is I realize once again my hubby is a phenomenal golfer and I am a complete dead weight. Unfortunately, according to couple's league rules, they have to use at least 3 of my drives in the 9 holes. 

I need more rounds than 2 before I can contribute, that's for sure! But somehow we came out ahead in the match tonight! Whew.

At least on a surprisingly cool Sunday I had my new Cutter and Buck golf pullover that I may or may not have bought myself on my trip to Minnesota last weekend. 88 degrees that day and yet I thought, "I should plan ahead!"

Very comfy and light but warm enough when whimps like me can't deal with wind and chill!

Side note: I love it and I'll be wearing it for much more than golf!

Carter called when we were putting out our last hole. Then we connected later when we were home. We're looking forward to seeing their place up in Duluth and showing them a few sights. How is it that all the weekends in the summer just fill up so fast?!

Hopefully something works out in July. Hubby hasn't been up there and I want to show both of them plus Mamie some of the must-see sights. 

At least we all agree it has to be a summer-type month.... not winter! Appreciate summer right now!

Summer Sweets and Treats

Summer is always full of cool treats – and some that are just delicious room temperature ones! Three examples:

1. I forgot to mention that after we all went to an early dinner after the dance recital, we (Ken, RoAnn, and I) were on a mission to find some good "hard" ice cream on the way home. However, there were so many detours just to get back home that we said screw it – let's just get it at the grocery store near Pine City!

Of course, after being in air-conditioning and walking into their very cool house, Ro and I said we needed to light the fire "pit" on the deck before we sat out there and ate the ice cream. Sometimes you have to warm up enough to eat ice cream, ya know? Smile if you understand our logic!

Side note: It was Cedar Crest Blueberry Waffle Cone. So good!

2. Both mornings I was there, I had a slice of delicious Amish Friendship Bread for breakfast. Amish Friendship Bread is like an adult chain letter for people who like to bake! Once you accept that batch of "starter" you cannot leave the cult. You can only break the chain by throwing away whatever starters you can't give away – including your own! So I resisted getting back into that (been there, done that) but did take a half-plus loaf home.

Got home from work today and this is what is left! So I guess hubby does like it. I remember that now. Should've rejoined the damn cult!

3. On my way home from work, I had to hunt and gather ingredients that may or may not be used in a trifle soon. (Hey, gotta get one more in before we're all working from home for 6 weeks!) And that's when I met my sweetest downfall.

Hadn't seen these before nor purchased them. But they fit my "theme." I am a huge HUGE coconut anything and everything fan. But I still felt I should taste test one when I got home. Just to be sure it would blend with the rest of the flavors and all that. I demand quality in my creations! 

Or something.

Anyway, I kid you not, I moaned out loud at first bite. Holy perfectly delicious flavor combination! Good thing Jim is golfing or he'd wonder what the hell was happening in the kitchen!!

I quickly shoved them in the fridge to chill with the other cookies – you have to do that so they cut up nicely (rather than mushy) the next day. But you know that from my previous Trifle Tutorials. I don't know how I can stay away from them! This will be my biggest test of willpower strength in recent days, that's for sure.

I mean I do have another cookie type to cut up as well for the cookie layer, so I might not need to "use" all them. #MeJustifyingANewAddiction. Bwaahaa.

Just... if you love coconut like I do, get yourself some of these!!!

I mean it is a flavor of summer after all... at least tropical islands that are summer year-round! Enjoy the treats of the season!

Waiting to Bloom

So it's June! That means my column for the June church newsletter is live (or whatever). So I will share it here with you.

Waiting to Bloom for our Master Gardener

As winter slowly loosened its grip this year, many of us found ourselves watching the calendar, peeking outside, and asking the same question: “When will spring finally arrive?” 

All through April and May, we were eager for warmer days, green grass, and especially the chance to head to the garden centers and buy flowers for our yards and porches.

Full disclosure: I have two black thumbs and rely on Google to tell me when I should and shouldn’t buy my hanging flower baskets! Having “freeze warnings” halfway through May was not helpful this spring!

There is something hopeful about planting flowers. Tiny buds and bare stems may not look like much at first, but we trust that, with time, sunshine, and care, beautiful blooms will come. Yet no flower blooms before its season. Some blossom early, while others take longer to unfold. Each one opens in its own perfect time.

Perhaps that is how God works in our lives as well.

Sometimes we become impatient with ourselves. We wonder why we are not stronger in faith, quicker to heal, or further along in life. No matter our age, we seem to fall into the trap of comparing our journey to someone else’s and feel discouraged when we do not seem to be “blooming” as quickly.

But God, the Master Gardener, knows each of us individually. He understands what we need, how we grow, and when we are ready. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

What comfort there is in that promise. God does not rush His creation, and He does not rush us. Through seasons of waiting, growth, pruning, and renewal, He continues His faithful work in our hearts.

So as we finally jump into early summer and enjoy the colors of spring flowers around us, may they remind us to trust God’s timing. The bloom may not come when we expect it, but under His loving care, beauty will come in its season.

And Just Like That... HEAT!

You know I am mostly solar powered. But stepping out of the car IN LONG PANTS at the softball diamond after work, I really wished I would've checked the forecast this morning!

That was a brutal few hours. Thankfully, our Lady Royals defeated Hilbert 10-1 in round one of the Regional playoffs and will advance to the next round. Still, it took quite a few minutes for me to cool down when I got home.

Side note: Hubby finally didn't need to wear long underwear to golf! That's how crazy Midwest weather changes from week to week (and day to day).

I will not need to turn my electric mattress pad on tonight... for the first time in 2026. 

Unless hubby really cranks the A/C, that is!

I never claimed to be normal. Stay hydrated and be safe out there!

Ditto Day with Extra

While today's schedule was pretty similar to yesterday's, I had some extra fun – and sadness – at church today. Today was our last day of "work" for Dave, our choir director of 14+ years. And as a grand finale, we sang Handel's Messiah (aka The Hallelujah Chorus)!

Not to sound like a choir geek, but this has been one of my favorites to sing since I was a freshman in high school which (check history books) was long before some of you were even born! It was a staple in our high school choir Christmas concerts. Then fast forward 30-some years and I learned it was a "grand finale" as well in the Assumption Golden Mass right before Christmas break. I've never joined them on stage, but I know my soprano part to sing from the seats.

This is the You Tube link to the service. Fast forward to 01:24 in the service for our performance. I'm the short one far left in the front row. I was ready to cry by the last 4 notes. I love that song. And we'll all miss our director! We had a nice pot luck brunch after church. 

Then this afternoon we had two graduation parties this afternoon. One found us a Lake Arrowhead and the other was just a mile-plus away. I came home before hubby because I needed to search through 5 years of softball images for a few "particular photos" before playoffs on Tuesday. Found 'em!

Side note! It was summer-like today!! Still 74 degrees at 8 p.m. I'll take it. Tomorrow I'll have time to actually relax and enjoy. Gotta love 3-day weekends no matter the serious reason for them!

Hope you're taking time to relax and convince Mother Nature this is how we launch summer in Wisconsin!

Gateway to Summer? I Think Not

Unofficially, many of us think of Memorial Day Weekend as the "kickoff" to summer. But if we wake up to 42 degrees the day before the weekend begins... I claim false advertising.

Most of us "office workers" are smart enough to know we have to dress in layers. If it's cold outside, will it be chilly in the office or will the heat be cranked? One never knows. Because well, like most offices, it's not consistent.

Today I knew to dress in some warm layers because I was going to be walking across the street from my office to give a bit of a walking tour about SentryWorld. Could we have driven over? Yes. But now I have my 10,000+ steps for the day. It's all about priorities.

And I was quite warm by the time we returned!

Do you know what else warms us on the inside? Special time spent with old friends who know every good, bad, and ugly thing about you and still love you to pieces.

I got to reconnect with friends tonight that I've known for almost 30 years. About how long I've been in Wisconsin Rapids. Some I see often. Others not so much. But boy, nothing warms you from the belly out like unapologetic laughter over other people's comments and stories. And firm, loving hugs!

Seriously, exactly what I needed in my current mostly stressed state of mind.

Thank you, God, for placing people in my life who enrich my soul and my attitude. And if you could do the same for Mother Nature, I'd owe you a big one!

Hunt for Red Hot October

This week has been insanely warm for October. Record high Friday and tied for high temp today. And you know who loves that? A solar powered sister like me! Of course I had to work every day this week but I did get some outdoors time the past three days.

After work on Thursday I headed straight up to Athens with my camera for a Royals cross country meet. So behind on fall sports pix! Guess who doesn't like summer weather in autumn? Runners. Spoiler alert if you have a gag reflex!

Yup, this was the look on probably half the runners' faces right before they crossed the finish line and tossed their cookies! Not kidding. I do not know how I stayed upright since that is such a trigger for me. Uff da. Those poor runners. Both our high school and middle school girls teams took first place anyway!

Gives new meaning to "hurling" through homecoming week! Speaking of homecoming...

Finally was IN TOWN so I could attend and photograph a Royals football game! So many weddings, so little photography time. But we still managed to attend a retirement/birthday party before the game! LOL.

The Royals ended up falling to Pittsville 30-6. Still, I managed to capture a few good photos of both the game and musical entertainment. Once a Pep Band Mom always a Pep Band Mom!

Today's summer-like weather called for a summer activity. 

Mr. Fox and I have literally not been golfing for more than a month! So fun to get out for a very warm round with our friends Craig and Sara.

It also happened to be Big Cup Challenge Day so we got to play larger holes but somehow none of us could manage to take advantage of it. I was just too rusty. That's my excuse. Still... so fun to be out again like it was August!

Of course I 100% got into autumn mode at the Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest! 

Seriously, holy Great Pumpkins, Charlie Brown! I feel like there were tons more arts & crafts and food vendors there than ever before. I found quickly that I was grateful there was an ATM on site, too, because I did not prepare for that. It was so hot, though...

Much like my tasty mini donuts! But productive. I had a few gift things in mind and I found what I needed. After 12,000+ steps on my pedometer between that and golfing I was ready to head home and shower!

Because, of course, our social calendar still had another appointment to go to, after all! And we wonder why time flies.

Had a special 50th anniversary party for our friends Jon and Audrey, who are more like family since they helped raise our baby boy. I mean seriously, how did they know that 30 years into their marriage when she was operating a daycare that they'd meet young Mr. Carter needing afterschool care? And that he'd work his way into their hearts and they'd find a home in ours? 

They really are like family – and we've come to know their entire family very well, too. Just special!

Sometimes I can't believe how blessed we are with the people in our lives. Even how many we've spent time with in just the past few days. It might be the hot summer temps, but I suddenly have water leaking out of my eyes.

Life is so good when you count your blessings! Just sayin'.