jodes and jann

It was a night of celebration, good-byes, and great music...

Jodee turned 32, one last party for Jannie, and her brother Scott's band was preforming. 

Perfect venue for the occasion...

The two sissies.  Jodee and Tracee.

Jodes got to get up on stage while we all sang Happy Birthday to her.

She was dancing for us all.

and, then we all joined in...

Three generations: Jann's mom, Jann, and the 2 lovely daughters.

I am going to miss my Jannie so very much.  She has been such an unconditional and loving friend for so many years.  I can always count on her for anything. There will be an empty part in me while she is away. 

I love you madly!

meet bogey

Here is our newest tenant on Courtyard Lane.

He is the exact color that I wanted, and although not a Havanese as planned, looks very similiar to what I envisioned our new puppy to be.  A mix between shih-tzu and yorkie: Shorkie.

He is so mellow and such a good puppy... so far!

And we love him.

mardi-birthday

Happy Birthday Miss Tara!

cheers to another year!

she had to have her birthday spankin'!

solider girl

Our friend Jannie will soon be leaving for Afghanistan.  We are very sad to know that she will not be with us for 400 days, but at the same time we are so proud of her and grateful for her sacrifice.  She is a military nurse and has trained so hard and so much; we know she will be a rockstar over there! 

We had a little girls night out/going away party for her last night. 

Chal did the beautiful strawberries

and, I did the homemade lemon curd.. thanks to Steph's instruction :)

We had a great time.  Lots of 'girl talk' and silliness....good stuff. 

Here's some of us: Lana, Denise, Laurie, Chal, Mary, Lara, Melissa D., me, and Kammie

We will miss you Jannie!

bet

Anyone that knows a little about black jack and the royal match bet, knows that if your money is out and you are dealt this hand: IT PAYS.  10-1 to be exact. 

I usually have a nickel ($5) on it with every hand I play.  They say it is the sucker bet, but I love it.  It makes the game so much more interesting and exciting, and I enjoy the adreneline rush right before I turn my cards over to peek and see if I have won the match.  Because, even if it isn't the ROYAL, it could just be a match: 2 suited cards.  And 3-1 payment isn't bad either. 

It's all about chance/luck, risk, and guts. 

That's life too. 

I think about this time every year I feel stuck.  The weather gets to me and I get antsy.  Antsy to hit the refresh button, and start something new.  Sometimes new beginnings involve risk.  But, I have decided it's ok.  I may just hit the royal match. 

Now, I just need some sunshine to rejuvinate me a bit!

opinion

If you know me, you know something.... I LOVE TO THRIFT. 

It makes me so happy to see possibility and potential in something that someone else deemed useless junk.  I LOVE transformation.  

Hence, the reason for my most recent thrift purchase.  Although at the current moment I have no place to hang these jems, that is what in see in them:  JEMS.... to someday hang on a perfect wall. 

Problem?

My husband says they are stupid 'paint by numbers' that are ugly and need to return to where they came from. 

...as downtrodden as I initially felt to hear such profanity, I hold firm to my initial infatuation. 

Question:

What is your opinion?

body art

My friend Jamie has been telling me about her pole fitness class for a long time now, and has tried to get me into it... I just have never taken the initiative. But, after last night... I am completely inspired. We went to an event where she and some of the others who take the classes preformed. It was truly amazing. Body Art at its best. True story. Here's Jamie!

She is preforming with her instructor

This is the National Pole Fitness Champion from Vegas who came to preform

I want to learn! I never knew it could be so cool, and such an art.

Ryan and I were both very impressed.

Good job Jamie!

sweet

I love him...

read

Thanks to my great friend Kathy, I have been introduced to new reads. I devoured both of these books in a weeks time. I could not put either down. They are great escape books, entertaining, and full of creativity. I highly recommend. The only bad thing about these 2 books is, the third one does not come out till this fall, and I am dying to find out what happens... Enjoy!