Wedding Bells

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A wedding to remember.  Hubby and I had the privilege of attending our nephews wedding.

On the morning of the wedding, the Bride went for a 5k run.  I just love the way she rolls.

Photos taken after her run.

I was up early to help the family/friends decorate the reception hall.  I got to help put the pretty purple sashes on the chairs among other things.  It was a lot of fun being involved.

After a few hours, our duties were over and the crew came in to take care of the rest.

Soon, hubby and I were “Johnny on the spot” to get over to the theater early.  Turns out, we were the very first to arrive.  We picked out our seats and listened to the beautiful music, while eagerly waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The minister told their love story from the top.  It was beautiful.  He shared the story from the Bride and the Groom points of view.

The Bride:  Walked up to this handsome man “a perfect stranger when they met” and said You’re so handsome.

The Groom:  She walked up to me and said “You’re Hot”.  And she eagerly helped enter her phone number in my cell phone.  And that’s the last time she’s known anything about electronics.

The Bride and Groom also read their own wedding vows to each other.  The Bride: Vowed to comfort her Groom (a St Louis Cardinal fan since birth) when the Cardinals lose and never root for the Cubs.

While I can’t remember everything, I do remember how their stories made us laugh and cry.  And how their love for each other filled the room.

It was such a beautiful day to watch these two love birds become one.

Soon it was time to make our way to the reception.  The tables so pretty as they were set for Kings and Queens.  And the meal was over the top amazing!

So way back at the church, shortly after hubby and I arrived, I leaned into him and said, “I’m looking for something funny to happen this evening”.  I think this picture of the Bride’s brother, says it all.  This was the intro of the wedding party arriving to the reception.  Need I say more?

Hubby and nephews visit.

The “First Dance”

We adore our family and their fun-loving ways!

Hubby and Nephew/Groom.

The lovely couple and little o me.

Me and my King.

And they danced thru the early morning hours.

The Bride and Groom the next morning.

 

The same pic played with a bit.  They are just too cute!

And they live happily ever afer.

 Blessings – Debbie

A Trip to Central IL

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It was a special day as the excitement was mounting.  A day we looked forward to for many – many months.  This was the day we were on our way to the wedding of our nephew.

But before our trip, we had to make a quick stop at the local Wal*Marts.  We still needed to pick up a card for the bride and groom.

I love their display as there is no doubt what part of town we were in.  This was Cardinal Nation, baby. Best fans in baseball.  My hubby has been a fan since he was a toddler and I’ve been a fan since the beginning of our time together.

Are you thinking non sequitur?  Me too.  But this is what happens when a display like this hits me.

So we secured the card for the couple, then off to the next great adventure.

The evening was a flurry of family and friends arriving from far and near.  And we had brief visits with many we had not seen in a while = good times.

While the rehearsal was underway, hubby and I found a great place to dine and we were back in time for a big family gathering on the outdoor patio.

There was so much excitement in the air.  Children were splashing in the pool and good times lasted long into the night.

It was a night that the camera stayed in the room and the meaningful visits with loved ones will remain in my heart forever.  I’m learning there are times when it’s nice not to be in camera mode.

Blessings – Debbie

A Day in St Louis

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We had a wonderful day in the St Louis Area.

There she is agian.  I’ve seen this arch so many times as hubby and I travel to the “Lou” often.  But I get so excited each and every time I see it.

The hubs and I enjoyed his hometown bakery for breakfast.  We will not talk about what we had, but it could have involved the most amazing donuts I’ve ever had in my life.  And then for dinner we had yummy BBQ with fried okra as one of my sides.  I haven’t had okra that yummy since we lived in TX.  Lets just say, our healthy living was not up to par.

No doubt, we were having fun!

Blessings – Debbie

Off to St Louis

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Oh what a day.  A day that was easy to roll out of bed and not have to rush off to the airport.  I love flights where we don’t have to get up while rubbing our eyes, wishing we could hop back into bed for a little more sleep.

It was such an easy morning, no rushing around for anything.

The luggage was all ready the night before.

Our commute to the airport was easy peasy in the HOV lane.

And hubby even had time to chill with a new shoe shine.

Love looking out over the San Diego coast.  A place I will always love.

Playing with my Ipad camera and apps was a huge hit on the flight.

Diet Coke with lime was so good!  But the playing with that Ipad and apps trumped everything else.

I’m a fan of my lap top bag under the seat in front of me.  Makes for a great foot rest for my short legs.

Luckily I had something to play with, as the flight was over in the blink of an eye and we were well on our way to a lot of fun.

Blessings – Debbie

Coffee – More Than A Dose

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It was one of those kind of days when I left the house early with coffee in tow.  As if that wasn’t enough, I hit the local coffee shop mid day.

I sat there with my cup of coffee and my phone in hand.

My phone was the only thing I had to take pix with, so I used it.

I quite like this shot of the waitress and the gentleman across the way.  She knew him by name and they seemed to enjoy each others company as he shared a bit with her about the movie he was watching.

It was a happy place.  And also my very first visit to this quaint little place.  I’m sure it will not be my last.

Yes, it’s the coffee that got me thru 4 different errands and I was back home by 3pm to get ready for our trip.

Hubby treated me to dinner so that we didn’t have to mess up the kitchen.

And the exciting news is this.  I have us all packed and ready to go.  Now if we can get some sleep, we’ll be doing good.

Cheers to fun things to look forward to!

Blessings – Debbie

Panic Attack

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A panic attack is when the hair salon calls first thing this morning to announce my hairstylist is sick.

It’s the call a girl never wants to receive just before a trip.

A panic like this can cause for millions of things to cross a girl’s mind in a flash.  Amen?

I won’t even go there as I don’t have the time to get into all the things that crossed my mind.  And I’m quite certain you’re not up for the list.

What I did say is that I’m so sorry, I hope she feels better soon.  When they tried to work me in for a later date, I kindly asked if there was anyone in the shop that could take me today.  I did quickly explain that I was going on a trip.

It’s so cool how the girl on the other end of the line completely understood my urgency to get in right away.  And I was accommodated by the manager who saw to it that my hair was all one color again.  Whew, all is right with the world.  I know, this is just small potatoes, but it sure does make me feel a lot better having it done.

I’m thinking…

of several more things to cross off the list before our trip.  I certainly don’t need any more panic attacks.

Tonight, it’s a dinner and shopping date with the hubs.

And tomorrow it’s a day to pack and get ready to fly away from here.

Cheers to everything else falling into place, I hope.

Blessings – Debbie

First Saturday in June

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Good evening and happy first Saturday in June!  I hope you had a great day.

We had a fun-filled day here in beautiful So Cal.

I played a bit with instagram.  I just signed up this week.  And I find that this is another app that provides more fun than a barrel of monkeys.  I know, I’m behind the times with instagram, but I’m getting the hang of it, or not.

But most of all, I enjoyed the day with the hubs.  We did a little shopping at the mall and a few other places.

And we filled the craving we’ve had for weeks and weeks at this amazing place.  It did not disappoint.

We also took in a wonderful outdoor art show.  We were told that we could take pix if we like.  I jumped at the chance, as this is the kind of painting that makes me swoon and my heart skipped more than a beat.

We did seriously look into that piano painting, which was reasonably priced.  But we are not ready to commit to anything like this (it’s HUGE) until we settle down into our own home someday.

While we look forward to being homeowners again, we still enjoy this freedom and the excitement of where our next home will be.

Happy Weekend!

Blessings – Debbie

California Living

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This morning was the norm for a work week day.  Hubby was up getting ready for work, while I was laying out his clothes and making his breakfast and lunch.

It was a happy morning as usual and I told hubby as usual how handsome he was when he was all ready for work.  And his response as usual “thank you, my wife dresses me.”

It was the usual hugs, I love you’s and me hanging out while hubby made his way to the car with his lunch box.

It was then when hubby reached for his car door, he turned back and said “have a wonderful day in California.”

It was then when I realized we’ve been saying this for 2 years + 8 months.

It was then when I realized we have not taken this place for granted.

And as I stop to think about it, it was then that I was reminded that living on vacation is what this place means to us.  I really could get used to living here the rest of my life.  And I believe that every day spent here will be cherished.

And while these thoughts were passing thru my mind all at once.  Hubby closed the car door and pulled away.

I stood there with joy in my heart and waved like I do every day since our beginning.  And he waved to me as he pulled away, just like he has done since the beginning of time.

And I stood there and watched like I do every day ’til his car was out of sight.

And I walked back in, closed the garage door and thought to myself.  I feel so special and this truly is going to be another wonderful day in California.

These pictures were taken on my morning stroll in the garden.  I was searching for all things yellow as this cheerful color matched my feelings all the way around.

And I look forward to hubby getting home at the end of this wonderful day.  And rushing in to greet him.  And when he asks “how was your day”  I get to say “better”.

While we may not live in California forever, my desire is to make each day just like this.  Because at the end of the day, the special little things, are the things that matter most.

Blessings – Debbie

Whatsoever Things Are Good

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Well here it is already Thursday.  As I turn around to see where the week has gone, it’s quite puzzling.  For whatever reason, I still feel lost back in Tuesday.  Is it just me?

Breathing a deep sigh today as yesterday did not go so well.  It was something I read online that caused for such disappointment, to the point it hurt.  It hurt so much that by the end of the day, I wrote a little note to the author stating how their words and actions hurt.

It was a day where I could just close the chapters of the internet for a while.  But as I thought about it and talked it over with the hubs last evening, I can see where there is a lot of good out there.  And just like life, there will always be an amount of unpleasant things.   But we must not allow them to rule our heart and destroy our soul.

So for today, this is the verse that I cling to.  Philippians 4:8  New American Standard Bible:  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

I’m dwelling on my good night of rest.  Isn’t it amazing how good we feel when our bodies are rested?

I’m dwelling on the fun evening I had with hubby last evening.  We even cut a rug dancing the East and West Coast Swing in our living room.  With a nice little slow dance too.  LOVED THAT!

I thought about that open-faced yummy peanut butter and banana concoction I had last evening.

In fact, it was so good that I had a full sandwich for lunch today.  Don’t let this little thing fool you as there are a whopping 550 calories in this sandwich alone.

But good and yummy calories, yes I’m counting them every day.  Another good thing, as I’m back to my lowest weight after all the yummy things we’ve had going on.  Our trip, that BBQ and my Birthday celebration.

I’m dwelling on how beautiful the weather has been.  Even today, we still have our windows open.  And thus far, we have yet to turn on the AC this year!

And enjoying the sound of wind chimes coming from the great outdoors thru the open windows and sliding glass doors.

When all is said and done, I’m thankful for the good things I have to think about.  I have so much to be thankful for.

Blessings – Debbie

iTherapy Not Included

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Good evening, it’s actually getting pretty late.  But I just wanted to log in to say hello out there!

Yes, it’s me.  Totally occupied with that new iPad.  Will I ever be able to put that fun thing down?  I was told that iTherapy was not included.

And this is our home, the entrance to our home.  Welcome!

And our backyard.  Old Glory was such a pretty sight as she waved in the beautiful balmy breezes this afternoon.

It was a day where I feel like I got lots done.  Appointments were made, errands were crossed off the list and I caught up on household chores.

If I don’t put that iTherapy to work, nothing is going to get done.  It’s quite the balancing act, let me tell you.

As of right now?  The coffee pot is all set to brew in the morning.  And all feels right with the world as I look forward to that fresh cup of coffee.

Sweet Dreams…

Blessings – Debbie

Birthday Weekend

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My Birthday has spilled over into the weekend.  And what a wonderful weekend it has been.  There were sightings of cookies, a pumpkin muffin for me and a pecan braid for hubby.  Luckily all items were purchased at Panera Bread over the course of more than one day.

On Friday we completely chilled.  And when I say we chilled, that is all we did, all day long.  And it felt so good.

I took this shot of hubby with my iPad and it was played with in a few different apps.  Yep, Friday was not only a chill day, it was also a play day with that iPad, I couldn’t put it down for a second.

But welcome Saturday!  It was time to get up and get out.  These are the boots that carried me thru the day.

I wore these to the mall and out to lunch.

and we even went dancing for a couple of hours.  What a fun day.

Over the weekend, hubby also took me shopping for a new cover for the iPad, love the one I picked out.  I’ll have to share pix later.

It was also a time when I had the hankering to play (with my camera) in the evening sunlight, just before sunset.  I was in desperate need of a subject.

When I asked hubby if he minded giving me a few min, he was all mine.

And I encouraged him to do his thing as I just wanted to play with the light.  I like this natural shot of him.

He was busy sending out picnic invitations to friends.  I like this shot too.

On another note, I spied Stewart’s diet Root Beer in my grocery store.  What a delight!  I’ve enjoyed these guys all weekend too.

Happy Monday!  And Happy Memorial Day!

It sure doesn’t feel like a Monday.  Does it?

In keeping with All American, hubby and I hit Five Guys and Coldstone Ice Cream.  What a way to top off the day.

We have a few plans today but nothing earth shattering.

And with that, so long ’til next time.

Blessings – Debbie

I'll Have My Cake And Eat It too

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In other words, happy birthday to me.  🙂

It was a happy day.  I played a bit more as I took more pix of this little flower.  Then played in Lightroom, what fun.  Here’s what I came up with this morning.

Hubby totally surprised me when he walked in the door extra early.

He totally surprised me with a gift I never asked for.  He’s good at knowing what he thinks I will like.  I Love This Little Toy AKA the iPad!

He treated me to dinner where I had bbq baby back ribs, mashed potatoes, a biscuit and the best carrot cake.

A birthday only comes around once a year.   And when that happens, we should all be able to have our cake and eat it too.  Amen.

While these shots were taken with the cell phone, they will have to make do for my 44th birthday pix.  It truly was a very happy day.

Blessings – Debbie

The Art Of Living

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There are days when I have to stop and think.  Think of how the art of living is right under my nose.  It does revolve around me but it does not wait for me to hop on.  I’m trying to latch on and truly take to heart the little things that move me.

Some of those things are not easy to put into words.  Left only be felt with the heart and fueled with the emotions we feel when the right moment strikes.  Does any of this make sense?

Take the shot below for example.  I took that shot out by the pool this morning.  But I knew I had plans, plans to work and play in Lightroom to the point my heart spoke and said yes, that’s what I’m looking for.

The histogram in manual mode looks like this:

Sony SLT – A-55V   Focal Length: 50.0mm  f/5.0  (35mm equivalent  75mm)  ISO:  400

The edit below was not quite what I was searching for. It was cropped way too much and it felt cold and harsh.  I could trash the whole thing and start over, or I could continue to make changes and wait for my heart speak.

So I played a bit longer.  I performed a little edit undo, if you will, to undo the major crop.  Next I fooled with tons of settings until it hit the sweet spot.  Something soft yet full of color, yes, this was exactly what I was searching for.

While it’s hard to put into words, perhaps it’s something you too can feel.

The art of living is not so much about the words, rather the way certain things move us.  What moves you, what stirs your heart to the point you feel it more than any word ever spoken?

Find that movement and run with the art of living.

Blessings – Debbie

Tuesday Thoughts

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Well here it is, already Tuesday.  And I really had to stop and think about what I did yesterday.  Ah yes, I remember.  I finished catching up on the blog from the weekend BBQ.  I also went food shopping in the afternoon.  Amongst catching up on a few things around the house.

Speaking of Tuesday thoughts, I was reminded again this week of how fast we forget the little things in life and sometimes even the big things.  It was that reminder that spoke to me and confirmed the joy I feel that I have over 6 years worth of blogging and pictures.  While this blog is just over a year old, my original blog was established Jan of 2006.  I hope to keep these thoughts and the chapters of life tucked away in this blog ’til I’m at least 100 years old.

With that, we’re moving right along on Tuesday.  I took this pic a little while ago.  It was taken out by the pool.  I especially love this little flowering bush, but even more so after I played with it in Lightroom.  Love that program, makes me happy.

So hubby has me thinking about what I want to do for my b-day (Thursday) this week.  I spent some time yesterday thinking about what I would like for dinner on my b-day and I think I came up with the place.  My chore today is to figure out where I would like to satisfy my b-day cake/sweet treat on my b-day.  Hubby made a great suggestion this morning.  After doing my research, this place happens to make – from scratch – one of, if not my very favorite cakes.  I’m pretty excited.

Another thing I’ve been researching this week is dance shoes.  I hope to score a pair this week as we’re really looking forward to some private ballroom dance lessons this weekend.  May I add that I can’t wait to West Coast to Mustang Sally?  That’s our very favorite West Coast song to dance to.  Can’t wait to add some new fun moves, should be fun!  Have I mentioned I’m looking forward to Mustang Sal…Oh right, I think you got the point already.

The phone rang a while ago, it was my mom.  She’s on a train from NC down to FL.  She rode up there with my pop to celebrate my nephew’s graduation and she’s bringing the train home as my pop has several more places to go before he can get back home.  She took the train so that she can put another experience under her belt.  She’s cool like that and I look forward to hearing all about her adventure.

Now that I’ve shared a few thoughts, I hope to continue to keep the blog alive with the things that matter most.  Be looking for the little things as they deserve to be remembered too.

Blessings – Debbie

Summatime BBQ

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One of the first things I think of when I think of summer is BBQ.  It brings friends and family together.  And what better way to gather than the great outdoors?  Saturday, May 19th was the afternoon this BBQ took place.

Q (our host) checking on the brisket that had been cooking “low and slow” all. day. long.  YUM!  He’s so good at what he does.

Our beautiful hostess.  She made some really amazing things including her homemade whip cream for the strawberry shortcake.

Hubby checking out those Craftsman tongs.  Love that cool Craftsman set!

Take a look at this guy, impressive huh?  It has Craftsman written all over it.

The amazing chef prepared a wide variety of meat amongst other fine foods.

Our beautiful hostess Julie and her mom.  I can’t get over how much they look alike.

Daddy/daughter.  Sweet Little Lucy was passing out fresh lemons from a nearby tree.

How sweet, she just woke from her afternoon nap.

And her big brother Lucas.  It’s so obvious they are siblings.  I told mama Deb that they are bound to look like twins when they grow up.

The #1 Chef getting back to the brisket that had been resting.  Yum!

On inside the house, the remote controlled shark was a big hit.

It was such a cool shark with real to life movement.  Shark Attack!!!

Now he’s got the controls.  Can you tell these boys are having fun?

They had the best time playing together all afternoon and evening.

Back outside, we had an amazing spread!

Our hostess getting in some quality time with the youngest (2 weeks old) pary girl.

While I was busy taking shots of the children, there were actually around 25 adults at the BBQ.

 

It was a picture perfect day.

The Chef serving up Flame Grilled Burgers and Pineapple, so good!

Hubby all set for his hot off the grill burger.

Girls visit.

And boys talk shop.

And this little girl became my buddy.  We played together for quite a while.

I just loved her little outfit and those little red shoes.

But most of all, I was so happy Lucy became my little buddy.

As evening approached, games were enjoyed inside.

Everyone had fun.

A helping hand, made for a lot of fun.

These two, remember them?  Well, they had the moves going on.  And the crowd cheered as they worked it out.  I can report that fun times were had by all.

As children young and old were letting the good times roll.

Cheers to our first summer BBQ with friends.  We hope to continue on with the next BBQ with friends at our home.

Blessings – Debbie