Ah, Summer...

2Pea CHALLENGE: what makes summer special to you?

I like summer, though it isn't my favorite season. Summer is special because I enjoy working in the flower beds and mowing grass. I love the times family and friends get together for picnics and barbeques. My favorite is the 4th of July celebration my girfriend Jerri Anne throws at Lake Storey. What a blast! We spend the entire day at the park cooking out, water sliding, trying to win radio contests and just visiting.

Galesburg Train Depot

Here we are at the train station. It's around 7:15 a.m. Jerri Anne was waiting for us - what a surprise! Christopher is leaving for New Jersey to work as a camp counselor with developmentaly disabled children. He's meeting Joanna in Chicago, then they'll fly out together.

Chicago Bound

Godspeed, Christopher, Godspeed!

South Dakota Roadtrip 2006 - Part 2

Here's the Crazy Horse monmument and it still isn't finished. I don't believe it will be finished in my lifetime. The entry fee to see the monument is expensive, $24.00 a vehicle, but surprisely it was worth it. The fee supports the monument. No federal money is involved with this national treasure. The Indians and the artist have refused to accept any federal funding. There is a video presentation before the viewing. It gives the story of the Sioux Nation and the tribute monument to their leader, Chief Crazy Horse. It tells how the artist was chosen and how he has since died. His widow and their seven children are carrying on his work carving the monument. Fascinating!


Next, we enjoyed a Buffalo Burger at Wall Drug. Again, I was surprised by how good it was. It did not taste "gamey", more like very lean ground beef. Now I can understand why the Indians enjoyed the buffalo, its very tasty! However, it is a little pricey - $6.00 for a burger and fries basket. Nothing fancy.

South Dakota Roadtrip 2006

Mount Rushmore - what an awesome sight. It literally brings tears to your eyes. We live in such a great country. We have our freedom because of men like these leaders and men and women who have given their lives for us. I'm feeling a little melancholy today. A Knox County soldier was brought home last night. He lost his life in Baghdad Iraq. His jeep was blown up. Spf. Caleb Lufkin's mother, Marcy Grosline, is a nurse at my doctor's office. (you know his mother, Patty. The two of you worked together at Cottage Hospital) Me, Mom and Jerri Anne waited for three hours for the motorcade bringing his body to Hinchcliff, Pearson and West Funeral Home last night. Thousands were lined up and down Fremont Street waiting to pay their respects to him and his family. The motorcade appeared around midnight...

The day we visited Mount Rushmore, it was overcast with threats of rain, but thankfully we got to see the monument before the rain began. Upon entry to Mount Rushmore there is a walkway known as Avenue of the States. Each state's flag and a plaque with the state's stats is represented.

We're Back!

As some of you have noticed, I've havn't posted in some time. That's because I've been in South Dakota on vacation! I took my mom and her two sisters to the Black Hills of South Dakota. We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Deadwood. Mom loved it because it has a casino in the hotel. The scenery in this area of the country is gorgeous! I'll post pictures soon.

Wednesday 2pea Challenge

These questions were taken from the latest and greatest book by Cathy Z... have fun!

Complete these statements:

1. My current favorite song: "You're Beautiful" Love this song!
2. The last book I read: The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
3. What I'm wearing right now: My favorite outfit - jeans, white t-shirt, navy hoodie, sneakers (too cold for sandals!)
4. The last cd I bought: "Back to Bedlam" by James Blunt
5. The last gift I bought for someone: A pair of navy crop pants for my mom to travel in. I'm taking her and her sisters to the Badlands of South Dakota next week!

My Perfect Day

Wednesday's 2pea Challenge:

Perfect Day - What is on the agenda of YOUR PERFECT DAY?

My perfect day would be attending another Creating Keepsakes University with 600 other women (& men) who get "it". I would have classes with all my favorite teachers (& new best friends!)like Tracy W., Faye M.B., Lisa B., Ali E., Cathy Z., Becky H., Rebecca S., Tim H., Emily A., Anna G. and Shelli Gardner from SU! woohoo!!!

Scrapbooking Withdrawal?

I really need to scrapbook.  I'm becoming depressed, irritated and cranking and I know it's because I need that creative release scrapbooking gives me.  I haven't scrapbooked since March. I've been living vicariously through 2peas, reading the scrapbook message board, but I really need to sit down and "create".  I need to journal, play with paper, run with scissors...

Wednesday 2 pea Challenge - Pick One

Another 2pea Challenge:
Pick one. and Elaborate if you so wish!

chocolate or vanilla? I love chocolate!
sandals or barefoot? Sandals - I hate stepping on stuff, like wet furballs...
basic grey or scenic route? Scenic Route - my favorite is Funky Chicken
primas or HS flowers? Primas - I can use lots of them
computer journaling or handwritten? - Prefer handwritten, but I do computer journaling too when I have a lot to say. It looks much neater.
Madonna or Gwen Stefani? Must I pick one? Best female rocker is Melissa Etheridge!
Leno or Conan? Both of these guys crack me up, but I love Jay-Walking
Koolaid or Crystal Lite? Crystal Lite raspberry tea - so refreshing
American Idol or Amazing Race? Amazing Race and it's on tonight @7:00!
catlover or doglover? Cats, Cats & more Cats!

Word Association

2pea challenge from BonnieRose:
I type a word.. you type the first thing that comes to your mind... this should be fun... ready? here we go...

1. Harry.... Potter
2. Black.... Walnuts
3. Delicious... Ice Cream
4. Funny... Face
5. Green... Beans
6. Ribbons... Bows
7. Internet... Shopping!
8. BBQ... Beans (again?)
9. People... Annoying...
10. Quirky... Charly Anne (my cat lives in another world!)

My Favorite Ice Cream

I love ice cream, I really do. And I can eat anytime of the year. I like just about any flavor, but I love Baskin-Robbins Peanut Butter 'n Chocolate. It has globs of peanut butter in chocolate ice cream. YUM!

Unfortunately, we don't have a Baskin-Robbins store in Galesburg anymore. I really miss Peanut Butter 'n Chocolate ice cream...

TGIF!

Woohoo! It's Friday in the burg! And I have no plans for this weekend - yeah for free time! I love it! Maybe I'll scrapbook...

Anyway, I went to a new scrapbook store in Davenport yesterday called "Scrapaganza" and it was fabulous. There are three partners in the store. I met one of them, Kelly, and she was just delightful. The store is well layed out, tons of patterned paper (sadly, no Scenic Route Paper Company, but they're going to look into it)and the largest selection I've seen for Christian layouts. I'm already anticipating my return trip with the girlfriends.

A New Scrapbook Store!

I was on 2peas this morning and the blog challenge is:

How much do you normally spend in a scrapbooking store? Way too much!

How often do you normally shop in a store? Monthly

Or are you an online shopping? Nope, I like to see and touch the stuff!

Lucky me, I'm going to a new scrapbook store in Davenport Iowa called Scrapaganza. I'll post my review later.

I'm a Winner!

Saturday night we went to the American Legion to listen to one of my favorite local bands - Second Mortgage and the Sofa Kings. They have an awesome horn section! The event was a fundraiser for St. Mary's Living Center. The band was great! I love kicking back with a MGD and listening to 60's, 70's & 80's music. I actually know the words to the songs and can sing along! Oh! and I won a raffle prize. Abingdon Flower Shop donated a beautiful daisy bouquet in a grass-green basket. It looks good in my office. A touch of Spring!

The Friday Four Challenge

1. List the people from your past who you would like to reconnect with through Email.(if only you could find them...)

I would give just about anything to talk to my late husband, George Andrews. When we first married I thought to myself, what are we going to do when we run out of things to talk about? Well, we never did and I miss our conversations.

2. List the companies you wish you owned.

a) Starbucks (for obvious reasons!)
b) Archiver's (I can dream...)
c) Wal-Mart (I'm there all the time anyway)

3. List the things you do to defy aging.

a) I use Avon's Anew products. Love them!
b) I try to keep up my nephews & niece. It ain't easy!
c) I'm active. I belong to several social groups and I participate.

4. List what you do to snap out of a bad mood.

Retreat. I give myself time to think, meditate & rest.

Coffee Rules!

I love coffee!  I began drinking coffee as a teenager.  I've always loved the smell of coffee brewing (My parents used a perculator).  I remember the first time I tried Starbucks.  I was O'Hare Airport in Chicago.  My sister's plane was late.  Rats!  To pass the time, I wondered into the Starbucks and purchased a cup of Joe and a big cookie.  I  found a nice quiet spot (nearly unheard of at O'Hare) and sat back to enjoy my coffee and big cookie.  Heaven!  Over the years, I've been to Starbucks from coast-to-coast and not a one of them has disappointed me. 

Top 5 Locations/Places

It's blogger Monday and another 2peas challenge has been issued. I'm to list the top 5 locations/places I would love to live in the world today and why. Let me think, hmmm...

1. I know this is going to sound corny, but I love where I am right now. I love my hometown of Galesburg. My family and friends are here. My history is here. My work is here. My church is here. I am respected in my community.

2. Just for fun and if it was possible, I would like to live by the Grand Canyon. The majestic scenery just takes my breath away. It's truly God's country.

3. I visited the Outer Banks of North Carolina this past fall and was smitted. If I had tons of money I would love to live in Kill Devil Hills. And I found some awesome scrapbook stores in the area too!

4. My birthplace, San Diego, California. What a beautiful city. There is so much I want to see. I would love to visit the hospital I was born in, the naval hospital at Balboa Park. I want to walk on the beach as I did as kid. I want to see my old schools. I have family in California too.

5. Anywhere my brother and sister live. Currently, my brother lives in Metairie, Louisiana and my sister lives in St. Albans, West Virginia. I miss them.

Things That Have Only Happened to Me Once

It's been a while since I've posted, forgive me. Sometimes life gets in the way. Anyway, here's another 2peas challenge that I thought was interesting.

Things That Have Only Happened to Me Once:
1. I had my tonsils out when I was 10 years old.
2. I graduated from high school and college.
3. So far I've only married once!
4. I've only won the lottery once - don't get excited, it was only $600.00.
5. I've been baptized once.
6. I was fired from a job once. I went on vacation, came back to work and discovered I was replaced. For years I was afraid to take a vacation!
7. I started the gas weedeater once. I hate that damn thing!
8. I bought a brand-new Ford Contour in 1999. I'd never had a new car before.
9. I had teeth pulled at the dentist's office. Hopefully, that doesn't happen again.
10. I entered a scrapbook in the county fair and won!