The Lovely Day

Today was beautiful in Indiana. The Lillies in my Easter flowers from my amazing husband bloomed early this morning making the day start off wonderfully.

Then my husband and I had a rare day out. Our daughter came over to stay with Mom and we took off (you might have seen our dust flying down the avenue we were in such a hurry!) Off to my favorite place to eat in all time zones, the Olive Garden, and then we shopped.  Penneys, the Mall, Sears, Old Navy, you name it we hit it.  Earl is a shopper. I have always been extremely thankful of that and he is my favorite shopping buddy because if I look at something and say that's pretty or nice, or lovely, he says "Get it babe." Instead of my usual talking myself out of it he insists. He's fun. And generous. And handsome. And. se... Ok moving on.

After our shopping we enjoyed a leisurely drive home where we talked and caught up. It may seem strange that though we are together almost 24/7 we would need time to catch up but when I am home I'm in a constant state of "what does my Mom need" that I rarely destress enough to really just enjoy the talking. Did I tell you I'm thankful for my husband? Well I am.

And it was a lovely day.  When we got home, Earl did some yard work and Jen and I hung out for a bit and went to grocery store together. Then I watched a recap of yesterdays Royal Wedding which I had somehow missed, and smiled. It really was a pretty wedding, and they seemed so in love. I wish them the best.

I had a lovely day. Lovely is my new  go to word, doesn't it sound British? Isn't that lovely, isn't she lovely, what a lovely day. I hope everyone else had one too!

The Royal Wedding

She looked beautiful, His eyes lit up when he looked at her, the Best Man looked mischievious and happy to be there.  It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding.

 What Kate and William got married? OH I was talking about Jenna and Ben!

Happiness

What a cute best man.

Their year anniversary is coming up.

Oh and I heard Kate and Williams wedding was beautiful too.

Time has Escaped Me once again

I am not consistent. I wish I was consistent. I desire to be consistent, but I have not blogged since November. I have been busy. That's really no excuse, writers are suppose to write, bloggers are suppose to blog, but sometimes I let myself get lazy, and hazy and crazy and I just don't. No excuse, just don't. I want to change that about myself. How do you change yourself? Anyone have any idea.  NO? Well if you do, please let me know.

Life has been moving along at a good pace. My son and his wife are in India for a few months, they have sent me pictures.

I was surprised by the palm trees. I wasn't expecting it to be tropical. I don't know why. I have never studied much on India- I certainly need to now, since my darling Daughter in law is from there and I'm positive one day we shall venture the long plane ride and visit. I will do some studying.

I do know that this is in India.

How gorgeous is that? The Taj Mahal (which is actually a tomb).

Our youngest son will be home from college next week. He will be staying home from now on and commuting to a nearby college. Two years two states away was enough for him, he missed me too much- actually a darling girl named Sarah is the one he missed, but he's ready to stay home for a while. We are glad.

and our daughter and her husband are doing great. Happy Newlyweds still. Almost a year and both marriages seem to be going strong. Thank you Lord.

So I'm back and plan on staying back. Day One- let's see how it goes.

Thanksgiving Week

Justin is home- we had a wonderful day on saturday shopping and I was enchanted by this strawberry gold chocolate diamond ring. It was probably the most beautiful ring I've ever seen but I did not let Earl buy it for me. I almost did- I thought about it seriously but ugh it was so expensive and I couldn't do it.  We need new carpet so I don't want to spend that much money on something just for me.  We had dinner at our favorite place of course, OLIVE GARDEN.

Today I got to spend a little time alone with my daughter at her house- just a few minutes chatting but it was nice to get out of the house with her instead of her always staying home with Mom while I run errands.  Jenna got new kids to watch this week- so she is very excited and happy about that and she still gets one day to herself with little miss Ki.

Mom is doing well- she is trying to speak more because I bug her constantly but she is trying.  She is content and smiles most days now, which makes me content. I cannot do her hair though and I hate that. She always had her hair fixed so pretty (she pincurled it most times) and I asked her if she wanted me to try and pin curl it but she shakes her head. She doesn't like me brushing it either, but I remind her of all the times she pulled my hair out while brushing and she grins and shakes her head like she's saying I never did that! Let me tell you OH yes she did! She yanked and tugged til my head hurt but my hair always looked great! :)

I will have a busy week- getting ready for Thanksgiving. It will be the first year I will have to bake my own corn bread for the stuffing- Mom always made it for me.  I have to do that tomorrow.  I might make some custard too- hmm we will see.  Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

This first week of November

I've been so tired this week because of sickness. I had to go to the doctor and I had to get Mom to the doctor twice. They are still changing her meds, but things are getting better with her labs and they put her on a new medication to help her sleep- I think it's helping too much. She's been drowsy for two days- I will call the doctor on Monday to see if  this is normal or if the dosage is too high. 

I got to see my beautiful sweet nieces this morning- it made me so happy. I didn't realize how very much I missed them.  Earl and I are hosting some kids tonight that are doing a play in Greensburg. Dead Serious about life. It should be good. It's a christian play about the things teens are going through right now and about suicide - with all the suicides that have been happening lately and the recent one in Greensburg I feel it's very timely.

I hope everyone is having a beautiful weekend. The sun is shining and NO SNOW! :) I couldn't believe it snowed some yesterday- didn't stick at all- but I have been enjoying this nice weather for a while now and though it is expected- the cold has brought a sharp shock to my system!

Wedding Daze

"I'm getting married today!" Jenna Elizabeth Rowland June 12, 2010

 I woke up before five that morning, and lay there exhausted.  I thought about the day before, going to the reception hall, getting it decorated. Two of my sister in laws, my friends, Jenna's mother in law, we knocked it out in no time, and the lady helping us at the restaurant was terrific.  It was beautiful, I couldn't wait to see it with the candles lit.

The rehearsal had went great, my aunt and uncle from North Carolina had made it with their grandson, our son Jamie and his bride Gifty were home.  They were all asleep in the house, plus two of my nieces and Jenna were piled into one bedroom downstairs. We had sat up late last night, me Jenna Gifty on the bed, my nieces on the floor on a mattress and talked. I hugged on my daughter and kissed her head fifty times. Last night in the house as my little girl. It was a treasured time, can't really remember what we chatted about, probably the wedding and my future grandchildren, but I remember the feeling of family, of loving these people so much.

I kissed my husband and he stirred but didn't wake.  I tiptoed out of the room and went into the kitchen to put on some coffee.  I wasn't going to get anymore sleep.  I saw our youngest son sprawled out on the couch in the upstairs living room and thought don't get married for a long time justin! And then I text my sister.

They had arrived late, just getting to the rehearsal dinner.  They had wanted to be there earlier so the first time I saw Wilma we would have some privacy but it didn't work out that way. My worry evaporated when I saw her and she hugged me.  It felt right, it felt good, here was another person to love. I cried just a little but we were off a bit away from everyone and we whispered a few words and I promised myself we would find some time this weekend to talk some. 

That morning I typed "Are you awake?"  to my sister who was staying with her mom and her husband, Gene in a hotel a mile away. A few minutes later answering text "Yes".  I asked her if she wanted to go get some coffee, maybe breakfast at mcdonalds and told her I would pick her up in a few minutes.

That private time that morning with Vicki, before anyone stirred and the bustle of the day got ahead of us, that time just spent talking with my sister as we ate and drank coffee in a nearly deserted Mcdonalds, that hour just laughing and enjoying each other, that is one of my Many favorite memories of the day.  It felt like a secret, everyone else asleep, the sky still dark. Sister time before it became about Mother and Daughter time, and of course Husband, Father, Family time!

It was pouring down the rain. Vicki and I went to Krogers before I dropped her off so  could find some sparking grape juice for the wedding reception for the Bride and Groom, and then I headed home to wake everyone up.

Jenna, my nieces, Jenna's bridesmaids and I had hair appointments for eight that morning. Jenna couldn't find her garter so I took the girls and dropped them off at the beauty shop which was thankfully right by the church and headed to walmart which of course did not have a garter one.  I called my sister in law Susie and she called and found me one at the Hallmark Shop and then I called Earl who went and got it.  It was still pouring rain.  I got back to my appointment and was rushing in and forgot to turn off my car engine.  Angie peaked out a few minutes later and told me my car was still running. 

"Rain on your weddng day is good luck." The hair stylist was telling Jenna as she looked at me and I shrugged. "How's that?" She asked, thinking of her hair and her dress I'm sure. "Well back in the old days in Indian Culture they tied a rope together to symbol the joining of two souls and if it was raining, it wet the rope and made the knot tighter, harder to break. So Rain meant luck." We didn't know if that was true, but it sounded good, and Angie kept saying it's going to stop, watch and see, it's going to stop.



And miracles of miracles it did stop.  Our God is an awesome God. It stopped before we had to go out with our heads done up and we made it to the church without a speck of rain on us.  Angie brought us donuts and then food for lunch.  Our friend Janice got there early to start the make up and we spent the remaining few hours before the wedding getting prettied up and giggling like school children.  I was nervous and my niece Kaycee who was the flower girl was hyper but it was all good.

 I was ever so glad to see Earl when he got there early though.

Just his presence calms me - so a quick hug and kiss and I'm feeling pretty good.

And then my sister got there and I was feeling so blessed to have her there with us on that special day.

So it was almost time. Jenna was ready- Ben was peeking out the pastor study door-with a big smile ready to go...

Time to get this show on the road!

October 30

I'm still here friends- I have not had a lot of time and get so sidetracked lately! November will soon be here- hard to believe- the holidays will be upon us! Will try and write more this week- I am getting ready to tell you about Jenna's wedding! Mom has been having multiple trips to doctor office to get her meds correct, hoping this all goes well. She is feeling fine- just a little sad lately- I think some of it has to do with the Month of October and it being the anniversary of my Father's death and they have changed her thyroid medicine which someone said could mess with your hormones- anyway have a meeting with doctor this week so praying that gets fixed! Talk soon I promise! :)