Something for Sunday

Tuesday night, we went to the New Kids on the Block concert. Sandy even came in town for it. I love having all of my girls together. The concert was great! This was my 5th NKOTB concert. I think it is going to be my last. Don't get me wrong, I'll keep going to concerts, but I really only have a few more on my list: Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert (and maybe Dolly)! I've been fortunate to see most of the major groups/stars that I've wanted to see. I hate that I missed Pavarotti (years ago) and Taylor Swift. But other than that, I have seen so many wonderful artists: The Rolling Stones (twice), Elton John (twice), Pink, Kenny Rogers, Air Supply, Diana Ross, Bon Jovi, Brooks and Dunn, Garth Brooks (three times), George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock (twice), Air Supply, The Beach Boys (twice), The Temptations, The 4 Tops, Smokey Robinson, Peter Frampton, Felix Cavelieri of The Rascals, Shania Twain--that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I do love live music. 

We have a pool party every week. This was the week before last. This past week, when Sandy was here, there were nine of us. We have lunch at the pool. Everyone takes a turn. It's always so much fun--not to mention refreshing in this heat.

So, my sil, Janet was here two weeks ago. She showed me this picture of the winner of a 5K. I was so surprised that little Josie was the winner! Her sister, Evie came in 2nd. I was thrilled for her that she beat her big sister. Every year at Camp Aunt Barb, she gets herself worked up when she can't quite keep up with the big kids. What an ego boost for her! Plus, she earned it by training with her mother. She even beat her dad. Okay, he probably did the dad thing and let her cross first! Good for her. She just might decide to keep it up. I hope she does. 

About a week ago, Jordan and Robbie and Morgan and Olly met up at the Grand Canyon for hiking and camping. They meet at a different national park each year. I love that and am impressed that they are so outdoorsy!

When Janet was here, I planned a night in Franklin, TN to have dinner and go to The Stable Reserve for their songwriter's night. It's so much fun. The Stable Reserve is an old building that housed the original "paid parking" dating back to the 1800's as people dropped off their horses and buggies at this stable while they shopped Main Street. This was my second time going. It's really a lot of fun and the music is so good.

A bunch of random stuff, but worth mentioning.

Scrapbook Saturday

Ten Things Thursday

Great Idea!

I've always loved this idea. If I were building a house, I'd do it.

What a cozy book nook!

Really, you only need to give up about 10" of your room space with floor to ceiling book shelves behind your couch. It looks awesome too. There needs to be a floor lamp back there too.

Hahahahaha!

What a fun idea. But, I wonder? Would it really be interesting to listen to stories from complete strangers where you have no context for the stories? I would like to try it. I wonder what 50 countries? 

Another awesome book nook. And it's pink! I wonder what the purpose of this little space was? Luckily the window sill is wide enough to hold a cup of tea. 

More book stairs. I'd love to see a set in person.

I think the sums it up quite nicely!

What I Buy Wednesday...

I am taking an organizing class for scrapbooking. Now anyone who knows me knows how organized I am. But 1. I Love classes and 2. I love organizing classes. I always think if I just learn one new thing it will have been worth it. That doesn't always happen, but it did this time.

That class led to this organizer box for my journal cards.

I also purchased some dividers. I couldn't wait to fill it. 

Now everything is all nice and neat. Okay, it was all nice and neat before, but the box looks good and makes it easy to flip through.

Last week, Mindy surprised me with a Starbucks tea. She always picks one up for me when she's coming over. This particular day was " reuseable straw" day. Not the cup--that's mine. The striped straw is cute. I love that Mindy thinks of me when she's coming over and stopping at Starbucks! It's always a nice surprise.

The best part? I didn't have to buy it! 

Lastly, I stopped at a farmer's market for some fresh vegetables. 

What you see here is an Athena melon (a muskmelon--even though I don't know wha that is), 2 Yukon gold potatoes, 1 sweet potato, some zucchini and black beauty tomatoes. I've mentioned before the high price of fresh produce. What you see here is $27 worth! But, it's worth it. I do love fresh veggies.

That's it for this week.

Travel Tuesday

Over the 4th of July, Stephanie and Nicky were at the beach:

They sent us this picture of them enjoying themselves. They like to sit on the beach ALL day! Good for them. I'm glad they had a good time. 

Justin had to work and Mitchell was studying to take the GRE exam to get into graduate school. That just left Butch, Mindy and me for an adventure. 

We took off around 9 a.m. for an Adventure Lab (in geo-caching, it's a multi cache hunt) on the Natchez Trace Parkway. That's it above us in the picture.

Butch had many historical and educational stops lined up--the reason we like geo-caching--we always learn something. While we were out that way, my friend, Nancy, who lives in Leipers Fork, texted about a sight to see in her neck of the woods. Since, coincidentally, we were very near there, we stopped.

The farmer who owns this land has an American flag on every fencepost for a mile and a half. 

It was a sight to behold. As far as the eye can see. Quite moving--I'm so glad we saw it on the 4th of July.

We made our way to the town square in Columbia, TN for lunch at Puckett's. We had classic American food. Butch had a catfish platter while Mindy and I shared the Chicken Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes white gravy and green beans. Delish!

It was a really fun way to spend the 4th. Everyone had on their red, white and blue. You can't really see them, but my earrings are boxes of popcorn. Short of a US flag, I can't think of anything more American! 

Oh, and then we made our way to Spring Hill, TN for Andy's Frozen Custard--a little taste of home--as frozen custard was "invented" in St. Louis. I've had this on my list to surprise Butch for quite awhile. It was the perfect ending to our trip. 

I am reminded of all the very fun 4th of Julys we had growing up. It was always a big deal--barbecue with all the sides and fireworks. It was always so much fun. Now more than ever before, I'm grateful for our freedoms and everything we get to enjoy here in the good 'ol US of A.

Me on Monday

You might recall my love/hate relationship with Target. Well, I try to stay away. In fact, other than running in twice while with someone so I didn't have time to browse, I have not been to Target since last Christmas. Remember? I ran in for wrapping paper and came away with a few hundred dollars worth of impulse buys---only to find when I got home that the wrapping paper I bought wouldn't stick with tape! 

Well, on Friday, I had a date with my high school friend, Cathy. We were meeting in the Target parking lot and going downtown for lunch. That got me to thinking. "I think I'll go early and allow myself an hour of impulse buying. I was actually kind of excited. Butch asked where I was going. I said that I was running errands before meeting Cathy. I didn't say what my errands were other than to correct myself and say, "Well, only one errand."

Of I went. It's hot--really hot here--nearing 100. I got inside the cool store and was in no hurry to leave. I started browsing. Now, everyone is complaining about how expensive everything is these days: groceries, restaurants, fast food, etc. But, you can usually always rely on Target for good prices. Apparently, not anymore! 

Here are a few things I wasn't even tempted to buy:

I thought this suit was pretty darn cute. That is, until I looked at the price!

What? 70 bucks? For crying out loud, this is Target! I moved on.

I thought this was a cute one too. 

But $60? Yes, I know swimsuits are expensive--over $100. But I'm not paying those kinds of prices at Target. Don't get me wrong. I did find some cheaper ones--in the $45 range, but those were the ugly ones!

I skipped the swimsuits and moved on

Legos is making things for adults now. I bought something like this for Victoria for Christmas.

You would think they would be cheaper at Target, but not so.

Okay, these are cheap--$10.00. But since when do kids need a cushion to sit on the floor while their teacher reads to them? I'm telling you---kids are too soft these days! Expecting them to sleep on the floor at granny's---fuhgeddaboutit.

This falls in the "I had no idea" department!

FRESH dog food? Are you kidding me? Even dogs are soft. What was wrong with the food in the bag or (yuck) the stuff in the cans (nasty)?

Wow! That's expensive! I guess dogs eat like kings now.

I was only able to resist this because I do not like to color. I can't seem to stay within the lines! But then there was this:

Oh I was definitely tempted. There's nothing I like more than bombarding Butch with facts about Taylor Swift. Like--Did you know she spent 55 million dollars in bonuses for EVERYONE in her organization? Or that she donated enough money to cover the food bills for an entire year across 11 food banks and 8 community pantries in Liverpool alone. She has done this for every city she's toured in. And then this:

Well, I was informed that the picture didn't come through. It was on my end, but it's not there now. I tried to fix it, but can't get it to load. Anyway, it was a sweet thank you note in her handwriting. That's gotta' be worth something!

The fact that she "hand-wrote" her notes--this one to her truck drivers. You know they can even sell this for some bucks. Butch begs me to stop!! So I will!

More goodies that sound good.

I resisted and didn't get anything.

This is the only thing I came away with. I like Fever Tree tonic. I've had their lemon tonic before, but have never seen lemonade flavored.

I thought it would be good with my Sipsmith Lemon Gin that my friends from England bring me. It wasn't. I'll try it again and maybe add some sugar or something. 

So my single purchase is kind of a bust. See what happens when I have time on my hands? I should have been at Connie's, but since we finished on Thursday, I had time to kill. Target's a good place to do it. I was able to restrain myself this time, but who knows what will happen next. I don't intend to find out anytime soon. I got my Target fix for another 6 months.

Lest you think this sounds like a "What I Buy Wednesday" post, it's not. I have something else for then! This is "Me on Monday" and my unhealthy relationship with Target!!