Something for Sunday

Butch left for Columbia on Friday. He's traveling alone this time since his brother was unable to go with him. It's not the first time he's gone by himself. He'll enjoy it. He loves to travel so much. I have no desire to go to South America. 

Sandy and Greg were in town this weekend. On Friday, we went to Stephanie's for "happy hour." This was a planned meeting to discuss the plans for our Disney trip coming up in October. We're going for "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween", Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, and a marathon race. Our family is doing the 5K. That will be my first and last marathon.  

This picture shows exactly the difference between my girls: Sandy is old school with paper and pen; Stephanie takes her notes on the computer; Mindy doesn't take any notes at all!! So funny.

Going to Disney sounds like fun, but in order to get the most out of your trip, there is much pre-planning that has to take place. Much! I feel bad for people who do not know the "ins and outs" of Disney. If you just show up at the park, you will NOT be able to get on the rides you want nor eat in the restaurants you want. Everything needs to be done in advance--way in advance. We're two months out and the girls were not able to get our first choice of dining at The Boathouse in Disney Springs. Oh well. There are plenty of other places, so we did get some reservations. The food is excellent everywhere in Disney--and plentiful, so you can't really go wrong. You just have to plan in advance.

Anyway, the girls were discussing the rides and what our strategy was going to be in order to get all the best ones. Oh and did I mention, you have to pay extra for the best rides. There's one ride that costs $25--even though you have spent a fortune on the passes to just get in. They set up a plan. 

Then it came time to link our magic bands. OMGosh! talk about a hassle. It was not easy---and these girls are Disney experts!! I just sat there and kept my mouth shut since I don't know anything about it. Ultimately, they got everything linked, but the whole "meeting" took 2 hours!! That's what I mean about a lot of planning. 

I'm glad they got all that out of the way. The next thing they have to do now is to start getting our rides lined up. That's another whole "thing!" It's really crazy--all the things you have to do.

Anyway, I snapped a few pictures.

Me and my "boys!" Greg in the back, Nicky up front.

Me and my girls. Afterward, we went to dinner. 

Yesterday was a pool day. Those are quickly coming to an end. 

Today, I am preparing for our scrapbooking trip to Karolyn's farm. It's been many years since I've been there. I'm looking forward to it. I'm anxious for her to tell us the plans. She texted us on Thursday to let us know that she had Covid. I need to know what meals I have so I can grocery shop and cook. I prefer to do that in advance so as not to waste too much time when I'm there. 

Okay, that's about it for today! 

Scrapbook Saturday

This is the end page for AYM this year.

Since this year was about words, I did several word games.

This layout was based on my blog post awhile back--"It Ain't Mayberry, but I can Hear the Whistling!"

This layout is all about me, myself and I!

This is Janet's AYM layout for August.

And her journaling.

Friday Funnies

Ten Things Thursday

Well, it's that time of year. It seems like September is too early for fall, but it's here. The leaves are dropping and there's already a chill in the air. Still, I'm having a final pool party on Friday. The water will be cold because when it gets down to the 50's at night, it chills the water pretty quick. We'll see. 

In the meantime, here are some beautiful fall pictures.

What I Buy Wednesday

I have terrible hair. This is nothing new. I've been saying it for years. It's very fine. I always thought it was thin, but all of my hairdressers through the years tell me that that's not true. It's fine--baby fine--but I have a lot of it. I have always been on a quest to thicken it up or at least give it the appearance of thick hair. I am a sucker for those products--none of which work. 

I thought I would share with you the products I currently have:

Yep, nine products---none of them work. I've been drawn in by beautiful women with beautiful hair. Many have been celebrities. They are ALL liars! They start with a "before" picture that looks like my hair and then are transformed into a beautiful fullness I want--but will never have. It's the beginning photos that are fake. I'm not sure how they manage to have flat hair for the before pictures. But I am absolutely sure that none of these products can produce the lush, full look that are the "afters." 

Do I sound bitter? Well, I am. I've wasted too darn much money on empty promises. I vow--right now--that I am not going to buy one more hair product with false promises. Fool me once, fool me twice, fool me dozens of times---yeah, I know, I'm the fool!

Actually, there was a time when my hair had plenty of fullness. The 80's early 90's when perms were in style. That gave me the fullness I wanted. But, perms are out. My hairdresser says she won't even do them. 

This is me today--after two products!

Oh well, I guess I'm destined to have flat hair. I need to give up the dream! I'm not spending another dime!

Travel Tuesday

Not us this time, but Morgan and Olly. They are heading to pick up the newest member of their family this weekend.

Meet Marshall:

Isn't he cute? He's from Arkansas. At least he speaks southern--even though he's an English dog! I can't seem to remember his breed--even though Morgan has told me at least half a dozen times. Perhaps had she mentioned it when she sent me the picture, I might be able to remember it!

Anyway, he'll be joining Finn (Westie) and Joey (I don't know is breed either) to make a 3 dog household. That sounds like chaos, but they train their dogs well!

I guess we'll find out since we'll be meeting him at Thanksgiving.

Me on Monday

Who said printing at home is cheaper? Not when this happens:

I wasted 24 sheets of photo paper because I forgot to “turn off” printing on both sides! Which, of course, leads to this...

Inky fingers right before a lunch date!! Sheesh! And, it’s not the first time I’ve done this! 

When will I learn to remember to turn off the “print on both sides” feature? I’m usually pretty good about learning from my mistakes. God knows I've made enough of them!

I’m blaming it on the “age” thing!

Update:

So, as if this was enough of a waste of photo paper, I forgot to take the extra out of the printer. As a result, Butch printed his travel documents on shiny photo paper. When he whips them out at the airport, the counter agents are going to think he's nuts!!

Something for Sunday

Hey All! 

I thought that today I would introduce you to our bridge group.

Connie (on the right) and I play with these two feisty old ladies--96 years and they both still drive! Next to me is Louise--who has hearing problems and next to her is Betty--who doesn't seem to have any issues. One thing is for sure, these ladies are very sharp at the bridge table. I will admit, that Betty--even though she was the big winner--left her partner (me) in a few contracts with very little trump support. On the other hand, when I was playing with Louise, I did something that I get on Connie for--not bidding exactly like you're supposed to. I took a real "dressing down" from Louise. I had it coming. I had no defense. I was wrong--100%. I hope Connie was paying attention!!

Anyway, we play with them at least once a month, but have been starting to make it twice a month when we can.

We play at the Centennial Club where they serve us delicious lunches. This one was chicken salad, squash casserole, slaw and asparagus roll-ups. I already don't remember the dessert--I think it was some sort of sherbet. The food is really good except when they serve us tomato aspic. Neither Connie, nor I like that. They served it to us the last time along with a sweet potato casserole full of raisins--which I didn't like. 

We're kind of surprised as the last two times we've played, we were the only people there. It's hard to believe that they have the whole staff come on for 4 people! 

We have a lot of fun. I especially love that I get to play bridge more than just once a month at Richland. It's supposed to be good for our minds. If these two ladies are an example, then Connie and I can only hope to be playing when we're 96. Well, when I'm 96, Connie will be 99--yikes!

Scrapbook Saturday

I've been making a few things: 

I decided to stitch this title for my August layout. I'm excited about this color combination.

I created these titles with my Cricut electronic cutting machine.

They were really fun. The top one--America the Beautiful was a free cut file. It took about 5 minutes to cut due to all of the little stars. The pool title was a cut file that I paid 99 cents for. Someone did all the work, all I had to do was cut the parts and assemble. I designed the "our Christmas tree" one based on and idea I saw. Same goes for "Haunted house." They were available for purchase, but since all the parts are separate, it was easy to just make it myself. I feel like I've already used this Cricut more than I used the original one that I had for nearly 20 years. The other thing I love about this Cricut is that I can use all of my computer fonts with it. But, all of the cartridges I bought years ago, have been "loaded" into my account, so I have those available to use too. 

On this layout, I used the negative space from the "America the Beautiful" title from above for the title on this page. 

It's all fun!

Friday Funnies

It's That Time of Year

First day of school pictures! Kids are starting earlier and earlier every year. When I was a kid, school started after Labor Day. Actually, that was because the schools didn't have air conditioners back then. Somewhere along the line, school started earlier and earlier in August. Now it's the beginning of August for most kids. Sure makes the summer go fast.

I always love the first day of school pictures.

Nathan--4th grade.

Travis--7th grade.

Evie--7th grade--Josie--3rd.

They are growing up too fast!! I hope they all have a great school year.

And then there's this: