Winner

I won!! I entered a Facebook contest and won a $25.00 gift certificate for Serendipity. A real cute boutique store here in my town. My daughter and I went to go see what she would like and this is what she picked out!

A very cute Western purse. 

I'm sorry I haven't been posting much lately but we have been so busy getting the kids ready for School. We are now done with that chore and so it's on to more exciting things!

Daddies and Legos

While we are soaking up the last 2 weeks of Summer we are staying up late playing and watching movies. Crystal is on the mend slowly and sleeping very late into the morning. ALL of this will of course change in 1 week, I will make everyone start going to bed on a set schedule and then I will be an Evil Mommy again..lol..

Tonight we watched an Atlas Rocket launch, It was so neat to watch and the kids were so full of questions for Daddy to answer. I miss the Shuttles, we used to watch them in school on the TV and step outside to watch it enter the atmosphere, Richard and I were just saying how we miss the huge "KABOOMS" twice and it entered/exited our atmosphere.

The night ended with Richard playing LEGOS with lil Richard. They came out of the bedroom and showed me the case for his little FM radio kit that they had put together. 

See the little guy on top holding the antenna..That's so cool!

Today I won a $25.00 gift card to a great lil boutique store here in town and I'll post pics of what Crystal and I picked out tomorrow. It was a fun Mom/Daughter outing!

Summers and Broken Bones

So we went to Delaware on a working vacation with Richard for a week. It was so nice and we got to swim every day in the Hotel pool and walk on the Trails since the Hotel butts right up against a national forest. I took many pics and posted them on my facebook. After Richard was done and we had extra time we drove back to Lancaster OH to see friends and family, We even stopped by our old house which is still up for sale..so sad. I can't even begin to tell ya'll our emotions and thoughts on this situation, It's just an never-ending chapter in our lives, We may never be done with it.

So every Summer since moving we have been able to get Crystal to her BFs in OH. Since we were there we dropped her off and got her a plane ticket to fly back home in 2 weeks, she is 14 now and it's a straight flight, no stops..We've been thru this before with no complications. Only this Summer both girls are older and "feeling their oates" as my Grandma would say...

One week Crystal's BF broke her finger while riding her horse, trip to ER and then an Orthopedic DR..She will be fine, finger will "set" and then a few days go by...

Last week there with them (last week) Crystal falls off horse and breaks her collarbone in 2 places, trip to ER with many phone calls home asking if Hospital has permission to treat ect., sling for 6 weeks and no Horseback riding for 3 months. A visit to the Orthopedic DR while in OH to get letter stating that she is fine to fly home..Maybe PT in her future but that depends on how well her 2 fractures heal and knit back together.

This is our first broken Anything in the family and I'm hoping the last for many months, but with Lil Richard climbing trees, who's to say...

We have 2 more weeks till school starts, this is the most craziest Summer we've ever had! I'm not sure how Crystal is going to do the first couple of weeks in School, this is her writing hand in the sling, Good luck there girl!

This Mom needs a glass of Wine!

Horse'n Around with Foals!

This little girl was born the other day over at our neighbors.

She was a total surprise and she is a premie, such a little cutie!

Today she is stronger and very alert, she isn't afraid of us and I got to pet her for a few minutes.

It made me think of HOSS back in OH and oh How I do miss the old boy.

Maybe another Horse is in our future?

Hummingbird Watch

Last week we saw 1 Hummingbird around our bird feeder and I kept meaning to put out Hummingbird juice for the little guy but kept forgetting due to work.

Tonight I made some and now we are on Hummingbird watch.

Do you think the little guy will come back and visit us?

I am going to run to the store and replace some Flowers but I'm not sure which Flowers enjoy full FL sun and I'm researching tonight.

Linking up to these Parties~

No Minimalist Here

Exploring Ham

My Husband has had his Ham Radio License for some time now and today he finished his "Go Kit". Throw it in the back of his truck, head for the woods and throw a line up a tree and talk to people from all over. Just tonight in our backyard alone we talked to a gentleman across the pond, as they say!

As for house hunting we have put it on hold since Husband has to travel for work in July and we do keep getting disappointed in every house we look at. 

Husband had a nice Father's Day, he finished his project and I cooked a big dinner and we just relaxed outside, the simple relaxing day was good for us.

Have a Great Week my Friends!

Summer Time Fun!

School is out and so far no one has started to complain about how bored they are.

We had fun the other night with a Red Colander, a Flashlight and our ceiling in the living room. It was Abigail's idea and we danced!

So that's what we are doing so far, having fun and trying to enjoy this Summer while working full time, not an easy feat considering how tired I am when I get home.

This wekend was a good one, haven't had such a nice relaxing weekend in many months. I puttered and organized and have a huge pile to drop off at Goodwill. Richard was on-call so we could't travel far from the house which turned out to ne a Blessing since I got alot done. The kids played and had friends over and we had a small bonfire with S'mores...It was so hot outside but fun.

Still searching for another House but I'm decorating and organizing this one to make it more Cozy while we are still here, who knows at this point we might stay.

Have a Great week my Friends!

Stitching With Love

It's not a very good pic, taken with my Iphone but it feels so good to be stitching again after taking the year off.

This took me all day while breaks were taken with the kids, tonight we will resume packing..We have found a small house for rent that gives us more of the Country feel that we have been missing.

More updates to come!

Influenster Summer Beauty Voxbox 2012

I was sent the Summer Beauty Voxbox for me to review and enjoy. Here is what was inside:

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion

Tampax and Always Collection

Quaker Soft Baked Bar in Banana Nut Bread

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Polish

Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme

Influenster is a great program where you get to try new products and samples and share on your Blog or Youtube, Facebook/Twitter page. You may find out more information here: Influenster

Please enjoy this short Review!

Have you heard of Influenster?

My 34th Birthday Dinner Table

We have been so busy this Summer with Parks and Crystal's Riding Lessons.

Here we are waiting at the park while Crystal rides.

This week was my Birthday and I turned 34! My MIL came over and cooked a very delish Shrimp dinner and we enjoyed some Sweets!

As a present to me a ordered a couple of items from the Bath&Body Works Sale that is going on right now and I'm waiting on it to be delivered, I will share as soon as it arrives. Hubby let me sleep in and cleaned house for me!

It was a Great Day!

Just a Fun Summer Time Haul

Something fun to share with you while I'm at work today.

Wrapping Up...

We are busy wrapping up the last 2 days of school here.

Crystal has received 2 awards, 

most improved in MATH

most improved in ENGLISH

It was a complete surprise since we knew she was struggling so much and we had many a late night working with her on these subjects.

We are so Proud of her!!

The other 2 kids sadly have to be retained due to low Reading scores, My Husband and I blame it on the FL FCAT tests and am looking for school options for next year. If we can help it they will not be going back to that school next year. It has been a weekly struggle with both their teachers this year.

We are excited for Summer and fresh starts next year!

Comfy Spot

This is my new comfy spot !

I share my comfy chair with Regette, our new-ish kitty. He loves to stare out the window at the birdie who has a nest in the tree right out there. They share a love/hate relationship.

I have filled my bookcase with all of my Nancy Drew books, I have 3 incomplete sets and am always on the lookout to complete at least one. I'm going to re-read them this Summer, it's a tradition!

What Summer Traditions do you have?

I am joining in with these ladies at:

Metamorphosis Monday

Dog Days of Summer or Don't Give Your Camera to a Bored 12 YR Old and a Video

My bored daughter took my camera for a few days and this is what I found when I downloaded the pics!

Here is a short video of Crystal playing with Coffee last Sat. night...

Hope your staying Cool in your area! July sure has flown by for us!

Do You Read Books From Bloggers? Summer Book Give-Away

J

Traditional meaning of Pink and White Roses: I love you still and always will.

Caitlyn Marsh stopped believing in happily-ever-after when high-school sweetheart, Gideon Garza, left for Iraq. Now she raises her small son while her matchmaking gardening club members drive her crazy. Then Caitlyn's world turns upside-down when Gideon swaggers back to Twilight.
Gideon had left town in the middle of night with threats ringing in his ears. A lot of things have changed since then. This bad boy-turned-Green Beret bears scars from the war, the timid girl he loved is an independent mother, and the father who refused to recognize his son in life has, in death, left him a vast cattle ranch.
He still aches for Caitlyn, and now there's a dark-haired boy who looks exactly like Gideon did at that age. Could the child be his? And can this war-weary soldier overcome the scars of the past to claim the family he so richly deserves?

Many months ago I received this book from a Give-away and it's from our very own Bloggy (is this a word?) friend Lori Wilde!

While here in FL it's steamy outside and melt-the-skin-off-you Hot...I have stayed inside and enjoyed some great reads. This is a great escapism story that takes you out of the doldrums of Summer.

I'm passing this book on to One other Blogger for a little Summer escape!

Just leave a comment to be entered and In your comments Please leave me 1 Book you have read and enjoyed this Summer!

Winner will be announced Monday...Good Luck!

Practice for Real Life

This Summer Crystal was busy with 4H and volunteered at Scholl's Veterinary Clinic, Her best friend's Mom owns the office and agreed to let Crystal shadow her.

Here they are, 2 best friends ready to help in Surgery...Crystal did watch some kitties getting Spayed and it never bothered her and asked many a good question from I have been told.

Here's a lil Hamster that she is trying to bring home...UuMMM...not going to happen!!

It's been a great Summer and she learned some Science plus it has spurred her on to study hard this new year so she can do it again next Summer!

Last day of School and a 4H Meeting Pup Training

So the last day of school has come and gone, Crystal had her 4th grade clap out, the 4th graders walked the school and the parents clapped when they exited the school for the last time. Next year it's middle school for her! Both Abigail and Crystal received good grades are moving up, we are so proud of them!

So now that Summer is here we have a full schedule, Braces for Crystal and a week at Grandma's for Horse camp and tons of 4H meetings, Abigail gets to go to Superkids camp again this year. I have to get the lil guy ready for kindergarten next year too!

Here is Crystal and Coffee at the fairgrounds doing some groundwork on cones, alot of laughs involved here..lol..Coffee is about 2 but still pretty much a puppy and with the horses and birds she was very interested in looking around and not learning! Crystal hopes to show her in fair this year.

I have a feeling that this Summer will fly by, I hope to enjoy some sun and good reading and laughing with the Loves in my life!
So that's what I'm doing here, What are you doing this Summer?

Summer Recap, Catching-up before Holidays

Here is a re-cap of some of the fun lil things we did this Summer. Today I'm running to the store to grab last minute Thanksgiving fixins and a Library run for fun movies to keep everyone happy!


Fun new faucet with a lil turn spout, kids love this, I love the white knobs.


First day of School, How happy and excited they were to be off and running for the bus.



Learning how to can with great Friends..This is Zuccinni Relish and Green Beans.


Carving Pumpkins with Family and Friends!


Excercising HOSS..He loves getting attention!

Hope ya'll are enjoying the Holidays!

SuperKids Camp 2009

http://www.superkidsonline.org/
You can read more here on this great camp.

This year both Crystal and Abigail got to go to camp, 3 days 2 nights of fellowship and learning about GOD. They both had a blast and came home so sleepy.

This year Richard is helping out by running the cameras and learning the soundboard, next year I'll help out since they do have babysitting for the younger kids..Tank has 2 years before he can attend.

I'm working on a big project for the girls and will post as soon as I finish, this is going out of my comfort zone but is turning out so sweet!!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

I'm reading this book and enjoying it, my goal this summer is to read all of Beverly Lewis books, I've printed out her book list and crossing off as I read them.
I'm stitching 7 napkins, tracing this star on each one and stitching...I can't decide what color..Should I do the star in black or Blue..what would go more with everyone's tables? I'll be offering these when I'm finished..Any early buyers?


Yesterday was the last day of school and what are they doing early this morning, Playing school of course..lol..and fighting..lol..Oh Boy..It's going to be a long summer!


I won and received my "Buy American" stencil from Folk Art By the Harbor, I'm waiting for payday so I can grab some wood and paint and try my hand at this, She makes Adorable signs! Thanks so Much :)