THE TILE IS IN!!!!

My floors are done...the tile is in and it looks amazing! I am so happy and excited about my floors. The area looks so much bigger and brighter...I just love it! I can't wait to get everything cleaned up and fixed up and pretty again. Oh how I have waited and longed for this day. Happy, happy! I've included a picture of the finished area. This the dining room going into the entry. Beautiful!!

Summer Fun

The kids or grandchildren!!

Our family went to the beach house last week for our annual family vacation. My Dad, my family, my siblings and their families all gather together for an entire week of fun, sun and food. All of us kids take turns cooking each night and some nights, we all have our hands in the pot. Its fun and none of us mind doing it because we all like to cook. We take the kids down to the beach about 3 times a day depending on the weather and at night after dinner, we'll play chickenfoot, watch a movie, fall asleep on the couch, sit on the deck with something cold to drink or play the Wii. The main objective is to RELAX and HAVE FUN. Its always a wonderful week for me because I really try to let all the stress in my life go for that week--I think I'm getting better at it. I wasn't very good however, at taking pictures this year. I got a few of the kids the last day we were there but my niece got some good pictures of me and my sister Cindy. Here are a few....

Me & Sue (I call her Sue)

As you can see we like to have a good time!

Me & Isabella

True Words To Live By

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it..
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger..
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Uncle George

My Uncle George passed away just a few just hours ago. Daddy got the news and called to tell me. He was just put on Hospice Friday and was taken home to spend his last few days/weeks there. Only God knew it would only be days. His daughter and my cousin Dina and I are very close. Dina and all her siblings, James, Anne and Michael are all very close. Aunt Joyce (my Mom's sister) and Uncle George even became friends again these last few months. I know all the thoughts they are feeling right now, I feel it all for them. My heart aches for them. Uncle George was a good man, an honorable man. I always saw the good in him...he was my Uncle. He will be met in heaven by many, including my Mom. May you rest in peace and feel no more pain Uncle George. We love you.

July 4th

Here are some pictures from the 4th of July, which was thankfully spent poolside at Alex & Becky's house (my sister's in-laws).

Me & Isabella in the pool...

Me and my girl...

Christopher & Isabella in their matching outfits...

Mom

Yesterday was not only America's birthday but it was also my Mom's birthday. She would have been 68. We lost her to cancer 2 years ago. I think about her all the time, especially when I see something that Mom would have loved. She loved her Astros, Texas, bluebonnets, chicken n dumplings, chicken noodle soup, spending time with her family, spending time with her sisters, I could go on. She was a great Mom...always had an answer for everything, even if it was, "I don't know Missy, that was a long time ago". I miss sitting with her on the patio and solving all our problems in one conversation. On my Fridays off we would almost always end up shopping together or having lunch together. I miss that she isn't here to see I conquered one of my biggest fears but I know she helped me overcome that fear and bless me with a beautiful baby girl. Mom was awesome and I look to her every day to guide me in some way. This is one of my most favorite pictures of Mom with Christopher. I took this at an Astros game we attended. Happy 68th Mom! As usual...we arranged for some pretty spectacular fireworks just for you all across America yesterday. I hope you enjoyed them! I love you and miss you everyday.

Cupid's Corner

Here are some pictures of the flowers Jeff gave me for our anniversary and our room, Cupid's Corner...

Father's Day

I realize this post is late but I wanted this picture to accompany it so I had to wait for Jeff to move the pictures off the camera to the computer (something I still don't know how to do). Father's Day was a good day even though Jeff had to work. We planned a late dinner at my Dad's house so Jeff could join us when he got off work. Me & the kids went over about 3:00 and hung out with Daddy, my brother Tony and my nephew Paul. My sister and her crew were softballing that weekend but joined us when they made it home. This picture of Jeff and the kids was taken after we got home that night. We were able to spend some time with him before he went to bed--he had to work the next day as well. Maybe next year he won't have to work and we'll be able to spend the whole day with him.