Misc. babbling ... again

My mom had knee replacement surgery yesterday. Everything went well, but when I talked to her today, she was in a great deal of pain. I am flying up to help out this week. Leaving Mon. and returning Sat. Roy told me I have to get my nurse face on and toughen up. I get so queasy when others are in pain. When my sister was in therapy after a knee procedure, she was getting this shock therapy done on her knee, and I was the one lying on the floor trying not to pass out!

Today I made a window seat pillow for Cleo! It was so cool. I just measured everything, cut it out, sewed it together, stuffed it, and it looks pretty darn good, I must admit. I really enjoy sewing. I wish I had more time to do it. I really need to be a stay at home wife! Oh, ya, Roy laughed at me today because when I was cooking dinner, I had Cleo in a chair up at the counter "helping" me. She likes it, after all, so why not? Yes, further proof that I need a kid!

An update on our pumpkin growing around the rosebush -- it's not pumpkin after all; it's cantaloupe! We have eaten two now, and another is growing. So juicy and sweet! It is really cool. I think I will save some seed to plant for next year, only not by the rose bush.

Still making earrings, and lots of them. I made some adorable black disc type dangling ones last night. It took way too long, but they are oh so cute.

I was able to order my own personal laptop with a super cute girlie carry bag yesterday. I have another editing job, so I am using the money to buy a laptop. I am really excited about it. It will be here when I get back from Ponca.

By the way, for all those pet owners who read this (Hmm, seeing that only my mom, grandma, sister, and friend Melissa actually read my blog, I guess I should address this to Melissa, since none of the others have pets. Unless Kim wants to count Steve, my brother-in-law), we just discovered http://www.petmeds.com/. You can order Heartgard and Frontline/Advantix and other stuff at discounted prices, and shipping can be free too! I am all for ordering online and having it delivered to my door!

Okay, I guess that's it for me. I think I will go upstairs and try to hang some pictures and wall boxes in my room...

Oh, one more thing... I just discovered Yahoo avatars. It's where you can create yourself in a little icon character. You get to pick your face, hair, clothing, jewelry, pets, etc. Too fun.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

Back in February, Roy's brother, Adam, gave him a wonderful birthday gift - a preorder for the final Harry Potter book to be delivered July 21st. Amazingly, the book was delivered on that exact day, even though it was the first day of its release, and millions were being delivered that same day. Well, since Roy is so busy with French in summer school, I got to read the book first!!!! I read most of Saturday afternoon, most of Sunday, and most of today, and I finished it tonight. I must say, that I was not disappointed, and I was even surprised at a few things, but I dare not give details just in case any of my friends (yes, you, Melissa) hasn't read it yet. It is a real shame that so many in the church world condemn them before ever even reading them. I suppose if one can't read HP w/o succumbing to magic, than one can't watch fairy tale movies like Cinderella, or shows like Bewitched. Amazing lessons can be learned through the HP series, and I even question what kind of a person I really am, and would I be willing to give my life for others (NOT that Harry does or doesn't give his life!!!!!)

Well, okay, enough of my soapbox ramblings.... The book was amazing, and I can't wait to talk to someone else who has finished the book ... and also to share it with my own children one day.

Tomorrow I will going to school to work a bit. I can't believe school's almost ready to start! I go back on the 8th for a week of inservice. The 30th of this month, I will be going to Ponca City to help out with my mom's surgery. Hopefully I can convince her to rest (love you mom!). Wed. our final estimate for fixing the roof and patio should come in. Our insurance is definitely going to have to give us more money to cover the replacement cost. This stuff is no fun! But, when it's all said and done, we'll have a new roof, which will look great if we have to sell the house after Roy graduates.

Okay, enough of my babbling for tonight....

Pamper Me

Last night, my friend Staci and I were pampered for just over an hour getting our thirtieth birthday presents to ourselves - spa pedicures! It was wonderful. My legs and feet tingled for about an hour afterward.

I am trying to make a pair or two of earrings every day. Here are a couple new ones. It's so fun to be creative! Trouble is, I want to keep almost every pair I make! Roy tells me I need to make two pairs of each kind, that way I'll have one for myself. Aren't guys smart?
I normally use the fish hook style, but I found some cute posts with flowers to try for this pair.

I think today must be the start of the Heart of Texas Balloon Glow, if not, the aliens have invaded using hot air balloons! (I know, bad humor, gotta get back to teaching.) So far this morning, I've seen about fifteen balloons fly over our house. They were so close, I could hear the firing of the hot air!

Signs of Boredom

I suppose these pics are truly signs of boredom for me. I haven't been doing much around here, though I feel like I've been busy (how does that work?). I have been making earrings, buying a few things for the house, watching Man vs Wild, cleaning, and, oh yes... painting the trim in the kitchen!!!! (Miracles do still happen!!!!!) I just have to paint the section behind the fridge and stove, and I'm done. Well, except for the cabinets, but I can't start on those yet. We need to pick out knobs and hinges and a light fixture. ... so maybe I'm not quite done... LOL

I found out that I will have another editing job! The president of LMI asked me to edit his next book this fall. I am excited to keep that part of my career going.

In two weeks I am going back to Ponca City to help my mom recover from knee replacement surgery. Then school starts Aug. 8th. Where has all the summer gone? I am looking forward to school though. I will be teaching the same subjects (Rdg, Eng, SS), but I will have five classes. The school added a second fifth grade class this fall. We are really growing.

Obviously I have NOTHING to talk about, so no reason to keep blabbing... Here are the pics:

Pouting Cleo

Cleo didn't seem to feel good last night. Normally she sits on our lap and sleeps, but last night, she climbed into her pillow, curled up, and slept. I thought she looked adorable (I need a real baby, I know.)

Hobby Lobby has become my new friend. I found this charger, these candles, and the stones ... all under $15!

I made my first two throw pillows! It was so easy. I just used the material left over from the sheet-curtains!
I have been making many pairs of earrings. I don't know, maybe I will start selling them. It's a fun hobby.

Ponca Trip and Misc Pics

After our cruise, we went home to Ponca City and visited our families. It was my dad's 65th birthday and John's 5th birthday. We had a big party - Spiderman for John and Cars for Dad.

One day, my mom won't have to spoil her grandpuppy; she'll have a real baby to spoil! Until then...

I had to get some cool "presents" for my niece and nephew. Sarah is eating a light up Ring Pop, and John is showing off a giant pickle.

Roy's sister, Christy, is such a great mommy to Keara.

After a bit of interrogation from me and Roy, Christy's boyfriend, Ty, was welcomed into the family. He and Christy are planning to have a Vegas wedding in March. Roy will have the honor of walking Christy down the isle in place of their dad.

On to the "misc" portion of this blog....

I have been watching lots of HGTV, and that means I have been looking, buying, and redoing ... you know Roy is loving that!!!! LOL

I found this new quilt while in Bartlesville, OK, shopping with my parents. It matches the paint in our guestroom perfectly. I am accenting with the sage color.

One of the shows on HGTV is always using plain white sheets to make curtains. Tried it and liked it. I didn't even have to sew them!

In our room, I am working to accent with the same red as our curtains. I found this red charger for $1.87 and the mosaic vase for $15 - both on clearance, of course. I think it adds a contemperary flair to our room.

I am still making jewelry. Earrings mostly, but it is fun. My sister says I should put them on ebay, but I'm not sure I want to mess with that. She flatters me though by giving me special orders for earrings and then showing them off when she wears them. Big sisters are so awesome!

Okay, it's late and I don't even know why in the world I am putting all these pics on my blog!!!!!!!!! I suppose I am bored, and that's why I'm doing all this creative stuff. Funny thing is, I still haven't finished the trim in the kitchen!!!!!!!!!!! I'll do that tomorrow...

Vacation Pics!

Our cruise was wonderful! It was so relaxing to just walk around the ship, sit on the deck, take naps, be served by others, not have to cook, etc.

Day one - just arrived - yes, it is very windy!

Sunset on the first day.

The ship had a Las Vegas flare to it. This is the atrium.

The view from the ship was overwhelmingly spectacular.

There were many places on the ship were we could just sit in the window and enjoy the view - and cuddle!

Our stateroom was neat and cozy, and the steward kept it super clean.

Each night, the steward made an animal out of our clean towels.

For dinner, we were assigned to sit at a table with a great group of young couples.

This was the night of the Captain's party - formal night.
Our server discovered it was our ten year anniversary, and he got some other servers together and sang to us - quite embarrassing.
Then he covered our faces with a napkin and had us kiss - even more embarrassing!
Then he folded the napkin and gave Roy Madonna boobs - beyond embarrassing!
And then devil horns - finally, the truth is told!

It was a fun night, but boy were we tired!

One night they had a special midnight buffet which included ice carvings and fruit and/or vegetable carvings and designs. Here are two of my favorites:

The ship had a coffee shop that sold desserts - fabulous and cheap - only $2 per slice. That's cheaper than Starbucks!

All products on the ship are tax and duty free, which meant we could buy lots of alcohol - we brought home 9 liters! This one is my new favorite. It is not sold in the US. It is coffee liqueur on one side and vanilla liqueur on the other. When you pour it out, it swirls together. Soooo yummy!

Roy bought me a tanzanite ring for our anniversary while we were on the ship! It is white gold and has diamonds on each side of the oval gemstone. It never leaves my finger!

We spent a day in Cozumel, Mexico. This is a view of our ship (Carnival Ecstasy) from the port.

We ate at the popular Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in Cozumel.

We drank mango margaritas and watched others party hard and get free tequila shots for dancing in a line (is that called a Conga?) Yes, we only watched ... we were not brave enough or stupid enough to join in.

I ate volcano nachos!

(Will have to fix the size of this pic later. I'm such an amateur!)

We went snorkeling for about an hour and a half. It was so much fun! I could snorkel for hours!

On a scale of one to ten, I would say our cruise experience was a nine. The ship's crew was outstanding, the environment was fun and relaxing, and the time we spent together was much needed. I am sure we will cruise again.