Day 120

Strawberries!!!  But, I don't think in the 6-7 years we've had them, we've ever gotten decent berries off these plants.  We put 3 plants on the other side of the house & they produced nice berries but the bunnies usually got to them before we did.  We planted 3 more plants on this side of the house, mostly as ground cover.  The bunnies never come to eat the slightly mis-shappen berries here.  Scott keeps hoping we'll get nice strawberries eventually but, not so far.....

Day 119

My carnations still haven't bloomed.  I dont' know if they should have or not but it sure FEELS like they should have by now.  Scott says they're dead but there are TONS of buds all over the plant.  I'm sure they'll burst into color any day now!!!

Day 118

It's not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, it's a STEAKBURGER!!!  LOL  We were eating at Taco Bell when we noticed the rainbow.  It's really a double rainbow but you can't see it in this pic. 

Day 117

Rain, rain, rain, rain.  We've had several days of rain.  Makes ME happy but no one else.  The river is up but the threat of real flooding here has past.  I tried to get the motion of the splash but it didn't quite turn out like I wanted....

Day 116

Spring is starting to spring!!  This is our "old" azalea bush.  It has the prettiest flowers but it only blooms for like 2 weeks.  Why isn't spring pretty longer??

Day 115

Came around he corner & caught Scott in his office. Little out of focus but probably the best pic I've taken of him......EVER????  He doesn't photo well.  Always closes his one eye.....

Day 114

Happy Easter Everybody!!!

Scott thinks the kids are too old for Easter Baskets.  I STRONGLY disagree.  Although, I DO agree that they are too old to HUNT for Easter Baskets.  Next year, we'll just leave them on the table.  Or, maybe hide them scavenger hunt style; leave them notes to lead them to the baskets. 

Anyway, at the bottom of Nick's basket was a note that sent him on a mini hunt.  To the laundry room to find his new PS3.  His died.  We knew it would take FOREVER for him to earn even HALF the $$$ to buy a new system.  So, we bought him one for Easter.  With the promise of extra chores for the entire summer.  It was technically a gift for all of us: NO ONE wanted to face the summer w/Nick & no video games!!!!

Day 113

This is all the stuff I took to 'Palooza with me.  It's STILL not unpacked.  It sits there, mocking me.  I haven't stamped a THING since I got back!!!  Eventually, I'll HAVE to unpack.......maybe.

Day 112

Nick was bored (his PS3 broke yesterday, BUMMER!!) and couldn't find anything to do & couldn't find anything to eat so he asked if he could bake a cake.  YES!!!!  I supervised him & he made it all by himself.  I ended up icing it for him.  Didn't take a pic of the finished cake 'cause we ate it too quick. 

Day 111

BANQUET!!!

We've been waiting for this day for months!  This is Bethel's version of Prom.  Every year, the Senior class plans a fancy dinner and activities for the entire high school.  This year, it's dinner at Julia's, bouncing at the Sky Zone & then back to the school for a video scavenger hunt.  

Becca  got out of school at 11:45 so she could make her 12:30 hair appointment.  Then, we painted her nails & got her ready.  We got to the school at 4pm, the appointed time.  Last year there was at least a half hour before they left to take pics.  So, I didn't take a whole lot of pics at home.  Of course, this year, they had NO TIME for pics.  I grabbed a couple of quick shots but this of Becca & Zach is awful!!!  In a hurry & they were facing into the sun.  <sigh>

The only full length shot I got was part of the group shot.  <sigh again>  next year, it'll be better!!!  Since there will only be 3 Seniors, I hope they let the Juniors help plan!!!

The kids had a blast at the sky zone.  I was there when they got back so I could help w/the video scavenger hunt.  It was soooo much fun!!  They had a list of 20 things they had to do & I had to take pics or video of them doing it.  I had a great group that wasn't the LEAST BIT EMBARRASSED to act like fools. (This pic was taken in the PITCH BLACK of the park.  I had no idea how it was going to look until it was taken.  Becca, JOIN THE GROUP!!  LOL) 

Day 110

He did it again!!!  At least the clothes were dirty this time.  He has a perfectly comfy bed.  WHY????

Day 109

Tonite was the sports "banquet".  For some reason, it was downgraded to a "tea".  Who's ever heard of a sports tea??  I HATE these things.  Waned to pretend I forgot it.  But, Nick wanted to go.  So, we went.  Stopped at Dairy Queen for yummy dinner first.  There was some rain & tornado warnings but nothing too looked too serious where we were.

Well, Scott & Nick were helping put the tables away afterwards.  Becca & I walked outside & it was SCARY looking!!!  I yelled at Scott to grab Nick so we could get out of there before the storm hit.  Stupid idea.  We should have stayed until the storm blew over.  We got caught in HEAVY rain & HAIL!!!  Was a little scary driving.  By the time we got past Bethalto, the sun was out again.  Then it rained, sun, rain, sun, rain.  Let up a bit when we got home!!  Rained & stormed the rest of the night but no power outages of funnel cloud!!

Day 108

This is a picture of the exact amount of potato pearls that it takes to make a "family" serving of instant spuds.  While I worked for the school, I got addicted to potato pearls.  They are the BEST instant 'taters & NOTHING that is sold commercially compares.  I've tried everywhere to find them.  Finally, Scott found a bulk foods company out of ALASKA that was willing to ship to a non-business address.  The pearls are NOT CHEAP but I can't even eat "real" potatoes anymore.  It has to be these little bits of heaven.

Scott wanted to learn how to make them so, if I'm ever out of town again, he can make some.  2.5 cups water, 2.5 cups milk, .25 cups of butter & 1.5 teaspoons of salt.  And THIS MUCH potato pearls.  For the record, Scott is the one who wanted this to be my picture of the day.  LOL

Day 107

Saddest day of the weekend, going home day.  I had so much fun w/these girls; hate to say good bye.  We got up & Sherri left first.  Longest drive!!!  Then we all went to breakfast.  I got to meet the famous Josh!  Stuffed myself beyond words!!  I was soooo tired by the time I got on the road.  My GPS took me thru the heart of Indianapolis.  That was under CONSTRUCTION!!!  Argh!!!  Lost about 45 minutes.  Finally got to IL & took a LONG rest at the Wendy's!  "Lost" even MORE time 'cause my GPS thinks that the speed limit in IL is 70 when it's only 65.  Finally made it home about 6:30. 

Somehow, in my picture taking I missed pics of Robin, Chelsea & Traci!!!  How'd that happen??  Can't wait for next year.  Utah in the fall doesn't look good :(

Day 106

today was Jennifer's surprise baby shower.  The real surprise when she didn't even guess.  Not even when she walked into the room & we were all standing there staring at her.  She noticed US, not the decorations!!  She was so funny!!  She got tons of cute things.  Mostly green & mostly jungle themed including a GORGEOUS quilt that Mary made for her!! 

Making a PSE collage takes a WHOLE lot of work!!!

Day 105

Happy Friday from Palooza!!!  Unfortunately, Joanne didn't make it :(  But, we're having a total BLAST!!!!  So much fun with such great people!!!  One of the knitting club that the girls met last year took this picture for us.  Now, if only it warms up & the rain holds off!!!

Day 104

Well, the best laid plans.......  Joanne's flight got cancelled last night.  New plan; I will pick her up from the NEW flight at the airport this morning!!  Well, she got bumped from THAT flight.  She's gonna try to get another flight into either Indianapolis or Ft. Wayne & one of us 'paloozers will pick her up there.  I quickly loaded the car w/all our stuff & headed out about 8:30am!!

Made pretty good time & managed to stay awake without too many problems.  Got to the inn & learned that Joanne wasn't able to get on any flights today :(  She had one more shot that would get to Ft Wayne on Friday morning!!!  Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Day 103

I'm getting ready to head out for a girls stamping weekend!  About 15 of us are heading to extreme Northeast Indiana to a State Park for 4 days of stamping, laughing, eating and girl fun!!!  The TINY box is Joanne's stuff, all the rest is mine.  Joanne's supposed to fly into StL tonite & then we'll drive up together first thing tomorrow morning!!!  I'm soooo excited!!!  Gonna be a BLAST!!!

Day 102

I have no idea what these flowers are.  They were under the holly bushes at my MILs house.  I thought they were kinda pretty......

Day 101

Tulip tree.  So pretty.  Not damaged by the cold weather this year!