I Am From........

I am from ironing hankerchiefs and pillow cases, watching Captain Kangaroo, cotton fields and lonesome train whistles.

I am from a little white house with a small back porch
and a gravel driveway.

I am from mimosa trees, hoola hoops and
shelling purple hull peas.

I am from swinging on Poppa and Grandma's front porch and
listening to katydids.

I am from laughing and catching lightning bugs in a mason jar.

From Grapette's, Pomac and Kick-a-poo Joy Juice.

I am from Standing On The Promises, Vacation Bible School and
homemade ice cream suppers after church.

I am from blowing kisses to momma with my sister Suz.

I am from old black and white photo's tucked inside an old hardsided suitcase.

I am from generations past.

Such love.

(WHERE ARE YOU FROM?)

The Big "D"

Alvin and I are infamous for spur of the moment plans. Friday we decided to go to Dallas for the weekend to visit our best friends, Rick and Kay Jones and their daughters Tara and Taylor. We met Rick and Kay on a cruise in 1996 and have been best buds ever since. We usually cruise together every other year and try to get together a few times throughout the year.


We leave home at 6:15 Saturday morning, drive to Little Rock in the most horrific storm ever and fly out on the 8:40. Of course as soon as they pick us up it's always off to "Sam Moon", I mean hey, first things first here! After spending at least an hour there, Kay wants to go to this new furniture store which is having its grand opening, you guessed it! They bought a table and chairs and I LOVE IT!!!! I am sooooooo jealous, couldn't get it though, no room in the overhead bin.. DAAANG! Two hours, two pair of flip flops, a purse, two pair of reading glasses and two pair of sunglasses later and a Tahoe loaded with - you guessed it table and chairs we were on our way to Celina!

When we spend the weekend with Rick and Kay we do what is called "slimming". Which means hangin' out at the pool, no make-up, no goin' no where, doin' nuthin' but hangin' out visitin'. And that is exactly what we did! We stayed in the pool both days, the guys grilled and put the table and chairs together. We talked and talked and talked and laughed and laughed and laughed until we were talked and laughed out. Here are a few pics from our trip:

Alvin & Kay with their "cool" glasses on. HA!!



"Our Guys"

Taylor, Tara, Kay & Bec

The guys and Sadie doing their "man" thing

The results of the "man" thing
(I'm still jealous Kay)

Dinner last night

Until Next Time :(

"You Make My Day"

Mimi at "Mimi's Moments" has awarded me my first every "Blog Award". I am so honored. Thanks, Mimi.

I have had so much fun blogging. You meet the nicest people. I know that sounds crazy, but you all know what I'm talking about. Some of us have never met, yet we feel like we've been friends forever. You can really get wrapped up in the blog world, reading about different families. I find myself laughing out loud, getting excited about the announcement of a birth, and feeling the pain over a loss.

Many of you make my day. I can't wait to log on at the end of the day and spend a minute or two with you. Many of you have already received the "You Make My Day" award. Here are a few I would like to award: Casey, Cortney, Susie & Brandi. You girls make my day!!

Quick Trip To Fayetteville

Alvin and I made a quick trip to Fayetteville yesterday to see Casey (our youngest daughter) and Josh. Casey and Josh moved to Fayetteville early in January and we haven't seen them but a couple of times since. Shortly after arriving, after the home tour we opened our "Father & Mother's Day" gifts. YIPPEE!!!! Casey said she went with a cooking theme this year to get mommy motivated! HA! HA! HA! No chance! Alvin always says he can hide any of my gifts in the oven and I would never find them. So true!


Then off to Dickson St. for lunch. We ate on the veranda at Hog Haus Brewing Co. The food was ever so yummy!

After eating and driving around Fayetteville for awhile (using all the cheap gas we could) we headed back to Casey's and sat out on the patio for most of the afternoon, the weather was so nice, low humidity, slight wind blowing, you get the picture.

Then we drove to Springdale to watch the Northwest Arkansas Naturals play the Arkansas Travelers at the new Arvest Ballpark. It was such a nice evening, so many families, so much fun.

Take me out to the ballgame

Alvin & Josh enjoying the game.

Me and my sweetie

This morning when I woke up this is what I found. Casey and Alvin having some "daddy/daughter" time. Alvin fixed the best breakfast as always. See I don't need to get in there and start trying to show out by cooking, he does a GREAT job!!! I love you honey!

After a couple hours of ping pong and American Idol it was back on the road again. We made it home around 4:00 and we are both pooped! Quick trip buts lots of fun!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT week!

Oh Where, Oh Where Has Our Island Gone

Between keeping Reid last Thursday and Friday and celebrating Father's Day on Sunday, Alvin and I decided to run up to the lake last Saturday to see if our boat was still in tact. You see, we have had some crazy weather in Arkansas this spring. It has either rained most every weekend since Easter or has been too windy to get out on the lake. We keep our boat at "Shiloh Marina" at Greers Ferry, which is about and hour and a half from home. We usually start boating at the end of March or the beginning of April. With all the spring rains, and flooding the lake is still 21 feet above flood stage and the Corp. of Engineers are saying it will be Halloween before the water returns to normal stage.

We had been told by the manager of the marina by phone that the lake was really high and when we decided to come up to be really careful because the water was so high and things didn't look the same out on the water.

Our favorite place to hang out on the lake is an island where on any given Saturday or Sunday afternoon there might be 12 to 15 boats docked. We like to tie off and swim, float on rafts, fish, grill or just hang out with friends. So imagine our dismay when will headed out of the cove where the marina is located into the open water. And this is what we saw........

One tree, no island

Island or no Island we are still having fun!!!

Where are the fish!

Tag, I'm It!

Mimi at MiMi's Moments has tagged me. This is my first time to be tagged in the blogworld. Until recently I thouht tag was a game I played in grade school, oh no not now a days, it's a adult game! HA!!!! Anyhow, here goes.............

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

Alvin & I were on the Carnival Sensation in the Eastern Carribean (wish I were there now) along with Casey (our youngest daughter) and Holly who had both just graduated high school. OH MY GOSH!!!! My baby has been out of school ten years. WOOOOOO!!!!!

2. My favorite snacks.

That would be reeses peanut butter cups with popcorn (you know, pop a peanut butter cup in your mouth along with a hand full of popcorn). Preferably while watching a good movie at the theater. Oh and not butter on that popcorn please, too many calories! HA!!!

3. Five things on my to-do list today.

Well, the day is almost over, so here is what I did do today.

1. Picked up my new eye glasses.

2. Washed a load of clothes.

3. Watered my flowers. It was suppose to rain. Didn't happen.

4. Boxed up some uniform pieces I had ordered and reordered more.

5. And of course, went to Sonic for Happy Hour!!

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire.

First, give to the Lord. Help my family and friends, especially those grandbabies. I would love to be able to travel the world and randomly give to people in need. I am so tenderhearted when it comes to the less fortunate. Those are the people who have a special place in my heart. I would also give to Heifer International.

5. Five jobs I've had.

1. American Lantern/sales department.

2. Cruise agent, sold cruises out of our home for seven years.

3. I was a computer lab instructor at the high school.

4. New York Life/Administrative Assistant

5. Current/Flight Attendant for Southwest Airlines

6. Fives places I've lived.

That's easy. I have lived in Newport, AR all my life!

7. Five Random things People wouldn't know about me.

I am ambidextrous.

I count when I ride my bike, I know it's crazy, but I do it!

I can talk and sing just like "Alvin and the Chipmunks. Yep, I can sing "Christmas Don't Be Late!

I have a photographic memory.

When I was little I wanted to be a telephone operator.

8. Five CD's I'd have to take on a desert island.

Now, that's a hard one. I love all kinds of music. All I would need is my MP3 player and I would be set. I do love anything Rod Stewart, Jimmy Buffet, Neil Diamond and Oldies But Goldies!

9. People I tag are......Susie, Cortney, Casey & Brandi!

Pop & Mimi's

I picked Reid up Thursday for a couple of fun filled days at Pop and Mimi's. He is the perfect age (5) where there is nothing to be had but fun, fun, fun! And fun is what we had! Of course he has been detoxing for the last couple of days now. HA! Oh well, that's what grandbabies are for. Right?

Let the journey begin

Bye Mom & Caders

What's the hold up, let's go

First stop. Videos!

Second stop. Walmart!

Armed & dangerous. Where's Pop?

Let's get this party started.

This is one way to get down the slide!

The big one got away!

Who say's donuts aren't a healthy way to start the day!

What A Fun Day

For several years now our family and our son-in-law, Ryans' family have celebrated Fathers Day together at Jacksonport State Park. It was such a fun day and our grandsons were as entertaining as always. By the time we left both grands were totally exhausted from running and playing so hard. I bet there will be a huge ring around the bathtub tonight !



We always grill hamburgers and hot dogs and everyone brings different dishes. My mom always brings the ingredients for s'mores. YUMMO!!

Alvin & Cortney

Cade & Reid

Cortney's mother-in-law Debbie, Cortney & me

My mom's friend Tilley, Ryans' grandmothers, Ms. Violet & Ms. Belle & my mom Glenda

Ryan's grandfather Morris, Ryan's dad, Roger, the boys & my honey Alvin

It's always a little hard being in the airline industry. Either I'm missing from the pictures or my sweet, sweet Casey is missing. This year she had to work. Oh well, maybe next year we can both be off.

I hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Stranger in Town

Cynthea AKA "Chicks"

Impulse purchase!


I was planning on having a relaxed day today. Nothing planned just a plain ole laid back, no make up wearing, see no one day. Didn't happen. I decided to call my optometrist to make a long overdue appointment for my eye examine. And guess what? Yep, you guessed it. They could see me in 30 minutes. Good thing I had already showered. Out the door I go (with my camera in tow, you never know when a photo op might come your way)!

Todays photo op was a complete suprise! I was pulling into Mickey D's at lunch headed toward the drive thru, when I noticed a female standing outside her car. I smile and wave, she smiles and waves back and then I take a second look. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! It is a flight attendant friend of mine from Little Rock. Now you have to understand she lives an hour and a half from me, and I haven't seen her in over a year. I pull in. We are hugging and I say "what are you doing here" and see replies with a chuckle. "See the guy pulling off the highway on the motorcycle, I think that's my E-Harmony date"! She was so calm and I am having a cow! He really seemed nice, I can only imagine what was going on in his head as he was walking towards us. Maybe something like, "Oh boy, is this a two for one"! HA!! Anyhow, I wish them all the luck. I did ask them as I was leaving if there was a love connection, could I please be the Matron of Honor!! Good Luck Chicks!

I also ran by the cutest shop (Daisies & Such) that two friends of mine own and of course I had to purchase this cute purse. We aren't suppose to carry purses at work and this will fit nicely in my suitcase or so I told myself.

It's off to Little Rock in the morning to pick up Reid for a couple of days. So I'm sure there will be lots of fun things to blog about next week.

Out and About

Tomorrow will mark my being off from work eleven days. I have really enjoyed my time off, have accomplished alot, rested quite a bit and these last couple of days have been WILD! Yesterday I was in my frenzy mode and today, well was of free spirit and a do what you want to do day. So I called my mom and said "lets go shopping". So away we went. We drove to Searcy which is about a thirty minute drive and the rest is history............

First stop. The Cookie Basket. Their food is wonderful and the cookie they give you is always the highlight (especially the Lemon Iced ones).

Mom had their lunch special. Today was poppy seed chicken with green beans, and a side salad, plus a yummy homemade roll.

I had the chicken honey mustard salad, which consists of leafy green lettuce topped with baked chicken, grapes, carrots, tomatoes, walnuts, celery, homemade croutons and homemade honey mustard dressing.

Then it was off to Bath & Body Works big sale!!!

I LOVE these plug-ins. I use Coconut Lime Verbena, that is my favorite. They have this sale twice a year. Right after Christmas and the first week in June. It has taken me a couple of years, but I have it down to a fine art. It takes 18 plug-ins every six months to keep our house smelling yummy! The regular price is $12 for two and on sale they are $5 for two. WHAT A DEAL. DON'T MISS OUT.

Does anyone love Big Lots as much as I do! Really they have some GREAT deals!

This was the big purchase today. Freezer pops for the grands, some yummy French Vanilla creamer for Mimi and whole black pepper and sea salt in their own little grinders for Pop to use grilling. A whole $5 worth. Again, WHAT A DEAL!

Back home for a little pampering.

This is Kim the pamperer & me getting all the attention. Ahh!

And finally, back home to the one I love. What a way to end the perfect day!

It's Two O'clock Somewhere

I LOVE my Sonic

My sweet little sonic girl


I don't know about you but, some mornings I hit the floor in a full blown frenzy (usually a couple of days before I have to leave for a trip). This morning was one of those days, so many things to do, so little time. Of course I have to sip a little coffee and watch a little Good Morning America before I can get my wheels turning. First off, a good three mile walk in the good ole southern humidy. Followed by changing the sheets, cleaning out my closet, paying a couple of bills, watering the flowers, moving the water sprinklers in the front and back yard every two hours, pulling weeds, feeding the fish, more laundry, riding my bike for thirty minutes and FINALLY, IT'S HERE! HAPPY HOUR AT SONIC!!!!! That's right it's two o'clock and time for that long awaited large diet vanilla coke with a splash of cherry!!! And no, I do not want a route 44 for a dime extra! But thank you for asking. Oh my goodness I almost forgot to tell you, someone tried to rob one of our little teenage girls last week at Sonic. Can you believe that and in broad day light! And it was a female! She told her she had a gun and turned to get it out of the back seat and the girl ran inside Sonic. And the authorities did find her. Poor lady she must have been in a full blown frensy that day too!

"YEAH! THEY'RE BACK"

As quietly as they disappeared the cute little flip flops have suddenly reappeared.

"HELP"

My blog background has disappeared!!! I went to Pyzam.com but it keeps saying "I'm not connected to the internet". I have noticed that other friends backgrounds have gone black as well. Anyone have any suggestions where I can get another background? I don't like this yucky black background.