The Birds: The Sequel

We've had some great weather the last few days so we got on our bikes and headed over to the beach.

N and E were playing, while I sat on the blanket. As usual, the seagulls gather around the blanket. Normally just sit there and stare at you, trying to will you to give them something to eat. Today, however, out of the blue, they took to the air all around my head. I felt like Tippi Hedren (wish I looked like her) from The Birds. No, I'm not old, I just like Hitchcock movies (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). I even screamed "HELP" to my husband, who came running and shooed them away. Evil seagulls. Well, not all of them were evil. There was The Nice One, this one rather pretty one who stayed off to the side. I'm sure The Nice One is a girl because it had good manners. :o)

Hopefully, I haven't been too traumatized by today's events. *sarcasm*   I think next time we'll bring squirt guns and shot them with water if they bug us again...except for The Nice One.  She can stay as long as she likes. :o)

Happy Sixth Birthday Benjamin!

My son turns six today. but he is not here with me to celebrate.  He left us shortly after birth.  This is his sixth Heavenly Birthday...and he is celebrating with Jesus again, and my dad, and now my father-in-law, who joined them the day after Thanksgiving.

Usually, at this time of year, I am a wreck....the build up to the day is always harder than the actual day itself.  But this year, I'm at peace.  Oh, I have my days when I cry and cry about him.  He is missed every day.  He would have been in kindergarten this year.  His sister misses him and wishes he were here to play with her.  Our family will never be complete.  Well, that's not exactly true.  We will one day.  When Jesus calls us home, we will finally be a complete family, living forever with God, in the place He makes for us. 

Until that happens, we will continue to miss our little boy.  We will have cake and ice cream for him, sing Happy Birthday and release a few balloons, sending our love to him.  We will continue to talk about him with E, keeping his memory alive.  Others in our family may not remember him, but he will not be forgotten.

Happy Birthday Benjamin.  Daddy, Mommy and E miss you very much.  We will see you again.  Until then, give Papa and Grandpa Nick big hugs for us.

Super Snapshot Saturday

This is my first time particpating in Super Snapshot Saturday. Check out Angel's Blog for this week's theme and then link your blog post to hers using MckLinky.



Here are a few favorites of my daughter from a few years ago.  I use a program called PhotoImpact to edit my photos.

Now go through your own photos and find some favorites to post!

Pucker Up

My husband's hours have been cut at work. So, in order to bring home some more $$$, he has decided to open a side business. Any takers? Please, we really, really could use the $$.

2.5 Miles

That is the distance from our house to the intersection where two drugstores, our bank, pet food store, two fast food restaurants, and one grocery store are located.

When our car died this past February, we didn't have the $$$ to fix it and with the economy, didn't want to try and take on a car payment, so we decided to get bikes since we were so *close* to all our usual spots.   My husband works at home for his full-time job, and takes the bus on the weekends for his part-time job, so we have been able to fairly easily make do w/o a car.  I have a good friend who lives two streets over who has generously offered her car to us whenever we need it, and occasionally we take her up on it, but for the most part, we hike/bike everywhere. 

What I didn't know at the time we got the bikes was how difficult it was to pull my daughter on her bike (which is attached to mine).  You get quite a workout, let me tell you.  Unfortunately, earlier this summer I pulled a muscle in my knee riding with her so I haven't ridden my bike since about mid-July.  So trips to the grocery store, etc. are made walking, usually pulling The Princess in her wagon.

Today was grocery shopping day.  Usually we go Friday morning but I slept in a bit  a long time yesterday so we went today.  We left at 8:45 am, got dog food, stopped for breakfast at McD's, then off to the store.  Shopped quickly (my husband had to get home to go to his part-time job), got home by 10:45 am, checked the weather...84°.  Turned on the pool pump and we are headed into the water to cool off after that leisurely  hot, sweaty 2.5 mile walk!

Paradise

I've wanted to live in the south ever since I was in high school and played in a softball tournament in Valdosta, Georgia.   I am a warm weather person.   I grew up in the midwest so I was used to cold but the older I got, the less I enjoyed the October-May time of year.  I was so depressed most of my life, especially during those long winter months of bitter cold and snow.   When summer time came, and temps were in the 80's and the sun shone all day, I always felt so much happier. But than fall and the rain came, then the cold and snow and I longed for a time where I could feel this summer-time happiness all year.

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