Cars

Joanna over at Fifty Factor wrote a post the other day that was so fun.  She recounted how she got her first car and what kind it was.   I loved reading it.  It made me think back to my first car.  She named her cars, but I never have really.  Although Buster was driving Little Blue Thunder when I met him.  He names his cars sometimes.

I can not find a picture of my very first car, but here is what it looked like except for the wide green stripe.

  I found this picture on the internet of an original advertisement:

My first car was a 1977 Datsun 200sx.  My dad and I bought this car in 1984 during my sophomore year of college.  So it wasn’t new, but it was a great car and I loved it.  It was sporty and fun.   I remember the top of the back cloth seat was so faded and sun damaged.  You could poke your finger right thru the fabric.  But I didn’t care.   It got me thru the years of college that I attended and then  I rolled into Atlanta at the ripe old age of 19 ready to start working and a new life.

One morning on my way to work, I was in the middle lane of I-285  that loops the perimeter of Atlanta, GA and my car just quit.  It was 7:30 a.m. in rush hour -  bumper to bumper  morning traffic.  I was petrified.  I had no idea what to do.  This was before cell phones of course.  I could not even get to the shoulder of the  road.  I got out of my car and put the hood up and got back in and started crying. 

I remember all I could think of  while I was sitting there in my broken down car was the traffic report on the radio.   I just knew I  would be the one they were talking about.  I would be the one that was making a half million people late for work in Atlanta, Georgia that morning.   TEARS!

Anyway, this wonderful trucker (God Bless him)  came to my rescue.  He stopped his big rig right behind my car and got out and looked at the engine.   He immediately spied the problem.  One of the battery cables had popped off the battery.  He put it back on and tightened best he could by hand and my car cranked. I was so relieved and off and rolling again.  I looked under there too but I guess thru the tears I couldn’t see the dangling battery cable. ha.  I’m such a girl…I’m sorry.

Not too long after that the clutch went out.   I know it was normal wear and tear, but I started thinking I needed a newer car that wouldn’t break down on me.

So in 1986 I  headed out to the Nissan dealership by myself and found the car I wanted.  I fell in love with it. The headlights rolled up at the turn of a switch.  I felt so cool.   It was  a 1985 barely used 200SX, but now it was called Nissan and not Datsun.   I negotiated with a saleslady as I recall.  She was as new to selling cars as I was to purchasing them.   As we finished the negotiation I had the dealership call my dad in Florida and tell him everything they were telling me so I wouldn’t be making any huge mistakes. He felt like they were making me a fair deal so I drove off the lot in the first car I purchased on my own.  With the help of 48 month financing…. 

Here I am the proud owner of my first picked out and purchased myself car:

I wrecked this car (my one and only wreck so far) back in 1987 just  before Buster and I got engaged.

I was fine and it was repaired, but it was never really the same.    We continued to drive it for about a year after we got married and then traded for another car in 1989. 

So there you have it.  The story of my first car(s).

How about you.  I’d love to know about your first car.

Joy

It’s what I wanted….Really

Every year as Mother’s Day approaches, Buster and the girls start asking me over and over what I want for Mother’s Day. 

This year I told them I wanted a wheelbarrow.   I usually borrow my Neighbor Steves.   Neighbor Steve may be moving to Connecticut so I needed my own.

This was not their idea of a Mother’s Day gift,  but they went along with it and I am so happy to have it.  It is perfect to move my compost from my compost pile to the flower beds and garden beds.  So I’m thrilled.

I’m so thankful for these two girls.  I love them more than they will ever know.

They are so big now I can’t carry them in my arms so….

Joy

 

Technorati Tags: My Chickadees

Paint the Path Pink and other paint jobs

As you can tell from the dates on my post, I’ve taken a little blogging break.  I’ve had lots of projects around my home to manage and am still waiting for some to be finished.  So I have been a tad distracted.

This past  Saturday Leah’s school had a Paint the Path Pink 5K Walk/Run Breast Cancer fundraiser.   Paige, Leah and I went and walked.  There were 650 people registered.  It was a beautiful Spring day for walking and over $25,000 was raised for Breast Cancer Research.  The second picture is kids and dogs.   Leah is on the bottom row about 5 down.  

Paige will be mad that I posted this picture with her eyes closed.  Sorry Paige, but it was the only one we got that day.

Here is some other painting news from the home front.

Finally – all the faux painting is gone and replaced with  Sherwin Williams Latte for the walls and Ralph Lauren Metallic Summer Gold for the ceiling.  I’m so happy with the colors.  I have yet to hang the artwork back up in the room.  I just have issues with nailing into newly painted walls.  I’ll work up the courage soon I hope.

The kitchen and family room also were painted.  The family room is Latte now and the kitchen is Nomadic Desert.  I’m waiting for my fireplace stone to come in.  When I get that done, I’ll post a picture of the fireplace and paint. 

My other gynormous project I had to deal with was the shower in my master bath.   We had the master bathroom renovated right after we moved into this house nearly 5 years ago.   We loved the look of it, but after time went on we realized something was not right.  After much deliberation between tile people, plumbers and me in the middle we decided the  tile should be removed and the shower pan checked out.  YUCK! – rotted wood and mold….. This was worst than we thought it would be.

So I now know the repercussions of an improperly installed shower pan.

I kept thinking of a spiritual analogy in this scenario.  You know like sometimes everything looks good on the outside but boy it can be rotten on the inside.  Better get it checked out and fixed or it will fall apart.

I’ll post pictures of the newly re-done shower soon.  This post has run long enough.

Hope you are  starting to see a little Spring where you are.

♥ Joy

Cooking Under Pressure and changes around here

I’m making a few changes around here.  As you can see I’ve changed my blog layout and will try this for a while to see if I like it. 

I’m also trying Windows Live Writer to write my post.  So if this post up really weird, I’ll keep working on it.

I’m also making some changes around my house.  We have lived in this house for 4.5 years and I haven’t changed the previous owners paint in the dining room, kitchen or family room.  I have in other parts of the house though.  This is the current color in the dining room.  It’s faux painted and from a distance it is nice, but Buster never really liked it and I don’t like it with our furniture.

You can see I have it taped with painters tape. I went to work and primed the entire room and am in the process of deciding on colors.  So hard to choose!

The other thing I wanted to show you is this:

I received this as a gift at a bridal shower 22 years ago. It is a pressure cooker.  I have NEVER USED IT!.  It really intimidates me and I’m not sure how to use it.  One of my grandmothers used one quite often and I remember the noise and the spitting and sputtering that came from the kitchen, but that is about all.  She isn’t here to ask anymore.  Soooo, do you use a pressure cooker ever and if you do what do you make.  I want to give it a try assuming the seal is still good and it works.

When I get some new paint on the wall I’ll show you my new colors.  I’m also resurfacing our fireplace so I’m off to the stone yard today.

I like change, but decisions are really  hard.

Remember This...

Remember when I raised my hand like this:

And ended up with this in my garage:

Well, we turned it in to this:

A few months back I volunteered to help with a fundraiser at my daughter's school. We had some of the students paint tiles and then we turned them into different projects.

This is the top of one of the table tops. I learned that grouting is not my calling in life. I don't know what is, but I know grouting isn't it.

Paige painted the bird in the bottom left corner.

I was really proud of how they turned out. The kid's artwork and creativity really made each project special. There were a few more, but I didn't get pictures of everything. Parents bid on these at the school dinner/auction so they all went to a good home. It really was fun and I enjoyed working with other moms on the project, but it will be a while before I raise my hand in any meetings especially if grouting is involved.

Celebrate What's Right in the World

It's my birthday!

Yes, today the 4th of January. Let's just say there are a lot of fours happening for me today age wise. I joked with a friend I may have to buy a lottery ticket. We had a wonderful trip to Florida for Christmas. Drove this time. That will go down in the Brasington Family History Book cause it probably won't happen again....or so says Buster. I met a blogger friend. So fun. I'll get pictures posted soon.

This video link was e-mailed to me by my dear friend Linda. I almost skipped over it. I'm so glad I did not. I usually try and keep my post brief and to the point, but this is a 20 minute video. If you don't have time to watch it now, please come back and view it when you can. You will not be disappointed. It gave me a great perspective as I begin this new year.


Celebrate what's right with the world - Dewitt Jones @ Yahoo! Video

It seems they have removed this video from the internet. Sorry about that. It's too bad because it really was a nice piece to watch.

One of the phrase that really struck me was "Be the best FOR the world not IN the world."

I pray you make the best of this new year. I plan to.

Coupon Clipping is Back In Style Article

If you are visiting my blog after reading the article from The Houston Chronicle and Ultimate Woodlands

Welcome!

I'll give you a quick tour of my blog so you can go straight to the post you came here to read.

If you are looking for ABC's of Couponing go click here.



If you are looking for the recipe for homemade laundry detergent click here.



If you are looking for the post on how to save money on your electric bill click here.



Other money saving ideas can be found at each of those links.



Feel free to take a look around.



If you come here often and wonder what is going on. Well, go read this article about my couponing efforts.



If you have a money-saving idea. Write it in the comments.

A Wedding in New Orleans

Last weekend Buster and I drove to New Orleans. We attended the wedding of one the men from his office. It was in beautiful, Historic St. Patricks Church in downtown New Orleans. This church was founded in 1833. I forgot to take a picture of the outside of the church and found this on the church website:


The interior of the church: Isn't it a beautiful church to be married in.


This is a picture of the Port of Baton Rouge where the bridge crosses over the Mississippi River.
You have to drive over a lot of water when your driving thru south Louisiana.

The Atchafalya River Basin: It looks like that for miles and miles.

(from the internet)

The Beautiful Bride Noelle:




Me and my groom:

Keith and I don't go to many weddings anymore. I guess we're at the age where most of our friends are married. So it is a real treat for me to attend a wedding, I love weddings.

We wish Josh and Noelle a happy life together. Thank you for letting us share in the beautiful beginning of your marriage.

Getting Jiggy With It

This is a picture of me and the girls (Leah, Paige and Libby) on Mother's Day after we got back from church and lunch. I'm wearing my maxi dress I bought in the maternity section at Target. No I'm not pregnant, but the dress was too cute. The fashion magazines are saying the maxi is back. I'm seeing them in stores a lot now. This is what I had to tell Buster when he wondered why I was wearing a long dress. You know these poor business men, they wear navy trousers and black socks and shoes nearly everyday of their lives. They just don't get much variety. So you have to educate them. Anyway...the picture was....

Just before I opened this::::

Yes, I got a Wii Fit and an Ipod Touch. I did not know what to expect this Mother's Day. I had requested a kitchen composter. But Buster wouldn't buy it for Mother's Day. The story goes they went to the Best B*y to purchase the Ipod and the WiiFit was sitting right next to it. Leah wanted me to have the WiiFit. It will be fun for all of us. I know some women wouldn't be happy to get a fitness item for Mother's Day, but I'm good with it.

My Mii's name on Wii Fit is Jiggy.

It cracks me up....when you step on the little platform it makes this sound "ohhh" (interpreted...oh my have we gained a few)

You look pretty silly doing some of the activities like hula hooping with no hula hoop. But boy you feel it when your finished.

I also set up my Ipod Touch on Sunday. That was a different story. I'm excited to have it, but just trying to get it to connect to the internet caused a spike in blood pressure. I deleted some code in my settings that made my router quit working. So I had to bypass the router and plug directly into the modem so I could get internet back and I could call support. An hour later I hung up the phone with this nice girl from who knows where. She help me get everything working again including my IPod Touch connecting to the internet. My blood pressure eventually returned to normal. I needed that Wii Fit Yoga after that for sure.

This is the back of the beautiful card Leah made me. One of the 4th grade teachers took their picture. I love it.

On Saturday I treated myself to a pedicure (long overdue). I took Paige with me and she got a manicure and her nails painted a pretty shade of green. I've never been in this particular nail salon. When I walked up to the counter to pay, I looked down and saw this sign taped to the counter. I acted like I was finding something in my purse so I could wait for the lady to walk back to her customer and I took a picture with my phone. I'm sorry but does this strike anyone else funny or is it just me. [I apologize if I have offended anyone. I'm not usually rated over a G rating on this blog.]

So that was the weekend in a nutshell or a nut post. Which ever you prefer.


a.k.a. Jiggy

An Ozark Getaway

Fourteen years ago these two amazing friends entered my life. Tina and Diane. We met when we all lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. (All transplants to the area due to husband's careers or attending the University there.) Diane and her husband as well Buster and I went on to leave SLC, but Tina and her family are still there. We have always kept up with each other. About a month ago we arranged to meet in north Arkansas (where Diane now lives) and drive to Branson, Missouri to spend a girl's weekend together. I have never been to the Ozarks or Branson so it was a treat for me to see the beautiful rolling hills and some of the trees in bloom. The weather was beautiful.

This is the view out of hotel room window. It's kind of blurred because of the glass. sorry



We did a lot of shopping and found some great bargains at the outlet malls. If you plan to go to Branson...e-mail me. I'll tell you about a store that has incredible savings. I still can't believe the deals I got in that store. Women's clothing that retailed for $165.00-$350.00 you could purchase for $10.00 each. The retail tags are still on them. I promise. It's true! It's worth the trip there just for that one store.

See I told you. I just want to wear them with the tags on so I can show people how much $$$$ I saved. I would never pay those prices for clothes. Anyway, back to the trip.

We also went to the Titanic Museum. We spent nearly three hours going thru this amazing museum. It is a must - see if you go to Branson.

After lots of talking, shopping, talking, eating, talking, touring, talking, relaxing, talking....our time together came to an end and I had to pack up and get back to Texas.

It was a great weekend. Thanks Diane and Tina...LYLAS.

25 Random Things about Me

As you know I also do facebook. I was tagged by a couple of fellow facebookers to do a list of 25 random things about me. I figured I'd get some extra mileage by posting it on my blog too. If you have read my facebook note already, please excuse the redundancy.

1. I've lived in 7 states, FL, GA, VA, UT, CA, AL, TX

2. I've been married to Keith for 20 years. He makes me laugh. He's the funniest person I know. We have two beautiful girls together.

3. I love where I live and my neighborhood, but think I would enjoy living in a more rural area and have chickens and goats. yes, I said goats.

4. I am afraid of heights and don't really enjoy boating or being on the water.

5. I've read the Bible thru only once, but I'm in the process again. This time chronologically.

6. I was brought up in the Baptist Church, but not currently a member of a Baptist Church.

7. I've seen in person the following "famous" people: Ronald Reagan, Dan Quayle, Barbara Bush, Dolly Parton, Richard Simmons, Newt Gingrich, Buddy Epson, Jerry Falwell, Jay Leno and Elton John

8. I'm very interested in Bible prophecy. It seems to be happening at a rapid rate.

9. I never considered myself to be a dog lover, but I love my dog Libby. We adopted her 4.5 years ago.

10. Keith and I went to Germany and Austria for our 10th anniversary. For our 20th we went to dinner and the grocery store. We'd like to go back to Europe one day.

11. I have a blog that I started June of 2008. I love blogging. www.joyintheburbs.blogspot.com

12. I am really big on recycling. I embarrass my husband when we are at other people's home because I offer to take all their glass and plastic trash home with me so I can recycle it.

13. I have no rhythm and am an awful dancer (see #6) The change in church membership has not helped at all in that area, unfortunately.

14. I never attended a public school.

15. I love to scrapbook (digitally now) and make homemade cards.

16. I can sew a little. I have a sewing machine.

17. I'm not very athletic. I was when I was younger, but not anymore.

18. I'm very involved with Moms in Touch International. I am determined to pray my girls thru school.

19. I clip coupons.

20. I bring my own bags to the grocery store and look down on the plastic bag user people :)

21. I think Sedona, Arizona is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

22. I've only broken one bone in my body. My foot - back in 2002.

23. I got my tonsils out when I was 23.

24. I don't care for cold weather. It's OK for a day or two, but then I need high 60's low 70's for my winter weather.

25. I won a $1500.00 CD at a bank opening a long time ago. No, I don't still have it. I cashed it in after one year and spent that sucker. On what? I don't remember.

Write your own 25 Random Things about You and post them. Let me know so I can read it.

But Wait! There's More....

I have a confession to make. I have a weakness for infomercials. I'm not sure if they have infomercials in other countries like the U.S. has them. Hopefully they don't. I know I am not alone. I would like for you to fess up if you have ever purchased something from an informercial. I know there are other gullible people out there; those that call within the next 10 minutes.... Boy, I'm glad I made that call look what I've got:

Here is a picture of some of the items that I have purchased from infomercials over the years or purchased at a store from the "As Seen On TV" aisle.

In the picture above you will see:

A Bravetti Deep Fryer. It claims to fry food so fast the grease doesn't have time to soak in. I have used it. It does a nice job with deep frying. It's just a pain to clean.

The Turbo Cooker. It promised to take food from frozen to fabulously cooked in 15 minutes and make it healthy too. I used it quite a bit for a while. You can cook your meat on the bottom and your veggies on the rack all at the same time and cleanup is a snap. I just pulled it out of a cabinet. I forgot I had it. oops

Hip Hop Abs dvd's.... hahhhahhhaaaaahhhhhaaaaahhaaaa. Ohhhh, my abs hurt from laughing so hard at myself. I'm sure they would work, if I would do them.

The Listen Up. I did not buy this item. Buster thought it would be funny to buy this for me. No, I don't listen in on people's conversation at the park or over the fence. But if I ever need it I know I have one. I'm mad because now they came out with one that hooks on the ear and looks like a headset from a cell phone. I want that one!

The Scunci Steamer. It promises to steam all the germs, gunk, mildew and stains from your belongings and home. I've used it a few times. It's OK. I'll give it that.

The Ped Egg. This is the only one I wish I hadn't bought. It will take your feet from Bad to Worse in no time. I'm not a fan of this product. Use with caution and have a tourniquet handy.

The Swivel Sweeper. With little effort you can sweep under furniture and between hard to reach places. Those rotating blades do all the work for you. It has a rechargeable battery. This was purchased for me as well. My Mom has one and liked hers so she got me one. I like it and use it all the time.

So you can see I loves me some infomercials. But, I'm living more frugally this year. So I'll keep surfing on to the next channel when I see an infomercial, but that Shamwow is really looking tempting.

Givinya poses this comment and question on the "Under Renovation" post:

Joy! It looks great! Will you find a picture of yourself now, or will you continue to resemble Libby?

Thanks for asking about an updated picture to go along with my new blog look.

Actually, I'm starting to resemble Libby more and more these days. Our hair color is almost identical now. I have to trim her beard and mine occasionally....

Keep in mind I "resemble" not "mimic"Libby. I do try and keep from sniffing others when we meet. And the licking thing.... I don't even want to think about it.

If I only had eyelashes like her. She has amazing long, dark eyelashes. People that see her always comment on them.

Because of her picture, we've made quite a few Miniature Schnauzer friends around the world. So that part has been fun.

We'll see what I can come up with. Thanks again for asking.

♥

Scripture to Memorize this year #1

This year Beth Moore at The LPM Blog has challenged all the "Siestas" that read her blog to memorize 24 Bible verses or passages during 2009. So on the 1st and 15th of every month you are suppose to post your memory verse that you are working on. She suggest getting note cards that come spiral bound so you can keep them all together.

Remember that word 'DEEPER' that I'm using this year. Well this is part of it. I want to memorize more scripture.

Another Beth at Be Still Beth is hosting an accountability group. Since Beth Moore's blog has more than 3000 people listed as participants she decided to make a smaller, more intimate group that could be accountable to each other.

This is late, but I'm posting it and will post again on the 15th of the month. But the scripture I'm working on right now is:

Psalm 119:1-2 NIV

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep His statutes
and seek Him with all their heart.

Join us at Be Still Beth's blog and challenge yourself to memorize scripture this year. It will be fun to do it together.

same kind of different as me

This is a book you need to read this year.

A friend suggested I read it. She didn't really give an explanation of the book. Just said "you need to read it".

So on her recommendation I went to the Library. It was checked out. I reserved it. I finally got the notice it was my turn to read the book.

What I didn't realize it was my turn to share in the personal life of an actual Texas family and a homeless man. This book is written very honest and straight forward. There are two authors and each writes a chapter to tell the same true story from their perspective.

This is definitely a book that I had to read with a box of tissues. But I promise if you read it you will not regret it. It has opened my eyes to see things more compassionately. It has changed my views on some issues. It is a challenging book.

The book title is:

Same kind of different as Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore
Publisher Thomas Nelson

If you read it, come back and let me know your thoughts.

Facebook

I've been blogging for about six months, but never had a Facebook account. That has changed. I'm now on Facebook and boy do I have lots of friends already.

Last evening as I was putting the finishing touches on our home cooked supper, Buster was standing in the kitchen pouring himself a glass of Diet Pepsi.

He "sweetly" asked...

"You been bloggin all day?".

I promptly said "NO"

As he was lifting his glass to take the first swallow... I continued....

"I started a Facebook account today".

He proceeded to choke on the first swallow.

I know what he was thinking....


GREAT! NOW I'M COMPLETELY SURE I WILL NEVER HAVE ANY CLEAN UNDERWEAR!


Don't worry Buster, I'll throw in a load now and then. I promise.

So what do you think about Facebook. Do you have an account?
Do you use it a lot? What do you like or not like about it?

The Word Is...

I was reading over at Penless Thoughts blog the other day and she wrote about her word and goal for 2009. I started thinking about it and praying for a word that I could use to express my desire for me this year. This morning I found it....

Deeper.

In Luke 6:46-48 (The Message) we read about builders and foundations.

Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's Right, Sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.

"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last.

I want the foundation of my life to be deep and built on the truths of God's word.

Ephesians 3:18 (The Message)

I ask Him to strengthen you by his Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength. - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in. And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love.

Reach out and experience the breadth!

Test its length!

Plumb the depths!

Rise to the heights!

Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

So as I type I also pray these scriptures that I will plumb the depths this year and grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus.

In future post I"ll share some ways I will be digging deeper.

If you have a word for the year, please share it.

♥

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to Me

YES, today JANUARY 4TH is my MY BIRTHDAY. I am forty thr thr thr three. There I said it.

I always thought that having a birthday ten days after Christmas was just not fair. I always had good birthdays though. My mom and dad were wonderful about planning something fun for my birthday when I was growing up. So no complaints there. But it is still so close to Christmas.

Now that I'm getting a little older, I'm OK with a January birthday. [It's not like I can change it.]

Not only do I get to buy a new unfilled, blank calendar each January, but I also have the opportunity to begin a new year of me each January.

This is the way I chose to celebrated my birthday today. First we went to the 11:00 service at church then...

This is the new house Keith and the girls got me for my Birthday:

JUST KIDDING!

This is the place I requested {forced} my family to take me for my birthday ~ A garden tour of Miss Ima Hogg's 14 acre estate at Bayou Bend in Houston.

The thoughts of touring 14 acres of gardens just thrills them. (not) But it's my birthday and it's the only day out of the year that I get to expose them to things that I enjoy. Mother's Day also works to my advantage :)

As you can see Buster enjoyed the tour of the garden immensely: There's just nothing like flora and fauna to get Buster "RELAXED".

WAKE UP THERE'S MORE GARDENS TO SEE - WE'RE ONLY ON ACRE ONE! Let's go:

I'll give you a quick background on Miss Ima Hogg (1882-1975) if you aren't familiar with her. Her home was built in 1927. She was the only daughter of James Hogg. He was governor of the State of Texas in 1881. She never married, but was known as a collector and philanthropist during her life and she was just flat out stinkin rich!

Here are some pictures of Miss Ima Hogg's beautiful gardens. Keep in mind it is January and in just a couple of months these pictures would be exploding with color, but it is a beautiful place to see no matter what time of year.

[why did I forget to suck in my stomach???] dadgummit

The camellias were blooming and some azaleas:

Paige and Leah finally got Buster up. I'll only post a couple of more pictures....Hang in there with me. Remember it's MY birthday!

One of the corners of Miss Ima's house:

Our tour had come to an end - time to cross that bridge, get back to the car and have lunch:




So we headed off to California Pizza Kitchen where I enjoyed a scrumptious pizza covered in Goat Cheese/Roasted Red Pepper/Grilled Eggplant and caramelized onions. Needless to say I didn't have to share with anyone. hehehe.

THEN, on the way home (No we don't live next door to Miss Ima) we're pretty close to our house when we stop at a red light; then start to go when it turned green and something did not sound right or feel right. WE HAD A FLAT TIRE.


Thankfully we were off the busy interstate and on a street in our community close to a grocery store parking lot. We limped in. While Buster took care of our tire problem, the girls and I went into the grocery store. Paige and Leah snuck into the bakery and bought me the cake that you see at the top of this post. I was off looking at goat cheese or something.

Then we came home and I opened my gift. It is a tortilla press. I've been wanting one for a long time. Now I have to figure out how to use it.

I know this is a long post, but I only turn 43 once. [unless I decide to turn it again a few more times. That is a woman's prerogative] So thanks for hangin in there with me as I chronicled my special day.