This is an old post...

I was just thinking of my little brother, Tom, and missing him today.  I posted this on his birthday in 2008.  It seems unreal to me that he's been gone 11 years now.  I hope you enjoy "meeting" him...

http://littlegreygardens.blogspot.com/2008/07/happy-birthday-tommy.html

Summertime is flying by...

This has been the craziest summer!  One unplanned thing after another.  Since my last post, we had another pricey disaster...

This is one branch from our willow!

Makes our home look tiny by comparison.

A huge branch from our Willow tree fell!  Thankfully, it dropped directly across the back lawn, right between our fence and our patio cover.  It did hit our little Maple, which has survived, but it broke off most of the branches on one side.  It looks a little sad.  Anyway, you would not believe how expensive it is to have a tree removed, and we even had them leave the stump.  On the bright side, our yard looks much bigger, and we have a place to create a rock garden!

Paul, getting ready for his flying lesson!

Doesn't my husband look happy?  If I had know how tiny the helicopter was going to be, I don't think I could have bought him the lesson.  I'm not a fan of flying, and this would have pushed my fear of heights and flying too far.  Plus it had no door!  I would have taken one look and walked away.  He said whenever he shifted his weight he could feel the chopper shift!  He wouldn't try "driving" it again... too complicated and touchy, but he loved being up there. 

I'm making progress on my summer projects, and must get back to work.  I'll try and check in again soon.  Until then, I hope you're all having a wonderful summer!

Summer fun...

Just stopping in for a quick note.  Summertime gets so busy, so my blogging often gets put aside.  I mentioned before, that we canceled our anniversary trip because of having to buy a new AC unit.  Since then, we also had to replace our 16 year old dishwasher and replace our front windshield! Lol! We were definitely not meant to take that trip!

I'm buying my sweetheart an engine for his 52 Chevy.  It's "near new" and will be available to put in his car in September!  A friend decided his new engine wasn't racy enough and is putting an even more powerful one in.  He's selling his to us!  I also got a huge discount on a helicopter lesson for Paul.  He has always wanted to fly in one, so next week he gets a 30 minute lesson, then a 30 minute flight where he will be allowed to take the controls for a bit.  He is so excited!

We have been having fun doing some long neglected home repairs, watching episodes of some of our favorite TV shows (love that streaming video), etc.  Paul barbequed some beautiful T-Bone steaks for our anniversary dinner.  Delicious! 

Earlier this year, I purchased a wooden Chinese Checkers Board, painted and distressed. It hangs above my fireplace in an arrangement.  I suddenly remembered my wooden Aggravation Board from my childhood.  I got it out, and Paul painted it a flat black.  It looks so nice.  I plan to add some color to it later on and attach a hanger to it.  I'll post a photo when it's done.

Well, gotta get back to all those home improvement projects!  Have a wonderful July afternoon!

30 Wonderful Years...

One of my favorite photos of us...

My sweet husband and I are celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary today!  It's amazing to reflect on who we were in the beginning, and who we have become over the years.  We've had extreme joys, some devastating hardships, and a lot of "every day normal" in between.  Somehow we've come through it all, intact and still in love.

I'm not naive enough to think we have any special "magic" that kept us together.  It's a mix of love, forgiveness, faith, commitment, and so many other things that just worked for us.  And for all of that, I feel grateful, and so blessed!  My hope is that we'll still be together, "till death do us part" and if possible, even beyond that.

Honey... thank you for the love, the laughter, for our boys, for your compassion, your strength, and your commitment.  Thank you for seeing me... the real me, that nobody else knows.  Thank you for continuing to look at me like I'm still that young woman you fell in love with.  Thank you for trusting me with your heart, like I trust you with mine. 

To my friends, I wish you love... Have a beautiful day!