Picture perfect

I think I just wanted to look at this picture to remind myself not to blow my diet all to hell this weekend,

October

So October is finally here. While I love the summer, I hate the stage where it's not quite fall-you never know how to dress and the weather can be ninety or thirty something. The calendar says fall starts the 21st of September but by my calendar- it's October first. That's when the fall decorations come out. The mums get planted. I start hiding Halloween candy from Dwight and the kids-in the hope that I might have some for the two or three trick-or-treaters that come by. The electric blanket comes out of storage-as does the flannel pj's-is there anything better than flannel pj's in the fall?Ok maybe smores by a bonfire. Or popcorn balls made with karo syrup. In putting up my fall decorations-a wreath, some mums, bales of hay-I've decided I need a scare crow. Trying to make one-the best face I can come up with is a pumpkin.I'll post pictures if it's a respectable scare crow. This weekend brings the Harvest Festival in Harrison-people celebrating the fall Harvest.

Balloon races

Every September the balloon races go through Harrison. It was fun to watch them. Wish I could find someone locally that gives rides.

My 9-11

 The night beore 9/11 my daughter called to tell me she has officially received her orders to serve in the War on Terror. Sunday, as I watched the memorial services and listened to the bell tolls I'm reminded of why she feels it's necessary to serve her country. She's told me a million times. This war will be fought either on American soil or over there. It can't be avoided. That doesn't mean I have to like it. I have eight more months to get used to the idea if ever I can. So I'm praying for a miracle-maybe it can end in seven months-even though it's been going on ten years. Hope springs eternal. I'd even forgo my dream of winning the lottery if she got to finish her military obligation in the states. I know she understands how I feel but just in case-let me say I'm very proud of Sargent Schuller.(congrats on the promotion baby girl)

ode to the workshirt

 Some people do spring cleaning. I'm messy enough to justify spring and fall cleaning. In that chore, I try to get rid of clothes that haven't been worn in years or have material that you can see through. My eyes fell on one of Dwight's work shirts. It's a Dallas Cowboy shirt. The collar is frayed. The stains won't come out no matter how much bleach I use. No large holes-just enough to allow the shirt to breathe.
I can hear him tell me that there is nothing wrong with this shirt. Shirts don't need to breathe. I know it's soft-fabric softener is the only thing holding it together. I hate this shirt, and there's only one reason I keep it around. A DECADE ago someone threw my red and white polka dotted night gown away and I still miss it. It was quite possibly the ugliest piece of clothing that I've ever owned but I wasn't ready to say good bye. So the shirt will stay until Dwight can say good bye to it. If you see him in it-I apologize-he has much better shirts.Much better work shirts, but they're not as soft, as stained, or breathe the way that one does. There's just no explaining why we love the things we do.

Bumper sticker of the week

"Next time wave at me with all of your fingers"

Graceland

Elvis died in 1977 -when he was 42 years old. Before his death, he said " Every dream I've ever had has come true 100 times over." I don't remember much about his concerts-I remember staying up late to watch the one in Hawaii that was televised. I remember my mom crying the day he died. I think Graceland is an important part of American pop history. You can learn so much. Did you know that Elvis' first gold record was "Don't be Cruel" and  on the flip side was a little hit called "Hound Dog"?
He had 5 records go gold at once? His 1968 comeback show was supposed to be a Christmas show?
That leather jump suits can weigh as much as 70 pounds?

Memphis Day one

Today we toured Memphis and rode the Island Queen(shown above). Memphis had the humidity going on-so the breeze on the boat felt great.  Didn't hurt that you could get a cold beer on board. We walked Beale Street and "put some South on our mouth" at the Blues Street Cafe. Dwight had incredible catfish and I had mouthwatering ribs. The internet did not exaggerate on the portion size-nether of us could even think of dinner last night. Beale Street had the music going and there was plenty of entertainment.

Happy Anniversary

A year ago today I was asking Beth what my last name was to fill out a marriage liscense. Dwight and I had talked about marriage and he had warned me that marriage changes people and the relationship. He wasn't kidding. He changed and so did our relationship. He was a wonderful boyfriend-roses for Valentine's Day, unexpected surprises, breakfast in bed,...but as a husband...there's no comparison. He's the best friend I have. He's got my back and loves as hard as he works. He's on a mission to make sure my dreams come true and is doing a damn fine job. No matter what I look like or do-he's proud of me because I'm his and because of this I want to be better. I want to make him as happy as he's made me and this may just take a lifetime.