EXCITING TIMES

We have exciting times waiting for us just around the corner, and Naomi is READY. Can you say fishing, anyone? She is so proud of her assortment of fishing lures, in the cute little case, of course.

JUST FOR LAUGHES

I thought it time to show a blast from the past.

This picture was taken to run in the local paper. I can't remember exactly how I got involved, but that it involved the girl on the left. She worked at the newspaper, and I guess was writing an article on summer. From the looks of me, I wasn't in beauty school. It looks like we could ALL use a little beauty help. Needless to say, I didn't get called back to model any more. Some things should not live on, and this might just be one of them. You all know me, I will do just about anything to get a smile going in the morning! Have a great day!!!

PARTY PEOPLE

This weekend was our friend Danny's birthday. Since we don't get together as often as we would like, we really try to make it to the special occasions. A few years back, Danny had some medical issues that proved to be a challenge for him. He has come back with flying colors which made this birthday a little sweeter. We had a great time with some great friends. The birthday boy!
His daughter was able to make it for a little while but her boyfriend was playing in a band, and we all know how young love is. She made this awesome card for him and gave it to him before she left.

The whole package. His wife Paula outfitted him like a king. Of course it took very little encouragement to get him to try it on. He has been wanting a vest like Joe's since they went fishing a few weeks ago. I think he looks great in his new digs!

Dwight and Mitch, spreading peace all around.
The life of the party! It took us three times to get a decent picture. No one told Gail we were going to look sweet in this one.
Of course after all the girls silliness, Mitch needed a fan to cool down.
You all know who this is, Joe cool.

FUNNY STORY

This morning as I was making breakfast, I was reminded of the time my friend told me I had the smartest Dad in the world.

A few years back, a couple of friends and I were talking about how to make a perfect hard boiled egg. I told them how I did it which has worked every time for me. They were most impressed with how I peeled them after they were done.

I told them Dad uses a spoon to slide in between the egg and the shell. Avoiding the egg sticking to shell and falling apart.

My friend babysat at the time, and made lots of hard boiled eggs for various reasons. She called me up one day and told me I had the smartest Dad in the world, for teaching her how to peel an egg.

Now, if everyone could live up to such and honor.

ONE COOL TREE

Being trained in landscaping, Joe has an eye for color and texture. Loving all things different and unusual, I am right there with him.

Walking around the yard the other day, this tree really stuck out. I guess it was the sun setting, because the needles don't always seem this bright. Having the camera in hand, I thought it worthy of a close up.

I hope you enjoy the beauty in it like I do.

THE HORN

Let me tell you, Joe is someone who knows how to blow his own horn. In this case, the horn did not belong to him until recently. It belonged to his Grandfather. He use it to hunt fox. He was an avid fox hunter having six foxhounds to help with the task. The horn was given to Joe by his cousin Hank.

I guess knowing that we have a passion for family and passing on history, Joe was the obvious choice for ownership. The horn, made from a bulls horn. Polished smooth by years of handling.
Giving it his best shot. He was told by his aunt how to blow it, but without a demonstration we don't really know if it is right. Hopefully one day he will get it down and be able to keep passing an a bit of the past.

UPDATE ON NAOMI

We went to the specialist and found out that Naomi has Hashimoto's thyroiditis which has caused hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) and a goiter. The doctor gave us some information to read and sent us to the web site for more information. He seemed very positive but said that she will have to be on medication for the rest of her life.

He also said that most kids with this condition once they start on the medication will become much more active. Joe and I looked at each other and laughed. I know he was thinking the same thing as I was, how could she get any more active. This school year should be interesting.

She took her first pill today and did great. She wanted it in a glass of milk first but when the milk was finished and she still had the pill left, she was able to swallow it without any problem.

The worst part of it all for her is that she will have to have her blood drawn more that she ever wanted to.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING

We have been working on the play house over the last couple of weeks. The only thing left to do is make the latter. Until then, we are forced to improvise. It has turned out so awesome that everyone wants to hang out in it! Naomi is OK with that as long as you don't start calling it yours and act possessive, which happens a little when you have two pesky brothers. I love it my self and enjoy hanging out in it too. I had to buy a single air mattress for our church camp out and it is the only time it is used, until now. It fits perfect on her loft and is much softer than anything else we came up with.
I may never get her up! Look, new windows. They make a huge difference and you can see the beautiful flowers. She loves it. Before the air mattress. Levi is loving it too!
Getting things ready to put inside. Papaw made a kitchen cabinet for her food and dishes.
Daddy feeling good after all his hard work, looking like a butterfly to me. You know I love butterflies.

THE LATEST INVASION

Now that the cicadas have finally left, the June bugs have come out in full force! It is such a sight to see, the foliage covered in bugs. It seems they are somewhat choosy in what they eat. So far the lily leaves have been spared and some of the trees. I don't know if it is only a matter of time because of all the other food our yard has to offer. Feasting on grape leaves.
What they left on our hollyhock plant. Or should I say, what is left of our hollyhock? Beautiful yellow daylily. When the afternoon sun hits these they shine!
I love the oak leaf hydrangea. It looks like a soft victorian flower.
Adding a little punch to the yard, this beautiful multi color daylily.

I hope you all don't get sick of my flower pictures. I love them as you can see, and love to share them. It is so rewarding to see all the beauty from planting.

FUNNY STORY

After checking the update on my Dad from their blog, it reminded me of a conversation I had with Naomi yesterday.

We found out Naomi is having thyroid problems through some blood work that she had done last week. The doctor set up an appointment with the endocrinologist for some time next week to find out the details. In order to get her ready for her appointment I have been telling her what to expect (not quite sure myself) but that they may need to draw more blood.

Now, the funny part.

We are driving in the car and talking. She knows that she is going to see the specialist but now she is telling me what she will do and what she won't do. She says that she does not want a shot. She does not want to have her blood taken. She thinks for a minute and says, "I will take an x-ray!".

I guess that came from talking to Pop as I have said nothing about x-rays so it really caught me off guard. We laughed and ended the conversation with me telling her we will do what the doctor says to get better. (Always the spoiler, I know!).

MEMORIES

I told you that the cakes from the 4th reminded me of my Grandma. Well I had a few moments to myself and was looking at the pictures that I had on my computer and these struck me as something I would like to share. Good times. Out back at my parents home. There is another on that goes with this one at Mom house. It is Elijah being held up by his legs in the air and loving it. Just little kids hanging out with family.
Pretty woman.
The crew. Dad, Grandma, Uncle Milton and Aunt Blanch, Dad's side of the family.
Hot rod. My baby Levi out front of our home.
Daddy, training them early to camp and fish.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

I hope everyone had a fun safe holiday. It rained here most of the time but didn't put a damper on our festivities. The fun started Thursday after work. PJ and her coworker Paulette had the idea to go to the annual concert. Paulette has gone many times before and was telling PJ how much fun it was. So we had a girls night out and went. It was cut short by the rain, but we made it out before the downpour. The local weatherman was there to keep us posted on the rain and he called it perfectly.

We had more food than we could eat, but it was oh so good.

As for the 4th, we were invited to our new friends home. Bonnie is the neighbor of PJ and Gregg but she is also the mother in law of a friend I worked with 20 years ago. It is nice to catch up with old (past) friends and make new ones! She had a cookout with more food than we could possibly eat but it was great. Grilled chicken and burgers, corn, baked beans, veggies, dump cake and pineapple upside down cake. The cakes reminded me of my Grandma.

The rain started after we were done eating but it didn't stop us from letting off fireworks. The kids were soooo into it. We ended up in the garage about half of the night with showers off and on but it was fun.

On the back deck. Bonnie, Sarah, Veda, Levi, Georgia, Uncle Scruffy and Anna.
Same crew, just add Joe, Marqi (in the middle) and Paggo.
Trying to catch the streamers.
Sparklers are always a big hit.
Another neighbor that joined in the fun and taught the girls the cowboy dance. Always up for a good time, Naomi demonstrates for us.

We have no plans for the rest of the weekend as of now. I'm sure something will come up, like swimming or just hanging with the family. Elijah made it home at 3 am from his church mission trip. He had a great time from what he has said but I am anxious to hear more about it. He just got up so maybe I'll hear more today.

A FEW SILLY PICTURES

Hamming it up on the couch.
Not to be left out, Levi gets into the picture too!
Levi got a wild hair and decided to give butter a green Mohawk.
My life.
Hawk after being sprayed. He loves it!

VISION OF MY DAD

I just wanted to say thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for Pop. I talked to him on the way home from the hospital and he said he was going to lay down and take it easy. Because I'm blessed enough to have some great pictures of my family and friends on my computer, I am able to see them more often. In no way does this replace seeing them in person, but I like for my kids to know our loved ones, and this helps.

I ask Dad to have Mom blog about his experience. He was up for it, so we'll see what she has to say@ www.dianneandestil.blogspot.com.

Maybe it will be a picture just like this one!

TAKE IT EASY POP, WE LOVE YOU!