9.29.2012

FAR AWAY FALL TEMPERATURES

The calendar says it's Fall. But our weather says otherwise.

One of our local weather forecasters calls this time of year our "sneaky summer".

I agree.

The temperatures this week will be in the 80's and 90's at my house and 10 degrees (or more) higher in the inland valleys.

Fall weather?  Nope.

Tomorrow, we'll probably be floating in the pool.  Making it through one more week of warm weather.  Preparing another meal on the grill and eating outside on our patio.

I'm glad it will be some time before we have to turn on the furnace but I have to admit that I'm looking forward to the chill in the air in the mornings and pulling out blankets to snuggle up on the couch in, pulling on my Ugg boots in the morning, sweatshirts and  sipping mugs of hot cider. 

However, that weather is likely not going to arrive until November.  Maybe even late November.

Today it's still shorts and bare feet weather. 

9.26.2012

NORMAL? NEVER

As the 22nd of September passed, marking a month without Kona, I realized that I hate this new normal that we have been trying to adjust to. It is not normal at all. 

Will we ever get used to coming home without Kona's over-the-top, tail wagging, turning circles, dancing-dog-love greeting that we still expect every day?  

Every morning I expect to find her sleeping on the floor on my side of the bed when I get up in the morning, but she is not there. 

I miss the two large ceramic bowls that held her food and water in our kitchen...they have always been there and now they are not. 

I even miss her sudden, make-me-jump-outta-my-skin barks to let us know that that people are coming to the door, or walking past the house or delivering a package. 

I miss her presence, her breathing in the night, her patrols after we go to bed, her shadowing us into and out of every room, her big brown doe eyes watching me.  

I miss picking up all of her toys at night and most of all I miss her sweet Kona licks (kisses).

Will this empty place in my heart ever feel normal? Maybe someday, but on the other hand, a part of me hopes it never will.  

Maybe that is the way it supposed to be.

9.15.2012

MY FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS


I'm a little late for the party, but hey, better late than never, right?  I follow Kelly's blog, but I don't play along every Friday...today I am, so here we go! Here are my top three favorites!

My number 1 favorite beauty product is Nerium.  I started using this 4 months ago and I am sold on what it's done for my skin!  One bottle lasts me nearly two months and it's sure cheaper than any cosmetic procedure! 






I love this for pore refining! I apply it after my foundation (Bare Minerals) and dab it on my face on the areas that need it.


pores no more pore refiner



This little product is great too...I love how it makes my eyes look! I got a sample in my Birchbox shipment and tried it out and I was sold.  A little goes a LONG way...so this small jar will last forever.


Now if I can just find a mascara I really love....

9.12.2012

HAPPY TIMES AT THE HAPPIEST PLACE

Yep, we went to Disneyland last weekend. 

We stayed with the kids in their timeshare and had such a good time!  We had so much fun with Grace, Aaron and Sarah.  We trucked around Disneyland on Sunday, colored lots of coloring book pages with Gracie, ate some yummy meals together, gave mama and daddy a date night and swam with the kiddos later that night.  Grace and Aaron are fearless swimmers!  They wore their Memaw and Pepaw out! 

On Monday, we stayed at the condo with Sarah and mama and daddy took the "big kids" back to Disneyland for another day of rides and characters! Sarah is such a good baby and she liked hanging out with her Memaw and Pepaw. It was an awesome getaway for us. 

Grace waited in line so patiently to see Tinkerbell.  It was 93 degrees there that day and we were HOT!

 Aaron wished there was some water to play in while we waited.  Us too!

 Sweet Sarah was in such a good mood and took some good naps too!

 Grace and Aaron rode the Teacups ride with Daddy!

 Grace and Pepaw took a spin on the Carousel! 

Aaron met the Genie and Grace got to dance with Princess Jasmine

We headed back home Monday afternoon and settled back in to our routine (for work the next day) after a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up food for the week and another stop to order a pizza for dinner. 

It is good to be back home and sleep in our own comfy bed, but I already miss our three 'mouseketeers'! 

9.04.2012

BEFORE AND AFTER DELICIOUSNESS

Before...fresh out of our backyard garden


After...Jalapeno Jelly (with one Habenero Pepper added for heat) cooling in fourteen half-pint-wide-mouth jars.


9.03.2012

R&R

I finally shook that nasty headache yesterday and made two batches of jalapeno/habenero jelly (13 jalapenos and 1 habenero pepper to a recipe).  That equals 14 half-pint jars of homemade pepper jelly!

This morning we had breakfast at IHOP...I enjoyed some blueberry pancakes this (without the compote and whipped cream).  Then we made a grocery run..and spent the afternoon in the pool on our floats, sipping Mai Tai's (with fresh pineapple and Marachino cherries) and listening to Classic Rock tunes...just a floatin'....

Tonight, we are grillin' Tri Tip on the grill.  I'm cooking up some red potatoes, green peppers and onions for a side dish/veggie in one.

I have been relaxing and enjoying a very "chill" day.

Hope your Labor Day has been just as relaxing as ours.

9.02.2012

COFFEE FIX

This is one of those mornings when there is just not enough coffee to help the headache I woke up with.

I started with some Excedrin, but unfortunately, it hasn't helped much and now I am on my second cup of coffee--and still no change.

I am planning on having a productive day and making several batches of jalapeno jelly today, so I'm hoping that I can get out of this fog of pain soon, and get going on them.

Yesterday was a good day.  I got some organizing done in the morning and then I had the best visit with our youngest grandson, Ethan...this Memaw is so blessed!




Later in the afternoon, we celebrated my mom's and my neice's birthdays.  It was good to spend time with family and enjoy delicious food.

I'm ready for another cup of coffee and then I need to write a list of ingredients to pick up at the grocery for my jelly. Ta ta for now....

9.01.2012

LOSS AND HEALING

Ten days have passed since we lost Kona.

I'm better. 

A few days ago, I wondered if I would ever have a day that I didn't cry.  And now I've had a couple of them. 

I still get overcome with emotion when I least expect to, but the good days are outnumbering the bad and laughter and happy memories of her are helping me heal.

One day at a time.