Grandma's screen door....

How many of you had a screen door on your house when you were little? I was blessed enough to spend much of my younger years living on the same property as my Grandparents. That's where I learned the joys of standing over the coal furnace vent to warm up in the morning before school, eating fresh chicken and goose eggs (yes goose eggs...mostly double yokes and the size of the "panty hose" eggs) and last, but certainly not least, the slamming of the screen door. Don't ask me what the door looked like...was it stained or painted...did the screen have snags or holes...I don't remember. But that sound!!! I absolutely love that sound! That was one of the selling points when we bought our house. The back door is a screen door...complete with hook and loop closure. Our house also has a horseshoe driveway and clothes shute...but that's a whole other love affair.

What a week...

This has been the strangest week of my life! As so many people throughout the country, Ike hit our area and left us without power for several days. Now while I do not claim to have dealt with anything close to those poor people in Texas, I've come to realize I cannot live without water. Namely...a shower! But there were some good things (I try to look at the the good side of everything)...I didn't have to cook, our whole family was together each evening (all evening), and there was a full moon so we could find our way to the grill for our hot water in the morning. We also got to "visit" with friends when we arrived with clothes and shampoo in hand to borrow their shower. My husband greated everyone by saying "Hello, the refugees are here." Crazy I tell you!!!

When our power returned life picked right back up at it's break neck speed. Friday night football game, racing, Homecoming dance and the band played out. And of course trying to catch up on laundry, cleaning and finish those peaches I was in the middle of canning when the lights went out.

Homecoming is of course why my daughter is so dressed up. Doesn't she look beautiful...not that I'm biased or anything. My Aunt is a beautician and she always takes care of Mo's hair...didn't she do an amazing job?!

My Family...

We were spending the day at the lake just relaxing and enjoying the last days of summer. I was snapping pictures and decided to zoom in. Boy was I excited with the images that appeared on my screen. I love looking at beautiful pictures and it's even more special when they are of my wonderful family.

Fun at the Fair?!...

The kids and I went to the fair and had a wonderful time. Morgan talked Jonathan into going on the G Force. As you can see by their faces, Mo (as we call her) was having more fun than Jon. And while Jon shook for a bit after the ride he went on again later...must be the adrenalin (sp?) rush!

When we first arrived my children had switched sides. Usually J wants to ride and Mo wants to walk through the animal barns...they were the complete opposite today. And while we kept on a budget and didn't indulge in the usual fair foods, we enjoyed the displays...like the 1000+ lb pumpkin, the kids rode lots of rides and we saw several people we knew.

This year Morgan & I had the opportunity to "man" the Hospice booth. We started volunteering with Hospice a little over a year ago. Hospice is the most amazing organization ever founded. If you have a loved one with a terminal illness, please contact Hospice. They offer nursing, doctors, clergy and volunteer help. They focus on keeping the patient comfortable and allowing them to pass with dignity. I put the Hospice scrapbook together, complete with obituaries, pictures, letters and cards. The stories are all unique with one common thread running thru them...how much Hospice meant to them and their loved one in their final days.