The deer visited again

This afternoon the deer were visiting again. Chris said the buck was with them, but as soon as I opened the door to step out into the garage, he heard the noise and moved into the woods. The mother deer watched me as I took the photographs, but she didn't make any move towards leaving. Maybe one day I'll get a photo of the buck.

Jenn

Yesterday my friend Jenn called. We haven't seen much of each other in the past couple of years throughout my divorce, but we have kept in touch by email, and a couple of get togethers. She had not been to my house, so she didn't know exactly where it was. She was headed through the town I live in on the way to another on a shopping trip. She called and I said sure, come on by, the house is a mess, but come anyway! I gave her directions and shortly she was there. She asked if I wanted to go with her, so after a quick bite of lunch, a quick shower, I was out the door with her. We had a blast! I hated to see the afternoon end so quickly. We're going to try to have dinner at her place one night this coming week. Jenn can cook up some amazing dishes. I'm already hungry!

The Party

My parents, George and B.J., cutting the cake. You'll notice the "Gone blackberry pickin" sign. Whey they eloped 50 years ago, my mother told her mother that she was going blackberry pickin' with a friend. So, I had this cake custom designed. It was delicious!!

It was also a big hit. Everyone loved it. Most importantly, Mama and Daddy loved it.

The party itself was wonderful. We were busy setting up, stopped to get dressed, started back working on the final details, and I looked up and the room was full! People were coming in both doors. I think we had at least 100 people there. My parents are wonderful people and it made me happy to know so many people love and care about them.

I think they enjoyed the entire party.

Once I got home, I realized that I had actually enjoyed the party and not worried about taking pictures. Nicole took most of the ones I have from the night, Chris also took some. My brother and his wife took a lot -- I just hope I actually get to SEE them. (hint, hint... I know you're reading this)

By the time I got home, I could barely put one foot in front of the other I was so tired, I didn't make it to the office until 1:00 pm the next day -- but it was all worth it. I love you Mama and Daddy - congratulations on 50 years of marriage.

Thanks to everyone who helped me with the party - Nicole, Joel, Virginia, Chris, my brothers, sister, and sisters-in-laws. Even Mama -- she couldn't help herself, she baked some of the goodies. Thanks for the butterscotch bars made by Cheryl. I hope I'm not missing anyone - it's a full work week later and my first chance to really take a little time to rest.

We did a memory box for them as our gift (that and the party) -- each of us contributed memories of our lives. I typed up each one of them next to a piece of clip art of a basket of blackberries. I printed them on cardstock and used my trimmer to cut them all out the same size. Bene' found a great box for them. So, each day, my parents can pull out a memory to enjoy. (Thanks Aunt Sally for the last minute adjustments!) I know I had fun reading the memories given to me by others, and sitting down to put my own memories on paper. I hope they enjoy this gift, and I think they will.

Edible decorations

Both of these arrangements were made by my good friend Nicole. She worked for 3 days to create them.

50 Years

Yesterday, my parents had their 50th wedding anniversary. Tomorrow, my siblings, their spouses, me and Chris are giving them a party. We are having a Coffee and Dessert reception. So far, we have a total of 90 people coming. I have been baking for days! I had never worked with melted chocolate before, but ended up making quite a few recipes with it.

I was trying a lot of new recipes, and only ended up trashing 2 of them.

I still have things I *want* to make, but I just don't think I can physically fit it all in. I have done alot and with all of the food that friends and family are contributing, I'm sure we will have enough. I just want for it to be the best!

I'm hanging up my baker's cap. I am physically exhausted. My back has been giving me fits, my entire body gets stiff when I stand up for long periods of time. But, even with that, I've been enjoying myself with this whole process.

I have cleaned up the kitchen at least 10 times between yesterday and today.

MPG

Since the topic of gas prices is such a hot one, I thought I'd mention that my car got great mileage on my trip to Tampa. At one point the display was showing 31.9 miles per gallon. Usually around town I get 23 - 25 mpg. So, I thought that was great! It ended up averaging 30.1 mpg which was still good.

Gas averaged $3.94.

You have to pay attention to the cash price vs. the credit prices. It wasn't so prevalent in Florida, but it was the norm on 75 from starting around Cordele (well, that was the first place I noticed it).

Deer

They might be a tad hard to see, but yesterday in the evening, we had a couple of visitors in the yard. I couldn't get a really good shot of them because they are skiddish. They are young, part of the family of deer that lives in the woods behind my house. (Also the ones that we are sure have been snacking on Chris's herb garden).

Tampa

I came to Tampa, Florida to visit my friend Duana. We did some scrapbooking, I actually did 15 pages! She drove me out to Sand Key Beach this afternoon, and this was one of the photos I got. Thought it was a pretty cool shot.

Happy Birthday Nicole

We celebrated my friend Nicole's birthday last night. Happy Birthday Nicole!

P.S. I love you

I just watched "P.S. I love you" with Hilary Swank... great chick flick! But... I cried through most of it.

Then... I went to the freezer to get one of the strawberry fruit bars that I love. And they were slushy! I opened the other box and they were slushy! We must not have closed the freezer well enough. They are going to be a challenge to eat.

Sunday?

It has been good to have a 3 day weekend, but yesterday felt like Sunday all day long. Today started out feeling like a Monday. Chris and I got up at our regular time and went to Shoney's for breakfast. After breakfast, he left for a weeklong trip to Mississippi to attend a training course for work.

I went the opposite direction and fed my bosses' animals (3 dogs, 3 cats, a ferret and a newt) while they are away on vacation. Then I stopped to pick up a prescription I had called in. I'm back home, and Willy and I are taking it easy.

I think later I'm going to work on cleaning out some of the stuff I got out of my storage unit that has been sitting in the garage for 2 months. I'd like to be able to park in the garage again. I think I am going to throw away 80% of the stuff - it is just a matter of getting it done.

Happy 4th of July

July already

It's hard to believe it is July already...