FDA At It Again

The FDA is at again - click here and help spread the word and become involved!  It affects each and everyone of us.

Theft Of Swords

I LOVE this series!!!!!

I posted this on Goodreads but, of course, I have to blog about it.  I picked up a book for free on Amazon a couple years ago, right after I got my Kindle.  I always had something else to read though and never ended up reading it til about a month ago.  It's called Avempartha.  I started reading it and was hooked immediately.  When I was done, I saw that this was a series and I had actually just read #2!  So I went on a search for #1 called The Crown Consipracy.  I was having trouble finding it and all other books (there are 6 of them).  I went to the authors site and saw the words "out of print".   GERR!  Frowny face!   But THEN I saw below that when the author was picked up by a publisher, the 6 books were put into 3 volumes (two for each one).  YESSSSS!!!  So I went out to find this book - and happily all three volumes are released as well  so I don't have to wait to read them all :)

You will like this book if you like Medieval times, fantasy stories, and....The Lord of the Rings, I guess if I had to name something similar.    The books follow Hadrian and Royce through some thrilling adventures (I dare say I was quite suspensed by many of them!  Is suspensed a word?  I just made it up probably).  There is a humor, suspense (as mentioned), sword fighting, rescuing, a cool wizard, dwarves, elves, thieves, and a  Gilarabrywn.   Say what now?? What is that?  Well...you'll have to read it to find out :)

I'm super excited to get the other two volumes and get lost!

Tez's Funeral

Paul's great grandmother, Montez Hunter, passed away three weeks ago.  She lived to 95 years old.

She requested a very small service, with a family-only viewing at the mortuary and then a short graveside service.  It was very nice and it's nice to know she no longer has to deal with the aches and pains that came along with her frail little body.  The poor lady couldn't see anything passed her nose, could barely hear, didn't move much. 

After the service, some wonderful women put together a luncheon and family was able to gather and eat some delicious food.  

It was a hot day.  Asher was sweating like crazy and so I put his hair in this funky little do.  He looked like a mad scientist :)

With his Uncle Matt:

'You talkin' to me?': 

Here is just a smidgling of my favorite pictures since Ash has turned 1. His personality is coming out more and more all the time and I'm just loving it!  Clockwise starting from the top left we have 'O' face on rocking horse, drunk face in the canyons, posing his cute little overall butt on the tramp at my parents, 'O' Face [I'm loving it!  he does it all the time now, especially when he is interested in something], having fun with dad doing yard work, crazy mad scientist hair, can't resist playing in water..even if it is the dog's, fruit Popsicle, big boy sitting on the steps and lastly, 'what do you want?' face with his Grandma Budd.

Mmmmm I Dunno - Is There A Resemblance?

At Paul's parents house last Sunday, I tried to take the opportunity to take Asher's picture right next to his dad's baby portrait.  Emphasis on tried.  He wasn't cooperating and he was being ornery to boot.  So these are the best I got...this time.  

Do they look like Father/Son??  That's a rhetorical question.  

It's a dark house with poor lighting and I had to use my flash to see anything, but as you know, that doesn't bode well for the portrait.  Don't blame me. 

Labor Day Weekend

We had a nice laid back weekend with a few dinners spaced between friends and family :)  Friday was a wonderful party at our friend's home for their little boy, Quinn.  Saturday was accomplishing many tasks, a little bit of R&R, and then dinner at New York Pizza (not impressed, btw).  

Sunday we had dinner with Paul's family.  His mom usually would have needed to be working but found out last minute that she had it off so we gathered for some food and spent a nice evening looking at old photos of  the family and having good laughs :)

Monday we had dinner with my family.  My parents birthdays had recently passed (my mom's more recently than my dad's) and they hadn't wanted to go through 'the hassle' (as they put it).  As much as we respected that, they couldn't do a dang thing about me bringing a surprise ice cream cake and having the family sing to them :)  It wasn't a birthday party - it was a Labor Day party...with birthday cake :)  So There.

My last minute decorating - I forgot my gel stuff (not that I want to eat that anyway) and so I used chocolate syrup - amazing, I know.

The guys tossed footballs and lacrosse balls and we had a great time lounging on the patio.  It was a great day, weather wise and family wise.  Yay for good memories :)

Gettin' Patriotic Up In Here

I've always wanted this.  I feel so complete now :) ...sorta

A few years back I acquired a flag.  I was bound and determined to fly my country's flag and show my patriotism because I feel it is something that is fleeing away, starting with my generation.  I didn't get to put it on my own flag pole because 1) I needed to acquire that one as well and 2) Paul signed us up for the neighborhood flag Scout fundraiser so each major holiday the Scouts came and hammered one into our front lawn and took it away that same evening.  We continued this until they no longer continued that.  

Then I needed to remember to make a trip to get a flag pole.  That was always taking a backseat.  But then, after randomly having this conversation with a group of friends, my awesome friend Teresa saw a flag pole at the BARGAIN PRICE OF $6.00!!!!!  She is the Queen of Bargains and she snatched this baby up for me (THANK YOU!) and now just look at it!  Wavin' around all proud and stuff {sniff}.  I'm a proud Mama! 

I think my Grandpa would be proud, too :)