Last weekend, a beach wedding

Sorry I fell off the grid folks... last weekend we had to go to a beachy wedding. Emerald coast. It was calling our names. It said Anthony, Lyndy, I miss you. Please come back.

Tough life, huh? ;-)
Tu du beach twice in a few weeks.
Spoiled we are.

Me and my sweetheart

The bride and groom

Clint and Kyla have been together for about 6 years. They had a sweet baby boy ~6 months ago. Decided to get hitched and make it official. They're a sweet couple. They have that spark, ya know? You can tell they're both just gaga for each other. Young and in love. 

God showed off (if He's capable of such) as they were taking the pics after the (uber brief) ceremony and threw a rainbow in the sky. Special!

Clint handed off his kid, his firstborn, his ONLY kid, to my husband. Not sure that he knew Anthony has only held like 2 or 3 babies in his life, but the kid seemed to like Anth. Did a lotta smilin' and no cryin'   

 Not that you need much decoration with the beautiful sand & ocean, but the flowers and sprigs of grass on the end of the aisles were a nice touch. And the center aisle for the wedding party to walk down was swept neatly before the ceremony to make it all pretty with lines and lovely rose petals were strewn along the edges. We sat in those white chairs like you see on tv beach weddings.

We know the groom (Clint) and his fam, and three of the dudes that were groomsmen. We went to school with all of em in our tiny little one traffic light town. Didn't know any of the folks on the bride's side, but they seemed nice.

At the reception, they called up the married couples so we danced to a slow song. I've decided there's not enough slow dancin' once you get outta high school. Anyhoo. At the reception we mostly observed the other crazy folks dancin' and lemme tell ya it was entertaining!

When they played Brown Eyed Girl, my husband and sweetie decided he should take his brown eyed girl out on the dance floor. I was tryin' to do like Hitch (Will Smith) advised Albert Brennaman... keep it right here (side to side, nothin' fancy) cuz whilest my man CAN dance... Lyndy? Not su much.

 Anthony and Clint have been tight since 1st grade.

He's a cool dude.

Well that's a quick tour of the wedding portion of our suhweet weekend on the Emerald Coast. So glad we got to go be a part of Clint & Kyla's special day.

Fright Lights

SooOoOo...... whadya think?! Aren't they great?! 

This is what me and my bestie did yesterday. Aren't we crafty?

They're called FRIGHT LIGHTS !

You need the following items to do project #1 (our favorite):

• Jars (or small glasses)
• Orange tissue paper
• Black construction paper
• Mod podge
• Paint brushes
• Scissors
• Glue
• Electronic candlelights
• Newspaper

For project #2:

• Masking tape
• Orange acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Black construction paper (optional)
• Electronic candlelights
• Newspaper

For project #1, cut strips of orange tissue paper about 1 1/2 inches wide. The length depends on your jar. You want the strip to go from the top of your jar, down the side and to just about the midway point of the jar's bottom.
It takes 10-12 strips.

 

Mix 3 parts mod podge to 1 part water. I let Leslie do this seeing as how I've never done it before. That stuff has a strong odor btw.

Brush a 3 inch strip of mod podge and lay a strip of tissue paper on your jar, smoothing it out as you go. Top to bottom people. Repeat all the way around the jar, overlapping them about a half inch. Let it dry... peel the mod podge off your fingers. It's like second skin. Super cool...

Drying...drying... patience....

Decision making time - do a jack-o-lantern face or Boo, whatever your fancy. Draw it out or free hand it, it doesn't matter.
Just use black construction paper and CUT IT OUT. 

Had to do one traditional for Anth....

Glue your art on the jar.

Hang in there, you're almost done!

Brush a thin layer of mod podge

over the entire surface (the tissue strips and the art). Let dry overnight.

Now for project #2...

   less steps, fewer tools needed...

Basically you cut a jack-o-lantern face (or any design) out of masking tape. You're thinking simple enough, right? Have you ever tried cutting masking tape with scissors? It is not so easy. Annoying is the word I'd use to describe it. Nonetheless, once you get that done, slap it on your jar and you're halfway done with this little project.

See?

After this, you simply paint orange acrylic paint all over the jar (we opted for vertical lines but you could be messy and crazy with your brush strokes if you're so inclined). Let it dry and then remove the tape.

(I got a wee bit impatient and pulled my tape off too early, so it kinda messed up. I decided to do the construction paper face like project #1 and it turned out great. With the second one, I was more patient and used a razor blade to go around the masking tape as I was pulling the tape off to ensure clean lines and it turned out nice with little smudging. You can scratch off stray paint with your fingernail pretty easily, so no worries.)

Our main beef with project #2 was that the face didn't show up very well compared the construction paper faces. I guess it's all about preference though. Whatever floats yer boat.

Even in the light they're pretty darn cute you gotta admit!

Don't forget to put your little electronic candlelight inside!

I'm thinkin you can use a real votive tealight, too if you wanna.

Saturdays are for...

• going to breakfast and then to buy mums with your mum
• going to a football game
• being serenaded by your hubby who plays a mean acoustic guitar
• reading a book
• laundry (unfortunately)
• pizza & watching football on tv

() Mom and I didn't do our usual Barrel breakfast. Went for chicken biscuits at Chick Fil A. Mmmm What's funny though - we were both wearing the same shade of yellow with a thin white stripe. Why didn't I take a pic? Because I'm a loser.

() Dawson is a 3rd grader (the hubby's nephew) and plays in a peewee league on Saturdays. The sun was perfecto, but the wind...not so much. And no, I probably didn't need to be out in the chilly air with this sinus crud, but I'm on antibiotics so hopefully I didn't do any harm.

() Sometimes if Anthony gets a song in his head, he pulls out the GIT-TAR and plays. It started out with a church song then of course switched to a Zac Brown song or two. These are the moments that make life sweet. He's so talented. His fingers make music. How cool is that?!

() Anthony loves college football sooo much. He is a Roll Tide fan and a Gator hater. Sorry Angela - you know it's the truth. We can still be friends though. :-) I sorta watch but mostly I'm just there to be in the same room with my man. I read or play my iPod. Because I'm a good wife.

Random

Random thoughts by Lyndy

• Hummingbirds are fun to watch, but there are hummingbird bullies. You remember in elementary school when you were at the water fountain, the swing, whatev, and this bully kid came up and with nothing more than a mean face could scare you away? Yeah. Those dudes apparently exist in birddom (bird kingdom). Sometimes at our feeders, you'll see a bully just scaring away the other birds for no reason. Hey fella - there's enough feed for alluhyall. 
• Speaking of animals...my cat has been snooty lately. She stays upstairs in one of our spare bedrooms all the time. It's like she's a teenager. Only comes out for food and to potty. If she starts asking for money or to use the car... 
• Sometimes I ignore the warnings about raw egg products and what not and I enjoy a pinch of an uncooked raw chocolate chip cookie. It's dough yo! And it's good!
• I'm mad at Mary today. She has discontinued my fave eye shadow and changed my makeup and I'm just not sure what # Beige I am now... Ms. Kay, why ya gotta change things? WHY???
• I have a sinus infection and had to get a shot and some antibiotics yesterday. Blah! So today I couldn't get my flu shot. Phooey! They tested me for strep though and it was negative. (do I hear a hallelujah?!)
• It's cool enough now for hoodies. Somethin to celebrate? Yep. Cuz I <3 some hoodies! 
• The burn on my arm is healing up pretty well. Did I tell ya I burned it on the heating element thingy in my oven the morning I cooked breakfast for my mom's birthday? Yeah. Second degree... buh-bye dermis... got some cream from the doc though.
• I talked to my little momma on the way home from work today. She asked me for a date. tee hee We're gonna hunt for mums this weekend.
• I'm smiling and happy right now because me & my beloved just enjoyed a mini Blizzard and watched a *NEW* episode of The Office (do it Nard dog!)

Weekend update by Lyndy

Friday night - no big shock here. Dinner and grocery shopping. Don't knock it til ya try it. It's date night 4 us. :-P

Saturday - Anthony had to roll out circa 5 am to go to work for a few hours. I slept in a bit. When I got up I decided the weather was perfect-o-mundo for a run. Ran 5 miles. Hadn't done that in a while cuz in case ya hadn't noticed, it's been reeeeeal hot this summer.

Did a smidge of laundry and became engrossed in a Shania Twain documentary on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) whilest the husband was gone to get some brake pads put on the wifey's car. Got a road trip comin up to be prepared for...remember? Peace. Love. Sandy Feet. Ringin' a bell? Perhaps a wedding bell? Yeah, we're heading to the sunshine state in a few for a wedding. Ahhhh mentally picturing myself relaxing on the beach now.

Bridgett came down to hang with us (cuz we're so cool) and we ended up deciding to go eat a steak for dinner. Yum! Texas Roadhouse was the winner. And it was great.

Sunday - survived the first Sunday at my church without my daddy as pastor. Whew. It will get easier. It will get easier. It will get easier... right?

Bridge went to lunch with us at the Barrel after church. She went on home to do some homework (she's in school 2b a teach) and I napped. For.a.long.long.time.

I convinced her to run with me so we did a mile and a half.

Then we worked on this bulletin board ...

well, I only helped... it was her project. We used my Cricut machine, the DonJuan font. Had to be somethin about health. The left side is the bad stuff and over to the right are some good/healthy habits. It turned out good, dontcha think?!

Well, that's it for me... nuthin too terribly exciting. But anythehoooo

A day to remember in my family history

Well, tonight as I sit here typing to you folks I'm about to do something I've never ever done in my entire life. I'm going to church tonight, to my home church, where my daddy isn't the pastor any more. Yep, Sunday was his last day there as senior pastor. Ugh. I hate typing it. I hate saying it. But he's gotta go do his thang. He's been pastoring since 1975 but as of Sunday, a pastor he ain't.

Dad's feeling the calling of God to evangelize full time. That's always been his passion. And he's great at it. There were many many nights me and my two bros did our homework in the back seat of the car on the way to revival and dinner was the golden arches drive thru or Krystals. Both were a treat. Dad used to get so mad at me for asking for my cheeseburger plaaain. Dad, I was just ahead of the game - too bad I didn't coin the phrase "have it your way" because if I had, I might be sitting pretty right now. But I digress.

Way back in 1987, this here is how my daddy looked on his birthday. It was right after we started going to New Hope. Guess ya could say one of his first pastoral pics at this church.

This is now...  

The last time I reckon he'll stand on that stage as pastor. He preached his head off Sunday, too. :-)

The family trio sung one Sunday... when Jonathan was little bitty he always loved singing (and still does). Trevor? Not so much. Me? Yep, I love it, too. But they'd only call me up for one song - Oh I Want To See Him. I'd either go barefoot or find my shoes real quick and run up on stage. See, Lyndy didn't like to wear her shoes in church. I wear em now, simmer down!

Daddy's an awesome preacher. I've lived with him and he's for real - what he preaches is how he lives, ya hear me?! No, he ain't perfect. Are any of us? God doesn't expect perfection though, does He? We just gotta try our best to live for Him every day and lean on Him. And I'm leaning on Him now cuz I ain't real happy about trottin' off to church tonight and my little momma and daddy not being there. Nope. But it's gonna be ok. It is. They have God's work to do and that's that.

My lovely family adores when Lyndy demands asks for a family pic.

And here we are, all of us, even my 89 year old little grandmother. 

Sunday was sad in a way, but everyone's excited for Mom and Dad as they start this new adventure, too. I think they call it bittersweet. It's gonna be weird to not see em at church and to see another man up in my daddy's pulpit, but life is change, right? Gotta go with the flow. Be strong, have faith. All that. Pray for me when you think of me. This is hard. Pray for my daddy too and my mom - they're stepping out in faith and into new territory. Oh I know God's gonna bless em big for it!

It was a birthday surprise for Mom

    A few weeks ago I decided since my little momma's birthday fell on a Sairdee that maybe I oughta do her a little sumpinsumpin for her special day... So I started emailing and texting (cuz if ya know me, that's my fave way of communicating) and I checked with my aunts and cousin and sisters-in-law and niecey-poo to see if they could land at my pad that day for a surprise breakfast, brunch or lunch. The calendars were clear for breakfast so it was on like Donkey Kong!

    I emailed Daddy to get him in the loop and I waited til the last minute to call Mom. I said whatcha doin, she said we're going out for my birthday in a little while, I said but TOMORROW's your birthday, etc. etc. and then segued into why don't you let me take you to Cracker Barrel for breakfast for your birthday in the morning... she said she'd have to check with Dad to see if he had any plans. I really thought I was super smooth and she had not a clue bout my little scheme. A little while later she called me back and said she was cool with it. She said how bout I get to your house at 8:30? I stammered cuz see, I had told seven people 9 AM...so I was like uh welllll okaaaaay and she said or I can come at 8 and I said momma, ya know I ain't tryin to get up that early on a Saturday. So 8:30 it was. Immediately hung up from her and started calling the aunts and texting the sisters-in-law and niece. Whew. It's hard planning surprises and being the best daughter in the world.

    Of course when she rolled up in the driveway she saw strange cars and figured it out I reckon. As she walked up the sidewalk I opened the front door and said I TRICKED YA!!! She laughed and said I knew something was up because you called me last night before it was time for you to be off work. Oops, called from the HOUSE phone and not the cell. Mental note: don't do that next time! Oh well, she actually thought we were all meeting up at the Barrel so she had that part wrong.

    We gave her a few gifties and cards. She smiled a lot. Cuz we said nice, sweet, special things to her. My card went something like this: Mom, I think we both know I caused you a lot of grief growing up... but I think we can both look back on that and laugh now. Mom, are you laughing? Mom...Mom???? 
          I know - clever card cuz I'm a clever girl...

Here's what we grubbed on

Country ham & homemade biscuits (courtesy of my WONDERFUL mother-in-law)

Egg/sausage/hashbrown cheesy casserole

Sausage rotel cream cheese crescent roll thingy

Pigs in a blanket

Fruit (to help with the guilt factor from all pig & carb loading)

Apple dumplins

And I actually brewed coffee (courtesy of Jen, a sis-in-law on Anthony's side of the fam who loaned me the coffee pot...and the coffee... oh and the creamers too)

  This is our lovely group pic. Calendar worthy? Yes...

Leslie - take note cuz this one has GOT 2 B IN MOM'S CALENDAR, K?!

Other noteworthy mentionings -

• I'm so OCD about things being hot and fresh that the night before I actually wrote a schedule for when each item should be put in the oven. And I stuck to it!
• Earlier in the week I had written out a to do list of all the house cleaning items I wanted to get done. A couple didn't get done, but I hope my sweet fam didn't notice.
• My dear husband pointed out how this day couldn't have been made possible without contributions from others. Not only did Janice cook the ham & bickets, I also borrowed her square table and folding chairs so we could all grub in the kitchen together. I don't mind people eating throughout the house, but we were tryin to fellowship! And I own coffee cups, but none of the rest of it. Ha! So Jen came through like a trooper. I love family that has stuff I need and can borrow. Oh and my friend from work loaned me those cutesy serving pieces.
• I burned my arm on the oven gettin the pigs out. Didn't squat enough. What's funny is the mark is almost identical to one on my other forearm (almost exact same spot) from that time I was ironing the curtains and bumped my arm with the iron. I'm so dumb sometimes!
• I NEVER say the blessing, but today I wanted to. I wanted the chance to tell God how special my mom is to us all and thank Him for her. And I meant all of it and more. She's awesome. And I love her a whole lot. And I'm glad we got to celebrate her birthday today.

Historic GLENDALE

As promised.... let's call this a mini tour of our girls day out last Saturday (our meaning the gals at church)... and might I say the weather was PERRRRFECT!

Glendale, Kentucky has a lot of great little shops with lotsa stuff and
this little eatin' place called the Whistle Stop
(known for its fried green tomatoes) right by the tracks.
You can even take yourself a horse drawn carriage ride if you're so inclined.

I have a thing for hats... but I didn't buy one. When I showed Sasha the
sailor style hat pic, she said she had tried it on, too.
Good taste obviously runs in the fam. 

Three ladies had to skate on back home 'fore we got this pic.
Just pretend they're here, k?

Melanna and I are so cool we didn't take off our shades...celebs we are...

It was a tough decision, but I went with the pulled pork and mac n cheese. It was quite tasty. The cornbread was like the size of a humongo pancake.

My table got tickled and plum giddy when Heather said her roll looked like a booty... I think there was snorting and guffawing...
ya know how it is when somethin just hits ya funny

Let's call this my blackmail pic. Mom kept saying to delete this one, even told
Shan when she snapped a pic of us but noooo, no
little momma, this one's here to stay...

 Ain't it the truth?!

 Old barn wood nailed togethuh with a slappa paint on it and an old shirt - creative!

 Looks edible, but it ain't! This here's made o' wood yall !

 Snowmen are snow so special :-P

IF I were crafty, I'd make me some of these. Maybe give em to my friends, coworkers. Super cute. But I ain't that crafty.

Wish I coulda thought of a place in my abode to place this pic. It was soo lovely.

My only purchase of the day was a vintage necklace and earring set.
It was so cute I donned the necklace within 5 minutos of purchase.
Yep, right there on the street I put her on.
I already had on two necklaces, but they say the more the merrier, right?

This pic will likely end up in Mom's photo calendar.

Too bad Michelle couldn't come.

Maybe we can Photoshop her in.

It was a super fun day and we made memories. I hope we make it

an annual thing. There's just somethin special about a girls only trip

and all the girls being Christians.

Friends.

People ya love.

Just special.

EXTREE special.

A little visitor

An adorable little boy called me Friday night.
It went somethin like this -
Are you ready for me?
Yes!
See you in a few minutes. Adios!

While I cooked dinner, the boys hung out on the porch for a spell. We had one of those new Velveeta cheeseburger mac meals (a glorified Hamburger Helper...Riley had two bowls!)

Riley brought lotsa toys and we played with em all.
    Then we attempted "Superman"

I think you can tell we both had fun...giggles all around

Mom informed us of his 8:30 bedtime. riiiight... I told her when the Carver brothers are over, we let them stay up really late. She said he should be in bed by 10:00 because they had a "big day" planned for the next day. So around 9 we started turning lights off and gettin cozy on the couch watching Spongebob. Riley yawned really big one time and I asked him if he was tired, to which he of course replied no (and buried his head in my shoulder to cuddle). I forgave him for that lie. ;-) We went to bed at 10:00 on the nose. He was asleep within 10 mins. Promise!

ANNNND the next morning at 6:36 am somebody popped up and smiled big as the cheshire cat. He started to wiggle out of the bed and I said Anthony's at work. He frowned a smidge and curled up next to me for a few seconds. Then he looked at me in his sweet 3 year old politeness and said Can I go play? I said yeah! And into the living room we went. Shortly thereafter, I served him the breakfast of all breakfasts - sugary cereal in a baseball cap shaped bowl. Wow, I'm a great role model. Don't you want to send your kids to me?

When Mom arrived for the dreaded pick up, Riley cried a bit. Riley's in pre-school now and she had told him Friday if he was good, he could come to our house. He asked her if he was good next week if he could come again. I like it that we're considered a reward, a prize even. I guess that means we're fun and cool, right? lol Anyway, he just keeps learning more and more at school and with his (teacher) mom. When Lisa picked him up, they read a book together and Riley was able to read several of the small words (e.g. fish, the, more, of).

Before ya turn around twice, this little guy will be half grown. I'm tellin ya time just goes by too fast. One of my nephews is turning 20 next week. TWENTY! That's two decades people. Ugh! I guess my point is, if ya have little ones, cherish these sweet little times cuz they're precious.