a BIG change

I've loved blogging,
BUT. . .


I've decided to vlog instead.
I hope you'll subscribe to me on You Tube.

This is a duo vlog (video blog)  which my youngest daughter and I are doing.  It's called "Dixie Double".  If you visit me there please leave a comment so I'll know it's YOU!

   ~ deb

Snippets

*The word "snippet" sounds painful.  Ouch!

*We had a 5. earthquake here this evening.
   Really?  Really!

*Our newest Granddoll, Zoey, is now a
   member of the 3 lb club! 7 wks old.

*Several of you asked how the gals in
  our online girls group met.  (Here)
  We met when iVillage was a "thang".

*This week's Guilty Pleasure:
  Hershey Cherry Cordial Kisses. 
  I'm addicted.  I can't even care.

Unedited

I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive these unedited photos.  Dig deep.
If you've followed me a long time you know that each year I take a Girl's Trip with a group of friends that I met online.  Weird, I know!  We've been friends now for 10+ years.  We talk online most every day on our own private FB page and once a year we head to a different location for a "four day slumber party" which includes sightseeing, eating, laughing, eating, wine, eating, and having just the BEST time!!  This year the states represented by our group were:  Georgia, Oklahoma, California, Montana, Delaware, Chicago, and Texas.  Our meet up was in Ashville, NC.   I was so busy having a good time that I didn't take many photos, but want to share the ones I have.

This was a fun way to see the city.

And no trip to Asheville is complete without a tour of the beautiful Biltmore Estate.

During the festivities I was crowned this year's Queen of our group, complete with crown and sash!  

It is a huge honor to represent such a dignified group of women!

(The caption is an inside joke and if I told you I'd have to...well, you know the rest)

New guy!

There's a new guy in town
and I think I'm in l-o-v-e!
     Trader Joe!
No paid endorsement or such, just love at first sight.

I was happy when I heard this guy was coming to my town.  Not everything I bought was a win, but the things I did like were FAN-TAS-TIC!  My absolute favorites were the Orange Chicken, the Vegetable Rice, and the lightly breaded Eggplant.  All frozen and "quick fixes".   See that jar of Peach Salsa?  If Santa wants to bring me an entire sleigh full of those I swear I'll be happy all winter.  Haven't had a chance to try the Sweet Potato Fries yet but I've high expectations.  Let the record show the quiche and the pumpkin yogurt were both blech.

I've some friends who don't particularly love TJ like I do, but I can't imagine why.  Do you have a TJ where you live?  What's your take on this guy?

Girl Power!

I know I shared this information with you before, but I want to share it again with photos -

This is Zoey, our newest love.

Born September 17.

1 lb 15 oz.

This past weekend I got to see her myself.
I got to also touch her.

We are calling her "Zoey the Warrior Princess", because she is a Fighter.  She has gained a little weight but is still struggling and fighting 24/7.  She has some heart issues (we're told they're not severe) and she also has an ulcer.  Micro preemies have many obstacles to overcome, even in the best scenarios.  We know that prayer works and we know that many people are praying along with us for Zoey.  She's gonna be alright.  Actually, we know she's gonna be FANTASTIC!

Her sisters, HK & GaGa have spent the last month with us so that Mama could heal and so that their Mom and Daddy would have time to be with Zoey at the hospital.  We took the girls home last weekend - yes, their parents made us give them back, but we had fun while they were here.

We miss them already!

Big "D"!

This is our oldest daughter, Amy.
Last March we began to plan for a Girl's Get-A-Way trip to DALLAS in the Fall.  We did it!  We went to Dallas and had a great time, just the two of us!  We attended the Belong Tour  (and it was GREAT!), and thought we were quite clever because we figured out how to "Uber" to & from the downtown venue.

And we squeezed the city of Dallas to have all the fun we could handle while we were there.

Spending 3 hours in IKEA is a BIG honkin' deal when there's not one in your town.

We wanted to see this together.
We declared it to be as good as the first one.
Loved it!!

One day we ate our lunch while seated on the sidewalk of downtown Dallas.  Yes, there is a story but I've no time to "go there", so let your imagination spin a good tale in your mind.

Mexican Food at Papacito's and we "accesorizeed" it with these beautiful, yummy drinks.  Mmmmm Good!

Then before heading home we HAD to indulge in our favorite burgers!  Folks in Dallas take these bad boys for granted, but not us!  Yum!

Amy & I vowed to take another trip together next year.  Gotta, Gotta, Gotta do it!  Such a good time!!

It's ok to be Little Bitty...

I haven't had the opportunity to blog in quite a long time and I have so much to tell you, beginning with this -
(I'm posting from my ipad and don't know how to include photos).


We welcomed a brand new Granddoll
To our family -

Zoey Elizabeth

Born September 17, 2016

1 lb 15 oz

12" long

Absolutely astounding statistics, isn't it.?!

Zoey was born at week 26 of pregnancy.

She has some typical micropreemie issues

but is actually doing very well, all things

considered.  She joins Lil' MaMa, handsome Daddy

and sisters, HK and GaGa.

HK and GaGa are with us while Lil' MaMa is recovering from a complicated c-section delivery.  Please pray for little Zoey as she continues to astound her doctors with how well she is doing.  This "little bitty" still has a long road ahead before she is able to join her family at home.  "Thank you Jesus for our sweet miracle baby!" 

Honey Bees & Wienies

Happy 1st Birthday Baby GaGa!

(Those who follow me regularly will remember when she was born last year at week 26 (weighing 

2 lb 13 oz) We truly have so much to celebrate!

Little MaMa brought all the "stuff" and we had the party at our house.  She was celebrated by Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and the like.  "Honey Bee" was the theme.  There's just nothing like a child's birthday party to put a smile on everyone's face!!

Baby GaGa's sweet family!

Little MaMa, Daddy, 

Baby GaGa and Big Sister HK.

Did you notice the tiny baby bump that Baby GaGa is perched upon?  A little sister due to arrive at Christmas - I think she's arriving via Santa's Sleigh!  You can be sure there will be lots more to talk about this Christmas season.

* * * * * * * * * * *

And, just because it's National Dog Day -

Murphy dropped by to say "Hello" and to tell you that he also had a birthday 

and is now two years old!

#wieniesruletheworld

Sure hope you're enjoying these final "dog days" of August, I know I am!

Eye'm very pleased.

Waiting for the final prep (hiding from the camera) for my eye surgery.  One eye done (yesterday) and doing great.  Now waiting for two more weeks to do it all over again on the other eye.  Today my "new eye" tested BETTER than 20/20.  Yay!!

Mister. He dog gone went and done it.

I have no picture because I don't know what this looks like.  It's never been a "thang" before.  I need a book.  I need a muse.  I need advice.  I need sedation.

Mister RETIRED!!

We made the move from Louisiana to Oklahoma only a year ago for this job.  Who knew that almost a year to the day he would chose to RETIRE??  One makes big decisions like a move based on the facts as you know them, but sometimes things are not as they seem.  That's what happened.  Tho he really enjoyed and will miss the people he worked with, their was a glitch.  'Nuff said.  We talked it over and decided life was to short to spend it miserable if you have an option.  One week later it was done!  Already the stress is gone from his face and he's sleeping better.  Our summer is packed with family and events, but come Fall we really don't know what to expect.  How do retired people spend their time?  Don't you get sick of the constant togetherness?  Be nice and don't judge me.

I "think" Mister would possibly like to tutor kids who need help with algebra and such.  Maybe he could get involved with helping in a home school co-op.  I'm not sure how that would happen since we have no kids at home, but that's a possibility.

Oh my word I'm feeling really old!
And guess what else?
I'm having surgery later this month for cataracts.  We're definitely in need of the fountain of youth.

We're way to young to be this old!!

July Whirlwind

For us, July has entered as a whirlwind and it's only a third of the way done!  I have what's known as a blogger's dilemma.  When nothing is happening there is lots of time to blog, but when the days are whirling fiercely there's no time to blog.  So I suppose this will be a "catch-up" post.

We celebrated the 4th of July.

I even got a little crafty making a centerpiece.

Mister did a great job at the grill, which isn't always the case.  If you tell him I said that I'll be compelled to unfriend you.  (teasing, of course)

I call this our Norman Rockwell photo.

It captures the sentiment of the day,

not to mention our 3 oldest granddolls.

The entire "B" family,

including their new pup (a Chug)

named "Wriggley".  Do you see my sweet Mama seated to the right?

So loved having my baby boy home for 

THREE WHOLE DAYS!

You may remember that it was only a year ago that we almost lost him to a sudden stroke.  So happy to report that he is strong & healthy once again (and vacationing in Belize as I write).  "Thanks be to God the giver of all good things."

* * * * * * * * * * * 

We made a quick drive to and from Tulsa shortly after the forth.  Mister's elderly aunt passed on suddenly and Mister was asked to conduct her service   It was a long day but I think his Aunt would have been pleased with the service.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

This weekend our oldest Tulsa Granddoll and her BFF came to stay with us.  They had tickets for a concert here and we were pleased to give them a roof over their head and have some sweet time with them in between all their busy-ness.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Later this week we'll make the drive to Louisiana to bring these sweet girls (HK & Baby GaGa) and their MaMa, home with us.  They'll be with us for a few weeks while their Daddy is on a brief deployment.

* * * * * * * * *  * * *

AND, you'll never guess what Mister did.

Never!
But I'll save that for my next post since I've blathered on for so long already.

Busy or well-paced, I hope you're enjoying the sweet, sunny, days of Summer.  And I certainly hope your a/c is keeping you cool and comfy.

A Hangover in the midst of it all.

Finally, I was able to get Mister "inspired" to do the needed work on our deck.  (insert "Hallelujah chorus here)

And just in the nick of time.

Look at these temps!
I love it!  Summer has arrived, whether the calendar says so or not.

The deck turned out nicely.
I love spending time out here, just wish the mosquitoes would go far away, but that's a subject for another day.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Just had to share this with you -

Murphy has a "hangover".
Updated definition of Hangover: When your rump won't quite fit onto your blanket you have a "Hangover".

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

See this?

I put it together all by myself!!
Please hold your applause.

Now when the younger granddolls visit they will have something fun to do outside.  Win/Win.

Hope it doesn't come all "undone" the first time it's ridden.

Summer is my very favorite time of the year.
I can't imagine a world without Summer.

What's your thought when the big ol' sun is shining brightly?

___   Summer, I love it!

  ___  Fall, come quickly!

H_d_ _n_ e _ (fill in the blanks)

If I were a plant I would want to be this one.  I see lots of hydrangea bushes in full bloom right now.  Many of my neighbors have them, all lush and beautiful.  All shades of pinks and some blues.  Actually I think blues are more valued among "those who know" hydrangeas, but for me I've seen none as pretty as my HOT PINK blooms.

. 

This little bush was on "death row" - it hadn't bloomed in two years.  It was originally given to Litt'e Mama' when HK was born.  She in turn gave it to me.  It lived but never bloomed again.  I brought it with me when we moved to Oklahoma a year ago.  I planted it in the heat of July, declaring "f it doesn't bloom this year it's outta here".  So glad it came through in such a mighty way.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I planted some bulbs in very early Spring.

They were slow to break the soil but are now towering at 2' tall  I don't even remember what they are and seeing the height I realize I planted them in the WRONG place.  Ever done that?  I'll have to wait until they bloom to see what they are.  I love a surprise!.  Then I'll have to figure out when would be a good time to transplant them to a better location for next year.  That's part of the fun of gardening, don't you think?

I love seeing all the plant/flower photos floating about in Blogland this time of year.  Let me know if you've got some flowers to show me.  Don't want to miss a single bloom!

This is what happens. . .

when your favorite 3 year old comes to visit YaYa and YoYo for a week.

HK

At the park.

Ready to watch Jungle Book.

Yay for chores that involve water!

Red Nose day.

She loved seeing all the tomatoes on our plants.

The last day of her visit it happened - 2 little cherry tomatoes ripened up.

One for me and one for her.
Did she want to eat one?  Of course she did.

Blech!
It was more fun to watch them grow.

Then it was time to head home to Louisiana.
She takes a piece of our heart with her each time she leaves.  Love her so much!

Got any special guests coming to visit this summer?  I have wonderful memories of my maternal Grandmother.  I was her favorite.  (My Mom tells me that all the grandkids probably felt the same.)  Someday I'll post about her.  Do you have special memories of your grandparents?  I love old stories that revolve around special memories.