When I Grow Up I Wanna Be A Raccoon

 Monday was my middle girl's birthday. Her 21st birthday!! This is how she celebrated...

I'm pleased to say she took seriously her vow when she was eight  'to never grow up and leave me.'

Oh, what shall she be?

A raccoon!

 A raccoon?

Personally, I've never seen a prettier raccoon in all my life.

Um...okay...I'm not sure if this, this raccoony type of look is going to be helpful in the husband hunting department. And I need grandchildren.

She did entice others to join her. Big sister...

Married college friend. Point taken.

Young Cousin...who is being influenced. Calling all flamingos...

'Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they won't depart from it.'

Throw in a dog show, and you've got yourself a real celebration!

Dream A Little Dream...

 She married young that first time...and try though she might, her heart would be broken. She had three pretty daughters and worked hard to provide for them all the things they needed.

Sometimes she would get tired.

But, she let herself  dream... 

 She dreamed of finding true love someday. Of finding  just the right man, a good and just man to give her heart to. After 17 years of waiting, and hoping and dreaming...

 She met him! His name is Jack, her knight-in-shining-armor. He too had experienced heartbreak. But he let himself  dream...
Of love, and family and second chances.

And somehow, God orchestrated the whole thing. You see, she had to decide to move back home, to pack up her stuff and move clear across the state. She had to start attending the little country church near her house...

 

where she fell in love with the pastor.

And he? He had to trust again, to let love in, to take a leap of faith.
They were married on 'Cowboy Sunday' and the bride wore boots. She'd never had a real wedding before.   But now, she did. This is my dear cousin, Tonya, and I hope her story gives you one more reason to dream.

 

It won't be all roses and fairytales, this new life of theirs. Sometimes things will be hard, there will be misunderstandings, and hurt feelings. But there will also be love, and laughter, and good times. Lots of good times. There will be knowing glances, and  friendship,  foot rubs and warm embraces. There will be love. More and more love.

"Dream a little dream of me"...

A Small Burst Of Scary

Sometimes, I suddenly get a CREATIVE burst of energy. And then I immediately do something constructive and worthwhile...

Pretty scary, huh?! I know...

A bonding moment. "Hello, my pretties."

  
                                                        I'm really on a roll now...

It is truly amazing I have this much free time...Time to make my father into Tinkerbell's little helper...

Hello Daddy!

Don't give me any trouble. I'm serious about my creative work.

Yo, this is art people.

Whatever. Alabama is kicking Florida's hiney right now...

I Went Skydiving, I went Rocky Mountain Climbing...

I said...uhhuh, uhhuh...

There's no more room for cars or anything remotely resembling a car. You feel lucky that there's room for a bicycle or maybe just a pair of roller skates, in case you do need to get somewhere rather quickly.

Life is about adventure. It's about parking extra large items in the front yard.  I'm hoping we can add a comfy couch and  washing machine to the front deck ASAP...just for fun.

"Let's go sailing, shall we?"

"Yes, but let's wait until a hurricane gets here. That would make it even more exciting!"