Happy Birthday Party Day to you!

I woke up Steve this morning by singing "Happy Birthday party day to you!" and he said "oh you're cute" and went immediately back to sleep. Hmmmm....

So, I am off and running at before 6 am! It's gonna be a jam-crammed day and the first thing is getting groceries followed by an early soccer game for Riley (the last of the season)

And then... I'm off like a rocket to get everything done for (hopefully) a wonderful party for a wonderful man!

Allie, if you read this I'm taking some time out to send some prayers of support and comfort your way!

My eyes are heavy

but my heart is happy. It was a wonderful day spent with wonderful people. The sky has been gray and overcast and Steve and I have both been loving it!

Joanne and I spent the morning with Beth in her beautiful home set high atop a hill overlooking Ron's old log home. The sky was filled with gray and white, the gardens were scrumptious, talking to Beth is always peaceful and evocative.

Joanne and I wandered all over on the way home talking the whole way and then I ran to Joans for a quick visit to see Addie.

Steve and I then headed up toward Wooster to meet Terri and John and Francie and Gary! It was a wonderful meal shared with wonderful friends. Gary has the funniest stories, John is such an intelligent fascinating man and I never seem to find enough time to talk about everything I want to with sweet Terri. Francie is just as feisty as when we met up with her a few days ago in Kidron at Lehmanns Hardware.

It was just so much fun! Steve and I drove back and detoured through Hanoverton to admire the old brick buildings there and then headed back to the Lake.

I don't want to go home tomorrow. I just don't.

I want to steal the grandbabies and stay here forever.

sigh.

So far...

...here in Ohio I have not turned on the TV, not read a newspaper, have barely read a really, really good book I brought along and have not looked at a clock (none in the house where we are staying - although I have asked Steve a time or two to look at his watch)

However...so far I have walked in the rain, walked in the sun by a lake, laughed, hugged, celebrated, cuddled in bed talking for hours, admired flowers and landscapes, shared meals, laughter and tears with silver and gold friends, celebrated two birthdays, talked philosophy and book ideas, sat on the porch for hours watching herons and cardinals and sunshine sparkle on water. I have cried tears for two cousins who are both suffering and gone a far way down memory lane and back only to discover that I love my life. I love my friends. I love my family. And I love Ohio.

O H TEN

As my Dad says....Ohio! We're off! I'm excited! I'm soooo excited! Oh and BTW did I mention???? I'M EXCITED! AND HAPPY! Jessie and Kevin will be here in less then an hour so I need to get my rear in gear which is hard to do when I'm jumping up and down with excitement. Sorry you can't come!

Faith

"Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark."

Here little birdie...

Awww.... look at the little finch getting seeds from the batchelor buttons.

A company with a heart!

Ummm.... I want to tell you a little story that may seem a bit like a big fat work of fiction but it's true. I swear it on ... well... ummm.... my ex-husbands grave? Oh wait, he's still alive.... so... ummm... OK, it's just true.

A while back I got the Reds some rocketdog shoes:

http://www.rocketdog.com/

...which aren't super cheap. Definitely not K-mart but they were adorable and so are the Reds, of course, so what could I do.

But they were junk. Truly. Julia's little toes wore through the fabric before the third wearing perhaps so quickly because she was wearing them for the whole day at school, but still.

Anyway, I wrote to the company some time back because I was pretty annoyed that a pair of 7 shoes from K-mart holds up longer then their almost-30-dollar-shoes (but shhh.... don't tell Steve I spent that much, I probably fibbed a bit - ha)

So I had an e-mail from them today and they are going to honor the shoes and replace them and the girls are really excited.

And I am really excited that a company actually stands by their products!

If you need shoes go here first. It is an awesome company and I highly recommend it.

And now I want to tell you about going to the dentist this morning... ahhhh... I'll wait. Why ruin a feel good blog with tales of terror and besides, it'll give you something to look forward to.

But remember... go to:

RocketDog if you want to see some cute shoes!