Writer's Workshop: A Vacation to Remember

Writing assignment from Mama Kat'' Weekly Writing Assignment

It has been a number of years ago, but one of the unforgettable vacations that came to mind was, when we went camping in the Summer of 2004.

We had not had our motor home for very long and I was really green.   Before this, we did have a camper that was permanently stationed at one of the military recreational facilities, but this was one that I got to drive.  Believe me when I say this, it is not as easy as they say it is, but I did not side swipe any vehicles on the road. I just had to have a focal point to guide me by.

This time was much different than any other time.  I had the most precious load in the motor home, my granddaughters.  Now two of them were my daughters that were born to be grandchildren but ended up with us adopting them.  Oh, but the other two were my Mandy's little girls.  Everyone was so excited to be going camping.  We had not put in the pool yet, so it was going to be fun to play in the water.

The famous bike

Everything was going just great, the girls had met some other children and we had  parked by the playground.  Bikes, golf cart, toys, books, and even a little grocery cart was found around the camper.  We even had Lacey, our little westie.  The little one, Shelby, enjoyed walking Lacey around, so it was a great surprise when she decided that she wanted to ride her bike.


Equipped with training wheels, Shelby takes off and has a great time.  That is until she realized that the road started going downhill.  At this moment in time, I look up and there she is flying! ( I know not really flying, but to this Nana is seemed like it)  What is a Nana to do, but start running for all I am worth.  Just as she is not sure what to do, she hits the piece of concrete.  You know the kind, the ones that keep the car from going any further in a parking space.  Oh, yes that kind.  Well, she hits the curb thing and flys over the handlebars.

Now at this time, my mind and heart are racing.  What am I going to tell Mandy and Bob?  Will they ever trust me with their children again?  What if she is really hurt, where do I take her?  Where are the other girls at this time?

I tell you now, that the Lord certainly has me covered with a lot of insurance!  At the very moment that Shelby decides she wants to fly over the handles, the Lord already had a nurse on hand.  I am not kidding.  The campsite that Shelby decided to visit had a lovely lady that turned out to be a NURSE.  She took over and examined Shelby and pronounced her okay.  She did come away with some scratches, but noting earth shattering.  So with a popsicle in hand and me pushing the bike home, I had to decide how much to tell Mandy.  Trust me when she reads this, I will get a call.  Because, I chose not to tell her just how scared I was, when I called.

Our Alexis

Our Gabrielle

Our little Shelby

Our Caitlin

Our Shelby and Lacey

Shelby, Lacey going shopping for pine cones

Caitlin is not sure of the water

Gabrielle and Alexis enjoying the water

Is she just the cutest?

This will be as far as I go

Right before the famous ride

Now years later , I can look back at this and say it has a deep place in my memory.  I always look forward to the month of June.  I load my car and head out to get my precious load again.  But these summers, we stay home and enjoy the pool.

New Blog Design

I finally got my blog looking better than before.  I found leelou-freelayouts.blogspot.com, and I had so much fun at this blog.  The blog has alot of different styles and I choose the one that you are looking at now.

One of these days, I am going to figure out how to do this on my own.   Thanks so much for bearing with me through my design.

Trying to rework my blog

Please excuse the mess here.  I have been working on trying to change the look of my blog.  I have sorked at least 6 hours and still have not got it done.

At least I did not have to fix supper this evening.  My girls fixed a great meal.  Now if I could only get them to undertand that you cook, you clean.

So please have patience with me.  I will promise that I will continue to work on it, until I have it like I want.

May the Lord be with each of you this week and may your days be filled with His presence.

Lizard in my Closet

One thing that will give me the  Hemmie Jemmie's are bugs, mice, and lizards.

The other night I went into my closet to get ready for bed and thought I would just wear some of my sweats.  Now understand, I sleep downstairs now, due to my mother-in-law needing to make sure that I am close at hand during the night.  So I have let my fancy night clothes stay where they are and reach for something that will give me warmth.  Seeing that the temperature drops downstairs at 9 pm.  This due to my darling husband.

So anyway, as I was reaching for my pink sweats, I noticed something jump onto the curtains hanging at the closet entrance.  As I looked over, a small lizard was hanging on.  Uck!  What was I going to do, the girls were not home yet and I absolutely did not want to touch it.  I didn't want to go out to the kitchen and get a jar, so I looked around and behold, the girls had left a large plastic glass in my bathroom.  So I grab the glass and find a dvd case ( I have a large tub and when I have the time, I enjoy watching a dvd).  I very gingerly place the glass over the lizard and slide the case over the top.

Captured

I take it to the living room, because I know that I need to take a picture.  I got brave and took the case off, because the lizard seemed dazed and was not trying to climb out.  After a few pictures, I place the case back on, because now he is alert and starting to climb the sides.  As I open the door, he really starts climbing to the top.  I get nervous at this point and drop the glass (thankfully it was plastic), he jumps out and then my dog, Captain Knuckles starts to bark.  I scream and I am sure that my hubby is wondering what is going on.  No, he doesn't even open the bedroom door.  What would he have done if someone was trying to take me. I guess he would have been less one wife!

Outside, where he belongs

Trust me, when I went back in to get my clothes on, (I still had on my jeans and shirt) I shook my sweats out and checked out the legs.  Trust me, if I had been sitting in my rocker reading and felt something crawling up my leg, the whole house would have have known it!

Question of the Week

WHAT IS THE SINGLE BEST TRIP YOU"VE EVER TAKEN

The best trip that I have ever gone on was actually a military move to the country “Turkey”. My oldest daughters were only 4 & 5. We went to the open market and found a new world opened up. The smells, noise, animals and the colorful people was fantastic. If I could go back , I would in a heart beat.


Read more: http://www.theresabook.com/2011/02/a-bit-of-meme-where-in-the-world/#ixzz1DntHjByX

Fill in the Blank Friday

This fun series is from Lauren, over at the little things we do.  So without another moment, here are the questions and my answers.

1.   The TV show/website that I watch/read that I would be embarrassed to tell anyone about is:  This one is easy,  I really don't read, web search or watch anything that I would be embarrassed for anyone to know about.

2.  An item of clothing that is worn and torn but that I love far to much to throw away is :  I tend to get rid of torn clothing.    

3.  My grocery store impulse buy is  : I love to stop by the meat counter and check out the good buys 

4.  Something I do at work to pass time that I wouldn't want my co-workers to know about is : I have the great privilege of being a housewife.

5.  One thing in my life that I could give up, but never will is : My Diet Dr. Pepper.

6.  A little indulgence that I have is : When I visit San Antonio to see my daughter, I love getting the Julio Chips.  You can only get them in Texas and they are so awesome.

7.  The junk drawer/area in my house is : In my kitchen.  No matter how often I clean it out, someone always messes it up and that person is not me!

What guilty pleasures are you indulging in this weekend?

The Fashion Hound Murders

From the back cover:

Josie had no idea that the business of fashion-forward puppies could get so ugly-until she's hired to check out a big pet store's involvement with puppy mills.  After she gets  a tip from a disgruntled pet shop employee named Edna, Josie discovers that behind the cashmere sweaters and bejeweled collars, cruel means of breeding designer dogs are being used.

While working the case, she's led to a puppy mill and sees the horrible conditions firsthand.  Something has to be done, and she has the footage from her hidden camera to prove it.  But when Edna is found dead, Josie realizes that sinking her teeth into this cause just might land her in the doghouse.

My take:

Josie has had her share of troubles in her "Secret Shopper" job. This job should be a breeze.  Agreeing to meet Edna after work hours to learn what she knows about the puppy mills,  Josie is a witness to a hit and run involving Edna.

Josie is now determined to find who is behind the puppy mills.  Could it be Jerry, the guy with the cute dog or is it Dr. Ted the veterinarian who is hot?  Can Josie find the real killer before she finds herself on the list?

Elaine Viets has once again brought the readers a great mystery.  I highly recommend this series.  Love all the characters, especially the relationship between Josie and her mother, Jane.  The shopping tips that the author leaves for the reader is helpful and interesting.  Would rate this book a #5.