In my boss's garden

Tiny froggy visitor! Too cute!

Mom, Dee and Arlene

I don't really remember life without these women in it. They were friends from the time my mom was 11 I think, stayed friends their whole lives. Each with their own families, mom with me and Randy, Dee with Rick and Steve and Arlene with Christine and Colleen. We were raised together, still count ourselves as friends even though we don't see each other often. Funny thing is, like with our moms, regardless of how many years go by we just seem to be able to pick up right where we left of.

I recently reconnected with Colleen on Facebook and we've been reminiscing a bit. It's been a blast to catch up with one another. Just fun. Remembering times we spent together as kids running with our moms all over the place. That's what summer was for, right?

This morning Arlene died. Long, loving, happy life. She'll be missed. I'm glad I can be here for Colleen and for Christine as well...amazing how the Lord works. Bringing us together just now.

I can't help but think of the happy reunion when Arlene arrived in Heaven this morning...with my mom there to greet her. Oh, happy day!

A fun teaching afternoon and evening

We enjoy most of our neighbors here, by and large they are a great group of folks. We particularly enjoy Al and Ruby who live across the street from us. We often visit while we are out walking Beau or watering the yard or getting the mail. They are the sweetest couple!!

Recently, Ralph started playing pinochle in the weekly game at the clubhouse and really enjoys it. He thought it would be fun if I could learn to play and join him, so I showed up and thought I could look over his shoulder and pick the game up that way! Wrong!! The play is far too fast and I didn't know the lingo, plus they all converse while playing. Long and short of it is I didn't learn a thing, gave up and came home early.

Al noticed my early departure and asked Ralph about it, when he found out I couldn't play he talked it over with Ruby and they invited us over this afternoon for no pressure games/lessons for me! We played several games with visiting and snacking, then took a break for strawberry shortcake! Then we played and talked more and surprisingly, I got better, little by little.

After we'd played to 1500 twice they decided the guys would go get pizza and we'd have supper and visit some more! So we had Papa Murphy's pizza and Foster's beer and a lovely time all around. And they sent us home with strawberries and shortcake so we can have this treat again tomorrow!!

Have I said how much we love living here??

A house divided?

I drive by this house every day on the way to work, and these signs caught my eye because three of them are for mayoral candidates. We have five folks running for mayor this term. Made me wonder what kind of political debates were happening around the dinner table. (the green and white sign is for our neighbor Betsy, who's running unopposed for city council).



One day I finally checked it out further and discovered they have a little business that they run out of their house...for signs!

Go Peter! You gotta love a guy with radio station call letters for a last name! KMET!!

Fourth of July

The family picnic and fireworks at Donna's were great! We had a nice visit with everyone, had a ton of great food and there were three families (including us!) in the neighborhood shooting off the best fireworks I've seen in years...

First - the food! We had brats, burgers, hot dogs and steaks on the grill...Lyle grilling! Plus all kinds of snacks, salads and desserts.

Here's Marlene, Ruth, Donna, Dennis and Lynn enjoying the picnic!



Table two: Ralph, Victoria, Dianna, Cory and Lyle.



Brandi and Annette:



LT looking sharp!



Then we played cards, basketball and visited until it got dark enough for the fireworks. Here Cory, Donna, Marlene and Victoria play.



Ralph and Lyle looking over Angie's wedding pictures...she and her new husband Kelby were apartment hunting in NM for Kelby's new job while we visited so we didn't get to see them in person this time.



Donna with a two pointer!



Brandi and LT:



Lyle (making the shot), Lynn, Cory and LT.



This was just PART of the arsenal that Lyle brought...the neighborhood was like a war zone, a pretty war zone but WOW it was loud, bright, beautiful and fun.



Here's Ruth and Dennis:



Annette, Lynn and Dianna:



Marlene, Brandi, LT, Donna, Lyle, Victoria and Cory.



After the fireworks Dennis and Ruth and Lynn's family said their goodbyes, but in the spirit of "the night is still young" several games of Whist ensued.



While Brandi and Beau called it a night!





They certainly bonded during our visit and Brandi's new mantra is "I want a Japanese Chin!"

The new used car

Okay, after two road trips in the Hyundai we decided we needed a more comfortable road car. The Hyundai zooms, and gets great gas mileage doing it, but the seats leave something to be desired on a long road trip. You get the picture! Since I love the Hyundai and want to keep it as my daily driver we decided that Ralph's old Camry would be the car we'd lose.

So the hunt began. He looked online, and we visited several car dealers and drove a few contenders. In the end we decided on a 2006 1/2 Kia Optima! Boy is it a nice car and it has all the bells and whistles that a guy could want! Plus more interior room and luggage room that the Hyundai every hoped to have. Ralph loves this car!



And the Camry found a good home with a local high schooler! It's all good!