Spring Projects Begin...

Well we have finally gotten to this ugly corner at the end of our drive. Let me tell ya, that section has bothered me since the day we moved in. There was a huge ugly overgrown bush there that my brother-in-law pulled out for us with his truck this past summer, then it left a hole and the bricks all out of sorts, so it's been an eyesore! I always knew what I wanted to do, but other projects took priority. But we knew we could not go another year without addressing the ugly corner. So, the landscapers spent the day working to clean it up and added this corner fence, and lined it with boxwoods, which will turn into a hedge eventually. It turned out great. They also left the area ready for planting once the weather permits. I'd take any suggestions if you have any of what should go in the planting bed. My thought was to add 3 pretty bushes and some perennials, but I'm not sure yet. I guess I'll see what the nurseries have that may catch my eye. So, I hope you like how it turned out. I'm happy!

Spring Break 2009

Whew...well our spring break week is over, and now back to reality! This year we went to Monterrey, Mexico. It is a large city in Mexico where my dad's family is located. When we were growing up, it was our yearly summer vacation. We would all squeeze in mom and dad's car and drive down to visit our grandparents and family. I had not been there in 17 years, since the passing of my grandmother, but we've always been close to the family, so going back there was a special treat. This is the first time my husband has gone, and my two boys. I was pretty worried that hubby was not going to adjust well....you know the way of life there is so much different than it is for us in the U.S. But to my pleasant surprise, he had a wonderful time, and my aunts spoiled him rotten with their daily cooking frenzy! My boys also had a wonderful time with all of the cousins, and so they are already asking to go back next year. The weather was perfect, all week was in the 90's and even into the 100's for a few days. Our week was action-packed. Every day we did something different, and spent a lot of time visiting, and partying with the family. I must admit that a piece of my heart stayed there. I was sad to leave. But, it's also always nice to come home, and to sleep in my own bed. A few pictures below to share our spring break vacation with all of you. Hope everyone is doing well. I hope to get around to paying you all a visit really soon and getting caught up! Monterrey is located in the Northeast part of the country, approximately 3 hours from the U.S. border.

I took this picture from the truck. This is the bridge that divides Mexico and U.S.

We were headed into Mexico.

This is the view driving around town in Monterrey

This is a picture of my grandparents' grave -

dad took fresh flowers

That is my two boys, my dad, and my aunt

from Mexico. It was really hot on this day!

This is a snapshot I took out the backseat

window as we were leaving the mountains

This is a snapshot of the caverns - a big mountain
that you get pulled into and the tour is approx.
1 hour long - we were really tired by the end.
It's called "Las Grutas de Garcia"
A view from the vestibule that took us up to the
mountain, the view was breathtaking...

This is the most famous mountain in Monterrey, Mexico

It's called "Sierra de la silla" which means

mountain of the sadle, because it's peak resembles

the sadle of a horse.

This is a new attraction where you ride the boats for a

1 hour tour. It was relaxing and beautiful.

This is a view of a market where vendors were

selling food, candy, and baked goods...wish you

could smell this....

A view at the "Mercado" - a marketplace

where vendors sell their goods.

This is at the bottom of one of the

mountains, the stream was calming...

Looking up from the stream was this cave in the

mountain, where bats congregate at nightfall... This is my favorite...the roosters were just

roaming around at the bottom of the mountain...

A view from our truck just minutes from the house...

Hope you all had fun! I know we did!

THANK YOU - PRAYERS ANSWERED!

She came through surgery very well, is now alert and talking and the best of all, they got it all! She's on the road to recovery. GOD IS SO GOOD! THANK YOU ALL for all of your prayers, he heard us...he heard us!!!! Best news of all, it was not a tumor, it was a parasite!

Update on Friend.....

My friend is in surgery as we speak to remove the brain tumor. Please pray...pray...pray.....

Please Pray For My Friend.....

I have been very sad these past couple of days. One of my closest friends at work (Carmen) has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She is the most beautiful woman you could ever meet, both inside and out. I am worried sick about her, and I need all of my wonderful friends who are so close to God to put her in your prayers. I don't know all of the details, only that she is being transferred to one of the University hospitals, so she will be in good hands. I have faith that she is going to get through this. I ask for your prayer for this wonderful friend that I love very deeply.

A Generous Gift of China...

Mom came over and we spent Saturday morning cleaning out the china cabinet. My dear aunt from California, you know the one....the one who made the beautiful drapery for our guest room. Well, while she was visiting she noticed that I did not have any cups and saucers in my china cabinet. I told her that I did not own a full set of china. Well...that was all it took. She immediately told me that she had a full set for service of 12 that she wanted me to have. She thought it would match well with the brass touches on my cabinet. So, I received the china by UPS late last week. When I unwrapped it, I thought it was SO beautiful, and I could not wait to get it all set up. Thank you sweet aunt Rachel, you are so generous. You know I will take such good care of this set. You helped make my dining room look beautiful!

Anti-Aging Products....

Last night I finally met with a dear neighbor and Arbonne (http://www.arbonne.com/) Consultant, Carol. We had coffee and conversation while she introduced me to Arbonne. I had really never heard of this line of cosmetics until I met Carol. So, she sends me home with a bag of full-sized bottles of this 6-day anti-aging regimen. Now, last summer I would have said "What? I'm too young for anti-aging product!" But you know I found that patch of grey hair, and I could swear that the wrinkles showed up pretty much right after that. Aaaaarrrrrgggg!

I went straight home after our coffee and jumped in the shower. Washed my face with the facewash, then sprayed with the toner, then used the eye creme...and finished up with the night creme. I actually kept going to the mirror to see if I looked any younger....blah! This morning I woke up ready to start again, with the washing of the face, the toner, the eye creme, the lift, then the daily moisturizer. I know it sounds exhausting...trust me, I wash with Oil of Olay foam and put on the moisturizer and I'm good to go. No fuss kind of gal! But I was surprised how quickly I got through the routine.

BUT, my birthdays seem to be creeping up faster than I can count....and that alone is freaking me out! So....I will give these products a try...and see if I see any changes or improvements! For now, I wanted to share these products with you, just in case you'd like to give them a try. They are all natural products, and it's good stuff.