Vera

I love Vera Bradley bags. My friend Crystal and I were just saying that the new fall colors of her bags aren't out yet. Well - they are!! Check them out: www.verabradley.com Marie, since we are going to lunch on Monday - maybe we can hit the Hallmark store!! I think I want a Frankley Scarlet!! They are retiring Hipster, Lindsey, Capri Blue, Mesa Red, and Pink Elephants.

Family picnic

My Uncle Rick, Aunt Maryann, and their three kids: Katie, Ricky, and Ryan came in from Washington state this week. Uncle Carl and Aunt Kelly had everyone over for a cook-out. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, and sausage on the grill. Here's a picture of Carl grilling in the hailstorm. Look at that deck covered in hail!


Here's a pic of Grandpa with his grandkids and great grandchild
Grandpa, Mark and I
Here's a family picture of the WA gang

Here's just the Ronald Welch group

Blarney's new 'do

Another Friday off - overdue errands finally done!

I worked 8-5:45 Monday through yesterday in order to have today off. We are doing compressed hours for one girl each in our office every week in the summer. I went to Laura's for a much needed haircut and highlights. She said she cut several inches off in the back. I love it!! Laura, Dylan, and I then went to Sam's Club. Mark always tells me we shouldn't join those places because we spend too much. But, I hate buying bulky stuff at the grocery store i.e. toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Then, I came home (unloaded my $300 of loot-I guess Mark was right, I did spend too much) and took Blarney to the groomer. He was overdue for a haircut too!! I took my car for an overdue oilchange. I got the car the end of August and just got my first oil change-don't tell my dad! I only have 6,000 miles on it though and Ford said the car can go 7,500 before it needs an oilchange. Well, I'm going to go make a quick dinner for Mark and I and then go clean the garage - yet another overdue task.

Father's Day

Mark and I went to Applebee's to meet Mark's dad and stepmom, his brother Pat, and his other broker Mike, his wife Melissa, and their two kids for father's day lunch. We had a really nice time.

Here's Ron and Mike


I was sure I'd be able to get a good shot of Aidan with my new camera, but still no luck. He's just too fast!! Then, he ran up to me and I just about cut his chin off when I snapped this one.
Mark, Ron, and Pat

We then went to my parent's house. Laura had to work, to it was just the 4 of us plus Blarney. Since I didn't get anything from Blarn for mother's day (Mark said it's because Blarney doesn't have a job), I didn't get anything for Mark. However, I did buy Blarn his own kiddie pool. He only got in it once or twice on his own, but my ankles spent a lot of time in there trying to persuade him to come in.

I wish I didn't do windows

Mark, Jeff and my dad went to an outdoor/indoor gun range about an hour from home today. They had a really good time. Jeff owns several guns and so does dad, but Mark doesn't have one (YET!) Mark's been shooting a few times before, and him and dad have gone twice this summer so far. I'm glad daddy has two sons now. No matter how many Matchbox cars Laura and I had (and believe me we had way more than any of the boys in our classes did) - we still liked Cabbage Patch and Barbie dolls more.

So I decided to tackle a yucky summertime job - WINDOWS! 18 screens later, I am done. I guess I shouldn't complain too much because the previous owner of this house spent $14,000 on those really nice Pella windows with the blinds in the middle of the two panes of glass. She had them installed less than a year before we moved in. She also sprung for the really nice thick wooden trims. I never realized how much windows make a difference in a house. Anyway, the reason I can't complain is because you can wash both the inside and the OUTside of the windows while INside the house. The one center pane of our 5-pane bay window can't be reached, but I just left it alone. I also have a carwash thing that you connect to the hose and it has a spinning brush that shoots out water and soap. The screens were a breeze to clean too. 365 days to go before I have to do it again.

Friday off

I took Friday as a vacation day, it was so nice to have a 4-day work week! I have only taken two half days off this year so far, so I was ready and needing a day off. When I woke up at 8:30 I had a note from Mark that said the power was off and had been since 7 am. He called and they said it'd be back on at 9-no problem, right. Since he works for First Energy, he had been doing a little calling around to see what the problem was. Laura and Dylan came over so we could go to the mall together. We left around noon and the power had just popped on while we were getting ready to leave the house. Thank goodness my house is generally pretty cool, the air wasn't even scheduled to come on since the temperature was cooler than the set point. Whew!

Dylan was great at the mall-so well behaved, just soaking in all the sites and people. We got some lunch and did a ton of shopping! Laura got (I think) everything that she needed to get, so I was glad for her. She doesn't get to get out much with the baby.

Then, Mark and I went out to Kelly & Carl's pizza place for dinner with my parents. I had a few more errands to run, so mom and I went to Wal-Mart, Circuit City and Best Buy and Mark and daddy came back to our house.

Nothing really exciting

Nothing really exciting to report.

On Thursday, my friend Denise's daughter, Alli, graduated from 8th grade. We went to the church service and then to her house for a party afterwards. It was nice, we stayed until midnight and then I remembered that I had to go to work the next day and babysit Dylan. I was a little tired, but we had fun and it was worth staying.

Friday night I watched Dylan and stayed until about 6 or so on Saturday afternoon. We hadn't really celebrated Mark's birthday with Marie and Ray (Memorial Day and then he was out of town) so the four of us went to Eddie's Creekside. Marie and Mark love their honey pecan chicken. I jumped on the band wagon and got that too this time. They brought Mark a cupcake and Marie and I got this yummy ho ho cake dessert.

Today, we went to Mark's mom's house for birthday dinner. Mike is May 30th and Mark is May 26th (just one year apart-what was Carol thinking?) so Carol made ribs-a family favorite. She made a hot dog for me since I don't like them. It was so great to see Evan, it was the first time we had seen him since the hospital. We were supposed to get together for Memorial Day, but their whole family was sick so they canceled. Evan is totally a mama's boy and cries when he's not with her. I asked Mark to bring Aidan the box from our grill and he had a blast playing in it and having us give him rides. Mark and I came home and played a long boring game of chess, which of course-I lost. It was a pretty nice weekend.

A way better video than the last one

Monday they had 2 guides for 3 people, one in the front and one in the back. The one in the back did a bunch of pics and videos. He wasn't able to video Mark because he had to stand by and "do safety" which means watching him and holding a rope to throw if needed.

Mark's home!!!

Mark had a great time, but said he was very glad to sleep in our bed last night. Here's a few pictures and a video. Mark said there were butterflies everywhere!
Look at that rushing water!

Mark's trip & my day

I talked to Mark tonight and he said he's having a great time. There were no class 5 rapids running, but they hit a couple of 4s. He told me: "we had a CHICK guide, and she was too cautious because no one in our boat fell out" He said the group in front of them was there for this guy's bachelor party and each and every one of the fell out of the boat because their guide was awesome! He said that's one of the best parts is falling out of the boat - I do not think so!!! I think today they did the Lower New and tomorrow they are doing the Upper Gauley in West Virginia. They did some hiking yesterday too. Mark said they all jumped off a jump rock which he said was at least 30 feet. I miss him (Blarney does too!) but I was glad to have the day to myself. I thought I'd be lonely, but once a year I could get used to this being alone stuff. I basic cleaned the whole house, and pooped out before I could do a deep spring cleaning. I was hoping to get the windows and screens washed, but that didn't happen. Blarney and I did go on two 2+ mile walks today though. I also went grocery shopping and to a few stores looking for a new digital camera. I ran into a friend from elementary school that I keep in touch with about once or twice a year. It was nice to see her even if it was just in a parking lot. I think I finally found a few cameras that I like. Just ask anyone who knows me and I have to make a spreadsheet before I buy anything to make sure I'm getting exactly what I need and at the best price. Well, that's about it. I think I'll turn in early.