Things that make me smile! ☺

cute smiles...

...fast boats and jumping in the lake...

...naps after a fun day in the sun...

...yummy, fun cakes...

...good friends....and

messy, sticky sucker faces!

Happy Summer!!!

How to Make a Cord Cover

First cut yourself a strip of material. The longer the better!! Even when you think it's too long, it's probably not!
Fold it wrong side out.
Hem your short edges...

Sew your strip together. Leave your opening wide enough for your plug to fit through!

Once you sew your strip together, trim your edge!

Now start turning it right~side out!

Slip your cord into the cover ...

And wa~la!! Your cord looks so much nicer!! Be sure you bunch it up to make it look gathered! If you need an extra long one, make two and push together!

Have fun making your own and send me a picture of what you do!!!

Paint

Decorating our house has been s--l--o--w. I am always on the lookout for decorating ideas I can use in our home. Recently, I saw some bathroom cabinets that had been "crackle" painted. I fell in love! ♥

The boys bathroom had new tile and counter tops when we moved in but everything was WHITE! The sink, the counter, the vanity. BORING!! But look at it now!! Anything but boring!?

I just used the shower curtain I had and went with the red and brown theme.
I am a little concerned about what will happen when I change the shower curtain. #!@#!*!

(you might see decorating ideas that I've gotten from you too!! Lar and Julie!! Thanks!)

illusions® Faux Finish Crackle Medium from Sherwin Williams (no, I'm not getting paid for this!!! ha!)
Formulated to cause latex topcoats to crackle, providing a textured finish that mimics antique or aged looks
Can be easily applied over any painted, primed or sealed surface
Transforms new furniture and fixtures into instant heirlooms
A fresh take on antique style!

The Lazy Days of Summer

The lazy days of summer are HERE!!

Some of us are excited! And others, well, whatever!!

We finally got the pool opened this weekend! Just in time with our 109 temps!!

Yes, lazy days are here...

with lots of time for luvin' on each other!

And lots of time to play with the Ipad and Ipod the boys got from Grammy when they finished school! Thanks Grammy!

I've even had time to create some fun things for the house! When mom was here for Zach's graduation, we went to a really fun and ritzy home interior store and saw these cord covers to make your lamp cords look fancy! Mom suggested I make my own since they were outrageously priced!! I was soooo happy mom suggested it because they are very easy and fun to make! Plus they add a touch of elegance to your home! I am hunting down every cord in my house to redo! ha
Hope your first days of summer have been good ones!

LoOnS iN JuNE!!

How crazy does this look??? We took a day and went to Dan's family land to kick around, and of course one of the favorite things to do when we go is the boys get to drive!! Zach does really good, but I'm so glad he has a patient dad to help him learn!!
Our Sunday School class is having three get togethers in June at our leaders house this summer. They are calling it "Loon in June!" For the first one they rented some large trikes and we all got to ride and race!

Drew patiently waiting his turn...

This picture cracks me up of Dan but he's in the lead!!! He won a $25 dollar gift certificate too!! Yay Dan!

I was sooooo nervous for my race! But it was soooo fun! I came in a close 2nd! I have never pedalled so fast in my life!!

We are thankful for our friends and these fun times together! Can't wait for the next one!!

(Drew was swimming at this point!! and Zach has some crazy bottle pop in his mouth!!)

Graduation 2010

Reagan Magnet Elementary 6th grade graduation!

Zach as he walked in! Each student walked in alone and very slowly! There were 88 students! While it did take a while for them all to come in, it was very nice!!
The graduates waiting for everyone to get in!
Receiving his award for Citizenship!

Receiving his diploma!!

Proud dad!

Thanks for coming to see Zach graduate Grammy!! ♥

Grandmommy and Grandaddy proud of their 6th grade graduate!

Our Reagan Magnet Elementary graduate!!

We are so proud of you Zach!!

We wore our Reagan Blue!! ☺

Zach and Tia!!! Big conversations as we go to lunch!!♥

THE LAST TIME I TAKE ZACH TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Last day of school, May 28, 2010. Zach, I am so thankful for all our memories of going to school each morning. I love you so much. ♥

Abby's high school graduation!!!! Seeing her in her cap and gown really made reality hit.

Congratulations Abby!! Keep shining brightly!!! ♥

Whew! What a "stressful" week. Lots of emotions going on this week! But we all made it!

Now to the future!! Good times ahead!!!! ---------------->

Bronchitis in Dogs

Here is our sweet yellow lab, Goldy, with our sweet friend Mariah.
It is easy to see the love between these two girls! ♥

This weekend our sweet lab got really sick! We have all been so worried about her!!! I really thought it was the end for her...thankfully, after a trip to the Vet, that is not the case! whew! She has bronchitis!!! So after three or four shots of anti~inflammatory, antibiotics and a prescription of narcotics, she is home resting well and not coughing or having trouble breathing. Poor girl!! Here is some info. on bronchitis in dogs! Who knew!?!!

The Telltale Cough
Constant coughing is the most recognizable symptom of canine bronchitis. The cough will usually get worse when you take your dog for a walk or if she does any energetic playing, and it may be worse at some times of day than others. Sometimes dogs will become so short of breath that you can actually see a bluish tinge to their tongue and gums, though if your dog is a Chow or Chow mix, this blue tinge is likely permanent. Dogs with very severe cases of bronchitis may become so worn out by coughing that it causes them to faint.
Difficulty with Breathing
A dog with bronchitis will often be short of breath and may gasp or wheeze as he struggles to get enough air. He may also breathe very rapid, shallow breaths, a symptom known as tachypnea.
Retching and Gagging
Bronchitis breathing difficulties can also cause dogs to retch and gag. It may sound as if your dog is actually going to vomit, but she is just trying to clear the mucus from her throat.
Loss of Appetite
Dogs with bronchitis often experience a marked decrease in appetite and may lose a significant amount of weight. As sudden weight loss can be symptomatic of any number of serious conditions, however, it is important to have your dog thoroughly examined by your vet to rule out other possible causes.
General Lethargy
Lethargy is another symptom than can result from almost anything that ails your dog. If he is exhibiting other symptoms of bronchitis, particularly the chronic cough, the lethargy may well be due to the constant struggle to breathe, but it is still important to have a complete veterinary exam to eliminate other possibilities. Coughing may also be symptomatic of heartworm, and if that is the diagnosis, you dog will need treatment right away as heartworm, unlike bronchitis, is often fatal.