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May 28, 2015

Thank God for Blue Sky and Sunshine


This is the view from my desk this morning.  Praise God for the blue sky and sunshine!!!
It was so nice to drive to work with the sun shining and the roads dry.

I stumbled across this song by Jason Mraz on YouTube.  It's called the "Sunshine Song".
I am sending out my ray of sunshine to you wherever you may be.

 

Isn't this a beautiful song?  I'll be adding this one to my playlist.


Take care,

Debbie

May 27, 2015

Checking In


I'm sure you have heard by now about the crazy flooding that has taken place in Houston.  I wanted to let you all know that we are fine.  We were blessed and did not have any flooding near our home.  Thank God.

However, there are quite a few families in Houston that live near the bayous and were not as fortunate.  My heart goes out to them as they clean up the mess and make repairs to their homes.

Our weather forecast shows rain for the next several days.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that the worst of the flooding is behind us.

My heart is heavy for the people of Wimberley, TX.  Wimberley is a small town with a population of 2,700.  We were fortunate to visit there last October for a wedding.  I did a post on it here.  The Blanco River rose 26 feet in an hour and flowed like a wall of water through the town destroying homes and taking lives.  They are still in a search and rescue mode for twelve people.  One family had gathered together to celebrate the holiday weekend and their home was washed off of the pilings and taken down the river.   My prayers go out to their loved ones and hope they will be found soon.

epa04769391 A flood damaged home sits beside its foundation

In Devine, Texas a beautiful girl, Alyssa Ramirez, was traveling home from her prom when her car was swept away.  She was 18 years old.  Alyssa had been crowned Homecoming Queen that very night.  She was only two miles from her home.  My prayers go out to her parents.


I want to give a shout out to the Texas Association of First Responders for doing a great job in ensuring the safety and well being of our great city.  Thank you!!!

Take care,

Debbie






May 22, 2015

Happy Friday!!!

brusceta.jpg

Doesn't this look delicious?

I had the pleasure of having dinner with Mary, a very good friend of mine, on Wednesday night.  She suggested that we eat at Grazia's Italian Kitchen in Pearland, on my side of town.  I had never heard of them before as they do not advertise anywhere but Facebook.  :)  If you know me, you know I am rarely on Facebook.  Let me just say that if you ever find yourself in Pearland and you are looking for a place to eat....stop by Grazia's Italian Kitchen.  You will not be disappointed.

I had the Chipotle Shrimp salad and it was delicious!!!  Mary had the Red Snapper with crawfish.  She was kind enough to give me a sample....it was so good!!!  These two dishes are new so you will not see them on the menu on their website.  The service was awesome and the company was even better!  We talked non-stop for hours.

I can't wait to take the hubs there for lunch or dinner.  The atmosphere is casual and very relaxing.  You have the option to sit outside on the terrace or inside the restaurant.  We chose to sit inside due to the fact that it was raining (imagine that!).

I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
Be safe and take care!!!

Debbie



May 21, 2015

Dreaming of a Vacation On the Beach

Rustic Coastal Bedroom
Happy Thursday!!!

I created a mood board.  I am still new to creating mood boards but my intent was to have the bed facing the patio area so you can feel the breeze blowing in.  Wouldn't it be awesome to start your day waking up to a breeze like that?  Or even waking up from a nap?

I am daydreaming of being there, a few feet away from the ocean.  Are you with me?

Hope you have a beautiful day today!

Take care,

Debbie




May 20, 2015

Beautiful Life


This year's winner on American Idol is Nick Fradiani.  I love the song he has released "Beautiful Life".  The words are so relevant to our daily lives.


These days well they're lookin' up
We got so much to say
We got someone to love
We got good friends
They're so good to us
And haters can hate
And fakers can front

So we try to live
Like it's all we've got
'Cause for all we know
This could be the last night of our lives
Gonna chase down our every desire
We blaze the night
With all we've been waiting for
All this time
Reaches such great heights
Gives us just one perfect night
To say oh what a beautiful life
Oh oh oh
Oh what a beautiful life

Here it comes out of the dark
We've got nothing to fear
We've got nothing but heart
Can't just wait here
To see what it brings
We've got too many hopes
We've got too many dreams

So we try to live
Like it's all we've got
'Cause for all we know
This could be the last night of our lives
Gonna chase down our every desire
We blaze the night
With all we've been waiting for
All this time
Reaches such great heights
Gives us just one perfect night
To say oh what a beautiful life
Oh oh oh
Oh what a beautiful life

Last night of our lives
Gonna chase down our every desire
We blaze the night
With all we've been waiting for
All this time
Reaches such great heights
Give us just one perfect night
To say oh what a beautiful life

The last night of our lives
Gonna chase down our every desire
We blaze the night
With all we've been waiting for
All this time
Reaches such great heights
Gives us just one perfect night
To say oh what a beautiful life
Oh what a beautiful life
Beautiful life
Oh what a beautiful life
Oh, oh what a beautiful life



Even through trials and tribulations, I am so grateful for this beautiful life I have been given.
God is good.

Hope you are having a great week!!!

Take care,

Debbie


Don't hesitate to let me know if I've screwed up the words.  I can't tell you how many times I've listened to it!

May 19, 2015

Funny Story About FaceTime

Good morning and happy Tuesday!!!

If you have been following me for some time you have probably met my grandson, Mr. W.  He is just the cutest thing!!!


 A couple of months ago, Nonnie (Brooke) was watching Mr. W and she FaceTimed us.  Now every time Nonnie is over there he asks her to call Maw Maw and Paw Paw.  This usually takes place in the evening.  You know the time when you think it is safe to look your worst, right?

One day I was telling Nelly (my go-to person for all things techy) about his calls.  She laughed and showed me how to turn it around so he could not see me but still hear me.

Well yesterday afternoon I had a 90 minute massage and a 60 minute soak in the tub (don't hate me!).  I was feeling so relaxed which interprets to I looked like hell!  I hadn't washed my face yet so I still had mascara all under my eyes from the massage.  I was looking a little rough!

Guess who calls at 8:30 p.m. to FaceTime?  Yes, it was Mr. W.  :)
The hubs comes in with no warning and hands me the phone.  So I talk to him not wanting to show myself, right?  Well that didn't go over very well.  He had the most confused look like where is she?  Needless to say I had to show myself so he would be happy.  After that he gave kisses good night and said bye.  Just adorable!!!  I know he doesn't care what I look like...I guess it's the feeling of being caught off guard.  I have to say it is so worth it!!!

The moral of the story is you may not be expecting guests at your door but they can still show up in other ways!!!

Do you have any funny experiences with FaceTime?  I'd love to hear them!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Take care,

Debbie




May 18, 2015

Yard Work

 

No, we didn't move!
The hubs and I helped Brooke rework her front beds this past Saturday as she wanted to surprise her hubby with the new look when he got home from work.  The weather was nice with a good breeze.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.  Here are a few before pics.


   
The beds turned out really nice.



We replaced the fake flowers with real flowers.


Not bad for under $100 and free labor!!!

How was your weekend?  Did you mark anything off of your "to do" list?

Take care,

Debbie

May 15, 2015

Happy Friday to You!!!


I am sure you are as excited as I am that today is Friday!!!
Woo Hoo!!!  It's time to do the happy dance!  Are you ready?  Let's do it!!!


Last night for dinner I grilled chicken breasts that had marinated overnight in Italian dressing, sweet potatoes and fresh zucchini from Nelly's garden.  It was yummy!!!  Oh how I love grilling.  There is no mess to clean up especially when I grill the sides, too. 

We don't have any big plans for this weekend, just the usual stuff like finishing working on our project list for the backyard.  :)  I did an update yesterday on our project list so we have quite a few more things to do.  We need to seize the opportunity tomorrow since there is only a 10% chance of rain and a 40% chance on Sunday.

Eric Berger, the Sci Guy for the Houston Chronicle, says every day it rains, we avoid temperatures in the 90's.  He always has a Final Fact on his posting today, its been 269 days since Houston's last heat advisory.  :)

Yesterday I picked another egg plant from my container garden.  Look at how much bigger it is than the one I picked on Wednesday.  I guess I should leave them on the vine a little longer before picking.


I hope you have a wonderful weekend doing the things you love with the people you love!!!

I want to give a shout out to the Houston Rockets for pulling out a win last night against the LA Clippers.  The final score was 119 - 107.  Their next game is here on Sunday.

Go Rockets!!!

Take care,

Debbie







May 14, 2015

Project List Update for the Backyard


To Do List Clip Art Free


Now that spring is here, how are you coming along with your list of projects?  Hopefully better than we are!  We have only knocked off four items.  We need to get busy!  I'd like to have most everything done by next weekend, which is Memorial weekend.  It looks like the weather will be in our favor for this weekend as it is not supposed to rain.  :)  Fingers crossed.

Here is how our list of projects (post here) for the backyard looks today:

Build two lantern posts for backside of fire pit
Power wash fence
Power wash cool deck and patio area
Scrub pool and clean really well
Trim hedges
Mulch for beds (pay someone)
Plant flowers in bed
Plant flowers in pots
Rework doors of shed
Clean out shed
Sand and paint bench
Touch up paint where needed
Clean fan and lights
Wash curtains on patio
Make new curtains for windows in shed
Buy lanterns for shed (not sure about this one/may change mind)
Hang up curtains for French doors
Clean grill
Clean refrigerator (inside and out)
Possibly build in the grill and fridge

It's crazy that I did the original post on our list on April 16th and it will be one month this Saturday.  Time is really flying by!!!

Wish me luck!!!

Take care,

Debbie








Notes for me:
As of yesterday, the water temperature in the pool has not gone above 82 degrees.  The two days I was able to swim laps the water was 82 degrees.  

  

May 13, 2015

Nelly's Future Beach Condo

Beach House

It is Nelly's dream (of Nelly, Her Nerd and Miss J) to have a condo on the beach in
Pensacola, Florida.  So I decided to have some fun and put together this mood board for her.  She said she loves it and I have the job!!!  


Thought you might like to imagine yourself there with Jake Owen's Beachin' video.


Hope you are having a great day!!!

Take care,

Debbie


May 12, 2015

Container Gardening Update


I am happy to report that my container gardening is going really well.


Our lime tree is full of limes.  We will have plenty of fresh limes to make margaritas or just to squeeze into a cold Corona.  How's that for service?  :)

I like to quarter limes and rub them on the bottoms of my feet.  It makes the skin so much softer and easier to exfoliate.


The miniature chocolate bell pepper is here.  I'm waiting for it to turn colors before I pick it.


Here's a pic of the Kale plant.  I'll be able to snip some leaves really soon!


This is the second egg plant I have picked.  There is another one just about ready to cut.
  

I am not sure why I didn't take any pics of the tomato plant and the miniature yellow bell pepper.  Maybe because they haven't produced yet.  Who knows.

Do you have any plants that you are tending to?  How are they doing?  I'd love to hear your tips or secrets to a better container garden.

Take care,

Debbie









May 11, 2015

Mother's Day Weekend


Warning!!!  Warning!!!  Warning!!!
You have been warned....photo overload ahead.

We had a great weekend packed with a lot of fun.
Brad and Justin picked up crawfish to boil for us girls.  The guys ate brisket and the kiddos had chicken and hot dogs.


It was hilarious watching the kids observe a live crawfish for the first time.
They were fascinated with the little thing.



 

After that we went dirt bike riding on Tiffani and Justin's property.  We had so much fun!
 
 


 
 

 

The grass was high so we flattened a circle area to ride around on.  There is a no passing rule so you learn to go a little slower and let them get ahead of you.
 
 

Yeah that's me taking a turn.


Justin's giving me instructions on how to use the brake.  I guess I was going a little too fast!


I had so much fun I didn't want to get off of the bike.  The hubs took a turn, too.  I am respecting his wishes and not posting a photo of him.



Sharing a snack.  Looks so peaceful, right?
Not so much.  Right after I took this photo their mom had to disperse the snacks.
Neither one of them wanted the other to hold the bag.  :)  They are so much alike.
   


Mr. W loves his Uncle Brad.

 

The rays of sun coming through the clouds were so pretty.


Ms. A and Ms. P made me Rainbow bracelets.  So sweet!!!


Brad did a great job seasoning the crawfish.  It was delicious!


We had Bundtinis for dessert from Nothing Bundt Cake.



We watched movies outside on the patio on my new screen!  I love it!  It will be nice to use to watch movies around the pool.

While Mr. W was eating his hot dog and watching the movie, he kept saying this is so cool.
 

 Kevin was so generous.  He gave me and the girls money for a massage, a movie and dinner.  So sweet!  The girls were thrilled.  I had ordered bracelets from Tiffany's for the girls from both of us.  They weren't in so I gave them a picture of it.  They were so happy!!!  They can't wait to get their little blue boxes.

We took the opportunity to relax on Sunday.  I even allowed myself to take a nap.  That is a rare occasion.  It was wonderful.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Take care,

Debbie