Merry Christmas 2010

Another Christmas come and gone.  As much joy as Christmas brings, I felt none of it.  It's wonderful having the teenager home for the Holidays, but I'm numb.  Not numb, broken.  When a parent passes after a long and wonderful life, you can continue on.  After losing my brother Johnny, my heart is broken.  A part of me is missing.  I have never felt so empty with sadness.

Brother John

Sorry for the long absence, but my brother Johnny has been very ill and is losing his battle with pneumonia.  I am in Virginia staying with him in the hospital.  He has been in good spirits even though he knows his time on this earth is drawing to a close.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he moves on to his next journey.

xo ro

The Big Five-OH!

Happy Birthday to me! A week ago, I officially turned fitty!

The hub whisked me off to Bermuda for a long weekend.  It seemed the entire island knew. And, hahaha, it somehow even made front-page news! Go figure, right?  Champagne with hibiscus?  Check.  All dressed up with somewhere to go?  Yup.

 The bar was fabulously oh-so-British.  Scrumptious, to say the least.

 The library?  Perfect for a night cap before retiring.  Oh yes.

 So very tasteful.

And speaking of which. . . 

A room with a view. Sunrise, sunrise birthday morning; Saturday, November 13, 2010.  I'm 50!

And later that afternoon, the same view from the balcony.  Sigh.

There were views from everywhere, of course.

Absolutely one as beautiful as the next.

 Even better with a Swizzle in hand, no?

 I spied a Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher!  Yes, everything in Bermuda is absolutely lovely.

 A short shopping spree into Hamilton where I spied my favorite local black rum!

 A small cove in The Flats, a short distance from the main hotel.

And the beach.

  The pink sands motivated me.

Along with the darling pastel-colored homes.

And the free-roaming chickens and hens.

  

Birthday flowers.

 Swimming in the pool.

 The views from the main pool.

And some relaxation time at the spa.  Like you need this in addition to every other gorgeous spot on the property.  

What a magical birthday weekend.  Hats off to the ever-wonderful hub.  It was absolutely perfect in every way. I'm the luckiest girl in the entire world.

PS  Tucker's Point resort was the best place ever.

Somewhere, Over the Rainbow

 . . . or over the Atlantic.

Precisely, here.

In order to get here.

Stay tuned!

Be Back Soon

Promise.

xo

ro

Bursting with Color

A room with a view (guest room). 

  

Maybe I'll sleep down here while the hub is away.

Don't ya love it?!!

November

November two!  Already!  Birthday month!  I'm just a little excited, can ya tell? Today, most states are holding their gubernatorial elections.  I got out pretty early and voted for the next Governor of Tennessee as well as our representatives in the House and Senate.  I try and time it right after rush hour and before lunch hour.  It seems to work pretty well for this locale.  The hub ran over before he headed out to Memphis for the day.  Ugh.  What a dreary drive that is.

I've been playing with glitter for a couple of days now.  I'm going to make some banners.  I am so loving all these glittery golds!  Of course, it's everywhere now.  But, a little glitter here and there never hurts anything.  I have to smile when I see a little sparkly on the floor.

We have perfect fall weather, a little cooler than it's been.  My one oak tree is gorgeous! LOVE it!

Happy November!

Halloween 2010

I'm feeling especially festive this Halloween.  I believe, this is my second favorite holiday, directly after Thanksgiving.

Abby, what big ears you have. . . . .



Better to hear you with, my dear.        

Last Saturday, I felt a cold coming on.  Ugh.  It was a doozy.  All I have to say is, Nyquil is my friend.    I felt better after the hub came home from Asia; so much so that I went to dinner with a nice colleague of the hub's and his wife.  They are from Texas, so you know they're nice.  But, I got sick directly after dinner.  Stomach.  UGH.  We had planned on listening to some live music after dinner, but I was in no shape.  I shooed them on and drove home as quickly as I could.  UGH.  And so, chicken soup was in order for the entire family.

 And it sure was good.  The boys had grilled cheese with theirs. 

Some decorating was done today.  Just a little fun stuff.  I finally finished the hanging post cards that Beth and I found on our way home from Knoxville.  I just added a little glitter here and there to jazz 'em up a tad.

And my favorite pumpkin in the whole world.  I adore him!  My bestest friend, Amy, brought him home from Riverside last year.  Awwwwww.

The hub and kid, hard at work carving their pumpkins.

I so loved this pic from last Halloween, I had to bring it back.

 

And later that night . . . 

S P O O K Y

These are my great (eeeeek!) nephews and niece.  Aren't they great?!!!!  I miss you all, very much.

Happy Halloween, everyone!