Magnolia Mom

Like I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been super busy with soccer league pictures. I finished up last night with taking the pictures. Now I’ve got to finish going through the pictures, editing, posting to galleries, sending emails, and placing orders. Then, start deliveries. Lots of work. I’m just happy that I was able to take all the pics on schedule. No rain outs!

I’ve got several posts in the works, but I just gotta find time to get them finished up and posted. I was looking at my blog earlier and realized that my header has a Corgi on it. WOW! I got a huge lump in my throat, realizing I don’t have a little black Corgi at my feet tonight as I sit and write this post. Tuesday after writing my last post, I cried much of the day. In my peripheral vision, I’d see something white and black on the floor. I guess, by habit, my mind would jump to the conclusion it was Rosie, and then I’d remember that she’s gone. Ugh! I’ve also heard lots of noises while home alone this week. Usually, I would have just assumed it was her, but now with her gone, I became quite curious what was making so much noise. One day, there was a cricket in the kitchen that kept hopping, which made a noise like Rosie’s nails on the floor.

Rob worked hard Tuesday and Wednesday digging a hole in the backyard. We buried her Wednesday and plan to have a funeral for her after the kids make a stone to put on grave. Oh how I miss her…

Anyway, Wow. I got off subject there. I love my header, so I’m not sure I’m going to change it because I know someday, we’ll have another Corgi. But, maybe I’ll find another cool pic to use instead. I’m also working to have some Menu pages with links to those in my sidebar. I’ll let you know when those are up.

So the posts that I’m working on include:
- Kids’ 1st day back to school
- TV Boy’s soccer pics
- Some new recipes
- Cub Scout Survivor Pictures
- Soccer Tourney pics (from this weekend)
- And…..probably more travel posts. I’ve got a couple more cruise posts that I want to share. Then, I plan to move on to Road trips!

So stay tuned.

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Just wanted to post this for those of you who read this on a subscription. I have a question on my sidebar that I would love for you to come answer so click here. Check out the survey question on the right hand side bar. THANKS

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So this blog seems to be turning into a cruise blog and I’m sorry to those of you who think of cruising as a ridiculous way to travel. Since we can’t take any big vacations now, it’s just been so therapeutic for me to write these cruising entries. I do plan to do some other travel posts, too. Anyway, so what else have we been up to now that it’s summer. Well….

This week TV Boy has been at Boy Scout camp and will return tomorrow. Here’s a couple pics before he left.

After leaving the Scout Hut, we took Monkey Boy to his Grandparent’s house for a stay-cation. While we were up there we met our new nephew and Monkey got to play with his other 2 cousins.

This time with both kids away has given me time to work on my job search and just go full force with trying to make something happen on the job front. I’m hoping that putting in this extra effort will give me more opportunities. Please pray that it will. After all, I need a vacation! And I have to work so I can actually take a vacation, right? And once again, I digress.

On Tuesday, my Dad dropped in for a quick visit. He’s been an official for RAAM again this year and on his way back he usually tries to stop by. We enjoyed the visit with him and look forward to seeing him again soon. I know he was bummed that the boys were away.

Last Friday, Pack 29 had their June Pack Meeting. It was held at the Forest Ecology Preserve. Monkey is now a cub scout!

Last week was VBS. Monkey Boy attended and TV Boy and I volunteered. TV Boy helped in the recreation station and I was with a 4th grade bunch. Here’s a few pics from VBS. See all pics here.

TV Boy is running cross-country for school next year, so he’s been training with the high school/jr. high teams every morning at 6:45. Rob, Monkey, and I have also gone walking during the time that TV Boy is running.

Other happenings of this summer include trying to stay cool, watching movies, enjoying being with each other (or at least trying), and before you know it we’ll be getting ready for school. How’s your summer going?

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When thinking of things that make happy there’s all sorts of categories of things that make me happy. I’m going to try and highlight the top things so this is not a never ending post!

I can’t make a list without putting my kids. I’ll have to say I’m especially happy when they’re getting along!

And the hubby.

Our dog, Rosie, brings me joy.

Friends make me happy.

Happiness is dancing! I’ve loved dancing since I was a little girl and still it’s one of the things that makes me most happy.

Music evokes such emotion in me and also memories. I can hear a song and automatically think of what was going on in my life when that song came out.

Diet Coke (although I drink regular now, not caffeine-free) and Chocolate!

A clean house

Traveling

Going out to eat, not having to cook.

And then there are days I’m happy staying home and cooking.

Going out with Rob to concerts, musicals, or just a movie.

Weekends of nothing to do.

Photography

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For my Show us Your Life post today, we’re telling about you live. I live in Auburn, AL. It has grown so much since I moved here in 1996. I really love the quaintness of this college town. There’s lots of the perks of a large city, just in a smaller setting.

View from above.

picture courtesy of auburnpilot via wikipedia

Toomer’s Drugs

Population: around 55,000

6 miles to Opelika, AL, our “twin” city
35 miles to Columbus, GA
55 miles to Montgomery, AL
100 miles to Atlanta, GA
215 miles to Pensacola, FL

Our city is equipped with nice biking paths, 11 public parks, many walking trails, and a state park.

The downtown area has really changed during the 14 years I’ve lived here. All pretty much for the better. College hangouts/bars scattered among several good restaurants, barber shops, little boutiques, etc.

Cheeburger

Mellow Mushroom

Bank of Auburn, which used to be Bodega

Here is the famous tree that gets rolled with toilet paper any time Auburn wins.

Jule Collins Smith Museum

Auburn’s iconic building, Samford Hall

Jordan Hare Stadium on Game Day

Events, where college athletes come out to participate and promote the cause

On Game Day’s the population grows in triplicate! This is a cool article about Tiger Walk that occurs before every home game.

Summer night events to showcase the Arts along with a live music

Other locally owned restuarants that are good to try when you’re visiting are:
Niffer’s

Byron’s Smokehouse

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This week at Show Us your Life over at Kelly’s Korner is How You Met Your Husband week. I’ve written some pretty in depth posts about that here, here, here and here. I have most of the next post And baby makes three…(part V) started, but never finished it. Maybe I’ll finish that soon. Anyway, for this post I’m going to write an abbreviated version of these posts.

I was a sophomore at Texas Tech and Rob was a sophomore at Auburn. We met on AOL, when it was just beginning to get popular. We chatted online every night and day for a while and then started talking on the phone. I flew out to meet him not long after. Eventually I transferred to Auburn University. We dated a little over a year and then got engaged.

We were engaged for about 3 months, which made for some really quick wedding planning.

Our wedding was great. We had so many people come from far away to be with us during that special weekend.

We have now been married almost 13 years. 13 years??? WOW! That’s hard to believe it’s been that long.

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This is my oldest niece, Arial. She’s peeking through the bars on the playground. She’s one of the few kids I’ve reminded to smile who didn’t give me that crazy, fake smile. I think her smile is precious, but maybe I’m just a bit bias.

Be sure to check out I ♥ Faces to see all the other beautiful faces that have been entered into the contest!

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Rob’s cousin, Candi, gave me a blog award, Beautiful Blogger Award.

I’m passing this award along to 3 very different bloggers:
1. The Flossip, who I’ve read for years on her previous blogs. She’s a great writer.
2. Southern Gal Goes North , who I’ve read for a couple years.
3. Vitafamiliae, who I’ve read for a little over a year. Her Dad is Rob’s boss.

When awarded you’re supposed to list 7 things about yourself. So, ummm…. let me think here….trying to think of things I’ve never said on here before.

1. Rob and I have made a commitment in 2010 to go to church and Sunday School every week.
2. We also just started a bible study; Growing Kids God Way
3. I am SO excited that 24 starts tomorrow!
4. I am trying to do a 365 day photo project over on flickr.
5. This is my 3rd year to attempt this, but I have such a hard time staying committed to it wanting to be more creative.
6. I didn’t think the “Pants on the Ground” song was so funny. We watched it on DVR a couple nights after reading and hearing all the hype and I just didn’t get it.
7. Love the satisfaction of a clean house.

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Delurk, delurk…come out from wherever you are!

So wherever you are, whoever you are, whether you’ve commented here before or not, please leave a comment and show me some love. I love to hear from my visitors and have proof that someone besides myself reads this thing.

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I was awarded this Friendship Award by Fun Mama, who was a very good friend of my husband’s in high school. We met at one of his high school reunions last year and have been falling each other ever since.

I’ld like to give this award to Candi, who is Rob’s cousin. We have several things in common one of which is our photography addiction , husbands who are sports fanatics, and we enjoy traveling.

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