what does this look like to you? a Sterilite container on my counter perhaps? if you thought that, you would most definitely be right. To me, that container looks like 2 years of dreams, frustration and an awful lot of hard work. That container is my daughter's bin for dental hygiene school with her scrubs in the garment bag on top. She has already passed her board exams with flying colours. Yesterday was her practical exam. We travelled to the city at 6:30 yesterday morning with my brother in tow..... Happily, my brother Kent was a suitable candidate for her practical exam. I sat anxiously in the waiting room as support. 35 minutes into it, Gary was asked to go upstairs....I thought that meant that my brother was rejected as her candidate -much to my surprise, my brother didn't come back down from the examination. It turns out that the only other girl there from her class had her client rejected and my daughter offered her Dad up as a replacement. Gary was accepted as her client and she was able to complete her practical exam too. (had no one stepped up as her replacement, she would have failed and lost her $500 exam fee -how unfair!!!)

now we wait to see how it all turned out. the next 2 weeks will have many trips to the mailbox I am sure.

so look at that container on my counter again. What do you see? I see possibilities, I see the future. I see my little girl growing up.

I am officially a redneck!

we are back from Nascar. we were at the Carfax 400 at the Michigan Internation Speedway. what a time we had! you have to tailgate at least once before you die.... I can cross that off the bucket list now!. there is something about drinking beer and barbequing in a field that's been turned into a parking lot for 100000 of your closest friends for the day. and to think we started tailgating at 9:30 am on a Sunday!

you have to forgive me, I forgot my camera at home..... I know, shocking isn't it. I had to rely on Gary for the photos. (there aren't very many of them.... I would have taken about 300 LOL) there I am in the middle photo.... the one in the orange shirt and Nascar hat and a beer in my hand (tailgaiting started at 9:30 and the drinking didn't stop til the race was over..... when in Rome!)

Michigan is beuatiful and I would go back there again in a heartbeat. we had such a good time there.

some benefits

there are some benefits to being up at 3am..... I got the dishwasher unloaded, loaded, cleaned and unloaded again. I also folded up 2 loads of laundry. the best part is I used the Aug kit from Scraptures. I am happy with the way the layout came together...... now I am exhausted and it's time to start my crazy busy day....

God is challenging me!

I have to keep you up to date on the trials and tribulations of Gus. I would never have guessed what he got himself into last night. Ryan came upstairs with Gus at bedtime and said that he had something in his teeth. (Ryan thought it was a bottle cap) Gus was obviously distressed..... turns out it was a clip it up clip. He had chewed it to a misshapen mess, but it had in fact, clipped to the side of his mouth way at the back. It would no longer open, but it was attached fastly to the side of his mouth. I think I would have been freaking out too if this was attached to my mouth. After numerous attempts at getting it off, Gus was finally free. He again, settled down to sleep and started snoring right away. I know someone up above has sent this dog into my life to test me, but more importantly, to see the humour in everyday life! and oh my, is it funny these days.

oh this dog!

Gus was chasing Peyton up the deck stairs and his back leg went through the back of the stair and his back end just fell. Poor Gary thought Gus had broken his leg. I saw just how much Gary loves his dog last night. He was so worried about him. I came down and it was obvious nothing was broken, but I was more worried about tendon and ligament damage. Initially he wouldn't weight bear on it, and when he did, he barely touched his toe to the ground and it turned in and he dragged his foot. OMG!! I had visions of ligament surgery and months of rehab. (you know it would be me doing all of that) Gary carried Gus upstairs last night and he just layed his head on a pillow and went to sleep. Well, this morning, Gus jumped on the bed and licked Gary's face. all that worry last night was melted away!! Gus is slightly sore today, but none the worse for wear. I swear this puppy is going to be the end of me!!

great news

I have exciting news to announce. I was asked to be part of the amazing talented design team and the scrapping nook

please stop over and check out all the great things that are happening there. the forums are friendly and very inspirational. stop by and say hi!!!

is summer really 1/2 over already?

ever feel that time is just slipping away? as hard as I try to hold on to it, it slides away even faster. I guess the challenge is to enjoy the moments and hold on for the ride. here's what we've been up to so far this summer. can't wait to get scrapping these!!