Friday Fun

Happy Friday!

 

Young Mr. showed me this earlier this week. I loved it and thought I would share it with you.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Travel Tuesday - a "green" trip

John Deere green, that is!

We decided to play local tourist on Sunday. We went to John Deere Historic Site. It was interesting and has changed a lot since the last time I was there (in 3rd grade...).

This is Rick the Blacksmith. It was just the Mr., myself and the kids in our tour group (Patty was a great guide!). He gave us a fantastic blacksmith demostration and was SO funny and passionate about Mr. Deere and what Rick does for a living! (picture from the website)

It was $5/person over the age of 12. We thought it was worth the stop. Plan to spend about 2 hours there.

PS: We got the Deere/Reagan homes combo ticket for $7/person

 

We decided to drive on west and visit the John Deere Pavilion. We got to check out the equipment, play with the exhibits and check out all the JD merchandise.

We were a little disappointed by this but I would still like to do the JD factory tour.

 

Our next stop was the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home (our 40th President). We had taken that tour previously, but it was still fun to see where he lived and hear a little about his life. Little Miss didn't remember being there before...

It was $5/person over the age of 11. It was a worthwhile stop. You can make this stop in about an hour.

 

I did pick up a little souvenir on our 'travels' - this is steel leaf pendant made in the blacksmith shop at the JD Historic Home site. A little reminder that something as small as a plow blade made 177 years ago, has become the corporate giant it is now.  A small dream that has become something he never would have dreamed of.

To marriage

Spurred by a sweet text message I got from my Mr. yesterday, I decided to forego my regular "Friday Fun" post today.

 

I love my husband, he's my best friend.

We've been through a lot in our almost 17 years of marriage, not all of it rosy, but we're together, have worked through it and are probably stronger than before we dealt with it. We still hold hands, he still makes me laugh and we say "I love you" everyday.

 

I hope everyone finds their best friend to spend their life with too.

I leave you with some thoughts:

 

Book reviews

I have not done any reviews for quite a while, so here's a couple I've read lately.

 

Genre: Fiction

5 out of 5 stars

Good Reads synposis: Cathy Holton, author of the popular Beach Trip, returns with an intriguing and mysterious tale of dark deeds and family secrets in a small Southern town.

After a personal tragedy, Chicago writer Ava Dabrowski quits her job to spend the summer in Woodburn, Tennessee, at the invitation of her old college friend Will Fraser and his two great-aunts, Josephine and Fanny Woodburn. Her charming hosts offer Ava a chance to relax at their idyllic ancestral estate, Woodburn Hall, while working on her first novel.

But Woodburn is anything but quiet: Ancient feuds lurk just beneath its placid surface, and modern-day rivalries emerge as Ava finds herself caught between the competing attentions of Will and his black-sheep cousin Jake. Fascinated by the family’s impressive history—their imposing house filled with treasures, and their mingling with literary lions Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Faulkner—Ava stumbles onto rumors about the darker side of the Woodburns’ legacy. Putting aside her planned novel, she turns her creative attentions to the eccentric and tragic clan, a family with more skeletons (and ghosts) in their closets than anyone could possibly imagine. As Ava struggles to write the true story of the Woodburns, she finds herself tangled in the tragic history of a mysterious Southern family whose secrets mirror her own.

My thoughts: This was a wonderfully written book. It had a great story with lovable characters. I was drawn into this from the first page.

Genre: Fiction

5 out of 5 stars

Good Reads synoposis: In the summer of 1942, twenty-one-year-old Anne Calloway, newly engaged, sets off to serve in the Army Nurse Corps on the Pacific island of Bora-Bora. More exhilarated by the adventure of a lifetime than she ever was by her predictable fiancé, she is drawn to a mysterious soldier named Westry, and their friendship soon blossoms into hues as deep as the hibiscus flowers native to the island. Under the thatched roof of an abandoned beach bungalow, the two share a private world-until they witness a gruesome crime, Westry is suddenly redeployed, and the idyll vanishes into the winds of war.

A timeless story of enduring passion from the author of Blackberry Winter and The Violets of March, The Bungalow chronicles Anne's determination to discover the truth about the twin losses-of life, and of love-that have haunted her for seventy years.

My thoughts: I read this book in about 5 hours, I haven't done that in years!  This book sucked me in from the first sentence. You will cheering for Anne, Westry and their friends.

Literary Junkies - May, 2014

It's that time of month again. This month, the Literary Junkies are discussing Where'd You Go Bernadette tonight.  (PS: my Twitter handle is @cubsfan3410)

You can read all the link up answers by using the button to the right.

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!
I'm listening to Ladies' Night by Mary Kay Andrews. I am currently reading a rough draft of an author friend's new book.

2. Do you judge a book by its cover? What cover elements make you not want to pick up a book?
I am a cover judger. I like something bright or eye catching on the spine.

3. Do you participate in any other bookish link-ups? Tell us about them so we can join next time!
Nope, Literary Junkies is it

4. Have you ever watched a movie that was better than its book version? Explain yourself!
I can't say that any movie I have seen has been better than the book.

5. Summer is here! Do you read more often during any particular season?
I think I read more in the winter. I like to be outside doing things outside.

6. What is the worst book you've read this year? Why?
Hmmmmm....

What are you reading?

Hello Monday!

I hope you all had a nice weekend!
Ours was pretty uneventful - lots of housework and laundry.

Tomorrow is the latest Literary Junkies link up and twitter chat. This month's book is Where'd You Go Bernadette. (stay tuned for my blog link up tomorrow...)

How was your weekend?

Friday letters

I haven't done one of these posts in a while, so...

Dear Friday,

WELCOME!

 

Dear Powers that Be,

Thank you for being with my FIL through his procedure and thank you for the encouraging news!

 

Dear Mother Nature/Phil the Groundhog,

SNOW!!!???? W-T-H! Give it up - we want some spring here.

Dear Cubbies,
Let's get our act together here and pull out some wins!!!!!

Dear Blackhawks,
Some W's for you over the next week would be great.

 

Dear Pinterest,

Why must you be so addicting? I lose all track of time when I start snooping around.

 

Dear Blog Readers,

Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement the past couple of weeks. It is truly appreciated.

 

Dear Weekend,

Please go slow!

 

Dear Stack of Books,

I hope to get to you this weekend.

 

Dear Dust & Dirt in the Corners of our House,

I'm coming for you this weekend!

Wishing you all a wonderful Friday and weekend!

1 year ago

One year ago today, I had my heart surgery.  At that time, I never thought I would be having a heart procedure done before I was 40, but alas....

I feel worlds better a year later. My energy level is higher and I feel like I can physically do more.

I am grateful to my cardiologist and his team for their professionalism, compassion and friendliness.

I feel compelled to champion for the American Heart Association, on behalf of myself, my family members and everyone dealing with cardiac issues.

Tuesday shout out

There are so many fabulous blogs out there. I have many, many that I enjoy reading. I'm giving a shout out to a few bloggers. I hope you'll stop by there and leave them some love.

The Artsy Cajun  (make sure you check out her Etsy shop too)
Handling with Grace
Last Yesterday
Peace, Love and Understanding
She May be the Song that Summer Sings
To the Moon and Back
Sassy in Sequins

You ladies are wonderful bloggers and I enjoy reading.

Happy Tuesday all!

Friday Fun

This is one of my favorite movie scenes

Togetherness

I have realized in the last twelve hours how much my job holds a "family" type environment. That includes my co-workers and our clients, and we are reminded just how involved we truly are in our clients' lives.

 

We had a tragic farming accident in our community yesterday. It has touched one of our direct clients - and it gives all of us in our office a heavy heart today. It was an accident - and they do happen. We are deeply saddened by the loss and sadly, it is a reminder to be careful, pay attention and live each day to its fullest.

 

Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them everyday!

It's Monday....again!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

 

I hope you had a nice weekend. Ours was good - very fast but good.

 

 

Saturday, we went grocery shopping; took Little Miss to dance and went to my parents' to visit and play with my niece!  Little Miss did great at dance! It was her and three high school girls who have been dancing for many years. She kept up with them pretty well and was determined to keep up with them.

 

Yesterday, we hung out; Mr. and Young Mr. went to the Blackhawks game (they won!). Little Miss and I went to watch Young Mr's girlfriends' viola recital. The were all very talented and it was neat to watch and listen. We walked home from the recital and I asked if she wanted to stop and pick up dinner at McDonald's. She says "It's like a Mother's Day gift, going to McDonald's." I asked if she was paying. She turned her jacket pockets inside out and said "Sorry, no money." I had to laugh!

 

Wishing you a great Monday!

Friday Fun

My friend sent these to me last week, knowing I needed a little cheer.
Without furthe ado....

COWBOY JOKES!

#10

Why did the cowboy's car stop?

It had Injun trouble!

 #9 

Why did the cowboy ride his horse?

It was too heavy to carry!

 #8 

Why did the cowboy adopt a dachshund?

He wanted to get a long little doggy!

 #7 

Why did the cowboy keep his horse in a barn?

To give it a stable environment!

 #6 

Why did the cowboy thief take a bath before every stickup?

He wanted to make a clean getaway!

 #5 

Why did the cowboy brush his teeth with gunpowder?

So he could shoot his mouth off!

 #4 

Why did the cowboy die with his boots on?

Because he didn't want to stub his toe when he kicked the bucket!

 #3 

How do you catch a unique horse?

Unique up on it!

 #2 

How do you catch a tame horse?

Tame way!

 #1 

A cowboys is captured by a tribe of fierce Indians, but considering themselves civilized savages, they offer to grant him three wishes before they scalp him. Considering his situation carefully, the cowboy says: "For my first wish, I'd like to talk to my horse."

So the Indians bring his horse, and the cowboy whispers into the horse's ear. The loyal animal almost seems to nod its head, then trots off and returns an hour later with a beautiful blonde on its back. The cowboy is clearly upset and says: "For my second wish, I want to talk to my horse again."

The Indians are perplexed, but they grant this wish as well. Again, the cowboy whispers in his horse's ear, and again the animal trots off, returning an hour later with a beautiful redhead on its back. The cowboy fumes and stomps on his hat.

The Indians inquire as to the cowboy's final wish, and he says: "Let me talk to my horse one more time." A third time, he whispers into the horse's ear. The animal, nods, trots off, and returns an hour later with a beautiful brunette on his back.

Furious, the cowboys shouts: "You stupid horse! I said POSSE!!!"

Happy May!

Wow! It's May!

 

My Cubbies finished April at 9-17. UGH!  I can hope for a better May for them.

 

Any big plans for this month? Saturday (5/3) is National Scrapbooking Day - soooo, I'm hoping to get a little paper playing done! We hope to make a trip to Six Flags and catch a baseball game sometime this month. My sister-in-law's baby shower is at the end of the month. I hope to get some more flowers planted and the yard looking a little better.

 

Have a great day - tomorrow's Friday!