Giving Blood

TIME:  11:10 AM
PLACE:  Work
SUBJECT:  My left arm

It may help save someone’s life…and I get out of work for an hour.

A  win-win situation!

A Fungus Amungus

TIME:  6:51 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT:  Mushroom

That is a very large fungus.

Big Night Out

TIME:  8:39 PM
PLACE:  Bullpen Bar & Grill, New Athens, IL
SUBJECT:  Graphic on building

The HH and I attended a birthday party down in New Athens.  It was at the Bullpen Bar & Grill. 

TIME: 8:22 PM

The HH humored me by posing with the table decorations. 
Thanks hon.

Freshly Picked Raspberries

TIME:  8:21 AM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Raspberries

The raspberry bush is loaded this year.  I picked a quick handful this morning.


TIME:  8:48 PM
PLACE: Joey B’s on the Hill, St. Louis, MO
SUBJECT:  Stella and her spaghetti

The girls and I went shopping in St. Louis this evening. 
We then went out for supper.
That’s a whole lot of spaghetti – she didn’t make a dent.

Evening Visitor

TIME: 8:22 PM
PLACE:  Yard
SUBJECT:  Rabbit

This guy was in the neighbor’s yard.

Thick As A Brick

TIME:  6:21 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT:  Chimney Bricks

Yet another household project.
HH took down the remaining chimney.
He almost slid off the roof.
I’d better make sure the insurance is paid up.

Cracked

TIME:  8:02 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  MonkeyBoy’s cell phone

I received a phone call at work.
Son: ”Mom, I dropped my phone and the screen cracked.”
Me: ”Do you have $200?”
Son: ”No”
Me: ”Does it still work?”
Son: ”Yeah”
Me: ”Well then, I guess you are the proud owner of a cell phone with a cracked screen.”

The Elderberry

TIME:  6:39 PM
PLACE: High School Walking Trail
SUBJECT: Common Elderberry - Sambucus canadensis

I took the dog for a walk after dinner.
It was overcast and muggy.
Pretty flowers though.

Sunday Funday

TIME: 12:37 PM
PLACE:  Edison’s Entertainment Complex
SUBJECT:  TANK! TANK! TANK! Results

It was a work family event today – unlimited games, bowling and laser tag!  SD introduced me to “TANK! TANK! TANK!”  We teamed up to battle the Bee-bots and the Octo-roboty thingy.  I think I was a hindrance more than a help – but then, I’m an old woman, so I have a good excuse.

TIME:  7:07 PM
PLACE:  Shichi Sushi Bar
SUBJECT: Dinner

The boat docked and we demolished it.

Lights, Camera…I Want!

TIME:  1:48 PM
PLACE:  Estate Sale
SUBJECT:  Movie Light fixture

I hit the 2nd day of an estate sale (50% off you know).
The home looked like an ordinary 50’s tract house from the outside.
But it was pretty sweet on the inside.
This light fixture was in the dining area (note the exposed beams).
It wasn’t for sale.
Bummer.

Iridescent Coils

TIME:  7:29 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT: Collated Roofing Nails

We are replacing the roof on the garage.
Ourselves.
In 90 degree heat.
We are gluttons for punishment.
On the other hand…
Who would of thought that the nails we’re using could be so pretty?

Jello Mold Toadstools

TIME:  6:30 PM
PLACE: Front porch
SUBJECT:  Toadstools from Jello Molds

Oh Pinterest – you have such cute ideas.

This time?

I actually got off my duff and made what I pinned!

Parking Lot

TIME: 7:56 PM
PLACE:  High School
SUBJECT:  Parking Lot

MonkeyBoy had soccer practice from 6 until 8 this evening.
The middle of June has come and gone.
Soon, the year will be halfway over.
That’s not right.

The Blade

TIME:  8:53 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  Blade the Gecko

That Blade…he’s pretty cute for a reptile

Evel Knievel She’s Not

TIME:  10:04 PM
PLACE:  StellaDella’s bedroom
SUBJECT:  Scab

She crashed and burned while riding her bicycle today.
She really needs to slow down on those right turns.

Quit Teasing Your Sister!

TIME:  1:14 PM
PLACE:  Westhaven Pool
SUBJECT:  DramaQueen

I had to be stealthy while taking this picture.
I sooo wanted to move the Styrofoam cup. 
But then DramaQueen would have known something was going on.
And I had to see her reaction.
I’m a horrible mother.

Testing at the DMV

TIME: 10:16 AM
PLACE:  DMV
SUBJECT:  MonkeyBoy

MB took the written test for his driver’s permit today.

He passed. 

May the Lord have mercy on our souls.

Star Shadow

TIME:  7:07 PM
PLACE: Hicks Bar-B-Que Company
SUBJECT: Metal star and its shadow

Seen while waiting in line at the drive-thru for my Bar-B-Que Chicken Nachos and HandsomeHusband’s brisket.

Magic Beans

TIME: 6:24 AM
PLACE:  Work
SUBJECT:  Coffee Beans

These are very important this early in the morning.

Fifteen

Year 2014

Year 2006

Year 2000
SUBJECT:  MonkeyBoy

My favorite son is 15 this year. 
He is taller than I am.
He continues to eat me out of house and home.
He’s lucky he’s so damn handsome.

Why You REALLY Need to Wash Your Lettuce

TIME:  5:34PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Unwanted dinner guest in DramaQueen’s salad

The HandsomeHusband picked fresh greens from our garden for dinner tonight.

It looks like quality control was severely lacking in his lettuce cleaning department this evening.

It also looks like Caesar dressing and roly-poly bugs are a bad combo.

Puzzled

TIME:  8:44PM
PLACE: Dining room
SUBJECT:  Puzzle

StellaDella and I began putting this puzzle together about 2 weeks ago.

We are soooo close to being finished.

The moon section has many, many similar pieces.

It’s taking longer than I thought. 
Stupid puzzle.

Sweet, Serious and Silly

TIME:  5:34PM
PLACE:  My brother’s
SUBJECT:  The Cousins

We had a rare occasion this weekend.  The entire clan of 1st cousins were in the same place at the same time.  And, as always, it was commemorated with a “Stair Picture”…

…and giant Jenga.

…and a rousing game of Pit.

A Calf and Some Gas

TIME: 11:58 AM
SUBJECT:  Meatball, a 6-week old calf

Our local historical society had a street fair and historic district house tour today.  My dad, sister-in-law and I met up to take the tour.
Meatball, aka "Belle" is an 8-week-old, black angus calf.  Her role at the street fair was to walk down a street which was once known as "Cow Street,"  In our town’s early days, this was how people used to take their cows to pasture.  She performed at 10:35am, 12:00pm and 2:00pm.

TIME:  10:38 AM
PLACE:  Downtown
SUBJECT:  Gas Meters

While waiting for my dad and sister-in-law to arrive, I took this photo of gas meters for my husband (he works in the gas department of the local utility company).
That’s the kind of thoughtful wife I am.

How I Personalize a Tote

TIME:  5:39 PM
PLACE:  Westhaven Pool
SUBJECT:  Pool tote

Because it’s not “Your Crap” or “Their Crap.” 
It’s “Our Crap” – keep your hands off!

Not The Masters

TIME:  8:56 PM
PLACE:  Centerfield Park
SUBJECT:  Grandpa – putting

DramaQueen was at work, MonkeyBoy at a friends and StellaDella was itching to do something.  We called Grandpa on the way to the mini-golf course to see if he was up for a friendly challenge.

I made a hole-in-one on the first hole…woot-woot!  Unfortunately for me, that was my peak and it was all downhill from there.

He ended up winning…that’s the last time I invite him along.

The Long Arm of The Mannequin

TIME:  9:44 PM
PLACE:  Sports Authority
SUBJECT:  Mannequin

When you are told by your son at 8:50pm that his soccer shoes don’t fit (and the first summer soccer practice is at 9:00am the next morning), you rejoice when you find out that Sports Authority is open until 10:00pm. 

You also take photos of the deformed mannequins while you are there.

Triplets

TIME:  12:55 PM
PLACE:  Effinger’s Garden Center
SUBJECT:  Baby robins

A robin built a nest smack dab in the middle of the annuals of our local garden center.

I was dive-bombed by Mama Robin while taking this photo.

Quick…Lock the Door!

TIME: 8:02 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT: Door and DramaQueen

I have been slowly removing, stripping, staining and reinstalling the woodwork in the kitchen.  The back door with its transom window are the latest sections I’ve completed. 

see, this is how far it’s come…

Originally how it looked (I can’t believe I’m posting this)

Slightly better with a coat of white paint (in 2008)

It’s a process.