Favorite Things

I love these posts!

1. Great Value Naturally Sweetened Drink Mix I am super excited about this recent find at Walmart. I hate drinking so much aspartame in diet drinks. I can tolerate water sometimes, but I'm not a huge fan. Sweet tea is my favorite, but sugar isn't healthy either. This, until now, hadn't left me with many healthy choices of beverages. I found these drink mixes and was thrilled! I have been waiting for this for a long time. It's sweetened with truvia, which is a natural sweetener that comes from the stevia plant. I actually make tea now and sweeten it with truvia. The mango pineapple is good and the strawberry kiwi tastes great, also. Here's to having something healthy AND low calorie to drink!

2. My current obsession...



3. World Market- LOVE this store and wish there was one closer. Any time I visit Birmingham I like to go. They have the best curtains and kitchen equipment...or should I say cutest???!!!

4. True North Nut Clusters- SO good!

5. Shimmer Nail Polish

This is my most recent selection. It's Sally Hanson Midnight Sky. I'm all about some cool nail polish! Now if someone would only invent a way to make it stay on for more than a day without chipping.

I tag everyone to do a Favorite Things blog now. It's one of my favorites to read!

Another Edition of "Around Town"

It's been a while, but it's now time for another edition of what's going on "Around Town." In case this is your first time reading, these are ACTUAL newspaper clips from a super small town in Alabama. Their paper is published once a week and by reading the following, it's obvious there's not quite enough news to fill it. ***Note: This is NO joke. I couldn't make this up if I wanted to.

*Last Thursday, Shirley and Mary shopped and ate at Arby's.

*Violot enjoyed a visit recently from her daughter and her husband, Betty and Jimmy. While they were visiting, they and M.L. and Fay put up lots of kraut.

*Adean accompanied Dean to her eye doctor's appointment last Wednesday.

*Edree was amused to hear of the bird adventures her daughter, Billie, is having. Edree said when Billie went to pick figs for her preserve-making, the blue jays had a hissy fit and objected strenuously. They darted around squawking like they were mad as hornets.

*Elsie talked with her daughter-in-law, Benitta, last Wednesday. She said Charles Hall, who had fallen off a ladder, was doing some better.

*Jim and Pattie carried Mrs. Jimmie Nell to Bodacious Steakhouse on Thursday night for supper.

*Patsy and Dale ate lunch at Captain D's.

*Marjorie and Elwanda attended choir practice for the **** County Gospel Hall of Fame.

*Carolyn was sorry to hear her brother Ray was in the hospital on Friday.

There you have it friends. If you think you are bored...... think again.

Flying

That's right, this summer is FLYING by! I remember the first week of being out of school and thinking to myself, "I have the entire summer ahead of me." Now, I am only a few short weeks away from beginning another year of teaching. Ready or not, right?

I returned from my very first mission trip a couple weeks ago. Antigua was amazing in so many ways. It was difficult in ways too, and definitely stretched me and took me out of my comfort zone. That's a good thing, though. I pray God used me and that He is still watering the seeds we left there.

As of now, blogger has reset itself back to the old format, even though settings says otherwise. Therefore, I will end this post before I lose my patience. :) Coming soon: a new favorite things post.

Rescue

Yes, please....

Life List, Re-visited

I went back through my blog and found my Life List, first posted in 2009. I was interested to see if I had accomplished anything I set out to do two years ago.  Thankfully, before this summer is over, I will be blessed to be able to mark off four things!  Now, who is up for working through this entire list with me? LA anyone? Italy?

My Life List: (in random order)

1. Visit Los Angeles/Hollywood/Laguna Beach
2. Visit New York City
3 Travel to (or at least through) all states in the U.S.
4. Ride a gondola in Italy
5. Take a cooking class
6. Go to Paris
7. See Gavin DeGraw in concert
8. Go on a mission trip9. Get married
10. Have children
11. Buy a house
12. Be debt-free
13. Attend a taping of a daytime talk show (Oprah, the View, Regis
and Kelly, etc.)
14. Learn how to drive a stick shift
15. Go camping
16. Go to the Mall of America
17. Visit Washington D.C. again, and this time appreciate what's
there

Beach- Party of 22

We had a great time at the beach this year!  It was so awesome having sweet little Sarah Taylor with us.  She did great and loved, LOVED the pool!  I feel so blessed to have such a huge and close knit family.  I look forward to spending time with them always, but especially when we can get away and spend some time at a place like Orange Beach.  I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I usually do now that we have a professional photographer in the family (Visit here if you want some incredible pictures taken of you or your family.), but here is a glimpse of our trip in pictures.

The pool at our condo was wonderful! There were two actually, with a splash pad and kiddie pool for the little ones.

She's ready!  Cutest baby ever!

She loved swimming with mommy and daddy.

 All ten great grandchildren...so far. 

 I love this beach towel.

 ST loves her grammy!

 My mom is the prettiest!

 love

 We also celebrated this special event at the beach.  Happy seven months, ST!

Doogie Howser of Blogs

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