29

The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been. -Madeleine L'Engle, writer (1918- )

Happy birthday to me! Here are 29 things about me on my 29th, which happens to be on the 29th:

1. I'm a summer girl.
2. I'm a beach girl, too. I come by it naturally.


3. One of my favorite books is Beach Music by Pat Conroy.
4. Kevin and I both devour Stephen King novels. We've got quite a collection.
5. I can't read said Stephen King novels while Kevin's on call - they freak me out!
6. My all-time favorite book is Gone with the Wind.
7. I have my great-grandmother Odette's 1946 edition of GWTW.
8. I love the way Caroline's laundry smells. I often throw some of my laundry in with hers just so I can enjoy the smell.
9. Sometimes I miss Caroline when she's sleeping.
10. I'm a laid-back parent, which really surprised me.
11. I take long hot baths.
12. I'm in love with Cary Grant.
13. I like to iron (I didn't say I did it often!). I really like to iron new fabric after I've washed it.
14. I was born missing both of my lateral teeth. The teeth I have in their place are my canines, which have been rounded out to look like laterals.
15. My grandfather was a dentist and always wanted a look at my teeth when we visited him.


16. My sister and I called him Boompa, which is what Jimmy Stewart's character's grandchildren called him in his movie Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation. (That's my cousin Dallas, my Mimi Lee, me, and my Boompa.)
17. His mother, Odette, was a French woman and I'm named after her. I've very proud of my middle name.
18. Kevin sometimes calls me Odette.
19. The dinner table at my house is affectionately referred to as "Chez Odette."
20. I golf.
21. I can't stay awake if golf is on the TV.
22. I love crunchy foods.
23. I like to crunch fall leaves underfoot.
24. My favorite tree/flower is the magnolia.
25. Spanish moss is some of the most beautiful stuff on earth.
26. I like cold coffee.
27. I think a glass of wine can fix darn near anything.
28. I have my dream job.
29. I'm not afraid of getting older. Life just keeps getting better!
30. And one to grow on - I like even numbers.

Tiny treasures

I made these little hair bows for Caroline. So cute and easy, too! My mom thinks she looks like Little Cindy Lou Who with the bow! She really does... (She's vegging out to Sesame Street with a snack here.)

I love the blue one the best. I haven't found anything that it matches yet.

And here's a tiny pin cushion. Also very fun and easy to make. Save your 2-liter bottle tops!

On a side note...this is my 100th post! Thanks for keeping up and staying in touch with us!

A night out for Mom and Dad

Every June, the UT-Methodist Radiology Residency celebrates its senior residents with a fancy dinner at some exclusive location in Memphis. We wouldn't dare miss it!

Caroline fed, bathed, pajama-ed, and ready for the babysitter! I was impressed that I actually had everyone ready and waiting for the babysitter. Yea, me! When we were saying goodbye, Caroline started waving at the babysitter and saying, "Bye bye." She didn't understand we were saying bye to her! It made me kind of sad. I guess Mom and Dad need to go out more... The babysitter and she had a great time.


We clean up pretty good...

KY lake = good times

We took Caroline to visit Kevin's parents in Paris this past weekend. We spent time at the lake and had such a good time. Caroline didn't mind her life jacket at all, which was a pleasant surprise. She loved the boat rides! This girl can party - no big naps and a very fussy night, but she was still ready to GO!

Click on the slideshow if you'd like to view the album.

Little ladies

I love this...

And this, too...

We swapped babies with our good friends the Wilsons (they got a night out and we got the next night out - sans babies!). The girls were so cute at dinner - giggling and "talking", just like big girls at the big girl table. And they play so sweetly together. Friends are fun...

Another bubble and a sunny dress

Here it is - another bubble. They are getting easier. Sleeves still give me fits. It looks pretty good (if you don't look too closely!). Regardless, Caroline makes it look fantastic.

And this was fun to make, too. I cut 2 rectangles of fabric, used a pattern to guide me on the armhole shape/size, pleated, and smocked. Bias tape finishes it up and makes adorable little bows at the shoulders. I impressed myself with this one.

Seven blessed years

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a

Made in the shade

Gardenia

Remember the front porch addition? I only wish I could post a scratch and sniff photo for you all to enjoy!

The swimsuit issue

It's hot enough for swimming! Hooray!


Even Tigger gets to cool off. This really reminds me of my childhood...a bubble-blowing terrier always got to share our plastic pool!

Girls' Weekend

Caroline and I went up to Mayfield for my sister Erin's baby shower and some other fun. Here are a couple of fun moments the girls had.

Bubbles are always fun! See the necklaces? Caroline is definitely a girly-girl!


Autumn shows Caroline her "secret house".


Pretty, pretty girls


I made Erin's little boy a smocked bubble, too. I love the piping on the collar and the sleeves. He is going to look so sweet in this! I love this pattern!

Backyard

I love summer, especially lingering in the backyard on a summer evening with a cold beer. (Why does my beer never last as long as the evening?) And the backyard is starting to shape up this year! Not quite Eden, but getting there!

A little garden help


Shasta daisies


Kevin was so excited when he found this bush - elderberry. You know - Monty Python's Holy Grail? I couldn't resist his boyish delight. And its berries attract song birds, so that was a bonus.


Lilac - I've heard of both successes and failures with this bush. I hope we fall into the former category!


Sometimes I let my imagination get away from me. This is my lemon tree. Wouldn't it be nice to pick a lemon fresh from the tree and squeeze it into a cold glass of iced tea (sweet, of course)? I may not be picking any lemons until 2030.


I also dream of tasting fresh lettuce... This one might actually happen this year!


We love, love, love our little helper!!!

Caroline's chair

I love the Mayfield Big Lots. Everytime I visit my family, we always wind up at Big Lots. I always find a bargain. The last time I went, I had been looking for a Caroline-sized seating option (other than the dog nest). I didn't really know what I wanted, but when Mom and I saw this chair, we agreed that it was just right for our growing girl.

She loves it! In and out, in and out... I didn't really love the Dora and Boots image. Good thing I'm crafty! It's not perfect, but I'm very pleased (I can always think of "next time I make this..." improvements). I made a fabric envelope to fit over the existing cover and a flap at both the top and bottom to fit over the frame. It worked out well.


And here's a little hand-tote I made out of a placemat. Perfect for a diaper, a few wipes, and a book. Fun stuff...